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Compliments of
WARREN HAPGOOD.

HISTORY

OF THE

TOWN OF HARVARD

MASSACHUSETTS

1732-1893.

HENRY S. NOURSE, A. M.

HARVARD:
PRINTED FOR WARREN HAPGOOD.
1894.

CLINTON, MASS. I
J. COULTER, PRINTER, COURANT OFFICE

NTRODUCTION

Boston, November ig, 1891.
Hon. Henry S. Nourse.
My Dear Sir: — For many years it has been my ardent de
sire to see written a history of Harvard — my native town —
beginning with the period when the Indians first saw the
smoke ascending from the hearth-fires of the white men in
the Nashaway Valley and coming down to modern times.
In no part of our country were the pioneers beset by
greater trials, toil and danger than in New England ; and
probably none suffered more than those who lived within
sight of Wachusett. The little colony at Lancaster was for
many years constantly menaced by savage foes, and as the
larger portion of Harvard was originally included in Lancas
ter, she shared the same experiences. The tale of the perils
and sacrifices and the many thrilling incidents in the lives of
her founders should be so woven into the story that the stu
dent may readily comprehend what hardships the brave men
and women of that day endured, to secure for themselves and
their posterity civil and religious liberty and the many bless
ings which attach to home in a civilized land.
The town of Harvard was made up of sundry tracts from
other towns, and if these can be so mapped as to represent
the manner of their combination into the present harmonious
whole, it would be "a consummation devoutly to be wished."
The causes which led to the separation from Lancaster, the
town's prosperity after the dismemberment and her more
recent decline, the educational, civil and religious conditions

ii INTRODUCTION.
at various epochs, are subjects which should have due atten
tion. At my advanced age I cannot think of undertaking this
work myself, and it must be entrusted to younger and abler
hands. In casting about for some suitable person to carry
forward the enterprise it has occurred to me that "thou art
the man." Your experience as author of the "Early Rec
ords," the "Military Annals," and the "Birth, Marriage and
Death Register" of Lancaster, is a sufficient guarantee that
the task will be well and faithfully done. By education and
natural gifts you are fitted for this laborious undertaking ;
you are acquainted with the sources of information ; you are
familiar with our state, town and parish records ; and no one
ever has questioned your courage and fidelity. May I not
then submit the work to your hands, feeling Sure that no rec
ord will be left unsearched, no tradition unscanned, to make
this one of the most complete of the many excellent town
histories our Commonwealth can boast?
In case my decease occurs before the work is finished, it
is my wish that you have a sufficient number of copies printed
and bound — say three hundred — to give one to each deserv
ing family in the town of Harvard, and one each to a few
libraries where it will be ot value. If all the copies are not
thus disposed of, it is my wish that the remainder be deposi
ted in the public library of Harvard, to be bestowed from
time to time by the managers of that institution as they may
deem advisable. All reasonable charges for writing, printing,
binding and distributing the book will be cheerfully paid by
me or by my executors, and this letter will be sufficient order
to them for that purpose.
Trusting then, in your ability, persistent energy and integ
rity, and hoping that the work may be as speedily accom
plished as is consistent with accuracy and perfection, may I
now submit the task to you?
I am, with great respect,
Your ob't serv't,
W. Hapgood.

INTRODUCTION. iii
Lancaster, Mass., November 20, 1891.
Warren Hapgood, Esq.
My Dear Sir: — Your proposal that I shall write, and super
intend the printing of, a comprehensive history of the town
of Harvard, Massachusetts, comes to me when I have pro
spective leisure for such work, and I consent to undertake it.
I do so with great diffidence, however, when I note your too
flattering estimate of my abilities, and your high expectations
of excellence in my workmanship. I am fully aware of pecul
iar difficulties in the task set me. My not being Harvard-
born is one very serious disqualification. The venerable men
and women who inherited the family traditions of two cen
turies, and whose memories could throw clear light upon the
personality and doings of generations long turned to dust,
have all, or nearly all, vanished from Harvard homes ; with
them we have forever lost much that would have given
significance or romantic interest to local story. There is
little left for the historian's use save the curt and prosaic
public records ; but fortunately those of parish and town
have been well preserved. I enter upon the work as you
have outlined it, with the understanding that the time for its
completion is not limited, fori would not consent to discredit
myself, the. town of Harvard, or your generosity, by anything
wrought in haste or unverified by thorough study of all
available authorities. Very respectfully yours, Henry S. Nourse.

As the foregoing correspondence tells, this volume origi
nated in the generous impulses of Warren Hapgood, a native
of Harvard, whose successful career has honored his birth
place. Not only has he liberally provided for all outlay
incurred, but his personal interest and aid have been untiring
and invaluable.
To all who by information or encouragement have assisted
the author in his search for historic material he renders his

iv INTRODUCTION.
cordial thanks. He gratefully acknowledges special obliga
tions to Reverend John B. Willard, Elder John Whiteley,
Honorable Samuel A. Green of the Massachusetts Historical
Society, C. B. Tillinghast, State Librarian, Professor Daniel
Denison Slade, Miss Katherine L. Lawrence, and Mrs Mary
R. Farwell for many favors. The illustrations are mostly
from photographs by Alice G. Chandler of Lancaster, kindly
taken especially for this volume. The map was drawn for
reproduction by Harold Parker of Lancaster and owes much
to his knowledge of local geography derived from experience
as civil engineer and surveyor in this and adjoining towns.
To the people of Harvard the author respectfully submits
his work — the result of patient research and pains-taking
labor — trusting it may aid them to a higher appreciation of
their pleasant heritage, and a deeper respect for the brave
men and women who faced the deprivations of pioneer life
to win that liberty of thought and conscience which they
now enjoy.
Lancaster, January i, 1894.

CONTENTS

SETTLEMENT AND INCORPORATION, 1643-1732.
I. The Nashaway Pioneers.
The Fur-traders of the Nashaway Valley — The Lancaster
and Groton Plantations and their Connecting Highway —
The Still River Farm of Major Simon WiUard — Jonas
Prescott's Grist-mill — Nonacoicus  n-ig
II. The Nashaway Indians.
The Sagamores — Racial Antipathies — The Tribe on the
War Path — Monoco's Raid — Quanapohit's Info»mation
— Lancaster and Groton Destroyed — Extermination of
the Nashaway Tribe  20-27
III. The Still River and Bare Hill Settlements.
The First Settlers upon Harvard Soil — John Willard the
Witch — King William's War — Garrisons of 1704 — Old
Garrison Houses — Garrisons of 1711 — The Early High
ways — Tax List of 1723 — Schools and Schoolmasters —
Lovewell's War  27-50
IV. The Contest for Autonomy.
The Meeting-house Enlarged — Worcester County Created
— Secession Planned — Petitions to the General Court,
and Answers of Lancaster, Groton and Stow — The Plans
and Names of the Petitioners — Act of Incorporation.. . . 51-60
II.
THE NEW TOWNSHIP AND ITS HOMES. 1732.
I. Topography and Natural History.
Geographical Position and Description — Geology — Bare
Hill vs. Bear Hill — The Oak Hill Silver Mine — Flora
and Fauna  6i-7S

vi CONTENTS.
II. The People and their Homes.
Industrial Life — Domestic Architecture — The Early Homes
of Harvard — Household Furniture — At the Meeting
house — Agriculture — Character of the People  76-110
III.
ANNALS OF THE TOWN. 1732-1792.
The First Town-meetings — A New County Proposed —
Secession Scheme of Shabikin — Drought, Earthquake
and Dysentery — The Ashburnham Emigration — Boxbo-
rough Founded — The State Constitution — The Town's
Poor — The Pock Hospital — The Town Common — Col
onel Henry Bromfield and Eliphalet Pearson, LL. D. —
The Waterford Emigration — Shays' Insurrection — Rev
erend Joseph Penniman — Bridges — The Union Turn
pike — The War of 1812 — Muster and May Training —
Nicknames — The Harvard Temperance Society — Canal
and Railway — The Morus Multicaulis Speculation —
Augustus Granville Hill — Fires and Fire Extinguishers
— -Town Halls — Miscellaneous  111-177
IV.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
I. The First Church under John Seccomb.
Locating and Building the Meeting-house — The Ordination
Festivities — The Church Covenant — The First Records
— John Seccomb and his Home — The Pews — The Har
vard Revival — Reseating the Meeting-house — Mr. Sec-
comb's Last Days  178-195
II. The First Church.
Joseph Wheeler's Pastorate — His Character and Career —
The Meeting-house Reseated — Daniel Johnson's Pastor
ate — Building a New Meeting-house — The Congregation
.according to Dignity — The Meeting-house as it was —
Ebenezer Grosvenor's Pastorate — William Emerson's
Pastorate — Anecdotes of his Time — Stephen Bemis's
Pastorate — Harvard's First Bell — Warren Fay's Pastor
ate — Division of the Society  195-221
III. The Baptist Church of Still River.
Organization — Dr. Isaiah Parker's Pastorate — The First
Meeting-house — Elder George Robinson's Pastorate —
Abisha Sampson — Church Annals  221-231

CONTENTS. vii
IV. The Unitarian Society  331-237
V. The Evangelical Congregational Society  238-246
VI. The Universalist Society  247-250
VIL The Methodist Episcopal Society  250-252
V.
THREE FRATERNITIES.
I. Shadrach Ireland.
Early Schismatics — The Square House — Death and Burial
of an Immortal  253-257
II. The Shakers.
Mother Ann Lee and the Elders in Harvard, 1781-1783 —
Mob Law — Early Extravagancies — The Harvard Com
munity and its Elders  257-275
III. Fruitlands." Transcendental Wild Oats "in 1843 — Family Regulations
— The Ascetics and their Vagaries — The Abandonment
of the Phalanstery  275-284
VI.
MILITARY ANNALS.
I. King George's War. 1745-1763.
The Siege of Louisbourg — Colonel Samuel Willard's Regi
ment — D'Anville's Armada — Indian Raids  285-287
II. The French and Indian War.
The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle — The Crown Point Expedi
tion of 1755 — The Acadian Campaign and the French
Neutrals — The Second Crown Point Expedition — Loss
of Fort Wilham Henry — The Conquest of Canada  287-301
VII.
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 1763-1783.
I. Town-meeting and County Convention.
Signs of the Times — Town-meeting Declaration of Rights
— Correspondence with the Boston Committee — The
Covenant — Action of County Conventions — Reorganiza
tion of the Militia — Bounty upon Home-made Cloth  302-316

viii CONTENTS.
II. The Lexington Alarm.
Muster-rolls of the Harvard Minute Men and Mihtia  316-319
III. The Siege of Boston.
Colonel Asa Whitcomb's Regiment — Bunker Hill — Town-
meeting Action Relating to the War  319-33°
IV. Short Service Enlistments.
Colonel Josiah Whitney's Regiment — Captain Manasseh
Sawyer's Company — Captain David Nurse's Company in
the Jerseys — Rhode Island Campaigns — Bennington
Alarm and Miscellaneous Service — The Hard Winter
and the Dark Day  330-339
V. The Continental Soldiers, etc.
Harvard's Quota — Debasement of the Currency — List of
Three-years Men — Elias Willard — Colonel Josiah Whit
ney — The Tories — British Officers on Parole in harvard
— The Pensioners  339-350
VIII.
THE SLAVEHOLDERS' REBELLION.
In Town Meeting — The Memorial Monument and Tablets
— Descriptive Roster — Summary  •. .351-365
IX.
EDUCATION.
I. The Schools of Harvard.
The Town Divided into Quarters — The Grammar School
and its First Teachers — The Districts of 1790 — The
Shakers' Petition — The Prudential Committee — The
School-houses Rebuilt — Attempts to Found a High
School— The District System Abandoned — Statistics —
List of School Committee — Still River Academy — The
Bromfield School  366-383
II. Harvard Libraries and Lyceums.
The Social Library Association — The Common School
Libraries — The Free Public Library and its Benefactors
— List of Library Committee — Lyceums and Lectures —
The Henry L. Warner Fund  384-396

CONTENTS. ix
X.
SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND INDUSTRIAL STATISTICS.
The Census of 1765 — The Valuation of 1771 — Industrial
Conditions at the Revolutionary Period — Slavery in
Harvard — The Census of 1885 — Postal Facilities — The
Representatives and Delegates, etc. — Justices — Town
Officers — Attorneys and Counselors — Physicians —
Graduates of College and Professional Schools — The
Innholders — The Store-keepers — Political Statistics —
The Slate-stone Quarries — Aqueduct — Mill, Forge and
Machine Shop  397-461
XI.
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF HARVARD.
Local Authorship — Father Abbey's Will — List of Harvard
Authors and their Works — The Harvard Printing Press
— The Harvard Almanac — Maps of Harvard — Har-
vardiana  462-476
XII.
VITAL STATISTICS. -
The Burial Grounds — Epitaphs prior to A. D. 1800 — Mar
riages, Deaths and Births prior to 1800  477-576
INDEX.
I. Subjects and Places. II. Persons  577-605

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE.
Portrait of Warren Hapgood  Frontispiece
Caleb Sawyer House  34
Map of Harvard  ,60
Bare Hill Pond from the South  65
Henry Willard Garrison House  82
Shadrach Hapgood House  93
Public Library Building and Soldiers' Monument  355
Bromfield School  379
Wetherbee Tavern  436

V " „ '.' „?,!..'.'¦ !ii'..iii.!.

I II II II II IPC

HISTORY of
HARVARD, MASSACHUSETTS.

L
SETTLEMENT AND INCORPORATION.
1643-17^2.

I. THE NASHAWAY PIONEERS.
THE historic beginning of the New England town usually
antedates by many years its legislative creation. That
of Harvard may be said to have preceded the act of incor
poration by more than three-fourths of a century. With the
character, the purposes, the deeds and the trials of the
founders our story properly opens.
Eight or ten years before the middle of the seventeenth
century some adventurous white men from the English set
tlements on the river Charles began to traverse the upper
Nashaway valley, in eager pursuit of the profits of trade
with the Indians who at that time were encamped between
the Washacum lakes, or in nomadic bands pitched their rude
summer wigwams on the shores of the ponds which lie scat
tered between the Wataquadock and Wachusett ranges of
hills. These traders, chief among whom were Thomas King,
George and John Adams of Watertown, Henry Symonds and
John Cowdall of Boston, soon made known to their kin in
the bay towns the great attractions of this favored region—

12 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
the domain of the hospitable Sagamore Sholan, who was
then ruler over the remnant of a once powerful tribe known
as the Nashaways. They brought back, with their cheaply
bought packages of otter and beaver peltry, glowing accounts
of the fertility of the gently sloping hillsides ; of the abun
dance of trout, salmon and shad in the clear streams ; of the
grapes, plums, many sorts of berries, and groves of nut trees
everywhere common ; of the deer, turkeys, water-fowl and
other game that frequented the park-like woodlands, the
dense thickets of the swamps, or the countless water-courses
and ponds hidden in the forest ; of the kindly disposition
towards Englishmen shown by the gentle-mannered sachem
and his simple-hearted people. But what stirred their land-
greedy hearers to restlessness more than all else that they
told, was their description of the broad and almost treeless
intervales, stretching for miles along the rivers, and clad in
late summer with a rank growth of flowering herbs and
grasses breast-high to the tallest man; offering rare advan
tages to the pioneer husbandman and his herds. "A desira
ble place as any in the country," Sergeant Phillips said of it
at Cambridge, when questioned about it after a visit thither
in 1650. It was not long after that two groups of sturdy immigrants,
gathered from Dorchester, Charlestown, Boston and Water-
town, began settlements in the valley, having bought the
Indian title to the land, and obtained town grants and politi
cal rights from Colonial authority.
The two little meeting-houses, the central points around
which these communities were clustered in obedience to leg
islative injunction and Puritan custom were about twelve
miles apart as the crow flies, and an interval of a little more
than two hundred rods separated the southern boundary of
the one township from the parallel northern boundary of the
other, as they were finally determined by the surveyors.
Soon the friendly intercourse between the two hamlets had
trodden a winding bridle-path through the meadows along
the east bank of the Penecook, as the main Nashua river was
then called. Doubtless this at first was but the hunter's track,
naturally clinging where possible to the water courses. It

THE INTERVALE PATH.

13

very probably followed the old Indian trail which led from
Washacum, the headquarters of the Nashaways, by the
"wading place" near the meeting of the waters that form
the Penecook or Nashua, to Wamesit, the chief town of the
Pawtuckets, on the Merrimack.
After the house-lots were assigned — twenty acres of up
land to each family — and twenty acres of intervale adapted
for tillage were set apart to each householder, the lands
most sought for were the grass-bearing meadows and other
tracts fit for the plough and spade. A fair division of these
by lot was one of the first acts of the assembled townsmen.
This and later divisions were proportionate to the estates
which the settlers brought with them. The hunter's or In
dian trail soon became, with slight changes at some points,
a cattle path — the herdsman's way to the common pasturage
grounds. It led by the great fenced fields of grain — perhaps
sometimes through them, for we read of swinging gates hung
and maintained at certain places where the planting fields
were fenced off from the commons. Along this way was
harvested much of the fodder that kept the herds alive dur
ing thelong winter.
This common thoroughfare in 1658 was formally laid out
as a public highway between Groton and Lancaster, and is
thus described by the recording clerk : —
Way to the plumtrees &" groten . . One way: from that entervaile
way downe along all the entervailes to the Still riuer and towards grot-
ten on the east side of the riuer two rods wide.
This road served the pioneers passably well, but the towns
prospered and the increased travel and gradual substitution
of carts for pack-horses demanded better ways. The inter
vale path with its sticky sloughs, its risky fords, and its
rickety bridges, was constantly calling for costly repairs, and
periodically it sank out of sight in the bosom of a broad,
shallow lake, when the annual freshets poured their fertiliz
ing floods over the bottom lands. Finally, in 1673, it was in
part given up for a road laid out upon higher ground by a
joint committee from the two towns. Where the hills crowd
the Nashua, near the point at which it is pined by Still

14 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
River, the new highway turned away from the meadows and
gradually climbed to the height then known by its Indian
name, Makamachekamuck's Hill, north of Bare Hill Pond.
The committee's report of their location, which has come
down to us in Groton's records, though it affords no very
legible description of the modern situation, belongs to Har
vard history : —
Wedensday 4 of June 1673. fforasmuch as the countrey hye way as
it was formerly layd out by Lankaster and groaten vpon seuerall yeares
triall, proued to be very insufficient and very difucult to be made passa
ble in regard it was for the most part lyeing in the Intervailes wheirin
their are seuerall soft places and litle brookes vpon which bridges and
other mater for making the same passable is apt to be raised and torne
vp by floods and vpon experiance of the same La-ncaster made aplica
tion to groaten for Remouing of the said way to Run more vpon the
vpland which was Readily atended and John Prescott seni=and Roger
.Sumner for Lancaster and sergent Parker and corperall Knop for groaten
wer chuse committe by both to townes to lay out the said hye way as
aforsaid which was atended the day aforsaid as followeth (viz) first within
the bounds of groaten they toke their begining at their meeting house to
the mille of Jonas Prescott by Matthias ffarnworths his house six Rods
wide turning of out of the common mill way near twenty Rod aboue the
mille and then it Runs 4 Rode wid through the land of the aforsaid Jonas
Prescott acording as it is described by trees marked by the men afore
said and from the said Jonas Prescotts land to penicooke Riuer in Lan
caster through swan swamp 6 Rod wide as it is already marked out by
the comitte aforsaid and from the way aforsaid butting upon Penicook
near to the night pasture wading place, they tak the way as it is left in
width through the intervayle and ouer nashaway bridge and soe to the
meeting house and as it is to be vnderstood that the way within lancaster
bounds Runes neare the mideway betweene the brook medow and plum-
trees medowes ouer a hill called Mahaneknits hill and soe along on the
vpland to the pond path as it Runes near to the Still Riuer medow and
Josiah Whits medow vntill it come to the Swan Swamp path as aforsaid
and to the confirmation hereof the comitte aforesaid haue here vnto put
their hands the day and year aboue said John Prescott
Roger Sumner
James Parker
James Knop
It is noteworthy that, although this highway for nearly
three-fourths of a mile passed through territory belonging
neither to Lancaster nor to Groton, no mention of this fact

STOWS LEG.

15

appears in the committee's report, and it may have been un
known to them. Three years before — May 31, 1670 — upon
the report of a committee appointed the previous autumn,
all lands unappropriated and enclosed between the towns of
Lancaster, Groton, Concord, Sudbury, Marlborough and the
Indian plantation of Nashoba, were granted by the Court to
George and John Hayward, Joseph Wheeler, Shadrach Hap
good and others, who had petitioned therefor. This exten
sive territory, described by the committee as "the greatest
part of it very meane land," was incorporated as a township
May 16, 1683, ^rid thereafter dropped its sonorous native
name, Pomposetticut, for the very curt one. Stow. It in
cluded, projecting westward, a strip of land about two-thirds
of a mile wide, which extended the whole length of Groton's
boundary from Littleton to Lunenburg, over seven miles.
This long, narrow tract soon became known as Stow's Leg.
May 18, 1730, Lancaster elected Jabez Fairbank and Joseph
Wilder, Esq., a committee " to go to the General Sessions of
the Peace to get a Country Road through Stow [Leg], and
to get the Country Road in s^ Lancaster both to Stow and
Groton Recorded as they are now laid out in s* Lancaster."
Along this highway — which in the main is the one in use
today — where it lay within Lancaster's bounds, the proprie
tors had before 1673 apportioned among themselves all the
choicest upland adapted for tillage. Upon it was located
Major Simon Willard's "Still River Farm," which with its
outlands measured over five hundred acres. The major, in
1659, coming from Concord, bought of John Tinker, the
licensed trader with the Indians for the region about Groton
and Lancaster, all his proprietary rights in the latter town
ship, amounting to five hundred pounds estate — by far the
largest in either plantation. Under these rights his second
division allotments were laid out for him in the vicinity of
Still River and Bare Hill. This location was doubtless his
own selection. Perhaps there glowed in the heart of the old
Kentish soldier a love for the grandeur and beauty of Nature
which moved him to secure command of a site with so glori
ous a landscape outspread before it, wherein elm-embowered
valleys are encircled by a rolling expanse of hills rising with

l6 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
graceful curves to violet-hued mountains which melt into
cloudland. But more probably the motive of his choice was
agricultural rather than esthetic. The chief portion of this
Harvard estate was thus described by the surveyor: —
* * * * first he hath a peice of upland Laid out to him Sumtimes
Called by the name of Still Riuer farm bounded Southwest by the enter
uail & South or Southeast by sum second diuision Land of Ralph Hough
ton & easterly it buts partly upon sum meadow of Goodman Wilder and
the most part upon Common upland and westerly it buts upon the high
way to the plumtrees enteruail and northerly it is bounded by sum second
deuision Land laid out to Wilham Lewis and part by sum other Land
Laid out to the estate aforementioned and this peice of Land is Laid out
for one hundred ninty six acres be it more or Less highways to Groten to
pond meadows & brook meadow allowed for in meashur :
100 acres 2 deuision More thare is another peice of upland Laid out
to the estate aforesaid known by the name of winter plain which buts
northerly upon Common Land Sum part pine Land & partly oak Land
& Southerly it buts upo Sum other Land Laid out upon the same acount
and easterly it is bounded by hills of Rockey Land which is Common
and westerly it is bounded by Common pine Land sum part of it and sum
part oake Land Lying betwen the s° Land & plumtree meadows and is
Laid out for one hundred acres be it more or Less : —
Three other lots were laid out adjoining or near these, and
one of a hundred acres lay " upon the side of Bare hill."
Though Major Willard never lived upon these lands, one of
his sons first built upon them, his grandsons peopled the
region about them, and his descendants at the present day
hold many of the originally allotted acres. In some sense
he may be styled the founder of Harvard.
Near this roadway to Groton, upon Nonacoicus Brook and
within Groton's bounds, John Prescott had built a grist-mill
and placed his youngest son, Jonas, in charge of it. There
is no reason to suppose that any of the householders in either
township had at that date taken up their residence on their
outlying "second division" lands. The Prescott Mill was
the first building of any importance erected within the terri
tory now belonging to Harvard. Its site is today known as
the Old Mill, and the water privilege has been utilized until
quite recently.
John Prescott, in 1654, built the first grist-mill, and, in
1659, the first saw-mill, in Lancaster; and he had managed

PRESCOTT'S MILL.

17

them with great success. The Groton husbandmen were
resolved to secure a mill within their own bounds, but none
of their number were found competent, or plucky enough, to
undertake the enterprise of building one, and attempts to
bargain with others ending in disappointment, they naturally
sought Prescott's aid. A committee chosen at a town-meet
ing in August, 1667, was authorized to make a contract with
him, which resulted in the following agreement and the
prompt erection of the mill : —
This Indenture made the twenty ninth day of Sep'. In the yeare of
our Lord, one thousand six hundred sixty & seaven. Between John Pres
cott Sen', of Lanchaster in the Couil of Midlesex in the Mattachusets
Colony in New England Blake smith on the one party, and James Parker,
James Knop, John Page, and EUiz Barnes, agents & ffeoffees in trust in
the behalfe of the Inhabitants of Grotton in the above named County on
the other party, Witnesseth that the above named John Prescott Sen'.
hath covenanted, granted & Comissoned, and by these presents for him
the said John Prescott, his heyres, executors, and administrators, doth
fully, clearly, & absolutely, coven', grant, and condition to and with the
said James Parker, James Knop, John Page, and Elliz Barnes to Build
and errect in sum meet place, within the bounds of the abovenamed
Towne of Grotton, a good and sufficient corne mill or mills, and the same
to finish so as may be fitting to grind the corne of the said Towne, by the
29"". of Septemb'. next, next ensuing the date hereof or within foureteen
dayes after, and from time to time and at all times after the errection or
building thereof to keep and maineteyne the said towne mill in good &
sufficient repayre, and therewith to grind the corne all and cure part
thereof that shall from time to time be thither brought by the Inhabitants
of the said Towne, for such a reasonable allowance and towle as the law
of the Country doth pmitt, and at such seasonable times, as shall be or
derly agreed upon for the mutuall accomodation of both partyes (inevit
able causaltyes by fire, water, or other sudden exegences always excepted)
in wch case or cases the sa'' John Prescott Sen', his heyres, executors,
adihstrators, & assignes of the said mill shall from time to time and at
all times make reparation of any such breach or breaches as may so
happen, without any unnecessary delay or neglect.
In consideration whereof the above named James Parker, James
Knop, John Page, & Elliz Barnes, by the appoyntm', and in the behalfe
of the Inhabitants of the abovesaid Towne of Grotton, and by the Power
to them betrusted and given, do give and grant unto the said John Pres
cott his heyres and assignes five hundred acres of Lands within the
limitts of the abovesaid Grotton Towne, to be layed out in any place or
places as may best accomodate the said mill, and also twenty acres of
meadow land in any place not yet in propriety at the choyce of the said

l8 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
John Prescott, also free liberty to vse and improve any streame, or
streames of water within the said Towne, and to raise the same to such
height as may be for the best good of the said mill or mills, provided he
destroy not any mans property already layd out. Also towards the
building of the said mill, or mills; two dayes worke of a man for every
house lott or family within the limitts of the said Towne, and at such
time or times to be done and performed, as the said John Prescott shall
see meete to call for the same, upon reasonable notice given, also free-
dome and release from all taxes and rates that the said mill and accomo
dations of lands above granted may at any time be lyable vnto for the
vse of the said Towne, for the terme of Twenty years next ensueing the
time of the first grinding of the said mill, and finally that no other person
or persons whatsoever shall be allowed or pmitted to build any other
corne mill within the said Towne, unless he will do it for his owne private
vse only and on his owne propriety. To haue and to hold the above
granted lands and premisses, and evry p' and parcell thereof vnto him
the said John Prescott Sen', his heyres and assignes forever to his and
their only propper vse & behooffe. And to the true performance hereof
both partyes do mutually bynd themselves their executors & administra
tors each to other firmly by these psents.
In Witnes whereof the abovenamed partyes haue interchangeably
put their hands and Scales the day and yeare first above written.
In line ye 25 the word (one) was defaced, before this Covenant was
signed as these witnesses can testifie. John Prescott, his marke 0^= a Seale
Signed & dehv"* James Parker
In presence off James Knop
Samuel Willard John Page
William Lakin Elliz Barron
This Covenant was owned by the partyes Concerned herein the 1='. of
the 5"'. mo. 1668. Before mee Simon Willard, Assist/.
Entred and Recorded Decemb. 30"'. 1669.
By Thomas Danforth, Recordr.
[Middlesex Registry of Deeds, III., 399, 400.]
The Nonacoicus Mill, with its monopolies and generous
land endowment, was a wedding present from the father to
his son. In John Prescott's will, signed in April, 1673, is the
statement: — "And in reference to his third son Jonas Prescott
it is hereby declared that he hath Received a full child's por
tion at nonecoicus in a Corne mille and Lands and other
goods." In tradition the story of the old mill is bright with
a gleam of romance which the lapse of two centuries has
not dimmed. Jonas was a stalwart youth, good to look upon.

NONACOICUS FARM. ig
efficient at his father's forge and mills, successful in every
manly sport, a favorite withal; but his education had been
only that of labor and life upon the frontier. When he won
the heart of the Sudbury belle, Mary Loker, her ambitious
parents flouted at his suit, and bestowed their favoring smiles
upon a rival aspirant for Mary's hand — one who boasted the
culture of the schools and asserted high social claims. Their
daughter being earnest in her own choice, and proving con
tumacious, was kept under close surveillance; but love's
messages, as usual, laughed at threats, bolts and bars. Then
the vexed parents secretly sent the damsel to an out-of-the-
way place, in the hope that long separation might chill the
affection which had grown only more ardent under their
opposition. Fortune favored the lovers, for accident gave
Jonas a clue which soon led him to the farm-house where his
sweetheart was hidden. Whether with or without the bless
ing of her father and mother is not known, but Mary and
Jonas were married at Lancaster, November 14, 1672, and
perhaps took up their residence at or near the Nonacoicus
mill. Less than two miles from the mill they had a neighbor in
Major Simon Willard, the chief military officer of Middlesex
County; and, if the vote by which he was year after year
elected Assistant may testify, the most popular magistrate
in the colony. He had built a mansion at his Nonacoicus
farm, and, probably in 1672, moved thither from Lancaster,
where he had spent nearly thirteen years, the most eventful
of his busy life. A five hundred acre grant at this locality,
laid out for him in 1657 as payment of a debt due him from
a Pawtucket sagamore, was described to be "betweene Lan
caster and Groton," and perhaps it was thought it might not
fall within the bounds of either. Groton's grant was two'
years the earlier, but the township lines were not defined by
survey until 1668; then the major's five hundred acres were
known to be wholly within them. The site of his residence
cannot be identified with certainty, but on an ancient plan
of the Nonacoicus Farm was located hear the boundary line
between Harvard and Ayer, north of Robbins Pond. His
house must have been of very ample proportions to suit the

20 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
convenience of his large and growing family, to fill the needs
of his natural and enforced hospitality as a magistrate, and
to furnish suitable accommodations as a garrison and military
headquarters of the county. Jonas Prescott had other and
possibly much nearer neighbors upon the Lancaster road to
the north — Farnsworth and Stone families — but they cannot
now be accurately located.
II. THE NASHAWAYS.
No word is found in the proprietors' books or other docu
ments to indicate that any of the aborigines had homes upon
Harvard soil subsequent to the first crossing of the Wata
quadock Range by the white men, and it is rare indeed to
find a stone weapon or utensil telling of their former pres
ence here. In an early assignment of land at the northern
end of Bare Hill mention is once made, however, of an old
"Indian Planting Field," and "Wigwam Meadow" in the
same neighborhood is a suggestive title. The tribal head
quarters was at Washacum. For twenty years the white and
red men in apparent harmony jointly occupied the Nashaway
Valley. The Indians' title to the lands which had passed
into the Englishmen's possession had been honestly bought
and honestly paid for. Although the price now seems ridic
ulously small, the grantees were well content with their
bargain. They parted with that they had no need for, reserv
ing such rights as they valued; for the deed of sale expressly
forbade "molesting the Indians in their hunting, fishing or
usual planting places." The colonial grant gave the planters
their only legal title to the township, with the same reserva
tions for joint occupancy in favor of Sholan and his people.
' Until association with white men had created in them
artificial wants, we find only record of friendliness and gra
cious ofifices in the intercourse between the Nashaways and
the pioneers. When Sholan first extended the hospitality of
his wigwam to John Eliot, and listened with awe to his teach
ings, the sons of the forest were few, but they far outnum
bered their white neighbors, and the two races were helpful
to each other in many ways. Upon Sholan's death, in 1654,
the choice of a successor fell upon one who bore the apos-

THE NASHAWAYS. 21
folic name, Matthew, and with the name had high repute for
his christian virtues and liking for Englishmen and English
ways. There were rival candidates for the rank of sagamore
of a much ruder, though perhaps more heroic type of
humanity; and one of these, Shoshanim alias Sam, came
into authority at the death of Matthew, elected by the voices
of the younger warriors, who were growing more and more
jealous of the rising power of the whites. These copper-
hued politicians no doubt shrewdly raised as a party shibbo
leth the cry of "Nashaway for the Nashaways," and the
prudent counsels of the old men who remembered the les
sons of the Pequot War were wasted upon deaf ears. None
of the writings of the time tell us that the relations between
the tribe and the planters were ever seriously strained before
the savage blow fell; but incidents point to causes which
were sufficient to awaken the savage instincts that had been
slumbering. While Eliot and a few like him were unselfishly
devoting their lives to the intellectual and spiritual instruc
tion of the heathen, land-grabbers and traders, in their sordid
greed, were teaching them all the vices of civilization. Now
and then a trader was convicted of breaking the colonial
laws, which strictly forbade the selling of strong drink, guns
and ammunition, to the Indians. Occasionally a degraded
rum-peddler was publicly whipped or set in the stocks, but
more often it was his victim, a red man crazed with rum, that
fell into the hands of the constable. The illicit trade went
on until many of the braves were as well armed as the Eng
lishmen, and most of them had acquired a craving for intox
icants which they indulged without thought of restraint
whenever a chance came. The contact of the two races
then, as always, resulted in a degradation of standard in
each — a mutual demoralization. The colonists rapidly grew
in numbers, encroached year by year upon the reserved
rights of the tribe, and began openly to show the dislike and
contempt they naturally felt for the dirty shiftless, and often
besotted communists. It was a part of the Indian's religion
never' to forget or forgive an injury or an insult. Out of
drunken brawls, rivalry in the hunt, and chance quarrels
between young men, there grew bad blood. When the town

22 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
constable, with his brass-tipped, black staff of office and
armed posse, arrested and dragged away a warrior to answer
for some alleged violation of the colonial statutes, no doubt
the culprit and his friends indignantly denied the court's
jurisdiction, pleaded their inalienable birth-right to personal
liberty, and asserted their allegiance to be due to none save
their own elective sachem.
But perhaps what most contributed to the growth of dis
trust, and prepared the way for that shedding of blood which
alone will satisfy racial antipathy, was the cool neutrality
shown by the colonial authorities in the perennial warfare
between the Massachusetts Indians and the Mohegans and
Mohawks. When, in 1663-4, the Mohawks devastated the
Indian villages on the Connecticut and carried death and
dismay to the inland clans even as far east as Wachusett, the
white men offered little aid in repelling the blood-thirsty
invaders. It was not until Major Willard reported to the
governorthat several of their Indian allies had been slain,
that he was authorized to furnish the friendly sachems with
a small quantity of powder and shot. Again when, in 1669,
the Massachusetts tribes combined in sending an expedition
to wreak vengeance upon their traditional foe, the English
men stood aloof, obviously indifferent to the result. This
was hardly the kind of neighborliness which Sholan and his
people had shown to Eliot and Prescott. When the immi
grants were few and feeble, reciprocity was less one-sided,
and it cannot be thought strange if the proud savage Sho
shanim and his hot-headed young braves resented this selfish
colonial policy — especially after their final disastrous en
counter with the fell warriors of the west — or that they lent
favoring attention to the wily plans proposed by Philip of
Pokanoket. The final, fierce struggle of the combined New England
tribes to recover their birthright began in June, 1675, ^nd will
ever be known in story as King Philip's War; not because
the far-sighted sachem of the Wampanoags led the clans in
actual conflict, for it is doubtful if he ever did; but because
his shrewd policy and artful eloquence effected a league
which made the contest a desperate one for existe«ce be-

KING PHILIP'S WAR. 23
tween the two races. This cunning intriguer, upon whose
shoulders the mantle of Massasoit had fallen, was, next to
Satan, the chief bugaboo in every Puritan council and house
hold — his reputation won neither by prowess in the fight
nor by any marked respect paid to his haughty claims by the
savage allies. In the sanguinary forays upon Lancaster and
Groton, at least, Philip had no part, as all contemporary rec
ords go to show. Our local historians, who have quite uni
formly asserted his presence with fifteen hundred warriors at
the sack of Lancaster, all follow without question the state
ment of Reverend Timothy Harrington, made in his
" Century Sermon," seventy-five years after the event, upon
evidence that must be set down as gossip only; since no hint
of it is elsewhere found, and sundry trustworthy documents of
much earlier date, contradict it. Philip was then a fugitive
from his own land with less than fifty armed men owning
allegiance to him. Mrs. Rowlandson, after nearly a month's
captivity, saw him for the first time on the west bank of the
Connecticut River. He had passed the winter near Albany,
whither he went in the hope of winning the cooperation of
the Mohawk.s, and to procure powder of the Dutch.
The Nashaway sachem, Shoshanim, and probably Monoco,
with all their people, secretly left their wigwams at Washa
cum and Wachusett early in July, 1675, and joined their
friends the Quabaugs near Brookfield. There Ephraim Cur
tis, the Sudbury scout, saw Shoshanim about the middle of
July, and there on the first of August the Nashaway warriors
distinguished themselves in the victory over Captain Thomas
Wheeler and the destruction of Brookfield. On August 4,
Major Simon Willard, by order of the council, set out from
Lancaster with Captain James Parker and a mounted com
pany consisting of forty-six troopers and five Indian scouts,
in order to prevent the Nashaways or Wachusetts from join
ing the hostile confederacy — being ignorant of the fact that
they were already leading spirits in it. When not far upon
his march, a messenger riding post haste from Marlborough
overtook him with the news that some travellers had just
returned to that place, frightened back from their journey to
Connecticut by the sight of burning buildings and the noise

24

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

of musketry at Brookfield. The major at once made a hur
ried march for that town, and, narrowly escaping an ambus
cade, arrived in time to rescue the beleaguered garrison.
Other troops soon came from the bay towns, and the savages,
jubilant with their first success and its spoils, retired to safe
hiding-places in the wilderness northward. Monoco, the
Nashaway chief, saw in the absence of the military com
mandant and so many soldiers from the frontier towns about
Groton an opportunity for plunder, and set out thither with
a picked company upon a marauding expedition. Notice
was brought to the major that this band had been seen
prowling about Chelmsford, and on August 15 he dispatched
Captain Samuel Mosely with his command of sixty volunteer
troopers to search for it. The one-eyed warrior easily out
witted the dashing dragoon, got into his rear, and on Sunday,
August 22, in the afternoon, stole into the outskirts of the
Lancaster settlement, burnt a house and murdered seven
persons. Early in September Major Willard returned to his home
at Nonacoicus, but not to rest. Although past three-score
and ten years of age, he was constantly in the saddle, direct
ing the garrisoning and other military affairs of the country,
and attending to his many duties as magistrate. Winter came
on apace and with unusual severity — so much so as to render
raids by the Indians almost impossible, and prevent all mili
tary movements in force by the white men. It was a gloomy
season throughout New England. Incompetence and vacil
lation prevailed in high places. The stupor of despair set
tled upon the hearts of the frontiersmen. On the last day of
December two heroic Christian Indians, James Wiser alias
Quanapohit, the Nashaway, and Job Kattenanit of Magun
cook, were persuaded by Major Daniel Gookin, commander-
in-chief of the Massachusetts military forces, to go to the
enemy's camps and ascertain their location, the number of
fighting men, and the intentions of the chiefs. In about
three weeks' time Quanapohit returned from his perilous
mission, bringing full and accurate information. He warned
the authorities that a large force would, in about twenty days,
assail Lancaster, first destroying the only bridge by which

BURNING OF LANCASTER. 25
assistance could reach the place. His story was deemed so
important at the time that two reports of it were written,
one of which is preserved in the Massachusetts, the other in
the Connecticut archives; but the lethargic government
apparently made not the slightest preparation to meet the
danger. The second spy, Job, brought to his employer, late
at night on the ninth of February, confirmation of Quanapo
hit's statements, announcing that four hundred warriors were
already bearing down upon Lancaster and would make an
attack upon it the next morning. This thoroughly awakened
Gookin and the Council from their sloth, but too late to avert
misfortune. During the following day most of the humble
homes in the Nashaway valley sank one by one into heaps
of ashes, and over fifty persons were ruthlessly slaughtered
or carried into captivity. Muttaump, the Quabaug saga
more, was nominally the commander of the savage horde,
but Shoshanim and Monoco evidently planned and were
most prominent in this despoiling and massacre of their old
neighbors. One month later a large part of Groton was burnt by
Monoco. The Nonacoicus mansion of Major Simon Willard
was the first destroyed. He had removed his family to
Charlestown a short time before, for his public duties made
it impossible for him to attend to the defence of his own
home. In these days of trouble and sorrow, the most dis
heartening of all his toilsome life, when there seemed scarce
a gleam of hope that the exultant savages might not extend
the realm of their desolating victories much farther towards
the sea, he was struck down by a prevailing influenza of an
unusually malignant type, dying in the midst of his family
at the age of seventy-one years. About his last work had
been for his neighbors of the two frontier towns that claimed
him as their foremost citizen — the impressment of carts,
which he sent with a guard of mounted men to bring the
survivors of the massacre and the little remnants of house
hold gear which had been saved from the flames, to some
place of safety. Thus went out, not prematurely, yet in its
full vigor, the life of a useful, brave, hard-working. God
fearing man, of whom his contemporaries, in an exacting

26 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
age, record no guile, and whom his neighbors trusted as they
trusted no other.
By some chance the mill of Jonas Prescott seems to have
escaped destruction in Monoco's raids, for in Groton records
under date of June 15, 1680, mention is made of Prescott's
lands "that lye wheir the mill now standeth." The next
year Jonas Prescott set up a mill upon Stony Brook, in what
is now Chelmsford; no doubt removing thither such portions
of the Nonacoicus mill as could be utilized; and thereafter
"the old mill place," in records designates the historic site,
and has given name to the district. When the mill lands,
four hundred and forty acres, were transferred by Prescott
in 1710 to Jonathan Farnsworth, there is no mention of any
buildings thereon.
Before the end of March, 1676, both of the Nashaway
settlements had been abandoned to the wolves and savages,
their surviving inhabitants finding such shelter as they could
in the older towns. Mrs, Rowlandson, upon her return from
captivity. May 2, found but a single dwelling standing in
Lancaster — probably a farm-house upon the Wataquadock
hills, for John Moore's house was there; but the narrative
gives no details.
Disaster and massacre followed each other in quick suc
cession. Company after company of the Puritan soldiers
marched blindly into ambuscades cunningly set for them.
Village after village suffered from torch and tomahawk.
Medfield, Chelmsford, Northampton, Hatfield, Marlborough,
Weymouth, Rehoboth, Sudbury, Scituate, Bridgewater, each
in turn experienced the horrors of savage warfare. The
English captains, rashly brave, always made the mistake of
despising their crafty enemy, and were very slow to gain
prudence even from bitter experience. Though the foe were
five to their one, they rushed their little platoons along the
forest paths and into strange defiles without flankers, entirely
trustful that Providence would not permit the heathen to
prevail against His — self-elected — saints. Their superiors
were so deliberate in their plans, and showed so little energy
in carrying them out, that the Indian chiefs, in conversation
with Mrs. Rowlandson, scoffed at their sluggishness. The

RESETTLEMENT.

27

Christian Indians had proved themselves brave and trust
worthy, and were invaluable scouts; but they were nearly all
driven by abuse into the hostile camps, or imprisoned. The
• generalship of the Nashaway and Quabaug sachems was the
only generalship shown in the contest. Monoco at Groton,
March 13, not unreasonably proud pf his prowess, boasted
his intention to burn Boston. The threat was not altogether
presumptuous, since that town had been, and remained, in a
chronic state of apprehension, and more than once the alarm
was sounded in her streets when rumors came that the sav
ages were but a few miles away. But, luckily, soon after
jealousies ripened into dissension among the clans. Philip
never had won real leadership. Canonchet, chief of the
Narragansetts, was accidentally captured and slain. The
tribal league, withoiat an acknowledged head, fell in pieces,
and the tribes were one by one exterminated. Sagamore
Sam, Monoco and Muttaump expiated their atrocities upon
the gallows in Boston, September 26, 1676.
III. THE STILL RIVER AND BARE HILL
SETTLEMENTS.
When the Lancaster survivors of the massacre, after four
years' exile, began to build upon the cinders of their old
homes, a few, noting the greater safety of the highlands east
of the river against surprise by the savage enemy, abandoned
their home lots upon George Hill and the Neck for new sites
upon their "second division" lands along the sunnier side of
the Wataquadock range. On its numerous natural watch
towers from four to six hundred feet above tide water, they
had a clear view of the country to the west and north, their
far-away horizon outlined by the shapely domes of New
Hampshire mountains. They could see every homestead
west of the Nashua and detect, fifteen miles or more distant,
the movements of a hunting party or the lurking-place of a
band of marauding Indians, by the thin, bluish columns of
smoke rising from their camp-fires. Such an outlook pver the
broad and varied landscape dominated by Wachusett, a little
group of families enjoyed, whose hearthstones were set upon
3

28 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
the hills east of the Still River meadows. In the listing of
the Lancaster garrisons in March, 1692, Henry Willard,
Joshua Atherton, John Priest and John Warner, with their
families, and two soldiers (Jetailed to their aid, formed the*
eighth Lancaster garrison, with their fortified rendezvous at
the Still River farm of. Major Simon Willard.
Henry Willard was the fourth son of the major, born at
Concord, Mass., June 4, 1655. He had lived at the Nona
coicus Farm, his father giving him one-fourth of that estate
upon his marriage with Mary Lakin, July 18, 1674. He was
a resident of Groton in 1684-5, but probably removed to Still
River two years later. In a rate list of 1688, including the
names of those whose estates were charged with the building of
the minister's house given to Reverend John Whiting, Henry
Willard appears, as also do his younger brothers, Benjamin
and Jonathan, John Priest, John Warner, John Bush, John
Willard and Joshua Atherton. Henry Willard married for
his second wife Dorcas Cutler, in 1689. He died in 1701, his
will being proved August 8 of that year. He left an exten
sive landed estate, and nine sons to perpetuate the family
name, all of whom married, and most of them spent their
lives in Lancaster and Harvard.
Joshua Atherton was the second son of James Atherton,
one of the earliest proprietors of the Nashaway Plantation.
He was born in Lancaster May 13, 1656, and died at Still
River in 1721. " His first homestead of over one hundred
acres was upon the west side of the highway in Still River
extending to the Nashua, and his first residence probably
occupied the site of the home of his descendants, Oliver and
Galen Atherton. Joshua was a tanner by trade, and came
here from Milton about 1687.
John Warner and John Priest were immigrants from Wo
burn. They were church members, young men, and evidently
were deemed a desirable acquisition; for as an inducement to
their coming hither the Lancaster proprietors voted to each
of them a special grant of thirty acres on the easterly side
of Bare Hill. At their coming the two families seem to
have lived together, or at least very near each other, for the
sixty acre grant was made to them jointly, and the record

HARVARD PIONEERS. 29
specifies one part of it as " Laid out for 36 acres, be it more
or Less, on which they have built." John Priest died in 1704,
and John Warner in 1722.
Adjoining the Warner and Priest grant thirty acres were
given by the proprietors to Nathaniel Wales, upon condition
of his settlement thereon. He failed to appear, and the con
cession was transferred to James Frost, probably of Billerica,
who, with wife Hannah, became a resident of Lancaster,
though it is not certain that he built upon this thirty acre
grant at East Bare Hill. Frost sold his rights to Thomas
Sawyer in 1708.
John Bush, probably of Sudbury, also had a thirty acre
grant from the proprietors, and a gift of a lot from Major
Simon Willard, " neer Mahamachecamack's Hills  and
plum tree meadow." He built upon his lands, but died in
September, 1688, leaving a widow Hannah and children Sarah
and John. Shortly after coming of age, John, in 1710, sold
the lands to Benjamin Bellows and Samuel Willard.
Another recipient of a thirty-acre gift of land adjoining
the Willard farm, and therefore undoubtedly a proposed, if
not an actual resident, for a brief time, upon Harvard terri
tory, was John Willard. What relationship he bore to Henry
Willard, the commandant of the garrison, has not been dis
covered, though kinship seems probable from the location of
his acres and his known residence at Groton. His story is
given place here because it connects the first planters of
Harvard with the mad persecution for witchcraft in 1692, at
Salem village. John Willard, according to the historian,
Charles W. Upham, was a thrifty farmer with a wife and
three children. He had some land interests at Salem — per
haps received with his wife, there being good reason to sup
pose that she belonged to a Salem family — and he was there
resident when the hideous delusions began which ended in
so many judicial murders. Nathaniel Hawthorne, perhaps
without historical proof, speaks of him as a shrewd, active
and honest man, who had a "little place of trade, where he
bartered English goods for Indian corn and all kinds of
country produce." Willard was one of those who fell into
the merciless clutches of the witch hunters. Robert Calef,

30 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
in his " More Wonders of the Invisible World," tells us that
Willard had been employed by the authorities to arrest sev
eral persons accused of practicing witchcraft, but after a time
being ordered to bring up for trial some whom he respected
too much to believe guilty of wrong practices, he refused the
ungracious office; "and presently after he himself was accused
of the same crime, and that with such vehemency, that they
sent after him to apprehend him; he had made his Escape as
far as Nashaway, about 40 Miles from Salem; yet 'tis said
those Accusers did then presently tell the exact time, saying
now Willard is taken." John Putnam, the Salem constable
who made the arrest, delivered him to the court May 18, 1692.
He was tried, convicted upon some of the most contradictory
and absurd testimony recorded during the trials for witch
craft, and suffered on the gallows August 19, 1692 — the date
of that wholesale hanging, in the historic picture of which
two characters stand forth in distinctive prominence: Rever
end George Burroughs calmly repeating the Lord's Prayer,
standing in the dignity of conscious innocence under the
instrument of ignominious death, and Cotton Mather, on
horseback, youthful in years but old in priestcraft and self-
assertion, busily haranguing the mob with Jesuitical argu
ments, and skilfully exciting superstitious fears, in order to
smother the merciful inclinations of the people towards the
victims. Within Groton's bounds in 1692, the garrison nearest the
site of Jonas Prescott's grist-mill on the Lancaster road, had
assigned to it ten men of military age in eight families, the
heads of which were: John Farnsworth, Matthias Farns
worth, Benjamin Farnsworth, Samuel Farnsworth, Richard
Farnsworth, Simon Stone, John Stone, Nicholas Hutchins.
It is not probable that any of these had their homes upon
Harvard soil, although Caleb Butler in his History of Groton
says that they "lived in the south part of Groton, * * * and
that part of Harvard called Old Mill." Jonas Prescott had
fixed his residence in the central part of Groton. There was
a small garrison at the Nonacoicus Farm, which had come
into the hands of Hezekiah Usher.
Of the Nashaways, not a family now remained any where

INDIAN RAIDS.

31

within the limits of the old tribal hunting grounds. The
warriors who rashly entered upon the war-path in that last
desperate struggle for savage liberty had mostly perished
miserably, by bullet, disease, famine or the hangman's rope;
and their squaws and children were shipped to the Bermu
das, to be sold as slaves on the sugar plantations. A few
Christian converts of the tribe dwelt at Natick and Nashoba,
or led the nomadic lives congenial to their race. Here and
there a boy or girl lived, a bond-servant in some farm house.
The very few who had deserted their sachems in time to
avoid capture with them, or for other reasons had escaped
the Englishmen's judicial vengeance, found refuge with the
Pennacooks in New Hampshire, or were absorbed into one of
the New York clans. These survivors did not forget the
beautiful valley residence of their fathers, nor cease to desire
revenge upon those who had driven them from their heritage.
The leaders of the savage marauders from Canada, whose
atrocities stain the history of the period known as King
William's War, 1688-1698, never lacked guides intimately
familiar with all the approaches to, and weak points of de
fence in, each frontier town; and Indian spies and scouting
parties were constantly skulking about the settlements to
pick up information or waylay the unwary.
In Sir William Phips' unsuccessful expedition against
Quebec in 1690, Benjamin Willard and Joseph Atherton
served, the former as lieutenant. They were both of Still
River. Captain Francis Nicholson, in August, 1688, going
through Groton and Lancaster, found the inhabitants "very
much afraid;'' and the following summer in an address to the
Council they describe themselves as "being under some fears
of being surprised by y' Indians." In 1692 and in 1695 bold
bands of savages committed murders in Lancaster and es
caped unscathed. But the bloody incursion of September
II, 1^97 — when nineteen persons were slain, among them
Reverend John Whiting, the beloved minister of the town —
emphasized the lesson of previous raids in regard to the
weakness of the garrisons upon the west side of the river for
defence against surprise from their stealthy and elusive foes.
For many years thereafter the growth of the settlement was

32 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
chiefly along the highways to the eastward, and abandoned
farms first began to trouble the tithe collectors. The official
assignment of the people ot Lancaster to their several mili
tary posts, dated April 20, 1704, shows that besides the old
garrison at the Still River Farm another had been established
east of Bare Hill. Of the former were : Simon Willard,
Benjamin Bellows, John Willard, Henry Willard, Joshua Ath
erton, James Houghton and two men, Joseph Hutchins, Jos
eph Waters, Hezekiah Willard, and James Smith — twelve
men of military age in ten households. At the Bare Hill
garrison were: John Priest, Senior, and a man, John Priest,
Junior, John Warner and two men, Caleb Sawyer and a man,
James Atherton, Senior, and James Atherton, Junior — ten
men of military age in six families.
Simon Willard, commandant of the older garrison, was
the second son of Henry Willard, born at Nonacoicus Octo
ber 8, 1678. He was licensed as an innholder in 1705, being
the earliest upon Harvard soil, and died in 1706. His chil
dren sold his estate to their uncle, Samuel Willard.
Henry Willard was the oldest brother of Simon, born at
Nonacoicus, April 11, 1675. His home was in the northerly
part of the Still River settlement. John Willard was the
third son of Henry Willard, Senior, born at Groton, Septem
ber 3, 1682. By his wife, Anne Hill, he had one son, John,
born in 171 5, who was accidentally drowned while riding a
horse across the river; he was twenty-four years of age, and
the fatal accident was but a few days before the date ap
pointed for his wedding. Hezekiah Willard was the fourth
son of Henry, and lived on the slope of the hill east of the
Plumtree meadows.
Benjamin Bellows was from Marlborough, the son of John,
born in 1677. He married in 1703 or 1704, Dorcas (Cutler),
the widow of the first Henry Willard. A locality upon the
intervale to this day bears the name Bellows' Hole, and prob
ably perpetuates his name, as Bellows' Falls, New Hampshire,
does that of his son, Benjamin, who was born at Still River,
May 26, 1712. Reverend Henry W. Bellows, D. D., in a his
torical sketch of his ancestor, Colonel Benjamin Bellows,
relates a tradition that Benjamin Bellows, the first of that

HARVARD PIONEERS.

33

name, was "adopted by one Benjamin Moore of Lancaster,
and inherited his fortune which was for the time considera
ble," and that this inheritance was lost in a protracted law
suit with an English army officer. This story is not sustained
by the records. John Moore of Lancaster deeded lands to
Bellows in 1698, " in Consideration of a Considerable Quan
tity of Fence made" for him; and April 13, 1700, deeded
him the rest of his Lancaster real estate for the consideration
of a life support for himself and wife. The peculiar terms
of the agreement have interest for the information they give
of habits and prices at the beginning of the eighteenth cen
tury, and an extract from it follows. Bellows promises to
pay:— Yearly and every year the Certain Sum of eight pounds unto him the
said John Moore and Judith his wife and also to either of the longest
Livers of ye said John and Judith Moore in Specie as followeth : In pro
vision, in Wheate not less than two bushels at five shillings per bushell,
in Rye rot less than six bushells at four shillings pr Bushell, twenty shil
lings in Butter and Cheese, Cheese at four pence pr pound, ten shillings
worth, and ten shillings in Butter at six pence pr pound, or so much in
money for want of Butter, one Barrell of Cyder at six shillings price and
ye sd. Moore to find the Barrell. Also fifty shillings in good and mer
chantable Porke and Beef an equall proportion at three pence pr pound,
and the rest remaining to Compleate y* afore mentioned Specie and pay
ments to be eight pounds, is to be in Indian Corne at three shillings pr
Bushell; all these sorts of graine and other provisions to be good and
merchantable, and to be paid yearly.
The delivery was to be at Concord where Moore went to
reside, but he reserved a right to half his house, garden and
orchard, in case he should desire to return to Lancaster. He
died in 1703, at Lancaster, and Bellows sold the lands in 1706,
residing at Still River from that time until 1728 or 1729,
when he removed to Lunenburg. He was a licensed inn
holder in 1705 and 171 1, was constantly dealing in real estate,
often figuring in lawsuits, and at times seems to have been in
financial straits. He died in 1743, at Lunenburg.
Caleb Sawyer was a grandson of John Prescott, the foun
der of Lancaster, being the fifth son of Thomas Sawyer, one
of the first proprietors of that township, and Mary Prescott.
Thomas was the son of John Sawyer of Lincolnshire, Eng-

34

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

land. Caleb was born at Lancaster, April 20, 1659, and mar
ried Sarah, the daughter of Ralph Houghton, December 28,
1687. He received a special grant of thirty acres from the
Lancaster proprietors, as well as lands from his father, laid
out upon the east side of Bare Hill, and probably built upon
his lot shortly after the massacre of 1697. Near his home
was the " Rendezvous Tree," often mentioned in old records
of lands and highways, tantalizing us with suggestions of a
romance, no detail of which has been preserved by history
or tradition. He outlived all the Harvard pioneers, dying
February 13, 1755.
The Athertons sold their homestead upon Lancaster Neck
in 1702, and built a new dwelling at the south end of Bare
Hill. James and Hannah Atherton were among the earliest
comers to the Nashaway Plantation, being from Dorchester.
It is supposed that he was a younger brother of Major
Humphrey Atherton. His oldest son, James, was born 1654,
3 mo. 13 day, and married Abigail Hudson, June 6, 1684.
The father gave his Lancaster home to James, Jr., in 1686,
and died at the age of eighty-four years in Sherborn, while
living with his daughter, Deborah Bullard, his will being
dated January 3, 1707-8. The Harvard Pioneers were James,
Jr., and his son, born February 27, 1684-5.
The birth of Joseph Waters is the earliest recorded in Lan
caster, dating April 29, 1647. He had a wife Elizabeth, and
a son Joseph, born April 2, 1682, who is the one named as
belonging to the Still River garrison. He sold his Harvard
lands to Isaac Hunt, a blacksmith from Cambridge, whose
wife was Mary, daughter of Henry Willard. Waters removed
to Groton, where he died in 1720. Hunt died in Sudbury,
A. D. 1724, leaving the Still River estate to his son Ebenezer,
who never came to reside upon it, and house and land after
a time fell into possession of Joshua Atherton.
James Houghton was the son of Ralph, the first clerk of
Lancaster. He was born about 1650, just before the comincr
of the family to the Nashaway Plantation. He removed
from the Neck to Still River after the massacre of 1697, with
his brother-in-law, Caleb Sawyer, and built upon lands given
him by his father. He had eight children. The second son

CALEB SAWYER HOUSE.

HARVARD PIONEERS. 35
Ralph, was a soldier in the Acadian Expedition of 1710, and
died in the service. His brothers and sisters became the
progenitors of many Harvard families.
Joseph Hutchins married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas
Wilder. He came from Bradford, and bought of Benjamin
Willard, in 1700, certain lands which had fallen to him in the
division of Major Willard's estate.
James Smith bought a portion of Benjamin Willard's land,
but he died in 1700, leaving a widow Hannah and eight chil
dren, the oldest being the James mentioned as one of the
Willard garrison. The family does not again appear in Har
vard history, their estate being soon transferred to Simon
Willard. John Priest the elder dying in 1704, John Priest, Jr., and
the widow Rachel came into possession of the Bare Hill
estate, the other children being minors. John ultimatel)
built a new home, more than a mile from the first Priest and
Warner garrison, on the northern slope of Bare Hill. His
mother died in 1737, and his only son in 1738, when he sold
his homestead to John Forbush, and removed to Bolton,
where he died in 1756.
In John Warner's garrison the "two men" were his oldest
sons, Samuel and John. A younger son, Ebenezer, in due
time had a family, and inherited the original Warner home
stead, but survived his father only a year, dying in 1723, leav
ing a widow and four young children. The farms of the
three brothers adjoined each other.
The French and Indians under Chevalier Beaucour, in
their determined but unsuccessful assault upon Lancaster, on
Monday, July 31, 1704, did not cross the Nashua, and no share
of the heavy losses of that anxious day fell upon the inmates
of the eastern garrisons. In fact it is doubtful if, after the
universal devastation of 1676, any considerable body of hos-
tiles ever entered the territory of either Bolton or Harvard.
There may have been one exception. On Wednesday, Octo
ber 25, 1704, John Davis of Groton was killed by a party of
Indians, supposed to be nearly thirty in number, and the
murderers were seen near Still River and pursued by the
Lancaster and Groton men, but escaped. No inmate of the

36 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
eastern garrisons was slain, wounded or captured during the
war; but the yeomanry who defended them were not exempt
from days of dread and nights sleepless with care; from un-
remunerative toil and soul-killing anxiety. Their chosen
spokesman, Thomas Wilder, in a petition dated November
15, 1704, says of them: —
 most of ye Inhabitants on y' side have had but little or no help
or protection in their Garrisons, but have been necessitated to watch and
ward a third part of their time at least, besides Rangein^ the woods often
when Rumours and Allarms have hapened, so that near halfe our time is
spent in actuall service and when we are about our own worke we cannot
Keep to it but lose a great part of what we Labour for, being forced to
get our bread with y" peril of our Lives which hang in Doubt continually
& but little peace day or night. * * *
The meeting-house of Lancaster having been burned by
the enemy, a contest arose in 1705 about the location of a
new one. The votes in town-meeting proved that the house
holders living east of the Nashua outnumbered those on the
west. They were nearly two to one, but it was only after two
years of wrangling and sundry petitions to the Great and
General Court, that the majority secured the building of the
house on their own side of the river; and then it was placed
as near the bridge as a proper site could be found safely ele
vated above the flood plains. Thenceforward the families
about Bare Hill each Sabbath journeyed four miles, instead
of five as heretofore, to listen to the pointed exhortations of
Reverend John Prentice, the youthful new minister; and as
there was always an afternoon as well as a morning service,
the first day of the week could hardly be called a day of rest,
unless the tithing men were negligent in their duty.
The Puritan under all circumstances took life in saddest
earnest, treating himself as a sojourner in hell's suburbs; but
the pious fathers and mothers of the Nashaway valley, at
this period more than ever, needed the consolation of their
Puritan belief that the more complete their discomfort in
this world the more ecstatic would be their joys in the world
to come. Small bands of savages were constantly prowling
about the settlement, and every year they surprised one or
more victims in Lancaster and Groton, usually some lone

SCOUTING PARTIES.

37

traveller, or a farmer at work in his outlying field. To every
man, sleeping or waking, on the road, at his work, even at
church, his musket became an ^inseparable companion. The
whole people were greatly impoverished through wasted
labor, inability to properly plant and till their crops, and the
expense of sustaining the garrisons. The hooting of an owl,
the howling of a wolf indistinctly heard, every unusual sound
sent pallor to the cheeks and a shudder of fear to the hearts
of wives and mothers, lest it might be the dread war-whoop
of the savage demons from Canada, or the last cry of despair
from the absent husband, son or father; and murky forms
with fiendish faces made terrible the dreams even of chil
dren. Every man of military age able for service took his
turn with the scouting parties that were frequently sent out
to discover signs of the enemy's presence near the towns,
under direction of Captain Thomas Wilder, military com
mandant of Lancaster.
A company of soldiers drafted for the service, under
command of Captain William Tyng of Chelmsford, was dis
tributed among the garrisons and billeted upon the inhabi
tants. That officer and some of his men lost their lives in-
encounters with the savages. The bills for the burial ex
penses of some of these soldiers are found in the state
archives [volume Lxxi, 128, etc.], and well illustrate certain
customs of the period, and especially the funeral feast. In
a well-to-do family the refreshments expected by those who
came to pay their tribute of respect to the dead often doubled
the expense and trouble of the sad occasion. The burial of
private John Carter, of Lancaster, was probably not excep
tional in ceremony: —
An acompt of funeral Charges &^c : of John Carter a Soulaier under
ye Comand of Capt. Willm- Tyng who deceased March y 26 1704/j.
Imprimis To two Jurneys to Concord for y^ Doctor 0= 7=0
To one Jurney to Boston for things for said Carter in his
sickness.- o=ii=q
To nursing one week.  0=10=0
To 4 Gallonds Wine- - - 0=15=9
Yz a barrill Syder. - - 0= 4=0
To Suggef fruit & Spice  0= 5=6

38 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
To 6 paier of Gloves. \^for the bearers^ 0^= 9=0
To y° Coffen and Grave- ^ 0= 8=0

3£= 108=311
An official review of the frontier garrisons in November,
171 1, gives us a more detailed account than usual, though it
unfortunately omits the names of the heads of families.
The garrisons of Bare Hill and Still River had then increased
to four: —

Hezekiah Willard's

- 3 families

- 4 men -

- I soldier -

- 8 souls

Mrs Houghton's

4

5 "

I

25 "

Mr Priest's

6

7 "

0 "

25 "

Caleb Sawyer's

2 "

3 "

I

11 "

15 " 19 " 3 " 69 "
This was the census in 171 1 of the Lancaster portion of
what is now Harvard. There had been in the seven years
between 1704 and 171 1 but slight increase in the number o-f
families and men of military age. "Mrs Houghton" was
Mary the widow of James, he having died that year.
- The garrison houses of the time were not distinctively
different from other dwellings. They were built of wood —
sometimes perhaps of logs or squared timber, but much
oftener framed — the spaces usually left vacant between the
outside sheathing and the inside plastering or wainscot being
filled in solidly with brick, flat stones or oak plank, so as to
render the walls everywhere bullet-proof. The windows
were protected with plank shutters in which were loop-holes
for muskets. The flankers projecting from diagonally oppo
site corners of the building, often mentioned as belonging to
the more noted of the earliest garrisons, seem to have been
generally omitted at a later period; either because awkward
adjuncts to a dwelling, or because, after the savages were
provided with fire-arms, they were unsafe stations for the
defenders. The building and its offices had to be commodi
ous, for therein in times of alarm were crowded, by night
and by day, all the families of a neighborhood with their
provisions, clothing, and such of their more precious mova
bles as could easily be brought with them. Very commonly

EARLY HIGHWAYS.

