USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Woburn > The history of Woburn, Middlesex County, Mass. from the grant of its territory to Charlestown, in 1640, to the year 1680 > Part 3
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539
" WONDER-WORKING PROVIDENCE of Zion's Saviour in New Eng- land," the celebrated history of Capt. Ed. Johnson, 75-76
WOOD, CAPT. JOHN. Anecdote of his enlistment in the French war, 348 Ilis boldness and humanity in caring for a disabled brother soldier, 348-50
23 | WOOD, SYLVANUS, takes the first prisoner in the Revolutionary . 23 war, 34S
Receives a pension for the act, 1824 (scc Revolutionary War), 364 WRIT OF MANDAMUS from superior court to town of Woburn re- specting teacher of grammar school (see Appendix VIII.), 545, 546 WYMAN, ENSIGN SETH. Comman- der of Capt. Lovewell's com- pany after the death of his chief. His skill and bravery in the fight at Lovewell's Pond, 207, 208
INDEX TO NAMES.
PAGE
PAGE
Abbott, Samuel,
489
Brooks, Nathan,
297-9, 300, 368
Alexander, David,
. 306 Brooks, Timothy, 161, 230, 288, 298, 309, 312, 317 · 368
Bacon, Michael, 25
Baker, John,
Baldwin, Major B. F.
451. 453-4
Baldwin, Daniel,
. 50, 82, 137
Burr, Rev. Jonathan, . 16. 17
Baldwin, Geo. R., .
389
Butler, Samuel, 252
Baldwin, James,
385
Baldwin, James F.,
389
Baldwin, John, . 113 Caldwell, John, 423
Baldwin, Loammi, 225, 319, 342, 360, 364, Caldwell, Jacob, 368, 375. 377. 378. 383. 385.
386-0, 391, 397, 403. 408-9, Carter, John, 413, 424-8, 430-1
38-9, 45. 57, 79, 112. 153, 214, 217-18
Baldwin, Thomas, 40
Bartlett, Joseph, 413, 415. 435-6, 438-9
Bateman, Peter, .
113
Belknap, Thomas, 230, 287
Bennett. James. 225
Bennett, Rev. Jos., 417-18, 420. 422, 462, 463-4. 467-9. 512
Berbeen, John, 50-51, 113, 173
Blanchard, David, 377 Chickering, Rev. John W., 470, 472
Blodgett. Nathan. . 290
Chickering, Rev. Joseph, 814, 448, 450. 452-4
Choate, Charles, 50
Clapp, Jeremiah, 424-6. 428, 431, 438
Chupp, Rev. Supply, 173
Coggan, John, . 37, 47, 123
Coggin. Jacob, 3GS
.
520
Brooks, Daniel, .
490
Conn, Chas. K .. Conn, Horace, ·
422
Brooks, Isnac.
57, 123
Brooks, Jolın, 37, 39. 48, 50, 184 |Converse, Allen,
49,52
·
Alexander. Philip,
Brown, Joseph, 414. 425-6, 428. 438-40.442 Bruce, John, 368, 414
113 Brush, George, 37,47
Buckman, Bowen, 516
Baldwin, Henry, ·
383
Butters, James. 388
Byington, Rev. Swift,
483
378
Carter, HI. A., 517
Carter, Samuel, 52-3, 126, 131, 211. 230. 308
Carter, Rev. Thomas, 18. 19, 21-2, 40, 52, G1, 65. 87-8. 95. 101, 104. 108, 124, 126-7, 141, 156, 506
Center, Bill, 414
Chamberlain, Wmn., 47
Chickering, Rev. Jabez, 449, 461
Blodgett, Caleb, 135, 190, 192, 248, 254, 256-7
Blodgett, Samuel, 131, 184, 262. 359-60,
3GS, 382-3, 435
Bodwell, Rev. Joseph C., 422, 474-9, 483
Band, Joseph. 431
PAGE
PAGE
673
INDEX.
