USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > The history of Melrose, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts > Part 10
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Afterwards this homestead reverted to John Green, son of William. He was a selectman of Stoneham in 1735. This was after this part of North Malden had been set off to Stoneham,
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
which, years later, came back to Melrose. John's will men- tions his son John, who has " my dwelling-house and farm and the land adjoining, that lyeth on the west side of the country road that leadeth from Malden to Reading, that was my grand- father's; " and son Jonas has " all my land on the east of the country road aforesaid." He built thereon a house, just this side of the Wakefield line, on Main Street, which disappeared a few years since.
John Green left his property to his son John, who be- queathed it to his only son John, who was a bachelor. Be- fore the death of the latter, he devised it to William Green, or, more truly to his wife, Abigail Green, who lived with him many years, says the l'inton Genealogy, and took care of him .in his old age, till the very end. At the death of Abigail Green, Nov. 6, 1848, she left the property to her sister Sarah, widow of Aaron Green, who was a descendant in the fifth gen- eration from the original Thomas, by another line. At her death the property went to her daughter Abigail, who married Edmund B. Southwick. This daughter, Abigail, was the sister of the late Aaron Green, who was born in the old Lynde house, on Russell Street, March 14, 1802, and who died April 23, 1882, eighty-two years of age. Mr. Green served several years as one of the Assessors of Melrose; was also on the School Committee.
There were other descendants of the original Thomas Green, who lived on other farms on the territory first Charlestown, then Malden, then Stoneham, and then Melrose. Others lived in Malden proper. Only the ownership of the homestead of the first settler is here traced.
In 1682, John, Henry and Samuel Green, bought of Thomas Robinson and John Floyd, the northerly part of a farm north of Ell Pond, bounded easterly by the "Redding highway, northerly and westerly on the Common land southerly by ye said Greens land." #1 It was in what is now Melrose High- lands. On this farm was built the homestead for John Green. Henry Green's farm and house was situated near the corner of Franklin and Vinton Streets, and it afterward passed into the possession of the Vintons. Isaac, son of above Samuel, had his homestead on what is now Ashland Street, a few rods south of Franklin Street. In 1758, he sold his estate to Thomas and
11 Middlesex Deeds, book S. pp. 301-2.
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OLD FAMILIES AND HOMESTEADS.
Hannah Vinton. Hannah was Isaac's daughter. The farm consisted of nineteen acres, and was "bounded northerly and northeasterly by a Lane that goes from my dwelling house to the County Road." This lane is now Ashland Street, and the County road Franklin Street.
Another Isaac Green, a grandson of Thomas, lived about half a mile west of the Highlands Station. He was a Select- man of Stoneham in the years of 1745, '53, and '58. The following is a copy of a unique receipt he gave on account of an indebtedness:
MALDEN, July ye 20th 1759.
Received of Benoni Vinton of Malden the sum of fifty pounds Lawfull money being in full on all accounts debts dues & Demands due or payable from him to me from the beginning of the world to this day. Recd by me ISAAC GREEN.
Test JONATHAN GREEN.
Among these other descendants were the following who lived in Stoneham: Deacon Joseph Green, whose farm was near where the Highlands Station now is. He was a Select- man of Stoneham in 1747, '49, '54, '5 and 'S. April 16, 1770, he sold half of his farm to Thomas Vinton, and April 15, 1777, the other half to Ezra Vinton, a brother of Thomas; Captain Josiah Green, who was born in 1735, and lived on the county road from Stoneham to Lynn about three-quarters of a mile west of the Highlands Station, on Howard Street. He was Selectman 1781, '6, '7, 1791 and '92. His first wife, Elizabeth Green, died in 1798, having borne him eight children. He then, at the age of 64, married Sarah Skinner, a woman twenty- two years of age, and forty-two years younger than himself. She also bore him eight children. The V'inton Genealogy says concerning this Captain Green:
A most remarkable family ! Where can a parallel be found? Eight children born after the father had passed his sixty-fifth year! Rebecca. the youngest. born in her father's seventy-ninth year! Some twelve or more of his great-grandchildren older than some of his children ! Three daughters named Sarah. two living at the same time! On the 27th of April, 1806, Josiah Green had a daughter Susanna, a grand- daughter Paulina Bucknam, and a great grandchild. all born on the same day! The same accoucheur, Dr. Hart of South Reading, and the same women attended in all three cases! ! ! This is reported on good authority.
