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THREE LECTURES

ON THK

EARLY HISTORY

OF THE

TOWN OF FALMOUTH

COVERING THE TIME

From Its Settlement to 1812.
DELIVERED IN THE YEAR 1843, BY
MR. CHARLES W. JENKINS,
OF FALMOUTH.

" That things are not so ill with yon and rae a«
they might have been, is half owing to the number
who lived faithfaUy a hidden life and rest in unvig.
ited tombs." Georgb Eliot.

FALMOUTH, MASS:
L. r. CLARKE, STEAM PRINTER.
(TBI LOCAL FBBSS.)
1889.

PREFACE.
"T^HE MATERIAL in this volume forms three lectures on the Ear
ly History of Falmouth, which were written and delivered by
Mr. Charles W. Jenkins, in Falmouth, about the year 1843. They
were afterwards lent and lost for many years, but were recovered by
me a few years ago, and are now printed as an addition to the litera
ture of the two hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the
town. Only slight verbal changes have been made in the text of the
lectures. Mr. Jenkins devoted much time and careful study to the
records of the town, church and society, and also learned much
town tradition from the older inhabitants ; information which could
not be gathered now, nearly fifty years later.
It is to be hoped that some one may be interested to take
up immediately the history where these lectures leave it, 1812, and
carry it on to the close of the war of the Rebellion. The difficulty
of getting the data for such a record will increase rapidly from now
on. Edward H. Jenkins.
New Haven, Conn., Oct. 1889.

CONTENTS.

PAoa
Introduction, i

I. History of Falmouth from 1600 to 1700, 4
Civil History.
Bartholomew Gosnold, 4
Indian Tribes in the Region, 5
Acquiring title to land and treatment of Indians
by the settlers, - 8
Origin of the Settlers and first landing at Fal
mouth, 10
Original Division of lands at Falmouth Village
and Woods Hole, 15
Division of lands at West Falmouth, 19
Incorporation in 1689, 25
Taking up of land at East End of Town, 25
Levy for the Expedition against Quebec, 28
Ecclesiastical History.
Relations with Quakers, 30
First Provision for Public Worship, 32
II. History of Falmouth from 1700 to 1774, 35
Civil History.
" Town's Book," 35
Town House, 37
The Retrenchment Party, 37

Laying out of "New Purchase," 41
Clay bank for Proprietors' use, 48
Disputes as to Boundaries, 45
The Town's School, 48
The First Grist Mill, 49
Fixing the Marshpee Line, 49
A Town Surplus, 50
" The Meeting-house Lot," 54
School Districts and the Grammar School, 55
Trouble with Millers, 56
Ecclesiastical History.
Labors of Mr. Shiverick, 59
Calling and Settlement of Mr. Metcalf, 60
Organization of a Church, 64
Services of Rev. Josiah Marshall, 67
Calling and Settlement of Rev. Samuel Pal
mer, 68
A New Meeting-house, 74
III. History of Falmouth from 1774 to 181 2. 76
Civil History.
Arming of the Citizens, 78
Procuring Food by the Town, 79—83
Call from the Committee of Safety, 80
Visit of the British Fleet, 84
Fights with Privateers, 00
Draft for the Continental Army, 93
The Great Herring Controversy, 96
Falmouth Wharf 08
The Artillery Co., ng
Ecclesiastical History.
Settlement of Rev. Z. Butler, 99
Settlement of Rev. Isaiah Mann, 100
Friends' Meeting House, 100
Settlement of Rev. Henry Lincoln, 10 1
The New Meeting House, 103
Discharge of Friends or Quakers from church taxes, 105
Establishment of the Methodist Church, 105

INTRODUCTION.
There is no country whatever its condition, whose history may
not be instructive. If its government has been equitable, its laws
just and its achievements praise-worthy, its history will be valuable
as furnishing models, and establishing precedents that may be safely
followed by succeeding generations. If, on the contrary, its govern
ment has sacrificed the interests of the many for the benefit of the
few, if it has been the theatre of unhallowed ambition, of insatiate
avarice, or of cruel oppression, its history will still be valuable, as
illustrating the evils of national tyranny, ignorance and debasement.
Most richly does New England merit the attention and study of the
historian on account of the causes that led to its settlement, its
small beginnings, its early poverty, trials and exposures, its rapid
growth and its present character, resources, power and influence.
The impartial historian will find the causes of this wonderful
development not in the severity of its climate or the barrenness of
its soil, not mainly in the presence or absence of any external condi
tions, but in the private virtues, untiring industry and unshaken
fortitude of its first colonists, sustained and fostered by wise and
good laws, faithfully and impartially executed. We may well be
proud of our early history and use all means in our power carefully

2 mSTOBY OF FALMOUTH.
to collect and preserve all the incidents connected with it. It is to
be regretted that the early settlers were so careless in the keeping of
the records — that so few authenticated facts can now be obtained
. respecting the settlement of our oldest towns. Although it is little
more than one hundred and eighty years since the first settlement of
this town, very little satisfactory information relating to the early
labours, trials and sufferings of our fathers in subduing the wilder
ness and preparing for us this goodly heritage, can now be collected.
As a native of this town and a regular descendant in both lines of
his ancestry of two of the first Englishmen who trod this soil, the
writer has long felt a strong desire to learn more respecting the
origin, character and acts of the first settlers of Falmouth, Impelled
by this feeling he has made such inquiries and collected such facts
as the little time at his disposal would allow. The sources of
information have been more numerous than was anticipated at the
commencement of the effort. The facts and incidents that follow
have been gathered :
ist, — From the Records of the Town. These contain more
than has generally been supposed. The records previous to 1800
were kept in so irregular a manner, — town meetings, ear marks,
births, marriages and deaths being promiscuously interspersed, and
for the most part in a hand-writing more resembling Hebrew text
than the King's English — that few have attempted to read through
these sizable books to sift out and arrange their contents in system
and order. 2nd, — From Tradition. Information from this source cannot
prove so satisfactory as from record — yet when it serves to corrobor
ate statements otherwise made probable, it may be generally received.
The importance to be attached to traditionary history depends very
much on the number of generations through which it has passed, as

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 3
well as the character and intelligence of those through whom it has
been transmitted. Only six generations have passed off the stage of
life since our fathers first landed on this coast and they were honest
and intelhgent men, la the absence of inducements to deceive
therefore, we cannot doubt the general accuracy of most of the
traditions that have been handed down. In conversation with the
speaker some of our oldest neighbors have narrated circumstances
told them by their parents which go back more than one hundred
and twenty-five years.
3rd, — ^The remaining source has been, Publications relating to
the affairs of the first colonies — and Correspondence with persons in
the neighboring towns who were supposed to possess information
relative to our early history. As natives of the town almost every
thing relating to our origin and history it is worth our while to pre
serve, and if the speaker shall go quite fully into detail, it is hoped
it will not be tedious. He regrets that he is not able to throw a
greater charm about the narrative of the deeds of our fathers, but
is conscious of having done what he could under the circumstances
in which he has been placed, and throws himself on the indulgence
of his audience, hoping that his efforts may be received with some
degree of favor.

Section ist, from 1660 to 1700.

We are not sure but Falmouth* may yet claim the honor of
being the first spot on the main land of America on which an Eng
lishman ever trod. New facts relating to our early histoiy are
coming to light and the praiseworthy efforts that are now being made
by the Massachusetts Historical Society and other kindred associa
tions to collect and authenticate these facts will undoubtedly throw
much new light on the events that led to our establishment as a peo
ple on these western shores. The society just alluded to has quite
recently come in possession of some manuscripts through an Ameri
can traveller in Europe, giving a particular account of Bartholomew
Gosnold's visit to the EHzabeth Islands in 1602.
He was the first English navigator (of whom we have any
account) that passed through the Vineyard Sound. He came into
»  The town of Falmouth foi-ms the south-western extremitj' of Cape Cod
—being bounded on the north-cast by a straight line dividing it from the town of
Sandwich and the north-west by a small stream running fi'om Hope Spring, at
the extreme north point, into Catamnet or Wild Harbor; on the east by the
resei-vatlon of Mashpee; on the south by Vineyard Sound; and on the west by
Buzzard's Bay. Its situation is found to be Lat. 41 degrees, 34 minutes— Longitude
70 desfiees, 33 minutes, 45 seconds. For the latitude I am indebted to Capt. H. C.
Bunker— for the longitude to Capt. John Crocker— both the result of actual

HISTOMY OF FALMOUTH. 5
it from the eastward on the 21st of May of that year, and on the
following day landed on the island opposite, Martha's Vineyard, He
proceeded on the 24th to the next islands to which he gave the name
of his Queen — calling them the Elizabeth Islands, He is said to have
reached the main land on the 31st, seeking a favorable location
for a settlement. Having this object in view it is natural to suppose
he would first land on the nearest point of the continent and it is
not at all improbable that his first landing was at Wood's HoU, He
undoubtedly landed on the main in the vicinity of New Bedford also,
but probably not until he had explored and rejected this region for a
settlement. He is said to have resolved finally on a settlement at
one of the islands because it made his position more secure from
the attacks of the natives and actually commenced the building of
a fort, but his men revolted and it was abandoned.
It is natural for us here to inquire what was the condition of
this township before its occupation by Europeans. I ha\e not been
able to find any record of a distinct tribe of aborigines living here.
The nearest distinct tribes of which we have any account were the
Herring River Indians about twelve miles to the north, and the
Mashpee Indians about the same distance to the east. The New
England Memorial mentions the missionary tours of Rev. Mr.
observation and undoubtedly correct. A range of hills partly covered with oak
forest extends from Woods Hole in a northerly direction the >vliole length of
the township. The rest of the town is uneonmionly level, the soil being mostly
a gravelly loam except in the cistern section whicli is light and sandy. Its
extreme width of coast on a str.aight line from Wood's HoU to the Mashpee line
is about 9 3-4 miles, and its deptli on a sti'aiglit line from Falmouth Wharf to
Hope Spring is 8 milts, 15 rods. The town contains about 45 square miles.
Population in 1840, 2516. There is a small discrepancy between the census taken
by the town and that taken by order of government. The Government census
was 2504, but the former takeu by our selectmen is undoubtedly correct. The
population is divided as follows : East Falmouth to sign post at Tateket 805.
North Falmouth to Capt. Walter Davis' and Tateket sign post 556. From Wood's
Hole to Tateket sign post 11.55. According to the Collections of Mass. Hist-
Societythe population of Falmouth in 1764 was 1225; in 1776 was 1365; in 1790
was 1637; In ISOO was 1882.

6 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
Cotton of the Plymouth Colony to a small tribe of Indians (about
50) on Buzzard's Bay, but whether this tribe was living on the west
or east side of the Bay cannot now be determined. From the
nearness of this region to the sea, its numerous ponds and streams
furnishing so many facilities for fishing and hunting we should infer
that it must have been thickly inhabited, and to this opinion I
incline for several reasons. One is the Indian names given to the
different sections of the town. We have Acaposket, Quisset,
Tateket, Chapoquit, Cataumet, Ashumet, Waquoit, &c., all of them
probably names of Indian villages. Cataumet and Chapoquit are
known to have been considerable Indian villages. A large Indian
burying ground may now be found at the latter place, — another in
the rear of Mrs. Hervey ^Veeks' house was ploughed up a few years
since. Some have supposed the name Tateket was given to a section
made by an imaginary line drawn nearly North and South and dividing
what was termed the "new purchase'' into two divisions. I can find
nothing to support such an opimon. The name Tateket was applied
as the records show to the same place as it now is long before the
new purchase was run out; as early as 1685, Frequent mention is
made of Christopher Gifford as one of the principal proprietors in
this region about 1690,
A second reason for believing that this region was thickly
inhabited by Indians previous to its settlement by our ancestors is
the great number of Indian relics which our old people tell us have
been found in breaking up the soil. Immense quantities of stone
arrows have been ploughed up near the west coast of the town. It
is probable, however, that the tribes in this vicinity has been greatly
reduced before the first settlement by the whites had commenced —
for we know that the smallpox made great ravages among the Indians

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 7
about the time of the first discovery of the country. The favorite
haunts of the Indians seem to have been on the west side of the
township near the margin of the Bay and around Quisset and Hog
Island Harbors, and here their titles were last extinguished.
There was a celebrated family in this region by the name of
Shanks or Shaunks and there is a small pond near the residence of
Mr. Joseph Robinson known to this dav as Shank's Pond. Mr.
Melatiah Gifford tells me that his father has often described an
Indian wigwam near this pond that he had visited in his younger
days, and that he well remembered the festoons of clams that were
suspended around the apartment until they had become, from the
smoke of the common fire in the centre^ as brown as bacon. The
occupant of this wigwam was remarkable for his height as well as
for the irregularity of his habits. His visits to the white settlements
on the coast for strong water were quite frequent and his condition
on his return could be pretty accurately ascertained long before his
arrival, for the outline of his remarkably tall figure could be defined
at a distance as he came over the hills following a more or less
devious course according to the depth of his potations. Another
member of this notorious family lived a little farther to the westward.
He was an unfortunate Indian, being, "a hen-picked husband," or in
plain English, his squaw ruled him with a rod of iron. The follow
ing anecdote is related of him. Encouraged by the white settlers
he undertook to raise hay. He obtained of them a scythe, but on
using it he found it too soft. He had noticed that the English
hardened iron by heating it and dipping it in cold water. He made
a large fire, heated his scythe extremely hot and then threw it into a
pond, which bent it up and spoiled it. His squaw, who had learned
by observation something more than he of the process of hardening
iron, was greatly vexed and addressed him thus, "You old fool ;

8 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
didn't you know that such sudden heats and colds would never do?"
An Indian called "Tob" retained a tract of about 50 acres long after
the natives around him had sold out.
It is an interesting question, — How did our fathers acquire and
establish their titles to the soil? It appears from the Old Colony
records that when new settlements were commenced the lands were
purchased of the natives with the consent of the court and each
one squatted or settled where it best suited his convenience, having
the greater part of the lands "in common." Owing to this loose
way of doing things, controversies spon sprang up between compan
ies living near each other, to obviati; which, application was made to
the government at Plymouth for grants establishing the boundaries
and confirming to the settlers the various tracts they had obtained.
But did our fathers deal truly and honorably with the Indians in the
purchase of the soil? The following extract is from a letter of
Gov. Winslow dated Marshfield, May i, 1676, and found in Holmes'
Annals. "I think I can clearly say that the English did not possess
one foot of land in this colony but what was fairly obtained by
honest purchase of the Indian proprietors, ^^'e first made a law
that none should purchase or recei\e of gift any land of the Indians
without the knowledge of our Court. And lest they should be
straightened, we ordered that Mount Hope, Pocasset and several
other necks of the best land in the colony, because most suitable
and convenient for them, should never be bought out of their
hands." *
*— The following record also illustrates the regard that was held for the
rights of Indians: At a meeting held Aug. 23d, 17(^4, Wequamquissett Neck was
given to John Weeks, his heirs and assigns forever, "provided and on condition
tliat the sd. John Weeks, his heir.^, and assigns, do forever hereafter save harm
less and indemnitize the sd. Proprietors from the just claim of the heirs or
generation of Weqecoxett, an Indian deceased, respecting a lormer libertj- tliat
was granted unto sd. Indiims, or by them reserved for cutting of firewood on
tlie common ur undivided lands in sd. Falmouth." [E. H. J.]

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 9
A law was passed in 1643 that no person or persons should
purchase or even hire any land of the Indians without the knowl
edge and consent of the Colony, on a penalty of ;^5 . for every acre
thus obtained.
This is not the place to discuss at length the treatment of the
Indians by the English settlers, but I cannot forbear an expression of
my firm conviction that our fathers generally made great sacrifices to
conciliate the natives and that it was not a mere worldly policy that
stimulated their zeal to secure their friendship and to do them good.
Great and self-denying efforts were made to secure to them religious
instruction and with great success. As a general thing the settlers
did what they could to avoid collision, and their wars were simply
struggles for self-preservation. The celebrated Eliot, the apostle to
the Indians, made several tours to the Indians on Martha's Vineyard
and passing on his way thither (as he undoubtedly did) through this
town made, as we may suppose, these villages and hills echo with the
sound of his voice, proclaiming to the assembled groups of the
aborigines the mild and to them the new religion of the Saviour. It
may here be added that the Indians were encouraged to aspire to
stations of responsibility and trust, and the more intelligent among
them were in some cases appointed under the government as magis
trates. You have heard the anecdote respecting an Indian consta
ble's warrant which ran thus — "I Hihondi, you Peter Waterman,
Jeremy Wicket ; — quick you take him, fast you hold him, straight
you bring him before me Hihondi."
Tradition says that at the tirae the first settlers arrived here
there was war between the natives on the main land and a tribe on
Martha's Vineyard and that the whites experienced much inconveni
ence in consequence of their operations. Although no general mis
understanding seems to ha^-e occurred between the natives and the

IO HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
whites, yet many personal encounters are said to have occurred and
many acts of violence were committed. In conversation with a lady
a few days since — now in her 79th year, — I was informed that her
parents settled in Quisset, and that a wigwam, which she had often
visited when a child, stood near the present residence "of Mr. Solomon
Davis. She also told me that her great-uncle, when a lad, was
stolen by the Indians and taken with his mother to the sea, where
the party embarked in a canoe. The lad was commanded to seat
hiraself in the canoe, but not understanding the language of the
natives and remaining in a standing position, he received a blow on
his head, the mark of which he bore ever after. The weather was
cold and on arriving at their place of destination the mother was
excluded from the wigwams and perished in the night. The boy
after remaining a long time with the Indians, ran away and got back
to his home. INIany similar occurrences might be mentioned, show
ing that our fathers had other trials than simply those that are always
attendant on the settlement of a new country.
The earliest records of the town are comprised in a manuscript
book called "Proprietors' Records" and dated November 29th, 1661.
This book contains little else than the divisions and bounds of lands
as they were set off to the original proprietors. It gives us the
names of the first settlers, but from them we can gain no knowledge
as to whom they were, frora whence they came, or when and how they
arrived. These interesting questions I shall attempt to answer. We
will go back to the county of Kent in England. A company from
this county arrived in New England and began the settlement of
Scituate. about 1628. The first principal street laid out in Scituate
was called Kent Street. It is stated in the Collections of the
Mass. Historical Society, "Scituate, indebted to the substantial charac-

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. ii
ter of some of its founders, many of whom it is evident came from
Kent, in England, soon became a respectable town, taking early the
lead in rates and levies of men, which superiority it maintained to
the latest annals of the colony. Are you a Kentish man, or a man
of Kent? has its historical value as it respects origin." A part of
this first company that commenced the settlement at Scituate
removed to 'West Barnstable, and commenced the settlement of that
town in 1639. Tradition says the first company of settlers of Fal
mouth arrived in 1660, in boats from Barnstable and landed between
Fresh* and Salt Ponds, where they encamped until their homes
were constructed.
The following anecdote has been handed down by tradition and
is probably literally true. The first night after landing, the emi
grants encamped in the flag swamp at the south end of Fresh pond,
being greatly fatigued with the passage, landing, etc. The wife of
Jonathan Hatch had a son born somewhat unexpectedly the same
night. When asked what she would have him named, she replied 'He
was bom amongst the flags and his name shall be Moses.' This
name together with the land first set off to this Jonathan Hatch has
descended in the same family to the present day, [1843. J
The first records of Barnstable were kept in a very loose man
ner, being on detached pieces of paper. These were collected after
many years (as many as could be found) and copied in a book and
the originals destroyed. But the fact that all the names of the first
settlers of Falmouth were Barnstable names, and most of them
Scituate names, confirms and establishes the tradition that they
came from Barnstable to this place.
Their names as they appear on the record are the following —
»  Or Consider Hatch's Pond, called 'Slder's Pond for short. [B . H. J.]

12 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
Jonathan Hatch, Isaac Robinson, John Chapman, John Jenkins,
James Hamlin, Mr. Thomas, Samuel Fuller, Thomas Lathrop,
Anthony Annibel, Peter Blossom, William Nelson, James Cobb,
Samuel Hinckley, Thomas Ewer. A few weeks ago I sent a copy of
these names to a gentleman living at Barnstable, who is well
acquainted with the early history of that town, asking for information
on this subject. He wrote me that no record could be found of the
removal of this company from that place but that these were all
Barnstable names. I have since traced one of these individuals
from Scituate through Barnstable to this town which decides the
question I think, satisfactorily, as to our origin. This individual was
Isaac Robinson. He was the son of Rev. John Robinson, the dis
tinguished puritan clergyman, from whose church at Leyden carae
the first Plymouth pilgrims. It was the intention of John Robinson
to remove with the reraaining merabers of his church to Plymouth,
but dying in 1625 his widow and family together with the principal
reraaining part of his congregation came over about 1628. Prince,
in his New England Chronology says, "His son Isaac came over to
Plymouth Colony and lived to above ninety years of age, a venera
ble man whom I have often seen, and has left male posterity in
Barnstable County." His descendants are numerous and great pains
have been taken to learn more of his history, but little more I
believe has been gained than what we find in Prince's Chronolog)'.
From the fact that the names of John and Isaac Robinson have de
scended in this town for several generations I was led to the conclu
sion that they were descendants of this man and believing myself to
have descended on the maternal side from this family I could not
rest contented with so meagre an account. I wrote to the venerable
Dr. Thatcher of Plymouth for information, who stated in reply that
in writing his history of Plymouth, he had made much inquiry but

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 13
could trace Isaac Robinson no farther than 1659, and referred me to
his book. I there find in reference to the persecution of the
Quakers the following statement : "For the purpose of bringing the
Quakers to a sense of their mistakes, the laws were so far relaxed as
to permit certain persons to attend their meetings to endeavor to
reduce them from the error of their ways : this permission was given
to Isaac Robinson, the son of the celebrated Leyden pastor and three
others. "But," says Mr. Baylies "the government were not aware of
their danger. The fanaticism of a new sect is always an overmatch
for that which has been cooled and tempered by time. Isaac
Robinson, an excellent and sensible man who had received the per
mission of the Court to attend their meetings, instead of convincing
the Quakers of their errors, became self-convicted, embraced many
of their doctrines and consequently rendered himself so obnoxious
that he was dismissed from civil employment and exposed to much
censure and some indignity." But what became of Isaac Robinson
after he had fallen under the displeasure of government and been
disfranchised ? The Rev. Samuel Deane of Scituate has published in
a volume of some 400 pages a detailed account of the settlement of
that ancient town. It is there stated that "Isaac Robinson, .the son ol
the Puritan founder was a freeman in Scituate in 1636 — that he sold
his house and land to one John Twisden* in 1639 ^^^ removed to
Barnstable. He was a highly respected man, an assistant in the
government, but having fallen under the displeasure of "the stern
Thomas Prince," Gov. — 1669, on account of his opposition to the
laws against the Quakers, he was disfranchised, but he lived to be
restored under Gov. Josiah Winslow, 1673."! His first wife was
*  "Goodman Tlvesden." [E. H. J.]
j  The old record ot dislVanchisemont, says Mrs. Caroline H. Dall, is inter
lined with the words:— "There being some mistake in this, the said Isaac, at his
request is re-established." (E. H. J.]