PAGE
Converse, Edward, 10, 13, 14, 20, 25, 27, 28,
31, 50, 72, 73-4, 127, 176, 531 Converse, James, . 73, 92, 131-33, 138, 149, 175. 178
Converse, James, Jr., 149, 165, 176, 178-81 490, 493
515
Converse, Josiah, 38, 39, 49. 58, 81, 83, 94, 134, 189, 212, 213. 222, 227, 431. 435, 490
Converse, Robert,
80, 25G
Converse, Sarah, .
494
Converse, Zechariah, 123
Corcoran, Timothy,
517
Cotton, Mrs. Elizabeth.
Epitaph
on her gravestone, . 340
Cotton, Josiah,
309. 320-21. 324, 337-8
Cotton, Roland,
279-80, 290. 302. 308-9
338, 339
Count Rumford,
225
Fox, Jona., .
Crogin, John,
37,47, 123
Cummings, David,
414, 507
Cummings. John, Jr., 507, 517
Cutler, Jesse.
501
Gardner Joseph,
418, 422
Cutler, John,
113, 123, 500
Cutter, Benjamin, .
·
Cutter, Ephraim, .
422, 479, 516
Cutter, Stephen,
.
466
Davis, Thaddeus, .
490
Davis, T. G.,
520
Dean, Jesse,
414-15
Deane, William,
GO
Dix, Nathan,
373
Dole, Rev. Geo. T.,
Douglas, Robert,
. 359-60, 414, 435
Dupee, Isaac,
. 279-80, 290
Eames, Samuel, 191-2, 230, 235, 300, 313
Edgell, Benj.,
373, 377, 382
Edgell, John, 485, 493
Edwards, Rev. Jonathan,
421, 469-71,
480-81
Ellis, Fred W.,
520
Flagg, Benjamin, .
330
Flagg, Ebenezer, 214, 230, 236, 237, 240, 303, 306, 308
Flagg, Eleazar, 184, 188, 236, 239
Flagg, George,
493
Johnson, Ebenezer,
188, 210. 227, 229,
45, 82, 100, 123
237. 250, 252, 255
Flagg, Gershom, Flagg, Gershom, Jr., 306, 308, 50G
Flagg, Henry,
485
Flagg, John, .
414
.
Flagg, Sewell,
.
511
.
Flagg, Zechariah, .
.
308
Fowle, Benjamin, .
. 368, 437, 485
Fowle, Jacob, 61,308 .
PAGE Fowle, James, 51, 136, 173, 176, 183, 184, 218, 225, 226, 230, 231, 297. 334. 385, 390
Fowle, James, Jr ..
368, 584, 389, 405
Fowle, John, 77, 190, 192. 225, 237, 248, 261, 283, 284, 287, 290. 293, 294,
303, 306, 308, 385, 391, 490
Fowle, Josiah,
389
Fowle, Leonard,
493
Fowle, William,
81,319
Foster, Hopestill, .
153
Fox, Jabez, Rev., 66, 83, 88, 89, 95, 99, 101, 104, 125, 136-41, 146, 147,
156, 211, 212, 331
Fox, Rev. John,
80. 146-52. 176. 190,
212-13, 221, 226-7, 242, 219, 252-3, 255, 259, 260-62, 265, 267-72, 274-7, 302, 305, 308, 320-1, 326, 331-3, 517-18
306, 308, 332, 342, 368
Fox, Thomas,
140
Fox, William,
177
Gleason, Thomas, .
414
422
Gould, Thomas,
152
Graves, Thomas,
11, 14, 17, 27, 38, 69,
70, 531
Green, Rev. Thomas,
. 484-5
Hale, Jonas, .
460
Hale, Thomas,
113
Harnden, Benj.,
252
Harnden, John,
255
Hart. D. D.,
519
Hastings, John, Major, .
