USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Truro > Truro-Cape Cod; or, Land marks and sea marks > Part 8
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An old record says : "Cape Cod was at this time a great resort, and the residence of not a few engaged in mercantile adventures at an early period." The existence of substantial buildings and other indications of enterprise are often referred to. It continued to be called " Cape Cod," more generally "The Cape," by the elderly people in Truro within the writer's remembrance.
The fishing points all along the coast were the resort of a
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wild, undisciplined and unprincipled crew of traders an l fish- ermen from nearly all parts of Europe. Drinking, gambling, and bacchanalian carousals, were continued sometimes for weeks with unrestrained license. They were the Poker Flats of that day.
Governor Hinckley says : "The ungovernable appetite of the Indians for strong drink was a great hindrance to their improvement. The laws regulating the sale of liquors within colonial limits were disregarded by the covetous English when it was possible for them to do so. There was no place so well suited these lawless fellows to carry on their unlawful traffic, as the head of the Cape, called by the settlers " Cape Cod." It was a place of resort for the fishermen from the set- tlements on the coast, and a large supply of liquors was brought by them, ostensibly for use in the prosecution of their busi- ness. The Indians were not backward in trading with them, and it is probable many of them gave away their last articles of commodity to satisfy their appetite.
" When they had nothing to give, they did not consider it out of place to obtain their liquor by stealth. Before the Court at Plymouth, 1667, were Simon, Monchase, and Assooat, for going on board the boat of Simon Stevens at Cape Cod, and taking away a cask of liquor, and having a hand in embezzling and spending the same. They were ordered to be whipped at the post at Plymouth, which was done accordingly. The great obstruction to the younger generation becoming civilized was the great appetite for strong drink, and the covetous evil humour of sundry of the English in furnishing them there- with, notwithstanding all the court orders and the means used to prohibit the same."
The Indians seem to have a born love for rum. Mr. Stone, the settled preacher at Provincetown, used often to preach to the Mashpees, who were quite devotional. One of the deacons was asked how he liked Mr. Stone. He said : "Mr. Stone one very good preacher, but he preach too much about rum. When he no prcach about rum, Injun think nothing 'bout it ; but when he tells how Injun love rum, and how much they drunk, then I think how good it is, and think no more 'bout
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the sermon, my mouth waters all the time so much for rum." When asked whether he liked Mr. Stone or blind Joe (a Baptist minister) best, he said : " Mr. Stone, he make best sermons, but blind Joe he make best Christians."
There is no intervening record of the proprietors preserved between the fourth of June (1700) and their removal to Pamet, nor of their removal ; but that they were there nearly thirty days before the specified time is assured by the following record :
At a meeting of the proprietors of Pamet lands on October 3, 1700, said proprie- tors taking into serious consideration the great inconveniency that doth and yet may further accrue to the inhabitants of Pamet, by reason of their living so remote from the place of the public worship of God, and also having a desire to have the name of God preached in this remote place (according to the rules of the Gospel) as soon as it will please God to open a way for the same, and also knowing that whatever person shall be employed in that good work must be accommodated and supported for a considerable substance here, Have therefor for that purpose laid out a parcel of upland at the back side of said Pamet, at a place commonly called Tashmuit, alias Clay Pounds, containing thirty and four acres, be it more or less, bounded viz. (Here follows the description.) Only a highway four poles wide is to go through across the land at the best watering place at Tashmuit, where it may be most convenient for watering and least damage to the land. This above said tract of land is by the above said proprietors of Pamet preserved for the use of the ministry of Pamet, or to be exchanged for other land there that may be more convenient, for the use aforesaid, to be kept and preserved for the use of the ministry forever. Voted by the said proprietors October 31, 1700. Attest, THO: PAINE. Clerk.
The eastern boundary of this lot was 561 feet by the bank, and 2871 feet (more than half a mile) east and west.
The first record found after their settlement makes provis- ion for the support of a minister. Scarcely are their own tents pitched when the public worship of God receives atten- tion. Great regard was paid by these new settlers to a min- ister; but it must be remembered that the settling of a minister was the most important and responsible question they had to meet. The following will illustrate these serious obligations At a meeting at Star Island, alias Gosport, Isle of Shoals (1732), voted :
That the thirteenth day of July next be observed as a day of fasting and prayer to beg God's blessing on the affair of settling a minister among us.