14 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
Margaret Hanford whom he married June 27, 1636, and by whom he
had five children. His second wife was Mary Faunce, sister of the
famous Elder Faunce, of Plymouth, whom he married in 1650 and
by whom he had four children. He lived to be 93 years old. It
thus appears that Isaac Robinson removed from Scituate to Barn
stable (Great Marshes) in 1639, and in just twenty years from his
arrival at that place, incurred the displeasure of Government for
interfering V:> protect the Quakers. It was natural that he should
now wish to emigrate — and he with thirteen other men and their
families left Barnstable the following year, 1660, It is probable that
this company contemplated a settlement at Martha's Vineyard as this
Isaac Robinson when he left Barnstable (as appears by the records
of the West Barnstable church) took a letter of dismission and
recommendation to a church on that island. They probably came
up the Sound in boats and concluded to land and explore the region
on this side and finding it eligible for a settlement concluded to stop
here. One of the first houses erected in this town was Isaac
Robinson's and was standing on the neck lying between Fresh and
Salt Ponds in the fall of 1 661, as appears from the Proprietor's
Records,* Some, to whom I have mentioned my conviction that
Isaac Robinson Sen, was one of the first settlers of Falmouth, have
expressed the opinion that he must have been a son of said Isaac.
We must recollect that Isaac Robinson Sen. had not been married
20 years in 1660, consequently could not have had a son of suffici
ent age to have a family and to take the lead in such an enterprise.
Thus, I have (as I think) satisfactorily proved that Isaac Robinson
Sen,, the distinguished son of the celebrated Leyden pastor, was
•  At the lower end of Fresh Pond there was some years ago an old rose
bush, the only relic of an ancient garden which according to tradition belonged
to Isaac Bobinson, This land has since been "cleared up" and tbe rose bush
which was perhaps one of the pilgrims from Barnstable in 1660 or a descendant
of It, was killed, [j. K. U.]

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 15
one of the first and leading settlers of the town of Falmouth. I
shall be excused for the minuteness with which I have gone into this
inquiry, as it is one in which we cannot but feel a deep interest.
The descendants of the Robinson family are quite numerous and
great, pains have been taken to trace its genealogy, I have been
informed by Eben Bacon, Esq,, of Barnstable that the venerable
artist. Col, Trumbull, of Connecticut, visited that town a few years
since, for the purpose of tracing the history of Isaac Robinson, that
he went with him to West Barnstable and found there a record of his
dismission from the Congregational church in that parish, but could
not ascertain to what place he removed, though the supposition was
that he went to Martha's Vineyard, Among the numerous families
of that name in this town I am hoping yet to find some record that
will connect the links of descent from him to the present generation.*
The fact that it is now so difficult to form this connection shows how
careless or indifferent families have been as to their genealogy.
Having now landed the first settlers on these shores in 1660, we
will turn to the Records and commence the divisions of lands.
"Nov, 29, 1661, we whose names are under have agreed for ourselves
and for whom any of us are agents, for laying out of lands in
Succanesset" (the ancient name of this town).
"ist, — The neck of land lying by the Herring Brook shall be in
general. 2dly, — ^That Jonathan Hatch and Isaac Robinson, because they
have built their houses should have their lots by their houses, that is
to say Jonathan Hatch to have ten acres by his house lying against
the neck and leaving a sufficient way in to the neck, — and Isaac
Robinson to have four acres by his house and eight acres next adjoin-
*  A very complete genealogy of the Bobinson family was afterwards pre
mred by Mr. John Jenkins of falmoutb and is now in possession of his sons.
[B. B, J.]

i6

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.

ing to Jonathan Hatch towards Pease's land, also because he thought
himself wronged to be put off the neck, we have condescended that
he shall have an acre and half of meadow within the great neck
towards Pease's land,
3dly, — ^Taking a view beyond them and Pease's land that it
would yield but eight acres to every share, so accordingly we laid it

I John Chapman, 4 acres,
2 John Jenkins, 8 acres,
3 James Hamlin, 8 acres,
7 Anthony Annabel, 8 acres,
9 William Nelson, 4 acres,
II Samuel Hinckley, 8 acres.

4 Mr, Thomas, 8 acres,
5 Samuel Fuller, 8 acres,
6 Thomas Lathrop, 8 acres,
8 Peter Blossom, 8 acres,
10 James Cobb, 8 acres,
12 Thomas Ewer, 8 acres.

4thly, — Because we questioned whether we should get water
upon these lots we laid out four acres along by the pond also by
lots," Then follows the laying of the pond lots which are assigned
to the same individuals when it is added "there is also a sufficient
way to be left along by the pond side about or below the houses,*
5thly, — It is agreed that every purchaser shall not keep above
twenty head of cattle upon the Great Neck for a share,
6thly, — We laid out twenty acres to share next to Jonathan
Hatch's ground lying upon the sea and running 200 rods towards the
woods." This tract is then divided into 13 strips about 16 rods
wide, and assigned to the same individuals as the former, Isaac
Robinson taking the last or 13th strip. Then follow the bounds, viz :
"All these lots are to be bounded on the upper end by a line from
the pond that is about the head of Peter Blossom's lot and shall run
upon the same point of the compass as the sea line at the foot.
The lots are to all the proprietors before mentioned. We set to our
•  The town still claims a way from the street to this fPresli] pond, lying
along the South side of the burying ground and which was undoubtedly the
original way reserved for a town watering place.

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 17
hands the 3rd day of December, 1661. Thomas Lathrop, Isaac
Robinson acting for Capt. Thomas and drew lots for Goodman
Annabel, Jonathan Hatch, James Hamlin, Thomas Ewer for myself
and John Shipman, Peter Blossom — mark p. James Cobb, William
Nelson, Samuel Hinckley acting for myself and John Jenkins." It
is then added "Jonathan Hatch's eight acres lying upon the sea and
bounded by the Herring River on the west, by Peter Blossom on the
east and by the pond on the north."
This first company of 14 men probably purchased of the natives
a tract bordering on the sea coast extending from Woods Hole to
what was called Five Mile River on the East and extending back
about 4 or 5 miles.
Five Mile River is now known as Dexter's River, the head of
said river being in a swamp about 40 or 50 rods to the South of
Coonamesset Pond and formed the northeast boundary of the origi
nal township. The northern boundary extended on a straight line
from this point to a large rock on the north side of Hog Island
Harbor, known as Chapoquoit Rock. When this boundary was
established it ran, as it was expressed "from the edge of one high hill'
to another," and several years after a controversy arose respecting
this line which occasioned much dispute. These high hills were
of long but gradual ascent and by one party it was contended that -
the edge of these hills was at their base, whilst the other maintained
that the edge was at the top. The parties appealed to an aged
Indian, named John Horton, who said he could tell them all about:
the line. "It went", said he, "neither by the top nor bottom, but by
a certain great rock about half way between ;" (as we generally find
the right to lie about half way between two contending parties.)
But, said the disputants, there is no such great rock on the hill as you
describe. "Well," said the Indian, "go with me." They followed

i8 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
him to a large pile of brush, "Here" said he "is the rock where
people established the bound and every time they passed thereafter
they put on a bough." They removed the brush and it was even so,
and this settled the controversy for all time. This Indian, John,
lived to great age, and Mr. Prince Gifford, now about 80 years of
age, relates many incidents of bygone days as he learned them when
a lad of 16 years from this aged Indian,"
Within the first six years several new settlers arrived and in 1667
the company order that John Howland and Thomas Lathrop acting
for said company, shall employ three men to lay out certain meadows
and upland in lots to each proprietor, as equally as they can as to
quality and quantity. These agents appoint Bama Lumbert, William
Gifford and John Smith to attend to this duty and bind themselves
for said company "to see these men satisfied for their pains when
they have done their work," The lands in the vicinity of the first
settlement being all taken up a number of persons purchased of the
company a tract at Woods's Hole and commenced the settlement of
that part of the town. The records say — "On the 23rd July, 1677,
there was a meeting of the inhabitants of Succanesset and the pro
prietors of the lands, when it was agreed the lands at Wood's Hole,
Little Harbor, should be laid out equally to every purchaser accord
ing to his proportion beginning at the south end of the Little Neck
and running west and by north to the Great Harbor. Parallel to this
strip were twelve others, averaging about 7 rods in width and were
numbered from i to 13 and assigned to the following persons, viz :
Jonn Robinson, WiUiam Gifford, Moses Rowley, Sen., Samuel Filley,
Thomas Lewis, Joseph Hull, Nathaniel Skiff, John Jenkins, Thomas
Griffin, Thomas Johnson, Jonathan Hatch, Sen., WilUam Weeks,
Thomas Ewer.
They then laid out ten acres to a share in Great Neck. "The

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 19
first lot lies in the neck, being on the foot path that runs through the
neck and south-east towards the Sound." Then after describing
three lots lying contiguous it is added — "Then we laid out six lots on
the East side of Little Harbor — the first lot runs east and by north
and runs fourscore long and twenty rods broad, and on that range
Ue six lots (at Nobsque Point twenty), the last lot joins to the
Dutchman's Pond, so caUed. Then we laid out three lots at Nobsque
Point — twenty-six rods broad and runs to the pond and to the sea
too. The 1 2th lot is 20 rods broad and forescore long — the 13th
lot Ues beyond Ackaposket, and butts on the sea." These lots were
assigned to the same individuals before mentioned.
It seems that the first settlers of Wood's Hole suffered much
inconvenience for want of a blacksmith, and they laid out 1 2 acres
of upland at Ackaposket,* with the marsh thereabout, for the
encouragement of a smith to come and settle among them.
The year following, 1678, the lands at Hog Island or West Fal
mouth were laid out. The first settlers here were WUUam Gifford
Sen., WiUiam Gifford Jr., John Weeks and WiUiam Weeks, William
Gifford Sen,, seems to have been a man of considerable importance
and was a large land holder at Hog Island or Great Siperwisset, As
a specimen of the contracts on record I have copied one of about this
date that was entered into by WilUam Gifford and one of my ances
tors — ^John Jenkins. It is as foUows :
"This record testifieth that William Gifford hath exchanged
with John Jenkins for three-quarters of a share in the Great Hill
Neck, and John Jenkins hath given WilUam Gifford Uberty to take
up ten acres of upland that belongs of right to his share, and Wil
liam Gifford hath made choice of Hog Island and the land meas-
'  It is not known where Ackaposket was located. From the mention that
is made of marsh in its vicinity, I incline to the opinion that it was on the Bay
side, not far from the present village of Wood's Hole.

ao HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
urers having laid out to William Gifford ten acres of upland more or
less lying at the North-west end of Hog Island and contains aU ye
upland that is there, for William Gifford to have and enjoy on ye
conditions following. That is to say — If WiUiam Gifford, his heirs,
successors or assigns shall weU and truly keep off the said Island,
neat cattle, horse kind forever from the fourteenthday of April to
the 15 th day of October, yearly, this being the sixth day of March,
1688, and also that Thomas Bowerman shaU without damage to him
dry his fodder on said Island and to dry his fodder ye point of upland
within ye said WilUam Gifford's field next adjoining to his house and
a way to fetch it off — aU which conditions being well and truly ob
served by ye said WiUiam Gifford, his successors or assigns — then
ye said William Gifford, his heirs or assigns to enjoy ye said Island
forever. But if the said WiUiam Gifford, his heirs, successors or as
signs shaU not observe the conditions above expressed but pasture the
said Island the time that this record doth forbid him to do with neat
cattle or horse kind then it shall be lawful for ye inhabitants of Suc
canesset to take possession of ye said Island called Hog Island as
their just right and to turn ye said WiUiam Gifford, his heirs succes
sors or assigns off the said Island without suit of law or any other
trouble. In witness whereof I the above said WUliam Gifford have
set to my hand the sixth day of March in ye year 1668 — WiUiam Gif
ford, Thomas Lewis Sen. in the behalf of the inhabitants of Suc
canesset and by their order."
We find in 1 681 an order of the court in Plymouth defining the
boundary between Sandwich and Succanesset, which boundary was
probably ordered soon after the purchase was made. The lots in
cluded within this new territory were not run out until after 1 700, an
account of which may be given in a future lecture.
I have been so fortunate as to obtain a document signed by Gov.

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 21
Bradford in 1688, confirming a grant of land in the extreme north
part of the town to John Nye and Ebenezer Nye, sons of Benjamin
Nye of Sandwich, who were the first settlers of North Falmouth.
This grant however covered but a small part of the territory, being
less than 200 acres. A general division of the land and settlement
in this regipn did not take place untU several years later, — somewhere
about 1710-12.
As this is the only original grant I have been able to find, I have
copied it as correctly as I was able, it being somewhat worn and in
part obUterated. "To all people to whom these presents shall come.
Greeting : Whereas the honourable the councU established at Ply
mouth in the county of Devon for the planting, ruling, ordering and
governing of New England in America by virtue and authority of
Letters patent under the great seal of England, etc., for and in con
sideration that WUUam Bradford, Esq., and his associates had at their
own proper costs and charges planted and inhabited a town called by
the name of New Plymouth in New England aforesaid and for their
better subsistance and encouragement to proceed in so pious a work,
especially tending to the propagation of religion, and the great en
couragement of trade to his majesty's Realm, and to the advancement
of the pubUc plantation : the said councU by their patent or grant
under common seal signed by the right Honorable Earle of Warwick
president of said council — bearing date the 13th day of January in
the sixth year of the Reign of our late Sovereign Lord King Charles
the first. Anno Domini 1629, did give, grant, assign and confirm unto
the said WilUam Bradford, his heirs, associates and assigns forever,
all that part of New England in America aforesaid and tract or tracts
of land that lie within or between a certain rivulet or rundlet there

2 2 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
commonly caUed Cohasset, alias Conihasset towards the North and
the river commonly called Narragansett River towards the South and
the great Western ocean towards the east and between and within
other Unes and limits in said patent or grant more at large expressed,
and all lands, rivers, creeks, ponds, fishings, hereditaments, profits
and commodities situated and lying or raising within or between any
of the said limits and bounds, together with aU rights, royalties, privi
leges etc., in and by the said grant, whereunto reference being had,
doth and may more at large appear, and whereas divers parcels of
said land hath for the ends aforesaid been granted by the said WiUiam
Bradford or his declared associates or assigns by power derived from
him, unto sundry particular persons who by virtue of said grants have
had for many years the quiet and peaceable possession thereof and
yet for want of some formaUties of law, not so precisely observed in
their first and raw beginnings, diverse questions and debates may
arise about the title of the several grantees unto the lands granted as
aforesaid, amongst others a certain parcel or tract of lands granted
unto John Nye and Ebenezer Nye both sons of Benjamin Nye of
Sandwich (whose right herein hath for many years been quietly and
peaceably possessed by them the said John Nye and Ebenezer Nye),
for the more sure making whereof — Know ye, that I WiUiam Branford
of New Plymouth, County of Plymouth and in the Colony of Ply
mouth in New England aforesaid Esq., son and heir of the above
named WiUiam Bradford Esq. deceased — will in performance of the
same intent and meaning of the said WUliam Bradford my father in
said grant and for the ends above mentioned as for divers other good
causes and considerations me at this time favourably moving, have
granted remised, released and forever quit claimed and by these
presents for me and my heirs, do grant, remise, release and forever
quit claim unto the said John Nye and Ebenezer in the sure and

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 23
peaceable possession and seisen now being, and to their heirs and
assigns forever all such right, estate, title, interest, possession or
demand whatsoever which I the said William Bradford ever had, now
have or ought to have in or to aU or singular the messuages, lands,
tenements, grounds, soUs, waters, rivers, creeks, fishings, heredita
ments, royalties, minerals, profits, privUeges and conditions whatso
ever situate, lying and being, arising, happening or anewing, or
which shaU arise, happen or anew in or within the limits or bounds
of a certain parcel of land lying and being at a place commonly
caUed by the Indians Mayhegansitt adjacent to Saconesset in the
county of Barnstable in New England and aforesaid, Umited and
bounded as foUoweth; namely — Northerly beginning at a small
Harbour or Cove running up into the meadow and so bounded by
the salt water from that harbour unto a high hUl, being a ditch cut in
the side of the hill — and easterly bounded from the said hUl on a
straight line to a smaU orchard and on the same straight line to the
hUls, and southerly bounded from another harbour or cove that runs
up between the lands of said John and Ebenezer Nye and the lands
now in occupation or tenure of Daniel Butler and so extending as
that river runs which issues into that harbour until it come near to
the mouth in which that river issues, and so on a straight line south
erly up to the hill, and bounded also by the salt water from the firs
mentioned harbour unto the last mentioned harbour between their
lands and the lands in occupation of the said Daniel Butler, all
which parcels of land bounded as aforesaid by estimation one hun
dred and fifty acres be it more or less ; so, ]that is to say, that neither
I, the said WiUiam Bradford, nor any heirs from henceforth will or
may have any right, estate or demand of, in, or to said premises.
Know ye also that I the said William Bradford for the consideration
aforesaid have approved and by these presents do bind my heirs as

24 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
much as in my lyeth unto the aforesaid John Nye and Ebenezer Nye
in their full and peaceable possession and to their and to each of
their heirs and assigns and for all singular, the aforesaid lands within
the said bounds and limits to have and to hold unto the said John and
Ebenezer Nye as to each of them and each of their assigns forever
in manner and form, following, viz : To hold in common all such
waste lands within the said limits as yet Ue in common and undivided
for having firewood for common use untU they shaU see cause other
wise to order the same and to hold in severalty and not jointly, to
each of them, all and every such messuage, tenement and lands as
each one of them is severally and particularly possessed of, in each
one of their particular and general right and interest therein respec
tively according to the known boundary thereof and according to
each and every of their heirs and assigns respectively forever
and to the only proper use and behoof of them and each of
their heirs and assigns respectively forever. To be holden of
his Majesty as of his manor of East Greenwich in the county of
Kent in the realm of England in fiee and common yielding and
paying to our Sovereign Lord the King, his heirs and success
ors forever one sixth part of the ores of the mines of gold
and silver and one other fifth part thereof to the said presi
dent and council which shaU be had, possessed and assigned
within the limits aforesaid for aU levies and demands whatso
ever as is expressed in said patent or grant of said council.
And I, the said William Bradford and my heirs, all and sing
ular, the said premises with the appurtenances, to the afore
said John Nye and Ebenezer Nye their and each of their
heirs and assigns respectively against me, the said WUliam
Bradford and my heirs, wiU forever hereafter warrant and de
fend by these presents. In witness whereof I have hereunto

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 25
set my hand and seal this first day of February, A. D, 1688.
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of
John Hathaway, Sen.,
Rowland Cotton,
WUliam Bassett,
WiUiam Bradford.
The within mentioned WiUiam Bradford approved the deed
aforesaid and acknowledged this instrument to be his act and
deed before me — Thos. Hinckley of his Majesty's Council."*
The town received an act of incorporation in 1686.
From 1685 to 1689 Uberty was given to sundry individuals
to take up land in the eastern part of the township. The
bounds specified on the records, consisting mostly of maple
trees and ponds not particularly named, it would now be dif
ficult to trace. These settlers were James Perciful and James
Lewis, Joseph HuU, Robt. Harper and John Weeks.
James Lewis, it is said "hath taken his at the North side
of the spruce swamp and to join it to the Indian line that
comes from the head of the Five Mile River to Tateket.
John Weeks seems to have been the largest land holder in
this part of the township. The first public road or high
way was laid out in 1687. The record runs thus; "Same
year, 1687, a King's Highway was laid out 40 feet wide
through the land that was Thomas Johnson's to the Little
Harbor and from the land that was Thomas Johnson's to Jos
eph Hatch's, where the way now goes and so through the
Five Mile River." In 1690 there was a general meeting of
*  This suggests to an arithmetical mind the question, If such an
arid waste of words was necessary to convey 200 acres of land how many
barren acres of manuscript would be required to convey a township or a
western wheat fleldV [E. H. J.]