435
Haywood, Jonathan,
290
Henshaw, Thomas,
320
Henshaw, Keziah,
59, 319, 323
Hill, Ralph,
25
Hood, Jeremiah,
+
113
Jackson, Edward, 252, 235, 259-63, 265, 267-71, 277-82.302, 305, 308, 315, 820-5, 333, 337, 339, 518 Jaquith, Abraham, 242
Jaquith, John,
252
Johnson, Benj.,
191, 230, 245, 250, 252,
255, 287-8, 297, 298, 319
Johnson, Edward, 10, 14, 16, 17. 20, 25, 28, 31-2, 38-9, 42, 44, 50, 56, 70, 73-4, 76-7. 125. 164, 204, 252, 255, 274, 283-4, 287,
203-4, 530-1
Jolinson, Francis, .
316
Johnson, Ichabod,
195, 204
Converse, Jesse,
Converse, Joshua P.,
481
Dow, James N.,
519
Hay, John,
391
674
INDEX.
PAGE
PAGE
Johnson, Isaac, 382, 407 Mousall, John,
Johnson, John, 60, 153, 158
Johnson, John, Jr., 494, 495, 517
Johnson, Jonathan,
172
Johnson, Joseph,
Johnson, Josiah,
196. 198, 203-4, 206,
218, 224, 262. 271, 283-4, 287, 293, 297-8, 307, 313, 334-5, 343, 358
Johnson, Matthew,
49, 58, 76, 85, 93,
130, 132-3, 154
Johnson, N. B., 466
Johnson, Noah, 204, 207
Johnson, Reuben, . 414
Johnson, Seth,
500
Johnson, William,
39. 40, 42, 76, 79, 81,
92, 129, 138, 149, 166-8, 204,
207,212
Jones, Ebenczer, 347
Jones, Samuel,
252
Jones, Rev. Thomas,
338, 365
Jones, Willard. 390, 451, 453
Judson, Rev. Adoniram, 488
Kendall, Francis, 37, 39, 45, 49, 57, 93.
Kendall, John, 129, 154
Kendall, Obadiah, . 414, 427
440, 442
Kendall, Obadiah, Jr., 442
Kendall, Samuel, 228, 231, 245, 283, 307-9 Kendall, Thomas, . 50
Kennard, Rev J. Spencer, 485-7
Kimball, Rev. Henry, 483
Kimball, John R., . 422
Kimball, Reuben, .
413, 423
Knight, John, 2d, .
494
Lane, Joshua, 447
Laurence, Ebenezer, 460
Lawrence, Jonathan. 336, 377
Lawrence, Joseph,
431, 440. 442. 446 . 20, 25
Leathe, Elijah,
308, 415, 431, 435 308, 334
Proctor, James, 230, 252, 255, 274, 287, 290
Proctor, Jonathan, 362
Randall, Rev. Silas B., 512
Randolph, Rev. Webster B., 512
Reed, Daniel,
368, 446
Reed, Ebenezer,
500
Reed, Eliphaz, 500
Reed, George,
184, 226, 256, 262, 500
Reed, Israel, 220, 284-7, 292
Reed, James, . 414-15, 423, 502
Reed, Robert,
500
Reed, Swithin, 500, 502
Reed, Thomas,
. 61, 81, 123, 230
Moore, Rev. Humphrey,
448
Richardson, Adam,
225
.
10, 14, 20, 25, 28, 31, 50, 71-2, 531
Munroe, Ishmael, .
321, 390
Murphy, Patrick, . 517
Nelson, Albert H., 496, 515
Nelson, Rev. E., 487
Newhall, A. A., 493
Nickerson, Alphens S., .. 482
Nowell, Increase, 10, 15, 20, 77, 539
Oliver, Rev. Daniel, 434 .
Osborne, Thomas,
152
Palmer, Abraham, 10
Parker, Edmund, .
167
Parker, Ichabod, 438, 442
Parker, John L., .
521
Parker. Josiah,
352, 415, 438, 442 487
Paul, Rev. Thomas, Peak, Elder, 485-87
Pearson, Kendall,
252
Perry, James.
500
Pierce, Daniel.
135
Pierce. Jacob, 440, 453
Pierce, John, 153, 185, 188. 217, 220, 262 Pierce, Joseph, .