39

a tall stockade of half-hewn logs encircled it, the entrance
to which was by narrow portals guarded with strongly hung
gates and a watch tower.
Some of the earliest garrisoned houses of Harvard can be
readily located, though in those that have survived the wreck
ing forces of time and accident, nearly all tokens of antiquity
are covered from sight by modern alterations and repairs.
A few of these will be particularly noticed in later pages.
For more than a century all town highways determined
upon had to be approved by the proprietors of the original
grant and their legal successors, at their stated meetings —
which were always town-meetings — and located by commit
tees specially chosen for the purpose in each case. An
allowance of four rods in width was reserved through allot
ments lying where a roadway was sure to be called for in the
near future; and when a way was granted through lands
where no such reservation had been made, the owner was
awarded generous compensation for damages, paid in land
where most convenient to him in the undivided commons.
Under such methods it was somewhat easy for an influential
proprietor to bend the highway out of the direct course in
order to favor convenient rectangles for his hay and corn
fields, or to afford a better site for his buildings; and local
changes in the established road were often made to suit pri
vate advantage. This may account for some of the short
crooks and abrupt turns so common in our older thorough
fares. Flagrant encroachments upon the highway were con
stantly complained of, and town action was taken in regard
to them long before Harvard won its autonomy. Though
town after town was severed from the original eighty square
miles granted the Nashaway company, the proprietors re
tained their possession of these highways until troublesome
questions often arose because of the divided jurisdiction and
ownership. Finally, February 7, 1791, it was voted by the
proprietary to —
* * * Relinquish to the several towns in the bounds of Old Lancaster,
all their Right to the Rodes in the Respective Towns and that each Town
have a Right to dispose of and alter said Rodes within their limits, not
to injure the Publick.

40 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
In 1715 Lancaster was "under presentment for want of a
Grammar School," which is proof that its families then num
bered one hundred at least; the law of 1647 requiring every
town possessing one hundred householders to establish a
grammar school, the master of which should be competent
to fit youth for entrance to Harvard University. After 171 5
the more frequent proprietary action respecting roadways
denotes a rapid increase in population. The records of roads
laid out during the next ten years in the neighborhood of
Bare Hill possess historic interest, but the meagreness of
the descriptions and the frequent subse.quent alterations,
deprive them of much value for comparison with the loca
tions of today. The earlier ways were for the husbandmen'4
convenient access to the great meadows, or Ifed from village
to village; when the meeting-house was built most of the
highways converged to that as a central point.
April y« 8 1717 * * *
2 Samuell Warner put in a proposision to y^ Town Requesting them
to Grant a Hiway to Pin hill medow: the Town thereupon made Choyce
of Jonas Houghton Sr David Whetcomb & Jacob Houghton to be a com-
mity to vew y^ same & make report to y° Town at there next Meeting.
April y" 22th 1717 * * *
4. Y^ Town Voted that no Land be laid out from Pin hill Medow to
barehill Roode with out an alowance in it for a hiway of foure Rods wide
Lancaster February the 3 1717/18 att the Stated Meeting for propriatie,
* * *
4 the town in answer to the propozition of Samuell Carter then made
Choyce of John Houghton Esq John Wilder Sr & Jabaz ffairbank to be a
Committy to stake the hieway through plumtrees entervail as neer where
it was first Layed out as they can, by the best Enformation they can Gitt
Lancaster February the ist 1719/20 att a meeting, of the proprie-
ters first made Choyce of Jabaz ffairbank for a Moderator and then in
the first place Granted a hiway to brook medow & the medows ajasant in
answer to the propozition of Joshua Atherton & Joseph Hutchins towit to
pinhill and to a medow of aaron Willard and a medow called pollopod
and down the west side of brook medow till it com to the Land of John
Willard also then made Choyce of Capt Wilder Josiah White and Joseph
Wilder to be a Committy to Lay it out thre Rods in wedth and make Re
port to the propriete
* * * * ,}c
3 They Receved and Exsepted the Return ot a Hiway att y« barehill
Medows of a Committy to witt John Wilder Jonas Houghton & Jacob

EARLY HIGHWAYS.

41

Houghton which was as followeth Lancaster May the 15"' 1719 we John
Wilder Jonas Houghton & Jacob Houghton being chosen a Committy to
Lay out y" waies from y" Randevo tree to the Medows down that Brook
as also up the Brook to John Sawyers and from thence to y" medows att
y"* North East Corner of the Town as it is now staked out and marked.
Wee have accordingly don y= same: and for what Land we haue taken
from John Sawyer att his Hous place for y" benifit of sd Hiway we haue
alowed to him two acres of Land on the west side y" Brook below his
house provided he Leve Room for a Conveniant Hiway between said
Land and the Hill on the west side of the same. Jonas Houghton
Jacob Houghton
The following report records the laying out anew of the
Lancaster and Groton highway, from Stow Leg southerly
through the Still River farms. Although it was the thor
oughfare between the two towns, it was but a bridle-way
made passable for carts, and its generous breadth of five
rods was given to afford ample room for a choice of paths,
as well as to reserve material for improvement and repairs:
They Exsepted the Returnes of Severall Hiwaies of the Committys
appointed to vew and Lay them out to wit of the Contery Rode to Groton
brought in by Cpt Wilder Josiah White and Joseph Wilder as followeth
February y' 9 1721/22 Then prossed on sd Service first began at y"
north line of Lancaster Township and marked a small white oke tree, and
from thence to a white oke neer y" Corner of Seth Walkers Land from
thence to a stump by the side of sd Walkers fence from thence to y^
Corner of Walkers northermost Lott from thence to y"^ Corner of Samuell
Rogerses Land & so along upon y" hed of that Lott to y' Corner of y"
Land of Henry Willard to a Chestnut tree from thence to a Red oke
neer y^ brow of y" hill and so to a Walnut in the Riseing of y= Hill and
from thence to a black oke at y"^ bottom of Said Hill from thence to a
Rock a gainst Henry Willards barn and so bareing y" breth of five Rods
to y= Eastward of all y= afore sd marks and so bareing the same wedth
through betwixt y* Walls of losiah Willard as marked out and so along
upon y^ heds of the Lots of Hezakiah an Joseph Willard baring y^ bredth
of five Rods to y" est from there fences as they now stand till itt Coms
to y" Corner of Joseph Willards Lott from thence made an angle Runing
to a small White oke bush standing in Joseph Willards hedge from thence
to a white oke tree from that to a heep of Stons upon Hezakiah Willards
Land makeing an angle Runing a Cross the Lott of Jonathan Willard
from a heep of Stons to a small black oke from thence to y° Corner of
Cpt Willards wall sd way Lying five Rods wide to the East ward or Sow
est of all y^-aforesd marks & so through betwix y" wall of Capt Samuel
Willard and John Willard bareing y^ same wedth to y^ South East Cor
ner of Capt Willard wall & then with a straight line to a small white oke

42 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
marked at a Rock where y° former Committy Left marking the way Ly
ing to the Sow east of sdline and also marked a Rode from sd Rode
down the north side of Jonathan Willard lott to y* hed of y° lott of Joseph
atherton of three Rods Wide sd Return was Exsepted by a vote Exsept-
ing at Capting Willards at his Request it was alowed to go down ner his
hous he promasing to Leve the hiway there Wider by Considerable then
five Rods Joseph Wilder Clerk
The highway next described starts from the Lancaster
and Groton road near E. Warren Houghton's, and in a devi
ous way runs to the Boston road in the northeast corner of
Bolton, and most of the distance in that town: —
3 a hiway petistioned for by Capt Willard a Report there of was
made by Hooker Osgood Ebenezer Wilder and Jonathan Houghton who
informed the propriety that they judged the sd way Should goo by David
Whetcombs & so in to the bay Rode & that it should leve Groaton
Rode at y" South side of Joseph Hutchinses lott and to Run along by y'
sd Hutchinses lott till it Came over y" brook at Round medow Joseph
Hutchins allso appeered and offered y"= Propriety to Give so much Land
as would be nesesary for y^ Hiway in that place according to y' Report
of y" Committy; but at y= Re[quest] of Thomas Houghton the way was
Granted by his door & was to Lye South of his hous so far as that y"
north side of y' way should be thre Rods from his door and said way was
Exsepted and Confermed to be three Rods Wide exsept where it pases
through y" Land of Jacob & Henry Houghton and there to be but two
Rods Said Committy Reports that they began to marke at y« Land of
Thomas Houghton and ran through it by his hous sixty seven Rods & a
half and through Ephriam Houghtons Land sixty four Rods & through
Edward Houghtons Land loo Rods and through James athertons Land
fourty six Rods and through Jacob Houghtons Land fourty five Rods and
throu the Land of Jacob Houghton & Benjamin Athertons Land ninty
eight Rods and then it Ran upon Common Land till it Croses the Rode
that pases to barehill February y» 25 we began at barehill Rode and
went through y= Land of Jacob Houghton Seventy Rods and through y"
Land of Henry Houghton by his hous eighty two Rods and then we Ran
in Common till we Come to the Land of Hezakiah Whitcombes in his
Land we Ran on hundred and twelve Rods through the Land of David
Whitcombes twenty Eight Rods and then we ran in Common Land and
in Land of David Whitcomb & y" Hairs of John Whitcomb Decesed in
which there was alowance made for a hiway in y' Laying out of said
Land: and then we Ran through a small Corner of y' Land of Nathanil
HapGood in to y^ Bay Rode, then we began at the Bay Rode neer Joseph
Sawyers and marked a hiway a Cross to y* afore sd Rode and it Coms in
to y" aboue said Rode abought eighteen rods from David Whitcombs
barn and y'' said David whetcomb is satisfied for y'= Damage it doth to

EARLY HIGHWAYS.

43

him if he may haue the old Rode which was formerly Layd out behind
his feeld all which was Confermed by a vote, sd Report was Signed
Hooker Osgood Ebenezer Wilder Jonathan Houghton
Entered upon Record by Joseph Wilder Clk
Lancaster February the ¦^ 1723/4 the propriety meet: * * *
Lastly they Granted y' Request of Jonas Houghton in Remoual of a
Hiway which Goeth to barehill Medows where it Runeth through the
Land that was Danil Hutsons that it might Run along upon the South
Edge of it by the Land of Joseph Fairbank
Lancaster May y^ 20 1724 * * *
4 they Receved a Report of a Committy sent out on the propozition
of John Warner John Darbey and Jonathan Whitney which was as fol
loweth viz May the Eighteenth 1724 we the Subscribers marked Severall
Waies viz one Hiway Begining at the Hiway neer to Caleb Sawyers barn
and Ran as the markes directs to a white oak a Corner of John Warners
Land: and do alow it to Run Twenty Rods along side of John Warners
Land: but Samuell Warner appeered in said Meeting and made an offer
that if the Town would Lay out the said Hiway along by his Hous and
Gabriell Preists Hous through there Land that they to wit Gabriell Preist
and Samuell Warner would Give the Land free and would be at half the
Charge of Makeing and Keeping in Repare the way through there Land
the Committey also Gave there voice that it might be as servesable to
the publick
another Hiway is marked out begining neer to the westerly end of
Caleb Sawyers Feeld at the Hiway and Runeth as the mark trees direct
upon to barehill and along by Land that was Laid out to [ Josiahj White
and it Runs along by the Southerly end of the Land that \l^<rf torn'] Danil
Priest by the northerly side of a Corner Mark at the westerly end of a
piece of Land of Nathanil HapGood and then it Runs by said Land the
whol Lenth of it then it Runs eigty four Rods through Land of Samuell
Warners to Jonathan Whitneys and Jonathan Crouches Land and ten
Rods by said Crouches Land and we think said Warner ought to be
alowed three acres in Lew of one or according to that proportion
We also mesored the Hiway in John Darbes Land and find it to Run
in his Land on hundred and fifty Rods and we think he ought to be
alowed thre acres for one Jacob Houghton Jonas Houghton Com
mittey this retum was exsepted the hiwayes alowed and y^ alowances
Granted by the propriety
The collection of the tax levy was one of the duties of
the constables in colonial days, the selectmen, or assessors
when there were any chosen, furnishing them with a list of
the tax-payers and their assessments. As every male sixteen
years of age or over was chargeable with a poll-tax of one
4

44

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

shilling and eight pence, the lists included many minors.
From the scant fragments of records pertaining to Lancas
ter's town-meeting action in the early years of the eighteenth
century, it seems that it was the custom to choose three
constables each year: one for duty on the west side of the
Nashua; one whose district embraced all householders along
the highways that led towards Marlborough; and a third who
was responsible for those along the roads to Groton and
Stow. Two of the constables' lists for the year 1723 have
by chance been preserved, and one of them is that of Sam
uel Warner, who lived at Bare Hill. This may serve as a
census of polls for that year in the Lancastrian portion of
Harvard, though allowance must be made for a few who lived
upon what is now Bolton soil. The list contains sixty names,
with a total assessment of 27;^ 11^ 9* for minister's rates, and
24£ 6* 10'^ for town rates; which was almost exactly one-third
the total amount of the town's taxation in 1723. The names
are given below in their original order, as this may furnish
some clue to the neighborhood of families. The Bolton
names are in italics: —

Samuel Willard
Hezekiah Willard
Josiah Willard
Joseph Atherton
John Warner
Jonathan Willard
Mary Atherton
John Atherton
Jacob Houghton
Caleb Sawyer
Jacob Houghton, Jr.
Elias Sawyer, Jr.
Jonas Houghton, Jr.
James Houghton
Josiah Houghton
Jonas Houghton
Hezekiah Whetcomb
Henry Houghton
Benjamin Atherton
Daniel Houghton

Joseph Hutchins
Thomas Houghton
Benjamin Bellows
John Houghton
Jeremiah Wilson
Samuel Wilson
James Atherton
[Jonathan] Whitney
John Whitney
Isaiah Whitney
Jonathan Crouch
Samuel Warner
Gabriel Priest
Joseph Priest
Jonathan Sawyer
Joseph Fairbank
Benjamin Atherton, Sr.
John Nichols
David Whitcomb
Jonathan Whitcomb

Nathanul Hapgood
Josiah Whitcom.b
John Wilder
Josiah Wilder
Jonas Wilder
Shatuck Brooks
Seth Walker
Samuel Rogers
Samuel Rogers, Jr.
Henry Willard
Abraham Willard
Henry Willard
James Willard
Edward Houghton
Ephraim Houghton
John Willard
Joseph Willard
John Priest
Samuel Chamberlain
John Sawyer

Of these sixty rate payers, forty-five bore the familiar

HARVARD PIONEEPS. 45
names of the earliest settlers in the valley. They were lin
eal descendants, of the second and third generations, from
Major Simon Willard, John and Ralph Houghton, Thomas
Sawyer, Thomas Wilder, James Atherton, John Whitcomb
and Jonas Fairbank, with the sons of John Warner and John
Priest. The ten Willards were the eight surviving sons and
two grandsons of the elder Henry Willard; and his widow
and daughter Sarah are represented in the list by their
husbands, Benjamin Bellows and Samuel Rogers, Sen. Of
those bearing family names new to the soil, Samuel Rogers
had bought of John Goss, November 25, 1717, one hundred
and sixty-five acres of land with a house and barn, on the
west side of the Lancaster and Groton road, extending to
the Plumtree intervales. His house was probably near the
present home of Abel Willard. Goss removed to Lancaster
and built a mill in what is now Clinton. Seth Walker had
recently come from Billerica, having bought lands near Rog
ers' of the Carters, along the Lancaster north line, in 1719.
He sold these to John Daby in 1732, removing to. Groton,
and later to Westminster. John Nichols married Mary
Priest, March 20, 1721, and lived near his brother-in-law, east
of Bare Hill. Samuel Chamberlain was a recent acquisition
from Chelmsford. He married Rebecca Whitcomb, January
2, 1723, and soon disappears from Harvard. Jonathan
Crouch was of a Charlestown family, but probably came
from Stow to Harvard, and acquired land of John Priest as
early as 1721, on Bare Hill. The Whitneys were recently
from Stow, but all descendants of John and Ellinor, who came
from England to Watertown in 1635. Isaiah, the smith,
bought land of Caleb Sawyer east of Bare Hill, in 1722.
John bought a farm of John Priest, and Elijah of James
Atherton; Richard and Jonas were of Stow Leg. In 1720,
John Wetherbee and his son John made their home near the
summit of Oak Hill, and Robert Foskett built near them in
1725. Their farms were near the Lancaster north line, and
Thomas Wheeler of Stow Leg was a near neighbor.
In 171 1 Lancaster answered to a presentment for not hav
ing the regular reading and writing school which the law
enjoined upon towns of fifty families, to support, stating that

46 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
John Houghton — then town-clerk — had been frequently
employed as writing-master and teacher, and was at the time
engaged in the work. The selectmen added : —
* * * but under our present Dangerous Circumstances it is very Haz
ardous sending our children to schoole living so scattering, yet we are
willing to do herein what Possibly is to be done, not onely to answer y'
Law but for our own benifitt and therefore humbly pray there may be no
farther Proceedings upon said Presentment
In yet earlier days, when the pioneers all dwelt within
sight of the meeting-house, or at least within hearing of the
drum that summoned them to Sabbath exercises, the minis
ter served also as school-master, and the bible and catechism
long continued to be the chief, if not the only school-books.
The first proprietors were far from illiterate. Scarce one but
wrote his name legibly, and many of their signatures are full
of character and indicate considerable skill with the quill.
In this respect they must have been superior to the average
of the people in the English counties from which they came.
Their wives may not have been quite so well educated. It is
noteworthy that the mother of the college-bred Master Jos
eph Rowlandson, and the wife of John Prescott, could not
write their names. Town and county records indicate that
the succeeding generations, bred upon the frontier during
times rarely free from the dangers and constant unrest caused
by the fear of Indian forays, as might be expected, possessed
less culture than their fathers. Their hand-writing, at least,
was less legible, their spelling more erratic, and their diction
less concise and idiomatic. It will be of interest to discover
what educational opportunities were offered the builders of
the town of Harvard, and who were the school-masters that
taught them. We shall find that their privileges were greater
than might be anticipated, both in the time given to instruc
tion and in the character of the instructors.
As has been before stated, the town was sharply warned
of its obligation to maintain a regular grammar school 
with requirements which correspond to those of our high-
schools — as early as December, 1715. An examination of
court files shows that Mr. Pierpont of Roxbury — probably
Jonathan, graduate at Harvard College the preceding year 

EARLY SCHOOL-MASTERS.

47

was at that time engaged as a grammar-school master;
although the town fathers appeal to the court as follows : —
* * * we would crave leave further to acquaint your Honr^ that we
are Humbly of the oppinion that we are scarcely liable to Presentment
•for we have but very lately had ye number of families y" Law Requires,
and a considerable number of them are either single Persons widows or
poor famihes noways able to Contribute to y" Charge nor yet subsist with
out Reliefe, therefore Humbly pray that, no fine may be imposed upon
us, nor be as yet enjoined to be constantly provided with Grainer Schoole
master, but that a writing schoole may answer till our number be
Increased. Nothing was said in this appeal about the hazards attend
ing the sending of children to school, but only a year before
a complaint had gone to the council that a band of Indians
frequented the country about Washacum, stole corn from
their fields, killed their horses in the wood — " being a Terror
to y" women and children for fear of some ill Design."
How long Mr. Pierpont served as school-master, the ab
sence of town records for the period prevents us from know
ing; but in 1718 Samuel Stow of Marlborough, a graduate of
Harvard College in the class of 1716, was hired at a salary of
40;^ a year, just half the annual stipend of the minister.
The records again fail us for a time, but from 1721 to 1726
the master was Edward Broughton, whose antecedents are
not found. The selectmen in their report of the manage
ment of the town's "prudentials" in the year 1725, noted
that they had " Reckoned with Mr Edward Broughton for
his servis for keeping school and find he hath kept School
on ye neck 150 days; and at Still River 75 days, and he hath
Received of y^ Town Treasurer 27^^ i^" In their accounts
rendered March i, 1724-5, they state that: —
They have Received Lists of ye Subscribers to Each School, viz: of
that at Stephen's Hill, and that at Bare Hill or Still River, and do here
with present them to y« Town, and have also Computed y* time ye School
master ought to Keep School at Stephen's Hill and it is 104 days & |f§
of a day; and at Still River and Bare Hill: 82 days and JIf of a day;
and at or on y" Neck: 177 days and ||§ of a day.
As the selectmen divided the school money, giving to
each of the three sections of the town a share proportionate

48 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
not to the number of children but to its taxation, these rec
ords indicate that about one-fifth of the taxes in Laicaster
then came from the Bare Hill neighborhood. Stephen's Hill
was the centre of a larger population in what is now Bolton.
The regular annual appropriation for schools at this period
was ;^50. Usually but one grammar school-master was em
ployed for the year, each section of the tOivn enjoying his
teaching in turn as might! be determined by the selectmen.
The use of the word "subscribers" in the report refers to the
privilege given the citizens of choosing to which section they
would belong and pay their school rate.
In 1726, Ebenezer Flagg of Woburn, Harvard graduate in
the class of 1725, was school-master. During the next three
years Samuel Willard, Thomas Prentice and Jacob Willard
were paid various sums, "for Keeping school at Still River
and Bare Hill." The first named was the graduate of 1723,
and father of Joseph Willard, a president of Harvard Col
lege. Prentice was of the class of 1726, and became the
minister of Charlestown. Jabez Fox of Woburn, a graduate
in 1727, served the town from 1730 to 1733, and the school
money for 1730 and 1731 was thus divided : —

1730

1731

Still River and Bare Hill-

10^ 7= 1 1*

11^ 10^

¦5"

Wataquadock

9 2 10

10. 18 .

•4

The rest of the town

31 19 0

27. 2 .

¦5

It appears then that the youth of the community around
Bare Hill were instructed, for about twelve weeks in each
year, by some student, at the most enthusiastic period of his
life, fresh from a collegiate course. This custom of employing
young university graduates as teachers prevailed throughout
Massachusetts towns, and was one potent cause of the supe
riority of her schools and scholarship. No better plan could
have been devised for the discovery and development of the
genius or special talents everywhere awaiting the Ithuriel
touch of encouragement and sympathetic help to awaken
their dormant powers for usefulness.
The breaking out of Father Ralle's, or, as it is best known
in Massachusetts, Lovewell's War, renewed the terror and
distress of earlier days in all frontier towns. Garrisons were

LOVEWELL'S WAR.

49

strengthened and guards set over them; and Lieutenant Jabez
Fairbank, then local military commandant, kept companies
of scouts scouring the country around, though always within
a day's journey of the town. No large body of the enemy
probably ventured near, but there were signs enough of their
neighborhood to keep the people in constant fear. For
instance: early in August, 1722, several Indians were appre
hended by the scouts and committed to the jail in Boston.
Proving to be of a western tribe, on a hunting excursion,
they were dismissed by resolve of the general assembly, and
their expenses to the Connecticut River paid; Lieutenant
Jabez Fairbank being detailed to conduct them to Westfield.
August 27, the New England Courant reported that : —
A Woman at Lancaster, as she was at work alone in the Field, was
taken by two Indians, one of which cou'd speak English and examin'd
her about the Indians lately taken and imprison'd at Boston. After she
had inform'd them that 8 of the Number were dismis'd they cut off the
Hair on one side of her Head, and order'd her to lay it down in the Place
where she had been at work, and come to them again. The same Day
some People who were searching for the Woman, found her Hair lying
in the Field, and concluding she had been carried away by the Indians,
immediately raised some Men to go after them, who came so near to them
as to be within their Hearing; where upon the Indians stript the Woman
and dismis'd her, who when she arriv'd at the Garrison fainted away with
over much Joy at her deliverance. The men miss'd of the Indians by
reason of the Thickness of the Woods.
The same newspaper, October 7, 1723, gave this item: —
On Sunday the 22* past, a lad of about fifteen years of Age, being out
with his Gun at Nashaway discover'd an Indian wading over a River, and
fired on him. The Indian made his Escape, but 'tis since discover'd that
he was very much wounded, having been tracked by his Blood for a con
siderable Distance from the River.
A bounty of one hundred pounds offered by the colonial
government for each scalp of a male Indian over twelve years
of age (women and children half price), enlisted the services
of several partisan leaders like Captain John White of Lan
caster, and Captain John Lovewell, who with large bands of
rangers followed the trail of the savages to their lurking
places on the shores of the New Hampshire lakes and in the

50

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

mountain valleys. They were sometimes absent from their
homes four or five weeks in the pathless wilds. Each man
furnished his own subsistence and was paid from the public
treasury two shillings and sixpence — then worth about twenty
cents in silver — per day. Henry Willard and James Hough
ton of Still River, and Jacob Gates, Ephraim and Reuben
Farnsworth of the northern section of Harvard, were among
the volunteers of the expedition under Captains Lovewell
and John White, who by a night surprise captured a war party
of ten Indians near the sources of the Salmon River in New
Hampshire, and brought home a thousand pounds worth of
scalps; and March lo, 1725, on their return, marched with
their bloody trophies displayed through the streets of Boston,
the applauded heroes of the day.
In 1725, Captain Samuel Willard of Still River, under
orders from Lieutenant Governor Dunmer, led two military
expeditions into New Hampshire. In the second there were
about one hundred and eighty-nine men under his command,
including several Indian scouts. He explored the Merrimack
to its sources, ascending the Pemigewasset, and returned down
the Saco; marching over five hundred miles, surmounting
many difficulties and enduring many hardships, but finding
no enemy to try his prowess. Henry Willard accompanied
him with the rank of ensign. The rangers in this war drove
the remnant of the Penacooks beyond the White Mountain
barriers, and were the discoverers of the beautiful valleys
along the rapid streams and island-studded lakes of New
Hampshire. They opened the pathway for the pioneers of
a new commonwealth. IV. THE CONTEST FOR AUTONOMY.
When rest from war's alarms permitted, the townspeople
began the discussion of a domestic question which proved
troublesome to settle, and ominous Of dissensions to come. It
is one evidence of the greatly increased and increasing pop
ulation of Lancaster that the meeting-house built in 1706
would not hold the church-goers of 1726. At a town-meet
ing January 23, 1726-7, the subject of absorbing interest was

WORCESTER COUNTY.

51

whether the meeting-house should be enlarged or the old site
abandoned, and two houses built so as to accommodate the
people better. The whole matter was finally referred to a
committee, which reported in February, favoring an exten
sive enlargement of the existing building. The voters, a
large minority of whom were already studying over changes
in the map of Lancaster by which they hoped for personal
advantage, would authorize only a twenty-foot addition to
the length of the old house. This extension was made, the
seats redignified, and the minister's salary raised from eighty
to one hundred pounds. But this settlement of a vexatious
question was known to be merely a temporary compromise,
and the dissatisfied gained numbers and arguments as months
rolled by. Meanwhile Still River lost its most prominent
citizen. Captain Samuel Willard, who, in 1727, removed to
the west side of the river.
In June, 1728, a petition headed by Captain William Jen
nison was presented to the General Court, with a plan for a
new county, to be formed from certain towns of Suffolk and
Middlesex. Lancaster in August favored this scheme, con
tingently upon the holding of certain courts at Marlborough
and Lancaster; but reconsidered this vote in the following
February, and joined in the petition for the erection of a new
county in the western part of Middlesex, which resulted in
the creation of Worcester County, April 2, 1731. Lancaster
was the oldest, had the largest number of inhabitants, and
was the wealthiest of the fourteen towns that were thus set
off from Middlesex.
A warrant calling a town-meeting on Monday the eight
eenth day of May, 1730, discloses the ambition of the villag
ers at Bare Hill, an article in it being: —
Also to Consider Conclude and act what may then be thought proper
to be done in Setting off a part of y= Town of Lancaster by meets and
bounds or by allowing a dividing hne to be made, begining at the South
ern end of y= Causey near to the House of Samuel Wilson and Run West
northwest to y" west line of Lancaster Old Township, or so much Land
lying on y« northerly side of sd Causey as may be Judged soficient for to
make a Township with that part of Stow and Groton whose Inhabitants
have agread and Covenanted with the petitioners; namely: John Sawyer,
John Nichols, Hezekiah Willard, John Priest Jr. Stephen Houghton,

52

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Simon Atherton, Henry Houghton, Jun'., James Whetcomb, Isaiah Whit
ney, John Whitney, Robert Foskett, Jonathan Crouch, John Witherbey,
Benjamin Atherton, Uriah Holt, Joseph Atherton, Joshua Church, Henry
Willard Jun', Joseph Willard, Samuel Rodgers, Seth Walker, Abraham
Willard, Samuel Rodgers, Jun'., John Willard, and Jonathan Whitney.
The town voted not to accede to the wish of the petition
ers. Propositions to the same end met the voters of Stow
and Groton at the same time. At a town meeting in Stow,
March 2, 1729-30: —
* * * the question was put wether the town will set off the Land be-
yound Beaver Brook with the inhabitance and it pased in the negative.
Groton was more kindly disposed to the scheme, for,
March 3, 1729-30: —
Upon the motion and application of Simon Stone Jun'. Jonathan farns
worth Eleazer Robbins Jonth farnsworth Jun' Ephraim farnsworth Jere
miah farnsworth & Eleazer Davis, voted that the town is willing that the
Persons forenamed with the Land on the Southerly part of the town as
far as to the brook about six pels Southwardly of James Stone's house at
that place where y" highway croses said brook so Easterly & westerly on
a parrelel Line with y" South Line of y" township to y« towns of Littleton
& Lunenburgh be annexed to some part of y^ town of Stow & Lancaster
for a seperate township when y' General Court Pleases — the farm called
cauicus or major Willard's farm or such part thereof as shall fall with y"
Line aforesaid excepted — the property of said Lands Devided or unde-
vided Remaining to y'^ Proprietors thereof.
The associated secessionists from the three towns at once
appealed to the General Court in a petition which is pre
served only in such abstracts as were incorporated in town-
meeting warrants, and in a later plan of the lands petitioned
for. The petition was read in the House of Representatives
July 2, and notice of a hearing was ordered given to the
towns concerned. August 7, 1730, the voters of Lancaster
were warned to a town meeting: —
* * * to show cause (if any the town have) by agents or otherwise on
y^ second Tuesday of y* next session of y« General Court, why yo prayer
of a petition signed p Simon Stone Juner, Jonathan Whitney and Thomas
Wheeler, on behalfe of themselves (and as they say on behalfe and at y"
desire of sundery of y' Inhabitants of y= Towns of Lancaster, Stow and
Groton) wherein they pray that a Considerable part of y" Towns of s*
Lancaster, Stow and Groton may be incorperated into a Distinct and Sep
erate Township, should not be Granted.

PETITIONS FOR A TOWNSHIP.

53

The town voted that their representative "do oppose said
petition on behalf of y*^ Town," and appointed a committee
to survey the part of Lanca.ster petitioned for and to obtain
all necessary information in regard to the numbers and estate
of the petitioners.
In Groton, at the town-meeting August 17: —
The Petition of Simon Stone Jun'. Jont. Whitney and Thomas Wheeler,
In behalf of Theirselves & others Refering to a New town ship to be
made out of y^ towns of Lancaster Groton and Stow Refered to y' Great
& General Court at their Session in June Last was Read Togather with
the town's vote of March Last Refering to the Said affair and some De
bate had thereon. It appeared to y" Town that if the Said Petition be
Granted this town will be greatly hurt and many of the Inhabitants much
Damfnifyed and Incomoded Therefore voted that Benj*. Prescott and
Nathaneil Sawtell Esq^ together with y« Representative Mr John Long-
ley be a Committee Jointly or Severally to make answer to the Said Pe
tition and use their best Endeavors That : No part of this Town on the
West Side of Nashua River; nor any more on the East Side of the said
River than what is Discribed In the Town vote above mentioned may be
set off or annexed to the town Petitioned for &c. Any former vote to y"
Contarary Not with Standing.
On the first Monday in September, 1730, Stow adopted the
following remonstrance, prepared for presentation to the vot
ers by a committee chosen August 20: —
To his Exelency Jonathan Belcher Esq^. Capt. General and Governor in
Cheif e in and over his majestyes province of the Massachusetts Bay
in new england to the Honourable Councell and House of Representa
tives in General Court assembled: Sept. 1730.
The answer of the town of Stow to the Petition of Simon Stone Jun'.
Jonathan Whitney and Thomas Wheeler on the behalf of themselves
and others prefered to the Great and General Court July: 2^. 1730, pray
ing for a Township to be made out of the Towns of Lancaster, Groton
and Stow &c. Humbly Sheweth. That the Township of Stow is but of
small extent and a Great part of the Land contained in it Barrain and
uncapable of improvement and therefore there is but fiew Inhabitance
and some of them very poor, by Reason whereof they Labour under
Great Diffcultise and can hardly support their minister and Bear other
town Charge.
That the Land petitioned for contains about one seventh part of the
inhabitance and a much greater proportion of the Improveable Land in
Stow and should your Excelency and honours set off the Land petitioned
by Stone and others as afores'' with the inhabitance thereof the town will
be unable to bear the Charge Arising in it without help from others.

54 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Therefore the said town of Stow humbly hops your Excelency and
honours will take their Curcomstances into your Consideration and dis
miss the petition of s^. Stone and others as far as it Relates to Stow and
suffer the whole Town to continue Togather and the said town as Bound
in Duty shall ever Pray &c.
The earnest opposition was enough to secure the dismissal
of the petition by the Council, September 22, 1730, but the
House of Representatives non-concurred, and —
Ordered, that Major Brattle and Mr Jennison (with such as the Hon
ourable Board shall appoint), bc a Committee to repair to the Lands peti
tioned for, view their Situation, and the Circumstances of the Inhabitants
thereof (seasonably notifying the Towns of Lancaster, Groton and Stow
of their coming; and that they Report to this Court what may be proper
to be done thereon, at the next session. The Charge to be borne by the
Petitioners. An amended petition with additional signers met the leg
islature October 9, 1730, when copies of it were ordered fur
nished to the three towns with notice of a hearing at the
next session of court. On Monday, November 23, the voters
of Lancaster met at the summons of a warrant, the chief
articles in which were : —
* * * to shew cause (if any the Town have) by agents or otherwise on
the first Thursday of ye next Sessions of the General Court why the
prayer of a petition signed by Jonas Houghton, Simon Stone Jun'., Jona
than Whitney and Thomas Wheeler may not be Granted, wherein they
pray that a certain tract of Land (with the Inhabitants thereon) belong
ing to the several Towns of Lancaster, Stow and Groton, beginning at y'
Southerly end of the Causway near the House of Samuel Wilson in Lan
caster and Runing west northwest about one mile over Lancaster River,
then beginning at the aforesaid Causway and Runing south east and by
east to Lancaster east Line, then Runing northerly on the east line until
it comes to Bever Brook, then Runing down said Brook to Litleton Line,
then Runing on s'' Line to the northwesterly corner of said Litleton on
Brown Hill, then north westerly till it comes to Capt. Prescott's Sawmill
standing on Sandy Brook, and then Runing a line parralel with Groton
south line about one mile over Lancaster River, and then Runing south
erly to the westerly end of the line first mentioned.
Also to act and do what the Town shall think fitt relating to the De
sire of a considerable number of the Inhabitants of the Town of Lan
caster which Request that the Town would keep together (and not Joyn
with any other Town or Towns) and that they would come into some way
by a vote of the Town that there may be two Meeting Houses Built and

PETITIONS FOR A TOWNSHIP.

55

Ministers setled sooner or later as the Town shall think fitt, where said
Meeting Houses shall be judged most sutable to accomodate the whole
Town, and that the Town would pay the Charge of Building s'' Meeting
Houses, and selling and maintaining of the ministers equaly out of the
Town Treasury, or as the Town shall think fitt and Conveniant.
The town voted to oppose separation, and chose Captain
Samuel Willard and James Wilder to act as their agents be
fore the legislature. The new proposition, so far as it affected
Groton and Stow, was practically the same as before, but dif
fered materially from the first one in the acreage demanded
of Lancaster. The earlier plan contemplated severing the
whole northern third of the old township, or about thirty
square miles. The Lancaster citizens west of the river within
this tract were nearly all bitterly opposed to being set off
with the new town, and Jonas Houghton's scheme was obvi
ously an attempt to appease them, but secure the river and
its intervales. Another Houghton now complicated the situa
tion by a supplementary prayer; Monday, November 30, Lan
caster being called upon to consider: —
the proposal of Jacob Houghton and others who desire that y= Town
would doe something in order to their reliefe relating to building a Meet
ing House, voted that the Town are free and willing that the east part of
the old Township of Lancaster be set off and made a seperate Township,
if ye General Court see cause; viz: one halfe of said Town Runing a line
near a south and north point, Runing parralel with the west line of said
old Township at four miles distance therefrom, the Inhabitants of each
Town to be rated for their Improvements in the Town where they re
spectively Dwell :
This vote was well adapted to break the alliance between
the three groups of petitioners. It proposed to give for a
new township fully half of the original grant to Lancaster
proprietors, including the territory which Harvard finally re
ceived and all that afterwards given to Bolton and Berlin.
But the householders upon Wataquodock and along the
Marlborough and Bay roads preferred to bide their time.
They were already shaping a township of their own. The
petition of Jonas Houghton with the answers from the three
towns were read in the House of Representatives December
29, when it was: —

56 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Ordered, That Maj. Brattle and Mr. Samuel Chandler, with such .ts
the Honourable Board shall appoint, be a Committee (at the Charge of
the Petitioners) to repair to the Land Petitioned for to be a Township,
that they carefully view and consider the Situation and Circumstances of
the Petitioners, and Report their opinion what may be proper for this
Court to do in Answer thereto at their next Session.
March 22, 1731, Jacob Houghton had the town of Lancas
ter again called together to consider another proposition : —
* * * the prayer or Request of Jacob Houghton and others to y° Town
was Read as sett fourth in the warning which was as followeth viz : that
ye Town would sett them off five miles from the north line of y* Town
ship and west to the former vote of ye Town; and the question being put
whether the Town would grant their Request and it passed in y^ affirmi-
tive. This would fix the south line of the new town nearly
through the center of what is now Bolton. The legislature
considered this plan March 29, 173 1, and referred it to the
Committee before appointed. The same disposition was the
same day made of a remonstrance of "John Beaman and ten
others. Inhabitants of the Soulkwesl part of the Norlkeast quar
ter of the old Township of Lancaster," who objected to being
separated from that town.
The original seceders were now reasonably sure of attain
ing their wishes, with some compromise in regard to the west
ern boundary of the town. Groton had uniformly acceded
to the division provided no land should be taken west of
the Nashua. Lancaster had finally prescribed lines of divi
sion which gave them more than they had sought. The pecu
liarly inconvenient situation of the dwellers in Stow Leg, and
the comparatively small amount of land involved rendered
the persistent opposition of Stow obviously unreasonable.
The rude plan from a survey by Jonas Houghton, preserved
in Massachusetts Archives, Maps and Plans I. 37, gives the
names of the petitioners and the estimated acreage to be taken
from each town. The petitioners from Groton asked for a
tract of 4850 acres. They were : —
Eleazar Davis. Jonathan Farnsworth. Daniel Farnsworth.
Ephraim Farnsworth. Jonathan Farnsworth Jr. Eleazar Robbins.
Jeremiah Farnsworth. Reuben Farnsworth. Simon Stone Jr.

PETITIONS FOR A TOWNSHIP.

57

Opposed to the petition were :-

John Burk. [Burt]

John Burk Jr.

John Davis.

The proposition which was at the same time advanced,
taking 785 acres more from Groton, is shown upon the plan
as including the following residents :—

John Anderson.
William Farwell.
Benjamin Hadley.

 Haild.
James Harrod.
James Patterson.

Benjamin Richardson.
James Stone.
Nathan Whipple.

In Stow Leg, estimated at 3740 acres Jonathan Rand is set
down as "nutor." The petitioners were: —

John Daby.
Jacob Gates.
Shadrack Hapgood.

Jonas Houghton.
Samuel Mead.
John Taylor.

Thomas Wheeler.
Jonas Whitney.
Richard Whitney.

There was another name now illegible.
Lancaster's petitioners, asking for 1 1,430 acres, besides the
mile west of the river — which seems not to have been included
in the estimate — were: —

Benjamin Atherton.
James Atherton.
John Atherton.
Joseph Atherton.
Peter Atherton.
Simon Atherton.
Joshua Church.
Jonathan Crouch.
Joseph Fairbanks.
Robert Foskitt.
Ephraim Houghton.
Henry Houghton Jr.
Stephen Houghton.
Thomas Houghton.
Joseph Hutchins.

Amos Johnson.
 Martin.
John Nichols.
Gabriel Priest.
John Priest Jr.
Joseph Priest.
Samuel Rogers.
Samuel Rogers Jr.
Caleb Sawyer.
John Sawyer.
Jonathan Sawyer.
Seth Sawyer.
Seth Walker.
Samuel Warner.

John Wetherbee.
James Whitcomb.
Elijah Whitney.
Isaiah Whitney.
John Whitney.
Jonathan Whitney.
Abraham Willard.
Henry Willard.
Hezekiah Willard.
James Willard.
John Willard.
Joseph Willard.
John Wright.
Samuel Wright.
Thomas Wright.

Three other names are illegible; perhaps John or Amos
Atherton, John Houghton and John Warner, Jr. Jacob Hough
ton at first proposed to take 4640 acres more from Lancaster,
but the opposition of John Beaman and others reduced his
demands by more than half. His backers were : —

58

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Benjamin Atherton. Jacob Houghton Jr. Hezekiah Whitcomb.
Daniel Houghton. Jonathan Houghton. Jonathan Whitcomb.
Henry Houghton. David Whitcomb. Widow Whitcomb.
Jacob Houghton.
In the journal of the House of Representatives, June 22,
1 73 1, it is recorded that: —
Ebenezer Burrel Esq, brought down from the Honourable Board the
Report of the Committee appointed by this Court the 30"" of December
last, to take under Consideration the Petition of Jonas Houghton and
others, in behalf of themselves and sundry of the Inhabitants of the
Eastern part of the Towns of Lancaster, Groton and Stow, praying that
they may be erected into a separate Township, Likewise a petition of
Jacob Houghton and others, of the North-easterly part of the Town of
Lancaster, praying the like. As also a Petition of sundry of the Inhabi
tants of the South-west part of the North-east Quarter of the Township
of Lancaster, praying they may be continued as they are. Pass'd in
Council, viz. In Council, June 21, 1731. Read, and Ordered, That this
Report be accepted. Sent down for Concurrence. Read and Concurred-
The original report is not discovered, but was doubtless in
corporated in the bill as presented by Colonel Stoddard from
the Committee on Petitions a year later — June 17, 1732 —
which fixed the western bounds of the new town upon the
river and ignored both Jacob Houghton's proposed annex on
the south and that of James Stone and others on the north.
No name for the town was inserted in the bill which was en
grossed on the twentieth of June, 1732, but Harvard -was in
serted in the handwriting of Secretary Josiah Willard. This
is thought to be the first instance of the engrossment of such
an act with the space for the title of the township left blank;
subsequently the omission was not uncommon, the governor
inserting the name when he appended his signature.
The act of incorporation was approved and published as
follows : — Anno Regni Regis Georgu Secundi Quinto & Sexto.
An Act for erecting a New Town within the county of Worcester, by
the name of [Harvard].
Whereas the Inhabitants of the extream parts of the Towns of Lan
caster, Groton and Stow have laboured under much difficulty and incon
venience by reason of their remoteness from the places of publick

INCORPORATION.

59

Worship in the Towns to which they respectively belong, & have
supported the Cost and Charge of preaching among them for several
years past without any Consideration from their Towns, and have ad
dressed this Court for Relief, & that they may be set off a distinct town
ship by themselves.
Be it therefore Enacted by His Excellency the Governour, Council
and Representatives in General Court assembled & by the authority of
the same that the Land in the extream parts of the Towns of Lancaster,
Groton and Stow as the same are hereafter bounded and described be
and hereby are set off, & Constituted a seperate & distinct Township by
the name of Harvard viz', begining at the Southerly End of the Cause
way, near the House of Samuel Wilson in Lancaster and from thence
running North West and by West till the line meets with Lancaster River,
& from said Causeway running South East & by East to Lancaster East
bounds then running Northerly in the East Bounds of Lancaster till it
comes to Beaver Brook, then bounding on said Brook till it comes to
Littleton Bounds, and then running on said Littleton line near to the
Northwest corner thereof vizt, so far as that a West North West Line
shall leave the dwelling house of James Stone in Groton six perch to the
Northward, and continuing the same Course to Lancaster River afore
said, excepting Coyacus Farm or so much thereof as shall fall within the
bounds above said; and to bound West on said River and that the Inhab
itants of the said lands as before bounded and described be and hereby
are vested with all the powers privileges and immunities which the In
habitants of any Town in this province are or by Law ought to be vested
with. provided that the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the said Town
Settle a learned and Orthodox Minister among them within the space of
two years and also erect an House for the publick Worship of God.
and Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid that the afore
said Town of [Harvard] be and hereby is Declared to be within the
County of Worcester, Any Law Usage or Custom to the contrary not
withstanding. 1732 June 20"". This Bill having been read three several times in the
House of Representatives passed to be Enacted
1732 June 21=' J. Quincy Spir
1732 June 29 This Bill having been read three several Times in
Council passed to be Enacted J Willard Secry.
By His Excellency the Govern'.
June 29, 1732. I consent to the Enacting of this Bill J. Belcher
Townsend's incorporation dates from the same day with
Harvard's. The creation of the latter made the number of
towns in Worcester County fifteen, and those in the State one
5

6o HISTORY OF HARVARD.
hundred and twenty-three. The reason for naming it in
honor of the early benefactor of the university at Cambridge
is not positively known. The Willard family, who were the
first settlers and the largest proprietors in Harvard, had close
affiliations with the college. Major Simon Willard's second
and third wives were of the household of its first president.
His son Samuel, father of Josiah Willard, the Secretary, was
acting president of the college 1701-7. Governor Belcher,
himself a graduate of the university, may have found some
suggestion in these facts which led him to give the new town
this honored name.

II.
THE NEW TOWNSHIP AND ITS HOMES.

I. TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY.
THIS township, the evolution of which has been set forth
in the preceding chapter, was compact and regular in
contour, nearly six miles long from north to south, and over
five miles wide from east to west. The exsection of about
sixteen hundred acres from the eastern side, granted to Box-
borough in 1783, has somewhat marred its original symmetry
of outline. Its area was roughly estimated by the surveyor,
Jonas Houghton, in 1732, as twenty thousand acres, but the
survey of Silas Holman in 1830 determined the area of the
town, as at present bounded, to be sixteen thousand four
hundred and thirty-one acres; indicating that the estimate of
1732 was about two thousand acres too large. Jonas Hough
ton evidently included the whole of Stow Leg in his calcula
tion; for a measurement made in 1892 between the western
bound stones of this tract, now standing on the line between
Lunenburg and Shirley, proves the breadth of the Leg to
have been a little over two hundred rods, its length being
about eight miles. But the portion of Stow Leg west of the
Nashua river, two and one quarter miles in length, was not
given to Harvard, remaining in possession of the mother
town until twenty-one years later, when it fell to Shirley.
Stow's original contribution to the new town was therefore
about two thousand six hundred and fifty acres only, and
Lancaster gave considerably more than twice as much as
Groton.

62 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
By the public highways Harvard is thirty miles west from
Boston, and twenty-two north-east from Worcester. By the
railway the Still River station is twenty-three and one-quarter
miles, and the Harvard station twenty-five and one-half miles,
from Worcester. In geographical position the Unitarian
meeting-house is located by the Massachusetts Astronomical
and Trigonometrical Survey in 42° 30' 08", 49 north latitude,
and longitude 71° 35' 25", 82 west of Greenwich. The Bap
tist meeting-house in Still River is in latitude 42° 29' 29" 22,
and longitude 71° 37' 24", 63.
The river Nashua — a modern perversion of an Indian
name which the pioneer white men spelled as they heard it
pronounced, Nashaway — constitutes the western boundary of
the township, being from six to eight rods in breadth, and in
its winding course seven and two-tenths miles in length.
This stream was always called the Penecook by the aborigines
and by the English who settled upon its banks, the name
Nashaway belonging exclusively to the south branch in Lan
caster. Often in early records and deeds the main river is
called the Lancaster or Groton river, according to the resi
dence of the scribe. The title Nashua slowly obtained pop
ular possession of both branches, and also of the stream they
combine to form. It is very variable in depth and in the
volume of llow at different seasons, meandering tranquilly
through a broad, alluvial valley which is gemmed with grace
ful elms and sturdy oaks, hickories, sycamores and maples.
During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the
Nashua was famed for its fish supply, being at the migratory
season frequented by salmon, shad and alewives. It is said
that the first named fish so abounded that the humble sorts
were hardly thought fit for human food. At a later period,
when these scaly annual visitors from the sea grew scarce or
disappeared, there was no lack of the indigenous trout, pick
erel, perch, bream, dace and pouts. But the obstruction of
the dams below, and the pollution of the waters by the large
manufacturing towns which have grown up at the various
falls above, have destroyed the river's value as a source of
food supply.
Still River, which gave name to the south-western corner.

WATER-COURSES. 63
the earliest settled portion of Harvard, is a sluggish tribu
tary of the Nashua which winds along the Lancaster and
Bolton intervales and joins the river less than one hundred
rods north of the boundary line between Harvard and Bolton.
It takes its rise in Lancaster, fed by little rills that come rol
licking down from the eastern hill slopes, and by the springs
of a broad expanse of marsh called in 1655, Swan Swamp.
The name Still River is ot late sometimes wrongly applied
to a tranquil part of the main river.
The outfall from Bare Hill Pond, which runs northward
the whole length of the town to join the Nashua in Ayer,
seems to have had no fixed name until it reached the old
Groton south boundaiy in the Old Mill district, where it was
known as the Nonacoicus Brook. At some periods it has
been called Pin Hill Brook in its upper reaches, and Old Mill
or Forge Brook below. This stream furnishes the chief
water-power of Harvard, Bare Hill Pond being utilized as a
reservoir by a regulating dam at its outlet. The rivulet flow
ing into the pond from the south, now called Bowers' Brook,
from a late resident upon it, was in early days sometimes
called Bare Hill Brook; but this title was generally applied
to the little stream that rises in the neighborhood of the
West Bare Hill school-house, and flows south to join the
Four-Mile Brook in Bolton. A small stream having its
sources on the line of Harvard and Bolton, crossing the
Lancaster and Groton road within a few yards of the bound
ary stone, and entering the Nashua River a little below the
mouth of Still River, is now known as Bolton Brook, but
has borne various names at different dates. A spring noted
for its perennial flow and pure, cool waters, rises among the
wooded hills about half way between Robbins' and Hell
Ponds, and forms a feeder to the Nonacoicus, called the Cold
Spring Brook. Beaver Brook has its sources at the north
eastern boundary, flowing into Boxborough. Another small
stream, now called Bennett's Brook, flows northward through
the Shaker village into Ayer. A small tributary of the Assa-
bet Brook takes its rise in the south-eastern corner of the
town. A brooklet that courses through the Plumtrees inter
vale appears in old deeds sometimes as Farrar's, sometimes

64 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
as Waters's, sometimes as Plumtrees Brook. The water-shed
on the western side of Bare and Oak Hills is wholly tributary
to the Nashua, that on the east and south to the Concord
River, while the springs in the north-east quarter of the town
seek the Merrimack by a direct route through Stony Brook.
Located centrally in the Lancastrian section of Harvard
lies a picturesque sheet of water, at its normal stage two
hundred and six acres in area, having a shore line of over
three miles. Being the largest lake in this part of the state
it was often called the Great Pond, but was usually known as
Bare Hill Pond. The building of a dam across the outlet
early in this century graduated the outflow for the benefit of
the mills below. The reconstruction of this dam in 1837,
raised the water level six or seven feet, largely added to the
area of the pond, and made islands of some of the promon
tories that project from the bold shores. It is nowhere very
deep, but is fed with pure cool springs, and has always been
noted for abundance of fish. The town leased it from the
state's fish commission in the spring of 1878, for the term of
fifteen years, and placed in it five thousand land-locked sal
mon fry — exciting sanguine hopes among anglers which
have not been realized. In fact, despite the long period of
protection, the fish now found in its waters excel neither in
quality nor quantity those caught in it fifty years ago. The
pond has for more than a century been a favorite resort for
pleasure parties from the various towns about Harvard, as
well as for the residents of the town.
Several wooded islands give additional charm to the
waters. The two most prominent of these, Grape — in mod
ern days styled Sheep — and Round, are each about two acres
in area. The former was utilized by its first owner. Reverend
John Seccomb, one hundred and fifty years ago, as the site
of a little summer house and a picnic grove, where he enter
tained his gay friends from the bay towns. Upon this island
are now five summer cottages, built since 1890. Beside the
flag-staff erected by the cottagers is a noteworthy rocking-
stone of over twenty tons' weight. This natural curiosity
was far exceeded in interest by a huge balanced boulder 
nearly globular, and so poised upon its rock bed as to be

BARE HILL POND.

THE PONDS. 65
movable with a slight exertion of force — which, stood until
1877 upon the hill slope east of Grape Island. Some work
men employed in building the Bromfield school, it is said,
were the vandals who with levers and jacks overturned this
historic monument of the glacial period, merely for the
anticipated sport of seeing it roll crashing down into the
pond. It is but small consolation that, though after great
toil they succeeded in tearing the boulder from its base,
their expectations were wholly disappointed.
A small rocky islet is shown upon an early map as Loon
Island, a name given it by the early settlers because it ap
peared and disappeared according to the stage of water. It
is now rarely seen. On the south shore of the pond lying
partly in the water, is an enormous boulder which has long
been called Bennett's Rock, but the origin of the title is for
gotten. A vague story of a tragedy here in the days of
Indian warfare is often told, though wholly unworthy of
credence. Many of the tourist-haunted lakes of Europe, in beauty
of outline, picturesque setting, or in the charm and extent of
landscape visible from the heights that look down upon it,
do not equal this sheet of water which has forever lost the
name it bore in the language of the Nashaways, and mod
estly wears the humble title of Bare Hill Pond. It awaits
its poet.
In the western part of Stow Leg, called Shabikin, is Hell
Pond; so named, it is supposed, because of its extraordinary
depth, which is often stated to be over one hundred feet.
Several entirely credible citizens testify to soundings of
eighty-five to ninety feet. There are two distinct bodies of
water, neither having visible outlet or inlet. Little Hell Pond
is of diminutive area compared with its neighbor which cov
ers about twenty-seven acres. On the sixth of April, 1872,
through the enterprise of Warren Hapgood and a few resi
dents of Harvard, the larger pond was stocked with black
bass. Thomas Peirce brought sixteen large bass in tanks via
the Old Colony and Fitchburg railways from Wareham to
Ayer, where he was met by Jonathan F. Hapgood with an ox
team, and the fish were the same day conveyed to their new

66 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
home and safely deposited therein. Hell Pond was leased
by the town at the same date with Bare Hill Pond. Some
attempts have been made by those who lament that so grim
a title attaches to this beautiful lakelet, to rechristen it Hill
Pond; and a "tradition" has been invented to justify the
innovation. An Indian, a true son of the soil, is made to tell
as a legend of his tribe, that a century or two before the
pale-faced strangers came from beyond the seas, a lofty hill
rose where the clear waters now mirror the sky in the Shabi
kin woodlands; one night the earth trembled, and in the
morning the hill was not, and in its place slept this little lake
overshadowed by the gloomy pine forest, its depth equaling
the height of the vanished hill. But the pioneers always
called it Hell Pond, and so it is recorded in the worn and
yellow documents of their day that have come down to us.
North from Hell Pond, and about half way between it and
the Ayer boundary, Robbins Pond lies hidden in the forest.
It is about one-third the size of Hell Pond. This little lake
originally bore the Indian name of the region about it, being
referred to in early deeds as Nonacoicus Pond; but it was
soon renamed, taking its present title from a family among
the first having a home near it.
The name Nonacoicus, found in ancient manuscripts at
tached to farm, brook and pond of the plateau forming the
north-west corner of Harvard and the south-west part of
Ayer, has had a very uncertain orthography. Ensign Noyes
in reporting his survey of 1658, speaks of the farm as "at the
place which is called by the Indians Nanajcoyijcus," and
states that he began his measurements "at the great river
side about one hundred rods to the northward of Nanajcoyij
cus Brook." "Nonacoyecos,"' "Nonacoiacus," "Nonaicoi-
cus," and "Nonecoicus," are found in seventeenth century
documents. At a later period the name was abbreviated to
"Coyacus." Honorable Samuel Abbott Green, in remarks
made at a meeting of the Massachusetts Historical Society,
May II, 1893, expressed his belief that a note in the hand
writing of Chief Justice Samuel Sewall found in a volume
once his, may throw light upon the meaning of Nonacoicus.
Judge Sewall wrote: " Nunnacoquis signifies an Indian

THE HILLS. 67
Earthen Pot as Hanah Hahatan's Squaw tells me March, 24,
1698-9." George J. Burns, Esq., of Ayer, who has had a
life-long familiarity with this region, and has made a careful
study of its history and physical peculiarities, thinks that it
received its name from sundry singular bowl-like depressions
along the summit of a ridge near the river.
With one exception the chief elevations of land in Har
vard wear the names, given them by the Nashaway proprie
tors. The slate-stone ridge that rises at the geographical
centre of the township about two hundred feet above the
meadows and four hundred and eighty feet above tide water
was called Pin Hill — it is said because of its long and nar
row conformation — as early as 1720. It is, however, fre
quently named "pine" hill in land transfers. Oak Hill first
appears in records about the same date. It is the loftiest in
Harvard, its chief spur rising six hundred and thirty feet
above the sea. From it in a favorable state of the atmos
phere the view eastward is bounded only by the ocean, and
the glittering dome of the state-house is sometimes visible.
Mention of Bare Hill is found in records as early as 1657,
and at first as "the bare hill." The name was presumably
descriptive, as were Still River and Plumtrees Meadow, which
were introduced in details of land allotments about the same
date. It was a custom of the Indians every November, when
the weeds and grass were driest, to set fires about their vil
lages. These swept through the woodlands, destroying all
underbrush save in the wet swamps. Where the sum.mer's
growth had been most vigorous, as upon the intervales and the
more fertile swales, the fires found abundant fuel, and were
often fierce enough to kill all tree growth, root and branch.
Thus were prepared for the coming white man their planting
fields, their pasturage commons, and their much prized mead
ows. The uplands by these annual burnings became open
groves, free of bush and bramble, and were described by
writers of the day as resembling the English parks. If we
may trust to the name as spelled, the hill east of the great pond
in Harvard had been largely shorn of its woods like the
meadow lands, and this may perhaps have been one reason
why this elevated and somewhat rugged region was so early

68 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
chosen by husbandmen for their home. Reverend Peter
Whitney, the first historian of Worcester County, and some
more recent writers, have rechristened the locality " Bear "
Hill, either because unacquainted with, or contemptuous of,
the spelling of those who gave name to it; or, because they
supposed the earliest clerks all meant ursus Americanus when
they wrote the word b-a-r-e. The name occurs scores of
times in proprietors' and town books, but never once did that
ready penman, the first clerk of the writs, Ralph Houghton,
or the first schoolmaster, John Houghton, or the less scholarly
recorders who succeeded them during the first century of our
history, write this name otherwise than Bare Hill. It is first
found in the Harvard records in the form Bare Hill, and a
noted clerk, William Willard, who served for fourteen years,
1752-1765, so wrote it.
Whether these clerks spelled the wild beast's name cor
rectly we have no means of knowing, but the less clerkly
journalists of the scouting parties, during Lovewell's War,
did. The wolf, the wild cat and the catamount are frequently
noticed in the records; for nearly every year, in the select
men's accounts, is a list of the predatory animals killed and
the amount of bounty paid for them. The successful hunter
or trapper brought the heads of the beasts to the constable,
who cut off the ears in the presence of some of the selectmen,
and then buried them. Upon the certificate of the selectmen,
the bounty paid by the town was refunded in whole or in part
by the county treasurer. The laws upon the subject were fre
quently changed. In 1732 one hunter of Lancaster was paid
for five wolves and sixteen wild cats. It was not until 1743
that the selectmen's list includes a bear slain in Lancaster.
The bounty then paid .for it was ten shillings only, while that
paid for a catamount was fifty shillings; for wolves, forty
shillings each, for wild cats, six shillings each. The bear was
not only much less common, but less mischievous than the
cat tribe. In the next decade wild beasts grew more rampant
than ever, and bounties were greatly increased by new legis
lation; but bears were not numerous enough to give name to
a locality even then. The highest point upon Bare Hill is
six hundred feet above the sea.

MAKAMACHECKAMUCKS. 69
Aboriginal Makamacheckamucks has been degraded by
vulgar usage to plebian Prospect Hill. Its highest point is five
hundred and fifty-seven feet above the tide level. The old
Lancaster and Groton road, which passes over it at an eleva
tion of about five hundred feet, is a favorite drive, frequented
by lovers of beautiful scenery from all the towns about. It
was to this locality that Colonel Henry Bromfield was in the
habit of taking his guests from the city or foreign lands, con
fident of being rewarded by their unqualified expressions of
admiration, however extended might have been their experi
ence of travel. Despite its glorious outlook and present pop
ular repute, in earlier times for many a year this highway
Grotonward from its parting with the road that leads to Har
vard centre was generally known as Hog Street, probably in
disrespectful allusion to the attributes of some residents
thereon. The more southern portion of this highway was
once appropriately termed Willard Row. An enormous
boulder or ledge by the roadside, not far from the summit, is
named Castle Rock in records as early as 1754. The term
Prospect Hill is commonplace and unworthy the locality.
The Indian name of this wood-capped height should be at
once restored. As in all designations of places in the Indian
tongue, the work Makamachekamucks doubtless has inherent
in it a poetically descriptive significance, alas ! forever lost to
us. But a title so sesquipedalian and mouth-filling should be
preserved, as being not only historically but phonetically ap
propriate to the long, rock-strewn rampart that forms the
eastern boundary of the Plumtree intervales, and overlooks
the whole upper Nashua valley. The view from this ridge
down upon sinuous river and tree-shadowed meadows, and
off over the domed hills of a score of towns to the southern
spurs of the White Mountain range, is unsurpassed by any
purely rural scenery in the commonwealth, in its breadth,
quiet harmony, and wealth of color ever changing with the
varying moods of nature. No discordant scars, no craggy
cliff, no grandeur of sky-piercing peak are there to arrest the
eye or disturb the unity and restfulness of the scene; but
there is no lack of impressive feature or charming variety.
Seen at bright noonday in the season when the air is filled

70 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
with the perfume of apple blossoms and all the valley is lush
with fresh verdure, it is another Arcadia than when the poly
chromatic glory of its autumnal dress is lighted up by an Oc
tober sunrise. In striking contrast with both is the winter's
scene, when the profiles of Wachusett, Watatic, Monadock,
Kidder, Pack Monadnock, Jo. English, the Uncanoonucks, and
the Blue Hills south of Winnipiseogee, are seen sharply de
fined against the cold, grey sky, and the nearer landscape is
a wide expanse of dazzling snow, relieved by numerous
masses of sombre pine forest. Another noteworthy phase it
puts on at evening in rare conditions of the atmosphere when
a dense, low-lying mist pours over the intervales, giving the
valley all the semblance of a vast lake, out of whose bosom
the loftier tree tops emerging appear like thousands of bosky
islets; while an amphitheatre of softly-rounded hills girts it
all around. The whole region visible is redolent with ro
mance, every little stream is musical with historic legend, and
every neighborhood has its pathetic tale of early tragedy or
pioneer adventure and hardihood. It is an Elysian land to
those owning birthrights therein if their hearts are warm with
a love of Nature and loyalty to a noble ancestry.
The Harvard hills form a prolongation of the Wataqua
dock chain, and are very prominent features in the landscape.
The rock formations which have determined their height and
profiles are argillaceous and mica slates, sometimes with inter-
stratified beds of conglomerate. These strata are enclosed
by a granitic gneiss which here and there takes on a porphyritic
character. From the Pin Hill quarries, which were opened
early in the last century, metamorphic slate, split, and later
sawn, into slabs, was furnished to all the country around for
grave stones and other uses. Though of excellent quality
when carefully quarried, the public have had the bad taste to
prefer glaring white marble for mortuary monuments, and the
quarries of late have been disused.
No minerals of especial interest are found in Harvard,
though several are common in the limestone quarries of Box-
borough, and in those of Bolton near the south eastern boun
dary of Harvard; including scapolite, apatite, and a rare
variety of chrysolite, named for the latter town, boltonite.