26 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
the proprietors at the house of Jonathan Hatch, when they or
dered that "aU the undivided lands within said Suckanesset
should be laid out into lots and several lotments as soon as
it conveniently can be, and they have made choice of John
Jenkins as their agent to obtain two suitable persons to lay
out said undivided lands into lots in sundry divisions as the
persons that shall lay it out shall think most suitable and
convenient for the proprietors thereof and that they are to
pay the charge of laying out of it, each one to bear his
part of the charge according to their interest therein.
William Wyatt and Thomas Bowerman were employed for
this business and all the undivided lands were run out in
March, of the following year. The bounds are particularly
described. The vacant lands at Woods Hole were first ran
out and bounded, then the hill lands, in the region of Hog
Island, and finally the plain lands, which seem to have been
included within a line "running South-west and by south, that
is, the range from the river head to Tateket and butting on
Christopher Gifford's land and the hiUs — and a north north
east line from a great rock and a bush marked, which
is the range of the hiU lots." There being no public way
then laid out it was expressly provided that everyone and his
heirs forever should have perfect liberty and privUege of aU
convenient cart and drift- ways — accompanied with a strict in
junction for every passenger to be very particular "to put up
such gates and bars as shaU be set for the convenience of
the owners of the landj" an injunction that might be prof
itably repeated for the benefit of succeeding generations.
We discover early signs of a public spirit among our fa
thers; and in this final division of lands a reserve was made

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 27
of certain "meadow land to be sold and the money or pro
duce to be for the use of the inhabitants as a major part
of them shall agree." This year, 1691, Moses Rowley takes
land and settles at Quisset.
Nothing worthy ot particular notice is found in the records
for the succeeding nine years which brings us to 1700, when
there seems to have been an attempt on the part of the
town to reduce its records to more system and order, ThoS.
Lewis was chosen clerk of the proprietors. He appears to
have been an accomplished man. His hand writing was ele
gant, his orthography perfect and his sentences grammatically
correct. Few records, at the present day, probably would
appear to greater advantage as to beauty and accuracy than
his. Unfortunately, however, two other persons were appoint
ed as assistants, who seem to have taken upon themselves
most of the duties assigned, and whose records it requires
both the skill of a Philadelphia lawyer and the patience of a
Job to decipher. The record runs thus ; "At a meeting of
ye proprietors of ye Land of Suckanesset (alias) Falmouth on
ye 19th day of March, 1700, the said proprietors did then,
by vote, make choice of Thomas Lewis to be their clerk.
The said proprietors did then also order and agree by vote
that all their records of their lands should be transcribed and
taken out of ye Town's book of Records, and recorded in
their new book. The said proprietors did further order and
agree by vote that Thomas Lewis, Moses Hatch and Thomas
Bowerman should transcribe said records as aforesaid and that
they should be paid for what they did transcribe by ye said
proprietors according to each one's records' and rights in said
lands."

28 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
We here find reference to another book of records, dis
tinct from the Land Records, and called "The Town's Book
of Records." Numerous records of lands commencing in 1690
are inserted in the Proprietor's Book preceded by several
blank leaves and are undoubtedly the records referred to in
the vote just quoted, and taken from "the town's book."
The same year 1700 a new "town's book" was commenced
and the old one probably destroyed. Although they "selected
aU that was needful to be taken out of the old book and
placed in the new book" yet it is greatly to be regretted
that this old town's book should have been destroyed. Its
pages would probably have given us further insight into the
trials and labours of our fathers and enabled us to trace more
minutely the descent of families, the records of which are so
generally imperfect. Had not the First Town's Book been
destroyed we should undoubtedly have learned from it some
thing respecting the old French War. From the Colonial rec
ords I find there was Town action here relative to this war.
In 1689 a levy was made on the Colony to raise funds
for an expedition to Canada, The proportion for this town
was one pound, being one and i-i9th of the amount levied
on the Cape towns, Plymouth Colony agreed to fiimish 56
men for the expedition against Quebec and this town's pro
portion was one man who was equipped at the expense of
the town, with a "well fixed gun, sword or hatchet, a hom
or cartouch box, suitable ammunition and a knapsack,"
The town had now been settled just 41 years. From the
commencement when there were fourteen men on a small
neck of land we find the settlers spread from Woods Hole
on the west to Five MUe River of the east, and to Hog Is-

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 29
land and Tateket on the north. The land had become too
strait for them and in the next period we shall find them ex-
tendmg their settlement both east and west.

I have thus far said nothing respecting their ecclesiastical
history, preferring to take that up by itself. A brief account
of their action on ecclesiastical matters will close this portion
of their history.
Our fathers were pious men. Their primary motive in re
moving to the New England Colony was that they might trans
mit to their posterity what they deemed a pure Christianity
free from the corrapting influences of the Old World. Their
pastor, Rev. Mr, Lathrop, removed with them from Scituate to
Bamstable, and in removing from their religious privUeges at
that place to this, it is natural to suppose they would make
early provision for the support of pubhc worship. The re
ligious hibtory of the first settlers of Falmouth should be par
ticularly dear to us, for we find them in advance of most
other Christians, of that day, in respect to religious toleration.
One of the first and leading settlers as we have already seen,
was Isaac Robinson and what were the lessons he had learned
from his puritan father? They were like the foUowing: "Fol
low no man any farther then he foUows the Lord Jesus
Christ." "I am confident God has yet much trath to break
forth from His holy word and foUow the trath whenever
and by whomsoever taught." These lessons of the pious,
catholic and learned Robinson were not lost on ,the son, and
when persecution in the New World hfted its arm, he was
the first who dared openly to endeavor to avert the blow.
For this he sacrificed the favours of the government and it

30 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
was this that led him and his associates, who probably sym
pathized with him to commence a new settlement at
this place. It has been said that the Quakers even here
have suffered persecution — that their property has been destrain-
ed and I have heard of a story of one Butler, a Friend,
who was tied to a cart and whipped through the town. If
such scenes have been enacted I cannot beUeve they were
approved by the authorities of this town.* The leading settler
here was actually disfranchised and was not restored to his
rights untU 1673, for the very reason that he interfered to
protect the Quakers from persecution. In the absence of aU
allusions in the early records to such occurrences we must
conclude that, if the Quakers were persecuted in this town, it
must have been on the authority and in obedience to the laws
of the General Court estabUshed at Plymouth and not as the
result of a persecuting spirit on the part of our own inhabi
tants. There is no doubt that the first company of settlers
here were all CongregationaUsts, but a meeting of Friends or
Quakers was early established. Isaac Robinson had embraced
some of the pecuUarities of that sect before leaving Bamsta
ble and it is not improbable that a knowledge of this fact,
he being a man of great influence in the colony, led mem
bers of that sect, to look to this as a favourable place to
estabUsh their worship. From the records of the Friends'
Monthly meetings, at Sandwich, it appears that a meeting for
»  Since the above was written I have found on the records of the
town, an application from the "persecuted Quaker Daniel Butler" above
alluded to, to the town to be released from liabilities to the minister ou
aoooimt of his being a Friend, This request was granted by the town,
thus showing, I think, that if said Butler was persecuted it was not the
result of town action

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 31
discipline was established in Falmouth in 1709, but a meeting
for worship had existed for many years previous. I think it
probable the first founders of the Society of Friends in this
town arrived about six years after the first settlers and tha
WiUiam Gifford and Robert Harper were of this number and
that their meeting at West Falmouth was estabUshed about
1685, Probably Isaac Robinson, Jr,, a son of the first set
tler, joined this meeting, — he settled at West Falmouth, — and
Isaac Robinson is one of the first names to be found on the
records of that society. We have no account of any disa
greement between these two sects, which grew up side by side.
They seem to have accorded to each other the rights of con
science and to have performed for each other the various of
flces of good neighborhood.
By reference to the laws of Plymouth Colony it appears
that no new settlements were to^ be made toO^ remote from a
place of pubUc worship unless they were strong enough to
support a minister of the gospel. From Rev, Mr. Pratt,
many years pastor of the Congregational church at West Bam
stable, and who has pubUshed some interesting statistics rela
ting to the churches in this county, I leam that the first
settlers of our town, being too weak to support the Gospel
among them, continued their relation with the church at
"Great Marshes," and were regular attendants at that place of
worship untU a short time previous to 1700. Referring again
to the pubUshed laws of Plymouth Colony we find the fol
lowing legislation in reference to this, then new setlement, in
1663 — only three years after the arrival of the settlers.
It was enacted by the court "that it be commanded to
the settiers at Saconesset to apply themselves in some effect-

32 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
ual way for the increase of their numbers as they may carry
on things to their better satisfaction both in civU and relig
ious respects, especiaUy that they endeavour to procure an able.
Godly man for the dispensing of God's word among themj
and for their quickening and encouragement, doth order that
aU such lands in the place though not inhabited, shall be liable
to be rated in some measure of proportion, for the defraying
of such charges as shaU necessarily arise conceming the premises,"
The first provision for the support of pubUc worship we
find recorded in 1681, as follows. "It is also ordered and
hereby granted that the people and Society of Sucknesset do
set apart about 30 acres of upland and proportionable parcels
of meadow thereunto as may be suitable for the help and en
couragement of such fit person as doth or may be helpful to
them in teaching the good word of God among them and be
perpetuaUy for such an end successively, Plymouth, the 13th
July, 1 68 1, by order of Court — Nathaniel Morton, Sec'y.
A trae copy of the Court Record, Entered in the
Book of Records of Sucknesset the 20th May, 1686."
Then follows the action of the town. "We, the inhabi
tants of Sucknesset, being desirous to uphold and to our abil
ity to maintain the public preaching of the word of God
amongst us, but considering the smaUness of our people do
therefore think it to be necessary for us to provide and set
apart some lands and meadow or marsh, which may be a
help and encouragement to any fit person that is or may be
helpful to us or our posterity after us in that good work,
and having obtained some help from the court to encourage
us in such a good work as appeared on record bearing date
the 13th July, 1681, and having understood that the first

HIBTOMY OF FALMOUTH. 33
purchasers of tiie lands here in Sucknesset were not unmind
ful of such a thing, but did leave a twenty acre lot void at
that time, the which we will and are minded to lay for such
an end, and having obtained of the proprietors of the lands
here at a general meeting in Sucknesset that Johnathan Dun
ham should have ten acres of land and all the skirt of Marsh or
meadow about the bass pond, and all the marsh on the
North side of Quassamut, as appears on Record bearing date
the 23rd of July, 1677, jmd now having obtained of the said
Johnathan Dunham by purchase all the right or interest he
had in Sucknesset of lands and housing, marsh and meadow,
do therefore finaUy agree that the lands aforesaid, that is to
say, forty acres of upland in the twenty acre lots, and half a
share of marsh meadow lying at Great Siperwisset and a dwelling
house and about two acres of upland adjoining to it, with all
the skirts of marsh or meadow ground about the bass pond or
on Quassamut Neck that was not divided to men's lots, that
aU the aforementioned lands with housing, marsh or meadow
shall be, and remain to be forever to be improved for the help
and encouragement of any fit person that dolh or may be
employed in teaching the good word of God amongst us or
our posterity after us, and to be perpetually to such an end
successively without any alteration or change forever.
The above written agreement was voted, the 6th day of
June, 1687, and ordered to be recorded by the inhabitants of
Sucknesset in their Book of Records. Thomas Lewis, Clerk."
Thus we see our fathers recognized the principle that "the
labourer is worthy of his hire." They valued a learned as well
as a pious ministry. The purchase of a dweUing-house with

34 SISTOBT OF FALMOUTH.
quite a comfortable farm in their then weak state for the en
couragement of a fit person to preach to them the good word
of God, shows the estimate they put on the Christian minis
try ; and the sacrifices they made to sustain it (as wiU appear
as the history proceeds) mark them as men of enlarged and
Uberal views, fumishing us, their decendants with bright ex
amples worthy of our imitation.
The next section wiU embrace a period of time extending
from 1700 to 1774, Just before the commencement of the revo
lutionary war.

Section 2d, from 1700 to 1774.

We now find the "Town's Book" a record distinct from the
"Proprietor's Book," and as the first page is a pretty fair
specimen of the ancient way of keeping records I will give you
a list of its contents. It begins thus — "Page i. This is Fal
mouth Town Book, 6 shiUing cost. S. P. To record aU mar
riages, births and business and the marks of cattle and all
that is needful to be taken out of the old book and placed
with this, with all Town business that concems the Town, but
not lands, begins the 25th day of October, 1700. Then
comes a sort of general index, after which the following rec
ord of a town meeting is inserted.
"The loth day of Dec. 1701 the town being orderly
warned and assembled together it was voted that Mr. Shiver
ick was now of this Town minister." Next foUows a record
of a Town meeting that occurred some time previous to the
one before recorded. Page 45, Town Officers oaths. Then
the foUowing : "The ear mark of Joseph Gifford — gives his
creatures a mackerel tail in left ear and a cut under the same."

36 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
Then there is a scrap of an account. "8 shUlings is paid
for putting of the line — 3 shiUings for Philip Lathrop and
I pound, 10 shillings for Mr. Shiverick." Then foUows a
marriage, a pubUshment and two births, the last of which is as
follows : "Isaac Grew had a son bom this loth day of June,
1700, and his name is Jonathan." Here we have aU the
variety we could desire. One thing is very singular in these
records, namely the order of dates. On the same page wiU
be found events recorded that occurred perhaps 30 or 40
years apart It would be expected that the record of the
first town meeting that occurred after the opening of this
book would be found on the first page, but we find it on
the third page. This great irregularity together with the
great difficulty of deciphering much of the blind hand writing
has more than once tempted me to throw the records aside and
to give up as hopeless the attempt to read through them. But
the interest I have felt in the transactions of our fathers has
induced me to persevere. The first record in this book is
interesting as it gives us the amount of money assessed on
the inhabitants and the objects to which it was appropriated.
It is as foUows :
"The 25th day of Oct. 1700 the town of Falmouth as
sembled together and it was then voted by said Town that there
should be raised nineteen pound and five shiUings and aU the
inhabitants of said town be taxed to defray the charge of the
same toward this year. For Mr. Shiverick ;^is. For the
repairing of the pound ;£2, 5s. For assessors ;£i, los. For
Sylvanus Hatch los." From a record which we find the year
following, 1 701, we infer that our fathers met with many dis
couragements and had to encounter many formidable enemies

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.

37

in the raising of their crops. Fowls of the air and creeping
things iimumerable threatened to devour the crops before they
came to maturity. Their most troublesome enemy at this time
was the black-bird, a real com stealer; and a war of exter
mination was declared against them in the foUowing vote :
"The 25th day of March, 1701, the Town of Falmouth as
sembled and it was voted and agreed to, that every house keeper
should kiU six old black-birds or twelve young black-birds, or four
jay birds, by the isth day of June next after the date hereof,
and deliver them to the selectmen of this town or some of them,
and they are to keep an account of every man's birds so deliv
ered to them, and it is further ordered every house keeper that
shaU fail to kiU their sum of birds by that time shall pay three
shillings to be added to their tax."*
About this time we find frequent allusions to the Town
House, — by which it appears the town at this early period
owned a house for its convenience in transacting the public
business, but what was its size or form and where it stood,
I have not been able to ascertain. In 1703 we find the
foUowing vote, "To pay John Robinson two shUlings for nails ;
Thomas Basset four shillings for work about the town house."
1705 appears to have been a year of unusual excitement
with the inhabitants and party spirit raged as high probably
as at any subsequent time among their descendants. It seems
• — -Who were house keepers? The following was the law of the Colony
under the head of town affairs : "That none be allowed to be house keepers
or build any cottage or dwelUng house until they have allowance from the
goyemor, some magistrate or the selectmen of that town; and thatspeclEd
care be takeu that no single person that is of evil conversation or that
hath not arms to serve the country, be suffered to keep such house or live
alone; and if upon due warning such person do not put himself into some
well-governed family, it shall be in tbe power of the next magistrate or
the selectmen of the town where he Uves to put him to service."

38 EJ8T0BT OF FALMOUTH.
that some of their number were more pnbUc spirited than
others and felt the necessity of making more liberal appro
priations for the public good. They were opposed by a
powerful party whose watch- word was "retrenchment," and who
carried their opposition so far as to "repudiate" the public
doings of the town. They founded their opposition to the
proceedings of the town on their regard for the poor of the
town, but there is reason to fear that their motives were not
altogether so piure as they professed to be. I wiU briefly
give the facts in the case, by which we shaU leam that re
pudiation is not a modem doctrine, it was in fiiU force and
triumphant in this town in 1705.
It appears that at a public town meeting, held the isth
day of October, 1704, the town voted a rate of 4 2d. on the
inhabitants. This was regarded by the retrenchment party as
rank oppression ; "and in consideration " as they say " of their
unableness to pay the same, and the great oppression there
is thence Uke to be brought upon the poor, they were de
termined to resist payment." What was this extravagance of
the liberal party? The town had raised ;^42. Of this, ;^ii
was to go for the payment of a debt the town had contract
ed, the county tax was to be paid out of the remaining _;^3i
and the balance appropriated to town purposes, being about
-£^ or £6 more than had been usually appropriated for
this purpose. Opposition to this measure ran so high that in
the foUowing spring a town meeting was caUed to condemn
the proceedings of the former meeting. As an excuse they
allege that the meeting in question was UlegaUy warned and
that it was thinly attended. On the 17th of April, 170s they
voted "that the vote of the former meeting shaU now end

BISTORT OF FALMOUTH. 39
and from henceforth shaU be of no force or effect" But
this did not free them from all trouble. The tax had been
assessed and the biUs committed to the constable for collection
including the tax due to the county, that could not so easily
be cancelled by a vote. To obviate aU difficulties of this
nature they finally passed a vote to pay the constable one
half of the tax set against their respective names — that he
should pay the county tax first, and pay over the balance to
the selectmen.They also voted that the constable* be and hereby is dis
charged from gathering any more of said 42 pounds.
There is another circumstance that shows the niggardly
spirit of this party. They succeeded in obtaining a vote
from the town at the meeting alluded to, to appoint an
agent to apply to the court of general sessions holden at
Bamstable for an abatement of what said court had been
pleased to assess on this town and Timothy Robinson was
elected to this honourable office. It appears from the records
that the triumph of this very disinterested party, overflowing
'  We flnd in the early records frequent aUueions to the constables.
The office of constable in those days was one of great responsibility. The
selectmen were a court for the trial of all cases under 40 shillings and the
constable was to serve their executions and collect fines and taxes, He
had the charge of hiehways, and was occasionally "water baUiff" or as
we now say Custom House Offlcer, In fact he was the most important off
icer in the town. He was allowed to appoint deputies. He had a black
staff tipped with brass as a badge of his office. This staff was fui-nished
at the public expense and was transmitted to his successors in office.
Among his duties these are enumerated: "To apprehend Quakers, notice
snch as sleep in meetings and do tbe town's whipping," Following was
the law respecting the duty of constable in reference to the Quakers :
" That if any person or persons, commonly called Quakers shall come into
any town of this government the constable shall apprehend him or them
and be shall whip them with rods, so It exceed not Ifi stripes and to give
them a pass to depart the government." Before the constable could act
be must subscribe to the following oatb. "You swear to be truly loyal to
our Sovereign Lord King, bis heirs and successors. You shall faithfully

40 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
with pity and compassion for the poor of the town was of
short continuance, for in 1707 only two yeais after, we find
the town passing, with no signs of opposition, votes much
more liberal than those which were repudiated now. There
is abundant proof contained in these scanty records that our
fathers taken together were a noble minded, public spirited,
generous hearted set of men and the facts here recorded only
go to show that in every community there will always be
found men of Uttle souls, narrow, contracted minds, who wfll
be ever ready to sacrifice the pubUc good to save their ovm
pockets, and aU out of their regard for the poor of the town !
We find nothing more than the ordinary business of the town
recorded until 171 2, at which date we turn to the 'Proprietor's
Book', and find the north-east part of the township, in
cluded in what was known as the "new purchase," first laid
out. That part of the township known as the " new pvur-
chase " was contained as nearly as can now be ascertained,
within the following bounds. Extending from a line drawn
from Hog Island, or West Fahnouth, to the head of Five
serve hi the oflce of constable In the town of Falmouth for the present
year according to that measure of wisdom, understanding and discretion
God has given you. In which time you shall diligently see that his Maj
esty's peace commanded be not broken, but shall carry tbe person or per
sons offending before the Governor of this corporation or some of his as
sistants and there attend the hearing of the case and sueh order as sball
be given you. You shall apprehend aU suspicious persons and bring them
before the Governor or some one of his assistants as aforesaid. You shall
duly and truly serve snch warrants, and give such summons as shaU be
directed unto you from the Governor or assistants as before mentioned
and shall labour to advance tbe peace and happiness of this corporatioli,
and oppose any thing that shall seem to annoy tbe same by all due means
and courses. So help you God who is the God of truth and tbe Punlshet
Of falsehood." The constable had great discretionary power. He was au-
tbomed to apprehend without warrant such as were overtaken in drink,
swearing, Sabbath-breaking, vagrant persons, night walkers, fregaenters dt
houses licensed to sell beer or wine; but he must carry them before the
next magistrate for examination.

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 41
Mile River or Coonemesset Pond, north to Sandwich line,
west to the grants previously given to the settlers as North
Falmouth and from Five Mile River east to the Indian or
Mashpee line. When this tract was purchased, I have not
been able to ascertain.*
"At a proprietors' meeting of the old and new purchase
in Falmouth the 3rd day of June, 1712, Joseph Parker being
chosen clerk was then sworn accordingly and Major WiUiam
Bassett then chosen Moderator for the day, it was then voted,
that Lieut. Jonathan Hatch shaU have one equal share with
the other proprietors in the new purchase upon account of
some former disbursements of his in purchasing the right of
Crapish Indian in said lands. Same meeting the proprietors
of the new purchase voted and ordered that the said new
purchase shaU be laid out as soon as conveniently can be or
so much of it as the person that shall be chosen to lay it
out shaU think needful and convenient to be laid out into
particular lots and that in laying of it out they shall have
regard to accommodating each lot with water so far as may
be conveniently and also have regard to laying out aU con
venient ways. Same meeting Thomas Bowerman and Philip
Dexter were chosen to lay out said land and voted, that they
*  The flrst reference I flnd on the Proprietor's book to the new pur
chase is contained in tbe following vote. "Voted, Aug. 22d, 1701 that Ebenezer
Nye, Fhilip Dexter, Benjamin Nye, Sen., Richard Landers, Stephen Harper,
Benjamin, son of James Lewis, Jonathan Hatch, Jonathan Johnson, Nathan
Bowley, Joseph Hatch, Jr., Benjamin Nye, Jr., Gideon GlSord and WUliam
Johnson, having formerly paid their equal part of tbe purchase for t he last
addition of lands called the new purchase adjoining to Sandwich line.
Which was purchased by Thomas Bowerman and WlUlam Gifford as agents
for said proprietors of Falmouth lands, who were not of the ancient pro-
J>rietors, that they shall each of them have their equal part and right ih
all tbe said lands with all the old proprietors that have or shall pay
their part of said purchase of said lands."