50
Pierce, Joshua V., 494
Pierce, Josiah, 287, 297,307.393
Pierce, Nathan, 414 .
Pierce, Robert, 49, 154
Pierce, Samuel,
252
Pierce, Thomas.
37-39, 79, 123, 137,
226. 359
Pierce, William, 113
Plimpton, Silvanus,
308
Polly, John, .
113
Poole, Eleazar,
298, 299
Poole, Jonathan, 261-63, 286-87, 297, 303, 306, 308
Porter, Asahel, 362
Porter, William.
.
362
Priest, John,
.
113
Leathe, Samuel, 377-8
484
Lippingwell, Thomas,
.
Locke, Samuel, 1). D., . 177
Locke, William,
129, 149, 177, 261-2
Lynde, Thomas, 10
Mallory, Rev. Samuel, 488
Manning. Uriah, 457, 460
March, Rev. Daniel, 471-3, 482
Marrett, Rev. John, . 363, 365-6, 411, 433, 449
Marshall, Rev. Herbert,
488
Learned, William,
Leathe, John,
Linscott, Josiah, 227
373, 375, 378-9
675
INDEX.
PAGE
Richardson, Bartholomew, 77-8, 314, 320,
342, 434, 446. 451. 453
Richardson, Benj., .
309, 318-19
Richardson, Calvin, 457
Richardson, Ezekiel, 10, 11, 15, 20, 25,
31, 531
Richardson, Israel,
225, 228
Richardson, Jabez,
225, 535
Richardson, Jacob, 490
Richardson, Jeduthan,
368, 377, 415,
435, 440-42
Richardson, John,
112, 368, 507
Richardson, Joseph, 50. 82, 85, 230,
231-2, 308, 318
Richardson, Joshua,
298
Richardson, Nath'l,
118. 287-88, 298,
307-8, 313, 330, 354-5
Richardson, Nath'l A., .
511
Tay, John,
343, 308
Richardson, Noah,
263
Richardson, Oliver,
359,360
Richardson, Pierson,
184, 262, 288
Richardson, Samuel, 11, 20, 25, 31, 50,
119, 190, 192, 261, 271, 283, 531
Richardson, Samuel T.,
50
Richardson, Stephen, 135, 261, 280, 308,
431, 480, 483
Richardson, Sumner,
480
Richardson, Thomas, 11, 20, 31, 119, 195, 203, 531
Richardson, Dea. Thomas,
421-22
Richardson, Timothy,
195, 203-4, 206
Richardson, Zecharialı, 377, 434
Rickard, Truman, M. D.,
515
Rogers, Oliver C.,
·
511
Rogers, Oliver W.,
503
Russell, Bill,
426, 440
Russell, Jesse,
414, 435
Russell, John, 49, 153-4, 157-60, 286, 290, 308
Russell, John, Jr.,
. 157-61, 189
Saltonstall, Nath'l.,
. 338
Sargent, Rev. Samuel, 157, 411, 413, 433, 434-447, 484, 518
Sawyer, Joshua,
303, 306
Scott, William.
403
Seaman, Rev. James N.,
488
.
Sedgwick, Robert, . 10, 15
Sewall, Samuel,
459, 462-3, 479-82
Sheldon, John,
113
Sherman, Rev. Josiah,
41, 329-31, 334,
350-55, 362-3. 534
Simonds, Benj.,
50, 61, 500-501
Simonds, Caleb,
113, 118, 366, 500, 502
Simonds, Gideon, 501
Simonds, James,
287,297,390
Simonds, Luther, .
866
Simonds, Nathan,
414, 428
PAGE
Simonds, William,
390
Simpson, Robert, .
507
Skelton, Thomas, Jr.,
500-503
Sınith, Rev. Elias,
431
Smith, Matthew,
154
Smith, William,
500
.
Snow, Isaac,
297, 309, 313, 317, 334
Snow, Elder Isaiah,
487
Snow, Elder Simon,
485
Snow, Timothy,
288
Snow, Zechariah,
113
Sprague, Lieut.,
15
Stockbridge, Rev. John C.
