USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Marlborough > Topographical and historical sketches of the town of Northborough, with the early history of Marlborough, in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, furnished for the Worcester magazine > Part 7
USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Northborough > Topographical and historical sketches of the town of Northborough, with the early history of Marlborough, in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, furnished for the Worcester magazine > Part 7
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2. Daniel Bartlett, was a son of Henry Bartlett, who emigrated from Wales and settled in Marlborough, in the latter part of the seventeenth or beginning of the eighteenth Century. He was the common ancestor of all of that name in this town. His sons were Jotham, settled in this town, grandfather of Gill Bartlett ; Daniel, settled in Rutland ; Jonathan, father of
Lowell Holbrook.
Joshua Townsend,
Daniel Smith.
58
HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGH.
Jotham and Jonathan, in this town ; John, in Princeton ; Isaac, in Holden ; and Jonas, father of Deac. Jonas B. in this town. A brother of Daniel set- tled in Western or Brookfield, probably the Benjamin Bartlett, whose daugh- ter Mary, born 1701, was the first child born in Brookfield, whose birth was recorded. (1 Hist. Col. 1, 267.)
3. Jacob Rice, son of Jacob Rice of Marlborough, first lived a little south of the dwelling house of Doct. Stephen Ball, afterwards removed to the house now owned by his grandson, Asaph Rice. He was the father of John Rice, of Shrewsbury ; Jacob, minister of Brownfield, Maine ; and Amos, now living in this town. The brothers of Jacob were Amos and Obediah, of Brook- field, and Gershom, of Marlborough. Jacob Rice died, July 29, 1788, aged 81.
4. Capt. Jesse Brigham, son of Jonathan Brigham of Marlborough, was the father of Artemas, and Capt. Tim. Brigham, the latter of whom is now living in this town. Jesse Brigham died, Dec. 8, 1796, aged 87.
5. Capt. Bezaleel Eager, came from Marlborough to the place where his grandson, Col. Wm. Eager now lives. Two brothers, Abraham and Capt. Benjamin Eager, came about the same time to Shrewsbury, and were among the first settlers of that town. Their father or grandfather was from Concord; Bezaleel Eager, died Oct. 31, 1787, aged 74.
6. Col. Levi Brigham, son of David Brigham of Westborough, was the father of the late Judge Brigham, and of Winslow Brigham now living in this town. Col. Brigham was chosen July 10, 1775, to represent this town in the Assembly to be convened at the meeting house in Watertown, the 19th of that month. He died Feb. 1, 1787, aged 71.
7. Samuel Wood came from Sudbury, and set up the first fulling mill in this town. He was the father of the late Abraham and Capt. Samuel Wood, who lived together on the same farm now in the possession of Samuel Sever.
8. Thomas Warren, from Watertown, was the father of Eliphalet, who left many descendents in this town and in other places.
APPENDIX II. Referring to page 134. The Grants for house lots were made 26th November. 1660, and were in the following proportions.
Acres.
Acres.
Edmund Rice
50
Richard Ward
18
William Ward
50
John Woods
30
John Ruddock
50
John Maynard
23
Thomas Goodenow
32
Peter King
22
Joseph Rice
32
Benjamin Rice
24
Samuel Rice
21
A Minister
30
Christopher Bannister
16
Peter Bent
30
Thomas King
39
John Bellows
20
William Kerley
30
Abraham How
25
Solomon Johnson
30
Thomas Goodenow Jun.
20
Richard Newton
30
John Rutter
30
John Howe, Sen.
30
John Barrett
18
John Howe Jun.
16
John Rediat
22
Henry Kerley
19%
A Smith
30
Richard Barnes
16
Joseph Holmes
18
Thomas Rice
35
Samuel How
16
Andrew Belcher
20
Henry Axtell
15
Obadiah Ward
21
John Newton
16
Edward Rice
35
38 house lots,
992} acres.
59
HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGH.
1
NOTES.
Brief notices of several persons whose names are found in the foregoing list.
