USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 97
USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 97
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Such was the preparation for their defense which the inhabitants of No. 4 took the precaution to have in readiness against the time of war, which they correctly anticipated would very soon come.
The town remained unmolested until April 19, 1746, when it was visited by a party of about forty French and Indians, under the command of En- sign De Neverville, who took Captain John Spaf- ford, Lieutenant Isaac Parker and Stephen Farns- worth prisoners, and burnt the saw-mill and grist- mill which the proprictors had encouraged Cap- tain Spafford to erect, and which had been in op- eration only about two years. The following ex-
25
CHARLESTOWN.
tract of a letter from Upper Ashuelot (now Keene), dated April 23, 1746, relates to this affair : " We hear from No. 4, a new township to the westward, that three men, with a team of four oxen, having been at a saw-mill to fetch boards, were surprised by a party of Indians, and the men being missing are supposed to be either killed or made prisoners ; the oxen being found dead with their tongues cut out." They had been to the mill and were returning with their load, when an am- buscade was form d for them, into which they fell and were taken captive. They were conducted to Canada, and, after a considerable time, were per- mitted to return to Boston under a flag of truce.
The savages (says Rev. H. H. Sanderson, in his " History of Charlestown "), having thus prosper- ously commenced their incursions, continued, dur- ing the remainder of the spring and summer, to make frequent inroads upon the frontiers ; and calamities followed many of the settlements thick and fast. The Indians were constantly on the alert to do all the mischief in their power, and no sooner had they done all the evil they could in one settlement, than they were off, in some unex- pected direction, to fall upon another. On the 2d of May, in less than two weeks from the time of the first inroad into No. 4, having attacked, in the meanwhile, the fort of Upper Ashuelot and vis- ited the neighborhood of Northfield and prowled around New Hopkinton, they again appeared in the place, and Seth Putnam, the first victim of In- dian vengeance, was killed.
The following are the circumstances under which this happened : As the women, towards evening, were going out to do their accustomed milking, they were attended by Major Josiah Wil- lard, the son of the commander of Fort Dummer, and several soldiers as a guard. On approaching the booth or barn, where the cows were stalled, they were immediately fired upon by a party of eight Indians, who were lying in concealment and awaiting their arrival. One shot took fatal effect on Mr. Putnam, but none of the others were in- jured. But as they saw Mr. Putnam fall, and, according to their custom, sprang forward for the
purpose of scalping him, the major and his men fired upon them in turn, mortally wounding two of their number; when, dragging their dying companions after them, they made a precipitate retreat.
This event overspread the settlement with gloom, and excited in the minds of the inhabitants, as it well might do, the most anxious forebodings in relation to what was to come, and led them to realize, what was the fact, that there was to be, thenceforth, no safety, not even in the presence of an armed guard.
For three weeks from this event the utmost ex- citement prevailed ; for, as the garrison was small and unequal to the repelling of any considerable force, the inhabitants stood waiting in constant ex- pectation of another of their incursions. But though the Indians were still active, and made their presence felt, during this time, at Contoocook, Lower and Upper Ashuelot, Bernardston, Cole- raine and Fort Massachusetts, they did not appear again at No. 4.
For a long series of years this settlement was the scene of Indian and French depredations, which greatly retarded the settlement of the place.
INCORPORATION OF TOWN .- A petition for the incorporation of the town, signed by Phineas Stevens, was presented to the Governor and Coun- cil, although at what date is not stated in the petition. But in answer to this petition the town was chartered by the government of New Hamp- shire July 2, 1753.
They named Charlestown in honor of Commo- dore Sir Charles Knowles, of the English navy. The name was probably suggested by Captain Phineas Stevens, in consequence of his having been presented with an elegant sword by the Eng- lish officer, as a tribute to his bravery in defending the fort at No. 4, April 4, 1747.
THE FIRST TOWN-MEETING was held at the " fort," with Captain Phineas Stevens as modera- tor, August 14, 1753, when the following officers were elected :
26
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
" Voted, First : that John Hastings be the town elerk.
" 2nd. Voted, that there be three seleetmen chosen for the present year.
"3d. Voted, that Captain Phineas Stevens, John Hastings and Captain John Spafford be selectmen for the present year.
"4th. Voted, that Captain Phineas Stevens be the town treasurer for the present year.
" 5th. Voted, that Deacon Thomas Adams be con- stable for the present year.
"6th. Voted, that Ebenezer Putnam be tithing man for the present year.