SILVER MINE. 71
There are very many towns, even in enlightened Massa
chusetts, wherein costly excavations made by misguided
treasure-seekers can be shown. Har\>^ard is one of these.
The early settlers had sanguine expectations of mineral
wealth to be dug from the hills of Central Massachusetts,
but they were too wise or too poor to expend much cost or
labor in the search for it. They made good use in their little
forges and furnaces of the bog ore they easily dredged from
the ponds or dug in the swamps, but we read of no extensive
mining for more precious metals. Towards the close of the
last century there arose a widespread delusion that gold and
silver were to be had with a little digging in various parts of
the state. This belief was fostered through a prevalent faith
in the pretended power of the witch-hazel divining rod, in
the hands of certain gifted persons, to discover concealed
mineral treasure. The chance finding of some glittering
specimen of iron pyrites, or a few lustrous crystals of galena,
often changed a cheerful, well-to-do farmer, within a few
months, into an impecunious and sour-visaged mine owner.
The hazel rod never failed in "promising indications" so long
as any precious metals could be extracted from the pockets
of the credulous; and small veins of worthless iron ore were
followed deep into the solid ledge, in daily expectation that the
baser metal would suddenly give place to the noblest of all.
The impulse that led to an extensive excavation in the
east face of Oak Hill, about the close of the war for inde
pendence, was doubtless some discovery of glistening miner
als in the surface rock. In the argillaceous slate, of which
this hill is largely composed, are veins and nodules of quartz,
not dissimilar in character to the rock formation found to be
gold bearing in North Carolina. In this quartz are frequently
traces of iron, lead and copper, in the form of sulphides par
tially decomposed. In 1783 a company of twenty-five asso
ciates, including sundry inhabitants of Harvard, prominent
among whom was Colonel Henry Bromfield, was formed for
exploring a mineral vein in this locality, and the work of
pushing a drift was begun in July of 1784. Operations were
conducted in an ititermittent way for five years before the
"silver mine" was finally abandoned. The shaft, after pass-

72

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

ing through the overlying gravel, was driven about fifty feet
into the solid rock, sometimes by blasting, sometimes by
heating the stone with great fires and then throwing water
upon it It was high enough for a man to enter standing
erect. The enterprise seems to have been under the manage
ment of two men named Ives and Peck, Englishmen, who
claimed to have discovered the minerals in place which led
the associates into their visionary investment.
One district in Harvard with limits not very closely de
fined, yet bears in common usage a name of Indian origin,
variously spelled and accented : Shabikin, Shabakin, Shabbu-
kin, Shabokin, Shaboken, Shabbachin, Shabaca, Chaboken,
etc. The first two forms are those written upon the maps of
1794 by educated surveyors of Groton and Harvard, and may
be taken as proving that the accent in their day was placed
upon the first syllable. If we look for instruction as to its
orthography to those supposed experts in local geography
the Harvard school committee, we shall find that they have
printed the word with five different spellings in annual reports
during the last thirty-five years. The name first appears in
town records March 4, 1754, when mention is made of " that
part of Harvard commonly called Shabikin." The scribe
who spelled it thus during his long service of fourteen years
was William Willard, and perhaps Harvard never had a
more intelligent or better qualified clerk than " Old Clark
Bill," as he was universally known. His orthography also
best corresponds with the Indian name of a noted Lancaster
locality — Quasaponikin — and other aboriginal designations
of places. The town cannot err in adopting the spelling of
their earliest records. Shabikin seems to have been the orig
inal designation of that portion of Stow Leg which includes
Hell Pond, the region north of it being called Nonacoicus,
John Warner Barber in his Historical Collections, 1839, asserts
that "The Indian names of Stow were Pompsiticut and Shab-
bukin,irovn. 'two notable hills.'" The authority for this is
not given, but was doubtless a statement made by J. B. Felt
in the first volume of the Collections of the American Sta
tistical Association.
The various extensive intervales, meadows, and swamps in

FLORA AND FAUNA. 73
the Nashaway plantation received from the first proprietors
distinctive names which have mostly become disused and for
gotten. Chief among those in Harvard is Plumtrees, by
which name, as early as 1655, the planters designated the wide
intervales lying north of the Still River station, following the
Nashua to the bluffs of Shabikin. Through this ran the first
roadway to Groton, and lots in this tract were highly valued
by the proprietors because of the natural grasses then grow
ing luxuriantly there. The intervale near where Still River
joins the Nashua, through which passes the Bolton and Har
vard boundary, was known as Broad Meadow. Near Pin Hill
on the west and north the low lands were called the Brook
and Pin Hill Meadows, and those about Bare Hill Pond were
known as the Great Pond Meadows. A Wigwam Meadow
and Horse Meadow are mentioned as east of Bare Hill; Ho-
sokie [hassocky] Round and Polypod Meadows on Still River.
The flora and fauna of Harvard differ in no essential re
spect from those of all inland Massachusetts. The greed of
the hunter, the wood chopper's axe and the march of civili
zation long ago exterminated all the higher order of preda
tory and fur-bearing quadrupeds — the wily fox excepted —
as well as all the larger wild animals valuable for human food.
Thus have disappeared many beautiful and useful creatures
that were familiar to the Nashaway pioneers. The swan,
noblest of wild fowl, was occasionally seen, and gave name
to the long swamp in which Still River has its source. The
wild turkey was found in flocks in the -woods by the first set
tlers, and hence the original name of Lunenburg — Turkey
Hills. Another bird now nearly extinct in New England,
but once so numerous as to materially add to the food sup
ply, is the passenger pigeon. During the seasons when ber
ries and acorns were abundant, immense flocks of these birds
appeared, sometimes descending upon the grain fields like a
devastating army. Thousands were yearly slaughtered by
gunners, but the most deadly agency used for their destruc
tion was the pigeon-net, by which more than a hundred at a
time were often captured while feeding upon the decoy beds.
The pinnated grouse, better known as the prairie-chicken of
the West, was probably once common here. Beaver dams

74 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
are mentioned in old deeds. There was one upon the brook
between Bare Hill Pond and Pin Hill, visible in revolutionary
days; and the name Beaver Brook is a reminiscence of the
most valued of the rodent family once common here, but the
first species exterminated. The elk and the moose we know
sometimes fell victims to the hunter's skill, and on the river
near the Harvard and Bolton line was a "place where the
deer do cross." The last elk known to have visited this
region was the noble stag shot in Lancaster by Jonas Fair-
bank, a youth of sixteen years, about the date of Harvard's
incorporation. The antlers of this animal are preserved in
Lancaster's Memorial Hall. December 15, 1739, Thomas
Wheeler and Jacob Gates were elected in town-meeting "to
take care of ye Deer," and thereafter deer reeves were among
the town officers annually chosen until sometime in the pres
ent century. Their duty was to prosecute those killing deer
unseasonably. In 1742: —
Eleazar Robins Jun'. of Harvard being bound over to the Court by
Mr Justice Martin for killing a Buck or Deer in Febry. last as per y"*
Recog. appears, came into Court and confess'd he was Guilty, and hav
ing Inform'd agst himself had the benefitt thereof allow'd him, and was
fined five pounds Old Tenor to the King which he paid with cost and was
dismiss'd. In 1757:—
Samuel Harper of Harvard being bound over to the Court by Mr
Justice Atherton to answer to complaint of Josiah Whetcomb Jun'. of
Littleton, a Deer Reeve, for his, said Samuel's, killing Wild Deer, Bucks
Does or Fawns, or having the Skin or Raw Flesh of Wild Buck Doe or
Fawn in his possession since twenty-fifth day of December last, * * *
confessed his guilt and paid a fine of five pounds, six shil
lings and eight pence, "one half to his majesty and the other
half to the informer." No record is found of a deer's hav
ing been captured or even seen in Harvard for twenty-five
years. That magnificent but bloodthirsty feline, the cougar or
catamount — which the Pilgrims thought a lion — was not
rare, as the bounties paid by various towns show. Bears were
less common, but wolves and wild-cats so abounded and were
so inordinately fond of fresh pork, lamb and veal, that their

FLORA AND FAUNA. 75
nightly depredations drove the farmers almost to despair. In
the year of Harvard's incorporation the bounty paid for a
wolf's head was four pounds, and for that of a lynx one pound.
A local hunter and trapper earned thirty-six pounds in boun
ties that year by killing five wolves and sixteen wild-cats.
Raccoons, grey squirrels and musk-rats, as well as foxes, were
numerous enough to be pursued as vermin, the provincial
laws offering a substantial reward for their destruction. They
all have continued to plague the husbandman in spite of law,
and are sufficiently numerous at the present' day, though far
more wary than of old. Elisha D. Stone, a well known
farmer of Still River, thoroughly versed in Reynard's habits,
¦ has trapped two hundred and ninety-four foxes within twenty-
one years — 1871-1892 — on his own premises. One year he
caught twenty. Occasionally a coon is seen, and now and
then an otter. Within ten years several hedge-hogs have
been killed. The beautiful summer or wood duck continues
to nest on the banks of the Nashua, and various migratory
water fowl pay transient visits, as of old, to the great pond.
The osprey frequents its shores, the weird cry of the great
northern diver is heard in summer, and sometimes a storm-
driven gull is said to find a temporary harbor here.
Of trees noteworthy for their size Harvard has but few.
The huge chestnut trees of Bare Hill, famous fifty years ago,
have mostly succumbed to storm and decay, though a few
giants stand with ragged trunks and shattered limbs, relics
of a former century. An aged sycamore or button-wood be
fore that fine specimen of the architecture of Revolutionary
days, the Captain Thaddeus Pollard house in south Still
River, now owned by Isaac H. Marshall, measures fifteen feet
in girt at the height of five feet from the ground. The larg
est elm in the town is that by the dwelling of John Hines on
Makamacheckamuck's Hill. Its once magnificent vase-like
crown lost much of its symmetry by a stroke of lightning a
few summers ago. Its trunk is seventeen feet in circumfer
ence at the height of five feet from the ground, swelling to
twenty-one below, where the huge buttresses from the roots
emerge from it.
6

•j(i HISTORY OF HARVARD.
VI. THE PEOPLE AND THEIR HOMES.
1732.
At least two-thirds of the population of the new town
bore one of eight surnames : Atherton, Farnsworth, Hough
ton, Priest, Sawyer, Warner, Whitney or Willard; and many
of the other moiety were connected by marriage with these
eight prolific families. Let us briefly consider these grand
sons of the CromweUian Puritans whose mode of living,
thought and dress has become so obsolete; see what man
ner of men they were, and what their environment. All were
of English descent, mostly of Lancashire and Kentish an
cestry. The heads of households, between fifty and sixty in
number and widely scattered over the township, were all of
the yeoman class and nearly every one a tiller of the soil.
The very few who were skilled in some mechanical craft had
little farms from which they drew their main subsistence.
Even the ministers of this period in the country towns eked
out their scant and ill-paid tithes by labor upon their land.
But every husbandman was also a jack at all trades, "handy
with tools." Some were rich in acres; but all, even the most
"forehanded," when judged by any standard of modern
times, were very poor in personal property, whether money
income, or household goods, or those conveniences which are
now deemed daily necessities in an ordinary household.
There was an aristocracy of two families — the minister's and
the 'squires's. There were no paupers and no loafers, and
when to conform to law the stocks were built beside the
meeting-house, good plank was wasted.
From the time when the ground mellowed under the
spring sunshine sufficiently to yield to the plough, until the
winter frosts resumed their iron sway, these husbandmen led
lives of unremitting toil; from sunrise to sun.set never idle
save on the Sabbath. The long winter season had its round
of special labors both out of doors and in. Then came the
butchering days and the subsequent work of salting down the
meat; curing and smoking hams, shoulders and flitches; trying
out of tallow and lard; making of sausages and head-cheese;
pickling of souse and tripe. The corn had to be shelled by

WINTER WORK.

n

scraping it from the cob on the edge of a shovel. The wheat
barley, rye and oats were threshed with flails upon the re
sounding barn floor, and then sieved and winnowed from
chaff by hand on a windy day. After each drifting storm
the roadways had to be broken out, and all the men and
teams in town were expected to share in the work.
When the snows had gathered deep in the woodlands
every man and boy who could swing an axe, or rule with haw
and gee the docile oxen, was for weeks busy in cutting and
sledding home the year's supply of fuel, until a huge mound
of logs and limbs half filled the yard and obstructed all
views from the kitchen windows. This tangled mass the
choppers in due time worked into back-logs, fore-sticks, oven-
wood, kindling-wood, light-wood, and chips. One prime load
was delivered at the minister's door. A few of the choicest
butt-logs were hauled to the nearest saw-mill to be converted
into boards and plank for general repairs about the farm
buildings, the miller sawing them for half the product.
Fencing rails were split out of the young chestnuts; and an
immense quantity of them were needed, for swine were
always allowed to run at large, and stray cattle and colts
abounded, so that the fences about the grain fields had to be
"horse-high, bull-proof and pig-tight." They were very
commonly built wholly of rails in the zigzag fashion known
as Virginia or worm fence, which remains now in vogue
only at the South. Stone was so plenty that walls almost
everywhere in time superseded rail fences on the hills. The
extra quality white-pine butts were sawn into bolts and rived
for shingles with the froe. Straight hickory, ash and white
oak were saved from the insatiable maw of the kitchen chim
ney, if a critical eye saw in them possible sled stakes, whip-
stocks, axe-helves, hoe, fork and shovel or plough handles,
ox-bows, cart-tongues, axles, hoops, or any one of a score of
other articles which were deftly wrought of wood by the fire
side or in the shed, with axe, saw, draw-shave, shaving-horse
and jack-knife, during the stormy days or the evenings in
winter. If the old adage, "hard work is happiness," be half
true, our yeoman ancestry must have been a contented peo
ple despite the traditional lack of visible joyousness among
them.

78 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
It was the age of wooden ware. The daily meals were
eaten from wooden bowls and trenchers; the milk vessels
were all of wood; most of the doors were held with a wooden
latch big enough to serve as an effectual bar when the leath
ern latch-string was pulled in, which it rarely was; the rum
jug was a wooden bottle; the plough was of wood, veneered
with iron where friction bore hardest; even the harrow teeth
were of hickory; the cart-wheel often had no tire, iron plates
called strakes holding the felloes together, being fastened
to them by long clinch nails. The thorn bush was robbed to
save the cost of pins. The cooper was one of the busiest of
men in every little community, for he was depended upon
not only for the cider hogsheads and beer barrels, but for dye
tubs, malt tubs, powdering tubs, cheese vats, piggins, nog
gins, runlets, keelers, churns, dry-measures, firkins and buck
ets. The dish-turner was another useful citizen,''who by his
skill tried to make amends for the scarcity and high cost of
pewter, tin, and potter's ware. From his rude lathe and
bench came the cherry and maple trenchers, trays, bowls,
spoons, mortars and pestles, dippers and drinking cups.
The furniture was much of it home-made, stools often
doing duty for chairs; and the only suggestion of a lounge
or sofa being a board bench or settle by the chimney corner,
sometimes made with a high back to ward off draughts.
There were no carpets on the floors, no paper or pictures on
the walls, no paint inside or outside of the house, no attempt
at decoration of any kind. Rarely was there more than one
looking-glass for the household use, and that a diminutive
specimen. The best bed was often in the parlor, and was
commonly of feathers, while those most used were flock beds
made of locks of coarse wool, with straw-stuffed ticks be
neath. A great chest served as a receptacle of all the reserve
family linen. A clock was a rare possession; not one is
named among the early inventories of Harvard estates.
Noon-marks on the kitchen floor told the good-wife when it
was time to blow the horn which called the men-folk from
afield to their midday meal. An hour-glass stood on the pul
pit desk to caution the preacher from the indiscretion of
stopping the flow of his extempore sermon before the full

THE FIRESIDE.

79

sixty minutes had lapsed, and the same time-keeper some
times served to regulate the stint of the spinsters at the
wheel. Nowadays, when even rural highways are illuminated, and
the electric light is promising to abolish sunsets in our towns,
perhaps no picture of early New England life has grown so
dim as that of the olden-time domestic circle in the evening
hours. The roseate hues that glowed in the log fire upon the
wide hearth, and the merry, crackling laugh of the blaze as
it skurried up the huge chimney throat, still shine for, and
warm, and sing to us in the immortal verse of our poets.
Nay more, a veritable gleam comes to us occasionally from
the few new hearths which fashion and the architects have
introduced, like a reminiscence of the fitful flare*Df dying
embers upon the old. But in spite of the most^lavish con
sumption of fuel, winter's chills tyrannized over all the colon
ial house save the chimney corners; and what of poetry or
comfort can our modern renaissance draw out of this cheer
ful description from Francis Higginson?
Yea our pine trees that are most plentiful of all wood, doth allow us
plenty of candles, which are very useful in a house, and they are such
candles as the Indians commonly use, having no other. And they arc
nothing else but the wood of the pine tree cloven into little slices some
thing thin, which are so full of the moisture of turpentime and pitch,
that they bum as clear as a torch.
The blaze of pine knots was the chief evening illumina
tion of most farmers' kitchens, and a more brilliant one it
was, though less constant, than that of the sputtering tallow
dip in the wooden or sheet-iron candlestick which succeeded
it. Every family made their own candles and soap as regu
larly as they did their butter and cheese. The sacred fire on
the altar of Vesta of old was not more carefully 'guarded
from extinction than that on the New England domestic
hearth; for its loss meant the bringing of burning brand or a
shovel-full of live coals from the neighbor's, however dis
tant, to start a new one. Hence every night the last to go to
bed heaped up the ruddy embers against the back-log, and
covered them deep with ashes to hold their glowing heat for
kindling the next day's fires. Home-made brimstone matches

8o HISTORY OF HARVARD.
later came into vogue, for they could be ignited at the spark
kindled in punk or tinder by striking fire into it from the
clash of flint and steel. The garish light of the brightest
summer's day was abundantly tempered by struggling through
the dingy, diamond panes in the leaden sash of the diminu
tive windows.
There was little variety in the early domestic architecture
of Harvard save such as marked the difference in the means
of the owners. The houses were all built after saw mills were
conveniently near, and there were therefore few log structures,
unless for the sheltering of animals. From the old dwell
ings yet standing and others well remembered, we know that
when the house was two storied in front it rarely was but one
at the back, the rear slope of the roof extending down to
within nine or ten feet of the ground. Sometimes the pitch
of this slope changed at a line on the level of the front eaves.
The kitchen was always in this rear portion. A less common
style was the gambrel roof, found upon both one and two
storied houses. Reverend John Seccomb's mansion afforded
a fine example of this form of roof. Sometimes the upper
story projected slightly over the lower. Porches or other ir
regular features were very exceptional. A single huge chim
ney passed up through the centre of the house, usually of
brick though sometimes of stone. It was at a much earlier
date or in very humble homes, that chimneys were of logs
lined with clay. These were called catted chimneys and were
usually built outside the frame.
The pioneers had no lime, for there was little in Massa
chusetts except the small quantity made from quahaug and
oyster shells upon the sea coast, until the discovery of lime
stone in 1697 at Newbury. Clay mortar was the common
substitute. But about the date of Harvard's incorporation
lime stone of excellent quality was found very near its south
ern boundary, making possible many improvements in house
construction, and especially in interior finish, at reasonable
cost. No more welcome boon had come to the people in the
the Nashaway Valley since the building of Prescott's Mills,
than the lime-kilns of Fairbank and Houghton and the Whit
combs, in the north-east corner of Bolton. Lath and plaster

HOUSE BUILDING. 8 1
thenceforward took the place of high wainscots and sheathed
ceilings and walls.
All mechanics served a long apprenticeship and became
skilful, ambidextrous workmen; the more certainly because
everything had to be patiently wrought by hand. Thus the
carpenter with a few rude tools laboriously fashioned from
rough lumber everything of wood that enters into the con
struction of a house, and apprentices served three or four
years before they could rank as "journeymen" in the craft.
The joinery work was therefore excellent, but the mathemat
ical principles of carpentry were ill understood; the chief
timbers of the framing generally being disproportionately
large, always square in section, and usually of hewn oak,
while the joists in floors and wall spaces were too few and of
insufficient depth for stiffness. The raising of even an ordi
nary house was a somewhat formidable undertaking, and fur
nished occasion for a general junket, when all the stout arms
of the neighborhood were called to help in lifting the heavy
posts, beams and plates to their places under the direction of
the master carpenter. Not seldom serious accidents are re
corded upon such occasions, attributable no doubt in many
cases to the over free use of stimulating beverages, which the
builder was always expected to provide.
It very early became the practice in New England to cover
the rough exterior boarding with a second course of thin
lapped sheathing to keep out wind and rain. The boards for
this were "clave" from suitable logs in the same manner as
were staves for hogsheads, and were called by the same Eng
lish name clapboards — a contraction from clave boards: For
the roof, where a larger lap was essential, shingles similarly
riven and shaved were used. The nails for fastening these to
the frame were bought by number, not by weight as now —
shingle and lath by the thousand, board nails by the hundred
— and were very expensive. For the first meeting-house or
dinary spikes known as "double tens" cost nine shillings per
hundred, lath nails seven shillings sixpence per thousand, and
board nails from two and one half to six shillings per thou
sand. The specimens of early architecture remaining in Harvard

82 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
are not numerous, and such as have outlasted conflagration
and decay, are mostly so concealed with renovations, or rad
ically altered to suit modern tastes and requirements, that
few original features are distinguishable. Frame and founda
tions often, had they tongues, would be able to tell us stories
of the French and Indian wars; but doors and windows,
blinds and cornices, porch and veranda speak plainly of
changeable ownership and comparatively recent vanities or
fashions. The stern simplicity of the bare brown farm house
of the first half of the last century, with its typical adjuncts
— an elm or two, two clumps of lilacs, a few cinnamon roses
and hollyhocks, a well sweep and big brown barn — was in
homely keeping with the plain-mannered, frugal, industrious
lives that budded, blossomed and bore fruit therein.
A few facts concerning some of the more noteworthy of
these old homes and their builders-have been gleaned: Dor
cas (Willard) Bellows, December 27, 1714, deeded to Samuel
Willard, her eldest son, "fourteen acres on the south side of
the fenced field at a place called y" Still Riuer ffarme on y"
west side of the highway, where his late Honoured ffather,
Henry Willard, some time lived .... also all the Dwelling
house which was his ffathers." , This dwelling was on the east
side of the highway. Samuel a few years later bought of his
brothers, James and Josiah, all their shares "in the Great
Fenced Field at y" Still River Farm where our Honoured
Father Henry Willard sometime lived," and thus gained pos
session of the orignal homestead, one hundred and sixty acres,
and probably the first garrison house. Upon Samuel's removal
to the centre of Lancaster in 1727, he sold this farm for 2000;^
to John Wright from Andover, describing it as bounded "East
on the highway to Groton, the way cutting off some land on
the East." John Wright was an innkeeper here for a time but
probably was unable to pay for the place, as it seems to have
reverted to Willard, for he sold it again, in 1734, to Theophilus
Cushing, a Hingham trader, who at once transferred it to Jo
seph Haskell, a cooper from Gloucester. The new owner
sold the northerly half of his purchase to his cousin, Henrv
Haskell. The old house and the lands have remained in pos
session of the Haskell family, being successively occupied by

PRIEST GARRISON HOUSE. 83
the first Joseph, known as the old deacon, his son. Colonel
Josiah, his grandson. Squire Jacob, his great grandson. Deacon
Charles; and now the estate is owned by William B. Haskell,
the fifth in direct line. The dwelling is a finely preserved
specimen of an old time residence, with comparatively few
alterations or additions, and no evidence is found to disprove
the claim that it was the home of the first Henry Willard,
and the first of Harvard's garrison houses, built in 1687.
An ancient gambrel-roofed house of ample dimensions,
until burned April 6, 1869, stood a little less than a mile from
the Harvard post-office on the eastern side of the Bare Hill
road. This was doubtless the 171 1 garrison house of John
Priest, Jr. By those living, familiar with it, this was known
as the Forbush place, the second John Priest selling it to
John Forbush in 1738. It stood a little back from the high
way on an admirably chosen site, commanding an enchanting
view to the north and west. Near by was a capacious gam
brel-roofed barn. The huge chimney that surmounted the
ridgepole at the centre of the house was of stone, and within
the present century several of the windows retained the orig
inal sash glazed with little greenish panes set in lead. This
was a rare and noteworthy survival, for in the scarcity of
lead during the early days of the Revolution most of the
metal sash were melted and run into bullets for the patriot
army. The stairwa)^ was built of solid hewn timber, and the
walls were ceiled throughout with plank instead of lath and
plaster. Everywhere in the original construction there was
a chary use of metal; wooden pins or dowels taking the place
of the wrought nails which were generally employed in the
early colonial days for fastening the boarding to the frame,
and the flooring and wainscot to the joists. It was univer
sally considered the oldest house in Harvard, and its vener
able appearance and peculiarly antique carpentry justified
this belief.
The house standing on the hillside half way between the
site of the John Priest garrison house and Bare Hill Pond,
was the home of Joseph Priest, John's younger brother. He
sold it with eighty acres of land to Benjamin Stow, in 1743.
Behind the David Nourse house, now owned and occupied

84

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

by Asel B. Abbott, stood that of John Sampson who came to
Harvard from Marlborough and bought lands of John Nich
ols in 1735. On the same highway about a mile further south
was the farm of Elijah Whitney, located from land rights
purchased before the incorporation of Harvard. His son
Israel succeeded to the homestead, and was followed by
Luther and Luke. It is now owned by Michael Sweeny.
The first dwelling here probably stood in the orchard oppo
site the present house.
A'oraham Whitney's farm was directly north of Elijah's,
and was, like his, chiefly from the James Atherton estate.
Abraham Whitney senior bought lands here of Josiah Kent
in 1743, and built on the opposite side of the highway from
the house now owned by Thomas Mongovin, where traces of
his dwelling can be seen. The house now the home of Cephas
Bowers was built by Abraham Whitney, Jr., in Revolutionary
days. The John Willard house, probably built about 1713, occu
pied the site of that where A. P. Brown now lives, in the south
end of Still River village, and a portion of it forms the ell of
the modern residence. John Willard died childless, his only
son being drowned while crossing the river on horseback.
Thaddeus Stevens, a disciple of Shadrach Ireland, lived here
for a time, and here Mother Anne Lee and the Shaker elders
found shelter at their first coming to Harvard in 1781. The
Captain Thaddeus Pollard house on the opposite side of the
way, a few rods down the hill, is a well preserved specimen
of the architecture of Revolutionary days, built in 1782.
The worthy captain was a blacksmith, and came to this farm
from Bolton, bringing, it is said, all his chattels upon a hand
cart. His industry and thrift brought him the means to build
one of the finest residences in town and furnish it in appro
priate style. It was in front of this house that the Shaker,
Abijah Worster, was scourged by the mob in 1782.
In the field west of the highway which leads from Still
River to Ayer, and directly behind the Abidan Knight home
stead now owned by Silas Dudley, is the cellar of Hezekiah
Willard's garrison house of 1711. The site commands a de
lightful view of the valley and distant mountains, and was

THE ATHERTON HOUSE.

85

approached by a private way along the hillside. The dwell
ing was destroyed by fire forty years ago. Several of the
early homes of Still River settlers were thus located at some
distance from the road and on the lower benches of the
great hill; partly, it would seem, to secure a better supply of
water. , The first highways, mere bridle-paths, were run to
suit the public convenience; but the pioneer's dwelling of
necessity was placed in the near neighborhood of a perennial
spring, or where good water could be had by sinking wells of
no great depth.
Under the great elm opposite the house of James Hum
phrey Atherton there stood until 1852 a large, two-storied
farm house painted red. Though well preserved, it wore
many marks of age, including an enormous central chimney
stack, built partly of stone and partly of bricks laid in clay
mortar. One singular feature in its construction was the out
side sheathing, which was of two-inch oak plank with cham
fered edges, laid diagOTtally, and fastened to the studding with
wooden pins. This edifice was doubtless built by Joshua
Atherton who died here in 1721, leaving the homestead to
his wife Mary and two minor sons, John and Peter. The
widow lived to the ripe age of " about 95," dying in 1754. In
this house Peter and Experience (Wright) Atherton set up
housekeeping in 1728. Peter was a man of more than the
average mental force and ability. He was chosen the first
town-clerk, one of the first assessors, and the first representa
tive from Harvard to the Great and General Court. In 1745
he was made a justice of the peace, and seems to have exer
cised the large authority then attached to that office with
ample dignity and vigor. By trade he was a blacksmith, and
the cinders at this day often ploughed up, three or four rods
north of the noble tree that shadowed the house in its later
days, indicate where his forge stood. His son Peter suc
ceeded to the estate — younger sons, Joshua and Israel, build
ing their homes and honorable reputations away from
Harvard. Ten other children are recorded as dying in
infancy. David Atherton became the fourth owner of the farm, by
"purchase from Peter's heirs, shortly after the Revolution.

86 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
On the thirtieth of October, 1805, while gathering walnuts
upon his intervale, he fell from a tree and so paralyzed his
spinal column that his lower limbs were ever after totally
useless. Though a dead man below the waist, his will-power
was as alive as ever, and his arms and hands retained their
strength unimpaired. He learned and practiced thp art of
shoemaking, and by means of cords and pulleys attached to
the ceiling of his room could move himself within certain
limits at pleasure. He survived his fall over twenty-five
years, dying March 17, 1831, at the age of seventy-four.
It was in this Atherton house that, during the Revolution,
two paroled British officers were for some time quartered.
The land about it formed a part of Major Simon Willard's
"one hundred and ninety-six acres which was called ye Great
Farm at Still River."
Ensign Joseph Atherton, oldest son of Joshua, married
Hannah, the daughter of Samuel Rogers, in 1720, and re
ceived land from his father described as "where I the said
Joshua Atherton formerly lived  bounded west on the
river." The deed also mentions "the cellar where the old
house stood." Joseph died in 1735, leaving sons Oliver and
Joseph, and daughters Mary, Elizabeth, Hannah and Patience.
His homestead was then described as one hundred and
twenty-seven acres, bounded west by the river, and having
upon it his own residence and an "old house called Hoults."
The venerable dwelling under a noble elm, on the brow of
the hill east from the Still River station, and now the home
of Oliver H. and Galen Atherton, probably covers the site of
one of the old houses, while the cellar of the other, a short
distance southward across the county road, was filled up
many years ago. In the present house Oliver Atherton kept
a well-known inn in Revolutionary days.
Between the homesteads of John Willard and Joshua Ath
erton was that of Joseph and Elizabeth (Wilder) Hutchins,
which he bought A. D. 1700, of Benjamin, son of Major
Simon Willard, it being the southernmost portion of the
major's Still River farm. Joseph and Elizabeth died within
four months, in 1757, and probably childless, for they willed
their whole estate to a "kinsman," Joshua Church, even in-

HOUGHTON GARRISON HOUSE. 87
eluding their "negro, Neptune." The farm was soon after
purchased by Samuel Haskell, whose widow sold it to Joseph
Atherton. Samuel Dudley, in 1797, bought the estate of the
Atherton heirs and built the house now owned by Mrs. Jona
than W. Lawrence. The ancient dwelling occupied by
Thomas Atherton Bigelow was probably the house of Joseph
Hutchins, and if so, is nearly two hundred years old.
No pioneer's home now standing in the town offers more
of interest to the antiquary than the James Houghton garri
son house, which has been handed down from father to son
through five generations, with only those alterations and
additions which the comfort and accommodation of succes
sive families made imperative. No homestead in Harvard
has remained thus permanently in the same family. The
capacious farm-house, lovingly cared for by the present
owner, Edward Warren Houghton, is obviously the sum of
at least three structures, all ancient; the western end being
the original garrison house, .built between 1692 and 1704.
The first chimney was of stone, the huge foundation of which
yet fills half the cellar. This was very early replaced by the
present many-flued brick pile, with its eight fire-places, oven,
cupboard niches, and a smoke closet in which there is room
enough to hang for curing the hams and shoulders of a score
of swine. Many of the little windows, though the sash are
modern, remain at nearly double the height from the floor
which is now thought convenient, and the walls below and
around them are filled in solidly with brick and stone, so as
to be completely bullet-proof. The huge oaken beams and
plates, from twelve to fourteen inches square, show for a
third of their thickness below the lath and plaster of the
ceiling. It became necessary to remove the paneled wains
cot during some renovations. It was unpainted of the soft
est pine in which neither knot nor shake nor sap could be found,
fastened with wooden pins and faultless in workmanship. It
was doubtless the handiwork of the owner and builder of the
house, who was a carpenter, and the portions of it preserved
afford evidence of his practiced skill. Wherever iron was
used in any part of the construction, even in fastening the
rived clapboards, it was the wrought work of the blacksmith.

88 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
The successive occupants of this interesting homestead
have been: i, the builder of the garrison, James Houghton,
the son of Ralph and Jane. His will was proved September
II, 171 1. 2, Thomas Houghton, the third son of James, who
married Mariah Moore, December 2, 1725, had one son, Elijah,
and died at the age of sixty-eight, April 10, 1764. His wid
ow survived him over twenty-six years. 3, Elijah, married
Mercy Whitney and had eleven children, the oldest, Thomas,
coming into possession of the house. 4, Thomas, by his wife
Betsy White, had thirteen children, of whom (5) Cephas
retained the homestead, and his son is the present owner.
The next home eastward, now owned by John Sprague, was
that of Elijah Houghton, Jr., sold to Abraham Lawrence in
1809. Five or six years before the birth of Harvard, Stephen
and Abigail Houghton set up their roof-tree beside the high
way opposite where Benjamin K. Barnard now lives. In 1743
Benjamin Barnard bought Houghton's house and lands, and
his descendants have ever since occupied the place. The
present dwelling is the third built here.
The guests at the first Harvard ordination in 1733 were
entertained at the house of Joseph Willard, son of the first
Henry. This dwelling stands in excellent preservation, in
North Still River, at the junction of the Groton and Harvard
roads, being now the home of Reverend John B. Willard and
his sisters. They are direct descendants of the first owner.
The roof at the rear originally sloped to a single story, and
other alterations have given the house a somewhat modern
appearance. In making these changes it was found that the
outer walls were lined with brick laid in clay; and upon
beams and joist were several memoranda dated between 1730
and 1740, and one or more dates of the previous century.
The south-west room was known as the "dower room," being
fitted for the residence of the dowager with a special stair
way to cellar, and oven and closet conveniences. This fea
ture was quite usual in old country houses. The mansion, if
a new one when Joseph and Elizabeth Willard began house
keeping, was built about 1712; but there is some reason to
believe that it dates from about 1730, though very probably

OLD HOUSES. 89
in part a reconstruction from the materials, or built upon the
site, of an older edifice.
Beside the highway about midway between Still River and
Harvard Centre, on a hill-sheltered slope facing the south,
there stood, until 1881, a large and venerable dwelling, re
moved by Absalom B. Gale when he built the house which
is his present home. The main part of the old structure now
stands at the eastern end of the barn, shorn of the rear por
tion which was but one storied. In the huge chimney demol
ished were bricks in which figures were plainly impressed,
but these give no clue to its age or builder. It no doubt
dates from 1744, when Jeremiah Foster made 4 home here.
He sold to John Willard in 1750.. Robert Holland kept an
inn here, having bought the place of Willard, and the farm
has had many owners since.
A somewhat older building is concealed under the modern
exterior of the residence next to Mr. Gale's, on the west. In
1743, Benjamin Nurse transferred to Richard Harris and Jer
emiah Foster, of Ipswich, a farm of about one hundred and
twenty acres here, and in the division of this between them,
Foster took the eastern half, and Harris the western, with the
buildings. Richard Harris is said to have come from the
seaside to the hills of Worcester County to keep his sons
from becoming sailors. He was a weaver by trade. He died
in 1776, and his heirs near the close of the century sold house
and lands to Oliver Hill. Benjamin Nurse was a carpenter
from Reading, and bought this estate shortly after the incor
poration of Harvard, from Jonathan Houghton and Ebenezer
Wilder of Lancaster. He first built here.
A large house at the south-west corner of the town's com
mon, one of the most weather-beaten in appearance in Har
vard, was reconstructed to form the mansion in which Dr.
Herbert B. Royal now lives. It dated from the earliest years
of John Seccomb's ministry, when it was the home of 'John
and Phebe Atherton. Here he was a licensed inn-keeper in
1734. He died in 1755, and Richard Harris, Jr., a carpenter
who married his daughter Lydia, succeeded him. Silas Park
hurst, a tanner from Pepperell, bought the place in 1772, from
the Atherton heirs, and in Revolutionary times kept a tavern

go HISTORY OF HARVARD.
here, as also did his son-in-law, Jonas Merriam, early in the
present century.
The first Fairbank homestead is that now owned by An
drew Fairbank. The house is very old, though most signs
of its age are concealed under modern improvements. It is
probably in part the original dwelling of the first Joseph
Fairbank, built about 1720. Joseph was son of Lieutenant
Jabez Fairbank, and the grandson of Jonas, an early proprie
tor of Lancaster. Jonathan Fairbank, the father of Jonas,
came from Sowerby, England, which was also the residence
of John Prescott, whose daughter, Lydia, became the wife of
Jonas, 1658, 3™. 28* The Fairbank family were severe suffer
ers in the Indian wars, and. Lieutenant Jabez attained local
celebrity in military affairs. It probably was Joseph who
appears as the " little son " in the famous episode of the mas
sacre of September 11, 1697, as narrated by Reverend Tim
othy Harrington in his Century Sermon : —
 Mr Jabez Fairbank, who was at his own house half a mile's dis
tance, and designed to bring his little son from said Garrison, mounted
his horse which came running to him in a fright ; and rode full speed
into the gate, biit yet nothing suspicious of an enemy. However this was
means of saving the Garrison ; for the enemy who were just ready to
rush into it, supposing they were discovered, gave over that design.
Joseph Fairbank married Mary Brown, April. 11, 1718, and
thirteen children were born to them. He was the choice of
his townsmen for their first representative to the Great and
General Court, but modestly declined to serve. He was one
of the first selectmen, and for several years town treasurer.
His oldest son, Phineas, became captain, and held nearly all
the offices within the gift of his fellow townsmen. He lived
upon a farm adjoining his father's on the north, his house
being the first built upon the cui de sac road. Ebenezer
Burges set his dwelling at the end of the same road in 1751,
when he bought his farm of John Whitcomb. Only their
cellars now remain to designate the sites of the two homes.
Near the southern boundary of the town, sheltered from
the northern blasts by the long ridge of Bare Hill, were
grouped the homes of John Warner, John Priest, John Nich
ols, Caleb Sawyer, James Atherton and their children. None

OLD HOUSES. 91
of their earliest dwellings have withstood the wear of time
save that supposed to be Caleb Sawyer's; and long ago this
passed from the ownership of his descendants. It is now
occupied by James Ford, and generally known as the Wash
ington Warner place. Since Phineas Sawyer sold it to Silas
Craggin in 1810, it has been transferred to Jabez Priest, 1812,
Sylvester Priest, 1821, Washington Warner, 1840. Here
Caleb and Sarah (Houghton) Sawyer lived for more than
fifty years, and here he died when almost one hundred years
old. He divided the home acres, several years before his
death, between his sons Jonathan and Seth, the latter living
with his father in the old house, and Jonathan building a
short distance to the north, opposite the present farm-house
where Manasseh, Luther and Arad, three generations of his
descendants, spent their lives. Among the outlying lands of
Caleb Sawyer was a tract now forming the farm of Wilbur
F. Sawyer, and opposite his dwelling a cellar marks the site
of an older home — that of Caleb the son of Seth, who
probably built here about 1761. Phineas, the youngest son
of Seth, became a very skilful mechanic, as a rifle dated 1777
and stamped with his name — now owned by Warren Hap
good — attests. It was said of him that "he could make
anything but a hornet's nest."
The first John Priest garrison house, it is supposed, stood a
little east of, and very near, the house of Benjamin J. Priest.
A very old dwelling was torn down here after the present
house was built by the father of its late owner, Andrew Priest.
The second John Priest, after the death of his father in 1704,
took his wife, Anna Houghton, to a new house built near his
brother Joseph's, upon inherited lands at the northern end of
Bare Hill. After the death of Rachel, widow of the first
John Priest — who survived her husband thirty-three years —
the heirs transferred all their rights in the original Priest
homestead to Gabriel Priest; and his descendants have ever
since held the title to it.
The journal of Reverend William Brinsmead of Marlbo
rough states that "September 20, 1687, John Warner of Lan
caster was taken into the church at the house of Jonathan
Johnson." This marks the year of the coming of the Warner
7

92 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
and Priest families from Woburn; and as for some time they
jointly occupied a farm of thirty-six acres, the two hearth
stones could not have been far apart, if they were not under
the same roof. John Warner's three sons in due time had
families, and passed their lives in the neighborhood. The
oldest, Samuel, is supposed to have built, where an old cellar
was filled up a few years ago, five or six rods west of the
dwelling of Miss Elizabeth Fairbanlc. John had a farm fur
ther to the eastward upon the road to Hudson. Ebenezer,
the youngest, remained with his parents, and the first Warner
homestead successively fell to Ebenezer, Jr., Calvin, Calvin,
Jr., and Luke. The house built by Calvin was burned in 1877,
being then owned by Jonathan Crouch. The older residence
was not upon the site of this, but probably nearer the brook
and highway.
John Nichols, in 1740, sold his Harvard estate to Jonathan
Houghton, and removed to the neighborhood of Fort Pond
in Lancaster. He had built upon his land, but no clue to the
site of his home is known. He died in Lancaster, June 7,
1783. aged eighty-five. Jonathan Houghton was a resident
of Bolton.
James Atherton, third of the name, also sold, in 1740, his
farm, lying partly in Harvard and partly in Bolton, to Josiah
Kent from Gloucester, who lived upon it until his death in
1767. Having no sons, a son-in-law, Abraham Scott, a smith,
owned and occupied the Atherton homestead. This was
probably located on or near the road which leads from Still
River to Bolton, perhaps at the place where the Levi Hough
ton house now is.
James Whitcomb was the son of Josiah, Senior, of Bolton.
His lands, upon which he had built in 1729, comprised sixty
acres, bounded east upon the town line. He built the first
mill upon the branch of the Assabet, and. mentions the "old
dam," in 1768, when deeding his farm to his sons James, Jr.,
and Abel.
In Stow Leg, A. D. 1732, the largest land-owner was Shad
rach Hapgood. He was a grandson of that Shadrach Hap
good, who, on May 30, 1656, at the age of fourteen years, em
barked for New England from Gravesend in the ship Speed-

oI
oOOQ_

HAPGOOD HOUSE. 93
well. The first Shadrach lived with his uncle, Peter Noyes
of Sudbury, during his minority, married Elizabeth Treadway
October 21, 1664, and was slain by the Indians in the surprise
of Captains Hutchinson and Wheeler at Brookfield August
2, 1675. The eldest of the five children, fruit of the marriage,
was Nathaniel, born in 1665. He married Elizabeth Ward of
Marlborough, August 14, 1695, became a deacon and a wealthy
land-holder in Stow, and was long prominent in town councils.
Nathaniel was the father of the Harvard Shadrach and trans
ferred to him in 1725 all his lands upon Pin Hill Brook and
Bare Hill, amounting to three hundred and fifty acres. Shad
rach was born in Stow November 6, 1704, and married Eliza
beth Wetherbee. He was commissioned lieutenant by Gov
ernor William Shirley, in 1742, but what military service he
rendered is not known. He had but one son, Shadrach, and
five daughters, all of whom had families. The Hapgood
house is an excellent example of the homes of the thriftier
farmers of New England at the period when Harvard was
incorporated. In it Shadrach and Elizabeth (Wetherbee)
Hapgood passed their married life of more than half a cen
tury, and their son Shadrach succeeded to its possession, liv
ing here with his wife, Elizabeth Keep, nearly fifty years.
He was succeeded by his youngest son Joel, whose wife was
Sally, daughter of Jonathan Fairbank. The large addition
to the old mansion at its western end was built by Joel, in
1812, and the capacious farm barn by Jonathan F. Hapgood
in 1854. The last owner of the estate bearing the family
name was Warren, third son of Joel, now living, a retired
merchant of Boston.
The old house was probably new, and perhaps reputed the
finest in Harvard when the town, in July, 1734, complimented
it and the builderby instructing a committee to engage board
for the ministers who should come to supply the pulpit, at
Shadrach Hapgood's, although over a mile from the meeting
house. The original leaden lattices with their bottle-green
diamond lights were preserved in the gable windows for sev
eral years after the opening of the present century.
John Daby appears among the petitioners of Stow Leg,
but his estate was partly within the old Lancaster bounds.

94

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

He bought of John Willard, October 27, 1718, lands lying
upon both sides of the brook at the northern end of Pin Hill,
extending along the Lancaster and Stow line. Daby was a
blacksmith, but with his son Joseph built a saw and grist mill
or mills upon the stream at the western foot of Pin HiU. about
the date of Harvard's incorporation. John Daby from the
first held prominent place in town and church, his pew being
the third in dignity. The site of his first home is not defi
nitely known, but appears to have been in Stow Leg near the
Lancaster line.
Jacob Gates was the oldest son of Isaac of Stow, and
a descendant of Stephen and Anna Gates, who came from
England in the ship Diligent, A. D. 1638. Stephen was con
stable at Lancaster in 1657, and showed himself a man of iron
will and fiery temper. His daughter Mary figures in local
story as the heroine of the first protest against clerical tyranny
in the town, at a date when a too public assertion of female
privilege was not seldom requited with the stocks or even the
whipping post. Had she set the Nashua ablaze, she would
hardly have more astounded Master Rowlandson's congrega
tion than she did one Sabbath afternoon in meeting, by flatly
contradicting the minister to his face. The family for sev
eral generations were noted for great energy and imperious
manners. Jacob had all the characteristics of his race. He
sold his estate, including a house and barn, near the Lancaster
line in Stow Leg to Benjamin Hutchins A. D. 1748. The
Harvard railway station probably stands upon the original
Gates farm. On the east side of Bare Hill in the fields, three
or more minutes walk from the highway opposite the home
of the late Deacon Jonathan Fairbank, is the cellar of the
second Gates mansion, which, next to John Seccomb's, was
probably the largest and most sumptuously furnished of its
day in Harvard. Mr. Seccomb's record of the death of the
widow Elizabeth Gates, March 15, 1755, closes with: "House
burnt down." This was his memorandum of the fact that
while the family were attending the body to the grave, the
dwelling with all its fine appointments was consumed. Here
Ensign Jacob, and Captain Isaac Gates, father and son, lived;
headstrong, self-assertive men, aristocratic leaders in town

PEQUAWKET FIGHT. 95
during their day, who in ambitious imitation of the English
barons, had planted their mansion at the end of a private
avenue in the midst of their lands.
Samuel Mead was a cordwainer from Concord, who in 1727
bought of Daniel Wetherbee sixty acres bounded north by
the Groton line, adjoining the farm of Jonathan Rand and
west of it. John Taylor bought his farm of Jonathan Hall
December 24, 1728, it being described as near Oak Hill, ad
joining lands of Hapgood and "on the south east side of the
Groton and Lancaster road." No buildings now standing
mark the homes of these pioneers.
Jonas and Margaret Whitney were married in 1726, and
established their home in the fertile valley east of Oak Hill.
Their farm is now in possession of a lineal descendant, Sam
uel F. Whitney, Esquire, and the largest and most complete
farm buildings in Harvard fix the site of the original home
stead. Richard Whitney divided a tract of two hundred acres
between his sons Richard, Jr., and Josiah. The latter in Rev
olutionary days was Harvard's most noted and influential
citizen; colonel of a state regiment, brigadier-general after
the war, and leader of the majority in town politics. The
general's dwelling stood nearly opposite the present alms
house, until torn down in 1869, after it had served the town
for forty-five years as a home for its paupers.
The dwelling of Adolphus Haskell, near the summit of
Oak Hill, was built by James Haskell, Jr., in 1764. James
Haskell, Senior, coming from Gloucester in 1755, bought of
Samuel Fellows the farm of Thomas Wheeler, who had re
moved to Dorchester Canada. Wheeler's house, probably
built a short time before Harvard's incorporation, stood near
the junction of the roads until within a few years, when it
was removed, the residence of Austin C. Stratton now occu
pying its site.
Eleazar Davis was a soldier of noteworthy experience who
came from Concord to dwell in that part of Groton, shortly
afterwards included in Harvard. He was one of Lovewell's
party in the Pequawket Fight, the Thermopylae of early New
England story. May 8, 1725, when thirty-four rangers met

96 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
about eighty savages led by the Sachem Paugus, on the
border of a pond in what is now Fryeburg, Maine, and after a
desperate day's struggle defeated them. Their victory was
won with the loss of their commander, two lieutenants, an en
sign, chaplain, and ten others; twelve of whom were buried
upon the field of conflict, and three died of their wounds
while trying to make their way home through the forest.
All of the survivors but nine were wounded more or less
severely. Davis was shot through the body and also lost a
thumb, but got into Berwick after eleven days wandering,
much of the time alone. He presented a petition to the Gen
eral Court in 1738, which is found in the journal of the House
of Representatives for June 15, as follows: —
A Petition of Eleazer Davis of Harvard in the County of Worcester,
praying the Consideration of the Court on Account of his Sufferings and
Services, particularly the Wounds and Smart received in the Fight under
the Command of the late Capt. Lovewell, against the Indian Enemy at
Piqwacket. Read and Ordered, That John Russell, s.rxA Robert Hale, Esqrs; Mr
Moodey, and Mr Ferry, be a Committee to consider the said Petition, and
report what may be proper to be done thereon.
An order was reported by the committee and passed allow
ing Davis —
 the Sum of four Pounds per Annum of the new tenor Bills for the
space of five Years from the first Day of this Instant June in way of a
Stipend or Pension. * * *
Davis, on January 17, 1728-9, bought of John Edwards
eighty acres of land upon Oak Hill. His homestead was
known as the " Gold Mine Lot," and is that occupied until
within a few years by the East Family of Shakers.
The residence of Captain Israel Taylor was upon the Lan
caster and Groton highway, where the road to Shirley parts
from it. His farm bounded upon the old Groton south
boundary. Here were born his son Charles, his grandson
William, and his great-grandspn Zophar, who survives, vigor
ous in spite of the burden of over four score years. Captain
Israel Taylor seems to have been one whom his fellow-citi
zens never tired of honoring with their town-meeting favors.

THE FARNSWORTHS.

97

He began his official career from the first town election in
the role of field-driver, being then too youthful for higher
office. He was for about twenty years selectman, became a
justice of the peace, and served as representative at the Gen
eral Court for nine years. The Taylor farm came into pos
session of Lewis Hayden in 1814, and hence is often called
the Hayden place.
The Groton men of the new township, with the exception
of Eleazar Davis, had their homes along the Groton and Lan
caster road, near the Prescott Mill site. Farnsworth, or Farn
worth as it was written at the period of this petition, was
a Lancashire name like Prescott, Fairbank, Atherton and
Houghton. Matthias Farnworth came from Lynn to Groton
about 1660, being one of the original proprietors of the latter
township. He was born about 1612 at Farnworth near Man
chester, England. Jonathan, his sixth and youngest son, born
June I, i675,by his wife, Ruth Shattuck, had fifteen children,
Jonathan, Reuben and Ephraim being the older sons.
Ephraim, who died in 1737 at the age of thirty-five years,
left among his personal effects : saddle, bridle and brass spurs,
pistols and holsters, a gun, flask and powder-horns, a sword
and belt, shoe buckles, silver buttons, etc., mementos of his
military career. He was one of the rangers in the campaigns
organized by Captain Lovewell. Daniel and Jeremiah Farn
worth were sons of John, and grandsons of Matthias. Jere
miah died November 25, 1731, and Daniel does not again ap
pear in Harvard history. The sons of Matthias at his death
in 1689 inherited various tracts in the south part of Groton,
now embraced in Harvard and Ayer, and Jonathan bought, in
1710, the whole Prescott Mill grant which extended from his
brother Samuel's lands to the line of Stow Leg.
Eleazar Robbins was second-lieutenant of Captain Samuel
Willard's Company in his famous expedition of 1725 into the
White Mountain wilderness. He was a son of George Rob
bins of Chelmsford, and brother of Lieutenant Jonathan
Robbins, one of the heroes of the Pequawket Fight. He
bought of Jonathan Farnworth, February 4, 171 5-16, over two
hundred acres of land, " part of a ffarme formerly Granted
unto Captain Jonas Prescott, called the Old Mill ffarme."

g8 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
He was usually rated as a "gentleman" in legal documents,
and kept an inn on the Lancaster and Groton road for sev
eral years.
The leader of the Groton men was Simon Stone, Jr.,
born in 1689, son of one of the early proprietors of that
town, and great grandson of Deacon Simon Stone of Water-
town, who came to America on the ship Increase in 1633.
March 3, 1716, Jonathan Farnworth deeded to him over one
hundred acres "on both sides of the Old Mill Brook" and
extending almost to the Cold Spring Brook on the west, this
tract being between Eleazar Robbins' purchase, and the home
stead of Jonathan Farnworth which included the mill privi
lege. Stone was connected with the Farnsworths by mar
riage. His dwelling probably stood near, perhaps upon the
site of the Blanchard house. Ephraim Stone sold a house and
land here to Abel Blanchard in 1783.
The Burks, or Burts — for the first mode of spelling the
name soon disappears from the records — bought two hundred
acres of Samuel Farnsworth, April 13, 1732, their farm being
described as near " Prescotts Old Mill and it is bounded east
erly on the highway from Groton to Lancaster, and south
east, on land of Jonathan Farnworth." They very probably
built the ancient house now owned and occupied by William
Burt Blanchard. The third John Burt was a sergeant in the
last French and Indian War, volunteered as a ranger under the
famous partisan leader. Major Robert Rogers, and died in the
wilderness on his return from the destruction of the Indian
village of St. Francis, lin 1759.
John Davis married Rebecca Burt in 1723, and had sons,
John and Aaron. The latter, in 1777, sold the paternal home
to Eleazar Hamlin of Pembroke, who in 1794 transferred it
to Rev. Joseph Penniman. The Davis house is that owned
by the late Lowell Sprague. John Davis, Jr., built, in 1749 or
1750, upon the opposite side of the highway. His house was
torn down not many years ago, being then generally known
as the Noah Spaulding place.
In 1732, there was not one vehicle in the township above
the grade of a two-wheeled ox-cart. Each farmer had a pair
of heavy wheels built by his neighbor the wheelwright, upon

COTTAGE HOMES.

99

the axle of which he put such home-made contrivances as he
found best suited for the burdens he had to carry — a rude
box body for manure or roots, a light rack for stover. All
journeys were made upon foot or horseback, and very gener
ally the stout farm horse was expected to carry double, a pil
lion being fastened behind the saddle when a woman was one
of the travellers. ' In such fashion most of the wedding jour
neys were made; the loving couple, after a fortnight's pub
lishment on the meeting house door, riding upon one horse
to the nearest civil magistrate or minister, and returning as
man and wife to a humble new home, probably on some ara
ble land set off from the paternal farm as a marriage portion
to the bridegroom. The few items of hardware that went to
the construction of the new house, and the utensils of iron
about the fire-side — such as trammels, tongs, cob-irons,
brander, slice, toasting fork, etc. — were wrought upon his
anvil by the village blacksmith. A carpenter made the set
tle and table, and a chest wherein to store the bed-linen and
clothing. The cooper, the turner and the cabinet-maker,
each furnished a few articles of their manufacture. The
young wife brought as her dowry a cow, the familiar spin
ning-wheel, a flock bed and the little stock of sheets, pillow
biers, blankets and rugs which for many a day her labor had
been accumulating for this contingency. For gala wear she
also had an extra "serge gown" and a "say apron," a "sat-
tinisco petticoate," an extra "linsey woolsey petticoat," a
"red serge hood" and a "red serge mantle." Then from
somewhere came an iron pot, a brass kettle, a skillet, an iron
candlestick, a porringer or two, half a dozen pewter plates
and platters, as many iron, pewter or alchemy spoons, and
a few dishes of common crockery.
In the evenings by the fire-light the husband fashioned
birch-twig or splint brooms, rude baskets, stools, and other
wooden utensils, while his helpmate plied the wheel or knit
ting needles. They proved the sun a sluggard, being astir
about the day's business before the robins had begun their
morning songs. Diligence and economy thrive, and as the
harvests came round the young couple got more and more
gear. When prattling children began to crowd around the

100 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
board, the house was enlarged; the two rooms became four,
and their furnishment grew to meet the growing wants.
What needed they more? Godliness, cleanliness, industry
were their home atmosphere. Health and toil gave them
appetite for such food as field and forest and river yielded,
and contentment made of their frugal means a competence.
The builders of Harvard were given to marrying. . They
married early, and. Providence permitting, they married
often. The widower had no conscientious scruples about
consoling himself with his deceased wife's sister. The re
corded dates of quick following events often suggest the
thought that "the funeral baked meats did coldly furnish
forth the marriage tables." Old bachelors there were oone,
save Stephen Atherton the non-compos, and of old maids the
rarity proved them victims of a stress of circumstances.
The ordinary food of the farmer's family, though abund
ant, was of the simplest, demanding the sauce of good appe
tite and sound digestive powers. Tables "groaned," but
chiefly under the weight of " bean porridge hot and bean
porridge cold," brown bread, hominy or hasty-pudding and
milk, pork, salt beef boiled, salt and "fresh fish, succotash and
the commonest vegetables in their season. Molasses and
honey sufficed for sweetening, sugar being costly, and rarely
used except in sickness or in entertaining guests. The top
shelf at the village store held a row of white cones wrapped
in purple paper. One of these "loaves," weighing eight or
ten pounds, was about a year's supply of sugar to the ordi
nary family. The paper wrap was carefully saved and util
ized in the dyeing of yarn. Now about seventy pounds of
sugar per annum are consumed by each individual in the
¦state of Massachusetts.
At the date of Harvard's incorporation potatoes were
hardly thought of as a farm product, having been introduced
from Ireland only a few years before; but the chief root crop
was the turnip; pumpkins, squashes, maize and beans, the
Puritans had found cultivated by the Indians, and soon im
proved them by deeper tillage; while wheat, rye, barley, oats,
peas, parsnips, carrots, onions and hops they brought from
England. Maize became the chief crop, for it was soon seen

HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY. loi
that it gave a greater amount of food for man and beast with
less labor than any other grain. Apples, pears, cherries and
quinces, introduced from the mother country, improved
greatly in size and flavor, and it was quite early discovered
that the Wataquadock and Bare Hill slopes were peculiarly
propitious to fruit culture. Most farmers kept two or three
hives of bees. Tobacco was raised for domestic use, and
there is abundant evidence to show that the good-wives were
as fond of their cob pipes as the husbandmen. Mrs. Row
landson, the wife of Lancaster's first minister, has told us in
her famous narrative how " bewitching " the habit of smok
ing was to her. Henry Haskell of Still River, in 1739, when
enumerating in his will the support to be annually furnished
by his sons from his estate for the comfort of their mother,
Ruth, specifies : —
 One Cow to be Kept Winter and Summer  and also four sheep
and a horse when she shall tiave occasion to use the same, and also eight
coards of Wood to be brought to the Door yearly  with full liberty
to take and use what apples she shall have occasion for out of the Or
chard both for Summer and Winter; also one hundred and eighty pounds
of Pork and one hundred pounds of beef yearly during her life; also
twelve bushells of Indian Corn, one bushell of Wheat and two of Rye
and two barrels of Cyder yearly during her life; and one bushell of Peas
and half a bushell of beans yearly, and ten pounds of flax from the
hatchell, and two bushell of Malt, and twenty pound of Tobacco yearly
during her life time ; and ten pounds of money to be paid to her yearly
by my Executors, likewise two pair of Shoes yearly  and two bush
ells of Turnips during her life 
He bequeathed to his spinster daughter, Ruth, ' a loom."
The inventory of the estate of Deacon Simon Stone, Har
vard's foremost citizen, who died in 1746, amounted to 508^.
In the long list of chattels we find "a silver cup," "an oval
table" — unwonted luxuries at the period — also "a loom and
tackling;. . .a lanthorn; a looking-glass;. . .wheels and cards;
flax combs; sheep shears;... a warming pan; skillets; afire
slice; trammels; keelers; a razor;... two swarms of bees;
a pigeon net; a cyder mill, etc." Thus through will and
inventory of two among the most thrifty of Harvard's yeo
manry we get glimpses of the simple mode of life and the
narrow household economy in her "first families."

102 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Flax was a regular crop for home consumption, and no
acres of modern culture, not even those of the South when
snowy with ripe cotton, can rival in beauty the flax field in
its full bloom of celestial blue. The clothing of both sexes
and all ages was literally grown on the farm, and whether of
flax, or wool, or both combined, was mainly the product of
domestic toil and skill. The droning hum of the spinster's
wheels was heard early and late in every cottage, and the
thud of the loom shuttle was a familiar sound in many a farm
house. The fashion of garments for both sexes was simple
and unchanging, and whether wedding suit or every-day wear,
all were fabricated from loom to the last stitch with the defi
nite purpose in view that they should outlive the owners, and
in their last will and testament be handed down as heirlooms
to their children.
Hospitality was not effusive, but when offered it was fully
as genuine as that of modern days in Harvard. It certainly
was not a matter of mannerisms and table decoration; nor a
weighed and measured exchange of ceremonious entertain
ment. Neighborly intercourse was marked by simplicity and
sober cordiality; and social gatherings were common, and
hilarious enough; though in most of these some useful indus
try preceded the revels — like the long grace before the daily
meal. In fact, social meetings were more common than in
modern days, because of the greater dependence, one upon
another. There were no ostentatious receptions, nor balls, nor
fancy-dress parties, nor church fairs, nor concerts, nor cattle-
shows, nor caucuses, nor Christmas; but plenty of huskings,
quilting frolics, raisings, apple-paring bees, and sheep-shear
ings, besides that annual consummation of grateful joy and
bountiful feast, the old-fashioned Thank.sgiving. Even when
making an afternoon call the women took their knitting or
sewing — and the baby — with them. It was in this era that
there began the evolution of the model New England house
wife — since the invasion of the Celt fast becoming an extinct
type — that notable woman, tireless and thrifty, who baked
and boiled and roasted and brewed; spun and knit and
braided and wove; darned and patched and made over;
scrubbed and scoured and laundered; made soap and cheese

SUPERSTITIONS.

103

and butter; besides cajoling and managing a husband; nurs
ing at the maternal fount, singing the lullaby for, and teach
ing the catechism to, a dozen children in succession. We
cannot justly charge the rural existence of the period with
being colorless, but it was often strenuous, sad and barren
enough. Not yet had the fight for life and liberty ended,
and the pursuit of mundane happiness was postponed to the
indefinite morrow. The load of responsibility crushed incli
nations to much mirthfulness, except in the youthful and
careless. The economy which was a hard necessity with the
fathers, too often, alas! in the children developed into nig
gardliness — a heart-killing, soul-starving art.
The colonists who brought to New England their heritage
of Saxon virtues and energies, did not leave behind them all
the ancestral vices or passions. Though a simple-hearted
folk, leading lives of loving domesticity, these grandsires of
ours and their good-wives, it must be confessed, lacked refine
ment. They would have ill suited their environment had they
not been of stronger individuality, ruder tastes, more callous
natures, and every way of coarser fibre than their descendants
in the fifth generation. Ihey unblushingly " called a spade a
spade." When hot with irritation they used a very vulgar
vernacular. Gross lapses from moral rectitude were regularly
made the subject of oral confession in the presence of the
congregated church, and duly recorded by the pastor. More
over, we are told that the self-accusations of the low-voiced,
stammering sinners always won a rapt attention such as no
pulpit eloquence could gain. This unsavory charge obtains
force when we read in the ministers' records, that so late as
1798, "the pastor then submitted to the consideration of the
brethren the propriety of abolishing the custom of making
confession for the sin of fornication in particular!' and that
the proposition stirred up a "warm debate," but effected no
change in the musty by-laws.
Superstitions which now seem strange then held the major
ity in firm bondage. During 1720, the fantastic tricks of
three young girls in Littleton* who pretended to be sufferers
from sorcery, caused intense excitement not only in that town
but throughout the neighboring villages. Though not at-

104

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

tended with any of that frenzy which thirty years earlier had
led to wholesale murder, the sensation brought out the fact
that a belief in the existence and power of witches was as
rife as ever. Throughout that century and even to within
the memory of the living, from time to time in Harvard in
dividuals otherwise sober-minded have declared themselves
the victims of witchcraft; usually charging their mishaps to
the evil eye or magic arts of some forlorn old crone. For
instance, the later years of Moses Tyler and Daniel Willard,
it is said, were greatly embittered by their believing them
selves affiicted by witches; and good dame Knight, when she
had ill success in butter-making, never blamed her own lack
of skill, but inveighed against her neighbor Goody Pollard for
bewitching the cream. She declared that she one day struck
with the peel a great, black spider which ran out from the
churn, but, though seriously crippled, it got away up the chim
ney; and the next day she found oqt that it was a witch she
had hurt, and who it was, for Goody Pollard had to send for
the doctor, having been badly lamed, as she alleged, by fall-
down stairs.
The people among whom credulity created such fear of
warlocks and witches as the bond servants of a personal devil,
naturally saw supernatural apparitions; experienced miracu
lous cures; consulted fortune tellers and secretly wore charms;
entered upon no important enterprise or journey on Friday,
and never stepped into a house left foot foremost; dug their
wells under the direction of some gifted individual in whose
hand the witch-rod would "work;" administered all the or
dinary affairs of farm and household with reference to the
phases of the moon.
When that fell destroyer, consumption, broke into a family
circle and began to bear away its victims in slow but sure suc
cession, humiliating the most self-confident physicians with a
sense of their impotence, there often came to light a strange
delusion — the vulgar belief that if the heart of one who had
died with that disease were burned, and the members of the
household inhaled the fumes from it, they would escape the
doom hanging over them. There is a well-attested tradition
that about a century ago, in a consumptive-stricken family of

DRUMMER'S GHOST.