42 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
shaU have three shillings a piece per day for their labor, and
that they do hire another hand to be with them as cheap as
they can." Same meeting it was voted "That ssdd Thomas
Bowerman and Philip Dexter be the persons to act in behalf
of said purchasers in settling the line between those lands and
other lands that adjoin upon the same or any part of it."
The members of this committee appear to have been able and
judicious men. They proceeded to lay out the lands very ac
curately and to the satisfaction of their employers. A com
plete record of their doings is found in the Proprietor's Book
from the 74th to the Sand page. As many of us are not
particularly acquainted with the " sheep pasture lots, " it wiU be
interesting to follow these surveyors a little while and thus un
derstand a little better how the " land lies " in this part of
our township. We wiU first give their own introduction to
their work. "Whereas at a meeting of the proprietors of the
new purchase ( so called ) in Falmouth held the 3rd day of
June, 1 71 2, it was ordered and voted that the said purchase
should be laid out by Thomas Bowerman and Philip Dexter
together with another hand whom we were requested to hire,
all which may more fuUy appear in the records of the acts
made at said meeting, and we have accordingly hired Samuel
Jennings of Sandwich to assist in laying out said lands. And
first we ran a range through the purchase about north-east
and by north, and south-west and by south, beginning to the
westward of a littie swamp near the line that divides the old
purchase from the new, and so rans north-west and by north
to the Sandwich line. This aforesaid range is the westerly
bound of a vacancy of three rods wide left for a way for
the proprietors' use and this way divides the purchase into

mSTOST OF FALMOUTH. 43
two parts, each of which is a particular allotment, and that
allotment on the westerly side of said way we denominate the
hiU lots, and the other, the plain lots. We began to lay
out lots near the line between Sandwich and Falmouth, but
ting the easterly ends of them all upon the aforesaid way and
the westerly ends to extend to the utmost bounds of the pur
chase, the ran ges of all these hiU lots ran lengthways west
north-west from the aforesaid way down towards the Bay or
salt water." Now foUows a record of the bounds of 34 of
these hiU lots which are assigned to the different proprietors.
I noticed one of these lots was assigned to John Jenkins one
of my ancestors. The record rans thus : " Thence we meas
ured twenty-six rods for the twenty-ninth lot and set a pine
stake marked xxx for the bounds between the twenty-ninth
and thirtieth lots. Twenty-ninth lot is John Jenkins."
This lot as it was originally laid out is now, 1884, in the
possession of the fourth generation of the same family and same
name. Having laid out these hiU lots, they say: "Now that
aU these before mentioned lots are set off on the line or way
that divides the purchase into two parts from the first lot
toward the southward along said line in the said order as they
are before set down, we reserve in this hiU allotment to the
use of the proprietors, their heirs and assigns the privilege of
digging clay to carty away or to make brick and to bum them
at a certain place of clay where people are wont to dig near
the path that goes from Isaac Robinson's to Benjamin Nye's
with a convenient way or ways to come to said clay.*
•  It iB presumed that if the manufacture of brick should now be com
menced in the center of tbe forest between North and Bast Falmouth It would
be said "there is a new thing under tbe sun." But we should in this
case have to assent to tbe saying of tbe wise man; "Tbe thing that bath

44 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
We also reserve to the proprietors Uberty to order way
or ways through any of the lots either in the hill or plain
aUotments where it shall be thought convenient and least pre
judicial to the owners of the land but so as they that im
prove them shaU shut gates or bars which shaU be set up by
the owners of the land." Then foUows the laying out of
the plain lots. They first laid out a way or road four rods
wide through the easterly part of the township which can be
traced definitely on the map. These lots, they say butt, a
part of them on the said way and a part on the county road,
and the westerly ends butt on the Sandwich road. They laid
out and bounded thirty- three lots this side of the division line
and assigned them to individual proprietors. They added a
few brief explanations and then formally dated the records
and signed their names. It is believed that the claims to
the numerous wood lots in this part of the town are weU
estabUshed; had this not been the case these ancient records
defining so accurately the bounds of the original lots would
prove to be very valuable.
About this time the town suffered much from the depre
dations of wolves. In 1715 the town voted "That we will
join with Bamstable and Sandwich in the proportion of the
sum of twenty pounds for every old wolfs head that shall be
killed" etc. This was quite a heavy tax. Only three months
been it is that which shall be ; and that which Is Is done that which shall be
done; and there is no new thing under the sun," Finding this reference
In the records to clay beds in this region having been worked more than
130 years ago I inquired of a gentleman at East Falsaouth who informed
me that on tbe highest ground in this region there is an extensive swamp
on the niargln of which are beds of excellent clay. He also informed me
that tram, present appearances he should judge there had been extensive
excavations In times past. Here undoubtedly our fathers were " wont to
dig" for their supply of brick used in baildtng chimQeys In these early
days.

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 45
after this vote the town was called on to pay its proportion
of forty pounds for two old wolfs heads that had been killed
by some Sandwich men.
It is generally the case in aU newly settied countries that
controversies arise respecting the boundaries of lauds — such
disputes are almost unavoidable even where each party is dis
posed to contend only for its supposed rights. In 1716 these
controversies became quite frequent and we find frequent no
tices of meetings caUed by the proprietors for the purpose of
more particularly defining their boundaries and preventing en
croachments on their rights. They seemed now to realize
the importance of fixing definitely all bounds public and pri
vate not only for their own convenience, but to avoid all
dispute or Utigation in future. Meeting after meeting was
held for this purpose, at which their leading men were ap
pointed to fix the bounds and have them recorded, and sev
eral assessments were made on the proprietors for defraying
the expense. They thus showed their good judgment. They
foresaw the evil arising from a neglect of this duty, and in
performing it so faithfiilly have saved their descendants a great
amount of difficulty and Utigation. Their misunderstandings
among themselves appear to have been amicably settled, and
it is much to their credit that in all the ancient records I
have examined there is but one account of a lawsuit growing
out of this vexed question, and that suit commenced not by
themselves but by a resident of Bamstable, At this time a
noted controversy arose conceming a claim to a certain part
of the old purchase. The dispute seems to have been con
fined principally to the line ranning from the head of Five
MUe river to Tateket, and was raised as it would seem, not

46 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
by the inhabitants of Falmouth, but of Bamstable. The dis
pute ran so high that a public meeting of the proprietors
was called the 20th of June and the Rev. Mr. Metcalf, min
ister of the town, was called to preside. The proceedings
of this meeting show that our fathers had the right side of
the argument. They chose three men to "determine where
Tateket is, and where the head of Five MUe river is." It
is evident they did not want this information for their own
satisfaction, for it must be supposed they knew very well
where to find Tateket, and where the head of "Five Mile River."
They wanted the claimants from Bamstable to be satisfied,
and in choosing their committee they gave that town the
majority, choosing "Lt. Ebenezer Lewis and Mr. John Jen
kins of Bamstable and Capt. Hope Lathrop of this town to
ran the line from Tateket to the head of the river, and from
thence to Shapoquoit Rock." It does not appear that these
men accepted their appointment, or that these Bamstable gen
tlemen were over anxious to leam the facts in the case
and an action was brought forthwith against the proprie
tors by Mr. John Jenkins of Bamstable, to obtain a strip
of the disputed territory by force of law. But he had yet
to leam with whom he had to contend. Our ancestors pa
cific and accommodating among themselves, were not deficient
in "spunk" as the sequel will show; they knew their rights
were invaded, and were determined to maintain them at all
hazards. They wamed a meeting for December 31st, 1716
and made choice of and deputed " Joseph Parker of said
Falmouth to be their agent to appear for, and defend them
in a plea or action of the case commenced against them by
John Jenkins of Bamstable to be heard and argued upon at

HISrORT OF FALMOUTH. 47
the inferior court of common pleas to be holden at Bamstable,
within and for the county of Bamstable the third Tuesday of
Januaty next and in their behalf to make answer" etc. They
were determined to prosecute the business till they obtained
their rights and they instracted their agent in case the decis
ion in the lower court went against them "to appeal from
court to court untU definite sentence be given." They also
voted to "ratify and hold firm and stable whatsoever their said
agent should lawfully do or cause to be done in the prem
ises." They soon found that lawsuits were expensive but they
did not flinch at this. Money was needed to defend their
case and the following spring, April, 171 7, a meeting was
called and a committee raised to sell so much of the undi
vided land as would raise the sum of thirty-five pounds for
this purpose. How this memorable lawsuit terminated we are
not informed but as no further record is made of the affair
we infer that the court finally decided where Tateket was and
where the head of Five Mile River was; and that the decis
ion of the honorable court was entirely satisfactory to the Fal
mouth party. It appears from the proprietors' record that a
meeting house lot and training field was laid out in connec
tion with the burying yard in 1^16, and this meeting house
lot then undoubtedly adjoined the burying yard lot The
present meeting house green* was not laid out till 33 years
after, in 1749. FoUowing the land record to about 1720 we
find the township generaUy ran out and the several lots as
signed to individual proprietors or confirmed by them to pur
chasers who have settled on them. The boundary Unes have
been accurately defined and every man seems to be "sitting
• *  Now, 1889, the village green in front of the First Congregational
church in Falmouth village, [B. H. J.]

48 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
under his own vine with none to molest or make afraid."
Small portions pf the township in various parts of the town
are yet held in common and reference to them wiU be made
as we proceed in our history. We will now take up again
the "Town's Book."
At a town meeting Dec. i6, 1718 Hannah Sargent was
chosen for the town's school mistress, and the selectmen were
instracted to make appUcation to her in the town's behalf.
At the same meeting it was left to the selectmen to agree
with some one person to sweep our meeting house the year
ensuing not exceeding fifteen shUlings; the meaning of which
probably is, that they being neat in their habits would have
their place of meeting, i. e., the Town House swept 15 shil
lings' worth during the year. It seems that the selectmen
were not successful in bargaining with Miss Hannah Sargent,
for at the next meeting Isaac Greene and Timothy Robinson
were chosen agents to procure a school master or mistress
not exceeding 12 pounds and diet per year. Thus it seems
that the wages of a teacher in these days were one pound
per month and board. I have taken considerable pains to
ascertain the value of a pound old tenor in our present cur
rency. It seems that a crown piece in those days had a
nominal value of 50 shiUings. This piece, now valued at
J 1. 10 would then pass for 21-2 pounds, making a pound only
44 cents. Reckoned thus a teacher's wages in 1718 would be
only 44 cents per month and board. But I am convinced
it is impossible for us to fix the precise value of the cur
rency in those days. It was constantiy fluctuating; so much
so, that in contracts providing for future payments it was nec
essary to insert a provision that if the price of money in-

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 49
creased then a less amount should be paid, and if it should
decrease then a larger amount, etc. The selectmen in tak
ing the valuation of the estates of the town were accustomed
to rate certain property as foUows: Every ox, j[,2. los;
every yearling, 153; every cow, ;£i los; every horse, jQ2 ;
sheep jQ^ for a score ; every hog, year old, 6s ; meadow and
tillage land per acre ss.
At a town meeting held Oct. 14th, 1719, Ensign Parker
and Timothy Robinson were chosen "to treat with PhiUp
Dexter for to try to bring him to some other terms to grind
our com than he hath done."
Philip Dexter being, as it appears, an enterprising man,
had put up a grist miU and had the whole patronage of the
town. Having no competitor in tips line of business he ex
acted rather more toU than the Inhabitants thought reasona-
able or just. Consequently there was the town action al
ready reported. This was probably the first water grist mill
erected in town ; it stood where the Pacific Factory now
stands. " Five MUe river, " now called "Dexter's River,"
probably received its name from this proprietor, Philip Dex
ter, In 1 719 it was voted "That the act of getting birds
heads should be one-half taken off" — from which we infer
that our ancestors were good marksmen ; as black birds, both old
and young, seem to be growing scarce. In 1724 it was
voted in town meeting that the school mistress shall havfe 12
pounds for her salary and suitable diet and the use of a
horse to visit her friends twice a year." The line between
this town and the district of Marshpee had not been definite
ly fixed, up to 1725. By a very formal instrament, of con-

so HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
siderable length, more than half of it being a kind of pream
ble, inserted in the Town's Book this year we find two agents
were employed by the town and four by Marshpee to fix the
line of boundary between the town of Falmouth and the
South Sea Indians, They say " We begin at a creek called
" Moononwist, " Waquoit, from said Moononwist on a straight
line about north-west and by north to a certain tree marked
by a heap of stones at the south-west end of Ashumet Pond,
from thence westerly to a small pine tree standing near the
county road that leads from Sandwich to Falmouth — from
thence by the aforesaid road easterly until it meets with
Sandwich line — to be the line between Falmouth and Marsh
pee to be good and valid forever, etc.
Signed, Isaac Robinson,
Samuel Lewis, Agents for Falmouth,
Ezra Boume, Chenachuson, (X his mark,)
Matthias Richard, (X his mark,)
Caleb Pognet, (X his mark,)
Agents for the South Sea Indians.
In 1728 we find the foUowing vote respecting a kind
of " surplus revenue, " which by the way, seems to have
given our honest ancestors quite as much trouble as the
"surplus" has occasioned their descendants. "At a town
meeting lawfully wamed and held the 15th day of May, 1728,
Thomas Shiverick moderator, at the same meeting it was voted
that one part of the sixty thousand pounds loan money shaU
be fetched and brought into town — it is also agreed and
voted that the money so brought into town shaU be divided
into ten pound parcels not more or less — it is also agreed
and voted that the trustees shaU have twenty shiUings on a

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 51
hundred for fetching in and disposing out said raoney. Lieu
tenant Hatch, Ensign Parker, John Dimmick, chosen trastees
for the business aforesaid, Solomon Robinson, Town Clerk,"
It appears that the town was entirely agreed and har
monious in the investment of this fund ; it was to be given
to certain individuals in trast, by them divided into ten
pound parcels and hired out to individuals for the benefit of
the town. We find no account of an appropriation of the
income of this fund until six years after, when at a town
meeting, Capt. Richard Boume and Mr. Moses Wendal are
chosen agents of the town to take an account of the interest
and recover the same out of the hands of the trastees for
the use of the town. These agents were also instracted by
vote to pay the same to the selectmen for the defraying of
the county rate as far as it would go. This action of the
town was violently opposed and 27 voters, headed by John
Boume, entered their protest on the town's book. The
trastees being of the opposition, refused to pay over, and
were probably compeUed by force of law, as in 1736 the
town voted a sum of money to Moses Wendal to remunerate
him for his trouble and expense in recovering the interest
money out of the hands of the Trustees. In 1740, four
years after, William Green was appointed by the town to call
these trastees to an account, to see what was due from them
and to sue them if they refused to pay over.
In 1729 it was agreed and voted in town meeting that
Lieut. Joseph Parker should carry the ferry from Woods Hole
to the Vineyard.
About this time a contest began between the town and
one Samuel Barker respecting a way or road that said Barker

52 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
wished to have laid out from the county road to his wharf,
or as it is sometimes called his ferty. It seems that this
Samuel Barker was a persevering as weU as an enterprising
man and was determined to have his road. The town refus
ing to lay it out on account ot the expense, he applied to
His Majesty's court, styled "the Great or General Court" to
lay out said road. A town meeting was called in 1732 to
choose an agent to represent the town in said court to oppose
Samuel Barker's road and Mr, Sylvanus Boume was chosen for
the purpose. This controversy cost the town a considerable
amount of money, and judging from what information we can
now gather, it would have been much for the pecuniaty inter
est of the town to have laid out Samuel Barker's road at
once, but our worthy ancestors were not always governed by
the consideration of dollars and cents. They meant to resist
at all hazards what they deemed unreasonable demands. Sam
uel Barker was constantly renewing his petition to the Great
or General Court from year to year to lay out a road to his
ferry and the town was as constantly appointing an agent to
appear at the Court to oppose it. In 1735 the town tried
the virtue of moral suasion and public opinion was brought to
bear on Samuel Barker. A town meeting was called and the
following vote passed without any apparent opposition. "Vot
ed, by said meeting, that there was a sufficient open road
for the use of the town and county way to the ferry at
Woods Hole and convenient landing already provided for, and
desiring that they may not be at any more charges for any
more ways." But Mr. Samuel Barker was an independent
man and little cared for the desires of the town. He re
newed his application to the Court for a road to his feny.

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. S3
The last action I find respecting this controversy is contain
ed in a vote passed six years after its commencement which
runs thus: "May i8th day, 1737, Seth Parker chosen agent
to represent the town at the Great or General Court in order
to prevent any charge arising to said town relating to the
way that leads from the county road to Samuel Barker's
wharf."* In 1738 the town appointed an agent to appear at the
general court to oppose the petition of the town of Eastham
to have twe of the county courts holden at that town.
In 1739 we find the law conceming bird-kiUing essen
tially modified. Instead of compeUing every house-keeper to
kill old black birds etc, the town now resolves to see
what difference there is between driving and coaxing, and the
following is passed in town meeting March 13th, "Voted,
that whosoever shall kUl any crows or black birds or jay birds
between the 13th day of March instant and the 20th day of
June next ensuing, 1740, and shaU bring their heads to one
or more of the selectmen shall be paid out of the town
treasury; for old crows' heads four pence per head and for
young crows' one penny per head and for old black birds'
and old jay birds' heads two pence, and for the young heads'
half penny per head." At the same meeting a vote was
passed respecting the impounding of sheep which provided
that the " fines " should be equally divided between the per-
*  Samuel Barker lived on the point forming the Southeastern extrem
ity of " Little Harbor " near the present residence of Capt, Joseph Hatch,
It is probable that his wharf was at this place and being some distance
from the county road over a rough way, there was naturally very serious
objection on tbe part of the town to granting his petition. To construct
a gbod road to this point at the present day would be considered quite aa
expensive job.

54 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
son who should take them up and the poor of the town.
The town about this time was served by quite a celebrated
school master, Mr. Joseph Pitts. For several successive years
the town passed votes regulating his salary, establishing the
price of his board, directing that he should move his school
from time to time to different parts of the town etc., etc.
It appears from the Proprietors' Record of this date that
many of the common and undivided lands belonging to the
company had been encroached on by individuals, and they
caUed a meeting, of which David Butler was chosen clerk and
chose a committee to look after all their undivided lands, par
ticularly a^ strip ranning from the head of the burying place
lot to Monument Bay. The committee was ordered to sue for
the recovery of aU lands iUegally taken up and divide the
same from time to time as they shall be instracted by the
proprietors. In the fall of the same year, 1749, the proprie
tors held a meeting and laid out the present " Meeting house
lot." As there have been various opinions expressed as to the
control the town might exercise respecting this lot, I will
transcribe accurately the grant to the town as it is recorded
in the Proprietor's Book, "At a proprietors' meeting, legally
wamed, holden at Falmouth the 6th day of Oct. 1749 by the
proprietors of the old purchase, then agreed that there should
be part of that lot of land called the meeting house lot to
be laid out for a meeting house lot and training field, about
one acre and half beside the road that leads to Woods Hole
and is bounded southerly by Samuel Shiverick and westerly by
SUas Hatch and northerly by Nathaniel Nickerson and easterly
by Paul Hatch and Samuel Shiverick to lye perpetuaUy to that

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. S5
end as the fence now stands except before Paul Hatch's
house ; and ordered to be recorded. Voted.
David Butler, Proprietor's Clerk.
In 17s 3 an open road was laid out by the selectmen on the
north shore beginning at Benjamin Swift's land and passing some
dozen estates until it terminates near the east end of a swamp
at the old road. In 1759 the town was divided into two school
districts, the Une ranning from John Lawrence's northerly to
Reuben Gifford's. All the inhabitants westerly to Woods Hole
were to regulate their own school having no reference to the
northerly and easterly part of the town. The public schools up
to this date would not compare very favorably with the schools
of the present day. When a scholar had learned to read, write
and cipher to the rule of three, his education was completed, and
when the master had taught his pupils these simple elements, heard
their catechism and learned them their manners his work was
done. But in 1763 the public schools were improved. At a
public meeting this year a committee of five of the most influ
ential and respectable men of the town was appointed to look
into the state of the schools for several years past and to regu
late them for the present year. They were instracted to open a
Grammar school, to procure a teacher competent to teach this
branch, to move the school from place to place so as to give all
parts of the town the benefit of so accomplished a teacher, etc.
We here get a clue to the probable population of the
town about 1760. There was a law that when a town should
contain seventy famUies it should set up a Grammar school,
and as this is the first school of the kind set up, it is prob
able that our town then contained not far from 600 inhabi
tants. It may be inquired if the means of instraction in the

56 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
towns generaUy were so Umited how could the youth be pre
pared for a public education? Every county town was re
quired by the Colonial govemment to maintain a Latin school
to prepare youth for coUege. Such town was to make
an annual appropriation of twelve pounds to the school
and to pay tuition for its own scholars. There was a cer
tain part of the income from the fisheries also appropriated
by law for their support. The scholars from other towns
were to go as free scholars.
Up to this time the inhabitants continued to suffer con
siderable inconvenience in their miU accommodation. Whether
PhiUp Dexter's miU being the only one in town was stiU dis
posed to exact larger toll than was strictly just or equitable
or whether the inhabitants had become too numerous to be
all accommodated at one place, we are not informed, but
one thing was certain, the Falmouth people would have an
other mill. At the March meeting in 1767 "it was was put
to vote to see if the town wiU build a mUl dam at WilUam
Green's' river if Benjamin Gifford wiU build a miU and keep
her in repair and grind for two quarts out of a bushel; and
it passed in the affirmative." This vote however was not
satisfactory to a large part of the inhabitants and the meeting
was adjoumed for the further consideration of the matter, and
at the meeting held by adjournment this vote was re-consid
ered and in lieu of it the following vote was passed which
appeared to be satisfactory. "Voted to give Benjamin Gif
ford fifty-three pounds, six shiUings and eight pence, if he wUl
build a grist miU and keep her in good repair for himself, his
heirs and assigns forever, and to grind for two quarts out of a
bushel and to make the dam a sufficient cart way over Green's

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 57
river where the mUl is to stand, the one half of the money to
be paid at the finishing of the miU and the other half in
six months after."
In the first settlement of New England there was consid
erable litigation in reference to miUs and miUers. The pop
ulation was sparse and mills were "few and far between."
The records of the Old Colony say "Whereas there are
divers miUers in this colony who are aUowed competent toU
for grinding, and do not grind com as they ought to do, it
is enacted by the court that such miUers shall either grind their
com sufficientiy or pay for every default 6d. per bushel for
the Colony's use." They were required by law to keep two
scaled toll dishes, one to hold a just pottle, upheaved, the
other a quart upheaved, they were also required to keep weights
and scales, so that if their customers were over-particular they
could weigh the com. MiUers were considered so essential to
the pubUc accommodation that they were exempted from mili
tary service and from other public duties.
This year Mr. Samuel Shiverick was chosen to take care
of the town's lot and to get it fenced for the  * that
grows thereon with a good lawful stone wall as far up as the
flat swamp so caUed. It appears that the town's people had
been able to get an abundance of oysters from extensive
oyster beds in what is now known as Oyster Pond. But for
some cause these shell fish had greatly diminished, and at a
meeting held in 1773 a special committee was appointed "to
see what is best to be done to preserve the oysters in the
Oyster Pond and to report at a future meeting."
We have now arrived at a period of great interest to us.
*  An illegible word.