490-91
Symmes, William,
227
Symmes, Zechariah,
8, 10, 15, 19
Tay, Aaron,
368
Tay, William,
191, 230, 287, 298, 307-9,
312, 330, 334, 359, 377
Taylor, Amos,
362
Thompson, Aaron,
519
Thompson, Capt. Abijah,
415, 424, 426,
428, 431, 439-40, 442, 446
Thompson, Gen. Abijah, 421-2, 507, 511, 519
Thompson, Albert,
515
Thompson, Benj. (Count Rumford),
225, 385, 390-402
Thompson, Benj., ..
390
.
Thompson, Benj. F.,
. 465-6
Thompson, Daniel,
362
Thompson, Ebenezer,
225, 390
Thompson, James, 25, 123, 243, 245, 252, 254, 261-2, 390
Thompson, Jon., 50, 52, 91, 112, 254, 262 Thompson, Rev. Leander, 481
Thompson, Col. Leonard,
431, 518
Thompson, Samuel,
298, 347, 359, 362,
368, 377, 381, 389, 414, 424,
425-6, 429, 431, 435, 440, 442
Thompson, Simon,
82, 170, 252, 255
Thornton, Joshua,
.
309, 312
Tidd, John,
. 51, 184, 188, 220, 262
Tidd, John D.,
.
491
Tidd, Jonathan,
377,457, 507
Tidd. Samuel,
490
Tottingham, James,
368
Tottingham, Rebecca,
489
Tyler, Jon.,
414
Tyng, Jonathan,
227
Walker, Edward, 170, 288, 297, 313, 423
Walker, Isaac,
170
Walker, James.
414, 423, 425
Walker, Rev. James,
172
Walker, John,
170, 413-15, 423, 425-7
Walker, Joshua, 170, 225, 229, 319, 359,
362, 871
676
INDEX.
PAGE
Walker, Josiah,
414, 457
Walker, Josiah, Jr., 414
Walker, Samuel, 37, 39, 60, 109, 129, 138.
169-70. 209, 236, 262
Walker, Samuel, Jr.,
170-3, 261, 414
Walker, Sears C., .
174
Walker, Hon. Timothy, 172, 174, 236-7,
239, 240
Walker, William J.,
172
Waterman, Rev. Thomas,
487
Waters, Samuel, .
82
Wheeler, Rev. M. G.,
422, 475
White, John,
314
Whitney, L. L.,
Wilkinson, George,
48
59
Winn, Increase,
. 37, 47, 129
Winn, Jeremiah,
414
.
Winn, Jonathan B.,
89, 512, 517
Winn, Joseph,
50, 374, 414, 427, 435,
Winn, Moses F.,
511
Winn, Dea. Timothy, 317, 359-60. 382,
384-5, 414
Winn, Ensign Timothy, 414-15, 423
Winu, William, Jr .. 494 Wyman, Marshall, 466
Wood, Alvah,
509
Wood, Capt. John,
348-50, 364, 425
Wood, John,
364, 403, 423
Wood, Silvanus,
125, 363, 364
Woodside, George HI.,
520
Wright, Jacob,
40, 257, 306, 308
Wright, Jacob, Jr ..
306, 308, 342
Wright, John,
38-9, 50, 94, 104, 174
Wright. John, Jr.,
93, 154, 174
Wright, Joseph, 49, 52, 112, 149, 154, 15G, 174-5, 246, 248. 256, 261-2,
342-3, 359
Wright, Josiah,
460
Wright, Rev. Luther,
449, 512
Wright, Thomas, .