105

Harvard already bereft of eight or more of its youth, a dying
girl exacted from friends a solemn promise that her heart
should be consumed for the benefit of her sisters, and her last
wish was duly carried out. One of these sisters at least sur
vived to acknowledge to her inquisitive grand-daughter, who
heard this tradition, that the story was essentially true.
Some grim ghosts walk in Harvard tradition, mostly of un
doubted kin to that of Cock Lane. The hobgoblin that made
the most noise in town was that of a murdered drummer.
The tale of this disturber of Harvard's rural quietude was
given the author by Reverend John B. Willard: One winter's
evening soon after the close of the war for independence, a
traveler, weary with tramping through the deep snow, halted
for the night at the Saunderson Tavern on the Littleton road.
It was soon known to the landlord and the bibulous frequent
ers of his bar-room that the wayfarer's name was Hill, that
he had served as a drummer in the patriot army, and was re
turning home from Boston with the accumulated wages for
his service in his pocket. After that night the stranger was
never again seen alive, and there is little doubt that he was
killed for his money. Popular opinion pointed to a shady
character by the name of McDaniell as the murderer, and the
guilty connivance of the tavern-keeper was suspected. Noth
ing tangible was found to incriminate any one, but Saunder
son soon removed from town.
Several years later, a ploughman on the farm of Ebenezer
Bridge, not far from the site of the tavern, turned up a human
skeleton with his furrow. The mysterious disappearance of
the drummer was recalled, and the bones brought to light
were at once declared to be Hill's. His father was notified
of the ghastly discovery, but being too infirm to journey to
Harvard, sent word that if the remains were those of his son,
they could be identified by a noticeable peculiarity of the
teeth. Examination of the exhumed skull disclosed the
specified singularity. The bones were reburied under a tree
near by.
While the affair was fresh in the minds of the people, sev
eral individuals with, ears like those of Huckleberry Finn,
alert for "that kind of sound that a ghost makes when it

I06 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
wants to tell about something that is on its mind and can't
make itself understood, and so can't rest easy in its grave,"
asserted that they had heard the beating of a drum at night
in the neighborhood of Hill's last resting place. No one
claimed to have seen the wraith of the murdered man, but
sober citizens who travelled the Littleton road by night began
to tell of the ghostly drumming to be heard on Oak Hill.
At last a hard headed and unimaginative man was found
plucky enough to trace the sound to its source, and lo ! the
complaining ghost was but a loose splinter of a fence rail,
upon which the breezes played as with an yEolian harp string.
Its fickle music in the hush of night had an uncanny tone,
and human fancies and fears translated it into the muffled
roll of a kettle-drum.
The rural town in colonial times was a curious mixture of
republic and theocracy. All authority emanated from the
people, in local matters, and nominally there were no distinc
tions of rank. The minister and his spouse, however, not
only took precedence of everybody in the parish, but were
often in effect a majority of the church, indisputable arbiters
in all social matters, the referees for all unanswerable ques
tions, and the balance of power in town politics. The cloth
and cut of his coat, the powdered wig and cocked hat, the
white bands and ruffled wrist linen, the silk stockings and
glittering buckles at knee and instep, marked the minister as
of a different order of being among his parishioners. He
accepted his exaltation as a right prescribed, and usually in
sisted upon his autocratic privilege with becoming dignity.
The call to the sanctuary on the Sabbath was generally by
beat of drumr At the door step of the meeting house was
planted a horse-block for the convenience of the female
members of the congregation, in mounting and dismounting
from their pillions. The men and women sat apart, and the
boys had benches by themselves in the gallery, where they
were kept in order by a tything-man who tapped upon the
head with his long rod of office such as misbehaved or grew
drowsy; and drowsiness was not a rare experience for old as
well as young in the crowded and unventilated room, when
the prayer was an hour in length and the sermon of propor-

SABBATH DAY. 107
tionate prolixity. The elders and deacons had seats of honor
directly in front of the pulpit, facing the congregation. The
benches in the body of the house were "dignified" and as
signed according to age and family distinction, or the amount
paid towards the minister's salary. The rigidly graded aris
tocracy which sat in ordered ranks at the meeting-house on
the Sabbath, at a week-day town-meeting in the same build
ing became a radical democracy, insistent upon absolute
social equality. The dignifying of the seats was performed
by a special committee, and had to be revised from time to
time. Each revision was sadly fruitful of envy and bickering.
A few private family pews were permitted to be built along
the walls, under well defined restrictions.
The singing of the psalms was without instrumental ac
companiment, and books being few, one of the deacons or a
chorister pitched the tune and read the hymn, line by line,
before singing. The revised Bay Psalm Book was used until
a few years before the Revolution, when it was supplanted by
Tate and Brady. As neither deacon nor congregation knew
any other tunes, York, Hackney, Windsor and St. Mary's did
duty in regular rotation. There is a tradition that one old
worthy in the exercise of his inalienable right of private judg
ment, and being too deaf to hear the chorister, always sang
York in his high-pitched voice, whatever tune his fellow wor
shipers were laboring upon. Lining or "deaconing" the
hymns was very generally discontinued before the days of the
Revolution, though in spite of strenuous opposition, and a
chorister with a long, wooden pitch-pipe became the official
" psalm-setter." Whenever it was possible children were bap
tized at the meeting-house in the presence of, the congrega
tion, and on the Sabbath next following their birth. If, for
the reason that the infant was at the point of death, the bap
tismal rite was performed at a private house, the minister
was particularly careful to take his deacons or some churc*h
members with him as witnesses, and make careful record of
the circumstances, lest he be sharply called to account by the
theocracy for irregularity.
The Sabbath began at midnight of the seventh day and
was observed with scrupulous formality. John Whitney com-

I08 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
plained of Benjamin Wheeler in 1736, that he "on the i6th
of May currant being the Sabbath or Lord's Day did openly
profane said day by unnecessary Labor in spreading of Dung
and Harrowing of his Ground." Benjamin could not deny
the fact, and Judge Joseph Wilder fined him ten shillings for
"the use of the poor," besides the costs of the court, amount
ing to fifty-three shillings and ten pence. Another member
of the Wheeler family — they were Quakers — entered a com
plaint against himself that "on the 29th day of July 1744, at
Bolton, in the County of Worcester, he had broken y'^ Law
by laboring on said day, it being y" first day of y^ week." It
is not a very rare thing to find record ot a person's accusing
himself of this or that breach of law, to forestall anticipated
prosecution by others, or to mitigate the offence in the eyes of
justice or the church elders. Every man was his brother's
keeper. Ministers, magistrates, deacons, tithing-men, in the
exercise of their functions as guardians elect of the public
morals, pushed their inquisitorial scrutiny into the pettiest
details of family and individual conduct. Such examples as
the following abound in the records of the Court of Sessions : —
Jonathan Read of Harvard in the County of Worcester, husbandman,
being presented by the Grand jurors for unnecessaryly absenting himself
from ye Publick Worship on Lord's Days as pr y' presentm't found in
feb'y last [1749] appears, appeared in Court and was fully heard and the
Court order that he be discharged from his Recognizance paying costs.
Jonathan Biglo of Harvard in y'' County of Worcester, husbandman,
being presented by ye Grandjurors for the said County for lawlessly and
unnecessaryly traveUing on the Lord's day in the month of January last
[1748] as pr the presentment appears, came into court, confess'd himself
to be Guilty, was fin'd thirty shillings for said sin, one half to the poor of
the town of Harvard, the other half to the King, which he paid with cost
& was dismiss'd.
Peter Atherton Esq. one of his majesty's Justices of the Peace, 
made return to the Court that on y" i3"> of March last, [1756] Francis
Sullam was convicted before him of swearing one profane oath, which
certificate was read in Court.
In physique the New Englanders early showed a noticea
ble tendency to variation from the British type. The pion
eer's life struggle, the fickle climate, the change from a diet
of beef, beer and wheat, to one in which pork, cider and corn

CHARACTERISTICS.

109

were the staples, together with some slight admixture of
Scotch-Irish, Huguenot and German blood, seem to have
conduced to less brawn and more gristle. The new race be
came less rotund and rosy, but taller, more active and mus
cular. The beauty of youth was heightened, gaining delicacy
in color and finer curves in face and figure. Like modifica
tion in mental characteristics began to distinguish the colo
nists from the people of Great Britain. They possessed
greater adaptability, were nimbler of wit, and had a clearer
insight when confronted with social and political problems.
In short, the evolution of national traits gave early promise
of a short life to colonialism.
The founders of Harvard have left the irnpress of their
worthy character upon all succeeding generations. They
were heirs of heroic men and women — the pioneers who faced
savage nature and savage men with a courage, perseverance
and faith in themselves seldom equaled. Though eminently
a devout people, accused by contemporary portrait painters
and modern censors of wearing a stern, sabbath-day expres
sion throughout the week, they were by no means passionless
saints; nor were they all cast in one grim mould, nor every
one bent upon self-sacrifice. On the contrary they were eager
to better themselves, and had all the Saxon longing for landed
property, and the Saxon practical foresight. Thrift driven
from birth they were always providing for "the rainy day,"
laying aside even from the most meagre income, something
— if only linen for the hoped-for wedding or a shroud for the
inevitable funeral. They were born earth-subduers, ready to
adventure in any field of energy or profit. Emergencies
found them level headed, not readily surprised out of their
common sense. They were sinewy through regular toil; long
enduring through constant climbing of the hill of difficulty;
stout-hearted through ignorance of defeat. There were
cranks among them, but of the harmless or useful variety.
They rose to occasions; they were brimful of ideas; they
diligently sought grace and gear, letting who would do the
fiddling and dancing. They were independent in thought,
wise in counsel, persistent in purpose, brave in action, and
above all shrewd and capable in business.

no HISTORY OF HARVARD.
They were gifted in largest measure with what is locally
called "faculty," that quality to which is instinctively attached
the term Yankee — the rare capacity of fitting themselves into
any hole whether square or round, wherever chance, or popu
lar election, or personal ambition led them. Their field of
vision was doubtless narrow, and some led sordid lives.
Their manners were often uncouth, and their inquisitiveness
— -the natural result of rural isolation^ — was sometimes an
noying to strangers. They were slow to wrath, but stubborn
haters. Their speech was nasal, but racy with quaint con
ceits and rich in humor. They raised large families of chil
dren, and educated them into God-fearing, self-respecting,
liberty-loving, heavenward-looking men and women. Most
of these went out from the land of their birth to the east,
west and the south, bearing with them New England tradi
tions and New England consciences, to aid in the building of
other democracies, new commonwealths. Of none of them
can it be said that their movements, their sayings or their
doings have been events that compelled national applause or
won lasting renown; but their lives, wherever spent, have
everywhere been eloquent orations upon the dignity of labor.
Some have become rich, a few locally famous; but what is
better nearly all have been true to their Puritan heritage,
and helped to raise the mental and moral average in the land.

III.
MISCELLANEOUS ANNALS. 1732- 1892.

THE FIRST TOWN MEETING.
THE ceremony with which Harvard began the e.xercise of
her legislated rights was duly set down upon the first page
of the town records by the first Clerk, Peter Atherton, thus : —
At a Great and General Court or Assembly for his Majesty's Province
of the Massachusetts Bay in New England Held at Boston the ag"". day
of June Anno Domini 1732, Annoq : Regni Regio Georgii Secundi Sexto.
In the House of Representatives June 2g, 1732, Ordered that Simon
Stone one of the Principal Inhabitants of the Town of Harvard be and
hereby is fully impowered to Assemble and Convene the Inhabitants of
said Town to Chuse Town Officers to Stand untill their Anniversary
Meeting in March next, any Law, Usage or Custom to the Contrary not
withstanding. Sent up for Concurrence. J. Quincy, Speaker.
In Council June 30* 1732. Read and Concurred. J. Willard, Secretary.
June 30"". 1732. Consented to. J. Belcher. Copy Examined pr J.
Willard, Secretary.
Mr Simon Stone in Obedience to the foregoing Precept Issued his
Warrant for a Town Meeting as follows : Harvard, July 3, 1732.
These are to Require all the Free holders and other Inhabitants of sd
Town to Meet at the House that we now Meet at for the Publick Worship
on Tuesday the ii"" of this Instant July at 10 of the Clock in the Fore
noon to Chuse Town Clerk, Select Men and other Town Officers as the
Law Directs. By Vertue of an Order from the Great and General Court
or Assembly to me Directed. Simon Stone.
Harvard, July II'^ 1732.
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of sd. Town being legally Warned
by Simon Stone by Vertue of an Order from the General Court to him

112 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
directed. The i=' Vote was for Mr Simon Stone, Moderator. The 2"
Vote was for Peter Atherton Town Clerk. Then 3'">'. The Town voted
for Hezekiah Willard, Simon Stone, Jonathan Whitney, Thomas Wheeler
and Gabriel Priest, Select Men. 4'y the Town Chose Joseph Atherton
and Jonas Whitney for Constables, s""?". The Town Chose Samuel War
ner, Eleazar Davis and Peter Atherton for Assessors. 6"'"''. John Willard
was chosen Town Treasurer. 7'>'. The Town Chose Henry Willard and
Jonathan Farnworth Jun'. for Tything Men. 8'^. The Town made choice
of Jacob Gates and John Nichols for Surveyors of Highways, q'^'. For
Fence Viewers the Town Chose Joseph Willard and John Whitney. lo'^.
For Hogreeves they Chose William Buttrick and Joseph Sawyer, ii'^".
The Town Chose Israel Taylor and Ephraim Farnworth for Field
Drivers. Entred p. Peter Atherton, Town Clerk.
Simon Stone, Moderator.
The following is the warrant to the Still River Constable
for the collection of the first assessed taxes : —
Worcester, ss. To Joseph Atherton, Constable of Harvard, within
the sd. County, of Harvard Greeting.
In His majesties name you are Required to Levy and Colect of the
severall persons Hereafter named in y« List Hereunto committed unto
you each one his Respective proportion the sum sett down of the sum
totall of such List being twelve pounds ten shillings and eleven pence,
being a tax or assesment ordered & agreed upon by the Inhabitants of
Harvard for the defraying of Charges arisen and arising in sd. town and
to deliver and pay in the sum or sums which you shall so Levy and Col
ect unto John Willard Town Treasurer and to compleat and make up an
account of your Colections of ye whole sum at or before the last day of
March next with sd. Treasurer and if any person or persons shall neg
lect or Refuse to make payment of their sum or sums whereat he or they
are Respectively assesed and sett in ye said List to distrein ye Goods or
Chattels of such person or persons to ye value thereof and the distress or
distreses so to Keep by the space of four days at y' Cost and Charg of
ye owner and if ye owner do not pay ye sum or sums of money so as
sesed upon him within ye sd four days then ye distres so taken you are
to expose oppenly sell at an outcry for the payment of ye sd money and
charges notice of such sale being posted up in some publick place in ye
same Town twenty-four Hours beforehand and ye overplus coming by
the sd sale besides ye sum or sums of ye assessment and ye charges of
taking and keeping of y"' distress or distreses (if any be) be immediatly
Restored to y" owner and for want of Goods or Chattels wheron to make
distress you are to seize y" body or bodyes of ye person or persons so Re
fusing and him or them committ unto the Goall of ye county there to
Remain untill he or they pay or satisfy In y« several! gum or sums wherat

THE CONSTABLES. II3
he or they are asessed as aforsaid unless upon Application made to ye
Court of General Sessions of ye peace ye same or any part thereof be
abated. Datted in Harvard January ye Sixth, in the Seventh year of His Maj
esties Reign anno : 1733. Samll Warner ] Assessors
Peter Atherton [ of
Eleazer Davis ) Harvard
In 1 741 it required two town-meetings to secure the nor
mal number of three constables. Ten men were successively
elected who firmly declined the very troublesome duties of
the office and paid their fines, five pounds each, rather than
serve. To the constables was not only assigned the collec
tion of taxes, but they were held personally liable for all sums
assessed, even those they failed to secure from the rate-pay- -
ers. The duties of the office were not only disagreeable and
onerous but ill paid, and it seems to have become customary
to choose every competent citizen to the office sooner or
later, and especially those thought able to pay the penalty
prescribed for the refusal to serve. Great difficulty was al
ways experienced in finding suitable men willing to act as
constables. In 1790 it was formally voted that any one who
paid ten dollars into the town treasury should be "consid
ered the same as though he had served as constable for one
year." The town meetings for the year 1733 were largely engaged
with questions concerning the ordination and settlement of the
first minister, and the location and building of the meeting
house. The proceedings relative to these matters have more
appropriate place in the chapter upon ecclesiastical history.
'April I, 1734, the town voted: —
 To Build a Pound thirty feet square, seven feet high, seven Rails
in one Length; Posts and Rails to be hewed and sett in the Ground,
and Capt. Willard, Deacon Stone, and Cornet Sawyer undertook to Build
and finish it by the 15"". of May for Five Pounds. The Town voted six
shillings to be paid Mr John Daby to Build a pair of Stocks.
This early advertisement of accommodations for man
and beast was a legal obligation, a never-omitted ceremonial
in the building of a town. The ample dimensions of the

114

HISTORY OF HARVARD. ..

pound point to the great number of estrays that demanded
the attention of the field drivers. What tenants the stocks
may have had, if any, we do not know, for the constables left
no register; but a long record of estrays is preserved.
COUNTY DIVISION.
The distance of many towns in Northern Massachusetts,
from the land registry and other county offices, greatly ag
gravated as it was by the execrable condition of the high
ways, led to frequent combinations for the forming of a new
county. The jealousies of the communities ambitious of the
honor of becoming the shire town alone prevented the suc
cess of the movement. At a town meeting called at the new
.meeting house in Harvard August 26, 1734: —
The Town being met according to Warning Chose Deac: Simon Stone
Moderator, and then the Meeting was immediately Adjourned to the Old
M'eeting House, and upon adjournment Voted — that the Town was will
ing to be sett off to the New County Provided Groton be the Shire Town,
and that this Town be Exempted and Freed from the Charges of Build
ing a Court House and Goal and other Charges for settling said County.
A year later this proposition for the formation of a new
county from the northernmost towns of Worcester and Mid
dlesex came up again, and met with a similar response from
Harvard, with specific objection to the selection of either
Chelmsford or Dunstable as the shire town. In 1763 there
was a movement to shape a new county from the northern
towns of Worcester, but it met with no favor in Harvard's
town meeting. Captain Eleazar Hamlin was sent as the
town's delegate to a convention held at Lunenburg May 19,
1785, from the deliberations at which resulted this circular
letter: — Lunenburg, May 23'^. 1785.
To the Selectmen of the Town of 
We have to acquaint you, that on the nineteenth Day of May
Instant in Persuance of a Circular Letter from the Town of Leominster,
Delegates from the foiling Towns, viz: Townshend, Shirley, Ashby, Lan
caster, Harvard, Lunenburg, Leominster and Fitchburg convened at Mr
Whitney's in this town, to take into Consideration the Expediency of ap
plying for a new County to be erected in this Quarter of the Goverment

COUNTY DIVISION.

115

where it was voted unanimously that it is highly Convenant that a New
County be erected, and that a Committee be chosen to write to the Towns
of Groton, Dunstable, Littleton, Westford, Pepperel and Boxboro, and
Bolfon, Berlin, Sterhng, Princeton, Westminster, Ashburnham and Winch
endon to inform them of the Proceedings of the Convention and to Re
quest them to join Herein at the adjournment which is to be held on the
third Tuesday of June Next at Nine o Clock in the morning, at Mr Whit
ney's Tavern in this town. We are Gentlemen
Your most obed'. & very Hu^': serv'*:

George Kimball
Sami- Dexter

Committee

The exciting events consequent upon Shays' Rebellion pre
vented any further attention to this scheme, at that time, but
the agitation was renewed in 1793, a convention in its favor
beingcalled at Leominster. Harvard refused to send a delegate
to this convention; but, April 6, 1795, singularly enough, the
town voted to petition the General Court that it might be
annexed to the County of Middlesex. In 181 1, the secession
fever broke out again in the neighboring towns, but Harvard
was not in favor of change. The project of county division
slept for awhile, only to appear again with persistent energies
behind it. In 185 1 Harvard instructed her representative
"to oppose by all honorable means the separation of this
town from the old county of Worcester." In 1853 a vote
showed ten in favor of a new county and one hundred and
forty-five against it. In 1855,1856 and 1874, the town was
equally firm in its opposition to proposed division.
It was for more than a century the custom for tax payers
to "work out" their rates under the direction of surveyors of
highways, to each of whom a special district was assigned.
May 12, 1735, a formal vote fixed the price of labor upon the
roads from the first of April to the last of August at five
shillings per day for a man, two shillings and sixpence for a
yoke of oxen, eighteen pence for a horse, and one shilling for
a cart; from the first of September to the last of March three
shillings and sixpence for a man, two shillings for a yoke of
oxen, one shilling for a horse and one shilling for a cart. As
the legal tender of the day was the "old tenor" paper cur
rency, worth less than one-third its face in silver, a summer

Il6 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
day's wages for an able bodied man was then about twenty
cents. The bills of credit of other New England Colonies
¦were current in Massachusetts, and as their issues — especially
that of Rhode Island — exceeded safe limits, all currency be
came greatly depreciated and there began a drainage of sil
ver to other states. , This evil Massachusetts finally corrected
in 1750 by prohibitory legislation, and the Harvard town-clerk
recorded regularly at the town elections from 1750 to 1755,
that in addition to the usual oath of office, the officers elect
through whose hands any public funds were to pass, testified
under oath that they had not, directly or indirectly, received
or paid out any bills of credit issued by the governments of
Connecticut, New Hampshire, or Rhode Island. From
March 31, 1750, "lawful money" took the place of the "old
tenor" currency, the pound (^3.33) being equivalent to three
ounces of silver.
An old diary states that on April 23, 1737, seven inches of
snow fell throughout the Nashua Valley.
March 4, 1745, the town having bought the stock of am
munition required, by statute, ordered that it "be kept in the
Roof of the Meeting House." Although this may seem a
strange place for a powder magazine, it was not so este,emed
by our ancestors, as the records of other towns prove. The
situation had its advantages, being centrally located, dry, re
moved from danger of fire, and easily accessible when wanted.
In time ol war when the stock of ammunition became more
bulky, a powder-house was built on the rocky hill west of the
horse sheds on the common.
The year 1746 was long remembered as one of singular
fatality, especially among children. Thirty-seven deaths
were registered, two-thirds of them in September and Octo
ber. No evidence is found that the ravages of diseases were
similarly severe in other towns.
THE SECESSION SCHEME OF SHABIKIN.
In 1747 a formidable combination was formed by certain
inhabitants of Harvard, Lancaster and Groton with the half-
dozen residents of that portion of Stow Leg left on the west
of the Nashua river, looking to the erection of a new town-

SHABIKIN'S SCHEME. II7
ship. The proposed seceders entered into a covenant, which
is preserved in Massachusetts Archives cxv. 220-222, and
petitioned the legislature and the several towns interested.
Their request met the Harvard voters in May 1748. The
covenant is as follows : —
We the Subscribers being Inhabitants of the Extream Parts of Gro
ton, Lancaster and Harvard as allso the Proprietors of the Land belong
ing to the Town of Stow (which Land is scituate Lying and being Between
the Towns above said Namely Groton Lancaster and Harvard) Do Cov
enant and Promise to and with Each other And We Do Hereby of our
own Free Will and Motion In the exercise of Love and Charity Towards
one another with Mutual Consent in the strongest Manner Binding our
Selves the Subscribers each and every of us Conjunctly one to another
(for the Gospels Sake) Firmly Covenanting and Promising to and with
Each other that we will as Speedely as may be with Conveniency Petition
the Several Towns to which we Respectively belong and Likewise the
Great and General Court That we may be Erected or Incorperated into
a Destinct and seperate Township of our Selves with those Lands within
the Bounds and Limits Here after Discribed vfz. Beginning at the River
called Lancaster River at the turning of Sd River Below the Brige called
John Whits Brige & Runing Notherly to Hell Pond and on Still to the
Line Betwixt Harvard and Groton Including John Farwell then to Coye-
cus Brook Leaveing the Mills and Down Said Brook to the River and
down Said River to the Rye ford way then Runing Westerly to the Noth
erly End of Horse Pond and so on to Luningburg Line Including Robert
Henry and Daniel Page and then Runing Southerly Extending Beyound-
Luningburg So far Into Lancaster as that Runing Easterly the Place on
which Ralph Kendall formerly Lived Shall be Included and so on Run
ing Easterly to the Turn in the River first mentioned.
Moreover we Do Covenant Promise and Engage Truly and Faithfully
that we will Consent to and Justifie any Petition that shall be Prefered in
our names and behalf to our Respective Towns and to the Great and
General Court for the Ends and Purposes above Mentioned.
Furthermore we Do Covenant Promise and Engage as above that we
will advance money for and Pay all such Reasonable nessesary Charges
that may arise in the Prosecuting and Obtaining our Said Petitions and
that we will Each and Every of us Respectively Endever to Promote and
Maintain Peace Unity Concord and Good Agreement amoungst our Selves
as Becometh Christians
And now haveing thus Covenanted as above Said We Do Each and
Every one of us who have Hereunto Subscribed Protest and Declare that
Every Article and Parigraph knd Thing Contained in the above Writen
Shall be Absolutely and Unacceptionably Binding in Manner and form
as above Declared and Shall So Continue upon and Against Each and
Every one of us untill we are Erected or Incorporated Into a Township

ii8

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

as above said or that Provedance Shall Remove us by Death or Other-
ways anything to the Conterary Notwithstanding.
Witness our Hands the Eighth Day of December one Thousand Sev
en Hundred and Fourty Seven and in the Twentieth Year of His Majes
ties Reign George the Second King &c.
Harvard.

Richard Hall
Jona. Bigelow
Joseph Hutchins
Simeon Farnsworth
Samuel Hazen
Joseph Priest
Samll flood
John Pearce
Henry Haskell
John Nicholls
Thomas Wright
William Willard
Joshua Johnson
John Houghton Ju'
John Samson

Timothy Hall
Phenihas Farnworth
Amos Russel Groton.
Charles Richards
Daniel Page
John Longley Ju'.
Abijah Willard
Lancaster.
Daniel Willard
Joseph Priest
William Farmer
Joseph Bond
Henry Willard
Stow Leg.
Joseph Brown
Hannah Brown

his
Jonathan — Read
mark
Jonathan Read ju
Abijah Willard
Manasser DivoU
John Osgood
Abijah Frost
John Peirce house rite

Benjamin Willard
Jacob Houghton
Corp Elias Sawyer
his
Amos Am Atherton
mark

Samuel Randall
Benjamin Samson

The opposition of the towns was so determined that the
proposition was speedily abandoned. Six years later Shirley
was created a district without disturbing the boundaries of
Lancaster or Harvard. In 1768 a proposition to set off the
northwestern part of Harvard to Shirley met with firm refusal.

The year 1749 was noted in the diaries of the period for
an unprecedented drought, little rain falling after the melting
of the snow until the sixth of July. The springs and brooks
were dried up by the fervid and protracted heat. The early
grain and root crops and much of the upland grass were de
stroyed. Many of the forest trees dropped their leaves and
some were killed by the lack of moisture. The years 1755
and 1756 were even more memorable in the local calendar.
In the evening of November 18, 1755, seventeen days after
the destruction of Lisbon, occurred the famous New England
earthquake, the phenomenal tremors of which were so ener-

DORCHESTER CANADA.

119

getic along the Nashua valley as to exciteTgeneral consterna
tion, and give peculiar point to the solemn admonitions of
the local ministers for a long time afterwards. The next
year the same part of the county was ravaged by an endemic
dysentery of a very severe type. In the village of Chock-
sett, now Sterling, so fatal was this disease that one in twenty
of the inhabitants died within eight weeks, and the well
hardly sufficed to give proper care to the sick. In Harvard
the fatality was very great. There were forty-three deaths
during the year, thirty-five being of children — double the
usual death rate. Twenty-six of these were during the
months of September and October. By many this scourge
was thought to have some occult connection with the earth
quake, and the clergy proclaimed it a renewed rebuke of
Heaven to sinners.
In 1757 the county road from Worcester to Groton through
Shrewsbury, Lancaster and Harvard was laid out, three rods
wide. It followed in Harvard the old Lancaster and Groton
highway.
THE DORCHESTER-CANADA EXODUS.
Immediately after the final conquest of Canada, which
forever relieved New England from fear of French invasion,
the landless and the adventurous began swarming from the
older towns of Massachusetts into the wilderness where
farms could be had for the clearing. Then happened a note
worthy exodus from Harvard. Nearly one-tenth of her citi
zens sought homes in the newer towns. Most of these emi
grants by chance found their promised land in Dorchester
Canada, which was incorporated as Ashburnham in 1765.
Jeremiah Foster was the first of those from this town to reach
that settlement, bearing with him through the wo6dland
paths, upon an ordinary farm cart drawn by oxen, his family
and humble worldly possessions. Thomas Wheeler, one of
Harvard's first selectmen, and for eight years town clerk, soon
followed, and set up a tavern in the wilds. Between 1760 and
1770, Harvard lost and Ashburnham gained : John Conn, the
first Scotch Irish immigrant to settle in the town, George
Dickinson, Samuel Fellows, Jonathan Gates, Jacob and

120 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Nathaniel Harris, Uriah Holt, Samuel Nichols, William Pol
lard, Jonathan Samson, Grover Scollay, Ephraim, Joseph and
Oliver Stone, William Whitcomb, Jacob, John, Hezekiah,
Oliver and Timothy Willard. Most of these were men with
families. Ashburnham for a time was a Harvard colony.

May i6, 1774, a vote of the town points to an attempt to
increase the area and population of Harvard at the expense
of Groton; one, however, which probably ended then and
there, as no hint of further action appears : —
 Articles"'. Voted to receive Benjamin Davis, Jonathan Stone,
Abner Whetcombe, and Amos Lamson; inhabitants of the Town of
Groton to be inhabitants of Harvard when regularly sett off according to
their Request and their lands annexed to the Town of Harvard.
BOXBOROUGH.
It was a plain prophecy of coming secession, when, early
in 1776, certain farmers resident near the eastern border of
the town joined with others in the southern part of Littleton
and the western part of Stow to purchase the old meeting
house of Harvard, and build from its materials a house of
worship for themselves. May 14, 1777, a town meeting re
jected "the petition of a number of Inhabitants of the Town
praying to be set off to a part of Stow and Littleton, or
otherwise that their minister and school rates be abated." In
November the neighborhood society petitioned the General
Court for parish privileges, and the town of Harvard in op
position alleged the following reasons against legislative
action : —
First. That itwill destroy the Ballance of the Town. Secondly, we.h.a.\e
lately erected a commodious Meeting House to accommodate the whole
Town. Thirdly, the Inhabitants have been at Great Expence to accom
modate every part of the Town in Roads leading to the Meeting House.
Fourthly, that if the Town should consent that a part be taken from the
easterly side it is likely that the westerly side will make the same appli
cation. Fifthly, There has been a Baptist Society lately set up in the
Town which tends to lessen the ability of the Town to Support the Gos
pel in- the ancient and usual place of public worship. Sixthly, that no
one of the Inhabitants proposing to be set off lives at more than three
miles and a half from the meeting house.

BOXBOROUGH. I2i
October 23, 1780, when another petition met the voters of
Harvard, asking in behalf of the same citizens that they be
set off with portions of Stow and Littleton for incorporation
as a town, it found a favoring majority. It was then : —
Voted to grant the prayer of the petitioners as set forth in the article
[in the warrant] except John Priest's, Jonas Whitney's and Benjamin
Robbins' homestead farms.
The contest continued with the other towns some time
longer, but February 25, 1783, it ended in the creation of Box-
borough as a District, with the following bounds : —
 Beginning at the road southerly of John Robbins' buildings, and
running southerly to Acton Corner three miles and ninety-two rods to a
heap of stones; from thence running southerly in Acton line, to a Place
called Flag Hill being two miles, three quarters and ten rods to a heap
of stones; from thence westerly in Stow two miles and a quarter to a
stake and pillar of stones in the Harvard line; thence running Northerly
through part of Harvard to a white oak tree by a causeway; from thence
to the place first set out from 
The following year, amendment of this act was sought by
the following petition: —
In behalf of the Town of Harvard and District of Boxborough.
Humbly Sheweth that whereas the Line between Harvard and Boxbo
rough as Specified in the Incorporating Bill (of sd District) leaves some
Inhabitants to Harvard that was meant should belong to Boxborough:
we therefore Pray that the Line agreed to by a Committee from said
Town and District and accepted by s* Harvard and Boxborough may be
established which is as follows, {viz): Beginning at a heap of Stones at
Stow Line Easterly of Joseph Houghton's House and runs Westerly to a
white oak tree by a Causway a corner of s'^ Boxborough, then North
twenty-nine Degrees East two mile and forty-seven Rods to a heap of
Stones on a Large Rock in Oliver Sawyer's Pasture, from thence East
forty Degrees North one Hundred and forty-three Rods to a Heap of
Stones in Jonas Whitney's Pasture, from thence North forty Degrees
East one Hundred and twenty-six rods to an appletree and Heap of
. Stones on the East Side of the Road opposite Benjamin Robins House,
thence by said Road one Hundred and fifty-four Rods to a Heap of
Stones on the Westerly side of said Road near John Robins Buildings.
And whereas great Inconveniences arise, and much uneasiness in the
minds of some persons by reason of having their homestead Farms
divided by s'' Line, we further Pray that those Inhabitants may Pay all

122 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
their Taxes in future for s* Homestead farms to the Town that takes in
their Buildings, and your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever Pray &c.
Asa Houghton, ) In behalf Abel Whitcomb, ^ In behalf
Jonas Whitney, [ of Oliver Mead, ^ of
Nath. Longley, ) Harvard. Oliver Taylor, ) Boxborough.
An act was passed in July establishing the line in accord
ance with the wishes of the petitioners, and thus it has re
mained to the present day; although each new survey records
more or less changes in the courses and distances. The
amount of land thus taken from Harvard was about sixteen
hundred acres.
THE STATE CONSTITUTION.
In the framing of the formal declaration of political prin
ciples by which they were willing to be governed, the Harvard
freemen showed a solemn sense of their duties and privileges,
and a full understanding of the importance of discussion and
deliberation. September 25, 1776. The Town being assembled  2. Heard a
resolve of Court Relative to Establishing a Form of Government for the
State of the Massachusetts Bay, and after deliberate Consideration,
Voted that the present House of Representatives  together with the
Council then Consenting, in one body with the House and by Equal Voice
should consult, agree on, and enact, such a Constitution and Form of
Government for the State as the said House of Representatives and
Council aforesaid on the fullest and most mature Deliberation shall judge
will most conduce to the safety, peace and hapyness of this State in all
after Successions and Generations, and that the same be made publick
for the inspection of the inhabitants before the Ratification thereof by
the Assembly: likewise Voted that the Town Clerk do Exhibit a Copy of
the above vote to the office of the Secretary of this State as soon as may
be. 3. Voted that the representative of this Town use his influence that
said Town be Vested with power to settle intestate Estates lying within
the same, equally authentick to the settlement of such Estates in the
former Probate office, as also the establishment of Wills and Settlements
as aforesaid, and that he likewise use his influence that the said Town be
Vested with Legal power to keep authentick Records of Deeds and Con
veyances of lands within said Town 
It was the custom, whenever any question of grave political
import was likely to meet the General Court, for the town to
give their representative formal instructions in writing to

STATE CONSTITUTION.

123

guide his action. May 26, 1777, the following letter, prepared
by a previously appointed committee, was adopted by the
town as expressing their views respecting a state constitution :
Sr. As you have the sufferages of the Legal Voters of this Town to
Represent them in the Great and General Court the following year we
wish you and your Breathren who may be Chosen in the several Towns
to Represent them in like manner all that light and assistance from the
Father of lights and fountain of wisdom which your important betrust-
ment requires. And with Respect to the form & Constitution of Govern
ment proposed to be Established agreeable to a Recommendation of the
late Ho'''^. House of Representatives bearing date the s*'' of May 1777.
We deliver to you our Sentiments in the following manner. We think it
would be most conducive to the hapyness, strength, and stability of the
United States provided one and the same form of government might be
established and run thro' the whole so far as the Circumstances peculiar
to each State would admit, and we doubt not but that a measure so salu
tary for the interest of the whole may be brought about when the affairs
which concern the Defence of these Confederate States will admit of its
being attended to; in the mean time, we are sensible that some mode of
govemment must be adopted. We therefore Recommend that you use
your influence with the Counsel and house of Representatives acting in
one body by ballot to chuse a Committee (perhaps one member from each
County) of such persons who do not belong to the General Court, and
that the Com"=^ so chosen be directed to devote their whole attention to
the Drawing up a form of Government till it be Compleated to be laid
before the People for their aprobation which form of Government being
accepted by the majority of the people we Recommend to be Confirmed
by the General Court, but at the same time subject to any after altera
tions whenever it shall be supposed for the interest of the State by the
majority of the people to make them.
Harvard May 26"' 1777. Oliver Whitney'
Joseph Willard
Jont. Puffer ¦{ Committee.
Joseph Wheeler
Silas Parkhurst^
To Captain Phineas Fairbank.
March 23, 1778  3. Read the constitution agreed upon by the
Convention of this State, whereupon the Town voted and chose a com
mittee to take the same under their consideration and make report to the
Town. This compittee was increased from fifteen to forty-five on
April 6, and reported to an adjourned meeting. May 25, as
follows : —
9

124

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

The Committee of Fifteen members viz: Dea Fairbanks and others
to whome was Refered the Consideration of the Constitution & form of
Government sent from the General Court of this State to the several
Towns and plantations within the same for their approbation, to which
Committee has since been added by said Town a Com'tee of Thirty
members viz. Simon Daby and others; and they meeting together and
forming one Committee, beg leave to make the following Report, viz;
that upon a serious and carefull examination of said Constitution they
Judge (some few alterations being made,) that it is well calculated to pre
serve the rights and liberties and to promote the hapyness of this State.
The alterations which the Com*'"= would refer' to the Consideration of
the Town are as follows viz:
I*'. The Committee Recommend that in the 5"^ page of the Constitu
tion & ninth line these words should be incerted after the word them
(meeting for said purpose).
2^'y. in the fifth article they Recommend that the words, Negroes In
dians & molattoes, should be Expunged and that said article should stand
as followeth viz: Every male inhabitant of any Town in this state being
free and Twenty-one years of age and worth sixty pounds clear of all
charges thereon &c.
3'y. In the nineteenth article it is Recommended that both the Militia
at hum as well as the forces that may be sent abroad either by inlistment,
or Draught, should have their vote in the choice of such Captains & Sub
alterns under whome they are to serve and who are to be commitioned by
the Governor and Senate : All which is humbly submited.
Phineas Fairbank Chairman
May 18, 1778. pr Order
Then voted by almost a unanimous Vote to accept the Constitution
with the alterations proposed by the Committee.
Sept. i6, 1779  After Reading and Considering an address from
Boston Delegates seting forth the great want of country produce in the
Town of Boston, Voted and Chose Dea. Oliver Whitney and Mr Jonathan
Clark, and Mr Joseph Atherton to carry such loading, Buter and small
meat to Boston, as shall be Brought togather to some place appointed for
that purpose. Then Voted that Mr Jonathan Clark's House be appointed
to cary said provisions to for the market, to be brought next tuesday in
the afternoon.
May 23, 1780, the state constitution was submitted to the
freemen, and after being read paragraph by paragraph was
referred to a committee of fifteen to carefully consider and
report upon. On June i, the chairman of the committee,
Joseph Wheeler, laid before the town the following proposed
amendments: —

THE TOWN'S POOR.

125

I That the Delegate from this town be instructed to use his endeav
ours that there may be a new convention within the term of fifteen years
to consider what amendments may be needed in the constitution. 2'y.
That the suspension of the habeus corpus act shall be confined to the
time of war, invasion or rebellion and not to exceed the term of six
months. 3'^. To give power to the Governour in the recess of the Gen
eral Court to march or transport the Inhabitants of the State for the relief
of a neighbouring State invaded or threatened with invasion.
Then voted this amendment be likewise made that the Governour
shall be of the Protestant religion. Then Voted to accept the whole of
sd. Constitution with the above amendments  eighty-one for and not
one against. Then voted to send two Delegates to the Convention, one
of each denomination. Voted and chose Coll. Josiah Whitney and Mr
Joseph Stone.
THE TOWN'S POOR.
There is no mention made in the town's earliest records of
aid rendered to the poor, and probably there were few or none
so needy that they would consent to become a public charge.
The imbecile and those otherwise incompetent for their own
support were cared for by their relatives, the aged and un
fortunate " scratched along " as best they could. The descend
ants of Puritans always found the bread of charity hard to
swallow. There was in all New England a spirit rife that
almost resented the proffer of alms, and pride sometimes
starved rather than accept the public dole appropriated for
paupers. The town's officials, however, were ever diligent in
guarding the treasury against possible claims for support of
the shiftless and indigent. Residence for a twelvemonth in
town without being warned out entitled one to the rights of
citizenship. Sooner or later therefore each stranger who
sought permanent shelter in the town, if the selectmen were
not convinced of his thrift and worthy character, received a
formal call from the constable, who, in the name of the king,
warned him to depart forthwith under penalty of more strin
gent measures for his expulsion. The fact of the delivery of
such warning was duly recorded with the county court's pro
ceedings. This inhospitable reception was in many cases
mere "sound and fury signifying nothing;" but served as an
ounce of prevention when a vicious or improvident person or
family tried to gain a residence. Any inhabitant receiving

126 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
into his household an apprentice, servant, or other person from
another place, was obliged to report the fact to the selectmen,
with full description of the new-comer. An example of a
Harvard warning is given to show what watchfulness was ex
pected of the town fathers : —
Worcester ss.: To Gordon Hutchins one of the Constables for the
Town of Harvard. Greeting. Whereas there is now Residing in the
Town of Harvard Nathaniel Stone an Infant Child of about Two Months
old who came from Milton in the County of Suffolk, who came to Har
vard on the twenty-third Day of September last past: also a Lad named
Silas Harris who came from Leominster in the County of Worcester on
the first Day of January last past; also a young woman named Rachel
Wright who came from Sudbury in the County of Middlesex in the
Month of June last past, who are all poor Persons and in our Judgment
likely to be chargable to the Town of Harvard speedily. You are there
fore hereby Required in his Majesty's Name forthwith to make Diligent
Search within your Limits where said Persons may be found and to warn
all and every of them the above named poor Persons to Depart forthwith
out of the Town of Harvard, and make Due Return of your Doings
herein unto some one of us Subscribers within four Days from the Date
hereof as you will answer your neglect at the peril of the Law in that
case made and Provided. Israel Taylor ^ Selectmen
Samuel Haskell C of
Nathan Warner ) Harvard
Worcester ss. Harvard Oct. 28, 1766. By virtue of this War
rant I have warned all the within named persons to Depart forthwith out
of the Town. Gordon Hutciiins, Constable.
Copy filed in Court of General Sessions.
Accepted and entered in Court Records.
Joseph Blood and family seem to have been the first to re
ceive regular aid from the town treasury. May 22, 1749, the
town voted to instruct the selectmen to "see what the neces
sity of Joseph Blood's family was and Releave them as they
thought best for the Present." For two or three years bills
were paid "for finding Joseph Blood and family house room."
In 1753 the town built a small house upon the eastern border
of the common, where an acre had been temporarily improved
by John Wright, the pound-keeper. In this, which was called
the "town's house," and was in fact the first alms house.
Blood's family were installed. In 1758 a well was dug and

THE TOWN'S POOR.

127

stoned, "so that it may be sufficient for Joseph Blood's fam
ily." This was known down to the present century as "the
town's well." May 17, 1762, "the Town voted to purchase a
Cow for the use of Joseph Blood's family, and also voted to
have the said Cow kept this year at the Cost of the Town."
In 1778 Joseph Blood and his family being dead, the cow was
sold by order of a vote in town meeting.
The next occupant of the town's house was the wife of
Phineas Whitney, a soldier in the Continental army. Other
poor people became a, town charge, mostly widows, and cows
were kept for them, and the selectmen were ordered to inquire
into their necessities and give assistance accordingly. No
vember 18, 1785, it was "voted that the Town's House be ap
propriated to the use of a Work House to put idle persons in
if need be." In 1797 ground and house were sold. The town
had by this time adopted a less humane but then customary
method of providing for the care of paupers — they were sold
for the year to the lowest bidders. Soon there began to ap
pear annually in the town's accounts such strange items as :
" For Liquor at Vendueing the poor. 3.13." The bidding at
an auction, even where humanity was for sale, went very slowly
on, if without fluid stimulants. It is said that many of the
recruits who swelled the ranks of the Shakers were the lonely
and aged, chiefly widows and spinsters, who feared the com
ing of poverty and the shame of the annual vendue. The
evils of the system probably stirred the town's conscience,
for in 1818, a committee was instructed to consider whether
some better method for the support of the paupers could not
be devised. The recommendation of this committee, which
was adopted, was to contract with some one to relieve the town
of all care of the poor for a term of years. Captain Oliver
Hill offered, for the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars, to
support the town's paupers for three years, including " cloth
ing, lodging, food, necessary doctoring and funeral expenses,"
and this bid, being the lowest, was accepted.
The increase of pauperism became so marked at this period
that a committee was appointed to investigate the causes.
Their report is the first word favoring temperance found in the
records, and closes with allusion to the persistent survival of

128 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
an ancient custom, which on the day of burial brought to the
house of mourning guests whose free libations neither did
honor to the dead nor to themselves: —
 they think an immoderate use is made of ardent spirits by some
individuals in this town, and therefore would recommend to the town to
enjoin it upon the Selectmen to perform their duty as the law requires
respecting the sale of spirituous liquors, and with respect to intemperate
persons. They also recommend to the town to advise that no ardent
spirit be used at funerals, as it is thought wholly unnecessary on such
occasions. Pr. order. Oliver Hill [Chairman]
June 20, 1825, a committee, empowered to purchase a suit
able farm and buildings as a home for the paupers, reported
that they had bought ninety-four acres in the easterly part of
Harvard, of Phineas Davis, paying twenty-four hundred dol
lars. The poor were ordered to be put upon this farm by the
following March, and a committee was instructed to secure
a suitable man and wife to have charge of the establishment,
and to submit a bill of fare and rules and regulations for the
institution. The settled ministers were invited to preach in
turn once a month to the town's wards. The committee re
ported fourteen rules, serious breach of which could be pun
ished with solitary confinement upon bread and water for " not
less than twelve, nor more than forty eight hours;" also this
bill of fare : —
Good Rye and indian Bread at all times.
Pork and Beans twice a Week.
Hasty Pudding twice a Week,
Tea for men once a day.
Tea for women twice a day.
Soup, Boiled or Fried victuals or milk the rest of the time.
Beer in warm weather.
The selectmen have always acted as overseers of the poor,
employing a superintendent of the town farm at a salary of
from two hundred and fifty to three hundred and seventy-five
dollars. There are now but three town paupers, and the num
ber has rarely risen above fifteen, though the building can
well accommodate twenty-five or thirty. In 1838 a new barn
was built. The farm house originally upon the place having

POCK HOSPITAL.

129

grown too shabby and uncomfortable for further use, on Feb
ruary 17, 1868, it was voted to build a suitable alms house,
which resulted in the completion of the present building in
1869 at a cost of about

POCK HOSPITAL, ETC.
From time to time the town was terrified by epidemics of
small pox. This virulent malady generally proved fatal in
one case out of three, and the surviving victims of it were
often hideously disfigured and half blind. Such was the dread
of contagion that the bodies of those who died from this
loathsome disease were often hurriedly buried at night, and
sometimes not in the public burial ground, but in the orchard
or field near the house. Inoculation began to be much prac
ticed before the Revolution, as a personal safeguard; and
many went to the authorized physicians "to take the small
pox." During the Revolution there were five p.ock hospitals
or pest houses established by the courts in Worcester County.
One of these was in Lancaster, and the buildings used for the
patients were near the Nashua River at Pine Hill, only a short
distance from the Still River bridge, on a road long ago aban
doned. Dr. Israel Atherton, a native of Harvard but resident
in Lancaster, had the management of this hospital, inocu
lating patients with small pox until near the close of the cen
tury. The discovery by Dr. Jenner of the safer and equally
efficient remedy of vaccination with cow pox, was soon util
ized by the medical profession, and the chief need of the pest
house was at an end. The wholesome dread of the disease was
not always sufficient to ensure the universal trial of the pre
ventive operation, however, and vaccination in times of dan
ger from contagion was enforced. April 4, 1822, it was voted
in a Harvard town meeting: —
t  that the Selectmen be a Committee to see that all the Inhabitants
of the Town who have not had the Small Pox nor Cow Pox be inoculated
with the Cow Pox immediately at the town's expense.
The last building utilized as a pest-house in Harvard stood
near the road to the alms-house, about half a mile from the
common, until burnt in 1879.

130 HISTORY OF HARVARD.

THE TOWN COMMON.

Harvard early began an unwise alienation of portions of
her common to private uses, in apparant disregard of the be
quest from the Lancaster proprietors; thus sadly diminishing
the extent of her public park. March 6, 1749, the town voted
"to give the Improvement of one acre of Land to Mr. John
Wright for him to Build on and Improve as he shall think
best during his natural life, and the natural life of his now
married wife." Wright was the pound keeper, and poverty-
stricken. His acre was "easterly of the meeting-house."
He died before his house was completed, when the town
bought the frame and in 1753 converted it into the first
"town's house," of which something has been said on a pre
vious page. The lot and building were devoted to the town's
poor until 1797, when the land was sold to Asa Daby.
May 23, 1754, "two acres and ten rods" of the southerly
end of the common were given to Reverend John Seccomb,
"in room of certain ways that run through his land." May
19, 1760, the town voted a grant of the town's land to the Rev
erend Joseph Wheeler, describing it as lying "between the
Town ways leading from Harvard meeting house by Samuel
Fellows's, and from said meeting-house to Bear Hill, so
called." In 1770 the town gave to Reverend Daniel Johnson a
portion of the common for a house lot, adjoining Mr. Whee
ler's. A survey of the original thirty acres was made by Simon
Daby and a plot of the grant, dated June 25, 1774, is preserved
in the town records. May 6, 1782, a committee was instructed
to make . a careful measurement of the public grounds and
report encroachments, with the names of the trespassers.
Nathaniel Longley's survey, dated May 23, 1782, makes the
area of the then existing common sixteen and one-half acres,
besides the burial field. The trespasses reported were : twen
ty-one rods by Captain Francis Farr, thirteen rods by Jon
athan Symonds, thirty-five rods by Lieutenant Jonathan Puf
fer, thirty-two rods by William Safford, and three and one-
half rods by Silas Parkhurst. The records indicate that the
five men retained the land illegally appropriated by them upon
paying the assessed value.

THE TOWN COMMON.

131

Sales of desirable building lots on the skirts of the com
mon from that time became more frequent. May 10, 1784,
Jonathan Puffer obtained a concession. In March 1785,
Ebenezer Bridge purchased a lot. In 1785, liberty was voted
the Middle School District "for a school-house to be set up
on the Common on the north side of the burying yard be
tween the gate and the north east corner of the wall." In
1786 it was "voted to sell one quarter and half-a-quarter of
an acre of land of the Town's Common to Mr. Ephraim Ran-
dell, or his Father, lying on the East side of the Stables at
the East end of the meeting house." In 1792 a sale was
made to Joseph Curtis of land on the east side of the com
mon, adjoining Ebenezer Bridge's, the price being thirty
pounds per acre. In 1793, Captain Thaddeus Pollard pur
chased a house lot, and in 1794 Jonas Whitney obtained a
piece of the common. In 1806, Jonas Merriam, the inn-holder,
purchased land of the town; in 1807 Silas Cragin was sold a
lot adjoining the burying ground; in 1816, Jason Bigelow and
Jonas Bateman obtained a piece thirty feet by forty at the
north corner of the burying ground; and in 1824, Thomas
Bigelow was granted a lot one hundred and twenty feet by
ten. To others was voted temporary occupancy of portions
of the common for the building of sheds or other private uses.
Nor was this all. The town in November 1830, appointed a
committee to investigate encroachments, demand damages
for land taken, and establish permanent bounds to the com
mon. At this time Silas Holman mapped the public domain,
and found that nine acres and eighty-three rods only re
mained — outside of the burial field — of the thirty acres
given in 1733 for "public uses."
From a very early period in the town's history, the survey
ors of highways were nearly every year instructed to mow
the brush on the common, and in the 'ourial ground, but no
other record of a public interest in the preservation and
comeliness of the public park appears until April 2, 1849,
when permission was given an association of citizens to set
out trees "for ornament," under the direction of a committee
of nine appointed in town meeting. Enoch Perkins deserves
to be especially remembered for his earnest work in planting

132

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

and caring for the trees upon the public grounds. In 1886 a
special meeting of citizens organized for the improvement
and embellishment of the common; and through subscrip
tions of money, the proceeds of fairs and other entertain
ments, and volunteer labor, many pleasing changes for the
better were effected, including the curbing and grading of the
chief roadways. In 1888, the Soldiers' Monument added a
prominent feature to the southern corner of the grounds. In
1890, the curbing of granite bordering the highways that cross
the common was completed at the cost of the town. The
flag-staff, which is one hundred and fifteen feet in height, was
raised May 27, 1892. The tree-trunks of which it is com
posed were the product of Harvard soil, and the whole was a
gift to the town by several of its patriotic young men. The
"liberty-pole" of Revolutionary days and one or more suc
cessors probably stood on the southerly side of the common.
COLONEL HENRY BROMFIELD.
In the spring of 1777 there came to Harvard as a perma
nent resident one whose picturesque figure and strong indi
viduality made him a notable feature of the town's life during
the next forty years. After Reverend John Seccomb in 1761
left the grand parsonage, it stood for several seasons without
an occupant. In those troublous times there were few able
to buy such an estate, and this probably accounts for the fact
that so attractive a homestead, with one hundred and twenty
acres of valuable land, was sold April i, 1765, for only six
hundred pounds. The purchaser, Henry Bromfield, was a
member of the family which gave name to Bromfield street,
Boston. He was born in that city November 12, 1727, the son
of Edward Bromfield, a well-known merchant of that day,
and was a lineal descendant from Rev. John Wilson, the
first minister of Boston; his mother being the oldest daugh
ter of Reverend Samuel Danforth of Roxbury. He became
associated in trade with his brother Thomas in London, Eng
land, and always retained the English tastes and manners
there acquired. Margaret Fayerweather of Boston became
his wife September 17, 1749, but died of small-pox at the age

COLONEL BROMFIELD. 133
of thirty, and he married Hannah Clarke, September 25, 1762.
She was the eldest daughter of that Richard Clarke who was
agent of the East India Company, and consignee of the car
goes of tea thrown into the dock by the disguised patriots,
December 16, 1773.
Mr. Bromfield, before the Revolution, occasionally made a
brief stay at his Harvard farm; but his business interests re
quired his presence in Boston, and that was his home, even
during the British occupation of the town. In 1767 he was
commissioned justice of the peace. He also wore the title
of colonel derived from some staff appointment. His official
dignities, his wealth and aristocratic bearing, his studied
politeness and the elaborate costume of the old-school gen
tleman which he always wore, all harmonized well with the
stately mansion and its elm-shaded avenues. As depicted by
his kindly biographers, he seems to have well acted the part
of a condescending, benignant lord of the manor among
feudal vassals. He was fastidiously neat in person, suave but
dignified in manner, habitually cheerful. His habits were
simple, his appetites under complete control. He gave per
sonal attention to the management of his farm and garden,
and took especial pride in the raising of choice fruit. He
disdained to enter into petty local politics, and though a whig
at heart, studiously avoided all partisanship and exciting dis
cussions. His ordinary garb comprised a brown broad-cloth coat of
the square cut seen in the. Copley portraits, a long waistcoat
with deep pockets and lappets, black small clothes with silver
buckles at the knee, black silk stockings, buckled shoes, and
afull wig well powdered. When out of doors there was ad
ded : a cocked hat, a long scarlet cloak, and a tall gold-
headed staff. In his later years he was generally followed
like a shadow by his body servant, a faithful negro, eccentric
in habits and speech, named Othello; which sonorous name
was usually debased to " Thurlo " in the speech of the vil
lagers unfamiliar with Shaksperian heroes.
The house was furnished throughout in the style then
deemed the height of luxury. Some of the floors were cov
ered with carpets, the only ones in Harvard. Oil paintings in

134

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

heavy frames were hung upon the walls of the best rooms.
There were shelves loaded with choice books. Chairs and
tables were of solid mahogany and of the substantial colonial
types. Silver glittered upon the sideboard, and the store of
china in the buffet excited the admiration and envy of all
the ladies in the town. The old mansion was often gay with
guests young and old. Kin folk from the city came up in
their coaches to enjoy the simple but generous hospitality of
the Squire for a few days, or even weeks. Othello then be
came ubiquitous and majestic with the sense of his own im
portance; serving as major-domo, the factotum of the picnics
and fishing parties, and master of revels at night when with
voice and violin he ruled the dance. 'There was a frequent
interchange of hospitality between the BromfieldS and cer
tain Lancaster notabilities — Reverend Nathaniel Thayer,
Honorable John Sprague, and Sheriff William Greenleaf,
whose wife, a daughter of Edmund Quincy, Esq., was of
kin to the Bromfield family. After the death of his wife in
1785, his daughters having homes of their own, the Squire
lived much alone, content with his books, the management of
his garden and farm, and his own mental resources. Free
from anxieties and bodily ailments, he lived a life of calm en
joyment such as few attain, his cheerful vivacity remaining
unabated to the last, despite the long years of domestic iso
lation. In a Memoir of Eliza Susan Morton Quincy is this pleas
ant picture of life and character in Harvard at the beginning
of the present century.
After the loss of his wife and the marriage of his daughters, Mr.
Bromfield continued to live happily in solitude, attended by faithful do
mestics, and enlivened by occasional visits from his relations and friends.
Removed from the attrition of society, time had not obliterated the
peculiarities of character acquired in the last century; and he remained'
in- mind, manners, and costume, a living representative of an age which
had passed away. In conversation he constantly referred to " the year
fifty," — the date of his last visit to England 
Mr. Bromfield and his surroundings vividly reminded Mrs. Quincy of
Addison's description of Sir Roger de Coverley in the " Spectator." It
seemed to her that she must be on a visit to that worthy knight, especially
on Sunday, when, equipped with a red cloak, and a wig surmounted by a

ELIPHALET PEARSON. 135
cocked hat, and attended by his negro servant Othello, he escorted her
under the ancient avenue of elms and through the graveyard to the vil
lage church. Profound deference and respect marked the passing salu
tations he received; and, at the conclusion of the service, the whole
congregation remained standing in their pews until Mr. Bromfield and
his guests had walked down the broad aisle.
Colonel Bromfield died at Harvard, of pneumonia, Febru
ary 9, 1820, at the age of ninety-two. His friend. Reverend
Nathaniel Thayer, D.D., read a funeral sermon February 16,
taking for his text. Acts xi. 24, " He was a good man." This
discourse was largely biographical and at the request of the
citizens of Harvard was printed. A brief eulogistic obituary
appeared in the Columbian Centinel for February 25, 1820.
His body was not laid in Harvard soil, but deposited in the
family tomb at Boston, in the King's Chapel cemetery.
Othello died two years before the colonel, and his grave is in
the extreme north-west corner of the town's burying ground.
So dependent had the old Squire become upon his services,
that after the old negro had gone to his final rest, it is said
he sometimes would in moments of forgetfulness go to the
door and shout, "Othello ! Othello ! " and wonder at the non
appearance of his servitor.
The next tenant of the Seccomb house was a scholar of
wide fame, who had long been one of the intellectual leaders
in the commonwealth; but a man much less lovable than his
predecessor, and not in sympathetic touch with the people
among whom he came to spend the closing years of a labor
ious and honored career. When Eliphalet Pearson L L.D.,
in 1820, took possession of his father-in-law's estate at Har
vard, his mental and bodily vigor were fast waning. His
stately courtesy and the sternly authoritative air of the great
teacher remained characteristic; but a decided stoop and
lameness detracted from the once commanding presence, and
his vast stores of learning were no longer at ready command.
Dr. Pearson was for six years a resident of Harvard. He
was bom at Byfield, Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1752, and
was graduated at Harvard College in 1773, where he became
professor of Oriental languages in 1786. For some time after
the death of President Willard in 1804, Dr. Pearson was act-

136 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
ing president of the university; and when Samuel Webber
was elected to the chair it is alleged that disappointed ambi
tion led the professor to give up his connection with the col
lege, and to devote all his great energies and influence to the
building of the theological seminary at Andover. He died
while temporarily absent from home, September 12, 1826, at
the age of seventy-four years. His first wife was Priscilla,
daughter of President Edward Holyoke; his second, Sarah
Bromfield, by whom he had sons Henry Bromfield and Ed
ward, and a daughter Margaret Bromfield Pearson, whose
lives are identified with Harvard history.
WATERFORD EMIGRANTS. THE HAMLINS.
At the close of the war for independence the outlook for
the discharged soldier coming back to his home in the Mas
sachusetts farming town had an altogether sombre hue. He
was paid for his patriotic services with paper that soon lost
all market value. He generally found his father and older
brothers grimly striving with hard labor and sordid economy
to save the mortgaged homestead from the sheriff's grip.
He had no capital for trade, and if he had served an appren
ticeship at some handicraft, there was no room for him.
There were then no manufactories constantly calling for
human brains and muscle. His only resources were to eat
the bread of a hireling, hopeless of rising for years above
the grade of a farm laborer, or to hie to the wilderness,
where fertile lands could be had for fifty cents an acre, and
there build an independent home by his own strength and
energy, following the example set him by his ancestors a cen
tury earlier.
Hope then looked to the rising rather than to the setting
sun. The eyes of the unrestful and land-hungry had not
been attracted westward, but naturally turned to the north or
east; to the valleys watered by the tributaries of the Merri-
mac, Saco, Androscoggin and Kennebec. The heirs of the
soldiers who served in Sir William Phips' Canada Expedition
of 1690, with Captain Andrew Gardner, were by special grant
of Massachusetts the proprietors of the township of Water-

ELEAZAR HAMLIN.

137

ford in the province of Maine. It happened early in 1775, '
that David McWain — or as elder members of his family
wrote the name, McElwain — a young man of Bolton twenty-
two years of age, bought for forty dollars of one of these
proprietors a lot of one hundred and sixty acres in Waterford.
Accompanied only by his dog, he found his way to this estate
and built a cabin upon it. He returned to Bolton to pass the
following winter and drove a cow before him to his new
home, in the spring. There for five or six years he lived,
many miles from any other human being. But when the dis
charged soldiers of Harvard, Bolton and Stow resolved upon
emigration, several of them followed the trail of David Mc
Wain, and within twenty years Harvard sent more than
twenty of her citizens, some of them with growing families,
to Waterford and its neighborhood. Among the earlier ad
venturers were the Hamlins.
In 1777 Captain Eleazar Hamlin from Pembroke purchased
of Aaron, the son of John Davis, a farm of one hundred and
twenty-eight acres, including a potash works, situated in the
northern part of Harvard. The estate is that now occupied
by the heirs of the late Lowell Sprague. The Captain had
large means and was a man of great energy; he soon became
influential in town councils. He had at least sixteen children :
Asia, Betty, Alice, Africa, Europe, America, Lydia, Molly,
Eleazar, Cyrus, Hannibal, — Sally, Isaac, Asia, Green, and
George. Twelve were borne to him by his first wife, Lydia
Bonney, and the five last named by a second wife, Sarah, in
Harvard. After the death of his second wife he sold his farm
and removed to Westford, where he died December i, 1807.
The two Asias died in childhood, but Africa, Europe, Amer
ica, Eleazar, Cyrus and Hannibal, despite the burden of their
baptismal names, attained manhood. Africa held the posi
tion of sergeant-major in Colonel Shephard's regiment of
the Continental army. Europe and America served as pri
vate soldiers, and Eleazar was a fifer to Harvard's credit.
Cyrus and Hannibal were twins. Cyrus settled in Paris,
Maine, and had a son, Hannibal, who became governor of
Maine, United States senator and vice-president. Hannibal
returned the compliment paid him by his twin brother, nam-

138 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
ing a son for him who is now well known as Reverend Cyrus
Hamlin D.D., LL.D., late the President of Robert College,
Turkey, and of Middlebury College, Vermont.
Captain Hamlin was one of the original proprietors of the
Waterford township, and offered each of his sons a farm
there. Africa, America, Eleazar Jr., and Hannibal became
prominent builders of that town. In 1785 and 1786, Thad
deus Brown, Samuel Warren, John and Joel Atherton removed
to Waterford. The journey from Harvard was made on horse
back or afoot, a few goods perhaps being transported upon ox
carts, although there was then no roadway feasible for wheels
within many miles of their destination. Mrs. Thaddeus
Brown lived for six months in Waterford before she saw an
other woman there. Later there went thither from Harvard :
Richard Bryant, Simeon Farmer, Peter Gerry, Benjamin, Israel
and Oliver Hale, Jonathan Houghton, Marlboro Kingman,
William Monroe, Joseph Pratt, Seth Ramsdell, Abraham
Whitcomb, Abraham and Phineas Whitney, Barzillai Lewis,
and William Willard. Oliver Hale traveled the hundred
miles or more on foot, bearing with him thd most valuable of
his possessions, a logging chain, slung over his shoulders.
The descendants of these sturdy emigrants from Harvard are
to be found in numerous places of honor and trust through
out the Pine-tree State.
SHAYS'S INSURRECTION.
Even before the signing of the treaty of peace between
Great Britain and the new-born republic, when the bells that
rang out the public rejoicings over the attainment of national
liberty had hardly ceased to vibrate, there began to be heard
throughout inland Massachusetts jangling notes of discon
tent. Terribly burdensome taxes had been borne with reason
able patience during long years of strife, for liberty's sake.
Equally oppressive tithes were necessarily exacted, though
peace had come, to keep the state's credit good, and pay the
interest upon fifteen millions of debt. The personal sacrifices
that freed the land from monarchical bondage were voluntarily
endured, because understood. The free citizens of a democ
racy found the burdens laid upon them in the name of the

SHAYS'S INSURRECTION. 139
commonwealth no less grievous than those formerly imposed
by parliament, and the reason why was beyond their compre
hension. With undiscriminating wrath they inveighed against
what they deemed fresh tyranny. Demagogues aided in mis
leading them, and mobocratic conventions organized resist
ance to law. Hardships and real grievances there were in
abundance that loudly called for redress. The small land
holders were especially sufferers, most of their farms being
mortgaged to the merchants, speculators or attorneys, who
gathered a golden harvest by the forced sales of bankrupts'
estates. Symptoms of trouble to come appear in Harvard's
instructions to her representative in 1783: —
To Mr John Munroe. Sir, you being chosen by this Town to a seat in
General Court we Expect that you will exert yourself to promote Relig
ion, Learning and Industry. You will seek those methods of supplying
the Treasury that best secure the publick credit and that will be most
just and easy to the people. That you endeavour the Establishing Im
port and Excises to lighten the Taxes to prevent the immoderate use of
foreign produce and to fix permanent funds for Discharging the Publick
Debt, the proceeds to be under the controul of the General Courts. And
you will endeavour that all just contracts with our army elsewhere be
punctually fulfilled. That you oppose granting Pensions or extravagant
pay or salaries to persons who are or may be employed in Publick Serv
ice, and that the General Assembly set an example of a moderate reward
for their own service. You will use your influence to Remove the Gen
eral Court from the Town of Boston to some Convenient place in the
country, as we are of opinion that the members might live with less ex
pense, and publick Business be done with greater Despatch. That you
endeavour that an act passed July 3, 1782, Intitled an act directing the
appraisment of certain articles of personal estate when taken to satisfy
executions at the suit of any private person or persons be Revised, and
that Govermental Securities be likewise made a tender to satisfy Execu
tions. You will oppose the receiving again into our land those Emmisa-
ries who during the contest not only deserted our cause, joined our
enemies, but many of them drew the sword against us; who ought to be
Contemned by every American and never suffered to have the least con
nection with or [be] countenanced or protected by a free people.
Josiah Whitney, Chairman.
Harvard, Sept. 8*. 1783.
County conventions were held at Worcester in April of
1782, '83 and '84, "to take into Consideration the many Griev
ances the good people of this County at present labour un-
10

140

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

der, and to petition the General Court for redress." To these
conventions Joseph Stone went as Harvard's delegate, and
his reports were made verbally in the town meetings. He
was again chosen delegate to the Leicester convention of
August 7, 1786, which adjourned to Paxton, where nearly all
the towns in the county were represented. December 4, a
town-meeting in Harvard accepted the address of the county
convention, and took further action as follows : —
 3, The vote was then called to see if the training band and alarm
list should.march agreeable to orders sent and it passed in the negative.
The vote was called to see if the inhabitants of the Town would dis
countenance mobs that rise in opposition to the government, and it passed
in the afarmetive. Voted to chuse a committee to meet at Worcester
and that they use their influence to reconseliation between the govern
ment and those in opposition. Voted that there be chosen: Josiah Whit
ney Esq., Capt Jonathan Wetherbee and Dea. Joseph Stone  Voted
a petition to General Court.
The town-meeting action of Harvard's freemen thus far
was inspired by a strong sympathy with the agitators; it was
evidently under the leadership of Brigadier-General Josiah
Whitney and Deacon Joseph Stone, and took its tone and dic
tion from those of the county conventions. The resolves at
Leicester in August testified bya unanimous vote "against
all riots and unconstitutional combinations," but within a
month the officers of the court at Worcester found their en
trance to the court-house obstructed by armed men whose
captains had been active workers in the convention. The
legislature was a feeble and vacillating body, and met the
popular petitions with no measures adequate to calm the ex
citement. For its own preservation it was time for the state
government to abandon that lenient policy which had already
created a grave misconception of their power among those
who were defying all legal authority. The military forces
were at last ordered out, with General Benjamin Lincoln com
manding, to put down at any cost the riotous assemblages
headed by the misguided Shays and his lieutenants.
Lancaster was designated as the place of rendezvous for
the Eastern Worcester troops, and Colonel Ephraim Stearns
commanded the regiment in which the Lancaster infantry

SHAYS'S INSURRECTION.