Many descendants of Thomas Green settled in Malden
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
proper, and attained prominence in civic, town and military affairs. In the will of one of them, Deacon Daniel Green, grandson of Thomas, born in 1681, he bequeathed to his wife Mary, his " negro woman and children." Another grandson, Jacob, born in 1689, kept a diary, or " book of memorabilia: Jacob Green, his Writing Book," which is still preserved. It is a small leather-bound volume, 312 by 6 inches, containing about 140 pages. It is mostly in the handwriting of Jacob, but partly in that of his son, Rev. Jacob Green.
A great-grandson of Thomas was William Green, born in 1683. He was a carpenter. As a curiosity a copy of the con- tract for building a school-house is here given:
Artecles of agrement made an Concluded between ye Select men of Maldon and William Green of ye sd town carpender Referring two ye bulding of a school house for ye sd Town of Maldon ye demen- tions and conditions are as foloeth :
Viz : That ye sd William Green doath Covenant and agree with ye sd Select men to Buld ahous to keep school in for ye town of Mal- don ye dementions are as foloeth; viz; Twenty foots in Lenght and sixteen foots in bredth six foots between joynts and Buld a Chimne in sd hous nere seven foots between ye gams and Lay a harth in sd Chimne and cover sd hous tite with Boords Rough and Sides-and Shingel ye Rough of sd hous and two Lay one flower and two make it with crooked beams Riseing two foots at ye Lest for Roufe 4 beems. and Ribed upon sd beems as may be suffistient and Brick ye wals to ye plaets and make two windores one on ye South and ye other on ye Est and make ye dower of plain Boords. Sd house being Studed about 3 foots asunder and two find all for sd house so fer as has bin mentioned and two set it wher ye towne shall agree and to under pin sd house. And ye above sd select men dou promis and agree in behaef of ye Town of maldon to pay or case to be paid unto ye above sd William Green 19 pounds for ye above said woork and where with all to do ye same as foloeth : 5 pounds and twelve shillings in Boords and ye Remainder in money as ye woork shall go forward. And sd woork to be don forthwith, by ye 20 of Aprill next ye woork is to be competed, as ye seson will alowe all such Artikels and agreements to be performed by booth partys in Wittness whare of thay have here unto set thare hands this 27 day of October 1712 and in ye elevent yere of her Majest's Reign Queen Anne.
WILLIAM GREEN, HENRY GREEN, ? Selectmen.
THOS. NEWHALL, SAMLL SPRAGUE. JOHN GREEN
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OLD FAMILIES AND HOMESTEADS.
As has been seen, this original Green farm was situated first in Charlestown, then in Malden, then set off to Stoneham, and then, in 1853, it was set off to Melrose; and it was in the pos- session of the Greens for over two centuries.
The late Elbridge Green, who built the house now standing at No. 467 Main Street, was the son of Reuben, a descendant of the sixth generation from the original Thomas Green. He was born in ISII, and died Feb. 21, 1898, aged eighty-seven years. He held several town offices. He was the first Town Clerk after Melrose was incorporated. He served as Modera- tor at one Town Meeting, as Assessor for three years, and was on the School Committee two or three years. He was an upright and exemplary citizen; "a gentleman of the old school."
There are still Green descendants living at the Highlands; among them Levi W. Green, of the seventh generation, now living on Franklin Street, whose father, Peter Green, lived on "Green Lane," now Orris Street; some of this land is still owned by the Greens. Another is Mrs. Emily G. Cochrane, daughter of the late Aaron Green, and mother of Mau- rice G. Cochrane, formerly one of our Park Commission- ers.