S8 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
FoUowing these simple records of our ancestors we have approached
to the borders of that time that "tried men's souls." We look
upon these almost obliterated records of our fathers, we read
of their anxiety, of their frequent meetings, and of their sol
emn resolves and aU shows that something portentous and fear
ful is at hand. What means this note of preparation? Why
these storehouses of provisions, why is the youth of sixteen,
and the sire of three score furnished with the weapons of
death? We are on the eve of the revolution, we are almost
at the commencement of that mighty straggle that freed our
fathers from the oppressions of the old world and which en
abled them to bequeath to us their descendants the precious
legacy, more precious than all that silver or gold could pro
cure, that of civil freedom and religious liberty.
As we approach this period so full of exciting interest to
us, we feel a secret awe come over our spirits, and with feel
ings not unlike those that came over the spirit of the renown
ed leader of the "sacramental host of God's elect," we al
most hear the same Almighty voice saying, "put off thy shoes
from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy
ground," Here we will pause, go back and take up the
ecclesiastical history where it was left in the last lecture, and
bring it to the present period.

Ecclesiastical History, Continuation.

In my last lecture our ecclesiastical history was brought
up to 1687, the last date of which we find any town action
previous to 1700. Preparation had been already made for the
permanent establishment of a church here but as yet the in
habitants had no minister, but had to travel some fifteen miles
to West Bamstable to attend pubUc worship. It is said that
Mr. Samuel Shiverick laboured in this town as minister, some
time previous to 1700. The first allusion to him on the rec
ords of the town is as follows: "The loth day of Dec, 1701
at a meeting of the town of Falmouth it was Voted, "That
Mr. Shiverick was now of the town. Minister." As yet there
was no church, and this Mr, Shiverick seems to have laboured
here as a kind of missionary. It is probable that his labours
were only occasional, for he was probably connected with col
lege at this time, as we learn that he graduated at Cambridge in
1703. From a vote passed at this time it would appear
that he also taught a school in connection with his ministerial

6o HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
labours. But he was not a popular man with the settlers,
and it is to be feared that as individuals they did not do aU
that they might have done even in their weak state for his
comfort. In 1702 we find the following vote. "The inhab
itants did then agree that in consideration of the low estate
of Mr. Shiverick, and that his yearly maintenance being not
paid him, did then agree and order that a rate of 15 pounds
should be made upon the inhabitants for his reUef, " &c.
Three months after this there was a town meeting the record
of which rans thus — "Said meeting did then agree that they
would not employ Samuel Shiverick any more to preach to
them, and chose Joseph Parker to teU him of it, and also
chose Thomas Bowerman and Joseph Parker to reckon and
take account with him for what he has done the last summer
and this winter."*
The inhabitants now appeared greatly desirous of procur
ing the permanent settlement of an able and pious minister
"to teach to them and their children the good word of God,"
They appointed a committee to advise and consult with neigh
boring ministers on this subject, and they finaUy invited the Rev.
Joseph Metcalf, a graduate of Cambridge College and an accom
plished man lo preach as a candidate for settlement. He com
plied with their invitation, and the 27th day of Feb., 1706,
the town made choice of John Robinson, Melatiah Boume,
Moses Hatch, Joseph Parker and Samuel Lewis as a commit-
*  Mr. Shiverick undoubtedly settled in this town after completing
his college course, but whether he practiced either of the learned profes
sions cannot now be determined. It would seem that in every generation
from that day to the present there has been a Samuel Shiverick decendant
from the first preacher in this town. They have been large land holders,
and have taken a great interest in tbe public business of the town. It
has been said that this family was of French origin.

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 6 1
tee in the town's behalf to make application to the Rev.
Joseph Metcalf for his longer continuance amongst us in or
der to his settlement with us, if God shaU incline and direct
him thereunto to carry on the work of the ministry amongst
us, for the upholding of the public worship of God in this
place and for our mutual edification, and if upon their treat
ing with him, they shaU find him inclining to take up with
our caU, then the said committee may on the town's behalf
make such an arrangement with him in order to his settle
ment and comfortable support while he continues with us in
that work as they shall see meet, and the town doth promise
to fiilfil and perform the same in all respects." At a town
meeting holden May 19, 1797, regularly assembled, the Rev.
Mr. Joseph Metcalf (with the advice of the Rev. Jonathan
Russell, Rowland Cotton and Nathaniel Stone, pastors of
churches)* was chosen the minister of this town.
The foUowing August a formal call was extended to Mr.
Metcalf in behalf of the town to become its minister. It
wUl be seen he had no call to enter into the pastoral rela
tion for the reason that there was as yet no church organiza
tion. He was called to be minister to the town. As he
was the first settled minister, and as the business was trans
acted with a good deal of formality and precision, it is a
matter of interest with us to leam particularly the terms of
his settlement etc. I shall therefore quote at length from the
record of that period. "Falmouth, Aug, 22, 1707.
To the Rev. Mr. Joseph Metcalf, Sir: The inhabitants of
this town having legally chosen yourself to be their minister
"  Bev, Mr, RusseU was pastor of the church at West Barnstable, Mr,
Cotton of Sandwich, and Mr. Stone, of Brewster.

62 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
and being in hopes of your taking up with this call, they
have by their act or vote upon record in our town book the
7th page chosen and constituted us the subscribers to be a
committee to represent themselves unto you, to discourse and
treat with you, and to propose to you, and to make such ar
rangement with you on their behalf as we shall see meet,
and have there promised to fulfil and perform in all respects
such proposals and agreement as we should make in their be
half in order to your comfortable settlement with us and hon
orable support among us in the work of the ministry, that
you may dispense the word and ordinances of God and preach
the gospel of Christ to us and ours for our mutual good and
edification and that God's public worship may constantly be
up held amongst us, which favour of heaven we are desirous
of. Whereupon we (being in hopes of your being obtained
to settle with us in that work) have considered of some pro
posals to present you withaU for your encouragement therein
and we are unanimously agreed in each of the following par
ticulars, and do hereby promise in the town's behalf the fiil-
fiUment thereof in case of your settlement and continuance
with us as our minister, viz : ist. To give you one hundred
and sixty pounds in money, at weight and value it now most
usually passeth at, which is 15 penny weight at six shU
lings, or such other things equivalent as may suit yourself for
your comfortable settling among us, to be paid within the
compass of twenty-six months next ensuing at several payments
as you shaU have occasion for it.
2nd. Two good cows to be deUvered to you on settle
ment.

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 63
3rd. To dig and stone a weU convenient for your water
ing where and when you shall see meet.
4th. To bring you home to your house this year ten cords
of fire wood, adding thereunto yearly what you shaU have oc
casion for more, until it amounts to twenty cords per year
which quantity shaU be continued yearly so long as you con
tinue with us.
5th. To give you for your yearly salary forty pounds per
annum for the fourth, fifth and sixth years and fifty pounds
for the seventh year which will be Anno Domini 1714 and so
annuaUy so long as the providence of God shall continue you
to be our minister, to which yearly salary of jQ^o additions
shaU be made from time to time in proportion to the town's
estate as the Ust of rateable estate yearly taken may dem
onstrate until it shall amount to the sum of ^-jo per an
num, aU which yearly payment shaU be made (either in money
or equivalent pay) by the last day of November yearly.
Sir, the condition on which we make these proposals
and become thus obliged unto yourself in the town's be
half, and upon which we desire your acceptance of the
same, is that you settle with us in the work of the ministry
and continue to be our minister so long as the providence of
God shall enable and direct you thereunto, and that in case
of your removal by death within the space of ten years from
the time of your first coming to us, namely Dec. 25, 1706,
you do oblige your heirs, executor or administrators to make
a firm conveyance by deed unto the town of the fifty acre
lot you are settling upon with aU the buildings you shall erect
upon the same and to give or aUow unto the town sixty
pounds in the price of the land as it shaU then be valued

64 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
at by indifferent men, upon the town's paying to such heirs,
executors or administrators the remainder of the price of said
land together with such a sum of money as you shall have
expended in buUding thereupon according to the account your
self shall keep thereof, and that whensoever this lot and
buUdings to be sold this town may have the first refusal.
John Robinson,
M. Boume,
Moses Hatch, >• Committee."
Joseph Parker,
Samuel Lewis.
Mr. Metcalfs reply was as foUows :
"To the committee subscribing to what is above written
Gentlemen : This is to intimate and manifest my gratefiil ac
ceptance of your above proposals in all respects closing and
complying with, and consenting unto and granting of the con
dition annexed thereunto as yourselves have now expressed
the same, only this exception I must make that I wiU appro
priate so much time as necessary journeys and visits shall re
quire (a very reasonable and customary privilege) without
being thought an offender though I provide nobody to supply
my place,* J. Metcalf.
Falmouth, Aug, 22, 1707.
The town having settled a minister, it was now deemed
expedient to organize a church, and the " First Congregational
Church" of this town was organized in the fall of 1708 as
appears from the records of the First Church in Bamstable.
«  It wUl be noticed here that the reserve of a little time that the
minister may call his own is not a modern arrangement. This privilege
was asked and granted by the minister and town iu 1707, and the saKie
thing was done by tbe minister and the First Congregational society 130
years after in 1837, the present clergyman, Kev. Henry B. Hooker, being re
leased two weeks annually from bis parochial duties.

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 65
"In 1708 Oct. loth, the following persons signifying their
desire to the church in Bamstable to be dismissed to the
work of gathering into a church estate in Falmouth, the
church voted, that according to their best observation, their
conversation having been agreeable, we do therefore recom
mend them to the great and good work of forming a church
which they are upon, and therein into the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, commend them,
Samuel Shiverick Sen,,
Amy the wife of Joseph Hatch,
John Robinson and Elizabeth his wife, •
John Davis and Hannah his wife,
Moses Hatch and Elizabeth his wife,
Thomas Parker and Mary his wife,
Josepih Parker and Mercy his wife,
Aaron Rowley and Mary his wife,
Ellis wife of Benjamin Hatch,
Mary wife of Wm. Johnson,
Hannah, wife of Benjamin Lewis,
Lydia wife of Samuel Hatch,
Bethia, the wife of Joseph Robinson. Amen.
Record of Bamstable Church. I Jonathan Russell, pastor, with
The above lived in Falmouth. | consent of the brethren,"
It cannot now be ascertained when the first meeting
house was erected. It is probable that a small building was
erected near the present burying ground about the time Mr.
Shiverick came among them between the years 1690 and 1700.
The first mention made in the records of the town respect
ing a place of worship is contained in sundry votes passed
in 17x5 when the town resolved to "build a ¦ new meeting
house 34 ft. long, 30 ft, wide and 18 ft. in height with as

66 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
flat roof as convenient." They say it shaU stand on the
same lot where the old one now does, and that it shall be
for the town's use for the public worship of God and to meet
in open town occasions. The town received ;Q/\o from the
Colonial Treasury to aid in its erection. The house was built
by contract except the seats. In the matter of seats there
was a difference of opinion. Some desired seats while others
wished for "pew spots," and finally it was left to a committee
to seat the house according to their judgment and they wisely
obUged both parties. Most of the house was seated, but a
certain part was chalked off for " pew spots " and sold to
the highest bidder and the money coming from the sale was
appUed to payment of the building debt. We find our fa
thers in a new and convenient house of worship, enjoying the
regular means of grace, with an accomplished and honored
pastor whom they seem to have regarded with deep affection.
This traly amiable and respected divine' died in 1723 having
been the honored minister of the town for 16 years.*
I recently visited the grave yard desiring to stand by the
grave of the town's first minister. It is numbered with those
ancient graves at the southeast end of the lot, many of which
have no monuments to tell the passer by whose dust is min
gling with its kindred dust beneath. While thus engaged the
following sweet and simple words of the poet occurred to
me as peculiarly appropriate.
'¦Who resteth here? whose race is run, whose
pUgrimage is o'er?
Whose voice is gone that may be heard no more?
I know not, yet methinks some mark should be.
To tell the world whose resting place we see;
That passing by we may rejoice or fear.
Smile in bright hope or shed the sorrowing tear."
*  The death of this good man was greatly lamented. It is spoken
of as "a solemn and awful breach on the church and people."

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 67
It is not to the credit of our town that the grave of
its first minister, a man that was regarded as an accom
plished scholar, a pious and able divine, should thus be for
gotten and unknown. It is to be hoped that the "First
Society " in this place, on learning these facts wiU take meas
ures to erect a suitable monument to the memory of the man
that was first formaUy settled as the spiritual guide of our
ancestors in this town.*
In 1724 a few months after the decease of Mr. Metcalf,
the Rev. Josiah Marshal received a call to settle, and in this
the church and town appear to have been entirely harmonious.
Mr. Marshal replied to this caU in a very lengthy com
munication addressed to "the town and the church of Christ
therein, " in which he says he is " influenced in part to accept
your call by considering the peace, the love, affection and
unity, which, blessed be the God of peace, has been discov
ered by you in your choice and election of me," etc.
Mr. Marshal was not ordained over the church, but, like
his predecessor, was only the minister of the town. Why this
course, so much at variance with the ecclesiastical usages of
that day, was adopted, we are not informed. He labored
here but seven years, and was dismissed in 1730. No cause
is assigned for the dismission, and there seems to have been
good feeUng between the parties. He offered his house to
the town which bought it at his own offer, and a special
committee was appointed by the town to give him a formal
»  As soon as attention was caUed to the matter by this statement, a marble
slab was plaotd at Mr. Metcalfs grave, bearing the following inscription : "Sa
cred to the memory ol the Rev. Joseph Metcalf, the flrst pastor of the Congrega.
tional church, in this town, who died Dec. 24, 1723, m the 43d year of his age and
the 16th of his ministry." [B. H. J.]

68 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
dismission. The Rev, Samuel Palmer was the next minister
and the first pastor of the church. At a meeting held June
30, 1730, it was agreed and voted that Mr. Samuel Palmer
shall be the town's minister. At the same meeting the town made
choice of nine men "to consider of a suitable sum of money
for his encouragement which gentlemen have agreed to give
Mr. Palmer ;£^2oo settlement to be paid in four years at ;^so
per year in bills of credit with 90 pounds salary for the four
years, and afterwards, jQioo per year so long as he shaU re
main the town's minister, and if the money should still grow
worse, we will raise in proportion, and if it should grow bet
ter, then to raise in proportion." A committee was ap
pointed to lay these proposals before Mr, Palmer. The follow
ing persons being Quakers dissented from these doings and
entered their protest on the town's book of records.
Stephen Harper, Richard Landers.
Thomas Bowerman, Justus Gifford,
Thomas Bowerman, Jr., WilUam Gifford, Sen,,
Benjamin Swift, Sarauel Bowerman,
Amos Landers, John Landers,
WiUiam Gifford, Jr,, Seth Gifford,
WilUam Gifford, the younger.
The church was singularly fortunate in the selection of its
first pastor. His ministry was long continued and eminently
successful; and as he has left a numerous company of de
scendants among us who stUl honor his memoty, it will not
be out of place to insert such sketches as I have been able
to obtain respecting his long and useful life.
Rev. Samuel Palmer was from Middleborough, in this state.
He married Miss Mercy Parker, of Boston, and settled on
the lot where now is standing the house of Captain Davis

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 69
Hatch,* His residence was a large two story house on the same
site as the present one. His homestead lot was very large, ex
tending from the estate of Dr. Cornishf on the east, to
Mr. Otis A, Butler'sJ on the north. He had three sons by
his first wife : the oldest, Thomas Palmer settled in this town
and was the father of Mrs, Richard Wood, deceased. The
second son was for many years a prominent man famiUarly
known as " Esquire " Palmer. His third son, Mr, Job Palmer is
still Uving at Charleston, S. C, now (1843) in his 97th year. He
married as his second wife Mrs. AUen, of Martha's Vineyard.
He had three daughters by his second wife, viz : Mrs. Susan
Hatch, mother of Mr. Mayhew Hatch, Mrs. Sarah Croswell,
mother of Dr. CrosweU, and Mrs, Lewis, mother of Capt.
Nathaniel Lewis, all of this town. Although a numerous fami
ly, the name has been extinct in this town for several years.
" Esquire " Palmer had a son and three daughters settled
in this town, viz: Mr, Samuel Palmer, who died in 1797,
father of Mrs. Croswell. The daughters were Mrs. Hannah
Freeman II and Mrs. Davis Hatch still living (1843) and Mrs.
EUzabeth Boume§ deceased. The descendants of these four
children are quite numerous amongst us, and it is much to
be regretted that a name so long and honorably known and
so deservedly dear to the inhabitants of this town should have
become extinct. Mr. Palmer cared not only for the souls,
but for the bodies of his hearers also. He was for many
years a regular practitioner of medicine, I have been told
that his library contained some of the best medical works of
"  Now, 1889, R.C. Bodflsh's. fLate Capt. Warren Bourne's, now, 1889,
Mrs. Gould's. JNow, 1889, Capt. Henry Gifford's.
II  Mother of Miss Martha Freeman. §Mother of Mr. Samuel Bourne,
for many years cashier of Falmouth Bank. [E. H. J]

70 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
his day and that he had a respectable knowledge of the heal
ing art, I have not been able to ascertain whether he re
ceived a diploma as a medical student. The probabUity is
that the population at that day being smaU and sparse, and
doctors not being then, as now, "plenty as blackberries," he
gained his medical knowledge chiefly after he began his med
ical profession and practiced for the benefit of his parishion
ers, on the same principle that many of our missionaries do
at the present day, I have been told that his useful life
was finaUy sacrificed to his labours in this direction in mak
ing a visit to a patient in the east part of the town. Ex-
posture to severe weather brought on a cold attended with a
fever that resulted in his death. He is said to have been
eminently a man of prayer. He was laborious as a minister,
faithful as a pastor and "his praise was in all the churches."
Mr. Palmer had a notable servant, whom he legally held as a
slave, by the name of Titus ; this Titus, or "Tite" as he was
familiarly called, who appears to have been treated by his
master more as a companion than a slave, was as distinguish
ed in his sphere as his master was in his. The two are
said to have been strongly attached to each other, and many
anecdotes respecting them are stiU told by our elderly people.
They carried on their farming operations together, Titus be
ing master in these operations and the minister obeying orders
in the capacity of servant. The parson was excessively fond
of his pipe and Tite always insisted that the pipe made
Master absent-minded. The passers by were not a Uttle
amused by their ploughing operations, Tite was always at the
helm giving the word of command to the minister who was
driving the team. But the minister was so absent-minded, be-

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 71
ing, as Titus supposed, entirely taken up with his pipe that
the team went here and there at its own will, leaving be
hind a very irregular furrow. Tite had not Job's patience
and his pecuUarly shrill voice might be heard at some dis
tance shouting "Why master; it seems as if you might do a
lee tie better." These reproofs became very frequent and Tite
was famiUarly spoken of as "swearing at the minister." This
faithful servant outliving his master, went to sea in an Amer
ican privateer during the war of the Revolution and was nev
er heard from afterwards.
No record of the church previous to Mr. Palmer's settle
ment has been found, and as it had no settled pastor it is
not probable that any records were kept separate from the town
records. Mr. Palmer appears to have been remarkably meth
odical and correct in all his transactions, and on the day of
his ordination commenced a regular church record that has
been continued to the present day and which gives us a reg
ular and minute history of the First Church to the present
time, I shall be excused for dwelling at considerable length
on this period of our ecclesiastical history, as it is now a
matter of great interest with us to know what were the cus
toms and usages of the church at that early period, A
better understanding of the customs and usages of the Con
gregational church of this early day, and which are now rec
ognized as law, would have saved a vast deal of trouble and
controversy to the state of Massachusetts during a period of
fifteen years extending on from about 181 2, One party claim
ed that the churches had no separate rights or any power in
the calling and settling of their clergy independent of the con
gregation, whilst the churches contended that their action was

72 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
separate and independent, and that neither church nor congre
gation could act without the concurrence of the other. After
a world of controversy and strife, and not a few suits at law,
this principle is still recognized as Congregational usage — and
in the humble opinion of the speaker the only one that can
under that system of church pohcy, secure the rights of each
party. A careful attention to the answer of Rev. Mr. Palmer,
accepting his call to be the pastor of the church and minis
ter of the people, wUl convince evety candid hearer that the
church possessed independent rights at least more than a cen
tury ago. It wUl be bome in mind that heretofore the
church had had no pastor, hence in the settling of Mr. Pal
mer's predecessors there had been none other than town ac
tion, "To the church and other Christian inhabitants of the
town of Falmouth, Brethren: — Since you have been pleased,
after my continuance for some time with you, to elect and
make appUcation to me to be your pastor and minister, pre
senting me with the act of the church, bearing date Feb, 4,
1 731, wherein is signified their choice of me, and desire of
my continuance here to take the pastoral care of them, &c.,
and also the concurring act and vote of the town bearing date
of March 2, 1730, wherein is expressed that the inhabitants
of the town have legally chosen me to be their minister, &c.
I do gratefully acknowledge the respect for, and affection to
ward me, which ye have so unanimously expressed and show
ed. And I have, after humble and eamest suppUcation to
the allwise God to direct and guide me in the consideration
of so weighty and important an affair and to influence my
determination thereon — set myself seriously to consider of your

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.