"7th. Voted, that there be a sufficient pound built and set up in this town.
"8th. Voted, that John Hastings, jr., and Moses Wheeler be surveyors for the highways for the pres- ent year.
" 9th. Voted, that Nathaniel Parker and William Heywood be fenee viewers for the present year.
" 10th. Voted, that James Farnsworth and Ben- jamin Allen be the field drivers for the present year.
" 11th. Voted. That Lieutenant Isaac Parker be the pound keeper.
"12th. Voted, that Nathaniel Parker and Sylvanus Hastings be hog-reeves for the present year.
" 13th. Voted, that the hogs in town shall have liberty to run on the common, for the space of three weeks, provided that they be yoked and ringed.
" 14th. Voted, that this meeting be adjourned to 2 of the clock, afternoon."
CHAPTER II.
CHARLESTOWN-(Continued).
MILITARY HISTORY.
War of the Revolution-Military Rendezvous- The Town a Recruiting Station-List of Revolutionary Soldiers- War of 1812-List of Soldiers-War of the Rebellion- List of Soldiers.
CHARLESTOWN warmly espoused the colonial cause, and responded nobly both in men and money. In consequence of its location it was made a depot for military supplies, and was the |
rendezvous for the army of General John Stark. It was also, early in the war, a recruiting station. The following is a list of Revolutionary soldiers : The following persons held offices :
Lieutenant-Colonel Sam- Captain Samuel Wether- be. uel Hunt.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sam- Captain Abel Walker.
uel Stevens. Captain William Holden.
Major William Heywood. Lieutenant Bradford
Quartermaster Jonathan Willard. Lieutenant Seth Walker.
Quartermaster Jotham
Lieutenant Peleg Wil- liams.
Captain Isaac Farwell. Elijah Grout, commissary.
Captain Peter Page. Dr. David Taylor, sur-
Captain Simon Sartwell. geon.
Captain James Farns- worth.
Dr. William Page, sur- geon.
Privates.
Joseph Farwell.
Joseph Wood.
William Leighton.
Samuel Atkins.
Abner Powers. William Osgood.
Simeon Powers. Comfort Towner.
Nathaniel Powers.
Moses Spafford.
Benjamin Powers.
John Hart.
Whitcomb Powers.
Asa Walker.
Lemuel Royce.
Josiah Reed.
Matthew Grier.
Joseph Spencer.
Joseph Powers.
Oliver Hastings.
Seth Putnam.
Samuel Remington.
Thomas Putnam.
Oliver Farnsworth.
Timothy Putnam.
Daniel Elmore.
Lewis Putnam.
Thomas Rose.
Jedidiah Rice.
Moses Wheeler.
John Sartwell.
John Hastings, Jr.
John Beckwith.
Eleazer Heywood.
Oliver Cook.
John Simonds.
Eliab Gleason.
Robert Rand.
Levi Simonds.
Thomas Dutton.
John Cross.
Calvin Judevine.
Amasa Grout.
Oliver Farwell.
Noah Porter.
Prentice Barrows.
Phineas Page.
Samuel Gunnison.
Nathaniel Holden.
Gilbert Caswell.
Ebenezer Geer. Silas Porter.
Silas Simonds. William Willard.
Nathan Allen.
Sylvanus Johnson.
Ebenezer Farnsworth.
Richard Holden.
Spafford.
White.
27
ยท
CHARLESTOWN.
Moses Willard. Peter Labaree, Jr. Aaron Adams. Julius Silsby.
WAR OF 1812 .- The following are the names of soldiers of Captain Nathan Glidden's company, belonging to Charlestown, enlisted September 13, 1814, for three months :
Nathan Glidden, captain, Moses Judevine, first lieu- Unity. tenant, Charlestown.
Privates.
Guy Adams, Charlestown. W. Delano, Charlestown. J. F. Allen, Charlestown. J. Wheeler, Charlestown.
C. Corbin, Charlestown. C. Miller, Charlestown.
E. Darling, Charlestown. H. Bartlett, Charlestown.
Moses Carpenter, Charles- town.
Guy Carlton, Charles- town.
In Captain James M. Warner's company :
Jas. M. Warner, captain, P. Richardson, Charles- Acworth. town.