28
Wyer, Edward F.,
·
517
Wydown, Elder S.,
487
·
Wyman, Amos,
366
Wyman, Benj., 297-8, 319, 342, 352, 414, 418, 425-6, 431. 440. 442,
457. 400, 506
Wyman, Daniel,
435, 442, 453
515
Wyman, David,
48, 123, 288, 297. 299,
309, 312, 318, 368
Wyman, Ezra,
378-9, 414
Wyman, Francis, 36, 118, 154, 156, 167. 506 Wyman, Jacob, 50, 227, 254, 256-7, 261, 262, 271, 28G
Wyman, James,
299, 368
Wyman, Jesse,
371. 373
Wyman, John. 36-7, 39, 50, 79, 114. 118, 127, 154, 156, 167. 207, 506, 507
Wyman, Jonathan,
507
Wyman, Nathan, 287-8. 431, 512, 516, 518
Wyman, Paul,
368. 378, 435
Wyman, Samuel, .
. 230, 354, 359-61
Wyman, Seth, 195, 197-8, 200-1, 203, 207-8 Wyman, Zebediah, 81, 312, 319, 330, 368, 372, 375, 378-9, 413-14, 426,
435, 438, 440
Yonng. Rev. William,
414
PAGE
Wilson, Benj.,
.
·
677
INDEX.
INDEX TO APPENDICES.
I. Town orders agreed on by the Commissioners at their first meet- ing, 1640. - Names of Subscribers, . 529-80
II. Lines in metre by Capt. Edward Johnson, prefixed to Volume 1 of Town Records, . 530-1
III. Old and New Style - Ilistory of the change, 531-3
IV. Covenant adopted by First Church, 1756, 534-5 Subscribers to the Covenant, 536 Covenant of First Church and Confession of Faith adopted, 1768, 536-8
V. Origin of the name of Woburn, .
539
VI. Land of Nod. Its situation, and the history of its connection with Woburn, 540-3
.
VII. Letters from Maj. James Converse to Gov. Joseph Dudley, relat- ing to garrisons at the frontier forts of Groton, Lancaster, etc., 543-5
VIII. Writ of Mandamus from the Superior Court, ordering the Town to give the position of Grammar School Master to Timothy Walker, agreeably to his election, 545-6
IX. Diary of Leut. Samuel .Thompson, of Woburn, relating his ex- perience as a soldier in the old " French War," in the year 1768, 547-58
X. French Neutrals. Their origin, deportation from Nova Scotia to the Massachusetts Colony, and destribution among its towns at the opening of the French War. - Minutes of the sums paid for the support of those sent to Woburn, . 558-63
XI. Transcript of the Vote of the Town authorizing Bounties to be paid for killing Crows, Jays, and Squirrels, 1741 .- Memorandum of various sums paid to citizens for their destruction, . 563-5
XII. List of men who served for Woburn in the War of the Revolution, 565-78
XIII. Lists of Town Officers. - Deputies to General Court, 1644-1860 .- Grammar School Teachers, 1685-1771. - Pastors of First Parish. - Deacons of First Church to 1866. - Names of persons who were Graduates of Colleges and natives of Woburn, . 578-90 XIV. Genealogical notices of the Earliest Inhabitants of Woburn and their families, 592-657
MEMOIR.
REV. SAMUEL SEWALL, author of this history of Woburn, was born in Marblehead, June 1, 1785, and died in Burlington, February 18, 1868.
He was a descendant of a long line of worthy ancestors, and bore the name of two, who were honored with the highest judi- cial office of the State. He traced his lineage, also, to one of the distinguished pastors of the Old South Church, in Boston, whose character he contemplated with reverence, and his sacred office with peculiar interest. Hence, probably, was that sober- ness of thought and feeling, which was so marked a feature of his early years; and that subsequent purity of aspiration and aim, which led him to the office once filled and adorned by his ancestor. Tradition, also, reports, that he was in infancy consecrated by his mother to the service of God in the Christian ministry ; and, certainly, the teachings and discipline of parental love and piety seem to have had that end in view.