73

ibvitation to me with the observable circumstances attending
the same, asking advice thereon; and since there was such a
unanimity as ye have signified to have been in your proceed
ings and a continued affection toward me hath since been
expressed, I cannot but conceive the voice of God to be
therein, — that he united your heart and voice thus to apply
yourselves to me, and, therefore, notwithstanding the discour
agements otherwise arising I dare not gainsay, but must be
willing to comply with your desire to take upon me this sol
emn charge and great work among you, as hearkening to, and
obeying the voice of the great Shepherd of the sheep, depend
ing on him for assistance and strength to perform the same.
And whereas the Lord hath ordained that they who preach
the gospel shall live of the gospel, as they who waited at the
altar, were partakers with the altar, I do and shall expect
that ye exercise towards me that charity, justice and Uberality,
which the gospel of our Lord requires ; to afford me a com
fortable and honourable support and maintenance as God shall
give you ability, and of what you are pleased of your bounty
to bestow upon me to promote my settling comfortably among
you, I shaU thankfully accept. And now you abiding stiU by
your choice of me to take the charge of, and watch over you
according to the rales of the gospel, I shall account myself
bound and devoted to labour for the good of your souls, de.
siring and expecting that your prayers be joined with mine,
that I may not be given to you in anger but in love; as a
blessing of our gracious and ascended Saviour, and by him be
made faithful and successful in this great work whereto I am
caUed. Samuel Palmer.
September i, 1731.

74 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
It will here be seen that the church first acts — electing:
the minister, or in other words nominating him to the society.
If the society puts its veto on this act of the church, he
cannot become its pastor, and a new nomination must be
made. If the society concur, he then, after a formal induc
tion into office, becomes the pastor of the church, and minis
ter of the people.
In 1739 the town voted, by a large majority, to build a
new meeting-house 45 ft. square, with 37 pew spots below,
and 1 2 above ; on the same lot where the old house then
stood. This action of the town was violently opposed by a,
small minority who wished the new house farther east. The
town then chose a committee from the neighboring towns to
come and decide the location, but their decision not giving
satisfaction, they voted in 1742 not to buUd a new meeting
house, but add to the old one by putting up new galleries
over the old ones, and to repair the outside of the house.
The controversy respecting the removal of the meeting
house raged about a dozen years, and it was not until 1750
that the town could agree to commence the work. The
question of location had now been decided and the foUowing
vote was passed at a town meeting holden March 11, 1750.
"Voted, that the bigness of the new meeting-house, that the
town had agreed to buUd, shall be reduced to 42 ft. square,^
and that the now standing meeting-house shall be used and
improved towards building the new one." This house stood
on the site of the present Congregational meeting-house,* and
it wiU be recoUeeted that the proprietors of the public lands
*  In 1857 the meeting-house was removed from the green to its
present site. [E. H. J.]

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 75
had laid out the meeting-house green the year previous, viz :
1749. This new house contained 22 pew spots on the lower
flower and 11 in the gaUeries. These were numbered and
sold. It is probable that a considerable portion of the house
was taken up by free seats. It is curious to notice by the
record of these pew owners, who were regarded as belonging
to the " aristocracy " of these days. The first pew was re
served for the minister, for the time being. Capt. Thomas
Shiverick had the first choice after; WUUam Eldred, Joseph
Boume, Ebenezer Hatch, Jr., Nathaniel Nickerson, Lieut. Sam
uel Shiverick had the next and so on untU they were all taken
up. We notice in aU the discussions about new meeting
houses up to this time, a considerable sensitiveness about these
pew spots. We have an account at one time previous to
our present date, of one Mr. Parker,' who appUed to the
town for a very small space under the pulpit for a pew spot,
evidently not more than sufficient to contain one or two in
dividuals. Surely, this Mr, Parker must have been a very
consequential man, at least in his own estimation. We have
no account of the election of church officers until 1751, when
on the resignation of Deacon Joseph CroweU, Benjamin Parker
was elected to that office,*
Nothing seems to have occurred to destroy the peace and
harmony of the church during the ministry of Mr Palmer,
which was closed by his death in 1775, he having been the
»  Deacon Joseph Davis was elected to that ofiice May, 1771. The
flrst allusion we have to Deacon of the church is contained on the flrst
page of the church record, dated 1732. It reads thus, Jan. ye 9th, 1732,
Cuffee, ye negro servant of Deacon Parker, propounded for full communion."
"Feb. 13, 1732, Cuffee baptized and received into full communion with con
sent ol brethren."

7*5 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
faithful pastor of the church and the devoted minister of the
people for 45 years. His age was 68 years.
The foUowing lines are copied from his tomb stone :
"His virtues would a monument supply.
But underneath this stone bis ashes lie."

Section Third.
From the Commencement of the Revolution to 1812.
We have now arrived at a period in our history of the
greatest interest to us. One hundred and fifteen years have
passed since our fathers, a feeble company with few posses
sions, first landed on our shores. What have they now ac
complished? They have subdued the wilderness and extended
themselves over a region of country some 20 miles square,
they have erected houses for the worship of God, estabUshed
the regular ministration of reUgion, provided schools for the
instraction of their chUdren, and are enjoying the frait of
their labours. But now a cloud comes over their fair prospects.
The controversy between the colonies and the mother country
has commenced and the momentous question is to be de
cided, whether they wiU quietly submit to the demands of a
foreign despot or assert their independence and seal it with
their blood. If any portion of the colonists had greater rea
sons than any other to dread a straggle with the mother

78 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
country, they must have been found in such a place as this.
Jutting out into the sea, surrounded almost with numerous is
lands fiimishing the best harbors on the coast as places of
rendezvous for the enemy, nothing but the firmest courage,
united with the warmest patriotism, could induce them to take
up arms in so unequal a contest. Did they hesitate? Did
they doubt the justice of their cause or stop to enumerate
their dangers? Let their own records testify. We shall leam
from them that when the storm broke forth they were pre
pared to meet it and did meet it with the spirit and bear
ing of freemen. The people of this town seem to have de
cided long before the commencement of hostilities what would
be the final issue, and began iii season the work of prep
aration. At a town meeting holden Oct, 1774, several months
before the battle of Lexington, a committee of correspondence
was appointed, and the meeting was adjoumed for one week.
At the adjoumed meeting it was voted that every man from
16 to 60 shall be equipped with arms and ammunition. The
above committee was instracted to caU the town together in one
fortnight as complete in arms as may be. This meeting
was held by adjournment from time to time as often as once
in one or two weeks until it was flnally dissolved the last of
November. The town voted at these several meetings to sup
ply every private soldier out of the town treasury with a suf
ficient stock of powder, balls and flints, and appointed a large
committee "to see that the Continental Congress be adhered
to" which means, as I understand it, to ascertain how many
(if any) tories there were in town.
Notice with what promptitude and energy the people of
this town acted. These measures were adopted, before they

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 79
could have been influenced by the action ot the Provincial
Congress, for this body convened for the first time at Salem
in Oct. 1774, at the very time these events were transpiring.
One of the first acts of the Provincial Congress was the
passage of a resolution advising the towns not to pay any
monies collected on Provincial assessments to the Hon. Har
rison Gray, but to retain the same subject to an order from
a constitutional assembly of the Province.
In May the town estabUshed a night watch to stand
from 9 o'clock in the evening till sunrise the following mom-
ing. This watch was regulated by a committee and each
watcher was to receive one shilling and sixpence for every
night he should watch. This committee had power to call
on every citizen capable of performing this duty to watch in
his tum. The people now began to reaUze the exposedness of their
situation and the danger of being starved out for the want
of provisions after the commencement of hostilities, and they
called a meeting in May 1775 and instracted Timothy Crock
er, Joseph Parker and Nathaniel Shiverick to procure a quan
tity of bread com not exceeding one thousand bushels and
store it in some safe place and to sell it to those persons in
the town that should stand in need of it and also to supply
the poor according to their discretion. They were also di
rected to procure a lot of fire-arms on the town's account
and to get the money necessary for these purposes on the
credit of the town, on the best terms they can. The pro
ceedings of this meeting introduce us to a man who took a
very prominent part in the revolutionary contest, and whose
memory ought to be sacredly cherished by the people of this

8o HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
town. I refer to Gen. Joseph Dimmick, a warm hearted
patriot and a brave and enterprising man. The town voted
to raise a company called minute men, paying them 2S. per
day for every day's actual duty, and Major Joseph Dimmick
was desired to enlist the men and take charge of them ; said
men were to be enjoined by said Dimmick when they en
listed to proceed on any duty he should order them. Said
Dimmick was to have them instructed in exercise two days in
each week until the town should order otherwise. At the same
meeting they added Job Parker and Barachiah Bassett to their
committee of correspondence. It is evident from the trans
actions here aUuded to, that there must have been great en
thusiasm among the people at this time. When we con
sider the general scarcity of money at this period and the
caution that had been observed in imposing the public bur
dens, we are astounded at the almost unbounded Uberahty they
now manifested. Property seemed to have lost its value in
their estimation, and they came and poured it out on the
altar of liberty as freely as water. The fact was, civil free
dom was dearer to our fathers than either property or Ufe.
The foUowing is a copy of a letter received about this
time from the Committee of Safety sitting at Concord, which
was well calculated to raise still highter the tide of enthusi
asm that had thus begun to rise. "April 20, 1775.
Gentlemen : — The barbarous murders committed on our
iimocent brethren, on Wednesday, the 19th inst, (referring to
the battle at Lexington) have made it absolutely necessary
that we immediately raise an army to defend our wives and
children from the butchering hands of an inhuman soldiery

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 8i
who, incensed at the obstacles they meet with, in their bloody
progress, and enraged at being repulsed from the field of
slaughter, will, without the least doubt, take the first oppor
tunity in their power to ravage this devoted country with fire
and sword. We conjure you, therefore, by all that is sacred,
that you give assistance in forming an army. Our all is at
stake. Death and devastation are the certain consequences ot
delay. Every moment is infinitely precious. An hour lost
may deluge your country in blood and entail perpetual slavery
upon the few of our posterity who may survive the carnage.
We beg and entreat, as you will answer to your country,
to your own consciences and above aU to God Himself,
that you will hasten and encourage by all possible means,
the enlistment of men to form the army and to send them
forward to head-quarters, at Cambridge, with that expedi
tion, which the vast importance and instant urgency of the
affair demands."
This urgent call seems not to have met with immediate
response and the reason will be obvious as we proceed. The
whole force in this region was needed to defend the sea board.
British vessels of war had begun to frequent the Vineyard
Sound and to craise around the islands in this vicinity, and
the crews had become very insolent whenever they came in
contact with our people. About the time the above letter
was received by the, town, the British sloop of war, Falkland,
Capt. Lindzey, came into Tarpaulin Cove, and the crew were
very abusive to the family of Elisha Nye, who was dwelUng
there as inn-keeper. This Nye drew up a deposition in re
gard to the affair and forwarded it to Mr. Bowdoin, at Dor
chester, who laid it before the Third Provincial Congress, then

82 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
sitting at Watertown, whereupon the Congress passed the fol
lowing Resolution.*
"Resolved, that Capt, John Grannisf be, and he is here
by empowered immediately to engage thirty good, able-bodied,
effective men, to be paid by this colony, well provided with
arras and ammunition, and to cause them to be provided with
suitable provisions, to repair without delay to the Elizabeth Is
lands to protect the stock, &c., &c." This company was raised
in this town and several gentlemen are now, living among us,
who formed a part of the expedition.
A short time after. Congress voted that the number of
men ordered to be raised at Falmouth for the protection of
the Elizabeth Islands be raised to 50, and placed on the
same footing with other companies in the Colony service.
In 1776 although the town must have been considerably
in debt, _;^iooo was raised to defray town charges. At a
meeting in Oct., of this year, the town voted its consent that
"the (then) present house of Representatives should enact such
a constitution and form of govemment as shaU most conduce
to the safety, peace and happiness in this state, &c,," and
Esquire Shiverick was despatched to court with a copy of the
town's proceedings. This year the town voted, "To add one
pound, sbcteen shillings to the wages of such citizens as should
be drafted for the Continental Army," Also, "Voted, to
stand by the Continental Congress." In 1777 there was
great distress on account of the scarcity of bread stuff. A
public meeting was caUed in December and a committee ap-
*  Mr, Moses Swift was at this time a member of the Provincial Con
gress from this town.
t  Capt. Grannis lived at that time where Mr. Thomas Lewis, Jr.
now, 1843, resides.

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 83
pointed to send to any of the United States they might think
best and purchase 500 bushels of com for the use of the
poor of the town, the same to be at the town's risk if lost
by the way.
In 1778 money was raised by the town to hire men for
the Continental Army, and Major Dimmick was chairman of a
committee to procure the men, Nathaniel Shiverick, Esq,,
was about this time sent on a mission to Boston to procure
arms, powder and lead for the use of the town, Maj, Dim
mick raised about a dozen men for the army, who were put
under the command of Maj, Hamlin, of Barilstable, and
marched to head-quarters at Cambridge, They served there
three months and were employed in guarding the prisoners of
Burgoyne's army. WiUiam Green was of this company and
he became notorious for having shot " Sir Richard Brown, " a
distinguished officer in Burgoyne's army. The circumstances
of this case were related by his brother, Mr. Jonathan
Green, who was an eye-witness of the event and to whom I
am indebted for many interesting facts relating to the period
we are now considering. This officer attempted to cross the
line in a chaise with two women, intending to go into Bos
ton. He had been seen to do this before, and Green had
been admonished that if he aUowed it again he would be re
ported to his superior officer. He commanded him to stop
or take the contents of his gun. The officer drove on and
Green did not even raise his gun to his eye, but snapped it
from his side. The baU passed through the carriage into the
back of the officer and kiUed him on the spot. There was
a great riot and tumult. Green fled to the guard house,
where the American officers could scarcely protect him from

84 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
the English soldiery. They demanded his trial by a court
martial; he was tried and promptly acquitted.
This company served at Cambridge three months. The
same year a company was raised in this county, under the
command of Capt, Job Crocker, of Yarmouth, and marched
to Rhode Island, having their head-quarters at Tiverton, Sev
eral men from this town joined this expedition. Lot Dim
mick being Lieut, of the company. The company was af
terwards stationed two months in this town, when it was
ordered to Dorchester.
The year 1779 is rendered memorable in our history by
the visit of an English fleet, consisting of ten sail, with the
avowed deterniination to bum the town. I have been at
considerable pains to ascertain the facts in the case and have
received them from three respectable individuals, who were
participators in the transactions here recorded. We wiU first
glance [at some of the causes that made the people of this
town particularly obnoxious to the enemy of our country.
It has been before remarked that the numerous islands and ,
harbours in this vicinity afforded facilities for the operations of
the English fleet. Their principal place of rendezvous was at
TarpauUn Cove. Here their larger vessels could lie with com
parative safety, whilst their barges and "shaving mills" were
sent out armed with soldiers to harrass and annoy the inhab
itants of the adjacent shores.*
*  These were large, open boats built «f light materials and about
three times the size of an ordinary "Vineyard saU boat." Some of them
were even larger. They carried masts, on each of which was a large
sail. These could lie unshipped and stowed away when occasion required.
They mounted a large gun in the bow, and were manned by about 28 men
well armed. The origin of the name, "Shaving mill" I have not ascer
tained. They were built undoubtedly for fast sailing, and as sailors say

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 85
They frequentiy found it difficult to obtain supplies, and
seized every favorable opportunity to land in a clandestine
manner to drive off the cattle and plunder the unprotected
famiUes. The people of this town were in a constant state
of alarm. There was not a moment's security but from a
constant watch which was kept up by men stationed all along
these shores. But our people were not satisfied with acting
on the defensive. We had many brave and bold spirits
among us, and it was their glory to get up an expedition
with Maj. Dimmick at their head, to cut off an English ves
sel occasionally and to retake such prizes as had been taken
by the enemy. They had become very expert in stratagem
and were a constant annoyance to the English vessels in our
waters. The EngUsh had become greatly exasperated by the
annoyances and were determined to avenge themselves on the
people of this town. One special circumstance is said to
have been the immediate cause of the visit of the fleet here
at this particular time. They had run short of provisions,
and watching a favorable opportunity they landed about the
ist of April with their boats at Woods Hole. It being the
latter part of the night, they managed to escape the notice
of the guard and having in their companv a refugee as a guide
proceeded on to the estate of Ephraim and Manassah Swift,
swept off their cattle consisting of twelve head, drove them
to the beach where they knocked them in the head, but be
fore they could get them on board their boats they were sur
prised and obliged to put off without their ill-gotten booty.*
of a vessel that sails well on the wind -"she shaves the wind very close,"
it Is very probable these were called "shaving mills" on account of their
peculiar sharp sailing,
§  It was Manassah Swift's wife of whom the anecdote is told ^ eon-

86 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
On their return to the fleet, it was decided to move the
fleet down, land their troops and burn the town. April 3rd
was the day appointed for the conflagration of this devoted
town. The evening previous the officers of the fleet repaired
to the house of John Slocum a renowned tory residing on
the island of Pesque to enjoy a frolic, and while there Slocom
overheard them planning their expedition to Falmouth. Not
withstanding his tory principles, he could not see this town
destroyed without a warning, and is said to have sent his son
immediately doAvn the islands, who crossed the Hole in the
night, and gave the warning at Woods Hole. AU was bus
tle and excitement.- Expresses were sent to the neighboring
towns, and entrenchments thrown up as expeditiously as pos
sible on the shore to protect our soldiery. The expected
fleet consisting of ten sail of schooners and sloops hove in
sight early on the morning of the 3rd and came to anchor
at the present wharf about 9 o'clock near the shore to facil
itate the landing of the troops. They were surprised to find
cerning the cheese. I have taken pains to authenticate this anecdote and
will relate it In substance as I received it from two aged people who were
familiar with the elreumstance. The refugee who bad come as the pilot
of this expedition was well acquainted with the worldly condition of these
worthy families and among other things told the party that Manassah's
wife kept a nice daily. All at once their "mouths began to water" for
some of the good woman's cheese, and cheese they would have. So,
while the main body were robbing the stalls a party drew off and pro
ceeded to the house. The woman was alone with her children. She
met the party at her door and inquired if they had a commander. A
man stepped forward saying he had the honor of commanding the com
pany, to whom she replied that her house was defended by no man and
she presumed him to be so much of a gentleman as to have no desire to
molest a helpless woman with her children. He asked her if she had
any cheese. She replied yes, but no more than she desired for ber own
use. He replied that he would buy her cheese, to which she answered
she had none to sell, and besides, they shouldn't have a crumb. With
the sneaking guide to lead they proceeded direct to the cheese room and
two of the soldiers ran, each of them his bayonet into a nice fat cheese.
This dastardly act raised the good woman's wrath. She stationed herself

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 87
a considerable force assembled to oppose them, but neverthe
less proceeded to disembark. Their boats were got out and
filled with men; on nearing the shore they found our force
was much stronger than they had anticipated and laid on their
oars. There were then assembled on the beach four compa
nies of mihtia, viz. : two from this town, one commanded by
Esquire Palmer of this vUlage, and the other from North
Falmouth, commanded by Capt. Ward Swift ; two from Sand
wich, one from "Snake pond" and the other from Sandwich
town, commanded by Capt. Simeon Fisk, making in all, a
force of about 200 men, all under the command of Gen.
Freeman of Sandwich.*
Col, Dimmick was the next in command. He paraded
the breast-work concealing the men and ordered them not to
fire a gun till the boats should strike the shore. The boats
now puUed towards Nobsque, Col. Dimmick called out a
detachment of 25 men and followed them on the shore.
Finding it to hazardous too attempt to land, the boats re
turned to the vessels which now commenced a smart cannon
ade. The most urgent entreaties could not induce Col.
at the door and as they retreated she gi'asped the cheeses and slipping
them from the points of their bayonets into the ample folds of her blue
checked apron commenced with her tongue such a well directed flre as com
pletely to subdue them. She called them a valiant set Indeed— fltted for
just two things, to rob hen roosts and make hen-pecked husbands. They
could not stand this broad sidt, but rushing to the door were glad to
make good their retreat and join their companions with the poor old dead
cows at the beach. The worthy dame, however, stood at the door shout
ing their disgrace as long as they were within hearing.
*  A note, supposed to have been added here by the Rev. Frederick
Freeman who had the use of these "Lectures" while preparing his His
tory of Cape Cod, states that Gen. Freeman was not in command on this
occasion, nor was he a General, or was Dimmick a Col. at this time.
Gen. Otis was in command. Freeman was not a general till 1731. Prob
ably these titles were the ones by which those who narrated this Incident
long afterwards, knew Freeman and Dimmick. [E. H. J.]