Captain Jonathan Green, of "Green Lane," now Orris Street, was of the fourth gen- eration from Thomas. He was a leading man in Stone- ham for many years; cap- tain of a military company; Selectma'n twenty years; Town Clerk and Treasurer twenty- five years; member of the Convention assem- bled in Boston, in 1788, to ratify the Constitution of PARLOR AND CORNER BUFFET. 12 the United States. His farm contained 215 acres. His house, still standing, and occupied by a descendant, is near
# This unique corner closet contains many of the old china and "other family heir-looms."
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
the line between Melrose and Stoneham. It was built early in the 18th century, and has been occupied by five genera- tions of Jonathan Greens. Tradition says that the builder utilized one end of his house for a while as a barn.
Captain Green kept a diary of the most important events that occurred during the years from 1738 to 1745, wherein he recorded the various house and barn raisings, the going to Lynn for shad, the fact that he " Went to Nahant for a frolick," and that " My Sheepskin Breeches made up;" also " My Green fustian Cote & Gold trimed Jacket made up." Some of the more important events are thus recorded:
1738 July I Bought our Negro.
1740 July 9 Proclamation for volunteers posted and Bees honey melted down in ye hive.
Sept 1 Mr. Whitfield precht at Boston.
1741 June 15
Chose our Son Representative [Samuel Green.]
Sept. 20
A Cattemont seen at Malden.
1743 June 22 Unyousal worms seen at Chas. which devoured grass and Indian & English Corn.
July 3 They were seen in Jabez Green's field.
Aug 5 A fast Kept at Malden on ye account of ye worms.
Aug 27
Thanksgiving day at Malden on ye account of ye de- parture of ye worms yt eat ye grass.
Nov. 22
Remarkable high tides So high that it carried away 12 ye Stacks on ye Marsh Some it carried over ye Causey at Charlestown neck of land.
31 A Bear Killed in Ephraim Browns Swamp in Stoneham by about 16 Men.
1744 April 7 James Hay bought his Molatto Negro aged 8 yrs.
June 3 Sabbath Day ye Earthquakes heard 3 times je first time a very hard Shake so yt ye Stone wall fel Down in many places.
June 28 Fast in this province on ye account of ye french war. [This was the French and Indian War of 1744-47. Capt. Green afterwards speaks of " first training to List Volunteers to go. none listed."]
Previous to the time of setting off the ten families living on the territory now Greenwood to Reading, in 1727, some of those living on territory farther south, now Melrose, were dissatisfied with their Church privileges; and May 15, 1722, it is recorded:
John Green Att ye farms [the original homestead at the Highlands] Sam! Green Jonathan barritt [between Upham and Porter Streets]
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OLD FAMILIES AND HOMESTEADS.
And seueral othars yt petisiond with Them: doe desier: Abatement on Ther ministars Reates : by Reson as they say They doe liue more conuenant To Go [to] Reding meting Then To malden meting :
It was putt To vote To see whethar ye Town will abate Those peti- tionars The one half of There ministars Reates.
And it past in ye negitiue :
And just before the division was made this action was taken:
it was put to vote whether the Town will have two meating houses in this Town and ye vote was past in ye negetive. it was put to vote whether ye Town will Alow ye people in ye north Eand of this Town some money to help them to provid themselve with preaching in ye winter sesons and it past in ye negetive
But a little later, May 22, it was voted:
that ye tenn famelys yt have petioned to be Laid off from this Town, unto ye Town of Reding, have Liberty to goe to Reding with there Estates Acording to their petion.
This left the Greens of the woods, Barretts, Uphams and others still unaccommodated and with rates unabated; and yet many years were they necessitated to go to Malden centre for town and church privileges.