Having received preparatory instruction at the Academy, in his native town, he entered Harvard University in 1800, and graduated with unblemished reputation, in 1804. Already decided as to the profession of his choice, he at once com- menced the study of Theology, at Cambridge; occupying, at the same time, a minor position in the College government. After the usual period of professional study, and being pos- sessed by nature, education and rigid self-discipline, of fitting qualifications for the ministry, he took orders in the Episcopal church, of which his parents were members, and in which he had been accustomed to worship. Having officiated in this church for a short time, at Cambridge, and elsewhere, he became
ii
MEMOIR.
dissatisfied with its polity and creed, and embraced the princi- ples and service of the Congregational church. He was ordained pastor of the church in Burlington, April 13, 1814. Here, he discharged the duties of the pastoral office with fidelity, and a good measure of success, during a period of twenty-eight years. How great that fidelity and success, though many fruits of it remain, can be fully known only hereafter.
When his connection with the church in Burlington had been dissolved, Mr. Sewall did not relinquish his profession, or relax his interest in the spiritual welfare of his fellow-men. He con- tinued to preach for several years, at North Woburn, and, after- wards, with more or less frequency, in other places. His last sermon was preached at Carlisle, August 11, 1867; and his last public exercise was at the ordination of Rev. Mr. Hudson, now pastor of the church in Burlington, December 19, 1867, when he offered the ordaining prayer.
But, besides the studies and labors of the ministry, which he never neglected, Mr. Sewall was accustomed to pursue, with eagerness and delight, antiquarian and historical researches. In this pursuit, he followed a natural bent of his mind, and was content with only the most thorough and accurate results. His ardent love of truth would not allow him to rest satisfied with any conclusion, respecting which a shadow of doubt remained in his mind. He cherished, in particular, a deep and lively interest in persons and places endeared to him by any special tie, and songht to become familiar with their history. Being pastor of the church in Burlington,-originally a precinct of Woburn, -he felt strong inducement, and used diligent efforts to obtain a precise knowledge of the carly settlement and original inhabi- tants of this town, and of its subsequent municipal and ecclesias- tical affairs. He pursued his investigations . for many years ; foreshadowing, meanwhile, in a series of lectures delivered in Woburn, the results at which he finally arrived. These results were waited for, very naturally, with impatience, by many who were anxious to possess a complete and reliable history of the place of their nativity, or adopted home. The delay, however,
iii
MEMOIR.
to which they have submitted, will now be more than compen- sated by the fulness and accuracy of the work, and the exceed- ing interest with which the narrative is clothed. We venture to assert that a more complete and accurate, or more interesting, local history is rarely to be found. As such, it is now presented to the public, and particularly to the inhabitants of Woburn and its vicinity, with confidence that it will be rightly appre- ciated by all who shall read it .*
To sketch, minutely and with justice, the character of him, whose life is now only a memory, would indeed be pleasing to the writer, and might be profitable to others, should it but inspire them with like ardor of excellence, and like hope of grateful remembrance. But the picture of a character so pure and exalted, and a life so unspotted and saint-like, could not be fitly drawn by one so closely and tenderly allied. The impulses of fraternal affection might give it colorings, which, to another's eye, would seem unreal or be invisible. It shall be only said, therefore, that there was in Mr. Sewall,-as is admitted by those to whom he was most familiarly known, - a singleness and purity of mind, a transparent simplicity and gentleness of heart, a dignity and propriety of deportment, and a tenderness and yet peace of conscience, which made themselves felt wherever lie was. He possessed a sound mind, and his intellectual attain- ments were varied and extensive. He sought, as he desired, only the reputation of a good man and a consistent Christian ; and was wholly unambitious of any other distinction. His humility often made him distrustful of himself, and too ready to confide in others. With the meekness of wisdom, he mingled the gentleness of charity. True to his own convictions, he never failed to treat with courtesy and respect the convictions of others, however different they might be. Venerating all genuine goodness and greatness, he inspired an uniform confidence in his own sincerity and unaffected simplicity; a belief that he felt whatever he expressed, and that no interest exhibited by him
* The author dled while this work was passing through the press. For himself, it is said, bo only wished to live a few hours longer, that he might see the completion of the work.