88 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
Dimmick to protect himself in the trench; he continued to
pace the breast-work whilst the baUs were flying around him
and with every report of a gun would wave his sword in de
fiance. One of his men now living says he appeared as he
passed him on the breast-work, to be engaged in prayer.
Who can doubt that a special divine providence protected
this brave man in the midst of such imminent peril. The
enemy endeavored to fire the town by means of missiles
termed "hoits," which were known as they flew through the
air by a pecuUar hissing sound ; but they did not accomplish
their design. The weather was pecuUarly favorable for our
people. It was April thaw, and when the balls strack there
was little or no rebound, so that, except where they first
strack they did but little damage. Many buildings were hit
but there was comparatively Uttle damage done to the viUage
generally. Finding they could accomplish no more, the prin
cipal part of the fleet left next morning and entered Woods
Hole Harbor. The remaining part proceeded up sound, A
detachment of soldiers were ordered to follow the shore and
watch their movements. One of these vessels entered the
Hole and landed at the Island. Our men went down on
the nearest point, the neck of land below the present wind
mill and watched her operations. Her boat landed and Paul
Robinson who lived there was robbed of all his stock.
They did not even spare his pig.*
*  In the company that was sent to watch the motions of the saUs
that entered the "Hole" after the bombarbment, was one Simeon Hamlin.
a noted wag of the town. They were standing at the nearest extreme
point of the main land nicely scanning all the movements of the enemy;
saw them land, drive down the unfortunate man's cattle and flnally take
from his pen a young porker and toss him into the boat. Piggy was
no tory and not liking such rough usage he set up a cry of reproach,
pitched at the highest key. Hamlin sat down on a rock and began to

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 89
A large fleet came into the Sound Sep, 9th, of this year
(1779) and there was a great muster and much excitement,
but they passed by, said to be destined for Chatham. The
alarms were almost constant and there was an effort made to
re-take almost every vessel that was captured by the English
in these waters. The first thing to be done on these occa
sions was to ran to Col. Dimmick. By day or night he
was ready at a moment's warning to rally his forces and go
in pursuit of the enemy. This tmly brave man who did
so much for his country must not pass without a more ex
tended notice.
Gen. Joseph Dimmick was born in 1773. He was father
of Hon. Braddock Dimmick who lived on the estate now
owned by his son Mr. John Dimmick. He was about 40
years of age when the Revolution broke out, and at that
time held the rank of Colonel in the militia. He is said to
have been with his son ploughing in his field when a special
messenger arrived, announcing the battle of Bunker HiU, and
summoning him to the scene of conflict. He paused for a
moment, looked as solemn as death; — "Braddock,"' said he,
"you must look to the team, I must go." He had a sis
ter-in-law who was a tory in feeUng. Seeing the step he
was about to take, she rashed in, and with uplifted arms be
sought him not to commit so rash and wicked an act as to
array himself against his Majesty's forces. But he was of
"sterner stuff" than to be turned aside from the course his
patriotism had marked before him. He had now enlisted in
and for the war. He may be said to have been the Ufe
cry. His comrades asked him why he cried? "Why," says he "I hear
that poor pig, and can't help crying, to see how those cruel Englsb wiU
(.reat their feUow beings."

90 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
and soul of the mUitary movements in this region. He was
always on the alert to cut off the EngUsh privateers and
"shaving mills" and was almost always successful. At one
time a schooner was sent to the Connecticut River for com,
which had become extremely scarce and was selling here at
that time at $^ per bushel. The schooner was intercepted
by a privateer as she was just entering the Sound, but the
Capt. escaped in his boat before she was captured, and ar
rived at Col. Dimmick's about midnight in great distress at
the loss of his vessel and her valuable cargo. The Col.
jumped from his bed, giving the distressed Capt. an encourag
ing word that greatly revived him, and soon had his right
hand man, his brother Lot, in motion, who mustered about
20 men and started for Woods Hole. They there procured
three whale boats and pulled silently to Tarpaulin Cove.
They arrived there before day-Ught and it being cold the
Col. aUowed his men to land, and finding a hollow where
they would be unobserved, they made a fire and "longed
for the day." With the first glimmer of light they dis
covered the privateer with her prize in the Cove and imme
diately puUed for the prize. Thev were fired on from both
vessels and they smartly returned the fire, wounding one man
fatally. They boarded and re-took the prize and quickly
getting her under way ran her on shore at the west end of
the Vineyard. The Privateer following, the Falmouth party
was repulsed and obliged to abandon the prize and land on
the island. They soon retumed to the conflict with new
courage, again re-took the prize and drove off the privateer.
Where the tide flowed the schooner was got off and safely
arrived at Woods Hole with her precious cargo to the great

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 91
joy of the inhabitants, A considerable number of similar skir
mishes might be described illustrating the daring and bravery
of our people led on by this valiant man. Only one other
will be related which was regarded at the time as a very
successful exploit, A messenger arrived at Col, Dimmick's in
the evening, informing him that there were two English Pri
vateers in Old Town Harbor with a prize schooner they had
taken. He mustered 25 men and proceeded to Woods Hole
where they got a sloop and started for Edgartown, Capt.
Thomas Jones acting as pilot. They left Woods Hole at 2
o'clock and arrived at Edgartown Harbor just at day-break
and then discovered to their surprise, that an English ship of
war lay in Holmes Hole Harbor, But they determined not
to run. They could not weather the outer privateer but ran
by her whilst she was firing signals for the ship of war to
come to her reUef They boarded and took the inner priva
teer at once. Having now no time to spare and their re
treat to this place being cut off, they put their vessels before
the wind and ran for Oyster Island, where they safely arrived
with their prize which was manned by 33 men. These were
landed and marched off to Boston as prisoners of war.
Col, Dimmick did not receive his commission as General
untU after the war. He was afterward appointed "High
Sheriff" of the county, an office that he held for 25 years.
It is said of him that he was extremely self-possessed in
seasons of great danger and that he was humane and gener
ous as well as bold and daring. He was very affectionate
in his disposition, and remarkable for his attention to children,
seldom passing them in the street without a friendly recogni
tion, and any child was proud of the opportunity of " making

92 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
his manners " to General Dimmick; He represented this Dis
trict in the Senate for three years about 1807. Gen. Dim
mick was widely known as a brave man and highly respected.
He was presented with a sword after the war by some citi
zens of Providence. Being at one time in Boston on busi
ness he received an invitation from Gov. Hancock to attend
a large dinner party. On entering the dining hall he was
particularly requested by the Gov. to take the seat of honor
at the table. The circumstance, trivial in itself illus
trates the estimation in which he was held. The deeds
of Gen. Dimmick rank him as a "hero of the Revolution,"
and as such may his townsmen ever honor his memory. Al
lusion has been made to Mr, Lot Dimmick. He was a
brother of the General and usually accompanied him on his expe
ditions. He possessed all the fire and courage of the Gen.
but was greatly his inferior in judgment, and in sorne other
traits that marked his character. It may be said of him
that he feared nothing human. It was his delight to be at
the post of danger, and he was generally selected when any
hazardous enterprise was to be undertaken, I have heard an
anecdote of him which wiU show that he was always found
ready to discharge his part of the service when the word of
command was given. Two sloops had been fitted out from
this place which were successful in taking a valuable prize, a
loaded brig that lay in Nantucket Harbor, As the sloops be
gan to near the brig, but long before word to fire was given,
he was seen to be manoeuvering with his gun. "Dimmick,"
said his comrades, "what are you doing?" "I am trying,"
said he, " to see if I can get two of them rascally EngUsh-
men in range. "

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 93
The following epitaph is inscribed on his tomb-stone :
"He merited this noblest of mottoes — An honest man. " He
died in 181 9, aged 80,
By an order of the general court passed in June, 1780,
military officers were directed to draft men for the Continen
tal army. This mode of raising men was very unpopular in
this town, there being a prevalent feeUng that the men should
go voluntarily. The public feeling was so strong that it
was voted in a town meeting that the men could not be
procured in that way and the railitary officers were ad
vised not to attempt it, but the town offered to every volun
teer ^20 per month, and appointed a very large committee to
act with the selectmen in raising the requisite number of men.
A tax was immediately assessed on the town of ;£^i200 in
gold or silver for the payment of the volunteers. About 20
men were enlisted and were ordered to West Point, where
they served about six months. After their return they served
for a while as a guard on these shores.
A volume might be written respecting the deeds of our
revolutionary fathers, A few of the principal events have been nar
rated to illustrate their privations, courage and patriotism. We
shall be unworthy the name Americans if we cease to honor
the memory of these departed heroes, or fail to treat with
the highest marks of respect, the few of their surviving com
rades that yet linger araong us.
The treaty of peace in 1783 was hailed with joy by our
harassed and suffering people.
From 1780* to 1800 there appears to have been nothing
»  The winter of 1780 was an uncommonly cold one. The Bay froze
over so that in January one Sampson attempted to carry a man named
Price in a sleigh to New Bedford. The horse fell through the ice and
was drowned.

94 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
of a public nature transpiring of very general interest, and our
people were rapidly recovering from the ravages of the war.
The events of the Revolution had made the people bold and
enterprising and in the various pursuits of lawful industry
they found an ample reward.
The special legislation of the town during this season was
in reference to the finny tribe as well as four footed beasts
of the earth, two forms of life that have given the good
people of this town considerable trouble all through their his
tory. I refer to sheep and hogs and alewives or herrings.
Hogs were allowed to ran at large tiU 1795, when they were
forbidden by vote of the town. This rendered necessary the
appointment of hog reaves, an office which has now become
almost obsolete among us and a matter of ridicule, but in
those days it was a respectable and usefiil office. Oysters, too,
required considerable legislation, and it is much to be re
gretted that the efforts made to preserve them were not suc
cessful. The great trouble was respecting the regulation of
the herring fishery which wUl be more particularly alluded to
hereafter. The subject of vaccination for the smaU-pox had
been discussed with considerable warmth and the town had
declared bv vote that "inoculation should not be set up in
this town," But in 1797 a more Uberal spirit prevailed and
Dr, Francis Weeks was allowed to establish a hospital for
this purpose under the regulations of a committee consisting
of Gen. Dimmick, Col. Bassett and Thomas Jones. This
hospital was located at Nobsque and the building used for
this purpose was the one now (1843) occupied as a dweU
ing house by Mr. John Weeks on the Shore Road.

HISTORY FO FALMOUTH. 95
In 1797 a proposition was made to separate the people
on the North Shore from this town, to be annexed to the
town of Sandwich and John Robinson was sent as a special
agent of the town to the General Court to remonstrate
against it. In 1797 a wharf was built at Little Siperwisset,
In 1800 a public building was projected by certain pro
prietors for a school house, a Masonic Lodge and for a
town house, provided the ,town would agree to' the same. It
seems the town however decUned having any interest in it,
and the plan of a lodge and a school house was carried in
to effect by the proprietors. The meetings of the proprietors
were held at Mr. Shubael Hatch's tavem, Capt. Timothy
Crocker presiding. The contract of ^675.00 for buUding the
house was given to Mr. Elijah Swift. It had originally a
tower and belfry at the west end. The house was erected
in this year and is the one now owned by Mr. James Swift,
An old school house stood on the same spot which was re
moved or taken down the same season. This seems to have
been conducted as a kind of public high school, the district
(which then extended over the whole vUlage) deciding that
any child going to school who was not able to read in a
class in a man's school should be turned over to a woman's
school by order of the school master or agent.
In 1803 there is a record of a very notorious dog in
town which had become so troublesome, that the town voted
a bounty of ten dollars on his head, requiring that the dead
dog be presented whole to the selectmen, desiring probably
to see what kind of a looking animal this said mischievous
dog might be.
The people of this day were divided in their political

96 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
opinions and there were seasons when party spirit ran high.
The two respective parties were known as Federal and Repub
lican, This town was decidely republican. In 1805 we find
the majority to be very large. At the election of governor,
James Sullivan the repubUcan candidate received 132 votes
and Caleb Strong the opposing candidate but 12 votes.
James Hinckley, Esq. was chosen town clerk ui 1804,
and served the town very acceptably either as clerk or select
men unfu his death in 181 2.
In the same year Joshua CroweU was lost in Boston Bay
with his crew consisting of Samuel Nye, Benjamin Wing, Job
Weeks and Jason Bumpus. The vessel was towed into Ply
mouth the next day.
In 1806 the everlasting controversy respecting the passage
of alewives into Coonamesset Pond was commenced or rather
renewed in earnest, and for a long series of years it raged
with great spirit. No public question has ever been dis
cussed in this town for so long a time and with so much
warmth of feeling as this. It assumed a party character, and
the ablest men in the town were arrayed against each other
in the discussion. Gen. Dimmick was the great champion for
the herring party. The facts of the case as near as I can
gather from the records of the day was something Uke this :
This party desired the town to open a free passage for
the fish into Coonamesset Pond. To do this, certain ob-
stractions must be removed, some mill privileges interfered
with, individual rights might be invaded, &c., ard the oppo
sing party being the strongest in point of number the town
refused to open the way. The herring party then resolved
to take the responsibility on themselves and asked permission

HIST OR Y OF FALMO UTH. g 7
of the town to open said way as individuals. There was
raised a great question, namely, whether the town had the
power to transfer by vote, a town right to individuals. Af
ter this question had been well sifted by the respective par
ties, the town appointed Thomas Fish, Esq. to take legal ad
vice on the town's account. His report was raade in writing,
stating that he had consulted three professors of law, and
that their opinion was, that a town right could not by vote
be legally given up to individuals. The herring party were
however by no means discouraged. They were fully deter
mined that herrings should go up Coonemesset River, whilst
the opposing were as fully determined that they should re
main in the waters below. I believe this question remains
undecided to the present day and it is not certain but that
our descendants may yet fish herring out of Coonemesset Pond.
Gen. Dimmick now petitioned the legislature for this right
that the town had not the power to grant, and the town in
1810 had to pay a biU of ^^124 to David Nye, Esq., for
opposing said petition at the General Court.
The excitement occasioned by this controversy was long
continued, and at the period we are now considering reached
a melancholy crisis. The anti-herring party had procured a
cannon and mounted it on the meeting-house green, put in a
heavy charge of powder and rammed down as wadding as
many harmless herring as could be got into it. Amidst
the shouts and curses of the contending parties the match
was applied, the gun burst with the explosion and the man
that appUed the match was kiUed by the fragments. This
tragical event was not an unmixed evil for it put an end to
the excitement for the time being, but the controversy was
not settled.

98 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
In 1805 liberty was given to a company to build a wharf,
and a certain part of the town landing was set off to them
for this purpose. A small cob wharf stood at that place
some time previous to this, but when it was built cannot now
be determined. This wharf was built of logs fiUed in with
stones and was washed away in the great gale of 1815,
having stood but about ten years. The present stone wharf
was built in 181 7.
The Falmouth Artillery Company was formed in 1807,
commanded by Capt. Weston Jenkins. It received a charter
and was furnished by the State government with brass field
pieces and the usual accompanying apparatus. Their arsenal,
familiarly known as the "Gun house" was situated near the
site of Lawrence Academy. This was for many years a spir
ited and effective company and became so weU known in the
last war with England that a formal deihand was made for
its cannon by the English brig Nimrod. The 'refusal occa
sioned a bombardment of the town that proved very destrac-
tive to the most exposed buildings of the viUage. The
martial spirit seemed to dwindle as that generation passed
away, the company was disbanded and the armament retumed
to the state from which it had been received.
About 1 808 a great rage commenced in this town for
new roads. A road was petitioned for, from the main road
to the town landing. The town offered the petitioners a lot
of land lying near the landing and ^134.75, — and the petition
ers agreed to open the road on their own account. Esquire
Jones also wanted a road from North Shore Road to Tateket.
The town refusing he applied to the Court of Sessions, and
the town sent James Hinckley as its agent to said Court to

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 99
oppose the same. Esquire Jones got his road and the town
had to pay Jaraes Hinckley ^141. 81 for his trouble and ex
pense in opposing it. Two roads were prayed for from
North to East Falraouth, one was refused, and the other or
dered to be laid out by the selectraen.
In 18 10 Braddock Dimmick, Esq. was chosen representa
tive from this town, and the year following Thomas Fish, Esq.
was elected his colleague. These men were at that time
truly the fathers of the town. They filled the most impor
tant town offices for a period of about 25 years. Esquire
Dimmick was a member of the House of Representatives
about ten years and also was a Senator from Bamstable Coun
ty three years, and subsequently one of the Governor's
council. Esquire Fish represented his native town at the
general court 20 years and on his retirement was the senior
member of the house. They stiU abide with us (1843) the
respected and honored representatives of by-gone days.
We will now bring up the ecclesiastical history to the
present period.
The death of Rev. Mr. Palmer was a very heavy afflic
tion to this church. His funeral was attended April 15th,
1775, after which a day of fasting and prayer was appointed.
The town also expressed sympathy in a substantial way for
his widow and family by allowing them the use of certain
public lands after his decease. The church was suppUed by
the neighboring pastors until July when the Rev. Zebulon But
ler, of Nantucket, was caUed, and settied. His ministry was
of short continuance. He was ordained August 19th, 1775,
and dismissed at his own request July 1778. He sent a

100 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
written communication to the church expressing his "hearty
thanks" for their compliance with his request.*
Rev. Isaiah Mann, of Scituate, was next invited by the
church and concurred in by the town to become pastor and
minister. Eight churches were represented at his ordination
which took place Jan. 19th, 1780.!
The first Friends' meeting house was taken down about
the year 1775. It stood near the estate of Curtis Bower
man. The second house of worship stood where the present
one stands, and was taken down in 1842.
Mr. Mann married Miss Zipporah, daughter of Mr. Isaiah
Nickerson of this town. He died April 2nd, 1789, aged 30
years. At a town meeting holden soon after his death it was
"voted to give Mrs. Mann the improvement of the school
house lot this year, and the rye growing on the hill lot and
the fire wood that is cut." Mr. Mann was much respected
by his people. There were twenty-nine added to the church
during his ministry of nine years.
— ^ There were serious charges brought against Mr. Butler deeply in
volving his moral character. There was not sufficient evidence at the time
to convict Mm, but the church feeling satisfied of the truth of the charges,
his dismission was voted in accordance with his request. These charges
were afterwards found to be true. Mr. Butler retumed to Nantucket and
became a manufacturer of snuff. He Uved to an old age.
— T At the ordination, Mr. Mann was not able to produce his certificate
ot church membership from the church iu Scituate, which it is said had
been delayed by bad weather. The council would not ordain him until
tbe church had received him into full communion. The church did this,
with the expressed condition that Mr. Mann should have the said certifi
cate forthcoming as soon as convenient. It was received and put on rec
ord the Sth of the following March. I have been particular to Biention
this circumstance because a question has come up in these latter days,
whether it Is according to Congregational usage to demand of a clergyman
at his ordination a certificate of his church membership.

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. lOi
The foUowing inscription may be found on his tomb
stone. "In memory of Mr. Isaiah Mann, who died April
20th, 1789, in the 30th year of his age and the loth of his
ministry. Those gifts aud graces flUed his heavenly mind.
Which made him loved, revered by all mankind.
He wisely taught his little flock the road
To gloi-y, honour, happiness and God.
He lived and died a man of virtuous life,
Lamented by his people, friends and wife.
Peace to bis sacred dust which here must lie
TUl roused to re-unlte the soul in yon ethereal sky."
It is supposed the church and state principle was given
up with the decease of Mr. Mann, as town action relating to
the calling and support of the clergy ceased at this period.
It is trae that the records were still entered on the town's
book but it was ever after in the narae of the Society as
such. In 1789 — Rev. Henry Lincoln, of Hingham, was invited
to take pastoral charge of the church. The following extract
is taken from his letter of acceptance of December 31st, 1789:
* * * " Confident frora your late expressions of friendship
and affection towards rae that you will ever cheerfully con
tribute to my temporal support as circumstances shall require,
and never see rae in distressed or embarrassed circumstances.
May we be happy together, united in love and industriously
strive together to advance each other's temporal and spiritual
interests. May I be so happy as to enjoy your prayers and
good wishes, and that candor that should ever subsist araong
Christian brethren. We are aU imperfect creatures, and
therefore liable to err. Let us then cultivate mutual forbear
ance. My youth and inexperience have certainly a Christian
claim upon you for it. In this respect then may I not be

I02 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
disappointed. From a consideration of my many imperfec
tions, and insufficiency for these things, I am almost led to
despair, but trusting in him who hath said " My grace is suf
ficient for you," I take courage and hurably hope that the
good spirit of the Lord will enable us to discharge the various
duties incurabent on us to Him and one another in a humble
and becoraing manner. I am, brethren, with Christian affec
tion and regard, your friend and humble servant in the Lord,
Henry Lincoln.
To the Church and Congregation &c."
In 1795 *^s Society voted to build a new meeting house.
Up to this time, the whole town, with the exception of the
society of Friends had come to the viUage to attend public
worship. There now being quite a large population at the
north-east part of the town, a proposition was made to have
the new meeting house placed nearer the center of the town
ship, somewhere nearer the present residence of Mr. Abishai
Green. The people in the centre, objecting, it was finally "
agreed that two meeting houses should be built. A line was
ran from John Lawrence's in Tataket to Benjamin Crowell's,
on the North Shore which was supposed to divide the socie
ty equally, and each division was to have a meeting house.
An arrangement was also made with Mr, Lincoln to preach
at the " East House the proportionable part of time according
to the tax they pay." The present Congregational meeting
house was built in 1796. The interior of the house was
planned by a Committee consisting of Gen. Dimmick, Dr.
Weeks, Mr. Benjamin Sandford, John Lawrence, David Swift
and Sylvanus Davis. The society reserved the four comer
pews for the use of the poor, the remainder were sold and

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 103
a vote passed that the balance remaining after paying for the
erection of the house should be expended for a bell. A
balance stUl reraaining, it was voted to divide the sarae to
the pew-holders. It appears from the record that Rev. Mr.
Lincoln was not settled on a permanent, fixed salary. It
fluctuated from year to year with the rise or fall of the nec
essaries of life. It was found that great practical evils grew
out of this state of things, and in 1805 his salary was fixed
for Ufe at $500 per annum, and the use of the parsonage
lands. It was the general practice in the early history of
the church in this country to settle pastors for life, and how
ever impolitic we now consider such contracts to be, it may
be a matter of interest to us to look at the arguments that
were then employed in favor of the arrangement. On this
occasion, as it appears frora the records of the society, the
arguments employed were these. That the reputation, useflil-
ness, safety, peace and domestic happiness of the clergyman
and the union and harmony of the society depended in a
great measure on its adoption. That there were irreligious
men in the community who were opposed to the support of
gospel worship and the question annually coming up respect
ing the clergyman's support, they seized that opportunity to
revile gospel institutions and endeavored to weaken that confi
dence and love that should ever exist between a minister and
people. The law of those days obliged every man to con
tribute to the support of public worship but there were sorae
who, enjoying all the privileges of the gospel, used every ar
tifice to throw off their just and equal burden imposed for
its support. There are however raany instances recorded
where individuals made it to appear that they had conscien-

I04 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
tious scruples on this subject, and their tax was promptly
remitted. This was the case particularly with persons
claiming to be Friends or Quakers. It appears from the
earUest records that when a proper representation was made
by such, a vote freeing them from this responsibility was
freely given, and it is to be hoped that our worthy neigh
bours of this se(Sl, when thinking of the crael persecution
of the Quakers, will not forget these acts of liberality
on the part of the good people of this town. I have been
particularly pleased with a transaction of this nature recorded
as late as the period we are now considering, viz, 1805.
As it reflects so much credit on the principles and feelings
of the parties concerned, I have been tempted to copy it
entire. "To the Moderator of the Annual meeting of the Con
gregational Society in the town of Falmouth, A. D. 1805.
The subscriber begs leave to represent to the meeting of
said society that he has not attended the meeting for public
worship of said society for nine months last past, that he has
constantly and invariably during said time attended, and shall
for the future attend pubhc worship with the Friends or
Quakers. He therefore requests that the raeeting would vote
him his discharge from said society and from all future bur
dens of taxes, interests in or to, said society belonging.
He would further represent to said meeting that he is not
influenced by motives of interest but cannot conscientiously
any longer attend worship in that way and that his conduct
in this respedt is from principle and not for the purpose of
evasion. He therefore makes this request publicly hoping the
meeting of said society wUl have a tender regard for what

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.