141

company and those of the neighboring towns served. This
battalion numbered five hundred men and joined the main
army at Worcester January 24, 1787. As has been recorded,
the vote of Harvard in December was opposed to the use of
the militia in defence of the courts. No military organiza
tion from the town is found in the regiment of Colonel
Stearns, but in the company from Bolton led by Captain Wil
liam Sawyer were these volunteers from Harvard, serving
from January 23 until February 21, 1787 : —
Sergeant Europe Hamlin, Peter Atherton, Eleazar Hamlin, Jr.,
Sergeant Eber Goddard, Richard Bryant, Joseph Houghton,
Corporal Thaddeus Brown, Stephen Cleverly, Caleb Parker.
Simeon Conant,
A majority of them were veterans of the Revolutionary
war, inured to hardship; but the stoutest soldiers were ac
customed to refer to one episode of their brief campaign in
pursuit of Shays and his "regulators" — the night march of
thirty miles from Hadley to Petersham, in the face of a furi
ous snow-storm — as surpassing any experience of their army
life in its demands upon fortitude. That forced march put
an end to the insurrection. Harvard chose its brigadier-gen
eral as representative to General Court and instructed him as
follows : —
We the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Harvard,
having chosen you to represent us in the General Court the ensuing year,
your constitutants place the highest Confidence In your Integrity and
Abilities, in manageing the Important Concerns of the Commonwealth;
in its present critical and Embarrassed Situation; at the same time con
sidering the Difficulties which will necessarily attend in Conducting this
Convulsed State, to a tranquil Situation, [we] take the liberty to Suggest
to you our Sentiments on some particulars which will probably come un
der your Consideration.
That you use your influence that the General Court be removed from
Boston, and held in some convenient Place in the County, as we are of
opinion its being held in The Metropolis where a variety of private con
cerns are too apt to ingrose the attention of the Members, which occa
sions delay in the business of the Common wealth, and thereby an unnec
essary expense is incurred; and we conceive a more retired Situation
would give a fairer opportunity for Deliberating on matters of the high
est Importance, which Concerns the State in its present unhappy Circum
stances.

142 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Secondly. We disapprove of the Emmition of Paper Money, as a
Currency for reasons to Obvious to be here Given. At the same time,
Request you to use your Influence For a Continuation of an Act Entitled
an Act for Suspending the Laws for Collections of private Debts under
certain limitations Passed Nov. 15, 1786. With an Amendment, in regard
to putting in the Third Man, that no ondue Influence may be obtained.
Thirdly. It is our opinion that the Landed Interest is Taxed above
its equal proportion. Therefore request you to pay Particular attention
to the Industrious Husbandmen that they be not Burdened with Taxes:
and whatever cannot be paid by dry Tax, be raised by Import and Excise
on Foreign and Superfluous Articles; and Encouragement be given to
the Produce, and Manufactures of our own Country.
Fourthly. The Opposition that has been made to the Constitutional
Authority of the Commonwealth, is a matter that will come under the
consideration of the Legislature, we wish lenient measures may be
adopted, and the Disqualification that persons of Certain Descriptions
are under, may be taken of, and those that are Considered more Criminal,
if the peace and safety of the Commonwealth will admit, might be Pard
oned, on their returning and becoming Good Subjects.
That the Troops now in the Service of the Commonwealth be dis
missed, if consistent with the safety of the State.
Fifthly. As much has been said respecting the Courts of Common
Pleas, and Courts of General Sessions of the peace, but as considerable
alteration has been made Respecting Their Jurisdiction; we would not be
very particular on this Subject, but wish they might be Totally Abolished,
if consistent with the Public Safety; and a Different Mode be adopted.
Sixthly. We are of opinion that the Wages and Sallaries of the
Officers of Government are too high; therefore we request that a Just
and Equitable alteration may be made, so as shall be consistant with the
Constitution and honour of Government.
Sir. If we have in any Instance Instructed you Contrary to the Con
stitution, we Desire you notwithstanding in all your debates but Espe
cially in every determination to bear special regard to our Constitution.
by order of the Committee, Caleb Sawyer, Chairman.
Voted & Excepted by said Town.
Attest Francis Farr, Town Clerk.
Harvard May 28, 1787 'lo Josiah Whitney, Esqr.
REVEREND JOSEPH PENNIMAN.
The Hamlin farm was bought in 1794 by Reverend Joseph
Penniman, a Harvard College graduate of the class of 1765.
He had been dismissed in 1693 from his pastorate in Bedford,
Mass., because of his wine-bibbing propensity and other un-
clerical habits. He there had become notorious for a frequent

JOSEPH PENNIMAN. 143
use of quaint conceits in his discourses, and an irreverent way
of offering information to the Omniscient in his pulpit petitions.
His prayer at the time of the Lexington Alarm is historic:
"We pray thee, O Lord! that thou wouldst send these Brit
ish Soldiers where they will do some good, for thou knowest
we have no use for them about here." While a resident in
Harvard he was occasionally called upon by the local minis
ter for assistance on the sabbath. During a protracted
drought he is said to have introduced into his prayer an elo
quent petition for rain, beseeching that the Lord would
"vouchsafe that the bottles of Heaven maybe uncorked and
their refreshing waters poured upon the parched fields." Soon
rains fell, and persistently, day after day, when he remon
strated from the pulpit as follows: "We did ask, O Lord!
that thou wouldst uncork the bottles of heaven, but we
sought not that thou shouldst throw away the stopples."
During an invasion of one of those insect atmies that now
and then devastated the orchards, he improved the occasion
thus: "We pray, O Lord! that thou wilt take pity upon us,
and remove from our midst these voracious canker worms, for
if thou lookest over this town, thou wilt see that every apple •
tree is as red as a fox's tail." Summoned to a farm-house
wherein several members of the household were struck down
by endemic disease, to ask for divine assistance, he sta
tioned himself at the head of the stairs where all could hear,
and besought the Lord to "be very merciful unto Bezaleel
who lieth nigh unto death in the north chamber;" 
"Send thy ministering angels to comfort Bathsheba, groaning
with anguish in the South Chamber;"  "Visit with
thy healing grace Judith thy sorely affiicted hand maiden in
the bed-room down stairs." .... He died in 1803.

The diaries record in 1794 the destruction of the fruit and
the young foliage even of the hardiest trees by a severe frost
on May 17. Reverend Nathaniel Thayer, in a letter printed
in the Massachusetts Historical Society's Collections, de
scribes the blighting effects of this frost throughout the
Nashua Valley, and states that ice formed one-half an inch
thick during the night.

144 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
The colonial laws for the extermination of predatory
beasts — which have been spoken of in an earlier chapter —
having effected their purpose, the farmers began a crusade
against certain humbler species of animals, which they some
what presumptuously declared superfluous.. On April 12,
1798, they succeeded in persuading the voters at a town-
meeting to offer a bounty of one shilling for each crow killed
during the next twelve-month, the selectmen being instructed
to pay that premium upon the presentation to them of the
heads of the crows. This action emboldened others to pro
cure the insertion of an article in the following year's war
rant, asking for a bounty upon the slaughter of striped squir
rels. But the chipmunk had more friends at town-meeting
than the crow — or perhaps the conservatives feared a deple
tion of the treasury — for no price was set upon the rodent's
head. In subsequent years the prejudice against the crow
occasionally came into public councils. Thus in 1810, it was
voted to pay a bounty of twelve and one-half cents for an
old crow's head, and half that sum for a nestling. In 1831
the crows were again indicted in town-meeting, and a bounty
of twenty cents for adult crows and ten cents for young ones
was voted for that year. BRIDGES.
The Nashua river is crossed within Harvard bounds by one
railway and one highway bridge; but in the ,map of 1794,
three highway bridges are shown as spanning the river. That
on the site of the present Lancaster and Harvard bridge was
then known as Captain John White's, and was one hundred
feet in length. This was built first about 1735, by John
White, who lived on the hill above it in Lancaster, and was
kept up at private expense until March 5, 1770, when, having
been destroyed, the town of Harvard voted to rebuild and
maintain the easterly half of the bridge, "provided that the
other half shall be built and maintained by Lancaster or any
perticular person or persons." In 1772 the highway over it
was made a county road. The bridge was rebuilt in 1818,
probably having been borne away in the noted March freshet
of that year. It was then shortened to eighty-five feet. In

BRIDGES. 145
1832 the old bridge was replaced by one of essentially differ
ent construction — a lattice girder with sheathed sides and
shingled roof, which cost about eleven hundred dollars. In
1873 ^^^ present bow-string iron bridge, eighty-seven feet in
length, was erected by the King Iron Bridge and Manufac
turing Company, at a cost of S2427, shared between Harvard
and Lancaster. New abutments were constructed at the
same time, costing twelve hundred and fifty dollars.
The second bridge shown on the map of 1794 stood a
short distance up stream from the Lancaster and Shirley cor
ner, and was one hundred and sixteen feet long, built with
stone abutments and two trestles. It was called Wilds's
Bridge, and accom.modated the travel, which was then con
siderable, between the Shaker villages of Harvard and Shir
ley. It was named for its builder, Elijah Wilds, who was a man
of property, the founder of the Shirley Community of Shak
ers, and owner of the lands upon which their village stands.
It was generally called the Shakers' Bridge in later records,
being owned and supported by the Shirley society for their
convenience in bringing hay from their intervale lands east
of the river. In 1795 a petition was presented to the Court
of Sessions for a cousity road, which was to cross the river
"over the new Bridge in the North part of Lancaster called
the Shakers' ' Bridge, to meet the county line on Caucus
[Nonacoicus] plain so called" — but the proposition did not
find favor. This bridge was carried away by a freshet early
in this century, and was for several years replaced by a tem
porary floating bridge during the summer. Portions of old
abutments are yet visible.
All bridges of the period under consideration, rested upon
timber trestles set upon mud-sills in the bed of the stream.
Every few years some especially rampant flood, or a sudden
breaking up of the ice, would tear out one or two of the
Lancaster bridges, and the chances were that the wreckage
would sweep down every trestle below. In 1809, and again
in 1818, most of the Nashua bridges were broken.
A third bridge, known as the Shabikin bridge, about a mile
and a half down the stream from the last named, was one
hundred and twenty feet in length. The earliest mention

146 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
found of it is in the records of the town of Harvard, March
4, 1754, when it was voted to lay out " an open way 
from the Bridge that crosses Lancaster River, against the
Southerly part of Shirley, to the way that was formerly laid
out for the Inhabitants of that part of Harvard commonly
called Shabikin to pass into Groton." In 1778 the town
"voted to repair and maintain one half of Shabacan Bridge
for the future, provided Shirley maintain the other half as a
town." In 1785 David Farwell was paid for rebuilding Har
vard's share of "Shabbikin Bridge." In 1801 it had to be re
built again, and in 1807 it was carried away by a flood; where
upon the town ordered the material of it to be sold. Both
this and Wilds's bridge were narrow structures rudely con
structed, and being off the main lines of travel and found
too expensive to sustain against the destructive power of ice
and freshet, they were abandoned. The roadways leading to
them have long been discontinued, wholly or in part.
A fourth bridge, that of the Union Turnpike Company,
between 1805 and 1818 spanned the stream about half way
between White's and Wilds's. This was twice ruined by
freshets, and the traffic over the turnpike did not warrant the
expense of rebuilding.
The long causeway over the bog at the outflow of Bare
Hill Pond was deemed a work of magnitude in its day. It
was first "corduroyed" with logs cut upon the islands of the
pond and sledded over the ice to the spot. Upon this un
stable subway brush and gravel were distributed until a passa
ble road was made; but many a year elapsed before it attained
any thing like its present solid character.

The total eclipse of the sun June 6, 1806, was an event
never forgotten, and often described to later generations, by
those who witnessed the rare phenomena attending it in this
neighborhood. The sky chanced to be cloudless, and as,
about eleven o'clock, the obscuration became complete, the
brighter stars came into view, and a solemn hush seemed to
fall upon all nature. The diarists of the Nashua valley, how
ever, noted the event with scant comment.

UNION TURNPIKE.

147

In 1810 the town took a decided step forward in civiliza
tion. To this date from the earliest years of the town's his
tory, it had been annually voted to allow swine and cattle to
run at large in the highways. This year, for the first time,
this license was denied town-meeting sanction. Thencefor
ward the custom of using the public roads as a common
pasturage ground — a custom unclean and unsightly, especially
in the villages, and one entailing much wasteful expenditure
for fencing — gradually grew into disuse, though clung to with
obstinate tenacity as an indefeasible right by the owners of
animals. The pig yoke soon disappeared, and the honorable
office of hog-reeve became a sinecure, although for many
years it was usual, as a periodical jest, to elect to this office
those recently married.
THE UNION TURNPIKE.
The Union Turnpike Company was incorporated in 1804.
Colonel Henry Bromfield was president of the corporation, and
among the twenty corporators were : Benjamin Kimball, Esq.,
Leonard Farwell, Flint Davis and Oliver Taylor, of Harvard.
The roadway was laid out in December, 1805, and furnished
one link in a direct thoroughfare between Albany, Greenfield,
Brattleborough and Boston, joining the Cambridge and Con
cord pike with the Fifth Massachusetts Turnpike at Leomin
ster. The traffic over the latter was then very great, carried
on by a perpetual procession of heavily laden wagons bearing
freights of country produce to the city markets and returning
with assorted merchandise for the village stores. From forty
to fifty such wagons daily traversed the main road, averaging
a freight of at least a ton each. The Lancaster and Bolton
Turnpike, established in 1806, offering easier gfades than the
Union, proved a successful competitor for this traffic. The
Union Turnpike ran in an almost straight line, paying no
attention to grades, passed through the centre of Harvard
from the east and down the steep, rocky hillside across the
Plumtree meadows into Lancaster. A toll of twenty-five
cents was charged for two-horse pleasure carriages, and
twelve and one-half cents for other vehicles. Its bridge over
the Nashua river after several years' use was twice borne

148 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
away by Jloods. The approaches to this bridge are yet to be
seen upon both sides of the stream. That portion of the
turnpike between Boxborough and the Groton and Lancaster
road remains in use, having been accepted as a county high
way upon petition from the town, in September, 1829. The
corporation had practically abandoned it at least six years
before, and for several years earlier the town had annually
contributed aid to keep it in repair.
THE WAR OF 1812.
The policy of Thomas Jefferson's administration looked
wholly to the preservation of peace with foreign nations, and
even left out of consideration the fact that due preparation
for war is the best security against foreign intrusion and
insult. The depredations upon American commerce by both
the British navy and that of Napoleon had grown beyond
endurance, when in December, 1807, the Embargo was de
clared as a peaceful means of retaliation for the wrongs
received from the two nations, who made their own quarrel
an excuse for robbing weak neutrals. Massachusetts then
owned more than one-third of the tonnage of shipping in
the United States, and the operation of this non-intercourse
policy soon ruined her merchants and ship owners, and took
from mechanic and farmer all hopes and rewards of industry,
by destroying their chief markets. The ships lay rotting at
deserted wharfs in every northern harbor. Petition after
petition went up from New England town-meetings to the
president during 1808, for the suspension of an embargo
which both England and France treated with contempt and
ridicule. But the recorded action of Harvard at this junc
ture discloses a loyalty to the administration rare in Massa
chusetts. December 6, 1808, at a town-meeting : —
2. Voted that there be paid out of the Town Treasury by orders
from the Selectmen, who are authorized to Isue such orders, to those seven
teen soldiers now called for, being this Town's proportion, who shall vol
untarily enlist themselves to stand at a minutes warning and to march if
called for, for the defence of their country, five dollars each and if called
for to be made up with what Government shall pay them as wages, ten
dollars per month while they shall be engaged in said service,

WAR OF 1812. 149
The sum of eighty-five dollars was duly paid seventeen
volunteers, but they were not called into service and their
names are not given.
The political view of Harvard's majority was voiced on
February 13, 1809, by the Honorable Joseph Stone, the only
member of the state senate ever furnished by the town.
Some of his thunder he perhaps borrowed from the cam
paign literature of the day, for similar phrases abounded in
the Boston Patriot of that era. The grammatical construc
tion, or lack of it, bears the ear-mark of originality : —
On Monday the thirteenth instant the Freeholders of the Town of
Harvard were assembled at the request of the Grand Federal Caucus
holden at Westminster, to consult upon the common good, give instruc
tions to their Representatives etc. at which time and place the following
preamble and resolutions were passed by a unanimous vote. To the
Hon'o. Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled-
The freeholders and other inhabitants of the Town of Harvard greatly
concerned for the safety of our country seeing such a spirit of uneasiness
prevailing among the people of this commonwealth, they seeing that this
uneasiness arising to so great a height are greatly alarmed at the fearful
and expected consequences while some people among us are only look
ing at their own disadvantages they do not judge of National good or
evil as they ought, we the people of Harvard therefore do remonstrate
against any petitions being sent to Congress on the matter of the Em
bargo, not doubting Congress, will remove our difficulties as soon as it is
for the good of the nation.
The Town then proceeded and voted the following Resolutions.
Resolved, that the administration of the General Government, since
the fourth of March Eighteen hundred and one has been wise and good.
Resolved, that the Embargo was a measure highly Judicious and hon
ourable and tended to avoid a war and awake the tyrannical nations to a
sense of duty.
Resolved, that we view with the utmost horror a proposition in any
shape to submit to the tributary exaction of Great Britain as attempted
to be imposed by her Order of Council, or to acquiesce in the violations
of Neutrals, as menaced by the French Decrees, in resisting which
aggressions, they pledge themselves to the General Government for their
most energetic support.
Resolved, that whether war or a total non-intercourse, or a more rigid
execution of the Embargo system be determined on by the General As
sembly of the nation, however they may regret the privations consequent
on the occations, we will cordially approve and cooperate in enforcing
the measures; for they are sensible that on the present crisis of the na
tion the Alternatives are a Surrender of Liberty and Independence or a
bold and manly Resistance.

150

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Resolved, that Thomas Jefferson is entitled to the thanks of his Coun
try for the ability, uprightness and intelligence which he has displayed in
the management both of Foreign relations and domestic concerns.
Resolved, that we view with indignation and abhorrence the conduct
of many of our fellow citizens who appear to desire separation of the
Union, by opposition to the laws of a Government constitutionally chosen
and whose laws we consider as the voice of the people, and which every
good citizen is in duty bound to obey and defend.
Resolved, that we are sensible of the necessity of the obedience to
the laws and of the importance of supporting the Government of our
Country in the Execution of its constitutional authority, and deprecating
the evils which must and will of course result from an undue attempt to
embarrass and controU those whom the people of the United States have
elected to legislate for them, and those whom they have appointed to ex
ecute the laws, they deem it not only proper but a duty to express their
sentiments on the alarming crisis of our national affairs.
Resolved, that the thanks of this meeting be given to those members
of both houses of Congress, who constitute the majority, who have faith
fully discharged their duty, by their unanimous endeavours to promote
the best interest of the United States.
Resolved, that we will support the measures of our general govern
ment at the risque of our lives and property. Joseph Stone, per order.
The demand for relief became so general that the embargo
was repealed in March, 1809; but the non-intercourse experi
ments tried in its place proved equally unsatisfactory at
home and ineffective abroad. In tne March meeting of 1809
it was voted : —
 that Caleb Warner, Jacob Whitney and Caleb Willard, who have
enlisted to stand at a minutes warning for the defence of the United
States, be paid five dollars each, and if called for to be made up equal to
those persons who enlisted in December last.
At the March meeting in 18 10, a vote was passed : —
 to find knapsacks for those soldiers who are doing Military duty,
and that the Captains of each Company procure said knapsacks, to be
deposited in some safe place and dehver out the same when needed, and
bring in their account to the Town for allowance; said knapsacks to be
the property of the Town and used when needed.
The bill for the knapsacks was one hundred and sixteen
dollars, indicating that enough were purchased to fully equip
the militia organizations of the town. The allowance of

WAR OF 1812.

151

powder dealt out for expenditure on muster-day was increased
by one-half pound pei'' man. These notes of preparation
show that the war was everywhere felt to be inevitable, but
the administration evinced no anxiety about the defenceless
condition of the country. Without army or navy, military
stores or leaders adequate to the exigency, war against Eng
land was declared June 19, 1812. Three weeks before, May
28, a Harvard town-meeting recognized the critical situation
by a vote : —
 That the non-commissioned officers and soldiers who shall volun
tarily enlist themselves in the defence of their country shall on such en
listment be entitled to receive five dollars as a bounty to be drawn from
out of the Treasury of said Town, and also two dollars for each day they
shall be called out for exercise before they are called out for actual serv
ice, their pay when called into actual service to be made up to them with
what Government shall give them, to twelve dollars per month; but no
bounty is to be given by the Town unless they voluntarily enlist; and
voted that the soldiers of the Town of Harvard, belonging to the differ
ent corps who have been detailed, shall receive the same bounty and pay
as above 
From the fact that the sum of eighty-five dollars was paid
in bounties during the year, it is evident that seventeen vol
unteers offered their services. The town's stock of powder
was increased, one hundred dollars being appropriated for
the purpose. A house for the reception of the military
stores was built at the cost of eighty-seven dollars. This
was known as the " powder house," and still stands, back of
the sheds of the Unitarian meeting-house.
A national fast, appointed August 20, gave. the Federalist
minister, Stephen Bemis, an opportunity to publicly declaim
against the action of the dominant political party. His dis
course, as has been elsewhere told, raised a tempest of parti
san wrath that swept him from his pulpit. But the war was
not popular even in Harvard. Politicians fiercely wrangled,
but there were few volunteers for the United States army or
navy. The records do not disclose the names of any. When
during the summer of 1814 the depredations of the British
fleet along the coast of New England had awakened grave
apprehensions, and aroused dormant patriotism, and the state

152 ¦ HISTORY OF HARVARD.
government called upon the militia to hold themselves in
readiness for service, the following town action was recorded :
1814, July 27. Voted, that each soldier who shall be delegated for
the three months service to do duty at or near Boston shall be made up
by the Town, together with what wages Government shall give them to
the amount of |2o a month; also $5 bounty for volunteers.
The Lancaster Light Artillery Company was ordered to
Boston in September, and remained on duty for two months,
and there may have been two or three men of Harvard in it;
but the Harvard infantry companies were not summoned.
There were several men of the town somewhere in the serv
ice, the financial statement for the year including a payment
of "^110.70 to the drafted soldiers, for wages, bounty and
rations." Sundry items, amounting in all to thirty or forty
dollars, for bullet moulds, cartridge paper, running balls and
making cartridges, prove that the town anxiously made ready
for the invasion of the foe, which fortunately was nevd'r
attempted.
MUSTER AND MAY TRAINING.
Under the old militia system the martial spirit of the peo
ple was kept aglow by the annual autumn musters and the
May trainings, until long after wars and the rumors of wars
had ceased in the land. The statute required that every citi
zen of twenty-one years and upward fit for military service,
and not by profession exempt, should appear on the first of
May, " armed and equipped as the law directs," to be exer
cised by the commissioned officers in the school of the sol
dier. Formal printed notices were served upon all who were
liable for duty, and the penalty of non-appearance was five
dollars. The law was not repealed until 1841, but long before
that time the May training had become somewhat farcical;
the day being largely given to the street evolutions of the
motley "slambangs" — as the ununiformed, rural militia were
nicknamed — to sham fights, and caricature parades, out of
which evolved the " antiques and horribles " of modern days.
The military exercises always excited great thirst, and deep
were the potations of spruce beer, and other fermented or

MAY TRAINING. 1 53
distilled liquids. Sulphurous smoke and the pungent odor
of burnt cartridges hung about the village streets, and the
shrill-voiced fifes and rattling kettle drums vied with an
occasional fusilade to delight the rising generation, and
inspire the small boy with patriotic fervor and a determina
tion to win military glory at the earliest possible period.
Our oldest citizens can recount many amusing recollections
of the grotesque humors, the horse play, and rough practical
jokes of the May trainings.
The annual election of commissioned officers was usually
attended with much festivity, and a captain elect was ex
pected to accept his new honors in a set speech glowing with
gratitude and patriotism. It was a not uncommon event,
however, for a generous-souled but tongue-tied hero to adopt
a time-worn formula, which ran something like this : " Feller
solgers and citizens : I aint much of a hand at speechifying,
and I aint agoing to try to make a speech now; but come
along over to the tavern, and I'll make up for what I can't
say in toddy."
The uniformed, or independent, companies were the pride
of the town. Nearly every year a small appropriation was
made for " the soldiers." They were armed and equipped at
their own expense, and this often amounted to a considerable
sum annually. " Patriotism and glory paid all the bills." On
the later muster fields the towns which had been shaped out
of the original territory of Lancaster furnished sixteen mili
tary companies. These, with seven similar organizations
from Fitchburg, Princeton and Ashburnham joined to them,
constituted the Third Worcester, commonly called the Lan
caster regiment. A list of the several companies follows : —
Lancaster Troop. Sterling Light Infantry.
" Artillery. " Guards or " Blues."
Light Infantry. " Militia.
" Mihtia. Bolton Rifles.
Harvard Rifles. •' Militia.
Light Infantry. Fitchburg Light Infantry.
Militia. " Fusileers.
Berlin Mihtia. " Mihtia.
Leominster Artillery. Ashburnham Light Infantry.
Light Infantry. " Mihtia.
" Militia. Princeton Light Infantry.
Militia.

IS4

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

No two companies of the regiment were caparisoned pre
cisely alike, and the uniforms were apparently designed for
effective display rather than for service. The field officers
wore plumed chapeau and other gorgeous apparel, and their
horses were decked with showy trappings. There were al
ways a few Harvard men in the Lancaster Troop. This was
a famous company dating from before the incorporation of
Harvard. Jonathan Sawyer was commissioned captain of it
it 1737, succeeding Captain Thomas Carter, when Samuel
Willard was colonel of the regiment. It figured in the pur
suit of the British troops on their retreat from Lexington
April 19,1775. Each trooper, besides his sabre, was armed
with two huge flint-lock pistols which rested in holsters,
hanging in front of. the saddle over the horse's shoulders,
covered with a bear-skin flap. The troop head-gear was a
black leathern cap, round topped, visored and adorned with a
strip of bear-skin, which extended from the frontlet to the
back of the neck. On one side of the cap was stuck a white
plume. The coats were blue faced with red. Nor was this
little body of cavalry equipped merely for holiday parades.
It was noted for skill in the sabre exercise, and boasted sev
eral adroit swordsmen among its officers. Its famous in
structor. Major Dudley, as an exhibition of his skill, some
times allowed a man armed with musket and bayonet to
thrust at him as he pleased, and usually ended the play by
detaching the bayonet from the gun with two motions of the
sword and throwing it behind him. John Whitney of Har
vard was commissioned lieutenant of the troop March i, 1787,
and became captain April i, 1791. William Stearns was made
cornet February i, 1805, and lieutenant May 7, 1805. Theo
philus Parsons was made cornet September i, 1812, and lieu
tenant May 3, 1814. The officers and men were nearly all of
Lancaster. In the muster fields, the rifle companies were stationed
upon the flanks of the regiment. They were armed with
"half-stocked" rifles, straight or twist grooved according to
the preference of the individual volunteer. The cartridge
boxes were fitted with tin tubes for thirty ball cartridges.
The Bolton company had green coats trimmed with yellow;

MUSTER FIELDS.

155

the Harvard company wore a greyish uniform of satinet, with
silver plated buttons upon the coat, and blue facings. For
head covering, the Bolton men wore varnished leather hats,
flaring at the top and surmounted by a green plume; the
Harvard men, caps of similar leather, with a black plume.
Both hat and cap were trimmed with showy metallic frontlets
and bespangled braid and tassels. They were so heavy that
they had to be held on by chin straps, and gave even the
chicken-hearted clodhopper a fierce and belligerent aspect.
The orderly book of the Harvard Rifle Company, preserved
in the family of its last commander, John Farwell, shows that
its organization was effected April 29, 1822, by the election of
the following commissioned and non-commissioned officers:
John P. Whitcomb, captain. Stedman Houghton, sergeant.
Abel M. Goodfry, lieutenant. Reuben Whitcomb, corporal.
Andrew Gardner, ensign. Jacob Fairbank, "
Abel Whitcomb, sergeant. Ephraim Taylor, "
Emory Barnard, •' Zophar Wetherbee,
John Fairbank, "
Jesse Houghton was engaged to "blow the bugle," Zimri
Priest and his bass drum were enlisted, Luke Whitney,
Ephraim Warner and Phineas Sawyer were chosen to "play
.the clarinett," Alonzo and Elijah H. Draper were given their
uniforms on condition that they served as fifers. The secur
ing of sufficient musical talent seems to have been one of the
chief labors of the executive committee. Harvard was al
ways fond of music, and abounded in musical associations
from the time of the first choir and its pitch-pipe to the re
cent Chorai Union and Cornet Band. The company roll soon
included about eighty names. A candidate for admission,
after filing his application with the officers, could become a
member only by the favoring vote of five-sixths of the mem
bers present at the next regular meeting. The by laws of the
company embraced twenty-three articles, and a preamble; the
latter being chiefly devoted to laudation of the volunteer
system and beginning thus: —
To the attainment of real excellence in any art or science, a generous
and laudable emulation is essentially necessary in ordinary cases; such
II

156

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

an emulation can exist only when the feehngs of those concerned are
voluntarily engaged. This truth is strikingly manifest in relation to mili
tary manoeuvres and the art of war 
The drill and business meetings of the company were usu
ally called at Ezra Wetherbee's hall. The current expenses
of the organization were not large, and were met by the fines
for non-attendance at roll call, and other neglect of duty, for
"being disguised with liquor," etc. Abel Whitcomb was
chosen ensign in July 1823. John Fairbank was elected en
sign and Abel Whitcomb lieutenant May 2, 1826. Stedman
Houghton was chosen ensign, John Fairbank lieutenant, and
Abel Whitcomb captain, September 2, 1826. Nahum Fair-
bank became ensign, Stedman Willard, lieutenant, and John
Fairbank, captain, June 16, 1829. On June 15, 1832, Stedman
Willard was chosen captain, Nahum Fairbank, lieutenant, and
Joseph Whitcomb, ensign. September 14, 1833, Nahum Fair-
bank became captain, Joseph Whitcomb, lieutenant, and John
Farwell, ensign. The records end with the date, September
9, 1834. The company was disbanded March 14, 1836. The
uniform worn by the riflemen after May 1830, differed from
that first procured, the coats being of "mixed" broadcloth,
and the pantaloons of white drilling.
The Harvard Light Infantry Company was organized Sep
tember 24, 1822, and disbanded June 30, 1834. The orderly
book has not been found, but the commissioned officers of
the company as recorded in the records of the adjutant gen
eral's office were as follows : —
Ithamar Willard, captain, September 24, 1822.
Andrew Gardner, lieutenant,  ; captain, April 29, 1823, to 1829.
Wilham K. Harrod, ensign, September 24, 1822; heutenant, April 29
1823; promoted to major, July 23, 1827.
Robert Willard, ensign, April 29, 1823; lieutenant, March 24, 1828.
Josiah Sawyer, ensign, March 24, 1828; lieutenant, September 12, 1829.
George Gerry, captain, June 16, 1829.
Peter Conant, ensign, September 12, 1829; captain, August 9, 1833.
John C. Knight, ensign, August 9, 1833.
Warren Hayden, lieutenant, September 14, 1833.
The uniform of the company was of dark blue cloth, the
facings being white, and the hats were surmounted with a
white plume.

HARVARD LIGHT INFANTRY. 157
At the close of the Revolution Josiah Whitney was colonel
of the second Worcester Regiment, in which the Seventh and
Eleventh companies were from Harvard. He was made a
brigadier-general in 1783, but resigned the office before the
breaking out of Shays' insurrection. The company officers
July I, 1 78 1, were : —
Seventh Company. Eleventh Company.
Thaddeus Pollard, captain. Ephraim Davis, captain.
Israel Whitney, ist lieutenant. Francis Farr, 1st lieutenant.
Philemon Priest, 2d lieutenant. Daniel Laughton, 2d lieutenant.
The militia organization of 1787 made the Lancaster reg
iment the second of the Second Brigade and Seventh Divi
sion. It so remained until the reorganization of 1820, when
it was attached to the Second Brigade of the Sixth Division.
The Harvard commissioned officers were as follows: It is
impossible to tell to which of the two companies each be
longed. Josiah Haskell, major, January 26, 1787; colonel, December 20, 1787.
Marlboro Kingman, ensign, September 20, 1787. •
Philemon Priest, captain, December 20, 1787.
Jonathan Wetherbee, captain, December 20, 1787; lieutenant-colonel,
July 13, 1791; colonel, September 12, 1792.
Prince Turner, lieutenant, December 20, 1787; captain, August 4, 1791.
Benjamin Robbins, ensign, December 20, 1787; lieutenant, August 4,
1791 ; captain, March 23, 1795.
Jacob Haskell, adjutant, January i, 1789.
Joseph Atherton, lieutenant, August 4, 1791.
Asa Houghton, captain, July 4, 1792.
Samuel Barnard, lieutenant, July 4, 1792.
Ephraim Fairbank, ensign, July 4, 1792; lieutenant, September 2, 1794;
captain, March 23, 1795.
Dr. Isaiah Parker, surgeon, February 16, 1794.
Joseph Willard, ensign, March 23, 1795; lieutenant. May 22, 1797; cap
tain. May 15, 1798.
Asa Daby, ensign, March 23, 1795.
Thaddeus Pollard, lieutenant, March 23, 1795.
Simon Whitney, lieutenant, March 23, 1795; captain. May 22, 1797.
Noah Fairbank, lieutenant. May 22, 1797; captain. May 15, 1798.
John Stacy, ensign, May 22, 1797; heutenant. May 15, 1798; captain,
April 14, 1800.
Cyrus Houghton, ensign. May 22, 1797; lieutenant. May 15, 1798; cap
tain, July 5, 1802.

158 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Israel Taylor, ensign. May 15, 1798.
Oliver Hill, ensign. May 15, 1798; lieutenant, July 5, 1802; captain,
June 14, 1804.
Levi Willard, ensign,. "April 14, 1800; lieutenant, March 31, 1803.
Moses Whitney, lieutenant, April 14, 1800; captain, March 31, 1803.
Reuben Houghton, ensign, April 24, 1801; captain, November 7, 1812.!
John Farwell, ensign, July 5, 1802; lieutenant, June 24, 1804; captain,
June'27,'j8o6. Ephraim Warner, ensign, June 14, 1804; lieutenant, June 27, 1806; cap
tain. May 3, 1808.
Aaron Whitney, Jr., ensign, April 21, 1806; lieutenant. May 3, 1808;
captain, August 29, 1808.
Ethan Wetherbee, lieutenant, April 21, 1806.
Abner Pollard, ensign, June 27, 1806: lieutenant. May 3, 1808; cap
tain, April 24, 1 810.
Levi Houghton, ensign. May 3, 1808; lieutenant, April 24, 1810.
Asa Haskell, ensign, August 29, 1808; lieutenant, July 12, 1813.
David Fleeman, ensign. May 3, 1808; lieutenant, August' 29, 1808; cap
tain, July 12, 1813.
Jonathan Fairbanks,' Jr., ensign, November 27, 1812; lieutenant, May
4, 1813; captain, April 25, 1815.
Jonathan°.Wetherbee, quartermaster. May 14, 1813.
Abidan'Knight, ensign. May 4, 1813; heutenant, April 25, 1815.
Joel Bowers, ensign, July 12, 1813; captain, February 14, 1814.
George Willard, heutenant, February 14, 1814; captain. May 5, 1818.
Africa Hamlin, ^ensign, February 14, 1814.
Jabez Priest, ensign, April 25, 1815.
Ebenezer WiUard, ensign, April 9, 1816; heutenant, July 10, 1818;
captain, July 17, 1820. Company disbanded February 19, 1822.
Nehemiah^B. Willard,' heutenant, July 10, 1818. Company disbanded
February 19, 1832.
Abel M. Godfrey, ensign,'"March 22, 1819; heutenant in the Harvard
Rifle company, which see.
Charles Bateman, ensign, March 28, 1820; lieutenant, July 17, 1820.
Ithamar Willard, ensign, July 17, 1820. Company disbanded Febru
ary 19, 1822, when he was commissioned 'captain of the Harvard Light
Infantry, which see.
Jerome Gardner, division quartermaster, September 29, 1821, to 1826.
John Whitney, heutenant, July 10, 1823: captain, April 20, 1826.
Charles Willard, ensign, Sept. 2, 1823; lieutenant, May 20, 1826-1829.
John P. Whitcomb, major, August 23, 1826; lieutenant-colonel, July
23, 1827; colonel, April 21, 1828; brigadier-general, July 19, 1830.
Charles W. Grover, ensign, April '20, 1826; captain, June 16, 1829.
John Nurse, lieutenant, June I9,'i829; died June 15, 1832.
Jonathan^Lawrence, ensign, June 16, 1829; heutenant, June 15, 1832;
captain, April 16, 1833-1835.

MUSTER FIELD.

159

Dr. Eliakim A. Holman, surgeon's mate, September 3, 1829: surgeon,
September 7, 1830, to 1836.
George Whitney, aide-de-camp, August 6, 1830; brigade quartermas
ter, July 22, 1 83 1.
Nelson Whitcomb, ensign, July 15, 1832: heutenant, April 16, 1833;
major, January 4, 1836; lieutenant-colonel, July 30, 1838.
Stedman Willard, major, August lo, 1833; lieutenant-colonel, Septem
ber 9, 1835.
Washington Gilbert, chaplain, September 14, 1833-June 20, 1836.
Nahum Stone, ensign, April 6, 1833.
Reuben Brown, ensign, May 3, 1836; captain, May 3, 1837.
Christopher L. Willard, ensign. May 3, 1837.
The officers last commissioned were discharged by a gen
eral order, dated April 24, 1840; but a military title clung to
a man as long as he lived, and was generally chiseled upon
his grave-stone. It is told of Captain Joseph Willard that he
once began a season's haying by leading six sons, all militia
captains, in mowing — their six scythes swinging with military
precision in unison with their father's stroke around the field.
The muster fields were nearly always in Lancaster, and
muster day was a general gala day for all the country around.
Each soldier brought in his cartridge-box twelve blank car
tridges; and his flint-lock musket, bayonet, and other accou
trements were scrubbed and polished to spotless brilliancy
in order to satisfy the lynx-eyed brigade inspector. The
exercises upon the field always began with prayer by the
chaplain, the companies being massed about him. in hollow
square. Then the battle line was formed, and after inspec
tion and review, a few regimental evolutions were practiced,
the twelve cartridges were burned in volleys and " running
fire," and the muster was over. About the field, at every
vantage ground attainable, gathered groups of the country
people, staring in wide-eyed admiration at the pomp of mimic
warfare; and tents and booths and bakers' carts here and
there invited the hungry and thirsty to an exhaustless supply
of gingerbread, buns, candy, pies, root beer, mead, and thin
lemonade. The sale of intoxicating fluids on or near the
grounds was forbidden.
It is claimed that the notorious " striped pig" first appeared
on a muster field in Lancaster or the vicinity. There were

l6o HISTORY OF HARVARD.
always a few " show " tents jn the neighborhood of the camp,
for the accommodation of/the six-legged calf, the man who
was born without arms, and similar monstrosities. At one of
the last musters such a tent bore the legend " Striped Pig ! Ad
mission fourpence." Before the day was far advanced this
show had proved itself the most popular by far on the
grounds. The squealing by which the pig advertised him
self proved him genuine; the stripes were obviously red
paint; but no soldier who paid the entrance fee complained
that he was swindled. On the contrary he came out from
the tent smacking his lips, and to the thirsty comrades he
met he quietly said with a wink, " Go and see the striped
pig." The aroma of the adviser's breath told the rest, and
they went. NICKNAMES.
About the beginning of the century it was a whim of the
times to tag persons and places with quaint nicknames.
Many of these, first attached by some rude witling, caught
the popular fancy, and clung so closely to the victims that
citizens more or less worthy walked among their fellows all
their lives almost unknown by their baptismal names. Oddity
of feature, habit, dress or speech was quite sure to win some
sobriquet; but no man, however unobtrusive and well-rounded
in person or character, was exempt. Some salience would be
found on which to fasten a tag securely, and not necessarily
a descriptive one. The " Old Rake " of Still River was a
dignified and entirely reputable gentleman, with no undue
leaning to gallantry. " Fool Ben " was as wise as the aver
age Benjamin; and "Wicked Bill" was one of the best of
men. The " Commodore" had never trod a quarter deck,
but was plain Ben. Bridge, until the Constitution and Bain-
bridge became household words and gave him his nautical
title. "Mac" had neither Irish nor Scotch blood in his veins.
The " Old Jew " had nothing Mosaic about him but his beard.
"Deacon Dummit" didn't belong to the church, but used a
stereotyped form of oath. A ruling patriarch in the Sawyer
family was known as the " Governor," and a worthy Atherton
as " Gent." Levi Willard, who was prone to boasting about

NICKNAMES. l6l
his responsibilities as a town functionary, was dubbed " Old
Public Business." One of a numerous family was distin
guished from his cousins as the " Pig-eyed Pollard." A hump
backed Darby answered to the name of "Bunker Hill." One
of the Reeds was known as "Dumpy." Aj-prosperous and
benignant Willard was everybody's " Uncle Abel," and an
other, whose plain penmanship fills many a page of the town's
records, was honored as " Old Clark Bill " to his dying day.
Family traits and perversities were often summed up in a
pregnant phrase or epithet. One or two of these are of so
disrespectful tone that to reproduce them on this page might
offend some sensitive descendant; but none can object to
"Wilful Wilders, Laughing Joslins, Wrestling Carters, and
Whistling Whitcombs." The most honorable designation in
the endless list was that given Joseph Willard, Jr., a sweet-
natured and soft-spoken man, who believed ill of none, and
was constantly laboring as a peacemaker among quarrelsome
neighbors. His title of "Smoothing Plane" is no unworthy
epitaph, for he made smooth rough places in many lives.

The equinoctial storm of September 22 and 23, when
"... Oaks were scattered on the ground
As if the Titans battled,"
has passed into song and history as the "Great Gale." Har
vard had in Oak Hill a sturdy bulwark against the fierce
blasts from the eastward; but chimneys went down, every
apple was blown from its bough, and it was estimated that
the orchard and forest trees laid prostrate, would furnish fire
wood for the inhabitants for eight or ten years.
The year 1816 was noted for extremes of temperature and
especially for the fickle weather of the summer. In every
one of the twelve months there was frost, in Harvard, and
June 5 there was a snow-squall, and the hills to the north were
clad in white. The corn was utterly destroyed but the wheat,
rye, and apple crops were good.
HARVARD TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.
During the first quarter of the present century there were

l62 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
usually two taverns upon the borders of Harvard's common,
besides at least four retailers in the town, all licensed to sell
spirituous liquors. To these there resorted every day and
evening all sorts and conditions of men — from the dignified
moderate-drinking squire, smoothly shaven and broadcloth-
clad, to the disreputable toper whose shaking hand could
hardly carry the glass to his lips, carbuncular-nosed, blear-
eyed, wholly unkempt, and wrapped in tatters. They came
from all the districts of the town, on foot, a-horseback, in
every variety of vehicle — some bringing butter and eggs or
other domestic produce to exchange for a few groceries and
a jug of New England rum; some coming empty handed to
kill time and soak themselves with toddy and flip. Espe
cially in the long autumn and winter evenings wouid the
sanded floors of the bar-rooms become the arena where a con
course of boon companions, in an atmosphere blue with to
bacco smoke and profanity, wrangled about political ques
tions, played practical jokes upon each other, told ribald
stories, sang ribald songs, and guzzled until stupid or half
crazed. About midnight, locked out by the landlord, these
free American citizens would reel to their half-starved, shiv
ering steeds tied near by, and drive howling home to add to
the discomfort and misery there.
The saturnalia at the taverns on Harvard common were
gross, but they were cheap and open to public scrutiny.
There are traditions of more vicious, secret and costly orgies
at which Harvard citizens figured in the old brick tavern of
North Lancaster. Each retailer's sale of distilled liquors
was reported to amount yearly to two or three hogsheads,
and the tavern keeper's to twice that amount — this in a town
of less than fifteen hundred inhabitants, with hundreds of
barrels of hard cider in the farmers' cellars. Rum selling was
a sure road to a competence and political honors. There is
no reason to assert Harvard worse in this respect than her
neighbors. In the adjoining town of Groton, in 1825, Elizur
Wright calculated that the sale of rum, wholesale and retail,
amounted to about twenty-eight thousand gallons. It was
time for the great temperance movement which began to
take form in 1826.

TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. 163
It is traditional that the first lecturer to address a Harvard
audience upon the sin of intemperance was Dr. Justin Ed
wards of Andover. As one of the results of the awakening
of public conscience, in 1829, on the fourth Monday of
November, a meeting of citizens in the hall of Ezra Wether
bee, who kept a noted tavern where the town library now
stands, discussed " the numerous evils arising from the use of
ardent spirits." Then and there a society was organized for
the promotion of temperance. The moderator of the meet
ing was the Baptist clergyman. Reverend Abisha Samson,
and the clerk, Calvin Haskell. A constitution was submit
ted by a committee and accepted. Jerome Gardner was
chosen president, John P. Whitcomb, vice-president, Calvin
Haskell, secretary, Jonas Bateman, treasurer, and Dr. Eliakim
A. Holman, Reuben Whitcomb, Jr., Cephas Houghton, John
Whitney, Emory Barnard, Asa Wetherbee, Reuben Whitney
and Jabez Priest, the executive committee. It is noteworthy
that at the time Calvin Haskell and Reuben Whitcomb, Jr.,
were licensed retailers, and that the vice-president had held
a license, abandoned but three years before, which had been
a fruitful source of profit to him. The society adopted a
pledge in these terms : —
We whose names are hereunto annexed, believing that the use of
ardent spirits is hurtful, agree that we will not use them except as a med
icine in case of bodily hurt or sickness, that we will not provide them for
the entertainment of friends, and in all suitable ways will discountenance
the use of them by persons in our employment and by the community.
Fourteen members began the work. They had increased
to one hundred within a year, and the retailers complained
that half their trade in strong drink had disappeared, owing
to the earnest labors of the society. Committees were as
signed to the duty of distributing temperance papers and
tracts, a member being appointed for work in each district.
Meetings were held in the various school-houses. An address
by Dr. Holman on the effects of alcohol upon the human
system is especially noted in the records; and lecturers from
abroad were obtained to give interest to the regular quarterly
meetings. These, for the most part, were what, in the euphu-

l64 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
ism of the day, were called " reformed inebriates." The
clergymen of the town were drafted into the service, but the
favorite orator was some one who could pose as a frightful
example. The ethical value of an exhorter r,fecently out of
the gutter, and casually in a spasm of autc^biographic re
pentance, was rated much higher than that of a moralist
habitually sober. January 8, 1842, a Mr. O'Brien, one of the
former class, so moved his audience that one hundred and
sixty-seven signed the Washington total abstinence pledge.
The old organization had doubtless become somewhat
comatose at this date, and the old pledge was too elastic to
hamper strong appetites when backed by a seared conscience.
It made the rum-jug disreputable, but cast no odium upon
the wine-glass, nor interfered with the hard-cider drunkards,
the ugliest species of the dipsomaniac race. Mr. O'Brien's
eloquence seems to have aroused flagging enthusiasm, for
January 22, 1842, a new organization supplanted the old, call
ing itself the Harvard Washington Total Abstinence Society.
The new pledge was : —
We whose names are hereunto annexed agree to abstain entirely from
the use as a beverage of all intoxicating liquors, and from the traffic in
them, and the furnishing of them for such use to others; and in all suit
able ways to promote total abstinence from the use as a beverage of all
such liquors throughout the community.
Aaron Whitney was chosen president of the society, Silas
W. Holman, secretary, Samuel Bacon, treasurer, Eliakim A.
Holman, Calvin Haskell and Charles Maynard, executive
committee. As in all similar societies, so in this, the mem
bers found amusement in occasionally tinkering their pledge
and patching their constitution and by-laws. The words,
" excepting wine at communion," were inserted in the pledge
at one of the earliest meetings after its acceptance, to be
taken out again fifteen years later. Other alterations, gen
erally in the direction of more explicit declaration and stricter
form, were made in April, 1857. Occasionally a member was
expelled, rarely one formally withdrew.
In the year 1842, a committee of the society was chosen
to consult with Zophar Wetherbee the innholder, on the sub-

TEMPERANCE HOTEL.

165

ject of " Keeping a Temperance Public House." This com
mittee was composed of Oliver Hill, John P. Whitcomb, J.
W. Lovejoy and Jonas Bateman. They reported, on March
19, that Mr. Wetherbee would agree to conduct his house
upon thoroughly temperance principles if the society would
guarantee him the sum of five hundred dollars per annum;
that if not restricted in the sale of wine, cider and beer, he
would ask but three hundred dollars for his sacrifice; or, if
cider might be used at his table, four hundred dollars. Fur
ther discussion of the matter by the society, and interviews
between the landlord and the committee, resulted in the
banishment of distilled liquors from the inn, and in a tem
perance supper to celebrate the event — the society voting
to guarantee to Mr. Wetherbee the sale of four hundred tick
ets to this supper at one dollar each. The occasion was fitly
honored, at tables "most bountifully and invitingly spread,"
.by the unalloyed enjoyment of the assembled towns-people,
and by appropriate sentiments from the speakers, of whom
were Reverend Jonathan Farr, Reverend George Fisher, Rev
erend Washington Gilbert, Augustus Granville Hill, John P.
Whitcomb and William Buttrick. This was the origin of the
annual temperance festivals, ever since publicly observed in
Harvard on the evening of Washington's birth-day.
In June, 1843, the New England Temperance Union held
a meeting in Harvard, and the dinner at Mr. Wetherbee's
Temperance Hotel was a prominent feature of the exercises.
The same year the commemoration of independence included
a dinner, furnished by Mr. Wetherbee, the tables being spread
under the trees in front of the residence of Asa Daby. The
genial landlord and accomplished landlady of Harvard's
Temperance Tavern soon won a wide reputation for generous
and appetizing entertainment furnished for their guests, and
it became a favorite resort for pleasure parties from the
towns round about.
The society having succeeded in making the sale of intox
icating drink in Harvard disreputable, proceeded " to break
up the dens " where ardent spirits were dispensed contrary to
law; and when moral suasion failed an appeal to legal reme
dies was promptly made. The early prosperity and efficiency

l66 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
of the society was very largely credited to the energy of
General John P. Whitcomb, one of its founders. At his
death, which took place April 21, 1847, the following action
of his colleagues is recorded: —
Whereas John P. Whitcomb, Esq., the late president of this society,
has been removed by death, therefore Resolved, that in his death the
society has lost an ever vigilant and firm supporter, and the temperance
cause one of its truest and most faithful friends.
Resolved, that we will hold in grateful remembrance his services in
this cause, and will cherish the highest sentiments of respect for his mem
ory as a friend and fellow-citizen.
Resolved, that incited by his example we will engage with renewed
zeal in promoting the cause which lay so near his heart, and called forth
his vigorous efforts and liberal contributions.
The membership of the society at the close of its fiftieth
year numbered over twelve hundred names.
The younger portion of the community, in April, 1843,
organized a society which was at first styled the "Cold Water
Army," but in the second year of its existence changed its
title to the "Young Men's Total Abstinence Society and Cold
Water Army." The meetings were held for a time fort
nightly, at which the entertainment was varied — sometimes
including dialogues, declamations and singing by the mem
bers, sometimes a formal address or lecture by one of the
town's clergymen or other citizen. At its anniversary in
1844, Henry B. Pearson entertained the society at his resi
dence. Having for about five years been an effective agent
in the cause which founded it, the association ceased to meet.
The strong temperance sentiment of the town is shown by
the fact that under the local option law the voters for license
never number a score.
CANAL AND RAILWAY.
Long before the era of railways dawned, plans for the
promotion of internal commerce by means of canals were
rife. As early as 1792 the project of a navigable waterway
from the seaboard to the Connecticut River, through Lancas
ter and Worcester, attracted public notice, and preliminary
survey of a route was made. In 1825 the scheme found more

CANAL AND RAILWAY. 167
energetic promoters, and Loammi Baldwin, the noted engi
neer of the day, was employed to make surveys and deter
mine upon a course for the canal to take. The citizens of
Harvard could hardly have expected that the contemplated
line would climb among their hills, but they were deeply
interested in the plan, and appointed a committee " to wait
upon the engineer," when he came into the neighborhood.
One of the proposed lines ran from the Assabet River up the
valley of the Four Mile Brook through Bolton, and crossed
the Nashua near the mills in South Lancaster. This route
contemplated a tunnel through the Wataquadock range.
Another passed through Littleton, the south part of Groton,
now Ayer, and Shirley to the valley of Miller's River. The
financiers were wisely cautious, and soon the success of Rob
ert Stephenson's locomotive radically changed the problem
of internal commerce in New England.
March 5, 1845, the farmers of Harvard were brought two
or three hours nearer their chief market by the opening of
the Boston and Fitchburg Railway, with two stations, those
of Ayer and Littleton, little more than a mile from the
northern boundary of the town. Of even greater interest
was the location in 1846 of the Worcester and Nashua Rail
way through the town. By necessity the line, following the
river valley, left the villages from one to two miles away;
but two stations established at the most convenient points
made all possible amends for that. On July 3, 1848, the road
was opened to Groton, and November 22, to Worcester.
Many rosy predictions were made about the increase of
inhabitants and prosperity that were to come to Harvard by
railway; but thus far the enlarged facilities of travel seem to
have favored departure more than ingress. The locomotive
has brought many advantages to the community, and also
some false ambitions, morbid appetites and artificial tastes;
and borne away much simplicity in life and manners without
compensation in human happiness. More than all it has hast
ened and made easy the search of the uneasy and ignorant
for that far-away, elusive Canaan, where the maximum of
success is to be quickly won with a minimum of toil; and
thus it has helped rob the town of much of its best muscle
and brain.

l68 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
THE MORUS MULTICAULIS SPECULATION.
In 1837 there raged throughout the United States an extra
ordinary speculative excitement known as the "morus multi
caulis mania" which at its height bore striking resemblance
to the tulip craze of Holland in a previous century, and like
that ruined thousands. Harvard was a sore sufferer from
this speculation, in the persons of several of her more enter
prising farmers, whom vain dreams of sudden wealth per
suaded to neglect their orchards and grain fields for the
culture of the mulberry-tree.
There had grown up in America an enormous demand for
silk goods, and high prices had much earlier induced the
raising of silk-worms and the manufacture of silk, but mostly
in a modest, experimental way. A congressional committee,
by a rainbow-hued report upon the possibilities of the silk
industry in this country, gave an unhealthy stimulus to it.
Our climate was declared peculiarly favorable; the raising
and feeding of the worms and the care of the cocoons was
set forth as easy, pleasant labor, by which the farmers' chil
dren could greatly contribute to the family earnings; finally,
the marus multicaulis, because of its easy propagation by cut
tings, its rapid and late continued growth, the succulence of
its leaves, and the superb quality of the silk produced by the
worms fed upon it, was announced as the one thing needful
to make this the greatest silk-producing nation upon earth.
A single tree, it was said, would afford sustenance for the
worms that would spin over one hundred pounds of raw silk
worth five dollars per pound at least.
Soon great nurseries of m.orus multicaulis were established,
but could not keep pace with the increasing demand for their
product among the agricultural towns. Numerous orchards
of young mulberry trees were set out on the Still River and
Bare Hill farms. Silk-worm eggs were bought at extravagant
prices, and ultimately Harvard cocoons sought a market.
The returns were never encouraging, even to the most fortu
nate silk farmer; a financial depression throughout the coun
try added discouragement; and a blight that affected all the
mulberry trees, in 1844, put an end to the speculation. Prob-

MISCELLANEOUS ANNALS. 169
ably not ten specimens of the morus multicatdis can be found
in the town today where thousands' were planted and care
fully cultivated about half a century ago.

In 1835 a new road to Littleton was laid out by the county
commissioners, leading from the common through the town
farm and by what was then the East Family of Shakers.
Strenuous opposition was made by the town to the building
of this highway, and every means was used to persuade the
commissioners to reconsider their action.
In 1837 Reuben Whitcomb was chosen to act as the town's
agent to receive its share of the surplus revenue from the
national treasurer and receiver general, twenty-eight millions
of dollars being then distributed among the states. Har
vard's share amounted to $3,328.83. The money was loaned
to citizens upon real-estate security, and the interest was for
a time annually devoted to education, being divided among
the districts according to the number attending the schools.
In 1853 but six hundred dollars of the sum remained in the
treasury, and the Harvard Agricultural Society obtained a
town-meeting vote granting it to them. The legality of this
being questioned, the vote was subsequently reconsidered,
and the fund finally disappeared in public expenditures.
The Agricultural Society above mentioned had its origin
in 1850, being then called the Farmers' and Mechanics' Asso
ciation. It held annual exhibitions, or "cattle shows," some-
times quite comprehensive in plan, and embracing varied
attractions enough to engage the attention of all the town's
people, and draw to the town common hundreds from the
neighboring villages.
February 6, 1845, Harvard Lodge No. 60, of the Inde
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted. The charter
members were George J. Smith, Ebenezer Willis, Trumbull
Bull, A. W. Churchill and Samuel F. Whitney. The last
named is the only one now surviving. The present number
of members is forty-seven, and the registered membership
one hundred and forty-seven.
In 1848 the sum of five hundred dollars was appropriated
and expended in improvement of the highway over Pin Hill.

170 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
As far back as 1819 the summit had been lowered by blast
ing, but the grade remained excessive until this appropriation
made possible more extensive alterations.
In 1849 it was ordered by the town, in defence of sheep
farming, even then almost abandoned, that no dog should go
at large unless licensed by a register appointed by the select
men. This foreshadowed the state law of 1859. But there
are nearly twice as many dogs as sheep in Harvard today.
AUGUSTUS GRANVILLE HILL.
In 1867 Harvard lost the inspiring presence of a leading
citizen, Augustus Granville Hill, who removed to Boston.
Born in this town August 15, 1803, the son of Oliver and
Mary (Goldsmith) Hill, he lived for most of his manhood's
years at the homestead he inherited, now the residence of
Henry Butterfield. The last ten years of his life were spent
in Boston, where he was instantly killed, on Sunday, January
14, 1877, while on his way to afternoon service, being struck
down at the corner of Beacon and Tremont streets by a run
away horse. From a feeling obituary written at the time by
his friend and neighbor. Reverend John B. Willard, these
sentences, descriptive of Mr. Hill's person and character, are
derived: —
In face and form Mr. Hill was a striking model of manly stateliness.
 His mind and soul were not unworthy of the shrine that held them.
The superiority of his intellect was manifested by his keen taste for high
studies and the wide range of them. He was not only a most reverent
but an eager reader of the Bible. For years he was an enthusiastic stu
dent of Shakespeare. He kept himself always and largely informed in
the political and statistical matters of the United States, and especially
of Massachusetts and his own vicinity. His education at the Rensselaer
Institute gave him a taste for and a knowledge of the natural and exact
sciences very unusual with men of his day. But his strong forte in study
was history. Only two days before his startling death he told me he had
just finished Carlyle's  history of Frederic the Great for the second
time; and he spoke of it with exceeding delight. I merely give this fact
as a prevailing habit of the man's mind. I have found him equally de
lighted over Bancroft and Gibbon. His own historic faculty was remark
able. He instinctively seized and held in a most tenacious memory all
the old legends and traditions of his native town that he loved so well;
and he could tell them so graphically as to make all the scenes and

AUGUSTUS GRANVILLE HILL. 171
actors of our past live again  I never knew a man who could tell
stories of almost any kind more exquisitely than he. In fact his power
of lucid statement was admirable. He had no eloquence, but it was a
pleasure to hear his public speeches, they were so clean cut and clear.
He had a most genial and intensely social nature. Over every church
or town-meeting, lyceum, party or public gathering his mere presence
diffused a magnetism that could be felt. He was one of those men made
to hold society together 
Mr. Hill's moral and religious nature was his crowning excellence. I
have yet to hear the first thing that has sullied the integrity or the purity
of Granville Hill  In all the years that I was honored with his love
and intimacy, I know that the thought of God was never absent from his
heart. The youthfulness of the man was marvelous. Counted by years he
was seventy-three; so by his white hair. Counted by his brightness, his
activity, his vigor, his power of enjoying the young and giving them en
joyment, he was twenty-three. He had drunk at the fountain of perpet
ual youth, because he had always kept his moral, intellectual, and social
faculties strained to their utmost tension 
To many citizens who knew Mr. Hill less intimately, this
picture of him by Mr. Willard's pen may seem too brightly
colored; for he was not fully trusted nor greatly loved by the
majority, and he signally failed of success in his obvious am
bitions. He lacked the means, if not the inclination, to be
free-handed, and wanted that tact which wins men's suffrages
without asking for, or seeming to desire them. His un
doubted abilities therefore secured for him no political hon
ors, and even in town-meeting the advocates of any measure
never reckoned upon his support as an element of strength.
FIRES AND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.
April 4, 1831, a report to a Harvard town-meeting recom
mended the appropriation of one hundred dollars in favor of
an engine company which had been recently organized in the
town. The company had bought a fire engine, one of the
"tubs" of the period, the price agreed upon being two hun
dred and twenty-nine dollars, and had raised by subscription
one hundred and sixty-eight dollars. The adoption of the
committee's report cleared the company of debt and built an
engine house, which was ordered located in a "corner of the
burying ground near the hay-scales.'' The engine company

172

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

and its machine were sufficiently esteemed fifteen years later
to obtain a new engine house in place of the old one, but
after 1846 no mention is found of them in the records. About
1880 the old engine was sold at an auction, among the chat
tels of A. A. Jenkins, and is now in Worcester, utilized as a
pump. The burning of the Fletcher Brothers' mills and the
Unitarian meeting-house disclosed the utter lack of means
to control a fire even in the most populous part of the town,
and in June, 1875, the selectmen were instructed to buy
twenty-five hand fire-pumps and distribute them. This vote
was subsequently amended, and the pumps were ordered to
be kept at the town hall and almshouse. November 2, of the
same year, the need of more efficient fire apparatus was dis
cussed, and the town was stirred to quite radical action. It
was voted : —
to purchase a sufficient number of Force Pumps to supply every head of
a family in town that wishes to have one, by the paying to the town of
one-half the cost of same; the pumps to be the property of the town, the
parties receiving them to have them always in order ready for use in case
of fire. The town reserves the right to call them in at pleasure 
November 4, 1879, the selectmen were authorized to pro
cure two carriages with buckets, fire hooks, ropes, ladders,
axes, etc., to be used in case of fire — one for Still River and
one at the Centre — and to build suitable houses for their
protection, and to appoint men to care for them. The trucks
and apparatus, costing $386, were at once purchased.
A fire May 14, 1892, which destroyed two dwellings and
greatly endangered others in the heart of the central village,
aroused general attention to the insufficiency of the town's
preparations to cope with any considerable conflagration.
In the lack of convenient water supply it was evident that
recourse must be had to chemical extinguishers, and at a
special town-meeting on June 2, it was decided to buy a fifty-
five gallon Hathaway hand machine and three small extin
guishers for each of the two villages, at an expense of about
twelve hundred dollars.
Some of the most noted fires in Harvard of which record
has been found are the following: —

FIRES. 173
1755, March 15. The Gates mansion at East Bare Hill was con
sumed with all its valuable contents, while the family were attending the
funeral of one of their number.
1833. September 7. The house of John Blanchard, at Old Mill, was
burned. 1850. February 28. The store of Ebenezer C. Willard, at the north
east corner of the burial ground, was burned at night with all its contents.
1852. August 31. The dwelling of Charles Atherton — the ancient
garrison house of Hezekiah Willard — on the western slope of Maka
macheckamuck's Hill, was burned.
1855. August. 3. The Bromfield mansion, built in 1734, for Harvard's
first minister, Reverend John Seccomb, was destroyed with barn, etc., but
most of the contents were saved.
1862. January 23. The Fletcher saw and grist mills, but a short time
before bought of Samuel F. Stone, were destroyed by fire.
1869. April 6. The old garrison house of John Priest, Jr., known as
the Forbush house, on the northern slope of Bare Hill, was burned.
1871. November 6. The Silas Craggin or Dudley house, at North
Still River, owned by Abel Willard, was burned.
1872. March 5. The buildings of the Worcester and Nashua railroad
station, at Still River, were wholly destroyed by fire.
1873. September 11. The Noah Warner house and barn at West
Bare Hill, once the house of Sylvester Priest, were burned.
1874. August 8. The Fletcher Brothers' saw and grist mill, box fac
tory, etc., were consumed for the second time, the loss being total and
estimated at eleven thousand dollars.
1875. February 7. The Unitarian meeting-house v/as discovered to
be on fire in the roof, and little could be done to save it, there being
neither water nor fire apparatus available.
1875. May 8, the barn of Jonathan Crouch, at West Bare Hill, was
consumed with cattle and other stock, the fire being incendiary.
1875. September 20, the Edgarton house in North Still River, occu
pied by Michael Coffee, was burned.
1877. October 28, Jonathan Crouch's house — the old Calvin Warner
dwelling at West Bare Hill — was burned; an incendiary fire.
1878. April 17, Samuel F. Whitney's barn and stock were destroyed,
the loss being estimated at ten thousand dollars.
1879. March 11, Captain Eben Willard's house and barn, a short dis
tance north-east of the common, were burned.
1880. August 25 and 26, the Wetherbee tavern, or Elm House, and
Asa Daby's dwelling, with barns, etc., were totally destroyed. The fire
broke out in the stables a little before midnight, and was no doubt the
work of an incendiary.
1883. July 20, Turner's mills were destroyed — the third conflagration
on the same site.
1883. December 6, at .Still River, Gustavus Newell's store, Harrod's
smith shop and the Lawrence house were destroyed.