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MEMOIR.
was factitious. He lived and moved, he thought and spoke, as if ever in the felt presence of his God. The will of God was the law of his daily life. The strength and joy of his soul sprang from communion with God; and to walk in all the command- ments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly was hiis constant care and ardent desire. Age shed a ripening influence upon the virtues of his early and maturer years. It gently relaxed the ties which bound him to the world he was soon to leave, while it hallowed the memories and hopes which endeared to him the world he was approaching. It rendered more precious and con- soling his own religious belief and trust, while it enlarged his charity and widened his sympathies towards others of every Christian name and sect. Sorrows and the most painful bereave- ments he had borne with meek submission and unfaltering trust. Sickness and pain could not rob him of the peace of calm, patient, steadfast reliance on the providence of God, and an entire resignation to His will. He knew "Whom he had believed," and his faith in Him never wavered. So death came to him only as an angel of mercy, to release him from mortal pain and decay, and to translate his meek and pure spirit into the blissful presence of his Saviour and his God.
PREFACE.
The History of Woburn, which has been for years in a state of preparation, and long expected by the inhabitants of that town, for whose use it was principally intended, is at last finished, and ready for the press.
Before proceeding to the work itself, it seems proper to state briefly what led me to undertake it, and some of the causes, which have since, for so great a length of time, delayed its completion.
This History originated in a series of historical lectures upon Woburn, begun many years ago, and delivered in that town, at different intervals of time. They were at first undertaken at the suggestion, and under the influence of the friendly, persevering persuasion of the late Dr. Benjamin Cutter, a gentleman eminent in this vicinity for his antiquarian taste, his extensive acquaintance with the localities and ancient affairs of Woburn, and his zeal for advancing its credit and welfare. The first two lectures were delivered on two successive evenings in February and March 1842, in the vestry of Rev. Mr. Bennett's meeting-house, before a large and attentive audience. And so well were they apparently received, that I was encouraged to attempt, from time to time, as I was able, the preparation of others on the same theme. The two lectures just referred to were followed in several succeeding years by seven others, delivered in the same place. And in 1859, a tenth lecture was prepared by special request, and given in Lyceum Hall, bring- ing down the history to the commencement of the Revolutionary War in 1775.
In 1862, the town of Woburn proposed to me, by a committee, to finish, and make ready for the press, the history I had proceeded in thus far, for a liberal pecuniary compensation. This proposal was agreed to, with the understanding, that the town would take charge of publishing the work, and provide for the expense, and that I should have the inspection of the proof-sheets.
At the time this engagement was entered into, I was confident myself, and encouraged the town to expect, that six months would
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be amply sufficient for its fulfilment. But certain changes, appa- rently very necessary or expedient to be made, both in the style,. and in the extent of the work, have to my regret, disappointed these anticipations. The Lectures on Woburn history, thus far, had been composed in the style of direct address to a present audience ; but now it seemed very desirable to substitute the style of narrative ; to publish a history prepared to be read with the eye, rather than one that was apparently designed to be heard with the ear from the lips of the author. The manuscript lectures, too, had hitherto been written on both sides of each leaf; but now, to accommodate the printer, it was deemed advisable to write them over anew, occupying one page only of each leaf, instead of both. Moreover, in the prosecution of the work, it was thought expedient to make certain enlargements beyond what was originally contem- plated. In particular, a list of all the men, both citizens and strangers, who were employed by the town as soldiers in the War of the Revolution ; and likewise Genealogical Notices of all the known original inhabitants of Woburn down to 1672, and of a certain portion of their descendants in the male line, have been inserted in the Appendix. These additions, and others which might be named, would greatly enhance, it was thought, the value of the work in the estimation of the people of Woburn, and much increase the interest they might take in it. But they have cost me much additional time and labor to prepare them, and have delayed the completion of the history far beyond my own expectations, and the expectations of others. But, through the favor of a kind Provi- dence, my health and strength have held out; and I am able at last to announce to an indulgent community the finishing of a work which I have for years been laboring to prepare for them, and which they for months, or rather, I may say, for years, have been patiently looking to see.
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