Edmund Rice was probably the father of Edmund Rice, one of the first settlers of Westborough, whose children Silas and Timothy were taken by the Indians and carried into captivity. If so, he was the great grandfather of the late Deac. Seth Rice of this town. He was one of the selectmen of Marlbo- rough, in 1661.
Wm. Ward was one of the first deacons of the Church at Marlborough, and had a house lot assigned him on the south side of the road opposite the Rev. Mr. Brimsmead's. He was one of the selectmen in 1661. He was the grandfather of the late Col. William Ward, of Southborough. He was proba- bly also an ancestor of the late Maj. Gen. Artemas Ward, of Shrewsbury. There were, however, three persons of the name of Ward, viz. William, Obe- diah, and Richard, to whom house lots in Marlborough were granted at this time, (1662.) From the following inscription on a grave stone in the old bu- rying ground in Marlborough, it would appear that the person to whom it belongs, was born before either of the New England colonies was planted. " Here lyes the body of Elizabeth Ward, the servant of the Lord, deceased in 87 year of her age, December the 9 in the year of our Lord 1700.
John Ruddock, was one of the selectmen of Marlborough, also a recorder or clerk in 1661, and a deacon of the church in 1689.
Of Thomas Goodenow, Richard Newton and John How, some account has already been given. Thomas Goodenow and John How, were selectmen in 1661, as also were Thomas King and Solomon Johnson, the latter of whom was afterwards a deacon of the church.
The name of Andrew Belcher, occurs in Dr. Holmes' History of Cam- bridge, (1. Hist. Col. Vol. VII. 28, 34,) who quotes from the Town Records the following : "The townsmen granted liberty to Andrew Belcher, to sell beare and bread, for entertainment of strangers, and the good of the town." This was in 1652. Whether this is the same person whose name is found among the proprietors of Marlborough eight years afterwards, I am unable to say. A Capt. Andrew Belcher is said to have given to the first parish in Cambridge, the bell now in use, in the year 1700. I am informed too that the name of Andrew Belcher, Esq. frequently occurs in the records of the Gen. Court ; that he was for some years an assistant, a member of the King's Council, and often a member of the Legislature; and that, in 1689, he was a messenger to treat with the Indians at Albany, &c. It is not improbable that he lived for a time at Marlborough, and that he afterwards returned to Cambridge, and sustained the several offices abovementioned.
Edward Rice was a deacon of the church in 1689; and was, as has been mentioned, the grandfather of the late Deac. Matthias Rice, of Simon Rice, and of Jacob Rice, of this town. It is not improbable, taking into view the connexion between Sudbury and Concord, that the Richard Rice, who is mentioned as one of the first settlers of Concord, in 1635, (1. Hist. Col. Vol. 1, 240.) was the common ancestor of all of that name in this part of the coun- try, and the person, who, as tradition says, left eight sons, who all lived to a very great age. The Rice family has been remarkable for longevity.
8
1
60
HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGH.
Two of this name, Cyprian and Elisha Rice, who went from Marlborough, di- ed at Brookfield in 1788, the one in the 98th, and the other in the 99th year of his age. Hist. Col. 1. 273.
Of the other persons mentioned in the foregoing list, I have no account to give. Maj. Peter Bulkley was mentioned, page 138, as one of the persons who assisted in procuring the Indian deed of Marlborough. This was un- doubtedly a son of Rev. Peter Bulkley, who was the first minister and one of the first settlers of Concord, then called Musketaquid. Rev. Mr. Bulkley, had a number of children who were much distinguished in their day. One of his sons, Gershom, was married to a daughter of President Chauncey, and was the father of John Bulkley, minister of Colchester, Conn.
Maj. Peter Bulkley, was in 1678-9, an agent for the Corporation of the Massachusetts Bay, respecting the Narragansett country, (1 Hist. Col. V. 221) and in the first year of James II. was appointed by the King's commission, one of the Council, of which Joseph Dudley, Esq. was President. 1. Hist. V. 245.