174

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1885. June 25, Michael Griffin's barn was burned — loss $500.
1885. July 2g, the saw-miU and dwelling of the Clapp Brothers, at the
south-east corner of Harvard, were destroyed.
1885. August 12, the house and barn of George L. Sawyer, near the
Bromfield School, were burned — supposed to be an incendiary fire.
i886. March 3, the McNiff or David Pollard house was destroyed —
loss j!8oo.
1886. April II, the house of Mrs. Mary McGurn, on Oak Hill, was
burned — loss $1200.
1887. September 2, the Huse house, the dwelhng of Patrick Joyce, in
Shabikin, was destroyed.
1888. Marc'h 18, the dwelling of Ephraim H. Burgess, near the Box
borough line, was burned — loss §1200.
1888. August 28, Martin Kerley's dwelling on the road to the alms
house, was burned — loss $500.
1888. .October 18, J. Willard Bacon's glue factory at Old Mill was
burned at night — loss $2700.
1889. July 18, A. C. Hewin's dwelling, in Still River, was destroyed —
loss $1200.
1892. May 16, the houses of Miss Ellen Gamage, and Mrs. Crouch,
near the common, were destroyed, other dwellings near by being saved
with great difficulty — loss $3000.
TOWN HALLS.
The earliest movement looking to the building of a hall
especially adapted for the transaction of the town's business
was on April 7, 1807, when a committee was appointed to
consider the proposition. The report of the committee was
probably adverse, as no further action in the matter is re
corded, and the town-meetings continued to be held in the
meeting-house as they had been from the first. In 1827 the
subject was again agitated, perhaps stirred by some natural
objections on the part of the first parish to submit their place
of worship to the defilement and injury incident to its fre
quent use by mixed and sometimes disorderly assemblies.
A town-meeting debated the question of the town's right to
use the meeting-house, and finally referred it to a special
committee for investigation. Samuel Hoar, Esq., was con
sulted, and advised the town that the edifice was the propertj?
of the first parish exclusively, and that a precisely similar
case had already been decided by the supreme court in favor
of the church in Medford. A plan was at once presented

TOWN HALLS. 1 75
for a new building for the town's use, forty-four by thirty-
four feet, estimated to cost seven hundred dollars, but the
whole subject was dismissed at that time.
May 5, 1828, a town-meeting was called at the Baptist
meeting-house in Still River, and then it was voted to pro
ceed with the erection of a town house at once. The build
ing, was placed on the north-eastern portion of the common,
across the highway from the present town hall, where E. W.
Houghtpn's barn now stands. It faced to the south, and had
four Tuscan columns supporting the front gable. There was
no provision for warming it until 1832, when a chimney was
built and a stove purchased.
March 30, 1854, the selectmen were instructed to buy a
safe wherein to bestow the town records. To economize
space, it was at the same date "voted, that a committee of
two be appointed to examine the books and papers in the
Town Clerk's office, and put all that are valuable in a proper
condition, and destroy all that are worthless" — a short-sighted
and reprehensible act, which may account for the fact that no
files of papejs relating to the conduct of the town's affairs
in the early period of its history are now to be found. But
for this unfortunate "house-cleaning" in the town-clerk's
office, perhaps there might have come down to us sundry
receipts or other papers of interest and historic value, touch
ing the participation of Harvard citizens in the French and
Indian and Revolutionary wars, about which our knowledge
is now so imperfect.
The first town hall served the people for forty years, and
would have satisfied the requirements of ordinary town-meet
ings some time longer; but for many social uses it was not
easily adaptable, nor commodious enough. The suggestion
that a new and much more capacious building for public
meetings should take the place of the old one, excited the
determined opposition of all the conservatives in the town.
The fact that the town debt at the time amounted to about
eleven thousand dollars, gave force to the arguments for
further delay. The contest finally came in March, 1870, be
fore a full town-meeting, when after spirited discussion a vote
was taken, and ninety-four declared themselves in favor of.

176 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
and ninety-four against, the im.mediate building of a new
hall. A second day's wrangle resulted, when each party
brought out its full strength, and ended in a vote of one hun
dred and seven favoring and one hundred opposing the pro
ject. The sum of ten thousand dollars was appropriated and
the plans were selected, but the location became a source of
bitter contention, and was changed by town vote again and
again, before the present site was finally adopted. The last
meeting in the old town-house was that of August 5, 1871.
The building was sold, removed a short distance to the north
and converted into a dwelling. The first meeting in the new
house was that of April i, 1872, the March meeting of that
year being called at the Centre school-house.
The fire-proof vault was built in 1881, and the furnaces
were added in 1885, at a cost of three hundred dollars. In
1891 the roof was slated and a hard-wood floor laid in the
upper hall. The same year a piano was bought, four hundred
dollars being appropriated by the town for the purpose, and
one hundred and sixty dollars obtained by individual contri
butions.

The Harvard Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry, No.
12, was organized by Augustus J. Sawyer, master, in Decem
ber, 1873. It was reorganized December 27, 1887, as No. 149,
with twenty-one members, and now has a membership of
fifty-nine. It has twice received the first premium in the
competition of granges at the Worcester East yearly agri
cultural fairs.
On Memorial Day, 1873, the Harvard Cornet Band, num
bering eighteen members, made its first public appearance.
After a time, the interest flagging and several of the musi
cians having removed from town, the organization ceased to
meet. In 1889 it was resuscitated by some of the members,
and appeared in the memorial services of 1890.
Extract from the will of Mercy Maynard, who died No
vember 18, 1889: —
 To the town of Harvard, Mass., the sum of five hundred dol
lars, to be expended under the direction of the selectmen of said town
for the purchase, erection and maintenance of a Town Clock; said clock

ASA DABY.

177

to be placed on the Unitarian Church, and in case the whole of said sum
is not needed for said purpose, the balance thereof may be paid over by
said selectmen to the said Unitarian Society, for the maintenance of said
clock. This bequest was accepted in 1892. As an excellent tower
clock had been presented to the town by Warren Hapgood,
and placed in the steeple of the Unitarian meeting-house,
several years before, the fund is invested awaiting contin
gencies. In 1889 died Asa Daby at the ripe age of eighty-nine
years. He was honored by election to the office of town
treasurer for thirty-two years, 1 847-1 879, when he declined
further service. He was also treasurer of the Congregational
Society, executor or administrator of many estates, and a
director of the Lancaster Savings Bank. An incident illus
trating the popular trust in the man, as well as his untiring
willingness to serve his neighbors, was his appearance at the
counter of the Lancaster Savings Bank, when the receivers
of that bankrupt institution paid their first dividend in 1876,
with eighty-five books of deposit, in most of which he had
the interest of a trustee. Mr. Daby was a lineal descendant
from John Daby, one of the original petitioners for the crea
tion of the town in 173 1. He served Harvard in the lower
branch of the legislature in 1839, 1840 and 1841.

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IV.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

I. THE FIRST CHURCH UNDER JOHN SECCOMB.
FROM the language of the preamble to the act of incor
poration it seems certain that,i"for at least two or three
years before 1732, a portion of the inhabitants of Stow Leg,
the south part of Groton and the Bare Hill region had been
associated for public worship, and had employed some one
as leader in their Sabbath exercises; but who served them in
that capacity is nowhere told. The place of meeting, accord
ing to tradition, was a building which stood about one-third
of a mile northward from the meeting-house of the Unitarian
Society, and nearly in front of the residence of Samuel Free
man Stone. It was in this that the town-meetings were at
first held. Here, July 25, 1732, the town chose Jacob Gates
and John Whitney a committee to see that the pulpit was
supplied for the next six months, and instructed them to
secure board for the minister at Shadrach Hapgood's as "the
most convenient place." August 29, there was a discussion
of the proposition to improve this building for a meeting
house, but it was voted to build a new one a few rods further
south. September 14, a solemn fast was held, in the exercises
of which occasion the clergymen of Lancaster, Groton, Lit
tleton and Stow assisted; this ceremony being considered at
that day an indispensable preface to the work of organizing
a church and selecting a pastor.
The first town-meeting after the fast, on September 19,
seems to have been entirely harmonious. It was voted to
invite Philemon Robbins, a graduate from Harvard College

MEETING-HOUSE PLAIN. 179
in the class of 1729, to a settlement, and "to Build a Meet
ing House fourty-seven feet long, thirty-five feet wide
and twenty feet between joints." James Atherton, Jonathan
Whitney, Josiah Church, Jonathan Sawyer and Simon Stone
were elected a building committee, with authority to procure
materials and "state men's wages." They were instructed to
be ready to raise the house by June first.
There must have been some difference of opinion respect
ing the fitness of the site selected, for at the next meeting,
after debating the location of a burying place and pound, it
was voted to "reconsider about the place of meeting house."
and October 3, "after some hours Debate, the Town Voted
that the Spot of Land on which two heaps of Stones were
Gathered that Day shou'd be the Place for Erecting their
Meeting House." The course of procedure at a similar
juncture forty years later throws light upon this peculiar
record. It marked an unconscious reversion to classic meth
ods. The assembled voters had signified their preferences
by stone ballots, each depositing a pebble where he wished
the corner stone to be placed. Thus early in the exercise of
their right of autonomy did the yeoman of Harvard, though
unwittingly it must be supposed, justify their town's wearing
that classic name jointlj- with the university, by adapting to
their occasions the method of voting hy psdphoi familiar to
ancient Greek assemblies. The land selected was common,
the property of the Lancaster proprietors; accordingly, on
October 3, it was "Voted to Petition the Town of Lancaster
for a Tract of common Land known by the Name of Meet
ing House Plain," and a committee was appointed to conduct
the business. Their petition as recorded in Lancaster was as
follows : —
These are to certifye you that the Town of Harvard Desiers you
would make a Grant to them of about Thirty acres of Land lying at Pin
hill or the northwest side of bare hill near where they have bult a hous
for publick worship (which now Lyeth Common) which they desier may
be Granted to them for to set a meeting-hous on and for a training field
and for a buring Place and other Publick uses.
The request met favorable consideration from the proprie
tors on February 5, 1732-3, and the old burial field and cen-

l8o HISTORY OF HARVARD.
tral common mark the location of the grant; although piece
by piece about half of the original area has unfortunately
been converted to strictly private uses, in ways perhaps
hardly consistent with the terms of the gift.
Mr. Philemon Robbins having declined their call, preferr
ing to settle in Branford, Connecticut, the town, at a meeting
on April 26, voted to extend an invitation to John Seccomb,
who had been preaching on probation from March 11, to be
come their pastor. The negotiation is fully recorded and
seems peculiar enough to be worthy of recital here. The
letter of invitation was as follows : —
To Mr. John Seccomb — Sir. We the subscribers being chosen by the
Town to treat with you about Settling with us in the Work of the Minis
try Do now in the Name of the Town Invite you thereunto offering you
for your Incouragement the Sum of ;£3oo and for your continual support
During your Life and Ministry £\io yearly for your Salary to be paid
you in Publick Bills of Credit or Province Bills as they are now Currant.
John Daby, )
Simon Stone, [¦ Committee.
John Martyn, )
Silver was then worth nineteen shillings an ounce. Mr.
Seccomb evidently took ample time for deliberation, and
replied thus : —
Gentlemen. Having some time since received your Invitation to Settle
with you in the Wbrk of the Ministry, wou'd now thankfully take notice
of the Respect which you have shewn me herein, and wou'd signify to
you the Pleasure and Satisfaction it has been to me to see you so happily
and religiously united and so hearty and Sincere in this your call and in
vitation. I have took this matter into serious Consideration. Upon the
whole I think your Offers are generous and honourable considering your
present Circumstances and in the Difficulty which you are involved in
etc. But Doubtless you are very sensible that what may be honourable
at Present cannot be accounted so when things come to be differently
Circumstanced; and for that Reason I am Perswaded that you will read
ily make an Allowance as need Requires so that your Liberality may
appear to all Men as has begun already to appear. The Town being so
United as it is at Present I shou'd be very loath to be the means of divid
ing it and of being the cause of any Uneasiness among you. I am not
desirous of demanding anything more of you than your Circumstances
will conveniently and safely allow of, nor to strain you beyond reason and
means, nor wou'd you account it a piece of Prudence in me to make such
an Agreement or Contract with you as may be prejudicial to my Interest,

JOHN SECCOMB'S LETTER.

I8l

so far as I am capable of Judging in that appears. I hope you have
thought upon the affair and judiciously weighed things in your minds.
Possibly you may make some small Graduall Consideration for my future
Subsistance without doing yourselves an Injury thereby. I need not
mention what others have already done among and about us. As to the
Circumstances of Cutting and Sledding my Wood for me I hope that
wou'd not be thought an Unreasonable Desire. I do but hint at these
things which I presume is sufficient, for I make no Doubt but you will
Proceed to what is Consistent with your Interest as well as mine, and
what you Do must be and I think will be free, chearfull and voluntary,
which will be acceptable both to God and Man. If we cou'd come to a
Settled Determined Agreement and harmony, I shou'd think myself very
happy in such a relation to a People who have such a Share in my Affec
tions and whose Interests and Happiness I have such a Regard to. You
see I have not fully and Premptorily determined the affair which is to be
decided between us and for this Reason. Because I am not wilhng that
any thing shou'd be done through Constraint or of Necessity least there
by that happy union shou'd be dissolved and dissipated which is at this
Day so visible among you and which is one of the greatest inducements
to abide with a People, as well as the best Symptom and token of a
happy Life here and hereafter. I shall add nothing further only (as you
are Christians and therefore are influenced in ^all your Actions by the
Gospel) shall leave with you the words of Solomon, Vizt: There is that
Scattereth and yet Increaseth; there is that with holdeth more than is
meet but it tendeth to Poverty — the liberal sons shall be made fat and
he that watereth shall be watered also himself — and that of the Apostle
— He that Soweth Sparingly shall Reap Sparingly, and he that soweth
bountifully shall also Reap bountifully. Every Man as he Purposeth in
his Heart so let him Give, not Grudgingly or of Necessity for God loveth
the Chearfull Giver. And God is able to Make all Grace abound toward
you, that you always having all sufficiency in all things may abound to
every good work  being enriched in every thing to all Bountiful-
ness which causeth thro' us thanksgiving to God  Be not therefore
weary in well Doing, for in Due Season you shall Reap if you faint not.
From your sincere Friend and well wisher,
Harvard, May I8*^ 1733. John Seccomb.
 After the Reading Mr Seccomb's Answer to the Town which was
not so peremptory and full as was Expected and the Town being loth
there shou'd be any Obstacle laid in the way by them, after some Dispute
the following vote was passed, vizt: To Give Mr Seccomb ^20 yearly in
Work over and above what was before offered; and if the necessity shall
call for further help and Support and the Town's Abihty enables them to
Give it him the Town voted they wou'd give it. this was accepted. [May
22, 1 733-]
The building conimittee were instructed to finish the meet-

l82 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
ing-house "to the Turning of the Key, except the Pews, as
quick as they can." They were ordered to wainscot the
interior four or five feet from the floor, lath and plaster the
sides and roof, glaze the windows, and build the pulpit. /The
frame was raised June 20, and the bills for eatables and drink
indicate that it was a highly festive occasion. The viands
charged for were : "175 pounds of veal at 5* per pound; no
pounds of mutton at 5''; 120 pounds of pork at 12"*; 3 bush
els of wheat at 10*; 3 bushels 'Rye and Indian Bread' at 8^
16 pounds of Butter at i^ 6*; 15 pounds of Sugar at 12"; 2
barrels of beer at 5^; 3 barrels of cider at 11^ 6*; cheese and
allspice." The ordination was celebrated October 10, the organiza
tion of the church dating from the same day. Ordination
exercises had lost the simplicity observed in the previous
century and become fully as ceremonious as at the present
day. Town-meeting after town-meeting was called, at which
various committees were chosen and charged with specific
duties in the preparatory work, and protracted discussions
arose about ways and means. On the appointed day, accord
ing to Mr. Seccomb's records : —
The Rev'*. John Gardner of Stow began with prayer. Rev'* John
Prentice of Lancaster gathered the Church, and gave the Charge. The
Rev'*. Mr Eben'. Turell of Medford preached the Sermon from these
Words in 2 Cor: 6. 3. " Giving no offence in anything, that the Ministry
be not blamed." — The Rev*. Mr Caleb Trowbridge of Groton gave the
right hand of Fellowship.
If this were all we knew of Harvard's first ordination fes
tival, it might be set down as a very quiet affair; but a bright
side-light is thrown upon it through the account rendered to
the town by its agents appointed to extend hospitality to
official guests : —
Joseph Willard's Bill for Expences at the Ordination Oct. loth 1733.
The night before Ordination I Supped Eleven of Mr Seccomb's
friends.... i£..i8..6
The next Morning I Breakfasted nine ... . i. 11 6
The same Day Dined Eleven at 3/6. .. . i 18 6
The same Day Breakfasted 24 Ministers and Messengers  4.-4
The same Day Dined 38 Ministers and Messengers  6. . 13

ORDINATION DAY. 1 83
The Keeping Mr Seccomb's relations' 9 horses 2 nights  18
To Lodging nine Persons 2 nights at 4^ p night  6
To six Gallons and 2 quarts of Wine at 10/6 p Gallon  4. . 6. .3
To Pipes and Tobacco 4/, Loaf Sugar and Nutmegs 5/  9
For my Journey and bringing up Liquor  10
For Keeping 38 horses Ordination Day at 6<i  19
For 27 Persons some Scholars and some Ministers' wives at
Dinner  4.. 14.. 6
For 8 horses belonging to Scholars and others one day at ei* . . 4

.£28.. 12.. 3
The "Scholars" were students from Harvard College.
Simon Stone's Bill for Expences at the Ordination October 10, 1733.
For Wine 26/6, White Bread and flower 8/2, Sugar 8/4  2^. .3
For spice 4/8 Plums 8/2, fresh meat 29/  2 . . i . . 10

4 ..4.. 10

From these itemized accounts we may infer that the pub
lic ceremonials of the church in the early part of the last
century were by no means feasts of reason only. Even a
small rural town was by custom bound to show an unstinted
hospitality at such times, and the occasion was meant to be
hilarious. Some of the faded tell-tale vouchers lead us to
wonder, supposing the ecclesiastical punch to have been of
normal potency, whether any body in town on ordination
day went to bed quite sober. Even in modern times, how
ever, a consecration in Harvard is hardly deemed quite valid
unless attested by a generous collation for all taking part
therein. Mr. Seccomb gives us no particulars respecting the
day's doings other than those before set down, but opens his
records with the covenant : —
The Church Covenant {with the nam.es of those who were in ye
foundation).
We whose names are hereunto subscribed (being Inhabitants of the
Town of Harvard in New England) Apprehending ourselves call'd of
God into the Church State of the Gospel, do first of all confess ourselves
unworthy to be so highly favoured of the Lord, and that free and rich
Grace of his which triumphs over so great Unworthiness. In humble de
pendance on free Grace for divine assistance and acceptance. We do in
the name of Christ Jesus our Lord freely Covenant & bind ourselves sol
emnly in the presence of God himself, his holy Angels and all his Serv-

I84 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
ants here present to serve the God whose name is Jehovah, Father, son
and holy ghost, the only true and living God; and avouch him this day
to be our God, our Father, our Saviour, & our Leader, & receive him as
our Portion for ever. We give up ourselves unto the blessed Jesus, who
is the Lord Jehovah and adhere to him as the head of his people, in the
Covenant of Grace, and rely on him as our Priest our Prophet and King
to bring us unto eternal Blessedness. We declare our serious behef of
the Christian Religion as contained in the Sacred Scriptures, heartily re-
solveing to conform our lives unto the Rules of that holy Religion therein
contained, as long as we live in this world. We acknowledge our indis
pensible obligations to glorify our God by a Christian life and Conversa
tion; and very particularly in the duties of a Church State, and a Body
of people associated for an obedience to him in all the Ordinances of the
Gospel; And we therefore depend on the gracious assistance of his holy
spirit for our faithfull discharge of the duties thus incumbent upon us.
We desire and intend, & (with dependance on his powerful! Grace) we
engage to walk together as a Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the faith
and order of the Gospel, so far as we shall have the same made known
unto us; conscientiously attending the publick Worship of God, the Sac
raments of his new Testament, the Discipline of his Kingdom, and all
his holy institutions, in communion with one another, and watchfully
avoiding sinfull stumbling blocks, and contentions as becomes a People
whome the Lord has bound up together in the bundle of life  At the
same time we do also present our offspring with our selves to the Lord,.
purposing with his help to do our part in the methods of a religious Edu
cation as he has required of us; counting it as our high favour that the
Lord will accept of us and our Children with us, to be his People. And
all this we do, flying to the blood of the Everlasting Covenant, for the
pardon of our many Errors; beseeching the Lord to own us for his people,
and to delight to dwell in the midst of us; and praying that the glorious
Lord, who is the great Shepherd would prepare and Strengthen us for
every good Work, to do his Will, working in us that which will be well
pleasing to him; That we might walk worthy of God who hath call'd us
to his Kingdom and Glory, & ever more rejoyce in his mighty power and
salvation, which he sheweth to us thro' our Blessed and gracious Re
deemer, Jesus Christ: to whome be glory for ever & ever. Amen.
John Seccomb Hezekiah Willard Joseph Sawyer
Jonathan Farnsworth John Willard Jonathan Worster
Dea. Simon Stone Joseph Willard John Daby
Ebenezer Worster Joseph Atherton Jonas Whitney
Dea. Joseph Fairbank Jonathan Crouch Nahum Daby
Jonathan Whitney Jonathan Rand Samuell Meeds
Peter Atherton Ephraim Farnsworth John Davis
Henry Willard Reuben Farnsworth John Witherby
Jonathan Farnsworth jun'. Isaiah Whitney Abraham Anderson
Elijah Whitney Thomas Willard John Whitney

JOHN SECCOMB. 185
The deacons chosen were : Simon Stone, Joseph Fairbank,
Jonathan Whitney and Joseph Haskell.
The purely agricultural community of a little more than
fifty families, into which the young poet collegian came as
spiritual leader, was a widely scattered one. The meeting
house stood near the geographical centre of the township,
but there were only two or three dwellings within a mile of
it, and the minister could find no home with accommodations
suitable for his wants and dignified station nearer than that
of Joseph Willard, at the Still River Farm, nearly two miles
from his pulpit. We may be sure, therefore, at the time that
home was the best supplied with mundane comforts ot any
in the town. Only the best was held good enough for the
minister. The first recorded meeting of the church was on
December 19, 1733, when it was voted : —
I. To Celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper once in eight
weeks. 2. To Contribute two Shillings and Sixpence each Member for
purchasing a Flaggon and buying Bread and Wine. 3. To Celebrate the
Lord's Supper 20'-'' day of Jan? next ensueing, being the first time.
4. To receive Persons to full Communion without any Relation written
or verball. 5. To propound such persons as desire admission to ye
Lord's Table one Sabbath to the Church and the two following Sabbaths
to the Congregation. 6. Appointed a private Meeting to be kept, on the
loth of next month at y« house of Mr John Daby at one of the Clock P. M.
John Seccomb was born at Medford, Massachusetts, April
25, 1708, and was graduated at Harvard College with the
class of 1728. He probably continued to reside at Cam
bridge until called to the Harvard pastorate, and there he
wrote certain minor poems, one of which, entitled Father
Abbey's Will, found many admirers on both sides of the At
lantic. This humorous rhyme was published through the
agency of Governor Jonathan Belcher — whose son, Jonathan,
and private secretary, Thaddeus Mason, were Seccomb's
classmates — in both the Gentleman's, and the London, Mag
azine for May, 1732. The other recreations of his muse are
not preserved, and it is not known that his rhyming talent
was ever exercised while at Harvard. Perhaps he had even
grown ashamed of his lyric merriment. Indeed, such unpuri-
tanic frivolity would very likely have been thought quite

1 86 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
unseemly in one wearing the clerical garb. Mr. Seccomb
won a wide reputation for brilliant abilities, and was very
impressive in his pulpit eloquence. In doctrine he was rig
idly Calvinistic. Four children were born to him in Harvard.
His parishioners must have been thrown into a very fever
of wonderment, when, after a brief residence as a bachelor
among them, he built, fronting upon the then lonesome com
mon, a gambrel-roofed mansion, three storied in front, two
storied at the rear, so imposing in size, rich in its appoint
ments, and tasteful in the arrangement and adornment of its
ample rooms and the grounds about it, that a century later
it could reasonably be called "one of the most baronial-
looking residences in the commonwealth." Perhaps rural
curiosity invented the story for a self-satisfying solution of
perplexity, and perhaps it is true, that the Reverend William
Williams of Weston, father of the to-be Mrs. Seccomb, prom
ised to fully furnish any house which Mr. Peter Seccomb, the
wealthy Medford merchant, would build for his son. March
10, 1736-7, Mercy Williams became Mrs. John Seccomb and
mistress of this stately residence, the western and southern
windows of which framed for her a landscape as varied in
its hues as the phases of sky and season, but one always ex
quisitely beautiful, and reposeful in its harmonious blending
of meadow and hill with wood-fringed and island-gemmed
waters. And yet scandalous tradition would have us believe that
she in time grew so weary of landscape and home, that she
certainly welcomed, and perhaps invented, the malicious
charges of unfaithfulness to his marriage vows, that finally
separated her husband from his parish. But this was twenty
years later, when the long rows of trees he planted during
his honey moon had so grown as to shadow the wide avenues
that led up to the north and east doors of the parsonage; the
former uniting with the pathway through the burial ground
and over the training field to the meeting-house; the latter
opening upon the public highway which connected Harvard
with the Bay Path in Bolton. With the passing of a few
years the lawns had been perfected, garden, shrubbery and

THE PARSONAGE. 187
orchard had grown into beauty and fruitfulness, and new
homes had sprung up within neighborly distance.
The Lancaster proprietors gave two islands in Bare Hill
Pond to Mr. Seccomb, February 4, 1734. Upon Grape Island
he built a substantial summer cottage, as a pleasant place of
resort, accessory to the genial hospitality which at times
filled the great house with gay guests from the bay towns.
To such hospitality host and house were admirably fitted.
He with all the starched dignity that attached to his pater
nal prominence in the community was yet young, and that
lightsome humor which burst into rollicking verse in his early
graduate days could not have been wholly extinguished. A
farm of over a hundred and thirty acres kept granary, wood
pile, cellar and larder well supplied. The capacious kitchen
gave up half of one of its sides to a cavernous brick oven
and a fire-place into which but for a thicket of dependent
lug-chains or cranes, pot-hooks and trammels, the sooty
cook could walk almost without stooping, and look up to the
stars through the straight chimney shaft; while its broad
stone hearth was none too ample on festal days for the ruler
of the roast with her fire-dogs, roasting jack, tongs, fire slice,
toasting iron, gridiron, griddle, three-legged spiders, pots,
kettles and skillets. The generous hall, with broad stairway
of easy ascent, and aspiring procession of twisted balusters,
gave a welcome to the entering guest. The great square
rooms were wainscotted with panel work, and below the
shuttered windows were cosy seats in deep recesses, inviting
the ungregarious. Across the low ceilings the huge beams
showed themselves below the plaster, and mantlepieces of
elaborate carpentry work surmounted the fire-places. Most
of these features survived to be seen by recent generations.
Would that some local chronicler of the days when they
were grandly new had embalmed the gossip, and much gossip
there certainly must have been among the goodwives of Har
vard, about the furnishing and daily life, the doings, comings
and goings at the palatial parsonage, the mistress of which
was known to be a jealous, and suspected to be an ill-tem
pered, woman.
The construction of the meeting-house went on but slowly.
13

1 88 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
The bill for the glazing was approved at a town-meeting April
I, 1734, as follows : "For 214 feet of square Crown Glass sett
in Lead at 3/ p foot ;^32 . . 2'." August 26, a meeting was
called at the new house, but was immediately adjourned to
the old one. October 2, important action was taken respect
ing the completion of the building: —
I, Voted ;£2oo for finishing the Meeting House. 2. The Town Voted
there shou'd be sixteen Pews in the Meeting House. 3. Voted that John
Martyn shou'd have that Pew adjoyning to the Pulpit Stairs. 4. The
Town Voted for John Martyn, John Daby, Joseph Hutchins, Jonathan
Whitney and Joseph Fairbanks to Dispose of the Vacancies in the Meet
ing House designed for the erecting of Pews, and that the Committee
aforesaid shou'd Give the first offers of Places to those who Pay most
towards Building the House, and they refusing, to the next highest and
so successively till they are all disposed of, every Man to Build his own
Pew by the Last Day of June next.
The John Martyn so especially honored was the town-clerk.
He was the son of a Boston shipmaster, born in 1706, and a
graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1724. During
the "Great Awakening" he was admitted to the church, be
gan the study of theology, and was ordained the first minister
of the West Precinct of Westborough, now Northborough,
May 21, 1746. He died April 30, 1767.
At least four town-meetings in the autumn of 1735 were
vexed with the task of instructing a committee how they
should "dignify" the board benches, upon which those rate
payers should be seated who could not build pews of their
own. The three most exasperating questions seem to have
been : whether six or seven men and their wives should oc
cupy the foremost seat on either side; 2, whether the third
seat below should outrank the front seat in the gallery, or
vice versa; 3, whether in assigning their seats regard should
be had "only and wholly according to what men have payed
towards Building the Meeting House," or with some consid
erations of a personal character, etc. The wrangling finally
ended in ordering the seating of the house before December
25, "agreeable to the Committee's best cunning and Judg
ment." The committee reported in December that the pews had
been disposed of as follws : —

Number 3,
4. 5

GREAT AWAKENING. 189
John Daby. 10. Joseph Atherton.

Deacon Simon Stone. 11

John Witherbee.

Jonathan Crouch.
Lieut. Jonathan Sawyer.
Lieut. Eleazar Robbins.
Jacob Gates.
Thomas Wheeler.

Capt Hezakiah Willard. 12.
6. Peter Atherton. 13.
7. Jonas Whitney. 14.
James Whitcomb. 15.
John Willard. 16.
Numbers one and two were doubtless reserved for the min
ister's family and John Martyn, though by a formal vote the
town refused to build a pew for Mr. Seccomb. The relative
dignity of the rest of the congregation must be imagined,
as no report of the seating was recorded at this time-:
January i, 1739, Mr. Seccomb presented to a town-meeting
"a petition," the nature of which is not stated; but that it
was of peculiarly serious import is evident from the fact that,
after some debate, it was voted that " Mr Seccomb hath offered
Christian satisfaction for his Offence and they are reconciled
to him and Receive him into their Charity." However, ten
freeholders, dissatisfied with this conclusion, procured the
calling of another town-meeting and moved for a reconsid
eration of the vote, with a view to call a council to dismiss
the minister, stating the "facts aledged against him to be more
criminal than they were then thought," and such as rendered
him unworthy his office. The town refused a reconsideration,
and the rtext year added twenty pounds to his salary "on
Consideration of moneys being sunk in valey since the Rev-
arand Mr Seccomb's Settlement among us."
May fourth, 1742, the curious vote was passed: "to point
y® Joynts of y^ Roof of y" meeting house with lime and hair."
The Marlborough Association of ministers printed a pro
test against the Reverend George Whitefield's methods
during the excitement in the New England churches, known
as the Great Awakening, consequent upon the preaching of
that noted itinerant. Mr. Seccomb's name is not among
those signed to that document, though the list of signatures
embraces that of nearly every one of his clerical brethren in
the association. He could not have been one of those cler
gymen censured in the protest for giving "countenance to
one so erroneous in his doctrines, and so disorderly in his
conduct, by inviting and admitting him into their pulpits.

190 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
and more especially by allowing him to administer the ordi
nance of the Lord's Supper in their churches." For, although
Mr. Seccomb was classed as one of the "New Lights," the
great revival in Harvard, which began in 1739 and lasted for
about five years, was neither excited nor assisted by Mr.
Whitefield's presence there, though doubtless some may have
been stirred by his exhortations at Marlborough on the single
occasion when he visited the town. The pastor's account of
the revival, given in a lengthy letter, was published in Prince's
Christian History for February and March, 1744. An extract
or two from it will serve as an example of Mr. Seccomb's
prose, and give a glimpse of Harvard's First Church during
an early and interesting episode of its history: —
Rev. Sir Harvard, Feb. 20. 1743/4.
According to your Request I here send you a cautious tho' brief
Account of the Revival of Religion in the Town to which I stand in a
pastoral Relation. "
The first visible Alteration among my People for the better was some
Time in the Month of September \t\ the year 1739, when several began to
grow more thoughtful and serious, and somewhat reform'd; more con
stant and diligent in attending the publick Worship, more attentive in
hearing the Word preached, more careful to sanctify the Sabbath, &c... .
I think I may say there has been a great shaking among the Dry
Bones, and some that have been for a long Time dead in Trespasses and
Sins appear to be made alive to God; sleepy Sinners have been awak
ened, stubborn Sinners subdued, proud Sinners humbled, carnal Persons
made spiritual, such as lived unmindful of Heaven, now seek the Things
which are above and set their Affections upon them. Prayerless Persons
now call upon GoD, and some that despised his Word now tremble at it.
 Hence the Bible hath appeared to some to be a new Book ; and
the Catechism of the Assembly of Divines to be a new and most excellent
Composure, tho' before they saw no great Excellency to be in the one or
the other; and therefore greatly admire at their former Ignorance. And
some of the same Sermons they had heard some Time before (being some
times necessitated to preach such) appear'd to be quite new, and better
than ever they heard before, and I could hardly make them believe they
had ever heard them before 
The Means by which this Work of Conviction and Conversion (by
God's Blessing) hath been carried on, is one Evidence of a good Work.
I mention this, to take off that Objection which hath been made by some;
who say. Persons were not truly convicted of Sin, &c, but affrighted by
the Manner of the Preacher s Address to their Passions, by the Loudness
of the Voice, Gesture &c. And that this Work hath been carried on only

THE GREAT REVIVAL. 191
in such Places where such Preachers have been. This is not the case
here; this Reformation has not been carried on violently, nor by Strang
ers  And furthermore, this religious Concern began a Year before
Mr Whitefield s coming into the Country; And after he preached in New
England very few of this People did ever hear him. But God was
pleased to make Use of the usual Means ; to rouse and awaken sleepy
Sinners by the small I 'oice ; and as before observed by some of the very
same Sermons that made no Impression before. This I say is one Thing
that confirms my Belief of a good Work; and that Assertion of the
Apostle: who ever plants or waters it is God that gives the Lncrease 
From statements in the letter not here quoted, it is plain
that this period of spiritual fervor in Mr. Seccomb's church
was not attended with eccentric or noisy demonstrations of
enthusiasm, nor by excessive emotion and outcry, such as are
recorded as characterizing many revivals of that era. The
episode was of the kind so well described by Mrs. Harriet
Beecher Stowe: —
When a man of powerful mind and shrewd tact and great natural
eloquence lives among a people already thoughtfully predisposed, for no
other purpose than to stir them up to the care of their souls, it is evident
that there will come times when the results of all his care and seeking,
his public ministrations, his private conversations with individuals, will
come out in some marked social form; and such a period in New Eng
land is called a revival of religion  It was the always existing
spiritual becoming visible and tangible.
This revival — which was the subject of much comment
at the time — at least proves that the pastor, in spite of the
reputed luxury of his home life, his aristocratic affiliations
and intellectual superiority, did not preach "above the heads
of his congregation," and took a deeply sympathetic interest
in their spiritual needs and aspirations. The records afford
us no hint of dissensions in the parish attributable to this
period, though such there may have been, for they were every
where aroused by the feverish state of society. If they ex
isted at Harvard they may have contributed to the troubles
that culminated a decade later. Mr. Seccomb's earnestness
is furthermore shown by a record dated January 5, 1743-4: —
The Church meeting at the house of John Wright after Lecture 
then Voted (upon my proposal) That the usual Church Meeting should
be turned into a Monthly Lecture in ye meeting house, and to be contin^

192 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
ued if people gave suitable encouragement by their chearfull and con
stant attendance with their Children, at which seasons I also purpose to
preach Lectures upon the Assemblies Catechism; and to Catechise and
Instruct children and youth after service.
The growth of the town was such that after fifteen years
had passed the meeting-house could not well accommodate
the church-goers. In 1749 liberty was given to eight young
men — Joseph Fairbank, Jeremiah Laughton, Samuel Harper,
Josiah Davis, Benjamin Hutchins, Jonas Davis, Caleb Whit
ney and Samuel Haseltine — to build a seventeenth pew
"over the men's gallery stairs." It was at the same time
voted to add "one seat forward round the galleries," and a
committee was chosen "to make as much more room above
and below as possible." These changes made a reseating of
the people imperative, and accordingly a committee was ap-
appointed for the delicate duty March 5, 1750. They were
instructed to "seat the two foremost seats below Respecting
men for Age as well as Pay, and all the other seats and per
sons to be seated on Dignity according to what they payed
to the minister, real and personal estate the three last years
passed." The committee disclosed the result of their labors
May 21, and their report, being recorded in full, gives us — in
connection with the list of the pew owners — a reasonably
complete roster of the taxpayers of Harvard at the middle
of the eighteenth century : —
1730 May 21. [Report of the'] Committee to Seat the meetinghouse. Each
man and wife in following order.
In the fore. Seat Below.
Joseph Hutchins. John Burt. Joseph Willard.
Caleb Sawyer. John Warner. Dea. Joseph Fairbank.
Daniel Peirce. Ebenezer Worster. Dea. Jonathan Whitney.
Dea. John Laughton. In the Second Seat Below.
Dea. Joseph Haskell. Nathaniel Haseltine. Jacob Powers.
John Wright. Gabriel Priest. Jonathan Procter.
Richard Hall. James Willard. Thomas Houghton.
In the third seat Below.
Henry Willard. Elijah Whitney. Ephraim Houghton.
Jonathan HartweU. Jonathan Rand. Josiah Kent.
John Atherton. Jonathan Farnsworth. Ebenezer Davis.

ACCORDING TO DIGNITY.

193

In the fourth seat Below.
Henry Houghton. Thomas Willard. Caleb Brown.
John Forbush. John Davis. Samuel Mead.
John Samson. Jonathan Worster. Tarbel Willard.
In the fifth seat Below.
Robert Holland. Jeremiah Foster. Hezekiah Willard Jun'.
Judah Clark. Daniel Foster. Jonathan Hale.
John Farwell. Nahum Daby. Samuel Hand.
In the sixth seat Below.
Justinian Holden. Amos Davis. George Dickinson.
John Farnsworth. Jonathan Read. Josiah Peirce.
Nathan Brooks. William Keyes. Jonathan Cole.
In the seventh seat Below.
James Perry. Abraham Rugg. John Samson, Jun'.
Ebenezer Worster, Jun"^. Edward Powers. Elisha Fullam.
Amos Russell. Joseph Daby. David Crouch.
In the fore seat in the front [Gallery?^
Samuel Haskell. Abraham Whitney. John Park.
Lt. Shadrach Hapgood. Isaac Taylor. William Buttrick.
In the second seat in the front.
Silas Farnsworth. Oliver Stone. William Willard.
Phineas Fairbank. Benjamin Barnard. Benjamin Stow.
In the third seat in the front.
[ohn Wetherbee. Isaac Stone. Eleazer Robbins, Jun"^.
William Saunderson. Daniel Peirce, Jun'. Isaac Hale.
In the fourth seat in the front.
William Whetcombe. Lemuel Willard. Phineh Brown.
Richard Whitney. John Peirce. Jeremiah Priest.
In the fore seat in the side gallery.
Ebenezer Burges. Jonathan Gates. Seth Sawyer.
Abraham Willard. Nathan Warner. Ephraim Robbins.
Andrew Harper. Nathaniel Famsworth. Phinehas Farnsworth.
John Burt, Jun'. Joseph Sawyer.
In the second seat in the side gallery.
Simon Daby. Simon Whitney. Samuel Fellows.
Jason Russell. John Preist. Richard Harris.
Simeon Farnsworth. Jonathan Bigelow. Peter Dudley.
Amos Brooks. Timothy Hall. Ebenezer Warner.

194

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

In the third seat in the side gallery.
Jonathan Crouch. David Whitney. Isaac Foster.
John Warner, Jun'. Joshua Warner, Jun'. Asa Willard.
David Warner. Jonathan Oak. Jonathan Whitney, Jun'.
Joseph Hutchins, Jun'. Nathaniel Warner. Isaac Willard.
In the fourth seat in the side gallery.
Samuel Mead, Jun'. Ohver Brown. Asa Houghton.
John Davis, Jun'. Amos Stone. Moses Warner.
Wilham Harper. Jonathan Farnsworth, Jun'. Jonas Whitney, Jun'.
Elias Stone. Jonathan Read, Jun'.
Isaac Taylor, )
Ebenezer Davis, [¦ Com7ntee
Henry Willard, )
Mr. Seccomb's last entry in the church book is : —
I was dismissed from my Pastoral Relation to the Church of Christ
in Harvard on the Seventh day of September A. D. 1757, upon my re
quest, by the consent of an Ecclesiastical Council of Six Churches, and
a Vote of a major part of the Brethren of the Church in full communion.
Such a vote practically exonerated him from the charges
made against him. For three or four years he remained in
Harvard, but in 1761 transferred his estate here to his brother
Thomas, a resident of Medford, and removed to the parish
of Chester, Nova Scotia, where he passed the remainder of
his life as a Congregational missionary. He was one of the
eight dissenting clergymen located in that province. A letter
from Halifax dated January i8, 1770, printed in the Massa
chusetts Historical Society's Proceedings, Series II, Vol. IV,
69, says of him : —
He has never had any Established Salary, but receives about 2o£ p
annum from his Parish, which contains a few Industrious but poor Peo
ple. He has expended all the Money he brought with him (and which
we are inform'd was considerable) in Buildings and other improvements,
on a new Farm, which has reduced him to very necessitous Circumstances:
He has had some small relief from this Town. We cannot avoid Earn
estly recommending this Gentleman, now advanced in years, as an object
very worthy of charitable assistance.
It is said that Mr. Seccomb's later years were freed from
care about money matters by an opportune inheritance. He
kept his powers of mind little impaired until so enfeebled in

JOSEPH WHEELER. 195
body twat he could not climb the pulpit stairs without help,
and he never lost the esteem of his people. He died Octo
ber 27, 1792. During his ministry at Harvard two hundred
and forty-six members were added to the church, he baptized
seven hundred and eighty-three persons, solemnized one hun
dred marriages, and attended the funerals of three hundred
and thirty-two of his parishioners.
II. THE FIRST CHURCH. 1756-1820.
For two years there was no settled minister over the church
in Harvard. Near the end of 1758 an invitation was given
Deliverance Smith, a Yale graduate of the class pf 1749, to
permanently occupy the pulpit wherein he had for some time
been the temporary supply, but he declined the position.
Joseph Wheeler having preached on probation from May 27,
1759, was invited by the church, September 10, to become
their pastor. The town seconded the call on September 24,
offering a settlement of one thousand pounds, old tenor,
"eqnal to one Hundred Thirty-Three pounds, six shillings
and eight pence Lawful money," and an annual salary of five
hundred pounds, old tenor. From about 1695 i^ had been the
law that the minister must be settled by a concurrent vote of
church and town-meeting. The meeting-house was the
town's; the church was a town institution, to the support of
which the total resources of the township were pledged, in
stead of being, as is now too often the case in the rural town,
one of three or four rival corporations dependent for suste
nance upon fairs, entertainments, a sewing circle, or the dole
of a dead generation.
Mr. Wheeler accepted the town's offer on the fifth of No
vember, and was ordained on the twelfth of December; Tim
othy Harrington, of Lancaster, opening the services with
prayer, 5amuel Woodward, of Weston, preaching the sermon
with Ezekiel III, 16, for his text, John Gardner, of Stow, de
livering the charge, Daniel Rogers, of Littleton, giving the
right hand of fellowship, and Thomas Goss, of Bolton, mak
ing the closing prayer. The town made the usual hospitable
preparation for the ordination, and took one extraordinary

196

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

precaution — the meeting-house galleries were strengthened
by additional supports that they might safely bear the crowd
of guests invited to the festival from beyond the town's
bounds. From the records in the handwriting of Mr. Wheeler a
few items follow, illustrative of the times, or possessing other
historic value : —
August 1761 . . . .voted to keep the 20 day of this month as a Day of
Fasting and prayer on account of the Drouth ....
May 18, 1764. The chh. met to consider the charge offer'd by Elipha
let Wood against Benjamin Lawrence for cleaning his Cattle on the Sab
bath Day. Upon Examining the Evidence it was voted that the Charge
was proved. And upon Mr Lawrence appearing before the chh. and De
claring that he was sorry that he had given offence (tho' he was not con
scious to himself of its Being a Crime) yet as it was matter of Offence to
others he promised that they should not have occasion to complain of
him any more for so Doing; of whh. the Chh. voted their acceptance. . . .
The chh. approved of Mr Willard (who had before been nominated by
the pastor,) to set the psalm, and with him joined Mr Simon Daby and
Cap. Joseph Fairbank to be assistants.
May 8 1766  Mess. Joseph Fairbank, Jonathan Whitney and Jos
eph Haskell (who had long sustained the Office of Deacons in the chh.)
and now desiring to be excused from any other service in that office, the
chh voted their thanks to them for their past services and then proceeded
to the Choice of four new Deacons  Phineas Fairbank, Lemuel
Willard, Simon Whitney, Jeremiah Laughton. Simon Whitney declining,
Ohver Whitney was chosen in his place.
Feb. 16, 1768. It was voted that the interest of the legacy left to the
Church by the Widow Beaman of Bolton " be laid out for the purchasing
of Two Flaggons for the Communion Table and that the care of purchas
ing them be left to the Deacons."
The benefactress thus designated was Deborah, the wife
of Jonathan Beman, in whose will, dated December 5, 1758,
was this item: "I give toy" Chh. of Christ in Harvard three
Pounds six Shillings and eight Pence to be paid by my exec
utors." The same sum was left to the Bolton church.
July 7, 1768, Reverends Daniel Rogers, of Littleton,
Thomas Goss, of Bolton, and John Mellen of the Second
Precinct in Lancaster, met at Harvard by request of the
deacons as an advisory council, when the following statement
was presented for their consideration : —

JOSEPH WHEELER. I97
On the behalf of the Church of Christ in Harvard, we say our circum
stances are attended with much Difficulty by reason of the ReV* Mr
Wheeler's bodily Weakness and Infirmity by means of which he has
been for a long Time in some Measure unfit for the public Dispensing of
the Word: and of late wholly unfit for it: Which has occasioned the
Town Extraordinary Cost; and sometimes after all they have been left
Destitute of Preaching upon the Sabbath Days. Moreover his ail is such
that he is obliged to Travel much out of Town as a means to Recover his
Health: So that we are deprived not only of his publick Ministry, but
likewise in a great measure of his private Instructions, Visiting the Sick,
attending funerals, catechizing children, and Baptizing Infants; all which
are so grievous; notwithstanding the Love and Regard we owe to, our
Rev^ Pastor it seams to be the mind of the Town to compound with him
and the Church, and to accomodate which we take to be the Design of
this Meeting, for this Cause we have called the assistance of the Rev'*
Pastors here present, asking their Direction and Counsel.
Phineas Fairbank 1
Lemuel Willard J xhe
Jeremiah Laughton 1 Deacons
Oliver Whitney j
Harvard July 7"", 1768.
Voted by the Church.
An ecclesiastical council was called on July 26, which
resulted in the dismissal of Mr. Wheeler; the closing sentence
of their recorded action being : —
 We think it but justice to him to declare that both his moral and
Ministerial character are without Exception, and we accordingly do with
the fullest assurance recommend him to any People that stand in need of
his Labours should his Health ever permit him to engage in Ministerial
Service. Mr. Wheeler was the son of Joseph and Abigail (Butter
field) Wheeler of Concord, born March 13, 1735-6. He was
a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1757, and
studied theology with Mr. Woodward at Weston, teaching
school at the same time. During his pastorate of nearly
nine years Mr. Wheeler received sixty-five into the church,
baptized three hundred and twenty-eight, married sixty-four
couples, and attended one hundred and twenty-seven funer
als. He continued to reside in Harvard until 1781. For
several years he labored upon his farm — he had bought forty-
five acres of John Seccomb in 1761, and the town gave him

198

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

several acres from its common — -but at length opened a store
of that omnigenous type of the period found in every pros
perous country village. The house which he built for his own
occupancy is in good preservation today, being now owned
by William H. Savage, Esq. October 21, 1760, Mr. Wheeler
was married to Mary, the daughter of Dr. Daniel Greenleaf
of Bolton.
Mr. Wheeler was very active in town affairs, and, being an
ardent whig, was called upon to draft most of the patriotic
resolves and other papers for the town relative to the diffi
culties between the colonies and parliament which culminated
in revolution. He was a member of the first Committee of
Correspondence, and Harvard's representative in the first and
third Provincial Congresses and the legislature of 1775. In
the first Congress, October 25, 1774, he presented a letter in
which it was suggested that while they were attempting to
save themselves from slavery to a British ministry, they
should "also take into consideration the state and circum
stances of the Negro Slaves in the Province." At the Lex
ington Alarm he marched as a private in Captain Joseph
Fairbank's company. Colonel Asa Whitcomb's regiment of
militia. There is a well-founded tradition, cherished by his
numerous descendants, that he assisted in laying out the
earthworks at Bunker Hill the night before the battle, and
also that he served as chaplain at General Washington's
headquarters in Cambridge for a time. He was appointed
justice of the peace and quorum in 1776. Elected register of
probate for Worcester County in 1776, he held that office
until his death, February 10, 1793, and was succeeded by his
son; the two holding the position for over sixty consecutive
years. Mr. Wheeler's eleven children, with one exception,
were born in Harvard. He moved to Worcester August 17,
1781, where his wife died August 28, 1783, and the following
year he married his second wife, Marguerita (Olivier) (Cool
edge) Jennison. One who knew him well, says of him: 
"He was a true representative of the good old English gen
tleman; genial, witty and companionable with his children,
he nevertheless sustained and inculcated the dignity of his
office and character."

ACCORDING TO DIGNITY.

199

At the March meeting of 1766, it was voted to "Seat the
Meeting-house," and a committee was assigned for that duty.
They were instructed : —
 that the two foremost Seats be seated by age and pay  that the
Rest of the Seats be seated by pay only  that the Committee should
have Reference to the pay three years back.
The committee's report was submitted and accepted May
19, 1766. It is rare to find early lists of a town's tax payers,
and this report is therefore given in full : —
The Report concerning Reseating the Meeting House in Harvard,
Agreeable to a vote in sd Town passed in the Last Annual Meeting. —
We the Subscribers have seated each man and his wife in the Following
Order, Viz: — In the Fore Seat Below.
Dea. Joseph Fairbank Capt. Samuel Haskell Mr Seth Sawyer
Dea Jonathan Whitney Mr Josiah Kent Mr Henry Willard
Dea Joseph Haskell Mr James Willard Mr John Park
Dea John Laughton Lieut. Shadrach Hapgood Wido. Hannah War-
Mr Nathaniel Whittemore ner.
In the Second Seat Below.
Mr Henry Houghton Mr John Davis Capt. Israel Taylor
Ens. Ebenezer Davis Mr Jonathan Rand Mr Abraham Whitney
Mr Jonathan Farnworth Mr Ambrose Hale Mr John Burt
Mr Ephraim Houghton Mr Samuel Hunt Mr Jonathan Hale
Mr Jonathan Cole In the Front fore seat. [Gallery?^
Benjamin Barnard Ephraim Stone John Priest
Elijah Houghton Nathan Warner Phinehas Fairbank
Nathaniel Farnworth In ye third Seat Below
Thomas Willard. Capt. Joseph Fairbank Jr. Lieut. Judah Clark
Lieut. Benjamin Stow Tarbel Willard Benjamin Lawrence
Capt. Wdham Butterick Capt. Jonathan Oak John Forbush
In y Fourth Seat Below.
Richard Harris Simeon Farnworth Samuel Mead
James Haskell William Willard Dea. Ohver Whitney
Simon Whitney Thomas Willard Jr. .Simon Daby.
In ye Fifth Seat Below.
Nathan Brooks Henry Bromfield Ephraim Robbins
Ebenezer Burges Jonathan Crouch David Whitney
William Sanderson Joseph Blanchard Joseph Atherton
Ebenezer Warner John Safford Wid. Rebecca Worster

200

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Nathan Haskell
Zaccheus Stevens
Nathaniel Martyn
Benjamin Cutler
George Conn
Samson Hildreth
Jonathan Symonds
Nahum Daby

Miles Putnam
Isaiah Whitney
The Tenant on Peter
Eads Estate
Samuel Cooper
Joseph Wetherbee

In j/« Sixth Seat Below
Isaac Willard James Brooks
Isaac Hale Jacob Robbins
Josiah Haskell Jabez Potter
Asa Houghton John Darby
In j/« Seventh Seat Below
James Stone David Crouch
Jonathan Read John Warner
Grover Scollay F. A. Hill
The fore Seat in the Side [Gallery]
Joseph Sawyer Peter Dudley
Dea Lemuel Willard John Farwell
Dea Jeremiah Laughton Ens. Jason Russell
Wilham Burt The Tenant on the Es-
Jeremiah Priest tate of Ehjah Whit
ney late Deceased.
The Second Seat of the Front.

Solomon Samson
Ens. Gordon Hutchins
Richard Whitney

Josiah Whitney
Jonathan Clark

Silas Rand
Joseph Willard

Jonathan Gates
Ephraim Gates
Jonathan Davis
Hezekiah Whitney
Phinehas Farnworth
Jonathan Whitney Jr,
Samuel Meads Jr
Abel Davis
Abijah Cole
John Sanderson
Oliver Sawyer
Samuel Haild
Jonathan Peirce
Ohver Whetcombe
Ens. Zadock Davis
Aaron Whitney
Elias Haskell
David Sampson

The Second in y
Benjamin Hale
Jonas Whitney Jr.
Charles Taylor
Isaac Gates

Side

Amos Fairbank
John Sawyer
John Atherton
Caleb Sawyer
The Tenant on ye Estate of Capt Jabez Keep
Daniel Knight Wid Patience Haseltine
The Third Seat on y Front.
Benjamin Barnard Jur. Josiah Davis
John Houghton Phinehas Willard
The Third Seat on y Side.
Abel Farnworth Y' Estate of Joseph

Lemuel Farnworth
James Burt
Moses Warner
Timothy Kneeland
Micah Stone

Hovey
Joseph Farnworth
Elkanah Keyes
Eliphalet Wood
Susanna Haild

Ye Fourth Seat in ye Front.
Joseph Houghton James Haskell Jur.
John Daby Jur. James Read.
Wid Elizabeth Davis
Jeremiah Laughton \
Phinehas Fairbank [ Committee
Simon Daby )

DANIEL JOHNSON. 201
The third minister of Harvard, Daniel Johnson, was born
at Bridgewater in 1747, and was graduated at Harvard Col
lege in 1767. He studied for his profession with Reverend
Matthew Bridge of Framingham. December 19, 1768, a
unanimous call was extended to him from the town, concurr
ing with the church. He was offered one hundred and thirty-
three pounds six shillings and eight pence as a settlement,
and eighty pounds annual salary. This invitation Mr. John
son for some reason declined, but upon its renewal June 19,
1769, he signified his acceptance in rather florid rhetoric, and
was ordained on the first of November. Daniel Perkins, of
West Bridgewater, delivered the sermon on that occasion,
and Timothy Harrington of Lancaster, Thomas Goss of Bol
ton, John Gardner of Stow, and Matthew Bridge of Framing
ham, joined in the services.
Mr. Johnson was a young man of great promise and mag
netic address, whose pastorate of less than eight years seems
to have made a lasting impression upon his people. May i,
1770, he was married to Betsy Lee of Manchester, Massachu
setts. He admitted ninety-three to the church, baptized
three hundred and seventy-one, solemnized ninety-one mar
riages, and attended one hundred and thirty-two funerals.
Reverend Alonzo Hill, D. D., telling the story as he heard it
in his boyhood from Harvard veterans who were eye wit
nesses of the facts, relates that when the news of the march
of British troops for Lexington came, Mr. Johnson shoul
dered his musket and went with the Harvard companies to
Cambridge. While there, upon one occasion he stood upon
the common with his hat hung upon his bayonet, in the pres
ence of the patriot army, and offered a prayer that thrilled
all hearts with its earnest and eloquent pathos. The next
year he was appointed chaplain in the Continental army, but
died soon after. At a town-meeting January 12, 1778, it was:
4. Voted that the Town prepare a Desent pair of Grave Stones and
set them up at Rev'*. Daniel Johnson's Grave. Chose Mr Simon Daby to
procure said Grave Stones. 5. Voted and Granted two hundred pounds
lawful money for the purpose.
October 20, 1778, Mr. Daby was authorized to erect a mon-

202 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
ument instead of gravestones, and provided a massive slate
slab, which rests in a horizontal position upon brick piers.
The epitaph upon it is as follows : —
Sacred to the Memory
of the Rev. Daniel Johnson,
Late Pastor of y'' Church of Christ in Harvard; early in Life | he entred
y' Ministerial office | and during his continuance therein, | shone with a
brilhancy and Lustre | surpassing the most of his order. | For the God of
Nature had endowed him | with Powers of mind | uncommonly sprightly
and active. | A copious invention & ready utterance | made him in extem
poraneous Performances | greatly to excell. | In his Sermons he was
orthodox & elegant; | In his delivery zealous popular & engaging; | So
that when he assended the desk | a pecuhar attention | marked the coun
tenances of his auditory. | To his Friends he shewed himself Friendly, |
who had frequent Pleasing experience | of his generous hospitality. | He
was formed for action & Possessed | of a martial Genius | which led him
to accept y^ office of a Chaplin | in the American Army, | just on his
entrance into which | He was siezed with a malignant Dysentery, | which
Put a period to his valuable Life, | (disappointing the expectations | of his
family friends and Flock.) | on the 23'*. of Sept. 1777. In the | 30"". year
of his age and 8"'. | of his Ministry.
All flesh is Grass & all y' glory of man | as the flower of Grass.
A conspicuous share of Mr. Johnson's entries in the church
book relate to a bitter quarrel between Deacon Oliver Whit
ney and Doctor John Taylor, which, after prolonged bicker
ing and several attempts at ecclesiastical arbitration, was
finally composed when the fight at Lexington inaugurated a
war of broader interests. November 16, 1775, Samuel Mead
and Oliver Atherton were elected deacons, but the latter de
clined to serve in that capacity, and Richard Harris, Jr., was
chosen in his place.
The house that had served the town for its various public
meetings during forty years was overcrowded by the assemb
lages called to it by Mr. Johnson's eloquence and magnetic
personality, and August 24, 1772, it was voted to build a new
one. Numerous town-meetings were held, at which conflict
ing opinions swayed the fickle minded now in this way and
now in that. The old house was to stand until the new one
was completed, and the choice of a new site was a fertile
source of discussion. A committee of ten appointed for the
service selected a spot as near the old house as possible, "four

SECOND MEETING-HOUSE.

203

or five foot to the south and advancing some to the west,"
which was accepted in December. May 31, 1773, this accept
ance was reconsidered, and a method of ascertaining the
popular preference similar to that used in 1732, was adopted,
the town-meeting taking a recess of one-quarter of an hour
for the purpose, after voting that : —
 Every Voter lay a stone where he would have the meeting house set,
with this restriction that there be but Two heaps and that heap which
has the most stones in number be the place for the meeting house. Voted
that the Selectmen inspect the heaps and see that no man lay more than
one stone.
Upon the count at the close of the voting it was found
tl^at there was the same number of pebbles in both piles, and
no choice, when it was voted "that the south cell of the
meeting house be laid at the north heap of stones." This
fixed the location nearly as had been before proposed, and
on the spot occupied by the present building of the Unitarian
Society. It was determined to raise money for the building by sell
ing "the Pew ground to the highest bidders in the town," no
person being allowed to buy more than one pew. The "ven
due of pews'' was held October 22, bids being made accord
ing to a ground plan furnished by the committee, Phinehas
Fairbank, Phinehas Sawyer and Lemuel Willard. There
were twelve wall pews in the front gallery, the rest were upon
the main floor. One pew was reserved for the minister's
family, and Mr. Johnson was asked to select it. The bidders
at the vendue were notified that one-fourth of the purchase
money must be paid when the frame was raised, one-fourth
when the outside was finished, and the rest upon the comple
tion of the building.
After vainly striving to arrange all the details of construc
tion in open town-meeting, on April 5, 1773 : —
Then voted to let the whole of the Meeting-house which the town
purposed to build to be done by the Grate at one Jobb from the bottom
of the sils and upward, after the Timber for the fraim was brought to the
spot. 2'*'5'. Voted that the man who will take it at the cheepest lay pro
vided he do the work to the Town's acceptance shall have it. Where
upon Mr Ohver Atherton offered to do it for 790^, and to Receive the
14

204 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Stuff which Mr [Grover] Scollay had provided for the said house at the
price it cost as part of the said sum. 3'*'^. . Voted that Mr Atherton shall
have it.
The other bidders were Asa Kendall, whose estimate was
833;^ 6. .8, and Phineas Sawyer, whose bid was 8ooiJ. It was
understood that the town was to raise the frame, and for this
preparation was made in town-meeting as follows : —
The Town voted first to make provision for one hundred and sixty
men to Raise the meeting house on the Town's Cost; then voted that the
man who would provide well, and at the cheepest lay for the 160 men
designed to Raise the meeting house as above said should do it. Mr
Nathaniel Farnsworth offered to provide a diner of meats fresh and salt,
rest and boiled during the Time of Raising, be it Day or Days, and bring
it to the meeting house, with suffitiancy of sider and bear for the Dinners
at eight pence pr. Diner for Twenty Eight men and no more; and no
other man offering to Diner the one hundred and thirty two which re
mained not provided for at so cheep a lay, the Town then proceeded and
chose a Commijtee: Joseph Wheeler, Joseph Atherton, Nathan Warner,
Silas Parkhurst, Nathaniel Farnsworth, to provide for the one hundred
and thirty-two more Dinners and lay their acct. before the town. Like
wise that the above said Comm''^'^ make choice of the men to Raise s"*.
meeting house./ The Town voted to provide two barrils of Rum for Rais
ing, then voted one barril of Rum shall be West-india and one New Eng
land. The Town voted one hundred [weight] of brown Sugar to be
provided. Likewise Eight barrils of Sider. And Eight barrils of bear. . .
The incidents and accidents of the raising must be imag
ined from the quality of the preparation, for there is no rec
ord of them extant; but the frame was duly accepted July 19,
and after the reports of various committees of inspection
and some dealing with contractors for alleged inferiority of
workmanship and material, on the twenty-sixth of October
a committee was chosen "to seat the new meeting-house."
This was ordered done according to the last two years' invoice
and valuation, regard being had to age in assigning the two
fore seats below. The town also instructed their committee :
"in Dignifying the seats to proceed from the second seat
below to the fore seat in the Front Gallery, then to the third
seat below, then to the fore seat in the side, then the side
pews in the gallery, then the second seat in the front [gal
lery], then the second seat in the side." . . It took two

"DIGNIFYING THE SEATS.

205

months' time, a deal of excited discussion and some read
justments, before a classification of dignities could be made
that a town-meeting would endorse. The following report
was finally adopted; this list of names is given in full be
cause, being practically a census of the men of military age
in the town at the opening of the Revolution, it is of peculiar
interest. The names of the private pew owners only are
lacking. January 2, 1775  The Report of the Committee in Reseating the
Meeting-house. First

Shadrach Hapgood
Israel Taylor Esqr.
Jonathan Farnworth
Henry Houghton
Nathan Warner
Ephraim Houghton
James Whitcombe
Nathaniel Farnworth
Oliver Atherton

Joseph Fairbank
Simon Whitney
Ebenezer Kingman
Phinehas Willard
Jabez Potter
Jonathan Puffer
John Safford
William Willard
Isaac Willard

John Warner
John Sawyer
Hezekiah Whitney
Manasseh Sawyer
Joseph Wetherbee
William Burt

[onathan Clark
Elijah Houghton
Isaiah Whitney
Richard Whitney

their Wifes.
John Darby
Widows in the same
Alice Whitney
Margaret Whitney
Moriah Houghton
Abigail Sampson
Experience Atherton
Abigail Willard.

Josiah Wetherbee
Joseph Knight
Widows in the same.
Jane Lawrence
Mercy Warner
Barbery Burt
Experience Keep.
Rebecca Davis.

Ebenezer Warner
Asa Houghton
James Stone
George Conn
Mrs .  Blood
Widow Mary HartweU

Seat Below, men and
William Buttrick
Jonathan Rand
Joseph Sawyer
Isaac Gates
Walter Pollard
Richard Harris
Samuel Hunt
Thomas Willard
Benjamin Barnard
Second Seat Below
Ebenezer Burges
Tarbel Willard
Samuel Meads
James Haskell
Simeon Turner
Jeremiah Laughton
William Sanderson
Eleazer Stearns
Peter Dudley
Third Seat Below
Jonas Whitney
Simeon Farnworth
Aaron Whitney
Josiah Davis
Samuel Cooper
David Whitney
The Fore Seat, Front Gallery
Richard Goldsmith Caleb Sawyer
Josiah Haskell Widows in the same
Ohver Whitney Azubah Farnworth
Lemuel Haskell Keziah Fairbank

206

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Joseph Willard
Joseph Atherton

Samuel Haskell
John Priest Jun.
Fourth Seat Below

John Sampson Samuel Meads Jun.
Abel Farnworth Micah Stone
Oliver Sawyer Enoch Huse
Shadrach Hapgood Jun. Jonathan Reed
William Conant Ohver Whetcombe
Abel Davis Joseph Blanchard

Ruth Holden
Sybil Haskell

Jabez Keep
Jonathan Crouch
Benjamin Barnard Jun.
David Crouch
James Burt
John Atherton

Fore Seat in the Side Galary.