THE BARRETTS. All the Malden and Melrose Barretts descended from James Barrett, who was born in England in 1615, came to New England in 1635, and settled in Charles- town. His name does not appear among those who were admitted freemen; but the Charlestown Records of 1643, state that " James Barrett was admitted Townsman ' with manifesta- tion yt he is not to expect any allotmt of land.'" By industry and enterprise he accumulated considerable property; and there are upon record many conveyances of real estate to and from him. In a deed to Peter Tufts in 1653 he is called " Plantor." His farm was in Mystic Side, in that portion of it now the city of Everett, not far from where the Eastern Rail- road crosses the main street from Malden to Boston. In 1656, he was chosen Highway Surveyor in Charlestown, for Mystic Side. There were some curious law-suits in those early days. James Barrett became involved in two, and the following account of the same is found in the County Court Records, vol. I, pp. 149, 241. They show the somewhat peculiar and effective manner in which justice was administered in those
L. of C.
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
early days, and the method of paying fines, as ordered by the Court, in the products as well as the currency of the country.
In 1657
James Barrett, on Lord's day turned off his field some cattle belong- ing to George Knower, into the lane or road. He was met by Knower, as he was letting down the bars, who struck him a severe blow with a stake. Barrett, in self defence, drew blood on Knower's face. It being not only a violation of the law, but a breach of the Sabbath, it therefore became a matter of legal animadversion.
The verdict was as follows:
George Knower being convicted of Breach of the Sabbath and also of the peace of the Comon Wealth by striking James Barrett on the Lord's day is fined by this Court thirty shillings and to pay cost of Court. James Barrett for like offence by him committed in Striving with and fetching blood on Knower is fined twenty shillings and to pay costs of Court. These fines to be Pd in corne Porccouable in all mannr graine as the country rate at ye same prises.
The other was a case of slander, brought by James Barrett and William Luddington, against Mary Tufts of Malden, in 1660.
It appears by the evidence, that Peter Tufts of Malden, had beaten and abused his man Henry Swillaway, who went to Barrett and Lud- dington and told his tale and cried. They being kind hearted men sympathised with him. This case was brought into Court they appear- ing as evidence in his behalf. That led Mary Tufts, wife of Peter, in her indignation to utter the following words- Viz. - " That none Spake against husband at the court but the Skines of the Country, and liars, and them that did not care what they said." For the utter- ance of these words a suit of Slander was instituted.
In the Middlesex Court Records, vol. I, p. 200, is recorded this severe and mortifying sentence:
The Jury brought in their verdict, finding for the Plaintif damages ten shillings apeece, & an acknowledgemt to be made by the defft at Mauldon vpon the Lords day in the after noone, within the space of thirty dayes next ensueing, and to be made after the publicke exercise is ended, before the congregation depart in mannr following. vizt. in these words. That whereas J Mary Tufts am legally convicted of slandering & wronging James Barrat & William Luddington, or any other whom my words might reflect vpon, by speaking Rashly, irregu- larly, & sinfully. J am heartily sorry, & doe desire to be humbled for the same, & in case of non observance to doe as above is prmised either to pay ye said ten shill. apeece, or makeing such acknowl-
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edgemt both for mannr & time: the Jury do find that ye defft shall pay vnto ye pts fifty shill apeece, & costs of Court, thirty one shill. & two pence.
James Barrett died in 1672. His son James, born in 1644, settled at the north end of Boston, near Copp's Hill, and his son James, born in 1672, came into possession of his grand- father's farm at Mystic Side. He became a prominent man in Malden, serving as Selectman for several years, and acting on many important committees. Among. his possessions was a saw-mill at Spot Pond. The Bi-Centennial Book of Malden, has the following items connected with this James Barrett:
In 1708, April 2, Deacon Greenland has liberty to build a pew. It was voted at that time, "That if james Baret will make up the twenty aight shillings, which the town is in detted to him for worke at the meting house, forty shillings, then he shall have as conveneant seat in the meting hous as his naberas have." Among other necessary appendages of an old-fashioned meeting-house in New England were the horse-blocks and stables. The first notice we find of these in Malden, is under date of Dec. 9, 1698; it was voted "that Tryall Nubry, Simon Grovar, Samuell Bucknam, william pain, james Barrit, and John Greenland, hath the priveleg of a peece of land of 24 foots long and 9 foots wide, from ye South west corner of ye parsonage garding westwardly along by ye stone wall, Granted them by a town vote, for to set a stable to shelter their horses on the Sabath days."