It appears from the State Records, that a grant of 1000 acres of land in the Nipmug or Kittituck country, was made to Maj. Bulkley, by the General Court, for some service he had performed for the public.
APPENDIX III.
MINISTERS OF MARLBOROUGH .- Rev. William Brimsmead, the first minister of Marlborough, was a native of Dorchester, a member of the class that graduated at Harvard College, in 1648, but who left with several others in the preceding year, without a degree, in con- sequence of dissatisfaction with the regulation then introduced of requiring a residence of four years instead of three. He was em- ployed as a preacher, at Marlborough, as early as 1660 ; was after- wards, in 1665, after several months probation, invited to settle in Plymouth, with an offer of £70 salary and firewood, which he de- clined, and was ordained at Marlborough, October 3d, 1666.
John Cotton, Esq. of Plymouth, in his history of that town, (1760) speaks of him as "a well acomplished servant of Christ."
He preached the Election Sermon, 1681, on Jer. 6. 8. which was printed. His salary in Marlborough was from 40 to £45 per ánnum.
It appears from the following record that he was unable to sup- ply the pulpit during the latter part of his life. "May 6, 1700. Voted, to send to Cambridge for a candidate for the ministry."
" July 12. Voted unanimously, by church and town, to invite Mr. Swift to help with our present pastor, if God shall raise him up."
At the same time a committee was chosen " to procure a place to remove their minister to, and to provide him a nurse." (Mr. Brimsmead had no family of his own to provide for him, having never been married.)
61
HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGH.
"December 16, 1700, a committee was chosen to treat our Rev. pastor, with reference to the arrears yet in his account that con- cern the town, and to bring an account of all that is behind, from the beginning of the world to the end of November, 1699."
Mr. Swift having negatived the call, Mr. Joseph Morse was in- vited to settle as colleague with Mr. Brimsmead. Rev. Mr. Brims- mead died on Commencement morning, July 3d, 1701, and was bu- ried in " the old grave yard,"* where a large unlettered stone was erected to his memory, which still remains, and is almost the only memorial that remains of " this venerable servant of Jesus Christ."f Soon after the death of Mr. Brimsmead, Mr. John Emerson, after- wards settled in Portsmouth, N. H.t was invited to be the minister of Marlborough, but declined the invitation.
At length, after a long controversy respecting Mr. Emerson, which was carried on with a good deal of asperity, June 1st, 1704, Mr. Robert Breck, son of Capt. John Breck, of Dorchester, gradu- ated at Harvard College, in 1700, received an invitation to take the pastoral charge of the society, which he accepted, and was or- dained, October 24th, 1704.
Rev. Mr. Breck remained pastor of the church at Marlborough
* The following inscription is placed over the remains of the first person who was buried in the old burying ground in Marlborough.
" Capt. Edward Hutchinson aged 67 years, was shot by treacherous In- dians, August 2d, 1675, died, August 19th, 1675."
Capt. Edward Hutchinson was mortally wounded by the Indians, Au- gust 2d, at a place called Menimimisset, about four or five miles from Quabo- ag (Brookfield) to which place he had been sent with twenty horsemen by the Governor and Council, for the purpose of conciliating the Nipmucks, to many of whom he was personally known. It appears that they conducted themselves towards him with the basest treachery. The Sachems had sig- nified their readiness to treat with the English, but it must be with Capt. Hutchinson himself. Having been conducted by a treacherous guide to the place where two or three hundred of the Indians lay in ambush, they sud- denly issued from a swamp, fell upon Capt. Hutchinson, and his unsuspecting associates, shot down eight of the company, and mortally wounded three more, among whom was Capt. H. himself. Capt. Hutchinson was a son of the cel - ebrated Mrs. Ann Hutchinson, who occupies so conspicuous a place in the early history of New England. He was also the great grandfather of Thomas Hutchinson, Governor of the Massachusetts colony and the historian of Mas- sachusetts. Savage's Winthrop, 1. 249.
tRev. Mr. Brimsmead's house stood in a lot of land on the west side of Ockoocangansett hill, adjoining to said hill. Tradition says, that he uniform- ly refused baptism to children who were born on the Sabbath.