Henry Bromfield Esqr.
Jeremiah Priest
Charles Taylor
Aaron Davis
Ephraim Davis
Joseph Knight Jun.
Ephraim Barnard
Phinehas Willard Jun.
Simeon Willard

Joseph Houghton
Elkanah Keyes
Jonathan Stone
Abner Whetcombe
John Crouch
David Stratton

Mathias Farnworth
Samuel Russell
Josiah Wetherbee Jr.
Jotham Whetcombe
Samuel Finney
Joel Stone
Abel Whetcombe
David Sampson
Phinehas Sawyer
Silas Rand
Ambrose Hale
Lemuel Farnworth
Josiah Gates
Simon Cooper
George Conn Jr.

William Park
Zacheus Stevens
Moses Richards
Phinehas Warner

Israel Whitney
James Perry
Widows in the Same
Mary Hale

Estate of Jona Symonds Dec"*.
Stephen Randal Elizabeth Knight
Timothy Phelps Hannah Davis
Elijah Whitney Elizabeth Davis
Jotham Barnard Annis Houghton
Fifth Seat Below
James Robbins
Benjamin Willard
Jonathan Crouch Jun.
Timothy Crouch
Thomas Willard, Jun.
Oliver Sanderson

Jonathan Russell
Zachariah Fletcher
Daniel Forbush
Thomas Wright
Nathaniel Meriam

Sixth Seat Below
Gibson Willard
Samuel Worster
Abraham Johnson
Samuel Cooper Jr.
Side Gallery Pew.
Jonathan Pollard
John Knight
James Whetcombe Jr.
Hezekiah Willard Jr.
Oliver Wetherbee
Isaiah Parker
Nicholas Patterson
John Meads
Ward Safford
Joseph Sawyer Jr.

Jacob Davis
John Farnworth
Asa Haven on the Estate
of Josiah Kent Deceased

Josiah Willard
Colman Sanderson
Isaac Holden
James Pollard
Jacob Whitney
Richard Whitney Jr.
Widows in the same
Rebecca Sampson
Susannah Daby
Mindwell Wentworth

SECOND MEETING-HOUSE.

Second Seat in the Front Gallery

207

Abraham Willard Abijah Worster James Robbins Jr.
Zacheus Dudley Nathan Priest Benjamin Robbins
Elijah Willard Abijah Warner Lemuel Willard Jr.
Oliver Meeds Moses Hale Wilhs Seccomb
All that are above twenty-one years old and not otherwise seated, set
in the second seat in the side gallery. Josiah Whitney ~\
Joseph Atherton [ Committee
December 30, 1774. Simon Daby )
An innovation was effected at a town-meeting July 2, 1779,
presaging the decadence of congregational singing: —
Voted that the singers have liberty to seet in the south end of the
Side Galaries both on the men's and women's side in the short seats as
far as the ally — each sect observing their proper side.
The old meeting-house stood at the rear of the new one
until 1776, when it was sold to the committee of a society
formed by certain inhabitants of Stow, Harvard and Littleton,
for 14^ \(f. 4*. It was removed and re-erected where it has
served the district and town of Boxborough as a meeting
house and town-hall until modern days; having, however,
undergone reconstruction in 1855.
From the records and recollections of the aged we know
that the second meeting-house, in its plan and furnishing,
copied the type of architecture most favored for church uses
in New England at the Revolutionary period. Built when
town and parish were one and supposed to be indivisible, to
accommodate a congregation which embraced the whole
population of Harvard, it was capacious; being sixty-five feet
in length by forty-five feet in width, with twenty-seven foot
studding. It was a plain barn-like structure, without bell
tower or vestibule, its rectangularity unrelieved save by small
porches at the front and the two side entrances, and by two
tiers of windows. The upper windows lighted the galleries
built around the sides and one end. The pulpit was raised
high above the heads of the worshipers, as though to em
phasize the social elevation of the solemn personage in white
bands and black silk gown, who had been set apart and conse-

2o8 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
crated to its occupancy for life. Over it there hung by an
apparently thread-like tenure a cumbrous sounding board,
which it was pretended gave resonance to the pastoral ex
hortations and denunciations, but had the appearance of an
ingenious improvement upon the torture of Damocles; being
a threat more conspicuous and offering less hope of escape.
Between the pulpit and the seats for the congregation was
a space railed in and raised a step above the floor, called the
elders' seat. In one corner of this space stood the baptismal
font; in its centre, the communion table; and on each side
were seats for the aged officers of the church, where on Sun
days they sat together, an awe-inspiring row, in their high-
collared, sabbath-day coats and official gravity of expression,
bearing little resemblance to the linsey-woolsey-frocked farm
ers, and leather-aproned mechanics, into whose common-place
individuality they shrank on week days. To this platform
the minister came down from his desk to conduct the rites of
baptism and the Lord's supper, his dignity there enhanced by
the venerable forms clustered about him. Under dale of
December 5, 1795, is this record:
It was voted that those brethren who have formerly served the church
in the capacity of deacons, namely elder Phinehas Fairbank, elder Sam
uel Mead, elder Oliver Whitney and elder Richard Harris be and they
hence are invited to accept a seat in the elder's pew on our Lord's days,
and on other occasions of public worship as a token of our gratitude and
respect for their having used the office of a deacon well.
The elders, the deacons, the tithing men, were then august
and potential dignitaries, veritable pillars of the sanctuary.
The latter official as he strutted his brief day with knobbed
staff, sleepless vigilance and authoritative frown, has no coun
terpart in modern assemblies save the sergeant-at-arms of
the Great and General Court, and the high sheriff of the
county when on duty; but the tithing man was much more an
autocrat than they in his special domain. None but a New
England tithing man would have dared to halt George Wash
ington upon the highway, and make him excuse himself for
traveling on the sabbath other than toward the meeting
house. Rare qualities were required for the making of a

SECOND MEETING-HOUSE. 209
standard deacon, though an air of calm benignity which noth
ing could ruffie was sometimes allowed to atone for mental
disqualifications. It was a common adage that there was
"good deacon timber always to be found in the Fairbank and
Whitney families," and there has never been any lack of these
in Harvard. The private pews that gradually took the place of com
mon benches were square, and enclosed to a height of three
feet and eight inches from their flooring, so that only the
heads and shoulders of ordinary humanity, when erect, ap
peared above the top railing; and the younger members of
the family could not have seen their playmates in the next
pew but for the fact that the upper ten inches of the sides
were in form an open balustrade. There were plain board
seats upon three sides of each pew, so hinged as to turn up
and leave more standing room for the occupants during pray
ers. In summer time when the windows were open, one
could tell half a mile away the instant that the final amen
put a period to the long prayer, by the slamming of the fall
ing seats, sounding like the straggling musket volley of an
ill-disciplined militia company.
No chimney surmounted the roof, for there was no artifi
cial warmth vouchsafed to the rural church-goer of those
days, except what the housewives could carry in their dimin
utive foot-stoves, or the preacher could impart by his fiery
denunciations of sinners. The first stove for warming the
house was bought by vote of the town September 4, 1821.
Everybody, male and female, young and old, "went to
meeting;" not that attendance was compulsory to the extent
it had been under Puritan discipline one hundred, or even
fifty years earlier; but because everybody wanted to go, to
see and be seen; to hear of the week's happenings; to break
the sombre monotony of six days' routine labor; to feel the
pulse of the world's progress, as well as to satisfy the inborn
or the acquired sense of religious duty. The few minutes'
gossip and exchange of personal inquiry before and after the
two services had to answer all the purposes now subserved
by the newspaper. This was especially the case in Harvard,
we may be sure, it being a thinly-peopled, agricultural town.

210 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
where everybody knew everybody else, and very probably
could claim cousinship in some degree with at least a fourth
part of the congregation. To these hard-handed and hard-
headed yeomen and their goodwives whose daily lives were
an endless struggle with reluctant soil and fickle climate, the
two weekly sermons were almost their only literary recreation,
their chief stimulus to mental activity. At the appointed
hours of service all flocked to the common; afoot, on horse
back riding single and double, and a very few — the rural aris
tocracy — in chairs. To modern eyes the assemblage, could
it be recalled, would seem a strange motley; for individuality
of taste was then uncurbed by any tyranny of fashion, and
there was far less uniformity in color and cut of garments
than now, especially in the masculine half of the congrega
tion. Long scarlet waistcoats with deep pockets, buckskin
breeches, full skirted coats ornamented with glistening steel
buttons, wigs or powdered and queued hair, and paste shoe
buckles were rife. The types of female head gear were
many and quaint. The contrast between the bellows-top calash
or the "poke," in the body seats, and the flaring, beribboned
leghorn bonnet of the squire's wife in the wall pew, was start
ling. The inconvenient and hideous stove-pipe hat and that
sartorial absurdity the swallow-tail coat, so long deemed in
dispensable to respectability on Sunday, came in much later.
Nearly five years elapsed before the installation of a suc
cessor to Mr. Johnson; the delay, it is probable, being mainly
due to the grave financial burdens incident to war. There
were, morever, dissensions in the church. It was during this
period that the Baptists organized a society at Still River,
and the neighborhood meetings in what is now Boxborough
weakened the Harvard congregation. October 15, 1778, the
town voted to hire Deliverance Smith to preach for them
"when Mr. Wallcutt's term, who now preaches for us, be up
according to agreement." In April 1780, Edmund Foster
was asked to fill the vacant pulpit, being offered a salary of one
hundred and twenty pounds per annum, "stated in Indian
Corn at two shillings and eight pence per Bushel and Rye at
four shillings per Bushel." He declined the invitation and
became minister of the adjoining town of Littleton. May 7,

EBENEZER GROSVENOR. 211
1 78 1, Paul Litchfield was favored as a candidate by the church,
but some objections to him existing in the town he was not
called, and was ordained at Carlisle November 7 of that year.
In January 1782, both church and town agreed in seeking the
services of Ebenezer Grosvenor, proposing an annual salary
of .^90 and thirty cords of wood. He had been for seventeen
years the pastor of the church in Scituate, but because of his
" moderate Calvinism " had not given general satisfaction, some
even going so far as to suspect him of Arminianism. He ac
cepted Harvard's invitation May 6, and was installed on the
nineteenth of June; Josiah Whitney, of Pomfret, delivering
the address from Acts xx. 26 and 27 as his text, and Jonathan
Newell, of Stow, Timothy Harrington, of Lancaster, Daniel
Grosvenor, of Grafton, and Joseph Sumner, of Shrewsbury,
sharing the other duties of the day. Mr. Grosvenor was born
in Pomfret, Connecticut, in 1739, and was graduated at Yale
College in 1759. His son Ebenezer, a member of the Senior
Class at Harvard College, was brought home sick with a fever
and died May 15, 1788. The father contracted the same
fever and followed his son to the grave May 28. Though his
ministry in Harvard was so brief, he had greatly endeared
himself to his people. He is described as possessing unusual
personal comeliness and benignity of address, and though not
above the average stature of men, to have had a commanding
presence. He excelled in qualities of the heart, rather than
in pulpit oratory, or mental gifts The town erected to his
memory a monument copied from that over the grave of
Daniel Johnson, the epitaph upon which is:—
To the memory of the
Rev. Ebenezer Grosvenor
late pastor of the Congregational church
in Harvard :
descended from respectable parents | in Promfret Connecticut; ] edu
cated at Yale College | in New Haven; | of such endowments as rendered
him an ornament and blessing | in the various relations which he sus-
ained; | hewas a good Steward in the house of God, | and discharged
the duties of his pastoral office | with prudence & impartiality, care &
fidelity, | he was a man of polite address, | and peculiarly formed for
social hfe, | a tender and loving husband; | an affectionate & kind par
ent, I an agreable friend & pleasing companion; | he was much beloved

212 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
and respected in life, ] in death greatly lamented, | and is we trust receiv
ing the reward of his | labours in the Kingdom of his Lord; | his be
reaved & grateful people have erected | this stone the monument of his
virtues, | & their affection, | He was the beloved pastor of the first church
in Scituate 17 years, | And in Harvard 6.
He died May 28, 1788. | Aged 49.
Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord | for they rest from their
labours & their | works do follow them.
March 28, 1785, the choir won the second step in dignity.
It was voted to make the two hind seats on both sides of the
aisle into pews for the singers. The numerous changes in
the congregation compelled the reseating of the meeting
house in 1786. Deacons Phineas Fairbank and Samuel Mead
on November 28, 1786, resigned their offices because of ad
vanced age and growing infirmities. Amos Fairbank, John
Darby and Isaac Whitney were chosen deacons, but Mr.
Darby refusing to serve, Micah Stone received the office.
Mr. Grosvenor saw forty-seven added to the membership
of his church, baptized one hundred and thirty-seven, offi
ciated at forty-eight marriages and sixty-three funerals.
About two years after his decease, the church voted to extend
a call to his brother Daniel who had filled the pulpit at Graf
ton for many years and subsequently became pastor at Pax
ton. The town seconded the invitation, but with little unan
imity, and the proposal was therefore dropped.
After the pastorate had been vacant for four years, and
numerous candidates had been heard, December 21, 1791, the
church unanimously invited William Emerson, who had been
preaching upon probation, to become their minister, and the
town joined in the call, offering him two hundred pounds as'
a settlement and one hundred pounds as annual stipend. He
signified his acceptance of the position on the ninth of April,
and was ordained on the twenty-third of May, 1792. The
exercises on that day were opened with prayer by Eliphalet
Porter of Boxborough, Ezra Ripley of Concord preached the
discourse from Acts xxvi. 18; Josiah Bridge of East Sudbury
gave the charge; Edmund Foster of Littleton, the right hand
of fellowship; and Moses Adams of Acton made the closing
prayer. Mr. Emerson was born at Concord, Massachusetts,
May 6, 1769, and was a graduate of Harvard College in the

WILLIAM EMERSON.

213

class of 1789. His grandfather, Joseph, his father, William,
and his son, Ralph Waldo Emerson, were also clergymen —
though the latter won his world-wide fame in other fields.
William Emerson was a man of striking personal appearance
and courtly manners; he was methodical in his work, and his
literary abilities were considered extraordinary. His dignity
of demeanor approached to stateliness, if not pomposity, and
was, if we may trust his journal, premeditated; for being
socially inclined he feared lest he might abate too much that
reserve supposed to become his high calling, and records a
resolve "to be more free with my hat and less with my hand."
When exchanging pulpits for a Sunday with his classmate.
Reverend Nathaniel Thayer of Lancaster, as he often did, he
always called to pay his respects to the venerable Reverend
Timothy Harrington. Once during such a visit, noticing that
the aged man was restless in his reclining position, the young
minister in his stately manner stepped forward, saying: "Do
you desire to be lifted up, Mr. Harrington?" "Not by pride,
sir !" was the pointed reply.
The town fixed the minister's salary at S333.30. Mr. Em
erson records that he was "too poor to keep a horse," and he
had no other resources than his stipend, having supported
himself by teaching school previous to his ordination. As a
teacher, his inability to control a fierce temper was a bar to
his success. We learn from his diary that he played upon
the bass-viol, and practiced singing with some of the music-
lovers in his parish, and was a welcome guest at the firesides
of Mrs. Grosvenor, Justice Benjamin Kimball, and Colonel
Henry Bromfield. October 25, 1796, he was married to Ruth,
daughter of John Haskins of Boston, and the couple began
their life together upon the farm which he bought of Mrs.
Elizabeth Grosvenor, widow of his predecessor. "We are
poor and cold," he writes, "and have little meal, and little
wood, and little meat, but, thank God, courage enough." They
took boarders, he taught school and worked upon the farm,
and the town increased his salary, though grumblingly, to
^583- Mr. Emerson had a resonant voice and was an exception
ally fine reader. His discourses and prayers were highly

214

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

elaborated and carefully polished for effective delivery; and
even his grace before meals was a studied rhetorical effort.
Once when a guest of Captain Samuel Ward at a late lunch,
there being besides the bread upon the board some cold beef
and chicken and one little pickerel, Mr. Emerson's grace was : —
" For these fruits of the earth, the air, and the sea.
We give, O Lord ! our thanks to Thee.''
" The fish is so small, Mr. Emerson, that it is hardly worth
praying about," was Captain Ward's comment.
Mr. Emerson's doctrinal views, though not officiously
paraded, unlike those of all his predecessors in the Harvard
pulpit, decidedly favored Arminianism. He from the first
felt cramped and out of place in his little rural parish, and
seems not to have gained the hearty sympathy of his parish
ioners, though they were very proud of his abilities. Early
in 1799 he was invited to preach the Artillery Election ser
mon, and by his popular and graceful oratory won great favor
with influential members of the First Church in Boston, then
seeking a pastor. Finding him not averse to removal from
his seclusion, they addressed the Harvard Church June 17,
expressing their desire to secure his release. The town ob
jected through a committee chosen in town-meeting, but
ended their arguments with a suggestion of money payment
for the inconvenience and loss the town might sustain by the
surrender of their pastor. Mr. Emerson in a long letter to
the town, excused his desire to leave them, stating that upon
the salary paid him he found it impossible to get out of debt.
He adds: —
The ills of poverty, however, are not so great, as those of ecclesiasti
cal dissention. During upwards of forty years the town of Harvard has
been so unhappy as to be distracted, more or less, by various disputes
and opinions and sects in regard to religion and its ministers.
After a few months' negotiation, and the refusal of an
offer of eight hundred dollars made by the city society, the
sum of one thousand dollars was accepted by the Harvard
committee, and Mr. Emerson was honorably dismissed by
ecclesiastical council, September 7, 1799. He preached his

THE BASS VIOL.

215

farewell sermon September 15, and began his duties in Bos
ton the next sabbath.
During Mr. Emerson's residence at Harvard he organized
a social library club, and served as custodian of the books.
September 7, 1795, Deacon Richard Harris resigned his office,
and Israel Whitney was chosen to succeed him on November
4, 1798. Deacons Amos Fairbank and Micah Stone resigned
and were succeeded by Benjamin Kimball and Jacob Fair-
bank. Mr. Emerson received seventy-six to church member- '
ship, baptized one hundred and forty, officiated at sixty-four'
marriages and ninety-four funerals. Sixteen occasional ser
mons by him have been printed, among them one preached
at Harvard July 4, 1794. He died at the early age of forty-
two years. May 12, 181 1.
Mr. Emerson's liking for the bass-viol seems not to have
been shared by the majority of his parishioners. The choir
aided him in its introduction to the meeting-house, but there
was much scowling and shrugging of shoulders among the
elders. They had become reconciled to the fuguing tunes,
and perhaps recognized useful exhilaration to devotion when
treble, bass and alto, in more or less harmonious iteration,
shouted: "Stir up this stew — stir up this stew — stir up this
stupid heart to pray;" but this "fiddling the psalms" was too
much. March 2, 1795, the church "voted that the use of in
strumental music, which has for some time past been toler
ated, be for a time suspended in our public worship on the
Lord's day." A village choir is not prone to undervalue, its
share in the Sunday exercises, and the Harvard minstrels
seem to have resented this interference with their melody.
For some time the congregation had to "do their own sing
ing." The conservatives were not strong enough to prevent
the society from voting, July 5, 1795, to exchange Tate and
Brady's Psalms, which had been in use over forty years, "for
the collection of psalms and hymns edited by the Rev.
Jeremy Belknap^D.D." The choir continued to stand upon
its dignity an^he elders were obstinate, but the voices of the
experts in anthem and fugue were sadly missed by the peo
ple. Finally, in 1797, a town-meeting took the matter in hand,
and appointed a committee to conciliate the aggrieved sing-

2i6 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
ers by offering them, among other concessions, the privilege
of choosing their own leader. After some deliberation the
choir "agreed to carry on as usual, provided they could have
the liberty of bringing in the Bass Viol at the next annual
Thanksgiving." The battle was won, and flute and clarionet
and violin soon joined in, adding to "the witchcraft of har
monic sound," but scandalizing many church-goers to whom
any novelty brought into the house of God was deemed one
of Satan's snares.
The successor of Mr. Emerson in the Harvard pulpit was
Stephen Bemis, a native of Westminster, Massachusetts, born
in 1774, and a graduate of Dartmouth College with the class
of 1798. After serving as tutor for a year, he studied theol
ogy with Reverend Joseph Lathrop D.D. of West Springfield.
January 26, 1801, the church voted to invite him to a settle
ment, and the town seconded the invitation February 16.
He accepted the call on April 27, and was ordained on the
third of June; the clergymen officiating at the ordination
ceremonies being Joseph Lathrop D.D. of West Springfield,
Asaph Rice of Westminster, Phinehas Whitney of Shirley,
Phineas Wright of Bolton and Daniel Chaplin of Groton.
Dr. Lathrop's sermon was printed at the Harvard Press of
Luther Parker. The salary voted Mr. Bemis by the town was
four hundred and sixty dollars and ten cords of oak or wal
nut wood. He bought for his residence the house of his
predecessor. In 1794 an effort was made to have the town build a bell
tower, but without success, and it was not until 1806 that the
meeting-house was furnished with a steeple. This was built
as an addition to the front, and in it was hung, in 1807, the
first bell used in the town for calling the congregation to
gether. The bell was paid for chiefly by private subscription.
The cost of the bell tower — one thousand dollars — was met
by the sale at auction of sixteen pews built in the space that
had been devoted to the choir. Colonel Henry Bromfield
paid one hundred dollars for the first choice: The bidding
for the other pews was spirited, as is shown by the prices ob
tained, and by the bill paid for "liquor at sale of pews —

FAST-DAY SERMON. 217
;^io.25." The singers were thenceforward seated in the front
gallery. Deacons Isaac Whitney and Benjamin Kimball resigned
August 16, 1807. Reuben Whitcomb and Luke Pollard were
chosen to the vacancies October 29. Mr. Bemis resigned the
pastorate April 9, 1813, recording as his reasons for so doing:
"want of adequate health; want of adequate support; want
of unanimity, order and harmony in the society, and as the
result ot all, want of a prospect of usefulness and comfort."
A prolific source of the discord between the pastor and a
large portion of his parish was the political rancor of the
day, although he records that at his coming the church was
"in a divided, broken and discordant state." Mr. Bemis was
an ardent Federalist, and on August 20, 1812, the day ap
pointed by the national government for "public humiliation
and prayer," he took occasion, as did most of the clergymen
of New England, to preach a political sermon. In this dis
course, "complying with an imperious sense of duty," he de
nounced the administration in unsparing terms for declaring
"an unrighteous war" against Great Britain. The Repiibli-
cans, as the administration party then styled themselves,
grew so indignant while listening to his sharp arraignment of
the Jeffersonian policy, that they shuffled their feet vigorously
upon the sanded floor, and in other disorderly ways made
manifest their wrath. The administration men were numer
ically the stronger party in Harvard and they never forgave
Mr. Bemis for his fast-day sermon. In a town-meeting ten
days after its delivery, brief resolutions were offered by a
leading Federalist, Benjamin Kimball, Esq., asserting the free
man's right "at all times and in a becoming manner to ex
press his opinion of men in<.pffice and of their measures, fear
less of threats and menaces," and condemning " all Mobs
whether their fury be directed against the freedom of speech,
or the press, or against the constituted authorities appointed
to execute the laws of their country." These were refused
by a vote of eighty-eight to seventy-three, and sundry acrid
resolves submitted by a committee of the democrats were
passed. These were published in the Boston Patriot for Sep
tember 12, 1812. The committee signing these resolutions

2i8 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
were : Jonathan Symonds, Joseph Wilder, Jr., Moses Whitney,
Stevens Hayward, Ward Safford, Ellis Harlow, Jacob Rob
bins, William Parkhurst, Jr., and Jonathan Beard. The para
graph which closes their angry tirade against political foes
may serve to illustrate the bitterness of feeling existing, and
the rhetorical style often employed at this date in public
wrangles: —
Resolved, That it is with horror and detestation that we behold so
many of the Clergy lending their aid to the vicious and yielding them
selves alway to the insidious schemes of furious demagogues; that these
men and the praying part of the community, who would sooner burn at
the stake than petition Heaven for the prosperity of their country and a
successful termination of the present war, are guilty of the greatest
impiety and merit the disapprobation of every good citizen and insure
the displeasure of Heaven.
At town-meetings November 12, 1812, and January 26, 1813,
the fast-day sermon was the subject of a disorderly and
wrathful debate, and the author of it, who was present, finally
quieted the pandemonium by announcing his readiness to sur
render his pastorate. June 13, 1813, he was dismissed by an
ecclesiastical council with record of their hearty commenda
tion. Mr. Bemis resided in Harvard for the rest of his days,
busying himself with the management of his farm, the home-
-stead of about fifty acres, which he had bought of Reverend
William Emerson, and which had been the home of three of
his predecessors in the Harvard pulpit. Reverend George
Fisher says of Mr. Bemis : "while he did not equal his prede
cessors in his manner of speaking, he was superior to most if
not all of them in natural genius and general scholarship."
He was, in doctrinal belief, a moderate Calvinist. During
his ministry the admissions to the church numbered one hun
dred and three, the baptisms, one hundred and ninety, the
marriages, one hundred and fourteen, the deaths, two hundred
and forty-two. Mr. Bemis died November 11, 1828, aged
fifty-four years.
Warren Fay, who had received his dismissal from the
church in Brimfield two years before, was on November i,
1813, asked to occupy the pulpit left by Mr. Bemis, and on
the twentieth of December accepted the charge. He was

WARREN FAY'S MINISTRY. 219
installed January 26, 1814, when the ordaining sermon was as
signed to Reuben Puffer D.D. of Berlin. Joseph Willard of
Boxborough, Peter Whitney of Northborough, Edmund Fos
ter of Littleton, and James Murdoek of Princeton, took part in
the day's exercises. November 19, 1819, Mr. Fay asked dismis
sion, which was granted by council January 5, 1820, when he
was installed over the First Congregational Church in Charles
town. He added to the Harvard society seventy-five mem
bers, baptized one hundred and thirty-six persons, solemnized
forty-three marriages, and served at one hundred and forty-
six funerals during the seven years of his pastorate. March
9, 1819, Deacon Israel Whitney "having adopted Universalist
views " was dismissed ariid John Hapgood was chosen deacon
in his place. Mr. Fay was born in Northborough, and studied
theology with Samuel Austin of Worcester, after graduation
at Harvard College in 1807. He received the degree of S.T.D.
from Dartmouth College in 1828, and died in 1864. With the
close of Mr. Fay's ministry ended the days of an undivided
Congregational church in Harvard.
At a town-meeting in November 1820, it was voted: —
that the Universalist Society have the proportionate part of the meeting
house for one year, and that the assessors of the town be a committee to
make an estimate for the purpose.
In January, 1821, certain members of the church claiming
to represent "the Congregational Society," petitioned for in
corporation, that 'they might " transact their parochial con
cerns distinct from the concerns of the town;" complaining
that in 1819 members of other religious societies in Harvard,
though exempted by certificate from paying tithe to the first
parish, had opposed the granting of a salary to Mr. Fay; and
that in 1820, after the dismissal of Mr. Fay, they had voted
the use of the meeting-house to the Universalists, and also
claimed for the benefit of the whole town the ministerial
fund of one thousand dollars which had been granted in
1799 to the Congregational society by the Boston church.
This petition was signed by Jonathan Beard, Salmon Whit
ney and John Hapgood " for the church." The town entered
formal remonstrance against granting the petition, through a
15

220 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
committee consisting of Benjamin Kimball, Esq., Joseph
Willard, Ephraim Hinds, Esq., Aaron Whitney and Reverend
Stephen Bemis. In their statement it was alleged that the
petitioners were not the First Congregational Church, but
"only an association of sectarians;" that Mr. Fay after his
settlement had greatly modified his theological views and
"became a violent advocate of Hopkinsianism, and by his
great zeal to make proselytes to his faith was the occasion
of about seventy withdrawing from the society and associat
ing with other denominations of christians;" that the pews
were now mostly in possession of those opposed to the peti
tioners, not over one-fourth part of them being the property
of those asking for incorporation. • It was moreover sug
gested that the controversy was one for the courts to decide
rather than the legislature. The petitioners failed to attain
their object.
Differences of doctrinal belief were rife from the days of
Mr. Seccomb's great revival. A member of the parish, how
ever, who did not shirk his tithes and attended all sabbath
observances with decent regularity, was rarely subjected to
discipline for peculiar religious views, unless they were alto
gether heterodox, or noisily proclaimed to the disturbance of
church order. It was a deeply religious age and community,
and men held to their creed with great tenacity; but with a
spirit of tolerance and a respect for private judgment, which
we sadly miss not only in the early days of the New England
Puritan churches, but also at that later period when schisms
elevated what had been considered non-essential differences
into sacred dogmas. Even the consecrated teachers, who
were autocrats within their spheres, varied in their theologi
cal convictions, as has been told, through all the gradations
from rigid Calvinism to downright Arminianism; and though
not without creating more or less confusion and strife in the
parish, without dividing it. The defection of the Still River
Baptists in the days of the Revolution had not greatly dis
turbed or weakened the church, for the seceders were very
few, and their society drew much of its strength from other
towns. The Shakers were persecuted not for their heresies,
but because suspected to be tories, and for their flagrant dis-

THE BAPTIST SOCIETY. 221
turbance of family and social order. With the possession
of political freedom came increased liberty of thought and
much scepticism. The whole people were growing into new
theologies through rebellion against the monarchical princi
ples that attached to the theology which was their inheri
tance. Liberal views had long been gaining ground in the
Harvard congregation, until, in 1820, those bound to a stricter
Calvinistic faith resolve'd to withdraw and set up a tabernacle
for themselves. This secession was a serious one, rending
the society into two nearly equal parts.
III. THE STILL RIVER BAPTIST CHURCH.
It has been alleged, and it is not an unreasonable supposi
tion, that Henry Willard and his sons, the first settlers at Still
River, imbibed Baptist theological views from liis mother,
Mary Dunster the third wife of Major Simon Willard. She
was a member of the family of Henry Dunster, the first presi
dent of Harvard College, who was compelled to lay down
that office because openly a sympathizer with the Anabap
tists. There was certainly no very uncharitable feeling in the
first Harvard church towards the believers in that creed, for
in Mr. Seccomb's records we find this entry: "Dec^ 5, 1742.
At a Meeting of the Brethren, Voted — Daniel Peirce (of the
Anabaptist perswasion) to occasional Communion with us."
There appears, however, to have been no attempt rnade by
those in Harvard who inherited the Baptist belief to form a
separate society until June 27, 1776, when fourteen persons
associated themselves as a church. They were : Stephen
Gates, Tarbel Willard, Dr. Isaiah Parker, William Willard,
Jr., Josiah Willard, Joseph Stone, Ruth Kilburn, Sarah Wil
lard, Elizabeth Gates, Huldah Edes, Sarah Kilburn, Jemima
Blanchard, Rachel Willard, Annis Willard.
Dr. Isaiah Parker had studied for the medical profession
under the noted Thomas Green M.D., founder and first elder
of the Baptist church at Greenville, Leicester, Mass.; and
had embraced the theological views of his instructor. He
was chosen to lead the Sunday services of the new church
and in 1778 was ordained its pastor under an ancient elm

222 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
that stood near the house of Tarbel Willard, which is that
now occupied by Mark A. Farnsworth. Dr. Samuel Still
man of Boston preached the sermon on that occasion. A
"Covenant and Doctrine of Faith" bears the date, September
3, 1788. Dr. Parker's meagre records of his pastorate are
preserved, but they yield few facts of historic value, being
for the most part minutes relating to cases of church disci
pline. Although such records paint hi bright colors the rul
ing passions of the hour and place, and serve to show the
boilings in society, they can be given small space here.
Joseph Stone and William Willard were the first deacons.
On December 2, 1782, it was voted to choose three more, and
Josiah Willard, Lemuel Willard and William Wilder were
elected. The last named declined to serve. Deacon William
Willard was accused of excessive use of strong drink, and
finally excommunicated February 21, 1791. The fact that
Ann Lee was a disturbing presence in the neighborhood dur
ing 1 78 1-2 is given no special mention in the records, but the
church was greatly troubled thereby, and ultimately excluded
some of its members for embracing the Shaker doctrines —
among them Ebenezer Pratt and his wife. Business difficul
ties and a serious disagreement with Deacon Josiah Willard
much detracted from the pastor's influence in the latter years
of his ministry. The records state that the society then was
"in a very broken situation. There were divisions and con-
tentions.in the Church, to such a degree, that we had neglected
Communion for the space of several years." Early in 1798,
Dr. Parker asked dismission, which seems to have been re
fused atjfirst, but the church at length acceded to his desire to
call another to lead in the sabbath exercises, and it was by his
invitation that Elder George Robinson of Bridgewater came
to the service of the society.
During the twenty-two years that Dr. Parker presided over
the Still River church, one hundred and seventy-four mem
bers were added to those in the foundation. Besides the de
fections caused by the preaching of Ann Lee and the Shaker
elders, Universalist doctrines gained several converts in the
community. A more serious schism arose in 1801, originat
ing in the hostility of Deacon Lemuel Willard and others to

DOCTOR ISAIAH PARKER.

223

Mr. Robinson. The controversy ended in the excommuni
cation of Deacon Willard. In consequence of this action of
the church, fifteen others, including Dr. Isaiah Parker, with
drew in 1802 from its fellowship. In 1804, two discourses
preached by Dr. Parker upon " The Final State of the Human
Race," were printed "by particular desire," at the press in
Still River, by his son Sewall Parker. In an advertisement
to the pamphlet he says : —
As I have heretofore preached the doctrine of partial salvation, and
now embrace the doctrine of the salvation of all men, as an honest man,
I am not unwilling but consider it a duty to let my bosom friends and ac
quaintances know my present state of mind, and the reasons by which I
am determined.
Dr. Parker served the town as one of its representatives
in the legislature of 1806. He seems to have been a busy,
energetic man, possessed of fair abilities and culture. He for
a time held a large landed estate, having bought of Elias
Haskell the farm adjoining the meeting-house lot upon the
north, and other lands in Still River; but at the date of his
removaj from town he was financially embarrassed and "un
der a cloud." He was the son of Aaron Parker of Westford,
born November 13, 1752, and married Sibyl Willard, February
20, 1773, by whom he had twelve children born in Harvard.
He went to Cavendish, Vermont, it is said in 1806, and his first
wife dying June 23, 1820, he there married a second, Betsey
Whitcomb. She was a young woman — born in 1791 — and
bore him two children — Betsey Miranda in 1823, and Isaiah
Whitcomb, in 1832. He was eighty years of age at the birth
of the last, and lived until his ninety-sixth year, dying Janu
ary 16, 1848.
The first building used for their Sunday services by the
Baptist society stood upon the site of the present meeting
house until 1832, when it was moved across the highway and
converted into a parsonage. It was originally the first meet-
house of Leominster, which after serving that town for over
thirty years was sold at auction, torn down and rebuilt at Still
River. But seven churches of the Baptist denomination preceded
this in Worcester County, and for many years it held a very

224 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
prominent position in the association by reason of the num
ber of its communicants and the influence of its elders. Its
missionary work in the neighboring towns in time made it a
mother of churches. It claims tp have planted, or nourished
the seed from which grew the Baptist societies of Acton,
Ayer, Bolton, Clinton, Fitchburg, Leominster, Littleton, West
Boylston and West Townsend. The inheritors of Puritan
traditions looked askance at the proselyting spirit of those
they stigmatized as "itinerant and disorderly ministers," and
sometimes their disfavor showed itself in ruder fashion than
the shrugging of shoulders and sarcastic comment; but the
zeal that was well-balanced and regardful of other's rights
rarely failed of due tolerance, if not honored with respect.
In the spring of 1799, Elder George Robinson brought his
family to Still River, and soon after bought of Samuel and
William Haskell the farm now owned 'by Elisha B. Stone.
His services as pastor continued until 1812, when he resigned.
Ephraim Emerson was made a deacon August 23, 1803, and
Deacon Joseph Stone, being accused of a neglect of diaconal
duty, of intimacy with Dr. Isaiah Parker, of showing a
litigious spirit, and of unjustly persecuting John Mycall, was
expelled from church fellowship January i, 1808. The nature
of the persecution of his neighbor is not described, but it re
sulted in Mycall's departure from town.
Benjamin W. Willard, who was chosen chorister in 1802,
acted as scribe for the church during the whole of Mr. Rob
inson's ministry. His neatly kept records afford evidence
that the church was an earnest and aggressive force in the
community. Those unable to justify their business methods
by bible precepts found it unpleasantly aggressive. The
apathetic had no peace in its ranks. There was of course in
its exhortations a deal of hair-splitting and a constant thresh
ing of old straw. It exercised an espionage too intrusive to
be long endurable in a protestant-republican neighborhood,
and its judgments and discipline were often harsh; but the
church was an alert militant power, coercing the sinner who
would not be coaxed, and always battling sin in all its
shapes without refinement of tactics. Mr. Robinson was born
in Attleborough, Massachusetts, November 23, 1754, and was

ABISHA SAMSON.

225

ordained at Killingly, Connecticut, in 1776. After leaving
Harvard he preached for several years at Wilmington, Ver
mont, and Guilford, Connecticut, but being crippled by an
accident he came to Lancaster to pass the closing years of
his life with a son. There he died September 15, 1847, ^t
the age of ninety-three years.
Elder Abisha Samson from Tisbury succeeded Mr. Robin
son, preaching his first sermon here August 9, 1812. Septem
ber 13, he was invited to the pastoral charge, and on Decem
ber 12, "was publicly recognized as Pastor of this church;
sermon by himself from Rom. i. 16, Elder George Robinson
gave the right hand of fellowship." December 27, 1812,
Richard Haven of Bolton was chosen a deacon, and in Au
gust 1819, Levi Howard and Charles Chace, Jr., of the south
district in Lancaster, were elected to the same oflSce. Mr.
Chace is yet living, having served in the diaconal office for
over seventy years. During 18 19, Mr. Samson was influential
in organizing the Worcester Baptist Association, and he was
chosen president of the annual convention for more years
succe'ssively than any man who has held that position. The
covenant was revised and parish organization effected in
February 1822. The same year probably marks the introduc
tion of a stove in the meeting-house; the committee chosen
to make some needed repairs being instructed to build a
"chimblie through the roof to receive the stove funell." 'Feb
ruary 5, 1822, thirty-four members were dismissed for the
purpose of forming a Baptist church in Littleton which was
organized March 14. Benjamin W. Willard, who for twenty
years had been the clerk and chorister of the Still River so
ciety, had been preaching as a licentiate at Littleton for sev
eral months. In 1824 it was recorded that there were one
hundred and eleven members in good standing on the Still
River church books. The pastor was employed year by year,
and the money for his salary was always raised by voluntary
subscription. The Sunday-school Association dates its organization from
May 1827, when a small sum of money was collected and
books bought for the foundation of a Sunday-school library.
The same month several members resident at Townsend

226 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
were dismissed to aid in the establishment of a church there.
Mr. Samson's service with the Still River society ended
with May 1832, but he continued in the ministry until 1840,
at Southborough. In 1844, after a brief residence in Wor
cester, being blind and infirm, he went to pass his remaining
days with his son George Whitefield Samson D.D., then pres
ident of Columbian College, He died at Washington, D. C,
in June 1861.
From June to December 1832, the pulpit was occupied by
Benjamin Manning, licentiate. September 2, 1832, Deacon
Richard Haven and twenty-three others, residents of Bolton,
were formally dismissed to found a church in that town.
The council at that time refused its consent to the organiza
tion, however, and most of the twenty-four were restored to
membership. Mr. Manning was solicited to remain as pastor
with the society, but ill health forbidding his acceptance of
the charge, John Ellis Lazell, a native of Bellingham, edu
cated at Washington college, was unanimously called to the
pulpit in September and was installed December 12, 1832.
The sermon of the day was by E. W. Freeman of Lowell.
Mr. Lazell, after a service of but few weeks' duration, was
disabled by serious illness, and his ministerial duties were per
formed by students from the Newton Theological Institution.
His resignation was accepted in August 1833, and he died not
long after.
October 22, 1832, it was voted to build a new meeting
house, and to locate it upon the site of the old one, but a few
feet nearer the street. The money for the purpose was soon
raised by private subscription and the house erected. A bell
was also purchased by individuals and presented to the
society. It is said to be one that for many years hung in the
belfry of Harvard Hall at Cambridge.
Benjamin Herbert Hathorne of Salem, a graduate of
Brown University in the class of 1830 and of the Newton
Theological Institution, was asked to occupy the vacant pul
pit after he had preached several weeks upon probation, and
accepting the invitation was ordained in the new meeting
house December 11, 1833. His resignation dated January
1835, was thought to be inspired by depression consequent

BAPTIST SOCIETY. 227
upon the death of a lady whom he expected would soon be
come his wife. He died at Lynn in September 1837.
Moses Curtis, who had been pastor of churches at Canton,
Medfield and Chicopee Falls, was called to the pulpit thus
made vacant, his salary being stated at four hundred and fifty
dollars per annum. He rendered faithful and profitable ser
vice at Still River for seven years, 1835-1842, when he re
moved to Belchertown. Mr. Curtis was born at Stoughton
July 2, 1795. Though not a graduate of collegiate or theo
logical institution he had obtained a good education, and for
several years had charge of one of the public schools of Provi
dence, Rhode Island. He was ordained in 1830. After leav
ing Harvard he was settled over several churches for from
two to seven years each, and finally retired to his Belchertown
home, where he died August 26, 1874.
Clark Sibley of Mansfield, a member of the class of 1829
in Amherst College, became pastor of the church in April
1842, and remained in Still River until April 1850, receiving a
salary of three hundred and fifty dollars and the use of the
parsonage. During Mr. Sibley's pastorate the Second Ad
vent excitement reached its height and somewhat interfered
with the work and regular progress of the society. He is lov
ingly remembered as a meek and gentle-mannered Christian.
He died of a cancerous affection March 28, 1853, at the age
of fifty-two years.
Charles M. Willard from FitzwiUiam, New Hampshire, suc
ceeded Mr. Sibley. He received a, salary of five hundred
dollars and the use of the parsonage. A strangely bitter dis
sension arose in 1855-6 between certain influential members
of the church and the pastor, caused by his employing as
family physician one who was fancifully described by the
leader of those disaffected, the clerk of the society, William
Bowles Willard, as "a villain of the deepest and darkest
kind." The pastor was constrained to ask dismission Sep
tember 29, 1856, and removed to Eastport, Maine. Mr. Wil
lard was esteemed one of the ablest ministers who have oc
cupied the Still River pulpit, and amid the bickerings that
finally drove him from his parish he bore himself with becom
ing dignity and Christian forbearance. He was born in Ster-

228 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
ling, Massachusetts, in 1815, and was fitted for the ministry
at the Hamilton Institution, New York. He died of paraly
sis November 12, 1877, at Suffield, Connecticut. In the early
days of Mr. Willard's pastorate at Still River, the church re
ceived from Dr. Ephraim Stone bequests amounting to one
thousand dollars, which by his instructions must be kept as
a permanent fund, the interest of which is devoted to the sup
port of the Baptist ministry in Harvard. To this fund were
shortly added gifts of Widows Amy Adams and Eleanor
Willard, one hundred dollars each, consecrated to the same
object. For a twelve-month after Mr. Willard's departure the
society heard several ministers for brief terms. Among these
were F. G. Brown, Timothy G. Tingley, Joseph M. Rockwood
and Lester Williams. The last two were in turn invited to a
settlement, but declined. June 7, 1857, John H. Lerned was
called to the pastorate and accepted the service. His minis
trations ceased here with March i860.
Andrew Dunn, a native of Gardner, born June 15, 181 3,
and a graduate of the Newton Theological Institution in the
class of 1842, succeeded Mr. Lerned and remained at Still
River three years. Mr. Dunn's previous service had been at
Winchendon 1842-1852, Holden 1853, North Bridgewater
1854, Weymouth 1854-1858, Chatham 1859-1860. He left
Harvard for East Gloucester in 1863. He is now living in
Royalston. Leonard Tracy occupied the pulpit from July 1863 to July
1868. During 1867 a vestry, twenty-two by thirty-two feet,
was built upon the east end of the meeting-house, and the
audience room was renovated throughout, the work being paid
for by a general subscription. Mr. Tracy was one in whom
rare mental and physical qualities combined to win respect
and popular esteem. He was tall, dignified in manner, but
genial and socially inclined. He died at East Bethel, Ver
mont, November 21, 1869. He was born at Tunbridge, Ver
mont, May 23, 1802, and before coming to Harvard .had held
pastoral relations to churches in Claremont, New Hampton
and Keene, New Hampshire; West Boylston, Massachusetts;
Whitehall, New York; and Burlington, Vermont. Upon Mr.

BAPTIST SOCIETY. 229
Tracy's dismissal, John H. Lerned for a second time assumed
charge of the church, remaining a single year, and giving
place to William Leach from Carver early in 1870.
Mr. Leach was born in Shutesbury, Massachusetts, in Au
gust 1803, and studied for two years at the Newton Theolog
ical Institution. He was ordained at Paterson, New Jersey,
in 1840, and had held pastorates at Omaha, Nebraska, and sev
eral places in Massachusetts, before he came to Harvard. He
died at Still River after a long and painful illness having its'
origin in a fall, March 31, 1871, and twelve days later his wife
was laid in the grave beside him. During 1870 William
Bowles Willard presented an organ to the church.
John Wilson Dick entered upon the duties of pastor here
July I, 1871, and removed to Woodstock, Connecticut, in July
1873. Mr. Dick was a native of Paisley, Scotland, born July
2, 1832, and as sailor and mechanic had seen more of the
world than most when licensed to preach in i860. Before
coming to Still River he had preached at East Providence,
and he afterwards held pastorates in most of the New Eng
land States. He died at Salisbury Beach, New Hampshire,
August 12, 1889, being stricken with heart disease.
Daniel Round, then and now of Norfolk, Massachusetts,
was unanimously called and entered the Still River pulpit
April I, 1874. March 16, 1875, Charles H. Haskell and Mark
A. Farnsworth were elected deacons, but the former declined
to serve, and Emroy Farmer was then chosen. The one hun
dredth anniversary of the church organization was celebrated
June 27, 1776, with exercises appropriate to such a festival,
calling together from near and far away the children of the
church and their kin. During the morning hours religious
exercises were held in the meeting-house, which was elabor
ately decorated. The centennial discourse was by George
W. Samson D.D., a native of Harvard, son of the third pastor
of the parish. It has been preserved in print, but unfortu
nately Mr. Samson gave small space to local story, and proof
of haste is too evident in that portion of his essay. In the
afternoon the guests were received in a tent upon the grounds
of Elisha D. Stone, where after the enjoyment of a collation,
they listened to addresses and reminiscences. Three or four

230 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
aged men were present whose recollections of Dr. Isaiah
Parker, the first pastor, added much to the historical interest
of the celebration.
Mr. Round closed his labors at Still River September 28.
1879, when he became pastor of the Nantucket Baptist
society. Before his Harvard experience he had preached at
Nantucket, Pawtucket, Cohoes, New York, East Providence
and Wrentham. He is a native of Scituate, Rhode Island,
born October 31, 1816, and was ordained in September 1839.
He acted as superintendent of the public schools in Harvard
1876-1879. William Read followed Mr. Round, entering upon his pul
pit ministrations at Still River November 16, 1879. Deacon
Mark A. Farnsworth resigned his office July i, 1880, when
Charles H. Haskell was elected to succeed him. Mr. Read
was dismissed July 26, 1885, and has since been pastor of the
Coldbrook Baptist society of Barre. He was the son of
John and Sally (Freeman) Read, born November 10, 1825, in
Barrington, Rhode Island. He had before 1879 preached for
several years in Maine and New Hampshire and held pastor
ates in Gardner and Littleton. He has two sons, both cler
gymen. James F. Morton supplied the pulpit during 1886. Charles
M. Bowers, D. D., of Clinton was solicited by the society to
become their minister, but declined. William Henry Evans,
the present pastor, whose engagement began the first sab
bath of December, 1887, came here from the North Oxford
church. He was born in Cheltenham, England, November
9, 1831, is a graduate of Harvard College in the class of
1855, ^"^ received his theological education at the Newton
Institution with the class of 1858.
Miss Elizabeth W. Chace, who died June 10, 1888, attested
her life-long interest in the society by the following clause of
her will : —
I give and bequeath the sum of one thousand dollars to the Massa
chusetts Baptist State Convention to be held in trust for the Baptist
Church in Still River. If said church shall at any time cease to exist it
shall be the property of said Convention.
February 23, 1891, died William Bowles Willard, who for

UNITARIAN SOCIETY. - 231
fifty-seven years had been clerk of the society and annually
contributed from his ample means a large portion of the run
ning expenses of the church. His will provided for a con
tinuance of aid from his estate : —
Fifth — I give to the Clerk, Deacons and Treasurer of the Baptist
Church in Still River in said Harvard, and to their successors in said
offices, two thousand dollars in trust for the uses following, to invest and
keep the same invested in good real estate mortgages and to pay the net
interest and increase thereof for the support of preaching the Gospel in
said church, such payments to be made semi-annually so long as said
church remains in fellowship with the Baptist Convention in the State of
Massachusetts and upon its ceasing to be in fellowship with said Conven
tion to pay over said principal sum and all accumulation thereof to said
Massachusetts Baptist State Convention for its own use forever.
In March 1891, Silas B. Haynes was chosen deacon.
IV. THE UNITARIAN SOCIETY.
The pulpit of the First Congregational Church — now known
as the Unitarian society — had no stated supply for more than
two years after the dismissal of Warren Fay. In August,
1822, Ira Henry Thomas Blanchard casually occupied it for a
few sabbaths, though not with intent to offer himself as a
candidate. His service was so pleasing to the society that
he received a unanimous invitation to remain as their pastor.
He accepted, and was ordained January i, 1823, on which oc
casion John Thornton Kirkland, president of Harvard Col
lege, preached the sermon. Mr. Blanchard was born at Wey
mouth, September 9, 1797. He was the classmate of George
Bancroft, Caleb Cushing and George B. Emerson, graduating
in 1817. After leaving college he taught at the South as a
private tutor for a year, and then entered the Theological
Seminary at Andover. After a year's study, he accepted a
tutorship at Harvard College. He entered upon his duties
as pastor with intelligent zeal, instituting a Sunday-school,
founding a parish library, and taking an active interest in
every work calculated to benefit church or community. His
health, frail at its best, frequently failed, leaving him inca
pacitated for any labor. His preaching was peculiarly impres
sive, but rather because of his earnestness and evident sin-

232

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

cerity, than by reason of oratorical pretention or rhetorical
embellishment. He was married May 30, 1825, to Margaret
Bromfield, the daughter of Eliphalet Pearson, L.L.D., who
had recently become a resident in Harvard. In November
1826, alarming illness compelled him to seek rest and change
of climate. His people refused to accept his resignation so
long as there seemed any hope that they might again enjoy
his ministrations among them, but new complications aggra
vating his disease, his connections with the church were
finally severed April 13, 1831. A temporary return of strength
enabled him to preside over a §mall parish in South Natick
from 1835 to 1840, when he removed to Weymouth, where his
life, distinguished for its fidelity to duty through long years
of suffering and weakness, ended April 9, 1845.
The disposition of the income of the ministerial fund
which dates its origin from the bargain with Boston's First
Church in 1799, stirred bitter discussion in the town. The
fund had increased to about eighteen hundred dollars in 1824,
when a majority in town-meeting ordered the accumulated
interest to be distributed "among all the inhabitants of the
town that belonged to the Congregational Society when the
fund was given." Upon this, the Unitarian society brought
suit for the income, and obtained judgment in their favor.
Ultimately by an act of the General Court dated April iS,
1838, the town was released from its trusteeship, and paid
over the fund to the deacons of the First Parish.
February 4, 1831, the church invited Washington Gilbert,
who had been with them upon probation for a few weeks, to
become their pastor. He consented and was ordained April
13. For twenty-four years he was the spiritual guide of the
society. He inspired general respect and confidence, al
though rather by worth and dignity of character and his
stern observance of Christian duty, than by affability in his
pastoral relations; for he was not gifted with winning man
ners. He was married May 23, 1833, to Achsah, the eldest of
the eight daughters of Honorable Stephen P. Gardner of
Bolton. They had two daughters, one dying in infancy and
the other, though married, dying childless. Mr. Gilbert was
born March 18, 1800, in Atkinson, New Hampshire. His

WASHINGTON GILBERT.

233

father was an Englishman, claiming descent from Sir Hum
phrey Gilbert; and John Gibbs Gilbert, the noted actor, was
the son of his oldest brother. His mother, Mary Belknap,
was the daughter of an officer of the Revolution, Lieutenant
Ezekiel Belknap, who died in 1836, nearly one hundred and
one years of age. This was not a rare length of days in the
Belknap family, for the lieutenant's father died at the age of
ninety-nine years and five months, his grandfather at the age
of ninety-five, his grandmother aged one hundred and six
years and eleven months, an uncle one hundred and one years,
and four of his aunts, it is said, attained one hundred years
each. Mr. Gilbert was graduated at Williams College with
the class of 1826, and received his theological education at
the Cambridge Divinity School in the class of 1829. His
relations with the Harvard church ended April 13, 1855. He
shortly after removed to West Newton, where he had pastoral
care of the Unitarian society for two years. He died there
January 5, 1879.
The meeting-house which had served the town and an un
divided parish from the days of the Revolution was of too
generous dimensions for that moiety of the worshipers
who retained possession of it for weekly services, and being
sadly out of repair, it was torn down in 1 840 to make way for
a neat wooden structure of much more modest proportions.
Such portion of the old material as was found suitable was
utilized in the new edifice, work upon which began in March.
The new pews were appraised in October, 1840.
Mr. Gilbert ever retained a deep interest in the welfare of
Harvard and its people. Indeed the last year of his life was
chiefly devoted to them, for he spent much of his time in the
work of establishing the Bromfield School, of which the
founder had by her will made him a trustee. By request of
his Harvard parish, he published two sermons : one upon
The Connection of Religion and Morality, in 1831, the other
upon The Law of Liberty, in 1834. In an obituary by a
brother clergyman, it was said of him that though "he never
shone in conspicuous position, or won prizes of elocution or
scholarship, his industry in all pastoral and public duty, his
sincere faithfulness and entire devotion to the religion of

234 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
which he was so long a teacher deserve most honorable men
tion." William Gustavus Babcock was installed as Mr. Gilbert's
successor November i8, 1855. He came from Lunenburg,
where he had occupied the Unitarian pulpit for about six
years. He remained in Harvard a single year, leaving to take
charge of the First Church at South Natick. Mr. Babcock
wasborn at Milton, Massachusetts, June I, 1820, was graduated
at Harvard College in 1841, and at the Cambridge Divinity
School in 1844. He is now pastor of the Appleton Street
Free Chapel, Boston.
William Augustus Whitwell supplied the Unitarian pulpit
in Harvard from 1857 to 1861. He was a native of Boston,
born January 10, 1804. He died at Chestnut Hill, Newton,
February 10, 1865, leaving a widow, but no children. He was
a graduate of Harvard College, belonging to the class of 1824,
and of the Cambridge Divinity School in the class of 1827.
Previous to his Harvard pastorate he had been minister over
the Unitarian societies of Walpole, N. H., Rochester, N. Y.,
HaUowell, Calais and Houlton, Maine, Wilton, N. H., and
Easton, Mass. Though not a man of brilliant parts, Mr.
Whitwell had many estimable qualities which won the affec
tion of all with whom he had relations. As a personal friend
says of him: "He was a good man and true; simple as a
child, but strong in faith, hope and love."
Henry Harvey Barber was born at Warwick, Mass., Decem
ber 30, 1835. He was educated for his profession at the
Meadville Theological Seminary, graduating in 1861. Octo
ber 24 of that year he was ordained over the Harvard parish.
In 1866 he became pastor of the Unitarian church at Somer
ville. In 1884 he was appointed Professor of the History and
Philosophy of Religion at the Meadville Seminary.
Jefferson Myers Fox was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania,
December 5, 1831. He received his education at Hobart Col
lege and the Meadville Theological Seminary, graduating at
the latter institution in 1861. Hewas ordained pastor over
the Unitarian church at Trenton, New Jersey, October 7, 1862,
and installed at Harvard, March 27, 1867. His pastorate here
was a brief one, ending abruptly.

DANIEL E. GODDARD. 235
Daniel Francis Goddard, the successor of Mr. Fox, was
called to the parish in 1870 from Revere. He occupied the
Harvard pulpit for ten years. Mr. Goddard was a native of
Plymouth, Massachusetts, where he was born November 29,
1827. He entered Amherst College, but left at the end of two
years, his life plans having been materially changed by the
death of his parents. He prepared himself for the ministry
under the guidance of Reverend Russell Tomlinson, a clergy
man of the Universalist denomination, and was ordained pas
tor of a Universalist society in Boston, whose house of wor
ship was then upon Shawmut avenue. Upon leaving Boston,
he preached in Chelsea for a time, as an Independent. He
next became pastor of the Unitarian society in Weymouth,
where he remained four years. He then presided over the
Petersham church for three years, when he entered upon an
engagement at Revere. Upon leaving Harvard he took a
brief rest, but soon accepted a settlement at Chelmsford,
where he died July 13, 1883.
Mr. Goddard was greatly respected and esteemed, both for
his rare intellectual gifts and his spotless character. As a
pulpit orator he was dignified in manner, fluent, and skilled
in clothing his ideas with befitting rhetorical expression.
Sound scholarship and refined taste shone conspicuously in
his discourses. He possessed a choice library; especially rich
in works upon metaphysics and mystic theology, which were
his favorite studies. Perhaps the pulpit teachings of the
preacher were sometimes so exalted by his spiritualistic sym
pathies that they failed to reach all the pews, but the daily
life and conversation of the man were a benediction felt by
the whole community.
In 1871 an organ was presented to the society by Enoch
Perkins, and at the same date a gift from Edward Lawrence
of Charlestown so increased the organ fund that the annual
income suffices for the salary of an organist. Sunday, Feb
ruary 7, 1875, the meeting-house was destroyed by fire. Very
little was saved from the flames, though the bell remains in
use, slightly injured in tone. During the building of a new
meeting-house, the Sabbath services of the church were held
in the town-hall. The energy and judgment of Mr. Goddard
16

236

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

were influential in planning and pushing to completion the
present tasteful and well-proportioned edifice, the fourth upon
its site, which was dedicated January 11, 1876. The clock in
its tower was a gift to the town from Warren Hapgood.
By the death of Margaret (Bromfield) Blanchard in 1876,
the church received a generous bequest, provided for in this
clause of her will dated 1871 : —
 Third. I give and bequeath to the First Congregational Society in
Harvard, two thousand dollars, in trust, nevertheless, to hold and keep
the same invested in safe and productive securities, real or personal, and
to apply the interest and profits arising therefrom, semi-annually, in aid
of the support of a Christian pastor therein.
Enoch Perkins died at the City Hospital in Boston April
20, 1880, at the age of eighty-three years. He came to Har
vard in 1820, and as a trader won a considerable fortune. By
his will, after sundry legacies, the estate was left in trust, the
annual income being devoted to the support and comfort of
his only daughter, Julia Ann Perkins, and in case of her de
cease without issue this income was willed to two nieces dur
ing life. The First Parish in Harvard was designated as
residuary legatee. By the death of the daughter in 1881, the
termination of the trust now depends upon the lives of the
nieces who survive. The value of it by a recent appraisal
was about forty thousand dollars.
Upon the loss of Mr. Goddard the parish employed Alfred
Edgar Mullett, who was acting pastor of the church during
two years, delivering his farewell sermon the last Sabbath of
March 1882.
October 3, 1881, the aged Deacon Jonathan Fairbank died
at his home in the East Bare Hill district. He had held the
office of deacon for fifty-eight years, being the fifth of his
family in succession to wear that title in the First Church.
He was born December 29, 1788, in the neighborhood where
he died. He was a skilful cabinet-maker, but also an ener
getic farmer, having bought in 1821 the Gates estate which
adjoined his birthplace. Deacon Fairbank's first wife, Han
nah Howard of Bolton, died in March, 1819, two years after
their marriage. Sally HartweU became his wife in Septem
ber 1820, and they lived a happy life together during fifty-six

UNITARIAN SOCIETY.

237

years — until her death in 1876. Of four children, only one,
Daniel HartweU Fairbank, survived him. Deacon Fairbank
was one of Harvard's most useful and honored citizens. He
was a captain in the militia during the war of 1812.
During 1882, three deacons were chosen: Abner Barnard,
Andrew Fairbank and Luke Whitney. The last two declining
to serve, Holden Harlow was elected. After hearing several
candidates, in July of 1882 the society invited Rushton Dash-
wood Burr to occupy the pulpit for a year. So brief an en
gagement not being acceptable to Mr. Burr, the vacancy was
temporarily supplied until the instalment of Edward Bart
lett Maglathlin November 22, 1882, at which the ordaining
sermon was by the venerable William Phillips Tilden of Bos
ton. Mr. Maglathlin's ministry at Harvard closed in April
1885, when he removed to Somerville for the convenience of
pursuing professional study at Cambridge. Mr. Maglathlin
received the degree of A.B. from Antioch College in 1844.
The next occupant of the Unitarian pulpit was William
Henry Reeby, a graduate of the Harvard Divinity School in
the class of 1876, ordained 1878. He came to Harvard in
1885 ^^'^ served the society for two years, when being dis
missed he abandoned the clerical profession for journalism,
and after a brief residence at Harvard and Ayer, removed to
Colorado. By the will of Honorable Edward Lawrence, who died in
Charlestown in 1885, the sum of two hundred dollars accrued
to the society for the benefit of the Sunday-school.
December 29, 1887, Ai Stillman Annis was ordained over
the society. He was born at Littleton, New Hampshire, De
cember 29, 1856, and educated at the New Hampshire Con
ference Seminary. Before entering the ministry, he had been
a teacher at Peterborough and Jaffrey. His pastorate ter
minated in July 1892; and on October 26, of that year, Ben
jamin Asbury Goodridge was ordained as his successor. Mr.
Goodridge was born at Lyndeborough, New Hampshire, Oc
tober 5, 1857, and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts at
the Boston University in 1881. After graduation he passed
seven years in teaching and newspaper wbrk, and then pre
pared himself for the ministry by two years' study at the
Harvard Divinity School and foreign travel.

238

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

V. THE EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL
SOCIETY.
The disintegration of the original church of Harvard was
attended with heart-burnings, and acrimonious debates which
happily were not fully recorded, and are now mostly forgot
ten. As is ever the case in such fermentation, there were
acetous as well as vinous products. / The action preluding
the life of the Evangelical Congregational Church, not before
given, is best set forth by extracts from the early pages of
that society's first book of records: —
At a meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Harvard on the 14 of
March 1821, to consult on the subject of forming a religious society, the
meeting was organized in the following manner • i*'. Voted and chose
Mr Salmon Whitney, Moderator. 2"''. Voted and chose John Park, Clerk.
3'* Voted and chose Salmon Whitney, John Park, Reuben Whitcomb,
Seth Nason, and Luke Pollard a committee to prepare a Constitution for
the Government of the Society and report at the adjournment of this
meeting. 4*. Voted and chose Thomas Houghton Jr., Jacob Robbins,
Richard Whitney Jr., Joseph Fairbank, Charles Priest, Cephas Houghton,
Silas Cragin and Luther Farwell a committee to obtain signers. 5"".
Voted that this meeting be adjourned to Thursday 22"*. inst., at two o.clock
P. M. at the Congregational meeting-house.
Thursday, March 22, 1821, the society was duly organized
by the acceptance of a preamble and eight articles submitted
by the committee for its regulation. From the former is this
statement of the motives impelling the sundering of old
affiliations: —
 Being deeply sensible that whilst strife and contention on the one
hand tend to the injury of Religion, so on the other union in Religious
sentiments and peace and harmony in society lead to the promotion of it,
and beheving that the belief and practice of the essential doctrines and
precepts of the Gospel are essential to the advancement of the Redeem
er's Kingdom in the World, as well as our own improvement and happi
ness, we therefore deem it highly necessary and expedient when such
union cannot exist in [a] society, for them to separate, and viewing this
to be our situation we resolve that we will withdraw ourselves from those
of our Society who will not unite with us in our religious views, and form
ourselves into a distinct religious Society by the name of the Calvinistic
Congregational Society in Harvard, and henceforth transact the business
of the Society under that name 

CALVINISTIC SOCIETY. 239
The signatures of the subscribers follow the resolutions,
but being attached without date during several years there is
no clue to the number of original associates. This formal
withdrawal left the meeting-house and church furniture in
legal possession of those refusing Calvinistic doctrines, and
the records, though detained for a time by the clerk, Reuben
Whitcomb, a leader in the new society, were soon surrendered
to them. April 16, 1821, it was voted to apply to the town tor
a piece of the common whereupon to build a meeting-house,
and a committee was instructed to present a plan.
April 29 the town gave the ground now in possession of
the society, agreeing to remove the pound and hearse-house,
then standing upon it. A building forty-four feet by fifty
was agreed upon, its cost being divided into one hundred
shares of twenty-five dollars each. May 17, the church and
society unanimously invited George Fisher to become their
pastor, a salary of five hundred dollars being assured him;
and having signified his acceptance he was ordained on Sep
tember 12 in the new meeting-house, although it was at the
time unfinished and without a pulpit. Reverend Jacob Ide
of Medway upon that occasion preached the discourse, which
was printed. He was assisted in the ceremonies of the day
by the Reverends William Eaton of Fitchburg, John Ballard
of Pepperell, Reuben Puffer, D.D., of Berlin, Enoch Pond of
Ware, Elisha Fisk of Wrentham, and John M. Putnam of
Ashby. The Sabbath services, beginning from the first Sun
day in May, were held in the Centre school-house until the
new house was made ready for occupancy.
October 10, 1821, the church voted that "henceforth we
will denominate ourselves — the First Congregational Church
in Harvard connected with the Calvinistic Con. Society;"
and the deacons were instructed to purchase "two tankards,
six cups, two platters, and a baptismal font." October 22 it
was voted to adopt "Dr. Worcester's Psalmody instead of
Dr. Belknap's, now in use." In the summer of 1822, the
meeting-house was painted white, inside and outside. The
first deacons were Jacob Fairbank, Reuben Whitcomb, Luke
Pollard and John Hapgood. December 30, 1824, Jacob Fair-
bank resigned, and Reuben Whitney was chosen to the

240

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

vacancy March 3, 1825. Luke Pollard resigned April 29,
1830, and and Richard Whitney was elected in his place July i
of that year. Reuben Whitcomb resigned December 27,
1836, and was succeeded by Reuben Whitcomb, Jr., March 2,
1837. John Hapgood laid down his ofiice July i, 1847, ^^^
Isaac N. Stone was elected September 9, 1847.
In August, 1827, a subscription, headed by Seth Nason
with a gift of one hundred dollars, was raised to add a cupola
to the front of the meeting-house and provide a bell. The
sum of ^903. 50 was obtained, and the addition was made, in
cluding an increase in the number of pews. In 1836 a new
pulpit was built by a few individuals of the society.
At a church meeting, March 14, 1843, resolutions severely
condemnatory of slave-holding were adopted and ordered
sent for publishment to the Boston Recorder. Among the
annual expenditures of the society was always a small sum
for "bass viol strings," but in 1848 there came into the treas
urer's accounts a new item, "tuning the organ;" April 6 of
that year an organ having been presented to the society by
Deacon Reuben Whitcomb, senior.
June 27, 1853, the society was saddened by the receipt of
a letter from the pastor formally announcing his inability to
longer continue his pulpit ministrations and asking release.
On September 6 he died at his post of duty of pulmonary
consumption, being nearly fifty-seven years of age. Mr.
Fisher was a native of Wrentham, Massachusetts, where he
was born November 7, 1796. He was a graduate of Brown
University in the class of 1819, sharing the highest honors of
graduation with Horace Mann. His studies for the ministry
were conducted under the direction of Elisha Fisk of Wren
tham and Jacob Ide of Medway. July 11, 1832, it being the
one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town,
Mr. Fisher preached a discourse upon Harvard's history, tak
ing for his text — Deuteronomy xxxii. 7: "Remember the days
of old, consider the years of many generations." The manu
script of this, with that of a sermon by him giving the annals
of the Congregational Church in Harvard, preached Septem
ber 8, 1833, have been deposited with the Congregational
Library Association in Boston. These discourses contain a

EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.