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It may also be proper to state that this church at Star Island was at this time regarded as the most desirable, and the salary among the most valuable in New England, The salary of Mr. Tucke was paid him in merchantable winter fish, a quintal a man. There were from eighty to one hundred families then on these islands ; a quintal of fish was estimated at a guinea. Every man a guinea. While his men toiled for fish, he fished for men and guineas.
Whatever may be said of their doctrine, they clearly recog- nized certain obligations on their own part, and did not mean to be found behind in the part of their cooperation with Providence. "To have the name of God preached as soon as it will please God to open the way, and also knowing that whatever person shall be employed in that good work must be accommodated and supported," they preached and practised. A more prompt, liberal, appreciative sense of duty, depend- ence and responsibility, with a lofty conscientious faith that God would meet their efforts and open the way, can scarcely be found in Puritan records.
At a meeting of the proprietors of Pamet, October 31, 1700, said proprietors made choice of Israel Cole, Constant Freeman, and Thomas Paine junior, for a committee to lay out six acres of meadow at Eastern Harbour, for the use of the ministry where they shall judge it most convenient ; and also to survey and lay out all such uplands and meadows as they shall judge convenient within said propertie. As also to exchange part of Jedediah Lumbert's great lot, for land on the south side of the great river. Attest, THO: PAINE. Clerk.
At a meeting of the proprietors of Pamet, February 6, 1701, Nathaniel Atkins and Francis Small were by the major vote of the proprietors admitted to the privilege of the stated commons at Pamet, provided they buy land there and settle themselves upon it. Attest, THO: PAINE. Clerk.
At the same meeting Lieutenant Jonathan Bangs, Thomas Paine Jr., and Constant Freeman were chosen a committee, or agents, to sell lands in behalf of the proprietors, and give deeds of seal of the same. The products of said lands to be divided amongst the proprietors according to every man's right. From this vote Israel Cole and John Rogers dissented.
At a meeting of the proprietors of Pamet land, February 16, 1701, said pro- prietors agree that the seventeen acres of land that they are to have of Thomas Lumbert (being part of Lumbert's great lot) should be given to Mr. Nathaniel Eells for his encouragement to settle at Pamet (to preach the Gospel to ye peo-
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ple there), and that upon his settlement in order to a continuance there in that work; to have it for his own, and his heirs or assigns forever. Or if he, ye said Eells, should not come there upon that account, then said land should be reserved for any other able orthodox minister that shall be there settled upon the account aforesaid. But in case said Lumbert should not go through with his clesigne of exchanging his lot as aforesaid, that then the said Eells, or other min- ister as aforesaid, should have such a quantity of land laid out on any of the common or undivided lands at Pamet, where may be most convenient, together with five acres of meadow at Eastern Harbour, where it may be most convenient to said land ; as also privilege for fire-wood, timber, fencing, and herbage (to be used in said Pamet), upon all such lands as from time to time shall lay undivided within said proprietie. Voted by said proprietors.
Attest. THO: PAINE. Clerk.
At a meeting of the proprietors of Pamet lands, February 16, 1701, it was agreed upon and voted by said proprietors that all the undivided lands from a quarter of a mile to the northward of the head of Pamet meadow, so ranging down westerly, the same distance from said Pamet meadow, a mile and a half from the back side, and from thence extending northerly the same distance, at a mile and half from the back side into the woods, until it comes to the head of the southeast arme of Eastern Harbour meadow, and from thence to running down west into the woods a mile and half as above said, should lay for a perpet- ual commonage forever, for all such as shall from time to time be admitted as inhabitants by the major part of said proprietors, their voices to be accounted according to their proprietie, which land shall never be divided or disposed of to any man's or men's own particular use. Attest, THO : PAINE. Clerk. Israel Cole did not consent to the above said vote.
At a meeting of the proprietors of Pamet, June 17, 1701, said proprietors made choice of Constant Freeman and Benjamin Smalley to look after all such men ar shall come from other parts to fetch hay from their meadows at Eastern Harbour and to make them pay six shillings a sloop-load, or equivalent thereto, for said hay, which money shall be improved for the support of the ministrie at Pamet; and also to look after all such persons as shall set up Whale houses, or other houses upon any of the common or undivided lands belonging to Pamet ; or that shall cut wood or timber upon the same, or any part or parcel thereof; and to agree with them, or any one of them, for the term of their voyages, as they shall see meet, not for less than one shilling a man; or otherwise to warn them to depart off from said land. Attest, THO: PAINE. Clerk.