¿Rev. John Emerson was first (1703) ordained as pastor of the church at Newcastle, New Hampshire, dismissed in 1712, and installed pastor of the South Parish in Portsmouth, March 23d, 1715, died June 21st, 1732, aged 62. Mr. Emerson was a native of Ipswich and was graduated at Harvard Univer- sity, in 1689. 1. Hist. Col. X. 53.
62
HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGH.
twenty seven years, and died, January 6, 1731, in the midst of his days and usefulness, at the age of forty nine years, universally la- mented.
A handsome monument was erected to his memory, near that of his predecessor, containing the following inscription in Latin, to which we subjoin, at the request of many, a translation into English.
INSCRIPTION.
Reliquia terrestres theologi vere venerandi Roberti Breck sub hoc tumulo conferuntur. Pars cælestis ad coelum myriadum ange- lorum et ad spiritus justorum qui perfecti sunt abiit.
Ingenii penetrantis, quoad vires naturales, vir fuit amplissimæ mentis et judicii solidi, una cum animi fortitudine singulari. Quo- ad partes acquisitas spectat, in linguis qua doctæ præsertim (audi- unt ?) admodum peritus ; literarum politarum mensura parum com- muni instructus ; et, quod aliis fuit difficile, ille, virtute ingenii pro- prii et studiis coarctis, feliciter subegit. In omnibus Theologia par- tibus versatissimus, et vere orthodoxus, Scriba ad regnum cœlo- rum usquequaque institutus. Officio pastorali in ecclesia Marlbur- iensi, ubi Spiritus Sanctus illum constituit episcopum, per XXVII annos, fideliter, sedulo, pacifice, multaque cum laude, functus est.
Doctrina Revelatæ, una cum cultu et regimine in Ecclesiis Nov- Anglicanis instituto, assertor habilis et strenuus. Ad consilia danda in rebus arduis, tum publicis tum privatis, integritate conspectus et prudentia instructissimus. Sinsere dilexit amicos, patriam, et uni- versam Christi ecclesiam.
Denique pietatis, omnis virtutis socialis, et quoad res terrenas moderaminis, exemplar.
In doloribus asperis ægritudinis ultimæ patientia ejus opus per- fectum habuit ; et, si non ovans, expectans tamen et placide disces- sit.
Natus Decem.is 7 mo 1682. Denatus Januar. 6 to 1731.
Prophetæ ipsi non in seculum vivunt.
TRANSLATION OF THE ABOVE.
Beneath this stone are deposited the mortal remains of the tru- ly reverend Robert Breck. His immortal part hath ascended to heaven to join the innumerable company of angels and the spirits of the just made perfect.
He was by nature a man of acute intellect, capacious mind and solid judgment, together with singular mental resolution. As to his attainments, he was eminently skilled in the learned languages, fa- miliar beyond the common measure with polite literature ; and,
0
63
HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGH.
what to others was difficult, he by the powers of his mind, and close application to study, accomplished with ease.
Thoroughly versed in every department of theology, and truly orthodox in sentiment, he was a scribe in every respect instructed unto the kingdom of heaven.
. The duties of the pastoral office in the church at Marlborough, over which the Holy Ghost had made him overseer, he discharged faithfully and assiduously, in peace and with great reputation, for twenty seven years.
He was a skilful and able asserter of the doctrines of revelation and of the worship and discipline of the New England Churches.
He was a counsellor in cases of difficulty, both public and pri- vate, of distinguished uprightness and consummate prudence.
He was a sincere lover of his friends, his country, and the whole Church of Christ."
In a word, he was a model of piety, of every social virtue, and of moderation in regard to earthly things.
In the severe pains of his last sickness, his patience had its per- fect work; and his departure, if not in triumph, was full of hope and peace. Born Dec. 7th, 1682-Died Jan. 6th, 1731.