L. Boutell, Charlestown.
G. Hilton, Charlestown.
S. Hunt, Charlestown.
E. Henry, Charlestown.
C. Perry, Charlestown.
S. Steel, Jr., Charles- town. H. Spaulding, Charles- town.
L. Willard, Charlestown.
In Captain Josiah Bellows' company, enlisted September 26, 1814, for sixty days :
Lewis Hunt, lieutenant, Levi Abbott, sergeant, Charlestown. Charlestown.
Royal Bellows, Q. M. Ser- Nathan Putnam, corporal, geant, Charlestown. Charlestown.
Privates.
Seth Hart, Charlestown. J. Labaree, Charlestown. S. Y. Carlisle, Charles- John Dunsmoor, Charles- town. town.
A. Watkins, Charlestown.
J. Adams, Charlestown. W. Powers, Charlestown.
S. Powers, Charlestown.
J. Simonds, Charlestown. H. Baldwin, Charlestown.
E. Putnam, Charlestown. W. Henry, Charlestown. L. Osgood, Charlestown. L. Huntoon, Charlestown. Wilber Andrews, Charles- town.
The above company was stationed at Ports- mouth.
The only person who enlisted in the Mexican War was John J. Moody, who was in the Ninth United States Infantry.
WAR OF THE REBELLION .-- The following is a list of soldiers from this town during the late Re- bellion :
FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY.
David W. Parks, mustered in Troop A March 29, 1864,
Edgar S. Wolf, mustered in Troop A March 19, 1864 ; wounded slightly August 25, 1864.
John Williams, mustered in Troop A February 5, 1864; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Enos P. Trussell, mustered in Troop C April 9, 1864; wounded and missing at Kearneysville, Va., Au- gust 25, 1864; lives in Richmond, Va.
Royal H. Kendall, mustered in Troop C March 31, 1864; wounded severely August 25, 1864; mus- tered out July 15, 1865.
Martin Maddigan, mustered in Troop H August 19, 1864; mustered out August 14, 1865.
William H. Keen, mustered in Troop L February 13, 1864.
George H. Frost, mustered in Troop L February 13, 1864; missing at Winchester, Va., August 17, 1864; gained from missing; mustered out June 5, 1865.
Richard R. Robertson, mustered in Troop L March 19, 1864; promoted to corporal June 30, 1865; mustered out July 15, 1865.
Sidney Way, mustered in Troop L August 29, 1862 ; promoted to corporal.
THIRD INFANTRY.
George W. Constantine, enlisted in Company A, Third New Hampshire, Angust 22, 1861 ; re-en- listed February 22, 1864.
Charles H. Derby, enlisted in Company A August 23, 1861 ; promoted to corporal ; mustered ont Octo- ber 26, 1864.
Sylvester Judd, enlisted October 8, 1863, for three years; out July 20, 1865.
FIFTH INFANTRY.
(" No regiment," says the adjutant-general, "fought better, and few, if any, fought oftener. Wherever the Army of the Potomac met the enemy there lie the bones of men of the Fifth New Hampshire. No regiment from the State had so long a list of battles or mourns the loss of so many men. Its story is sad, but glorious !")
John G. Simonds, enlisted Company B, Fifth New
28
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Hampshire, October 2, 1863; promoted to first lieutenant October 28, 1864.
Charles Jenkins, Company B, D or S, for three years, October 2, 1863; promoted to corporal ; wounded June 3, 1864; promoted to sergeant ; promoted to first lieutenant October 28, 1864.
Winfield Scott Hassam, Company C, D or S, for three years, August 9, 1864; mustered out June 28, 1865.
Edmund B. Chadborn, enlisted in Company G Octo- ber 12, 1861, died at Ship Point, Va., April 24, 1862.
George W. Brooks, veteran, re-enlisted in Company G February 19, 1864; promoted to corporal; captured June 2, 1864; mustered out June 17, 1865.
A. C. Bemis, enlisted October 12, 1861, in Company G; volunteer; wounded slightly June 23, 1864; discharged for disability, no date.
Joseph Brisland, enlisted December 10, 1863, for three years; transferred from Company G to Ninth New Hampshire Volunteers June 1, 1865; promoted to corporal July 1, 1865; mustered out July 17, 1865.
James Dolon, Jr., enlisted in Company G October 12, 1861 ; discharged for disability at Concord, N. H., July 25, 1862.
George H. Hackett, enlisted in Company G October 12, 1861; enlisted Fifth New Hampshire Volun- teers; wounded at Gettysburg ; died of wounds at Fort Schuyler, N. Y., November 12, 1863.