The early settlement and faithful support of a learned ministry, was a bold feature in New England history.
The stamp of the ministry upon the people was well de- fined. None will hesitate to allow that the ministry tinted the rugged New England character with its finest shadings.
It was a mysterious Providence, a miraculous accident that
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educated and carefully trained so many men in the best of English universities, to mould and shape a mighty empire in the New World. Men who cheerfully, earnestly and unsel- fishly, to the last days of their lives, shared in all the sufferings and deprivations of these pioneers of the wilderness, without draggling their sacred robes.
It was an object of high emulation, as well as of religious principle with the early Congregational Church, to be supplied with an educated ministry. And such without exception they were. Those pastors who having been silenced in England, came hither to minister to the little flocks in the wilderness. - Dean.
We need not be surprised that this also became a matter of legislation. So in 1670, "Every town was required to be constantly provided with an able, learned, and orthodox minister, or ministers of good conversation, to dispense the word of God. To be suitably encouraged and sufficiently maintained, by the inhabitants, and in case of neglect longer than six months, a competent allowance for such minister according to the estate and ability of the town shall be made and the town assessed for the same. "
For some reason unknown, Mr. Nathaniel Eells, the first honored by the young church at Pamet to be their minister, did not accept. In Dean's History of Scituate, 1831, we learn that he was the son of Samuel Eells of Hingham, born 1678, graduate Harvard College 1699. 1704 he was ordained over the Church and Society of Scituate at £ 65 per annum, after negotiations commenced January 12, 1702 ; a longer time than the average services of his successors, but the work was then for life, and they could afford to hasten slowly. His wife was Hannah North, of Hingham, a relative of the Prime Minister. When she would say, "It is wonderful that so good a man as my husband should have such wayward chil- dren, " he would answer, " True, and you seem to be sensible that the mischief all lies on the North side of the house." We judge this was family pleasantry, as two sons were graduates of Harvard College, settled in the ministry, and the family of five sons and four daughters were all well settled in life. Mr. Eells was a man of great influence and authority
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among his people and greatly beloved. They were always glad to see him as he rode up to have his pipe lighted.
He was a violent opposer of the "New Lights, " and of Whitefield, whom he refused to his pulpit ; opposed itinerating, and wrote a pamphlet to defend his course.
The uncharitableness or sectarianism of Mr. Eells can scarcely be regarded a stain on so fair a record, regarded in the spirit of his time. Rev. Enoch Pratt, in his History of Eastham, gives the "Declaration " of the ministers of Barn- stable County against this high innovation.
" Itinerant preaching tends to destroy the usefulness of ministers among their people, in places where the Gospel is settled and faithfully preached in its purity ; and that it promotes strife and contention, a censorious and uncharitable spirit, and those numerous schisms and separations which have already destroyed the peace and unity, and at the same time threaten the subversion of many churches. "
At a meeting of the proprietors of Pamet lands, June 15, 1703, the said pro- prietors made choice of Jedediah Lumbert Jr., John Snow, and Thomas Paine, for a committee, in the name and behalf of said proprietors, to run the ranges between all the great lots (so-called) at Pamet, and to erect and set up bounds at the heads of the same according as the records of these lands do direct. And to cause the same to be recorded in Pamet books of record; as also to lay out about thirteen acres of upland at the head of the swamp that goes up from the pond, as near the head of Lumbert's great lot as may be convenient, and to make entry thereof, which with the bounds, thirteen acres of land, is ordered by said proprietors to be reserved for the use of such minister as shall first be settled at Pamet in the work of the ministrie : as also to lay out and bound a drift highway from the northeast corner of the swamp at the wood, to the head of Pamet, in such place and manner as they shall judge most convenient, and the clerk to record the same.
At a meeting of the proprietors, June 15, 1703, it was agreed on and voted by the proprietors of Pamet, that John Steel might have ten acres of upland, and about four acres of meadow, for a reasonable price for money, the upland to be somewhere between the Pond and Anthony's Bottom, and the meadow to be beyond Eastern Harbour. A committee was appointed to agree with said Steel about the price of said land and meadow. At the same meeting John Steel was admitted and allowed inhabitant of Pamet by the proprietors thereof.