" Even the prophets do not live forever."
Rev. Robert Breck was regarded as one of the eminent minis- ters of his day. He preached the Election Sermon in 1728, from Deut. v. 29, which was printed. "Another of his printed sermons, which is still in existence, was preached in Shrewsbury, on the 15th of June, 1720, and was the first sermon preached in that town .* His only other publications, so far as they have come to our knowl- edge, were two excellent sermons, addressed particularly to young persons, and which were preached to his people in 1728, on occa- sion of a large accession to his church of about fifty persons. The former is on the danger of religious declension, from Luke Ix. 61, 62 : the latter was preparatory to the observance of the Lord's Supper, from Leviticus, x. 3.
Three funeral discourses preached at Marlborough, on occasion of his death, one by Rev. John Swift of Framingham, another by Rev. John Prentice, of Lancaster, and the third by Rev. Israel Lor- ing of Sudbury, were published, and are now extant.
It appears, from a note to Mr. Prentice's discourse, that during
* See the history of Shrewsbury, in the May Number of this Journal, p. 16, by Andrew H. Ward, Esq.
I am informed by Rev. Wm. B. Sprague, of West Springfield, that he has in his possession a copy of this discourse.
64
HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGHI.
the sickness of Mr. Breck, October 15, 1730, a day of fasting and prayer was kept in Marlborough for his recovery ; " several of the neighboring ministers being present and assisting on that sol- emn occasion."
A respectful and able notice of Rev. Robert Breck was given in the Weekly Journal, No. CC. for Jan. 18, 1731, which is sub- joined to the discourse of Mr. Prentice ; and another well written memoir was published in the Boston Weekly News Letter, No. 1408, for Jan. 21, 1731, which forms an appendix to Rev. Mr. Lor- ing's discourse.
" His temper was grave and thoughtful, and yet cheerful at. times, especially with his friends and acquaintance ; and his conver- sation entertaining and agreeable.
" In his conduct, he was prudent and careful of his character, both as a minister and a christian ; rather sparing of speech, and more inclined to hear and learn from others.
" His house was oper. to strangers, and his heart to his friends ; and he took great delight in entertaining such, as he might any ways improve by, and treated them with good manners.
" The languishment and pains he went through before his death were very great; but God enabled him to bear the affliction with patience and submission.
"He was interred on the 12th with great respect and lamenta- tion, and his affectionate people were at the charge of his funeral ; and it is hoped they will continue their kindness to the sorrowful widow and orphans."*
Rev. Robert Breck had a son of the same name, who was grad- uated at Harvard University, in 1730, was ordained as minister of Springfield, Jan. 26, 1736, and died April 23, 1784, in the 71st year of his age.t
The father was married in Sept. 1707, to Miss Elizabeth Wair- wright, of Haverhill, who died, June 8, 1736. They had six chil- dren, two of whom died before their father. Of those that surviv- ed him, Robert was minister of Springfield; Sarah was married to Dr. Benjamin Gott, of Marlborough ; Hannah was married to Rev. Ebenezer Parkman, of Westborough ; Elizabeth, the eldest daugh- ter, was married to Col. Abraham Williams, of Marlborough, and
* Rev. Mr. Breck lived on or near the same spot on which Rey. Mr. Pack- ard's dwelling house was afterwards erected.
t See Rev. Wm. B. Sprague's Historical Discourse, delivered at West Springfield, Dec. 2, 1824, p. 78, 80.
65
HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGH.
died two years before her father, Jan. 1729. The name of the oth- er child that survived the father was Samuel, who was a surgeon in the army during the French war. He married at Springfield, and died, 1764.
The following account of the successors of Rev. Mr. Breck, was fur- nished principally by Rev. Seth Alden, of Marlborough.