Webster Nash, enlisted in Company G, October 12, 1861; instantly killed at Fair Oaks, Va., June 1,1862.
William Blake Robertson, enlisted in Company G, October 12, 1861 ; discharged March 25, 1862; died of consumption at Charlestown, N. H., Sep- tember 17, 1871.
Otis Thompson, enlisted in Company G, under Cap- tain Long; was instantly killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.
William Woods, enlisted in Company G, February 19, 1864; promoted sergeant ; killed at Peters- burg, Va., June 17, 1864.
Daniel Pierce, enlisted in Company G, October 12, 1861 ; discharged for disability January 8, 1863. George A. Wheeler, enlisted in Company G, October 12, 1861; wounded December 13, 1862; died of wounds December 16, 1862.
Lewis Holden, enlisted in Company G, March, 1862, for three years; discharged soon after the seven days' retreat ; he then enlisted in the Eighth Connectieut Volunteers for three years ; served two; was one of the first to enter Richmond ; after being discharged he enlisted in the United States Infantry ; served three years on Texas Frontier; he was promoted to sergeant and dis- charged as such at Fort Ringgold, 1868.
James C. Parrish, enlisted in Company H, Fifth Regiment, October 19, 1861; re-enlisted January 1, 1864.
SIXTH INFANTRY.
William Milliken, enlisted in Company F, November 28, 1861; discharged for disability November 3, 1862.
William Burns, enlisted January 4, 1864, in Company II; mustered out July 17, 1865.
John Conley, enlisted February 9, 1864; transferred from Company E to Eleventh New Hampshire, June 1, 1865; absent, sick, July 17, 1865.
SEVENTH INFANTRY.
(The Seventh New Hampshire was in the terrible charge at Fort Wagner.)
William Coffrin, veteran, enlisted in Company K, Seventh New Hampshire, February 29, 1864; promoted to corporal December 9, 1864 ; pro- moted to sergeant May 3, 1865 : mustered out July 20, 1865.
Henry G. Webber, enlisted August 26, 1862; pro- moted to adjutant ; died at Cincinnati, O., April 12, 1873.
NINTHI INFANTRY.
George R. Peasley, enlisted in Company G, September 18, 1862; wounded June 21, 1864.
John R. Peasley, enlisted August 13, 1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps July 1, 1863.
Charles N. Goodwin, enlisted in Company G, August 13, 1862; three years' volunteer; promoted to corporal; wounded June 25, 1864; absent and sick afterwards.
Horace (. Kendall, enlisted in Company G, August 13, 1862; three years' volunteer; wounded May 12, 1864; died of wounds at Washington, D. C., June 5, 1864; interred in National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
Frederic Royce, enlisted in Company G, June 13, 1862; three years' volunteer ; mustered out June 10, 1865.
29
CHARLESTOWN.
William H. Royce, enlisted in Company G, June 13, 1862; three years' volunteer; promoted to cor- poral ; wounded May 12, 1864; also wounded July 30, 1864; died of wounds at Fort Schuyler, N. Y., August 17, 1864.
Michael Torpy, enlisted in Company G, August 13, 1863, three years ; mustered out June 10, 1865. George W. Gibson, recruit and volunteer, enlisted in Company G, December 10, 1863; captured at Poplar Grove Church, Va., September 30, 1864; paroled October 7, 1864; mustered out May 22, 1865.
George T. Ward, enlisted in Company G, August 14, 1862.
Napoleon B. Osgood, enlisted August 19, 1862, for three years ; mustered out June 6, 1865.
FOURTEENTH INFANTRY.
John Ashey, enlisted January 4, 1864, in Company I, for three years ; mustered out July 8, 1865.
Lewis Ashey, enlisted January 5, 1864, in Company G, for three years ; mustered out July 8, 1865. The following were in Company B :
Emanuel D. J. Bailey, enlisted May 12, 1864, three years' volunteer ; mustered out July 8, 1865.
Henry E. Barrett, enlisted September 22, 1862 ; pro- moted to first sergeant September 24, 1862; to second lieutenant April 4, 1863; honorably dis- charged March 22, 1864.
Frederick B. Andrews, enlisted September 22, 1862; was instantly killed in battle near Winchester, Va., September 19, 1864; he fills an unknown grave.
Warren Abbott, enlisted September 22, 1862; mus- tered out July 8, 1865.
Norman L. Adams, enlisted September 22, 1862; pro- moted to corporal April 14, 1864; mustered out July 8, 1865.