105

his conscience dictates to be done, and suffer him to act
agreeably theieto, and grant his request of being discharged
from said society, and as in duty bound will ever pray.
Ephraim Sanford.
Falmouth, first of the 4th month, 1805."
Thereupon the Society voted that Mr. Sanford's request
be complied with, and his discharge was signed by Job Par
ker, Society Clerk.
In 1809 the Congregational Society voted 'the freedom
of the pulpit." The occasion for this action on the part of
the Societv is not stated, but it would seem that a portion
of the parish were disposed to invade the rights of the min
ister and to dictate to him the course he should pursue in
the admission of other clergymen to his pulpit. Whereupon
the society voted that their rainister should be protected in
his right to control his own pulpit and that no clergyraan
should be allowed to occupy it without his free consent, a
resolution that evinces the self-respect of said society, for
surely no clergyman is fit to be settled over any people who
will allow this right to be wrested from hira.
This year Rev. Erastus Otis, a traveling preacher of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, visited this town, and soon after
organized a church in accordance with the principles of that
denoraination. It is somewhat singular that a religious society,
formed only thirty-four years ago, should have no record of
its first organization, or of its act of incorporation. The clerk
of said society thinks it was incorporated about 1811. I have
found a Ust of petitioners for this adt, numbering forty-two
signatures, several of whom were men of influence, and of high
respedtabUity. Bama Marchant was at the head of the peti-

io6 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
tion, and we also find the names of Hugh G. Donaldson,
Solomon Green, Denona Nickerson, Major Hatch, WiUiam Nye,
&c. It appears that most, if not all the founders of this
society, were seceders from the old society. From the records
of the Congregational society we find that they appUed "to be
set off," for the purpose of their new organization, but a vote
to this effect could not be obtained, thus showing that they
were valuable merabers that the majority were unwiUing to lose.
They then quietly seceded, and the first meeting as a society
was holden at Pocasset in June, 1811. The reason why they
should meet at so great a a distance frora this place may be
explained by the following fact : Owing to some peculiarity of
the constitution of that church, this society received its a6t of
incorporation in connection with another church, located at Sand
wich and that being a convenient point for the accommodation
ot both societies they probably met there for the purpose of or
ganizing under their new act. Not being able to find any
church record, distinct from society records, prior to 1830, I
cannot give many facts relating to its early history. The
officers of the church consist of stewards and class leaders.
Its first class leaders were Dr. F. S. Donaldson and Mr.
Barna Marchant. Mr. Donaldson was one of its first stewards.
Their first house of worship was built in i8ji, and stood a
little to the westward of the present town poor house. The
interior of the house was not completed tiU 1829, when the
building was raoved to its present site, finished and thor
oughly repaired and painted. Although the events that led
to the formation of a new society and a new denomination
were deeply deplored at the tirae, by the merabers of the old
society, yet it must be a matter of consolation to them, that

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 107
when their brethren could no longer conscientiously subscribe
to the same form of doctrine, or adhere to the same church
policy, that they adopted a form of church organization that
still recognized those they had left behind as Christian breth
ren, and there are undoubtedly many present who can bear
personal testiraony to the Christian liberality of both churches,
in welcoraing each other with trae cordiality to the communion
table of their common Saviour. And raay God in his raercy
grant that no form of ecclesiastical organization shall ever arise
in this ancient town of the Pilgrims that will render it neces
sary (to be consistent with its principles) to exclude from its
Christian fellowship, the weakest disciple that has been owned
of the Savior of raen.

Ladies and Gentlemen :
The interest you have raanifested in the subject that has
been presented before you for three successive evenings is to
me peculiarly gratifying — because it is an undoubted demon
stration of the intense interest you feel in the history of those
who have gone before. I regard it as an adt of homage to
the memory of our fathers. And are they not worthy of this
homage? Let us for a moment go back to our starting
point in the commencement of our history. We find our
immediate ancestors at the beginning of the 17th century,
meditating a removal to the new world, then a continuous
waste, a howling wilderness. What were the motives inclining
them to emigrate? Had they heard of the mines of the South-
em continent — and came they hither with golden dreams and
visions of earthly glory?

io8 HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
Oh no ; not for themselves they came. They sought a
home, where free to act, they might establish such institutions
as in their judgment would secure the religious liberty, the
peace and happiness of their posterity. For this they bid
adieu to the Old World. We follow them across the wide
Atlantic and see them landing on "Wild New England shore."
From Scituate Harbor, the place of their first settlement we
foUow them with their faithful pastor to West Barnstable, from
whence after a lapse of twenty-one years they commence the
settleraent of our native town. Let us in imagination go
back and contemplate the scene that was then presented.
These streets were then covered with trees of the forest,
these western hills were dotted with Indian villages — these
bays and rivers were only traversed by the light Indian canoe.
Taking our stand at "Nobsque Point" and casting our
eyes towards 'the rising sun new objects appear in the dis
tance. They are not the frail barks of the Indian, neither
are they the tall sails of the white raan. They hug the
northern shore and approach nearer and nearer. We can
now see that they are open boats filled with white men, women
and children. They follow up the shore — now they take in
sail and lay on their oars. A raoraent of consultation and
their bows head to the shore — a few strokes of the oars and
we hear their keels grating on the pebbles of the beach. We
count fourteen men. A part of these remain to secure the
boat and protect the women and children, whUsf the remain
der hastily disembark to spy out the land and ascertain the
inducement it may offer this little company as a place of
permanent settlement.

HISTORY FO FALMOUTH. 109
We see them retum with joy and hope beaming in each
happy yet anxious countenance. And what is their report?
We find, say they, a fine level country extending back We
know not how far, and here within a stone's cast, we find
what to us is indispensable, a pond of pure fresh water.
The question is soon decided, and these strangers with their
few effects are landed or encamped on the margin of the
pond where grows luxuriously the green swamp flag and the
water Uly. Hark ; what gentle murraur do we hear frora_
the encampment on this the first night of their new home?
Is it the ripple of the Uttle lake on whose borders they are,
or is it the more distant falling of the surge on the pebbly
shore ! We listen again. Ah ! 'tis a sound most welcome
and falUng Uke sweet music on the mother's ear — the wail
ing of a new born infant. The father holding in his arms
the first white native inhabitant of Falmouth asks the wife and
mother what his name shall be. With pious reference to an
overraling Providence she replies "He is bom among the flags
and his name shaU be Moses." From this small encamp
ment tracing as we have in these lectures their extension over
a township of forty-five square miles their early establishment
of the Gospel ministry and of schools — their labors and sacri
fices in preparing for us this goodly heritage — allow me to
repeat the questiou Are they not worthy of our homage?
Do they not merit this expression of our interest in their his
tory? I ask the fair portion of this audience if they can
offer too high a meed of praise to the self denial, the un
tiring industry and the unshaken fortitude of our pilgrim
mothers? Let them keep in mind that few of the comforts
and conveniences at the present day thought so essential to

no HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
the well being (I had almost said to the existence) of the
feraale sex could then be procured. Forget not the first
child born in this town had not even a raanger bed. For
get not the toils and privations to which they must have been
subjected in the settlement of so new a country. How
widely different their . cares, labours and anxieties from those
of their fair descendants. Their first care was not to obtain
the latest fashion, the last novel or the newest music. In
addition to the usual routine of domestic duties, their families
were dependent on the labor of their own hands for almost
every article of wearing apparel. Every house in those days
was a general manufactory, and had I taken the pains I might
have exhibited to you tonight specimens of linen that would
not discredit the machinery of the present day.
Ladies, the character of these your predecessors has
been drawn by the pen of inspiration. If ever that descrip
tion applied to any class of noble women it applied to the
wives and daughters of the pilgrim fathers. " Who," says the
wise man, " can find a virtuous woman for her price is far
above rabies. The heart of her hisband doth safely trast
in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She wUl do
him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seek
eth wool and flax and worketh wiUingly with her hands. She
is Uke the merchants' ships ; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also whilst it is yet night, and giveth meat to hei
household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth
a field and buyeth it, with the frait of her hands she plant
eth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength and
strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise
is good; her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. iii
her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She stretcheth her hands to the poor ; yea she reacheth forth
her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for
her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry : her clothing is silk
and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he
sitteth araong the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen
and selleth it ; and delivereth girdles unto the merchants. Strength
and honor are her clothing ; and she shall rejoice in tirae to
come. She openeth her mouth with wisdora ; and in her
tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways
of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her
children rise up and call her blessed ; her husband also, and
he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but
thou excellest them all. "
Let us, fellow citizens, one and all sacredly cherish the
meraory of our fathers — it is a duty that we owe not only to
thera, and to high heaven — but also to our posterity. I
need not teU you that our country has for sorae time been
fiUing up with emigrants from the old world, bringing with
thera the habits and principles of their father land, and it is
no slander to say that the same principles and feeUngs which
made the Old World intolerable and drove the pilgrims to
these westem shores, are at this raoraent gaining strength in
this peacful republic. Already do we hear the motives of
our fathers misrepresented ; their principles ridiculed, and their
self-sacrificing deeds branded with the epithet selfishness. Al
ready do we hear that motto so offensive to every trae son
of New England, "No church without a Bishop'" — and if it
is suffered to pass current unrebuked it wiU not be long before

1 1 2 HIST OR Y OF FALMO UTH.
we shaU be caUed on to subscribe to its accompanying ^-
"No state without a king." As sons and daughters of the
pilgrims let us vindicate the character, honor the principles
and practice the virtues of our common and honored arcestry.
Let it be the honest sentiment of our hearts, — If we forget
the principles,' , the habits, the piety, the self-sacrifice of the
pilgrim fathers — then let our right hand forget its cunning.
If we prefer not the glory of early New England to the
wretched schemes of imported theorizers of to-day, then let
our tongues cleave to the roof of our mouth.
It is a matter of rejoicing that the leaven of New Eng
land principles and habits is silently but effectually working
in the great masses of society at the present time. In vari
ous and distant parts of our growing country where the sons
of New England have gone, societies have been formed for
the purpose of commemorating the acts of the pilgrim fathers,
and of extending their principles. Then let not us who re
main at home, who tread this honored soil, who enjoy so
freely the dear-bought blessings that have been handed down
to us ; let not us be unfaithful to our high trast, but trans
mit untarnished the same bright legacy to those who shall
come after.
Expressing my thanks to this numerous audience for the
attention they have been pleased to give to these ledlures, I
will close by quoting from Mrs. Heraan's beautiful tribute to
the " Pilgrim Fathers. "
The breaking waves dashed high.
On a stem aud rock-bound coast;
And the woods against a stormy sky.
Their giant branches tossed.
And the heavy night hung dark
The hills and waters o'er,
¦ynaidn a band of exiles moor'd their bark

HISTORY OF FALMOUTH. 113

On the wild New England shore .
Not as the conqueror comes;
They the true hearted came;
Not with the roll of sdrrlng drum.
Or the trumpet that sings of fame.
* « *
What sought they thus afar?
Bright jewels of the mine?
The wealth of seas, the spoils of war?
They sought » faith's pure shrine.
Aye: call it holy ground
The spot where flrst they trod.
They have left unstained what there they found.
Freedom to worship God.

INDEX.

Acaposket, 6, 19
Annibel, Anthony 12, 16, 17
Arms for use of the Town, 83
ArtiUery Company, gg
Ashumet, 6
Ashumet Pond, S©
Barker, Samuel 51
Bassett, Barachiah 60
Col. 94
WilUam 2 s
Major WUliam 41
Blossom, Peter 12, 16, 17
Bounty on Black Birds and Jays, 53
Boume, Ezra 50
John 51
Joseph 75
Mr. 64
Mrs. Elizabeth, 69
Meltiah 60
Richard 5 1
Sylvanus . 52

Bowerman, Curtis

100

Sarauel

68

Thomas

20, 26, 27, 41, 60, 68

Jr. Thomas

68

Bradford, WUliam

21, 25

Bread corn purchased by the Town in 1775,

79

Brown, Sir Richard

»3

Butler, Daniel

23, 30

David

54, 55

Otis A.

69

Rev. Zebulon

99

Bumpus, Jason

96

Cataumet,

6

Chapman, John

12, 16

Chapoquit,

6

Rock,

17

Chenachuson,

50

Church, First Congregational

64

Church Records,

71

Clay Beds,

43

Cobb, James

12, 16, 17

Cohasset,

22

Committee of Safety, Letters from

80

Conihassett,

22

Coonamesset Pond,

17, 41, 96 97

Constable, Office of

39

Com purchased for use of Town,

83

Cotton, Rowland

25, 61

Crapish Indians,

41

Crocker, Capt. Job

84

Timothy

79, 95

CrosweU, Mrs. Sarah

69

Crowell, Benjamin

102

Deacon Joseph

75

Joshua

96

" Cuffee "

7565

Davis, Hannah

Davis, John

65

Joseph

75

Sylvanus

102

Depredations of the English Fleet,

85

Dexter, Philip

41,42, 49, 56

Dexter's River,

i7> 49

Dimmick, Braddock

89, 99

Colonel

87

General

96, 97, 102

General Joseph

80, 89, 91, 92, 94

John

51

Lot

84, 92

Major

83

Donaldson, Hugh J

106

Dr. F. S.

107

Draft for the Continental Army,

93

Dunham, Jonathan

33

Dutchman's Pond,

19

Eldred, WUliam

75

Elliot, John

9

Elizabeth Island,

82

Ewer, Thoraas

12. 16. 1 7, 18

Falkland, British Sloop of War

81

Falraouth,

27

area,

5

latitude and longitude.

4

East

99

North,

41

West,

31, 40

population at different dates.

5

Faunce, Mary

14

Federals in Falmouth,

96

Ferry from Woods Hole to Vineyard

SI

Filley, Samuel

18

Firearms purchased for the Town in 1775,

79

Fish, Thomas

97, 99

Fisk, Simeon

87

Five MUe River, 17, 25, 28, 41. 45, 49
Freeman, Gen. 87
Mrs. Hannah 6 9
Friends, See Quakers
Fuller, Samuel 12, 16
Gifford, Benjamin 56
Christopher 6, 26
Gideon 41
Joseph 35
Justus 68

Meltiah

7

Prince 18

Reuben

55

Seth 68
WiUiam 18, 19, 31, 41
Jr., WilUam 19, 68
Sen.. WiUiam 19, 68
the younger WiUiam, 68
Gosnold, Bartholomew 4
Grammar School, 55
Grannis, Capt. John 82
Great HiU Neck, 19
Great Neck, 16, 19
Greene, Abishai 102
Isaac 48
. Jonathan 83
Solomon 106
William 51. 56, 83
Grew, Isaac 36
Griffen, Thoraas 18
Haralin, James 12, 16, 17
Hanford, Margaret 14
Harper, Robert 25, 31
Stephen 41, 68
Hatch, Amy 65
Benjamin 6.;
Capt. Davis 69

Hatch, Mrs, Davis 69
Jr. Ebenezer 75
Elizabeth 65
EUis 6s
Jonathan 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 26, 41
Sen, Jonathan 18, 41
Joseph 25
Jr. Joseph 41
Lieut. 5 1
Lydia 6 5
Major 106
Mayhew 69
Moses 27, 60, 64, 65
Paul 54
Samuel 65
Shubael 95
Silas 54
Susan 69
Sylvanus 36
Hathaway, Sen. John 25
Herring Controversy 96
Fishery 94
River Indians 5
Hihondi, 9
Hinckley, James 96, 98
Sarauel i2„,i6, 17
Thomas 25
Hog Island, 17, ^9, 20, 26, 28, 40
Hogs running at large, 94
Horton, John 1 7
Housekeepers, 37
Howland, John 1 8
Hull, Joseph 18. 25
Indian burying ground, 6
Indian "Tob," 8
Indians, Favorite haunts of 7

Indians, Herring River tribe

5

Marshpee trbie

5

Purchase of land from

8,9

Jenkins, John

12, r6, 17, 18, 19, 26, 43, 46

Capt. Weston

98.

Jennings, Samuel

4»

Johnson, Mary

65

Jonathan

41

Thomas

18, 25

WUUam

41, 65

Jones, Thomas

94

Capt. Thomas

91

Landers, Amos

68

John

68

Richard

41,68

Lathrop, Capt. Hope

46

Philip

36

Rev, Mr,

29

Thomas

12. 16, 17

Lawrence, John

55, 102

Lewis, Benjamin

41, 65

Lieut. Ebenezer

46

Hannah

65

James

25

Capt. Nathaniel

69

Sarauel

50, 60, 64

Thomas

18, 27, 33

Sen. Thomas

20

Lincoln, Rev. Henry

lOI

Littie Harboi,

19, 25

Neck,

18

Siperwisset

95

Lumbert, Barna

18

Marshal, Rev. Josiah

67

Mann, Rev. Isaiah

100

Marchant, Barna

105, 106

Marshpee boundary.

SO

Marshpee, Indians S
Masonic Lodge, 95
Mayhegansett, 23
Meeting House built in 1750, 74
The First 65
Green, 47
Lot, 54
New 102
Metcalf, Rev. Joseph 46, 60, 67
Letter of 64
Methodist Church, Organization of 105
Meeting House 106
MiU, Grist 56
Minute men in 1775, 80
Monument Bay, 54
Moononwist Creek, 50
Mount Hope, 8
Nelson, William 12, 16, 17
New Purchase 42
Nickerson, Nathaniel 54, 75
Denona 106
Isaiah 100
Zipporah 100
Night watch, estabUshed 1775 79
Nimrod, English brig 98
Nobsque Point 19
North Shore 95, 102
Nye, Benjamin 21, 22, 41, 43
Jr. Benjamin 41
David 97
Ebenezer 21,22
EUsha 81
John 21, 22
Samuel 96
WiUiam 106
Old Purchase 42
Old Town Harbor 91

Otis, Erastus

105

Oysters

57, 94

Oyster Island

91

Oyster Pond

57

Palmer " Esquire "

69,87

Job

69

Rev. Sam'l

68, 69

letter accepting call

72

sketch of Ufe of

68

salary of

68

death of

99

Thomas

69

Parker, Benjamin

75

Ensign

49, 51

Job

80, 105

Joseph

41, 46, 60, 69, 74

Mercy

65,68

Seth

S3

Thoraas

65

Perciful, James

25

Pesque,

86

Pitts, Joseph

54

Pocasset,

8, 106

Pognet, Caleb

50

Population in 1760,

55

Privateers. Depredations of

90

Proprietors Book,

28

Meetings

95

Records,

10

Pulpit, Freedom of

105

Quakers,

13

alleged persecution of

30

duty of constable regarding

39

establishment of a meeting of

30

Meeting House

100

Release from church

104

Quassamut

33

Quebec, Expedition against

28

Quisset,

6, 27

Republicans in Falmouth

96

Richard, Matthias

50

Robinson, Bethiah

65

Elizabeth

65

Isaac

12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 43, 50

John

12, 18, 60, 64, 65, 95

Joseph

7, 65

Paul

88

Solomon

51

Timothy

48, 49

Rowley, Aaron

65

Mary

65

Moses

27

Sen. Moses

18

Nathan

41

Russell, Rev. Jonathan

61, 65

Sanford, Benjarain

102

Ephraira

105

Sargent, Hannah

48

School Districts

55

House,

95

Mistress, Salary of

48, 49

Shanks, Shanks Pond

7

Shapoquit Rock,

46

" Shaving MiUs,"

84

Sheep Pasture lots.

42

Shipman, John

17

Shiverick, Mr. Minister of the town

35

Nathaniel

79

Sen. Samuel

65

Samuel

54, 57, 59

Lieut. Sam'l

75

Thomas

50

Shiverick, Capt. Thomas

75
Siperwisset
19, 33
Skiff, Nathaniel
18
Slocum, John
86
Smith, John
18
Snake Pond,
87
South Sea Indians,
51
Stone, Rev. Nathaniel
61
Succanessett [variously spelled,]
1 8,
20,
23,
26, 27
Order of court
regarding Ministers,
32
First vote regarding support of
ministers.
32
Swift, Benjamin
55,68
David
102
Elijah
95
Ephraim
85
James
95
Manassah
85
Ward
87
Tarpaulin Cove,
8i,
84, 90
Tateket,
6,
25,
26,
29,
45, 98
Toll for grinding grain,
56
Thomas, Mr.
12,
16, 17
Town House,
37
Town's Book of Records,
28,35
Vaccination,
94
Waquoit,
6
Watterman, Peter
9
Weeks, Dr. Francis
94
Dr.
102
Hervey
6
John
8,
19,
25, 94
Joseph
96
WiUiam
18, 19
Wendal, Moses
51
Wequamquisset Neck,
8
Wequecoxett, 8
Wharf, Falmouth 98
Wicket, Jeremy 9
Wing, Benjamin 96
Wolves, Depredations of 44
Woods Hole, 17, 18, 19, a6, 28, 85
Wyatt, WiUiam 26

YALE UNIVERSITY

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