After an interval of nearly three years from the death of Mr. Breck, viz. Oct. 1733, Rev. Benjamin Kent was ordained as the minister of Marlborough, and on Feb. 4, 1735, was dismissed by mutual consent. After his dismission, Mr. Kent brought an action against the town for the recovery of his settlement, which the court allowed him. The town appears to have suffered much about this time from intestine divisions, which prevented the set- tlement of a minister for the five years succeeding the dismission of Mr. Kent.
At length, June 11, 1740, Rev. Aaron Smith received ordina- tion, and was dismissed by reason of ill heath, April 29, 1778. Af- ter his dismission, Mr. Smith went to reside with Rev. Mr. Bridge of East Sudbury, who married his daughter, and died there.
Rev. Asa Packard, from Bridgewater, succeeded him, and was ordained, March 23, 1785, and April 10, 1806, was dismissed, in consequence of an unhappy division in the town relating to the lo- cation of a new church. This division led to an Ecclesiastical Council called by the Church, which resulted, Oct. 24, 1806, that in case the minority should obtain an act of incorporation as a dis- tinct society, then, without breach of covenant, those members of the church who should unite themselves with such Incorpora- tion, might become a regular and distinct church, by the name of the West Church in Marlborough.
After much opposition, such inhabitants did obtain an act of in- corporation on the 23d of Feb. 1808, by the name of the second parish in Marlborough ; and on the 5th of the following month, a church was duly ordained. Over this church and society, Rev. Asa Packard was installed, March 23, 1808, and remained their Pastor till, May 12, 1819, when, by mutual consent, he was regu- larly dismissed. Mr. Packard now resides with his family in Lan- caster.
Rev. Seth Alden, from Bridgewater, a graduate of Brown Uni- versity, 1814, was ordained as the successor of Mr. Packard, Nov. 3, 1819, and still remains their Pastor.
Over the East Church and first parish, Rev. Sylvester F. Buck-
-
€6
HISTORY OF NORTHBOROUGHI.
lin, from Rehoboth, now Seekonk, a graduate of Brown University, 1805, their present Pastor, was ordained, Nov. 2, 1808.
Besides the two Congregational Societies above mentioned, there is a society of Universalists in the town, without a stated Pastor, and a small society of Methodists. The person at present preaching with the former is Massena B. Ballou; with the latter, Jared Haskins.
The preceding sketches have been made up from materials col- lected from various sources. The aged fathers of this and some of the neighboring towns have been consulted as opportunity offer- ed ; and several of the descendants of the early settlers of Marl- borough, have kindly furnished many valuable papers relating to the events of former days, and which have been handed down from father to son, for three or four successive generations. The writ- er would particularly acknowledge his obligations to Rev. Messrs. Bucklin and Alden, for the ad they have rendered him ; as also to Mr. Silas Gates for the use of the copious and very valuable records in his possession, inherited through his wife (daughter of the late George Williams) from her grandfather Col. Abraham Williams, who, for many years, was the clerk of the proprietors of the En- glish Plantation of Marlborough.
The writer has also had opportunity to consult the books of records of the proprietors of the Indian Plantation, now in the pos- session of Mr. John Weeks.
He has aimed at accuracy ; but fears, where so much rests on mere tradition, or memory not less treacherous, that many errors besides those of the press, have become incorporated in the his- tory. For these he craves the indulgence of his readers.
ERRATA.
Page 11, end of first paragraph-The new meeting house was erected in 1805, the old one taken down in 1809 ; page 15, 22d line from top, for Doches- ter read Dorchester ; page 25, 20th line from top, for Asa Goodenow read Thomas Goodenow ; page 26, 9th line, for Pond read Road ; page 27, 1st line, for Marlborough read Northborough ; on the same page, the 2d para- graph of the note should be in the place of the first, and for Simon read Sime- on ; page 28, 1st line of the note, for persons read garrison ; page 39, in 4th line of 2d note, for Simeon read Simon ; page' 43, in 3d note, read, James and John Eager were sons, and Cutler and Martyn sons-in-law of John Eager, Jr. and grandsons of Capt. John Eager.
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