John Loren Adams, enlisted December 22, 1863 ; re- cruit, three years' volunteer ; mustered out July 8, 1865.
James Bowman, enlisted December 23, 1863; wound- ed September 19, 1864; died of wounds at Win- chester, Va., November 4, 1864.
William J. Bosworth, enlisted September 22, 1862; died in hospital of disease, at Washington, D. C., January 19, 1864.
Patrick O'Brien, enlisted September 22, 1862; mus- tered out July 8, 1865.
John F. Cooley, enlisted September 22, 1862; mus- tered out July 8, 1865.
John Casey, D. or S., December 22, 1863, for three years ; mustered out June 6, 1865.
Charles N. Corbin. December 22, 1863; drafted for three years ; mustered out July 8, 1865.
Oliver Mitchell, enlisted December 29, 1863, for three years ; wounded September 19, 1864; discharged for disability at Manchester, N. H., May 8, 1865. Richard B. Cornwell, enlisted September 22, 1862 ; wounded Sept. 19, 1864, mustered out July 8, 1865. James W. Corbin, enlisted September 22, 1862; trans- ferred to Company A, November, 1862 ; mustered out July 8, 1865.
Chauncy L. Corbin, musician, enlisted September 22, 1862 ; honorably discharged at Concord, N. H., January 19, 1864, for disability.
Henry Easter, enlisted September 22, 1862 ; mustered out July 8, 1865.
Hiram Green, enlisted September 22, 1862; mustered out July 8, 1865.
John Hassam, enlisted October 9, 1862; died of dis- ease at Washington, D. C., July 31, 1863.
Charles E. Holbrook, enlisted October 9, 1862 ; second lieutenant, promoted to first lieutenant, April 4, 1863; honorably discharged April 23, 1864.
John King, enlisted September 22, 1862; mustered out July 8, 1865.
John Kelly, enlisted September 22, 1862; mustered out July 8, 1865.
Charles H. Knapp, enlisted January 4, 1861; three years' volunteer ; mustered out July 8, 1865,
George R. Knapp, enlisted September 22, 1862; pro- moted to corporal, February 1, 1862; mustered out July 8, 1865.
Patrick McKean, enlisted September 22, 1862; mus- tered out July 8, 1865.
Willard Lawrence, enlisted September 22, 1862; wounded September 19, 1864; died of wounds at Winchester, Va., September 26, 1864.
Van Buren Leland, enlisted September 22, 1862 ; pro- moted to corporal December 9, 1864; mustered out July 8, 1865.
George H. Lynds, enlisted January 12, 1864; three years' volunteer ; mustered out July 8, 1865.
Charles H. Melville, enlisted October 7, 1862; mus- tered out July 8, 1865.
Michael McMahon, enlisted September 22, 1862; mus- tered out July 8, 1865.
30
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
William McMahon, enlisted October 2, 1862; mus- tered out July 8, 1865.
Harlan P. Marshall, enlisted September 22, 1862; promoted to corporal June 1, 1865; mustered out July 8, 1865.
George W. Parks, enlisted September 22, 1862; mus- tered out July 8, 1865.
Fred. S. Parks, enlisted September 22, 1862 ; mustered ont July 8, 1865.
Orson D. Putnam, enlisted September 22, 1862; died of disease at Natchez, Miss., July 22, 1864.
Levi G. Richardson, enlisted September 22, 1862; died of disease in New York City October 22, 1864.
Lucius Rumrill, enlisted September 22, 1862; mus- tered out July 8, 1865.
Stephen A. Spooner, enlisted September 22, 1862; promoted to corporal May 1, 1863 ; honorably discharged at Concord, N. H., January 16, 1865, for disability.
Thomas O'Sullivan, enlisted September 22, 1862; honorably discharged at Concord, N. II., July 7, 1864, for disability.
Erastus Smith, enlisted September 22, 1862 ; wounded slightly September 19, 1864 ; mustered out July 8, 1865.
George A. White, enlisted September 22, 1862; mus- tered out July 8, 1865.
Albert H. Tyrell, enlisted September 22, 1862; pro- moted to sergeant May 1, 1863; wounded Sep- tember 19, 1864; mustered out July 8, 1865.
Charles H. Wright, enlisted September 22, 1862; wounded September 19, 1864 ; mustered out May 24, 1865.
Charles Smith, enlisted December 22, 1863; three years' volunteer ; mustered out July 8, 1865.