Deacon Jonathan Barrett, a brother of James, born in 1678, was also a Selectman of Malden for many years, served on numerous committees, and was many times Moderator of the Town Meetings. These two brothers took opposite sides in the long and bitter contest in Malden, which grew out of the location for the new meeting-house, which was finally settled by building it on the spot where now stands the Universalist Church of Malden. Deacon Barrett came to North Malden about the year 1700, and his farm and home- stead was situated on the " East Side;" the house being about half-way between Upham and Porter Streets. Its site, with the stone filled cellar-hole, still exists. It is on the highest rise, a little way to the west of School Street; and the newly laid out Lincoln Street, running from Porter to Upham, now only par- tially built from Porter, when extended through to Upham Street, will pass directly through it; thus obliterating all traces of the original Barrett homestead. In 1714, Mr. Barrett was one of the petitioners for the laying out of Upham Street.
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
Porter Street was then called Barrett Lane. He was one of the Selectmen of Malden for the years 1725, '26, '31, '36, '37, '38, '39, '40, and '44. He died in 1749, aged seventy-two years. He made an interesting will,
a portion of which follows:
Jonathan Barret
In the name of God Amen. the twenty six day of August one thousand seven hundred and forty nine I Jonathan Barrett of Malden County of Middlesex in the Province of Massts Bay in New England yeoman being very sick and weak in Body But of perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God for it therefore calling to mind the mortality of my Body and Knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, Do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament, that is to say Principally and first of all I give and Recomend my Soul into the hands of God that gave it and my Body I Recomend to the Earth to be buried in a decent Christian Burial at the Discretion of my Executr nothing doubting but at the General Resureition I shall receive the same again by the mighty Power of God and as Touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me in this Life I give Demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
Item. I give and Bequeath unto Rebecca my Dearly beloved wife the improvement of my East Lower Room of my Dwelling house and Chamber over the same and one third part of the cellar during her natural Life, with free Liberty of coming at the same as occasion shal call for : I do give her the improvement of one third part of my house- hold goods within doors: and the Improvement of two of my best Cows to be kept for her Winters and Summers yearly and every year by my Executers during her natural Life I also give her two bushels of Malt two barrels cyder three bushels of Rye nine bushels Indian Corn ground and brought into her house the cyder and grain to be provided yearly and every year seasonably during her natural Life by my Executors I also give to her six cords of good wood to be cut and split and brought Seasonably to her door fit for her fire I also give her five bushels of Apples two bushels Turnips half bushel carrots and half bushel of white beans fourscore pounds Pork and seventy pounds Beef four pounds hackled flax and four pounds Sheeps Wool all to be provided yearly and every year by my Executors during her natural Life Also Ten pounds Money per year during her Life Likewise that she shall be carried to meeting when she is able and desirous to attend the same B all above mentioned to be performed eaqualy be-
48 In several of the wills of the members of these old families, the following phrase or its equivalent. often occurs: "also a horse suitable
for her (his wife) to ride on to meeting as she may have occasion while she remains a widow."