At this time "Longnook" is mentioned in the records as being the boundary of land deeded Thomas Paine, proving this another of the old names at least pre-proprietary.
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A record of the Drift Highway laid out from the northeast corner of the swamp, at the head of the Pond to the Head of Pamet, by Jedediah Lumbert Jr., John Snow, and Thomas Paine, by order of proprietors of Pamet at their meet- ing, on the fifteenth day of June, 1703, which was laid out on the third day of July, 1703, which is as followeth, beginning at the northeast corner of the swamp at the head of the Pond by Jedediah Lumbert's, and from thence running up between the bound of Lieutenant Bangs' great lot, and Joseph Young's land, and and so down between Joseph Young's land and the swamp, and so along as the | Old way runneth to a white oak-tree marked, which is the southwest corner bound of the thirteen acres of land laid out for a minister, and then it turneth up the valley along by the south side of the above said thirteen-acre lot, till it comes nigh the southeast corner of it, and then it turneth away south by marked trees across the valley, and so uphill in an ascending valley to the top of the hill, and so the highway runneth over the plain nearest southeast by marked trees, into the valley that goeth out of the Great Hollow toward Tashmuit, and so over said valley along by marked trees something more southerly to the Great Hollow; and so over the Great Hollow southerly by marked trees to the Old way, com- monly called Savage's Way; and so along said Old way till it comes against Thomas Paine's land where he now lives; and then said way turneth to the right hand by marked trees over the hill to land nigh the southeast corner of said Paine's land, and then it turns away to the eastward, up the side of the hill, and so across the neck by marked trees to the head of a little valley that comes up from said Paine's meadow, and so down said valley to the Old way, and so along the Old way by the side of said Paine's meadow to the head of it, and so up east- erly about twenty pole up the valley; and then the way turneth away southerly over into the next valley, and so up along the second valley near half a mile ; and then it turneth up the hill to the right hand, by marked trees into another valley, and so on up easterly along said valley, till it comes nigh the head of it; then over the woods by marked trees nearest southeast to the cassiway, where the Old way went over the swamp at the corner of the meadow, and so along the Old way to the range of the house lot of John Snow deceased; and so along the range of said lot to the Old way at the head of the lot, and so up along as the Old way went to the head of Pamet. Entered. THO : PAINE. Clerk.
With the valuable assistance of Barnabas Paine, who esteems an old bound as sacred as did Old Mortality the tombstones of the Scottish Covenantors, we have been able to make out nearly every point mentioned in the above descrip- tion of the "Drift Highway."
At a meeting of the proprietors of Pamet, June 17, 1703, granted by said pro- prietors to Joseph Young, libertie to buy of David Peter four acres of sedge meadow on northeast side of Eastern Harbour to the northward of the Captain's Island.
Attest, THO : PAINE. Clerk.
Whereas at the time of laying out the lots of upland at the place called Tash- muit, it was agreed upon by the proprietors thereof, that there should be a high.
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way laid out through all the said lots by the best watering place, as by ye record of said lands may more largely appear, which highway hath not yet been laid out. Therefore, at meeting of proprietors of Pamet, May 15, 1705, said prop- prietors did make choice of Thomas Paine, Constant Freeman, and John Snow, for a committee to lay out and bound said highway, according to the directions given in the aforesaid record.
Voted by the proprietors of Pamet, at their meeting at Pamet, June 15, Attest, THO : PAINE Clerk. 1703.
At a meeting of the proprietors of Pamet, June 17, 1703, said proprietors agreed with Thomas Mulford, that for the consideration of seven pounds current money of New England, said Mulford should have one ninth part of all the common or undivided land between the bounds of Eastham and the south side of the great meadow at Pamet, excepting John and Israel Cole's part (which is one sixteenth part) and that upon receipt of the above said sum of seven pounds, the clerk of said company should record the above said land, to said Mulford and his heirs and assigns forever; and it was also agreed on by the parties above said, that whenever John and Israel Cole's part of the above said land should be excepted, so also their part of the above said seven pounds should be abated.