FIRST REGIMENT VOLUNTEER HEAVY ARTILLERY. Sylvester A. Hamlin, first sergeant, enlisted Septem- ber 7, 1864, for one year ; wounded at Fair Oaks ; mustered out June 15, 1865.
William S. Gibson was two years in Massachusetts Second Regiment and two years in First Con- necticut.
Nelson A. Rich, enlisted July 10, 1861, in a Vermont regiment ; discharged September 16, 1864; re- enlisted February 7, 1865; discharged February 6, 1866; was in the Army of the Potomac.
CHAPTER III.
CHARLESTOWN-( Continued).
ECCLESIASTICAL IIISTORY.
Unitarian Church-Congregational Church -- Methodist Episcopal Church-St. Luke's Church.
UNITARIAN CHURCH .- The first church in this town was organized December 4, 1754, with Rev. John Dennis as pastor. His salary was fifty pounds So great were the fears of the people of invasions by the Indians that his ordination was at Northfield, Mass. May 13, 1754, the town voted as follows :
" Voted-1st, that they will apply to Mr. John Dennis to settle in the work of the gospel ministry in this town; and for the encouragement of the said Mr. Dennis to settle in this town, in the work of the gospel ministry, as aforesaid,
" Voted-That the town will build for the said Mr. Dennis, a log-house of hewn timber, of the following dimensions ; viz .- the house to be thirty-six feet in length, and nineteen feet in width, and sixteen feet stud; and to be jutted at the chamber in the common manner ; and also to build, and set up a stack of brick chimneys, and a good convenient cellar ; and also to lay the lower floors, and find boards for the upper floors, and set up the partitions and doors to the lower rooms ; and also to board and shingle the roof of said house.
" Voted-That the town will clear up a three-acre lot, No. 14, in the great meadow, fit for mowing ; and that they will plough, fit and sow with wheat four acres of a five-acre lot, No. 59, lying in the great meadow.
" Voted-That the town will pay to Mr. Dennis the sum of fifty pounds, annually, lawful money, to be paid equal to silver at six shillings and eight pence per ounce, if he shall see cause in the work of the gospel ministry in the town, and also to provide his firewood, brought to his house and cut cord-wood length.
" Voted-That there be five men chosen to carry and offer the proposals of the town to Mr. John Den- nis, and to receive his answer, and make return there- of to this meeting.
" Voted-That John Hastings, Phineas Stevens, Esq., Mr. Andrew Gardner, Lieutenant Isaac Parker
31
CHARLESTOWN.
and Ensign David Farnsworth be a committee to carry the proposals of the town to Mr. Dennis, and receive his answer as aforesaid."
At an adjourned meeting held May 22, 1754, the following was added :
" Voted-That the town will raise the sum of eight pounds, lawful money of the Province of Massachu- setts Bay, to defray the charge of transporting Mr. Dennis' family to this town, if the said Dennis shall accept the proposals the town has made; and shall see cause to come and settle in the work of the gospel ministry among us."
Mr. Dennis was dismissed March 31, 1756.
The second minister of the town was Rev. Bulk- ley Olcott. The following is the first account of him in connection with his ministry in Charles- town :
"At a legal meeting of the town, held at the Old Fort, on the 11th day of August, 1760, it was voted, that the town will choose a Committee to go and dis- course with Mr. Olcott, and see whether he will be prevailed upon to stay and preach with us a longer time ; and that Lieutenant Isaac Parker, John Hast- ings, Seth Walker, Lieutenant John Sawyer, Mr. Seth Putnam, Captain John Spafford, Peter Labaree, (and) William Heywood, be a committee to discourse with Mr. Olcott on the premises."
The salary offered was the whole of the right of land commonly called the ministerial right, which Mr. Dennis had relinquished, and one hundred pounds, lawful money of the province of Massachusetts Bay. But this salary was not satis- factory ; and, in addition to the ministerial right, in the place of the one hundred pounds, the fol- lowing votes were substituted :
" Voted, that the town give Mr. Olcott the sum of forty-five pounds sterling, or silver or gold equivalent thereto, for the first year ; after the first year the town will add to his salary the sum of thirty shillings per annum, until his salary shall amount to the sum of sixty pounds sterling, or silver or gold equivalent ; which sum to be his stated or standing salary during the time he shall continue to be our minister ; the one-half of the above-mentioned salary to be paid him at the end of half a year after he shall accept of our
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