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OLD FAMILIES AND HOMESTEADS.
tween my two Executors. The ten pounds money above mentioned is to be understood in the old Tenor. ... Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Joseph Barrett whom I Likewise constitute make and ordain my Executor of this my last will and Testament two thirds of my Mansion House that is the Remaining part of it that I have not given to my Wife together with the Remainder of my Buildings. I also give him all the Remainder of my lands that I have not given to my son James above mentioned by him to be freely possesed and en- joyed and to be at his disposal forever. . . . As for my Negro Isrial my Will is that he shall serve my son Joseph Barrett faithfully Six years and after that term of time is expired he shall be free and that my Son Joseph shall give Bond that he be not a Town charge.++
As is seen by this will, Jonathan's son Joseph came into possession of the old homestead and its farm. At this time slavery existed in Massachusetts, and Joseph Barrett became the possessor of two slaves; one by inheritance by his father's will, and the other through the action of the town of Malden, as is seen by the following from the Malden Records :
Malden Febr the 7th 1755, be it known that Whereas the selectmen of said town have put a mulatto child that has been latly laid at the dore of ann welcome to me Joseph Barrett of said town giving me fifty two pounds ten shillings old tenor with said child I the said Joseph Barrett do promis for me and my heirs to indemnify and clear the said town from any charge that may arise upon the account of said child so long as it may be made a slave to me my heirs or to them that I or my heirs shall assign said child too.
in witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand JOSEPH BARRETT.
In connection with this transaction the town passed this vote two years later:
1757, May 16th Voted, That the town doe alow to An Wellcom ten pounds old tenor to be laid out in repairing her Shatterd habitation and that on the account of her nursing a child eight weeks that was laid at the dore of her house. 1757. June 6, Voted. that the selectmen shall take care that said money be laid out for that purpose.
This Ann Welcome was a negress, whose little cabin thus repaired, stood under the side of the hill on the northerly side of Salem Street, Malden, near the line between Malden and Revere, at the point known as " Black Ann's Corner."
The slave Israel, which he inherited, was to serve him six
++ Probate Records, Cambridge, Book 26, p. 3.
.
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HISTORY OF MELROSE.
years. Wishing to learn a trade he was bound out to Joseph's brother, Jacob, by the following instrument:
This Indenture witnesseth that whereas Deacon Jona. Barrit, late of Malden, deceased ordered in his last will and Testament yt his Negroman Survent Isrial should serve his son, Joseph Barrit faithfully for ye space of six years after ye decease of ye above sd Testator, of which time there being Two years Past the sd Negro being desirous of Larning ye Trade and art of a Cooper which his sd master, Joseph Barritt complied with and by these Presents Puts and Binds the above sd Negroman a Prentice unto Jacob Barritt of the town of Lancaster in the County of Worcester and Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England Miller and the sd apprentice to serve him and wife from ye Day of ye Date hereof for and during the full term of fore years next during all which time ye sd apprentice his sd master and mistress faithfully shall serve, there secrets keep, their lawful commands gladly everywhere obey. He shall do no damage to his sd master nor his mistress nor see it to be done by others without Letting or giving notice thereof to his sd master or mistress Goods or Lend them unlawfully to any one, he shall not Commit Fornication nor contract matrimony within sd term. At Cards or Dice or any other unlawful Game he shall not play, whereby his said master or mistress may be damaged. with his own Goods nor the goods of others he shall not absent himself Day or Night from his masters or mistress services without their Leave nor haunt ale-houses taverns or play houses. But in all things behave himself as a faithful Apprentice ought to do during said term. And the sd master and mistress shall use ye utmost of their Endeavors to teach and instruct the said apprentice in the trade and mystery of a Cooper and procure and provide for him sufficient meat drink apparel washing and loging fitting for an apprentice during ye sd term and at the expiration of ye sd Term return ye sd Apprentice as well clothed as at present to ye above sd master Joseph or his heirs who shall by these presents be obliged to receive the sd apprentice and clear the sd Jacob Barrit and his Heirs from all charges yt may arise after his time is out with him and for the true performance of every part of the sd covenants and agreements, either of ye Parties Bind themselves to the other by these presents in witness whereof they have Interchangeably put their hands and seals this seventh day of September Anno Domini one Thousand seven Hundred and fifty-one and in the Twenty-fifth year of his Majesties Reign.
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