At the same meeting the above said Thomas Mulford was excepted an allowed inhabitant of Pamet by the above said proprietors.
Attest, THO: PAINE. Clerk.
At a meeting of the proprietors of Pamet, June 17, 1703, granted by said proprietors to John Snow, libertie to fence up the highway (that goeth through his grass above and below), provided he keep up and maintain easie and sufficient gates for horses and carts to pass at all times, as they have occasion. Attest, THO: PAINE. Clerk.
As a previous record refers to John Snow deceased, the above must have been his son.
Jedediah Lombard senior, hath taken up ten acres of land, which is his full proportion for one third of a share. It lyeth betwixt the land of Thomas Mul- ford, next Hog's Back, and the land of Thomas Mulford next to the Pond, on the southerly side of Pamet great River.
Recorded, Feb. 9, 1703.
The above record settles beyond controversy that "Hog's Back " is an old name. There has been a tradition quite generally accepted that it was named by British sailors dur- ing the Revolutionary War. There is a peculiarly shaped hill in that part of the town near the shore, which was then covered with a ridge of pine-trees. The real or fancied resemblance of these trees along the crest of the hill, sug.
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gested the contour and bristling equipage of the Porcine in question. So the Britishers said Hog's Back.
But the record of Thomas Paine of 1703 spoils this tradi- tion and leaves us still ignorant whom to honor. It also establishes very nearly the location of the bona fide historical eminence. There is no doubt it was named from this local resemblance, probably by the English fishermen at an early day, and as the record indicates, was first used in its strict local sense, but for nearly a hundred years it has embraced the whole south part of the town. There was a time when the term " Hogsbacker " was resented, but the thrift, enterprise and independence of the people at a later date, made them proud of the distinction. The following affidavit twenty or more years later, is further proof if needed, that the name was well understood and honored.
December 7th, 1725 : - The declaration of John Lewis of Barnstable. I, being at sea near at a place called Hogg's Back, with the boat's company, I then and there struck and wounded a whale fish, she lying soothing under water, I (can't make the word) - My iron took her upon the rising of her bulge, but she draw- ing my iron made play, and was soon struck and wounded by James Bearse, and after awhile drawing his iron, she still making good play, was in a few moments struck by Thomas Thatcher, and they and we soon killed said whale.
JOHN LEWIS. Attest, JOHN SNOW. Town Clerk.
December 7th, 1725: - I, the subscriber, being at sea near a place called Hogg's Back, with my company, I saw John Lewis strike a whale fish, she draw- ing his iron. I soon after struck my iron into said whare upon or near the rising of her bulge and held to her a considerable time, and afterwards she drawed my iron but still made good play, and in a few minutes was struck by Thomas Thatcher, and they and we soon killed the whale.
JAMES BEARSE. Attest, JOHN SNOW. Town Clerk.
Taken up ye seventh of December, 1722, on Truro Shore, near Hog's Back, by Aquilla Rich, son to widow Bethiah Rich, a large canoe. Entered with me December 25th, 1725. JOHN SNOW. Town Clerk.
At a meeting of the proprietors of Pamet lands, July 21, 1703, said proprietors made choice of Thomas Paine and Constant Freeman to be their agents (in their name and behalf) to settle the bounds of the twelve acres of land which they bought of Pepen (with David, Peter, Jediah, and Joseph Tonomatuk) and in
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case the said David, Peter, Jediah, and Joseph Tonomatuk refuse to do the same, to sue them for a settlement thereof, in the name and behalf of the said proprietors, as also to run the range with said Indians from the stone by the ditch on the hill on the south side of Moonpoon valley, to the head of Eastern Harbor Marsh; as also to divide the land with Jediah; that lyeth between the lots at the pond and Moonpoon, alias Anthony's Bottom; the charge of writing by all the above said particulars to be paid by the above said proprietors.
Attest, THO : PAINE. Clerk.
Voted. At the same meeting, that Thomas Paine should, as agent to the proprietors of Pamet, in their name and behalf, act and do in all particulars what is yet to be done, about finishing the bargain with Thomas Lumbert, referring to said Lumbert's changing his part of the Lumbert's great lot and whatsoever said Paine shall do or cause to be done, respecting the premises, said proprietors do hereby ratifie and confirm, as if done by themslves. Attest, THO: PAINE. Clerk.
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