241

condensed sketch of the chief events in the town during the
first century of its existence, and more especially of those
set down in the church books. During Mr. Fisher's life work
he added two hundred members to the church, baptized two
hundred and twenty-four, and was called upon to take part in
eighty-five ecclesiastical councils. Six young men pursued
under his instruction their studies for entrance to college.
No higher testimony to his rare tact and judgment could be
adduced than the fact that he was chosen a member of the
school board for thirty years. A discriminative obituary
printed in the Puritan Recorder for October 6, 1853, says: —
Mr. Fisher was distinguished for his wisdom and judicious manage
ment in the performance of his pastoral duties. Though differing widely,
at times, from some of his strongest supporters, upon questions of an ex
citing character, he still retained their confidence and warm affection to
the end  His sermons were severely methodical and destitute of
ornament, yet had a charm in transparency of thought  It was his
constant aim to instruct and reform rather than amuse and interest 
In doctrinal belief he was a Calvinist after the school of Emmons.
The successor of Mr. Fisher was John Dodge, who was in
vited by the society February, 1854, and was installed May
10, the ordaining sermon being by Benjamin Dodge of Acton.
The salary of the pastor was raised to seven hundred dollars.
March 12, 1855, the society changed its name to "The
Evangelical Congregational Society." In 1858 the gallery
pews in the meeting-house were fitted for more convenient
use, and two years later the building of a "piazza" brought
the church into temporary debt. At the death of Deacon
Reuben Whitcomb, Jr., his will was found to contain, among
numerous personal bequests, these to the benefit of the so
ciety : —
 I give Five Hundred Dollars to the Committee of the Evangelical
Congregational Society in Harvard, in trust, Fifty Dohars of which in
cluding interest is to be appropriated annually for the support of preach
ing the Gospel in their house of worship till all is expended  I give
Three Hundred Dollars to the Deacons of the Evangelical Congrega
tional Church in Harvard, in trust, from Twenty to Thirty Dollars of
which is to be expended annually for the American Messenger or other
religious papers or Sabbath School books as said Deacons shall deem
promotive of the greatest good  I give to the above named Dea-

242

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

cons also Two Hundred Dollars, in trust, to be appropriated by them, till
all is expended, for the supply of the necessities of such members of
said Church as are unable to provide fully for themselves  The above
given to the Committee and Deacons to be loaned and kept in interest.
Within two years the will of Deacon Reuben Whitcomb
the elder was filed, and added more substantial and unre
stricted aid to the church : —
 I give to the Deacons of the Evangelical Congregational Society
in Harvard, One Thousand Dollars  I give to the Deacons of the
Evangelical Congregational Church in Harvard Two Hundred Dollars,
in trust, to be used for the benefit of the Sabbath School of the above
named Church and Society  I give to my Executors, hereinafter
named, Five Hundred Dollars, in trust. Fifty Dollars of which I direct to
be given annually for five years to the Evangelical Congregational So
ciety towards paying the salary of the Minister of said Society and Fifty
Dollars annually to the Rev. John Dodge should he remain the Pastor of
said Society; if he should not so remain I direct the annuity to be given
to said Society.
Upon coming into possession of these bequests a new
organ, built expressly for its position by George Stevens of
Cambridge, was bought in 1863, at a cost of S1080 — besides
an expenditure of over two hundred dollars in necessary al
terations in the meeting-house to receive it. February 27,
1865, Mr. Dodge expressed a wish to dissolve his pastoral
connection, alleging as the reason: " a state of feeling existing
in the society which would render it unpleasant and he
thought unprofitable to the society for him to remain." He
was dismissed August 23, lauded as a " faithful pastor, ever
zealous for the spiritual welfare of his people, and earnest in
every good work."
Mr. Dodge was born at Penobscot, Maine, March 28, 1812,
and graduated at the Bangor Theological Seminary in 1841.
His first pastorate was at Waldoboro, Maine, whence he came
to Harvard. During his eleven years' residence here eighty-
eight members were added to the church. He subsequently
occupied pulpits at Middlefleld, 1865-7, North Brookfield,
1867-71, and New Braintree, dying at the town last named
June 19, 1872, greatly lamented.
The society purchased the residence of their retiring pas-

EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.

243

tor for a parsonage, it being valued at ;?3300. This was sold
to Doctor Jacob S. Eaton, and the present parsonage built in
1869 with the proceeds. In May, 1866, four candidates were
proposed for the vacant pulpit: J. N. Jones, M. M. Colburn,
E. A. Spence and E. G. Porter. Mr. Spence proved the unan
imous first choice of the society and Mr. Porter the second,
but no further action in their behalf is recorded.
August 13 the society instructed a committee to employ
George Harlow Pratt of Shrewsbury for the remainder of the
year, with a view to settlement, offering a salary of $800.
The proposition not meeting^ the assent of Mr. Pratt, church
and society, September 10, joined in calling him to the pas
torate with a salary of ^1000. He was ordained October 11.
Deacons Reuben and Richard Whitney expressed a desire
to be relieved of office November 28, 1861, but their resigna
tions were not accepted. Deacon Isaac N. Stone resigned
May 3, 1863, upon removal to Groton. Deacon Nathan Holden
was dismissed April 29, 1858. Deacon Horace L. Peckham,
elected December 5, 1861, removed to Townsend in 1863. Dr. '
George M. Howe was chosen at the same date with Deacon
Peckham, but refused acceptance. George E. Burt and
Charles H. Cummings were chosen deacons September 30,
1862. The latter resigned his office October 31, 1872. H.
Fessenden Davis and J. Willard Bacon were made deacons
in October, 1870. The former removed from town after a few
years, leaving the diaconal duties to Mr. Burt and Mr. Bacon,
the latter also serving the church as clerk and treasurer.
Mr. Pratt was a native of Shrewsbury, born March 12, 1839.
He prepared himself for entrance to Amherst College at
Leicester Academy, and became a member of the freshman
class in i860. A severe illness compelled him give up a col
lege career, and upon his recovery he enlisted in the Forty-
second Massachusetts Infantry for nine months, serving in
the Department of the Gulf. He entered Bangor Theolog
ical Seminary, graduating in the class of 1866. In 1872 he
received the degree of Master of Arts from Amherst College.
Mr. Pratt resigned his pastorate at Harvard because of ill
health, and was dismissed September 4, 1872, the council
commending him as "a faithful and successful preacher of

244

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

the Gospel, and a wise and earnest pastor." He has since
served in the pulpits of Seabrook, New Hampshire, 1873-5;
Agawam, 1875-9; Medfield, 1879-83; Talcottville, Connecticut,
1883-8, and Saundersville, 1889-93.
Henry Harrison Hamilton, a graduate of Union Theolog
ical Seminary in i87i,was invited to settle over the society
April 4, 1872, but declined. Alfred Edward Tracy was next
called to the pastorate. May 30, 1872, and was ordained Sep
tember 4. Mr. Tracy was born at West Brookfield, July 2,
1845, w^s graduated at Amherst College in 1869, and at An
dover Theological Seminary in 1872. He was married shortly
after his coming to Harvard, and the ill health of his wife
led to his resignation. He was dismissed by a council Sep
tember 22, 1874, with expression of esteem and "confidence
in him as an able, scholarly, laborious and devoted Christian
minister." Since Mr. Tracy's departure the church has had
no settled pastor.
Stephen Sargeant Morrill was engaged as acting pastor in
September, 1874, and served in that capacity during three
years, his salary being nine hundred dollars with the rent of
the parsonage. He was a native of Danville, Vermont, where
he was born December 24, 1831. He was a graduate of Dart
mouth in the class of 1855, and studied theology at the An
dover and Chicago Seminaries. He graduated from the lat
ter in 1859. Before coming to Harvard he had preached at
Maiden, Illinois, 1859; Hillsborough and Henniker, New
Hampshire, 1865-70, and was a hospital chaplain during the
Rebellion. He died at Danville, May 2, 1878.
John Hopkins Gurney was employed as acting pastor
March 25, 1878, and served two years in that office. He was
born at Dover, Maine, in 1821, graduated at Oberlin College
in 1845, ^rid at Andover Theological Seminary in 1849. He
had occupied the pulpit at Johnstown, Vermont, New Brain
tree, Foxcroft and Dover, Maine, and Neponset, previous to
his service in Harvard.
Frederic Alonzo Reed succeeded Mr. Gurney, April 11,
1880. His ministry here was brief; he was stricken with
apoplexy and died June 9, 1883. Mr. Reed was a native of
Boston, born December 7, 1821. He was graduated at Am-

EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.

245

herst College with the class of 1843, ^^'^ ^^ the Bangor The
ological Seminary in 1846. He left a widow but no children.
Mr. Reed's first settlement was at Cohasset, where he served
nineteen years; his second at Taunton, where he was pastor
for tpn years. When called to Harvard he had been recuper
ating impaired energies by rest and a trip to Europe. He
was the author of two historical tales for the young, printed
for the Congregational Publishing Society, entitled "Twin
Heroes" and "Boy Lollard."
The renovation of the meeting-house, long contemplated,
was made feasible in 1882 by the generosity of "out-of-town
donors," who contributed about eighteen hundred dollars for
the purpose. The whole cost of the alterations was forty-one
hundred and thirty dollars, including heating furnace, furni
ture and decoration. The original structure was single storied,
containing a vestibule and audience hall only; the latter being
of the usual plain and box-like style of the era in which it
was built. The exterior was not greatly changed, but the in
terior now consists of an upper story seventeen feet in height,
serving as the main hall, comfortably furnished and cheerful
in its decoration; and a lower story containing a vestry room,
parlor, kitchen, closets and offices, conveniently arranged for
social and church uses. The remodeling occupied about five
months, during which time the society assembled in the town
hall for Sunday services. The larger gifts to the society
were: One thousand dollars from S. N. and Sophia Bacon of
Albany, New York; four hundred dollars from Mr. and Mrs.
A. E. Hildreth of Cambridge; one hundred dollars from
Jacob Taylor of Brighton, and a new communion service of
eight pieces from Mrs. Harriet I. Draper and her daughter,
Mrs. J. H. Robinson. Among the ornaments of the parior
are the portraits of three pastors of the society — Reverends
George Fisher, John Dodge and Frederick A. Reed — pre
sented by their children. At the dedication of the house on
October 12, 1882, Mr. Reed's sermon was chiefiy devoted to
local history, and has been printed.
October 4, 1883, the society invited William R. Weeden of
Providence to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Reed's death,
but not receiving a favorable response, January 3, 1884, ex-

246

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

tended a call to George A. Perkins, who accepted the posi
tion of acting pastor, and at once entered upon its duties.
Mr. Perkins's previous experience as scholar, teacher,[mis-
sionary and pastor had been extensive and varied. He was
born at Weld, Maine, June 24, 1827, and graduated at Bow
doin College 1849, and the Bangor Theological Seminary
1853. He also pursued a two years' course in natural science
at Yale College, 1861-3. He was instructor in Hebrew at the
Bangor Seminary for the years 1854 and 1861, and a professor
at Robert College, Constantinople, two years — 1863-5. He
had been a missionary in Turkey, 1854-1859, under the au
spices of the American Board of Foreign Missions, for which
service he was ordained May 25, 1854, at Farmington, Maine.
His pulpit experience had been in Pownal, Maine, Lunenburg,
Vermont, Raymond and Salem, New Hampshire. Upon leav
ing Harvard in March, 1886, he was called to Boxborough,
whence he removed to preside over the church in Wendell,
September i, 1892.
In May, 1886, the society secured the services of their
present minister, Charles Cutler Torrey, A.M., who was at
that date resident at Andover. Mr. Torrey was born at
Salem, Massachusetts, January 4, 1827. He graduated at the
Vermont University, Burlington, in 1849, and after teaching
for two years entered the Theological Seminary at Andover,
where he graduated in 1854. He was ordained September 7,
1855, and, under the auspices of the American Board of For
eign Missions, became a missionary to the Cherokee Indians,
with whom he resided until the breaking out of the Civil
War in 1861. Among his labors in this office was the
preparation for the press of a revised edition of the New
Testament in the Cherokee language. Before coming to
Harvard Mr. Torrey had occupied pulpits at Westford, Ches
ter, Georgia, Charlotte and West Randolph, Vermont, Chelms
ford, Massachusetts, and Schodack, New York.
The church is in* an exceptionally prosperous financial
condition, having invested funds, the bequests of various ben
efactors, as follows : Mrs. Cephas Houghton's bequest, giooo;
Luther Farwell's, S2650; Harvey Wood's, g6ioo; Ezra K.
Beard's, ;^200; Caleb Warner's, ;^2000.

UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. 247
VI. THE UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY.
The earliest believers in Universalist doctrines, mentioned
in any Harvard records, were certain members of the Baptist
society excluded by that church for their opinions. In 1804
there were preached at Still River and printed at the Still River
press "by particular desire," two discourses in defence of his
Universalist convictions by Dr. Isaiah Parker, who had been
influential in founding the Baptist church twenty-eight years
before, and had served as its pastor until 1798. Dr. Parker
and his Universalist followers met on Sundays at a school-
house which stood near where Mrs. Bowles Willard now lives,
and his preaching, it is said, was sometimes so sonorous
that on a summer's day, when doors and windows were open,
his late congregation in the Baptist meeting-house had full
benefit of his exhortations as well as of those from their own
pulpit. The building which served as the first Universalist
meeting-house now forms a part of the house of Henry Har
rod. Dr. Parker's departure from Still River about 1806 left
those of his faith without a minister; but meetings may have
been held at the same place or in private houses, perhaps
without much regularity, for several years thereafter. Mean
while a church was formed in Shirley, of which several Har
vard citizens became members. A society seems to have
been jefrganized also in Harvard, for, though no record of its
doings has been found, such a society existed in 1820, and
was influential enough, no doubt greatly aided by the grave
dissensions in the First Church at that time, to obtain the
vote of a town-meeting, giving it the use of the meeting
house for Sunday services.
March 29, 1830, a compact was entered into by a number
of Harvard's citizens, the first article in which was: "The
name of this society shall be the Second Universalist Society
in "Harvard!' / The closing paragraph of, and the list of sign
ers to this compact were as follows : —
 Whereas it has pleas'd God in his providence to make us ac
quainted with his unhmited grace to all mankind and inclined our hearts
to unite in a christian fraternity for the promotion of the publick worship
of God we therefore the undersigned feeling desirous of enjoying this

248

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

blessing, do fully approve and ratify the foregoing articles as the com
pact or constitution of our Society in witness whereof we have hereunto
subscribed our names 

John Gerry
Samuel Dudley
Luther Sawyer
Joseph Munroe
Aaron Cook
Leonard Edgarton
Ephraim Warner
Rowland Willard
Samuel Farnsworth
David Hammond
Josiah HartweU
Daniel Lincoln
Samuel Sprague
Joseph Carter
John Dudley
Nathan S. Turner
William Lewis
Nathan Sprague
John Trufant
Henry Hapgood

Nabby Knight
John Russell
Abraham Foster
John Crosier
Abel Whitcomb
Shadrach Hapgood
Nathan Willard
John Hapgood Jr.
Martin Lawton
George Bacon
Emory Wood
Luther G. Turner
Amory Trufant
N. FoUansbee
James Sawyer
Widow Lydia Sawyer
Samuel Newton
Daniel M. Robbins
William Houghton
Benjamin Wood

Hannibal Nutting
Francis Goldsmith
William Willard Jr.
Reuben Barnett
Samuel Chickering
Benjamin J. Dwinells
George F. Warner
Artemas Fairbank
Widow Lydia Sprague
Jeremiah Barnard
Scripture Frost
John Blanchard
J. G. Goldsmith
Amasa Aldrich
Levi S. Crouch
Almira Taylor
Horatio N. Cook
Isaac Saunderson
Amory Holman
Benjamin Whitton

The society held Sabbath meetings with more or less fre
quency in the town-hall. Russell Streeter was employed to
conduct the exercises for several years, and was succeeded by
George Talbot. From 1838 to 1841 Stillman Barden supplied
the pulpit. He was followed by Walter Harriman, whose
salary is recorded as one hundred and eighty dollars, a sum
that affords no measure of his ability or energy. Under his
leadership, December 5, 1842, the society voted to build a
meeting-house, and to ask the town for ground whereupon to
locate it. After a town-meeting, at which their petition was
answered by the proffer of theif choice of two sites, both at
the northern verge of the common, the society, not being sat
isfied with either, on December 19 sent a committee to nego
tiate if possible the purchase of Seth Nason's house and lot
at the south western corner of the common between the turn
pike and old highway. This site proving unattainable, on
December 27 it was voted to set the house "on the south side
of the sheds" if land could be procured there. A town-

WALTER HARRIMAN.

249

meeting acted adversely upon this proposition, and January
7, 1843, the society accepted a site east of the meeting-house
sheds, just behind the present town-hall, and there the build
ing was at once erected by contract. It was a neat wooden
structure with a steeple, and cost about seventeen hundred
dollars, the necessary sum being raised by a public subscrip
tion. At his coming to Harvard in 1841, Walter Harriman was
but twenty-four years of age. He displayed great energy in
his work, presiding over both the Harvard and the Shirley
church. He was ordained at the latter in June, 1841. He
taught school during two or more winters to eke out his in
sufficient salary. In 1845 ^^ returned to Warner, New Hamp
shire, his native town, becoming pastor of a church there.
In 185 1 he gave up his profession and soon became an active
politician and campaign orator. He was commissioned
colonel of the Eleventh New Hampshire Infantry, saw much
service, and at the close of the Civil War was brevetted brig
adier-general. He was secretary of state for 1866-7, and gov
ernor of New Hampshire from June, 1867, to June, 1869.
While in the latter office he revisited Harvard. He died July
25, 1884. A biography with selections from his speeches and
writings was published in 1888 by Amos Hadley. His suc
cessor in the Harvard pulpit was George Proctor.
Sunday, December 28, 1845, the "members of the Univer
salist Fraternity in Harvard and vicinity, worshiping in the
Universalist meeting house in said Harvard," organized them
selves under a new constitution, the first article of which is:
"This Church shall be called the First Universalist Church of
Christ, in Harvard." Benjamin Ball and Rowland Willard
were elected deacons, and the former was also chosen clerk.
The signers of the constitution were : —
George Proctor Watson Wood Nancy W. Adams
Benjamin Ball Artemas Fairbank Lucy Willard
John Sprague Ezra Warner Sally B. Hosmer
Rowland Willard Joseph Farwell Lucinda E. Crouch
Abel Whitcomb Susannah M. Proctor Mary E. Wood
Emory Barnard Mary Ball Mary W. Taylor
Thomas Cummings Lydia Sprague Rachel Fairbank

250

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

John Gerry Melissa Willard Sally Wetherbee
Jonathan P. Knight Mary Whitcomb Lydia Fairbank
Samuel Chickering Susan G. Barnard Sally Warner
Ithamar Willard Mehitable Cummings Lois W. Dickinson
Samuel Hosmer Rebecca Gerry Jane B. Symonds
George Crouch Hannah E. Knight Esther Rollins
During 1847 and 1848 it would seem from the brief records
that no minister was regularly employed by the society, but
Benjamin B. Whittemore, J. O. Skinner, Quincy Whitney and
William Bell are clergymen mentioned as officiating in the
celebration of communion services. Norris Coleman Hodg
don, coming from Vermont, presided over the society in
1850-1, and was succeeded by Quincy Whitney. April 4, 1852,
John Sprague was elected deacon in place of Benjamin Ball,
resigned. The records in the church book end abruptly.
The meeting-house for many years was little used, fell into
dilapidation, and September 27, 1866, John Blanchard, Samuel
Hosmer, Stephen Withington, Caleb Gerry and Phineas H.
Harlow of the society procured the calling of a meeting for
the purpose of authorizing its sale. Shortly after it was
taken down, removed to Ayer, converted into a dwelling with
stores beneath, and was burnt in the great fire there April
13, 1872.
VII. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY.
May 5, 1799, Caleb Sawyer, Isaiah Whitney, John Hough
ton and Phineas Sawyer asked dismission from the First
Church "to the Episcopal Methodist Church now forming."
A society was organized in that or the following year, but no
records of its membership or doings have been discovered.
The early meetings of the Methodists were held in private
houses and under the leadership of itinerant preachers. The
tradition is rife that the first sermon was preached in the
kitchen of Jonathan Sawyer's house on the east side of Bare
Hill, where Wilbur F. Sawyer now lives. April 4, 1823, the
"Harvard and Boxborough Methodist Religious Society"
was organized "at the Methodist Meeting House." This
was a small edifice painted red, built under an oak tree by the

METHODIST SOCIETY.

251

boundary stone at the Harvard and Boxborough corner, and
just within the latter town, where it stood until destroyed by
fire in 1843.
About 1840 some discussion arose in the society concern
ing the propriety of obtaining a more commodious and cen
trally-located house of worship. The younger and more am
bitious members believed that it would be to the advantage
of the church, and tend to its immediate and future increase
to build upon the public common in Harvard. The more
conservative members were out-voted and, in November, 1841,
there appeared in the town-meeting warrant this article: —
To see if the town will permit the Methodist Society to raise the town-
house and build a suitable town hall under the present hall, and grant the
use of the said hall or upper room to the society, or grant liberty to build
a meeting house and stables on the town land in some suitable place.
The town declined to agree to alterations in its public hall,
but gave permission for the location of the meeting-house in
the burying ground, "twenty-three paces below the gate."
There the society built, in 1842, a modest structure, thirty by
forty feet in plan, costing, complete, about eight hundred
dollars; which was paid by subscription to twenty-one shares
of stock at twenty-five dollars per share, and the sale of
pews. For a short time the Sabbath exercises were con
ducted at both houses; at that in Boxborough in the fore
noon, and in the new house in the afternoon. The ambitious
move which had seemed to the majority so full of promise,
very soon proved unfortunate. The worthy chief elder, Jo
seph S. Ellis, died before the new house was opened for pub
lic worship. The hoped for increase in the congregation and
consequent financial prosperity were not realized, and after a
brief struggle with adversity the society ceased to exist.
The meeting-house was sold at auction jEor two hundred dol
lars March 21, 1857, and converted into a dwelling on the op
posite side of the street from its site in the cemetery.
In its more prosperous days between fifty and sixty per
sons were listed in the society's classes. Among the leading
members were Benjamin Barnard, Jasper Stone, Luke Sawyer,
Arad Sawyer, Stephen Gardner, Moses Hale, Zophar Taylor
17

252 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
and Asa Wood. The presiding elders now remembered were
Isaac Bonney, "Father" George Pickering, Joseph A. Mer
rill, Abraham D. Merrill, Abraham Sargent, Bartholomew
Ortherman, Lemuel Harlow, 1831; Warren Emerson, 1833; E.
F. Newell, 1837; Joseph S. Ellis, 1842; Stephen Hiler, 1843.

V.
THREE FRATERNITIES.

I. SHADRACH IRELAND.
THE northeast corner of Harvard early proved to be a
place apart from the rest of the town in all senses; its
inhabitants from the first being peculiar in their spiritual con
dition and inclined to religious vagaries. The minister had
to contend with heterodox eccentricities among them within
twenty years of the incorporation. June 20, 175 1, the church
voted : —
to Send a Committee to discourse with Mr Samuel Mead and his Wife,
and Ephraim Robbins concerning their withdrawing Communion from
this Church; and also to discourse with Eleazar Robbins Jun''. respecting
some misbehaviour; and neglecting the Ordinance of y" Lord's Supper,
and timely to make report to the Church thereof.
December 5 the church heard the committee's statement
and summoned the delinquents to present themselves for ex
amination on an appointed day.
At a general Meeting of the Brethren of the Church December 9"',
175 1, by Adjournment, to hear the reasons of the Seperation of several
of ye Members of this Church from ye pubhck worship of God, & Com
munion in Special Ordinances with us. After prayer for Direction and
considerable discourse among our selves, and with s'* Members, the
Church came to the following Conclusion ;
We apprehend the said Members to be erronious in their Judgment
and practice in several particulars both in point of Discipline and Doc
trine; more particularly, i. In encouraging Lay-preachers and Exhort-
ers to preach and Exhort in their Houses, whome v/e are satisfied are not
called nor sent of God to such a Business. 2. In seperating from the
Comrpunion of this Church, which we look upon to be Unscriptural and

254

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

a plain breach of their Church Covenant. 3. In denying the Congrega
tional Churches in New England, and this Church in particular, to be a
true visible Church of Christ, built upon y'' foundation of y" Apostles and
Prophets. 4. In holding that it is the Will of God to have a pure Church
upon Earth, All the Members whereof are to be righteous &c.. .And by
holding these and such like Errors, they necessarily wrest and pervert
the holy Scriptures in many parts thereof, we fear, greatly to their own
and others hurt, who are in danger of being Seduced thereby. . . But inas
much as we w'* Charitably hope that wherein they speak and act contrary
to the Word of God in these matters, it is not the Effect of a willing and
wilful Ignorance; but rather owing to too high an Opinion of certain Lay-
preachers and Exhorters (who therefore the more easily misled them) and
partly to prejudice, to an Enthusiastical turn of mind, and giving way to
Impressions. These we conceive to be the principal causes of their errors in Doc
trine and practice. Nevertheless, hoping they act Conscientiously in
these matters, according to their present degree of Light and Knowledge,
We would not despair of their recovery and return. Therefore as a Tes
timony of our Charity and good will, we agree still to wait as long as we
shall think it our Duty so to do; willingly shewing all long suffering and
gentleness towards them y' are out of the way, considering ourselves lest
we also be tempted; and desirous of pursuing those things which make
for peace, and things whereby one may edify another. Praying (that
notwithstanding any differences in lesser matters) we may yet, wherein
we are agreed, and whereunto we have already attained, walk by the
same Rule, and mind the same thing.
A True Copy John Seccomb, Pastor.
N. B. The names of the Seperatists referr'd to above, are as follows :
Ephraim Robbins and his Wife, Samuel Mead and his Wife, & Isaac
Willard with his Wife.
N. B. S'* Robbins his Wife is not a member of this Church; but hath
long been, & yet is under Church Censure by the Church of Littleton;
and s'* Willard's wife being ill, neither of them were present at the
Church Meeting.
Who the "lay preachers" were that had labored in this
vineyard is not certain; nor is it clear precisely what doc
trines they inculcated. It is, however, a suggestive fact that
the Willards were at a later date enthusiastic disciples of
Shadrach Ireland. On December 15, 1777, in answer to a
petition, the town voted: —
That Messrs Isaac Willard, Zaccheus Stevens and Abijah Worster be
Released from paying their minister's Rates in this Town on their pro
ducing a certifiket according to the Laws of this State that they belong
to some other Religious Sosiety.

SHADRACH IRELAND.

255

Shadrach Ireland came to Harvard to live about 1760 from
Charlestown, where he had a small estate; fleeing from that
place, it is usually alleged, through fear of persecution for
his unorthodox religious views. He deserted there a wife,
Martha, and six children — Martha, Shadrach, Jonathan, Tab
itha, Elizabeth and Margaret. Elder Joseph Hammond of
the Shaker community has recorded that Ireland was con
verted by George Whitefield's preaching at the time of the
great awakening; that he became a "new-light" itinerant
preacher, and publicly denounced the churches as stagnant
in dead formality, and cried aloud against the Congregational
clergy as sunk in sloth and selfish indulgence; and that he
was threatened with arrest for blasphemy. He probably
selected the northeast corner of Harvard as a place of refuge,
because of some acquaintanceship with Isaac Willard, Jona
than Cooper and other sympathetic spirits.
At his coming thither, Ireland announced that he had been
"called of the Lord to forsake wife and family," but he
brought with him a spiritual consort and helpmate, Abigail
Lougee by name. He was kept in concealment byjWillard
and the Coopers for some time, until the converts to his
teachings had sufficiently increased in numbers to desire a
convenient place of rendezvous. Then they built the so
called Square House, which remains a prominent feature of
the Central Shaker village. The farm upon which it stands,
eighty-six acres, was deeded by Isaac Willard and his wife to
Zaccheus Stevens in 1771, and he transferred it to Ireland for
the use of the community. The work upon the structure was
attended with strange secrecy, much of it being done by
night. The builders were: David Hoar, Malabar Bean, Isaac
Willard, Abel Jewett, Samuel and Jonathan Cooper, Ethan
Phillips, John Maynard and Zaccheus Stevens. As soon
as it was fit for human shelter Samuel Cooper and his family
moved into it, and with him Ireland, who there lived the life
of a recluse until his death in 1780.
When, in 1845, the Harvard community found it necessary
to make extensive repairs to the Square House, including a
new roof, a secret, narrow stairway existed leading from cel
lar to attic. From the low hipped roof rose a small cupola

256 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
with a little window in it facing the south, whence the road
way could be seen for a long distance — a place of conceal
ment and lookout combined. These features were destroyed
by the alterations. Ireland is called a "pipe-maker" in the
Charlestown records, a joiner and carver in other accounts.
One of the early industries of the Shakers was the making
of tobacco pipes from clay, and the art may have descended
to them from Shadrach. The hand-rail and posts of the
stairway in the Square House, yet in use, are thought to be
of Ireland's workmanship. He occupied as a workroom the
northwest chamber of the house, and a bell-wire connected
this with the kitchen so that when strangers came in he could
be warned to keep silent, or hide himself if needful. His
disciples never spoke of him save as "the man," and very
extraordinary precautions were taken to prevent his presence
among them from being known.
If Shadrach had fears of persecution or arrest, they must
have largely arisen from conscience or a fevered imagination,
for we learn of no hue and cry pursuing him; and when the
special nature of his heresy is sought we find only this: that
he asserted himself an immortal in body as well as soul. It
is thought also that he preached community of goods and
non-resistance, in this anticipating Ann Lee. But he espe
cially impressed it upon his neighbors that though he might
seem to die it would be only seeming, and that his body must
on no account be buried in case of apparent death; for on
the third or the ninth day it would awaken from its coma
with rejuvenated powers. And this fanatic found believers !
But the history of every age proves, and none more plainly
than that of the passing decade, that any leading or mislead
ing spirit can find human followers and dupes enough what
ever fantastic shapes his teachings take.
In the summer of 1780 Ireland's erratic pilgrimage ended
in the commonplace way of most earthly journeys. He was
taken ill and died very suddenly. His clay tenement, when
the vital forces left it, differed in no respect from other flesh
in its rapid decay. But the heirs of his prophecies obeyed
his injunctions to the letter until human nature could no
longer endure the foul presence. They then hid the corpse

THE SHAKERS. 257
in a sort of crypt in the wall at the west end of the cellar.
But there Nature continued to assert her laws; Earth would
have her own, and finally, to avoid confessing his demise even
by a visible grave, David Hoar and Abijah Worster went out
into a field of growing corn, carefully took up a few hills and
by night burying the body, replaced the corn over it and care
fully concealed all signs of disturbance from suspicious eyes.
The too inquisitive were of course told that the immortal had
been mysteriously translated.
Those disciples who were trusting that they too had par
taken of "the bread which cometh down from heaven, that
a man may eat thereof and not die," sat for a time stupefied
in metaphorical sack-cloth and ashes. But not for long. A
new prophet was at hand, and their receptive minds were
ready for new interpretations of old texts, new revelations,
new miraculous evidences. To most of them Mother Ann
Lee was the natural successor of Shadrach Ireland, and was
welcomed as such. A few, sobered by disappointed hopes
and humiliated by the exposure of their credulity, gave no
further heed to vagrant enthusiasms. David Hoar assumed
the mantle that fell from Ireland's shoulders for a time at
least, but the sect disappeared with the rise of Shakerism, or
rather was absorbed in it.
II. THE SHAKERS.
The united Society of Believers, commonly called Shakers,
dates its origin in Harvard to a visit made here in 178 1-3, by
Mother Ann Lee. On the thirty-first day of May in the first
named year, she left Watervleit, New York, then called Nis-
kayuna, accompanied by her brother, William Lee — who was
a blacksmith and had been a non-commissioned officer in the
Oxford Blues; James Whittaker — a weaver, the chief ex
horter in the assemblies; John Farrington — a Baptist elder
of Lebanon, New York; James Shepherd, Samuel Fitch,
Mary Partington and Margaret Leland. The purpose of the
journey eastward was to visit certain "believers" resident in
various parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts. The party
reached Harvard 'late in June and stopped the first night at
the house of Zaccheus Stevens, in Still River, near the Bolton

258 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
line, where A. P. Brown now lives. The next day they moved
on to Isaac Willard's, who lived in sight of the Square House
at the spot now occupied by the Shaker South Family.
Mother Ann was evidently endowed with the supernatural
gifts ascribed in Knickerbocker's veritable History of New
York to Oloffe the Dreamer; upon entering the little valley
in the northeast corner of Harvard and making the acquaint
ance of its residents, she declared that she at once recognized
place and people as having been shown to her in a vision be
fore she determined upon emigration to America. Here she
resolved to establish her headquarters. Though the frater
nity of the Square House at first firmly resisted her influence,
she soon won over the whole neighborhood to faith in her
divine mission, and the house was fitted for her use.
The conveyance of building and lands to Shadrach Ire
land had never been recorded and was understood to be in
trust for the brotherhood. His sudden death prevented any
reconveyance by him, and if a deed existed it was destroyed.
It is generally alleged that the heirs of Ireland were treach
erously informed of their opportunity by David Hoar; but
however this may be, Zaccheus Stevens, on February 7, 1782,
deeded the property to them, the consideration being re
corded as 78.^, I0^ stating that this act was in confirmation of
the grant of 1771. Thus after it has been for so long a time
the home of the communists, the Square House had to be
bought by them at a cost of 500.^. The deed is dated April
29, 1782, and runs to Aaron Jewett, the grantors being Jona
than Ireland, blacksmith of Salem, his wife Elizabeth, Martha
Davis, and Thomas Robbins with wife Tabitha of Charlestown.
Whether Mother Ann came so far to honor with her min
istrations this obscure locality because guided by visions, by
information sent to her, or by chance, it very soon became
evident that she had entered a fertile field for the culture of
novel doctrines. She was not unknown. Coming from Eng
land and preaching against war when the country was in the
midst of a desperate struggle for liberty, Ann Lee and the
elders were suspected of being British emissaries, and were
imprisoned as such for several months at Albany and Pough
keepsie. This imprisonment and her audacious pretentions

ANN LEE. 259
had given her notorious repute far and wide, and soon people
began to flock to Harvard to see and hear " the female Christ."
Some who came to jeer remained to listen, and ended by
yielding their wills to her magnetic influence. A self-divorced
wife and the mother of four children (her married name was
Stanley), she preached the duty of celibacy with such per
suasive eloquence as to tear hu.sbands from wives and wives
from husbands. Most of the followers of Shadrach Ireland
adopted the new faith, in some respects similar to their own.
The neighboring churches were made anxious. Before she
had been here two months, August 21, 1781, Reverend Moses
Adams of Acton gave the Marlborough Association "an ac
count of the strange conduct and temper of a number of
people who were come to Harvard who were called .Shakers,
and under the guidance of an 'elect lady."
Society was greally disturbed and sometimes horrified by
the behavior of these English strangers and their converts.
Their actions were represented by eye-witnesses of them to
be grotesque, sometimes indecent, and often indicative of an
excessive use of strong drink. Mother Ann, who was unable
to read and write, and some of the elders, claimed to possess
and exercise the power of speaking in unknown tongues and
of healing diseases by the touch; to be endowed with the
gift of prophecy; to see celestial visions and receive divine
revelations. In the warrant for a town-meeting called August
31, 1 78 1 , was this article : —
To hear and consider a petition of a number of Inhabitants of Har
vard and see if the Town will, agreeable to said petition, consult and de
termine on some means to Remove the people called Shaking Quakers
who are collected together in this town.
It was voted to "prosecute" them, and a committee was
chosen to act in the matter. The prejudice against them was
greatly heightened by the same accusations which had
plagued them at Niskayuna. They were suspected of enmity
to the American cause, and of secreting a store of war mate
rial and arms in the Square House. David Whitney was
prominent in stirring opposition to them. Captain Ephraim
Davis, when the town's committee made their official visit to

26o HISTORY OF HARVARD.
the Square House, escorted them with his militia company,
and was accompanied by others from Harvard and adjoining
towns, who were curious to see the strangers of whom such
marvelous reports were rife. Of course no fire-arms were
found. Elder James Whittaker made a conciliatory speech
to the assemblage, and no disorderly or violent act was com
mitted. Asa Houghton, Chairman of the Committee of Cor-
respondence and Safety, following the formula of the law,
warned the strangers to be gone from the place by a stated
day, and the militia then scattered to their homes.
During the month of December, Mother Ann and the
elders left Harvard for Petersham, where they experienced
much brutal treatment from those who accused them of witch
craft, hostility to the country, and false prophecy. Returning
to the Square House in January, 1782, they were again for
mally warned to leave the place, and Captain Phineas Farns
worth with his militia company visited them prepared to en
force the order. They accordingly promised to leave on the
next day, and the captain marched away without molesting
them further. Having been absent but a brief time they re
turned, when a mob assembled before the Square House to
drive them away. Mother Ann, warned of the coming dan
ger, had the night before sought refuge at the home of Zac
cheus Stevens, and with the elders at once journeyed to En
field. About May 20, 1782, the return of Ann Lee and the elders
to Harvard again excited the fears and passions of the peo
ple in the region around. A day in the latter part of July
was set for the expulsion of the Shakers, and notices were
posted in all the neighboring villages bidding the people
meet on Harvard common for the purpose. Two barrels of
cider were furnished the assemblage, it is said, by Deacon Phin
eas Fairbank. It happened that the same day there was a min
isters' meeting at Harvard, and the clergymen advised the
people to go no farther until a committee had visited the
Shakers and ascertained whether the charges made against
them had any foundation. This being agreed to, four minis
ters, of whom the astute Zabdiel Adams — known as the
"Bishop of Lunenburg' — was the spokesman, appeared at

MOB LAW. 261
the Square House and sought audience with the elders. After
much questioning by Mr. Adams, which elicited nothing cen
surable, although Elder James Whittaker, Aaron Jewett and
others freely answered all inquiries, the committee returned
to the common and advised the people there congregated to
abandon their intention, and finally persuaded them to dis
perse. During August large numbers of believers from all the
country, even from a hundred miles away, came to Harvard
and assembled at the Square House. On Sunday, the eight
eenth of that month, this throng of Shakers, in the words of
their annalists: —
 went forth with great zeal, and worshipped God with singing, danc
ing, leaping, shouting, clapping of hands, and such other exercises as
they were led into by the Spirit  But the sound of this meeting,
though joyful to the Believers, was terrible to the wicked; for the sound
thereof was heard at the distance of several miles 
The next morning very early a mob began to collect about
the Square House, and rapidly increased until three or four
hundred had assembled. The leaders of the crowd were Cap
tain Phineas Farnsworth, Lieutenant Jonathan Pollard, Isaiah
Whitney, Jonathan Houghton, Asa Houghton, Elisha Fullam,
etc. They soon announced their purpose, which was to drive
the non-resident believers out of town. One hour was given
them for breakfast and preparations for the march, at the end
of which time the procession was formed. The male believ
ers were compelled to walk, but the females were allowed to
ride the horses belonging to them. The mob escorted them,
half in front and half in the rear. Having advanced about
three miles a halt was called and James Shepherd, an Eng
lishman, was scourged with switches cut by the wayside.
Ann Lee, James Whittaker and others had the previous week
gone to Abel Jewett's, in Littleton, and thence to Woburn,
thus escaping the wrath of these infuriated men, which was
especially violent towards those of English birth. The
march continued to Lancaster, ten miles from the Square
House, and was "one continued scene of cruelty and abuse."
The believers from other places were dismissed at Lancaster

262 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
with warning never to appear in Harvard again, and the mob
returned guarding a number of the resident Shakers who had
persisted in accompanying their brethren. Reaching Captain
Pollard's, the first house after crossing the Harvard and Bol
ton line, a ring was formed and Abijah Worster was stripped
and whipped for the crime of "going about and breaking up
churches and families." When Jonathan Houghton, one of
the two chosen by the mob to inflict the stripes, had finished
his ten and Elijah Priest was about to complete the allotted
number of twenty, James Haskell, a reputable citizen of Har
vard, chanced to ride up, and seeing what had been done,
dismounting, stripped off his coat and offered to take the re
maining stripes. At this the company, ashamed, released
Worster, who went singing on his way.
The violent proceedings of this mob were not favored by
the town's people in general. Throughout the ten-miles'
march many expressed their displeasure with the cruelty
shown, but their remonstrances only called forth threats and
curses; and January twentieth, 1783, the feeling against the
communists was strong enough in town-meeting to cause the
voting of instructions to the selectmen "to warn and carry
out of town all the Foreigners called Shaking Quakers." On
the first of May, Mother Ann returned to Harvard, and the
mob spirit broke forth again. Sunday evening, June i, 1783, a
crowd of men, chiefly from Harvard and Bolton, under lead
ership of Phineas Farnsworth, James Pollard, Elisha Fullam
and Asa Houghton, surrounded the house of Elijah Wilds —
which stands today in the village of the Shirley Shakers —
wherein Mother Ann and the elders were then conducting
their worship. The throng remained about the place all
night, but confined their demonstrations to verbal abuse and
riotous noise. In the morning the mob was largely re-en
forced from Harvard, and became more violent, but the peace
officers of Shirley appeared upon the ground and exerted
their authority with the effect that the leaders, whose chief
object it was to get Mother Ann and the elders into their pos
session, offered to return peaceably to Harvard if William Lee
and James Whittaker would return with them. Mother Ann
had been concealed in a closet, to which the only entrance

MOB LAW. 263
was by a low half-door, easily hidden by placing a chest of
drawers against it, and those searching for her supposed she
had escaped through a window into the swamps.
The elders consented to return to Harvard, it is said, after
full promise that they should receive no abuse; and several
of the brethren accompanied them. Being mounted they
reached the house of Jeremiah Willard safely; but a party
from the mob followed them, burst into the place, dragged
the elders out and carried them back half-a-mile, where the
main crowd had collected. Here James Whittaker was
stripped, tied to a tree, and Isaac Whitney was deputed to
scourge him, which was done with sticks cut near by "until
the blood ran to his heels," or, as another account gives it,
"till his back was all in a gore of blood and the flesh bruised to
a jelly." William Lee was then whipped, but was not tied, as
he chose to kneel uoon the ground; and several of the be
lievers present interposed their own bodies, receiving blows
aimed at the elder. Among these was one woman, Bethiah
Willard, and upon her receiving severe injuries in her attempts
to shield Lee, the rabble apparently recovered some sense of
shame and dispersed, leaving their bruised and bleeding vic
tims to minister to each other. The spot where this strange
and pitiable scene was enacted little more than one hundred
years ago, has been purchased by the Community, and is
marked by a plain stone. A few of the brethren who wit
nessed these acts of madmen lived to a great age, and were
wont to tell — their voices thrilled with reverential awe — how
God had requited the sins of the merciless; how Elisha Ful
lam had dropped dead by his own hearth-stone; how one
prominent leader in the persecutions never prospered after
wards in any of his undertakings, lost his ample patrimony
and perished in wretched poverty; how another became a
social outcast and sought the charity denied him by the
world's people from those he had wantonly abused; how a
third, conscience-stricken, humbly sought forgivenness and
died a Shaker; how another, stung with remorse, ended his
hapless life with his own hands..
Mother Ann remained in Harvard and vicinity until July,
1783, when she returned to Watervleit, visiting on her way

264 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
sundry towns where Shaker converts resided, and nearly
everywhere encountering opposition and ill treatment fi'om
mobs, similar to that experienced in Harvard.
To throw full and fair light upon this unpleasant episode
in town history, brief extracts from contemporary records of
their opponents will be quoted, in contrast with the state
ments of the church elders. In the Summary View of the
Millennial Church, published by Shaker authority, the experi
ences of Mother Ann while in the East are thus set forth : —
She arrived in Harvard the latter part of June, where she was shortly
visited by great numbers of the inhabitants, and by many others from
various parts of the country. Many embraced her testimony, and, as is
natural on such occasions, the spirit of Antichrist was greatly alarmed at
the danger to which he saw his Kingdom exposed, through the prevail
ing influence of the testimony of truth. Persecution, the usual engine of
religious intolerance was immediately set in motion; and no means left
untried to arrest the progress of the testimony. Every evil report and
every wicked device, that falsehood and malice could dictate, were called
forth to calumniate and debase the character of Mother Ann and her
companions, and render them odious in the eyes of the people, with a
view to excite them to acts of persecution. The charges of being ene
mies and traitors to the country; of having fire arms and munitions of
war concealed among them; of living in drunkenness and debauchery,
and practicing witchcraft and other base crimes, were continually alleged
against them.
In consequence of these accusations, they suffered much personal
abuse, and on several occasions, they were so shamefully and cruelly
abused, particularly at Harvard and Petersham, that, to all appearance,
it seemed as tho' nothing short of Divine Power could have preserved
their hves. The people also, who embraced the testimony, often suffered
a large share in these abuses; being scourged with whips, beaten with
clubs, stoned, kicked and dragged about by their legs and arms, and
sometimes by the hair of their heads, and driven from place to place in
the most cruel and abusive manner; so that many of them but narrowly
escaped with their lives; and numbers carried through life, the scars and
marks of abuse which they then received from their cruel and inhuman
persecutors. Through all these trying scenes they were evidently pro
tected and supported by the power and providence of God; so that not
withstanding many attempts were made upon the lives of the believers.
yet no life was suffered to be taken 
On the other hand statements by apostates and others,
participants in, or witnesses of, the extravagances of the early
Shakers, accuse them of much unseemly and some revolting

EARLY SHAKERS. 265
conduct. From one of these, less acrimonious than most,
which was printed while Ann Lee was at Harvard, this de
scription of their religious ceremonies is taken : —
When they meet together for their worship, they fall a groaning and
trembling, and every one acts alone for himself; one will fall prostrate
on the floor, another on his knees and his head on his hands, on the floor;
another will be muttering articulate sounds which neither they nor any
body else can understand. Some will be singing, each one his own tune;
some without words in an Indian tone, some singing jig tunes, some tunes
of their own making in an unknown mutter, which they call new tongues;
Some will be dancing and others laughing heartily and loudly; others
'will be drumming on the floor with their feet, as though a pair of drum
sticks were beating a ruff on a drum head; others will be agonized as
though they were in great pain; others jumping up and down; others
muttering over somebody, and talking to them; others will be shooing
and hissing evil spirits out of the house; all in different tunes, groaning,
jumping, dancing, drumming, singing, laughing, talking and stuttering,
shooing and hissing makes a perfect bedlam; this they call the worship
of God  One of their postures which increases among them is,
turning round very swift for an hour and sometimes for two hours at a
time, till they are all wet with sweat; this they say is to shew the great
power of God.
They meet together in the night, and have been heard two miles by
the people in the dead of night; sometimes a company of them will run
away to some house, get into it, raise a bedlam wake up all in the house,
and the neighbors round about for a mile. They run about in the woods
and elsewhere hooting and tooting like owls 
Amos Taylor, signing himself of Harvard, April 15, 1782,
published a brief pamphlet upon the "Strange Principles,
Conduct and Character of the People known by the Name of
Shakers," printed at Worcester. In this he alleges that he
has been one of their number, but now warns the people of
Massachusetts that the tendency of Ann Lee's teachings is
"to introduce popery and ecclesiastical power." Although
Amos, in this opinion, proved unskilled in prophecy, his rela
tion of contemporary events may perhaps be allowed more
respect. He informs us that a store of provisions was kept
at the Square House sufficient for a large number of guests,
and that meetings were there held daily which generally
continued until past midnight, and sometimes until break of
day. The exercises were chiefly singing and dancing, forty

266 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
or fifty men in one room and as many women in another,
"moving about as thick as they can crowd, with extraordinary
transport, singing sometimes one at a time, sometimes more
than one," or dancing by a "perpetual springing from the
house floor about four inches up and down."
From these and various other authorities, it is known that
many came to the Square House from very great distances,
and some came again and again, staying a longer or shorter
time as they were able, and numerous converts were made.
There was a constant coming and going of proselytes, and of
those who sought novelties, or marvels, or a trial of the
boasted healing touch of Mother Ann. Often scenes of un
restrained and uproarious excitement, both at the Square
House and at the residences of adherents of the sect in Har
vard, Lancaster, Shirley and Littleton, astonished and shocked
the strait-laced, unemotional Congregationalists, their neigh
bors, and were magnified into scandalous orgies by village
gossip. But these paroxysms of enthusiasm very probably
did not far outvie those to be seen in modern days at some of
the fervid hours in rural camp-meetings at the South and
West. It was natural for the unbelieving onlookers in the vicinity
to judge of the spirit of these early enthusiasts by their
physical demonstrations, by the delusions of the weak and
ignorant, the folly of the ranters, and by the unhappy results
of ecstatic delirium. The Shaker authority before quoted
acknowledges that converts "were not able at all times to ex
ercise their zeal according to the dictates of wisdom. Many
times they exhibited a degree of wildness and enthusiasm in
their conduct, which, to the beholders, appeared like the
greatest inconsistency and delusion  irregularities could
not always be foreseen nor prevented." Those who often
saw frenzied women "whirling" along the public road for
long distances, and dancing with rhythmic shaking of heads,
hands and arms dignified into a ceremonial of worship, were
tempted to jeering comment and ridicule; and when they saw
happy homes broken up, families impoverished, the acutely
nervous made insane, affianced girls frightened into rejection
of their sweethearts, it is hardly to be thought strange that

EARLY SHAKERS. 267
sometimes in wrath they sought to scourge out of town the
promoters of such distractions. Human resentment acting
in the interests of society is apt to use rude instruments.
The brutality of a mob is beyond the pale of apology.
But the brutality of the period under consideration was not
confined to mobs. The village whipping-posts and stocks
had rotted away, but in army and navy the cat-o'-nine-tails
flourished, and naked backs were scored in punishment for
most offences. Many who were active in the persecution
were soldiers fresh from the rough lessons of army experi
ence. The passions of war-time and the demoralization of
camp life lowered the tone even of the rural community.
The personal abuse experienced by Ann Lee and her asso
ciates was hardly worse in kind and degree than that suffered
by many outspoken tories, at the hands of life-long neigh
bors, five years before. It should also be said that whenever
the local authorities were appealed to for protection, it seems
to have been freely given, or at least attempted.
The successors of these pioneers in the Shaker faith, with
progressive practical wisdom, established a covenant and or
ganized, in 1792, a social system pf which celibacy, com
munity of goods, oral confession of sins and subjection to
elders, form the corner-stone. Extravagances in demeanor
gradually ceased; the novelty of their religious and political
faith wore away; and their will or power for the subversion
of society was no longer feared. The Millennial Communists
soon developed into what they are now — a thrifty, intelligent
and happy brotherhood, the most peaceable, temperate and
industrious of citizens, wearing their crown of humility with
becoming grace.
Among the earlier converts to Shakerism in this vicinity
were : Elijah Wilds, who was the father of the Shirley Com
munity, Isaac and Jeremiah Willard, Aaron and Abel Jewett,
John Warner, David and Jonathan Crouch, Amos Buttrick,
Samuel Barrett, Jonathan Symonds and Abijah Worster. An
adventure of the last named has already been detailed. He
had been a fifer at the siege of Boston, but was doubtless of
too retiring a disposition for that profession; since he is re
corded in the muster rolls as a deserter. In sectarian belief
18

268 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
he was an experimentalist who had passed through an un
usually wide experience, He was born during Mr. Seccomb's
great revival. When over eighty years of age he testified to
the all-satisfying nature of his final faith in a letter which
was printed. He evidently therein offers his testimony as of
especial value, because he had successively held membership
in the Congregational and Baptist societies and found their
creeds inadequate to the supply of his soul's needs; and had
then become a disciple of Shadrach Ireland, whose doctrines,
though "nearly perfect," he discovered lacked spiritualism.
Worster claimed to ht miraculously gifted with healing
power, and he narrates as commonplace facts his frequent
cures of invalidism of long standing, specifying one case of
many where the imposition of his hands saved a life aband
oned by the regular physicians. This claim of his is sup
ported by the evidence of present members of the com
munity, who remember instances of the exercise of this
power by him, and relate minute details of his cures among
those in the faith. Jonathan Symonds was a zealous Shaker
for a brief time. He became a prominent citizen of Harvard,
holding many offices of honor and trust.
The Jewetts were of Littleton. Abel Jewett died in 1806,
nearly one hundred years old. Aaron Jewett had served in
the continental army with the rank of captain. He and
Jeremiah Willard were the first deacons of the Harvard
society. There were several patriot soldiers in the Shaker
ranks. In 1832 the records showed that there was due the
sum of ^3,633. 54 to thirteen pensioners of the United States
belonging to the Harvard and Shirley societies. This money
was never drawn from the national treasury, being the unhal
lowed wages of war.
In 1792, the year from which the Harvard Community
dates its organization, Isaac Willard, "in consideration of the
Love and good will I- have and do bear to the church and
society of Christians called Shakers  and their future
well being, maintenance and upholding in Christian fellow
ship and communion as well as support," deeded to Aaron
Jewett and Jeremiah Willard, trustees, about one hundred
acres of land. Abel Jewett at the same time transferred fifty

SHAKER COMMUNITY. 269
acres to these trustees. In 1808 and 181 5 Seth Babbitt
deeded to Aaron Jewett and Joseph Frost, trustees, over
three hundred acres, and to Joseph Frost and Pliny Blanch
ard, trustees, twenty-four acres more. Gradually, by the as
signment from members and purchase, the society acquired
a very large landed estate, embracing the whole northeast
corner of the town. Simon Atherton, a trustee for fifty years,
is remembered as one by whose wise management the com
munity greatly prospered. At its golden era it could count
a membership of over two hundred souls. In its little burial
ground there are ten rows of graves, averaging over thirty to
a row — the death record of a century. For fifty years there
has been a steady decrease in its numbers until now there are
less than forty members, over three-fourths of these being
females. In the period of its greatest prosperity the Community
was divided into four groups, called the Church or Centre,
the North, the South, and the East Families. The capacious
brick mansion of the North Family, built by Elder Augustus
Grosvenor, proved an unfortunate investment. It is now
leased and kept as a "Rural Home" for summer boarders.
The farm and buildings of the East Family were sold a few
years ago. The landed estate is estimated to be between
fifteen and sixteen hundred acres, lying in the three towns of
Harvard, Ayer and Littleton. It was originally a very rough,
heavily-wooded tract, and embraced much unproductive
swamp and rock-ribbed pasturage ground. Some of this has
been well subdued and brought into a good state of cultiva
tion, but pastures, mowing fields and orchards are sadly de
teriorating because it is unprofitable to improve them since
all labor has to be hired.
Financially the society is very prosperous and has invested
savings. Its resources and support have been largely derived
from horticulture, farming and the sale of standing wood and
timber. Brooms are manufactured to the value of six or
seven hundred dollars yearly, and herbs are pressed and
packed for the retailers, the sale of which amounts to seven
or eight thousand dollars per annum. Eight or ten laborers
are permanently employed, besides the members of the Com-

270 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
munity. The chief farm product from which an income is
derived is milk. This is sent to the Boston market, though
the sisters make all the butter used. The variety of herbs,
barks, leaves, roots and flowers, used for culinary or medicinal
purposes, here dried and ground or pressed, packed and
labeled, is very large. Many are cultivated or gathered upon
the premises, others are bought by the bale. A boiler of
ample capacity and a small engine furnish heat and power
for the herb-packing department, laundry and dairy, all of
which are provided with the most recent scientific and labor-
saving machinery and economic devices.
In earlier days when many hands made diversified indus
tries possible, the Shaker manufactures were far more varied
and extensive. 1 heir precinct contained a saw-mill, a tannery,
a smith shop, in which five or six men made "wrought nails,"
hammers and knives, a tailor's shop — in short the tools and
work rooms for all the common mechanical trades. A very
large business was done in the raising and packing of garden
seeds; the making of cider apple-sauce and the drying and
preserving of fruit; in the braiding of palm-leaf and straw;
the knitting of hosiery, etc. The cloth required for the dress
of both sexes was once all of domestic manufacture, but
spinning-wheels and looms have long been stored in the at
tics. It is twelve or fifteen years since the last hand weaving
was done here, and that was in the fabrication of rag carpet.
The spinning-wheel owes its latest improvement, the pat
ent head, to the mechanical skill of a Shaker woman in the
Harvard Community. Seth Babbitt in the early days of the
society lived upon the farm now owned by the town, but ex
changed it for that during many years occupied by the East
Family. He had two daughters who became converts to the
Shaker doctrines, and they persuaded their father and mother
to surrender a large landed estate and cast their lot with the
Community. Seth Babbitt, in 1821, became insane, and was
placed under restraint. His condition and treatment in 1825
gave rise to charges of cruelty or neglect, a discussion in
town-meeting, investigation by the selectmen, and a summons
of the Shaker authorities before the court; but pending fur
ther proceedings the insane man died. His daughter Sarah,

TABITHA BABBITT. 271
known as Sister Tabitha, was gifted with rare inventive facul
ties, showing herself of kin to the noted Taunton goldsmith,
Isaac Babbitt, the inventor of Babbitt-metal. The new head
to the spinning-wheel was but one of several gifts to the
world from her brain. She had noted that half of the mo
tion of a reciprocating saw is useless for work, and while at
her spinning the thought struck her that if there were teeth
on the rim of her wheel it would cut continuously what was
brought in contact with it. After making an experiment
with a little tin disk fastened to the spindle, she was prepared
to develop the idea of the buzz saw. The first circular saw
made under her instructions is said to be on exhibition in the
geological buildings at Albany, New York. The idea of cut
ting nails and then heading them, instead of the slow process
of hammering them one by one complete from the end of a
nail rod, is sometimes credited to her, though also claimed by
the Shakers of New Lebanon.
The domiciliary rules for the government of the society,
which are much the same in all Shaker Communities, theoret
ically leave little latitude for individual taste or preference;
but regulations adapted to a congregation of a hundred or
more men and women of various ages necessarily lose some
what of their rigidity where the number of the brotherhood
is so small and the age of the individuals so advanced as in
the present Harvard families. The semi-monastic aspect
that characterized the early Shaker phalanstery, and which
doubtless adheres more or less to the larger ones of the pres
ent day, is not at all obvious to the casual visitor at Harvard.
The two sexes are brought into company with each other in
the exercises of worship, and, though they do not sit at the
same table, their meals are served in the same room; nor is
there any lack of social freedom visible at other times or
places. The little central village, consisting of the meeting-house,
school-house, sundry shops, offices and residences built upon
both sides of the highway, has a prim and Sabbath-day air.
The buildings are nearly all of wood, in the plainest style of
architecture, painted white, and stand but a few feet from the
roadway; a narrow flagging of slate forming a pathway from

272

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

house to house inside the fencing which makes the line of
the public street. The same simplicity and studied neatness
pervade the interior of the dwellings, but there is no lack of
comfort, no conservatism that hesitates about the adoption of
useful novelties. The bath-room boasts all the refinements
of modern sanitary plumbing; the kitchen is equally complete
in its convenient appointments. The visible garb of both
sexes has undergone considerable change in fashion during
the century. A rigid simplicity and general uniformity of
the dress is prescribed, but variation in color or material is
permissible within economic limits. The original costume
had no essential connection with the Shaker belief; con
venience and domestic manufacture fixed its form, material
and colors. Now that factory-made fabrics only can be had,
convenience and economy prevent any rigid adherence to
old-time materials and styles.
In the early days of the society ornament was everywhere
eschewed, and no beauty but that of usefulness was recog
nized. But at Harvard the usefulness of beauty is now ac
knowledged — certainly by the adornment of walls with pic
tures and the brightening of windows with flowers, if not in
other ways. Contact with the world's people is not sought
save as it is needful for the dealings of the business man
agers; but the Shakers are hospitable to worthy guests, and
frank in their communications with them. Books, though
selected with more care, are as numerous as in other intelli
gent families, and magazines and newspapers of miscellane
ous character are taken. The use of "yea'' and "nay" is the
only peculiarity that marks the Shaker speech.
The vegetarian transcendentalists of Fruitlands, their
neighbors in 1843, made a sympathetic study of the Shakers,
and felt constrained from their own exalted standpoint to
criticize them as not ascetic enough, and "lacking true sim
plicity in every particular;" as more involved in money-mak
ing and mercantile transactions, more indulgent in the use of
flesh food, milk, tea and coffee, more dependent upon inter
course with the world, than is compatible with a serene life.
On the other hand modern Epicureans and Sybarites, after
visits to them, have recorded quite different impressions of

SHAKER ELDERS.

273

their austere and self-denying mode of existence. The more
commonplace judgment respecting them is, that they are in
danger of mistaking harmless quietude for virtuous living.
Patriotism other than the passive sentiment can hardly be
said to exist, in theory at least, in the Shaker commune. Pol
itics, and even town affairs not touching their financial inter
est, are commonly ignored. There are apparent exceptions
to this statement. Elder John Whiteley, the present head of
the bishopric, is a man of broad sympathies, as well as wide
experience. Elijah Myrick rendered efficient service in Har
vard as a member of the school board. He was a man so
much respected for his integrity and sound judgment that the
town elected him to office during ten years. When he died,
February 9, 1890, his loss was felt throughout a very much
wider community than that over which he was in some sense
a ruler. His abilities were of an unusual order. He invented
and patented sundry useful articles, among which the best
known were "Myrick's Chimney Caps" and a portable wagon
top. He had at his decease been elder for seven, and one
of the trustees for over forty years.
The Harvard and Shirley societies together form a bishop
ric, over which the presiding officials are two elders and two
elderesses. These receive their nomination from the church
ministry, and the selection, if it obtains the consent of the
covenant members of the society, ends in formal appoint
ment and consecration by the laying on of hands. The order
of succession has been as follows : Elder Eleazar Rand came
from New Lebanon, New York, to gather the societ)', Febru
ary 19, 1791. He was called Father, and April 15, 1791,
Mother Hannah Kendall was appointed "to stand with Father
Eleazar over the two churches." In December of the same
year, Eunice Wilds was appointed as second in the church
with Mother Hannah. January 15, 1792, Daniel Tiffany, from
Hancock, Massachusetts, was appointed second elder with
Father Eleazar. September 15, 1793, Elder Daniel deceased,
and the vacancy was filled in the autumn of 1794 by the ap
pointment of John Warner. Eunice Wilds being released
from ofifice in the summer of 1794 was succeeded by Mehita
ble Keep, generally called Sister Rachel. November 8, 1808,

274

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Father Eleazar died. August i8, 1816, Mother Hannah Ken
dall died, and Hannah Bridges was appointed. November 9,
1818, Grove Babbitt Blanchard became elder. March 15,
1822, Elderess Rachel deceased and Caroline King succeeded
her. August 10, 1825, Caroline King was released and Betty
Babbitt appointed. June 27, 1828, Elder John Warner was
released and Lorenzo Nash succeeded as second elder. June
6, 1830, Elder Lorenzo was released and Joseph Hammond was
appointed. In June, 1834, Elder Joseph was released and
Augustus Grosvenor was appointed, but served only six
m.onths, being succeeded in the following May by John Os-
inent, a Quaker from Salem. October 10, 1838, Hannah
Bridges was released and Sally Loomis appointed. July 31,
1847, Elderess Betty was released and Roxilana Grosvenor
succeeded her. John Osment having removed, John Clout-
man, also from Salem, was appointed. October 25, 1848,
Elder Cloutman was removed and Samuel Myrick was ap
pointed. October 4, 1851, Eldress Roxilana was released and
Olive Hatch succeeded her. February, 1852, Elder Samuel
died, and on May 31, 1852, Thomas Holden was appointed.
Sally Loomis was released July 26, 1854, and Nancy Osment
was made first elderess. April, 1859, Elder Thomas Holden
and Elderess Olive Hatch were released and Mary Babbitt
was appointed. November, 1859, William Leonard was made
second elder, and was released in July, 1861. September 25,
1862, Elderess Mary Babbitt died and Eliza Babbitt was ap
pointed. Grove Babbitt Blanchard, after serving as elder for
fifty-three years, and head elder for more than fifty, was re
leased on account of failing strength, and John Whiteley was
appointed November 27, 1871. He continues in office, no
second elder having been appointed to stand with him. Sep
tember 18, 1872, Nancy Osment was released and Mary O.
Elston succeeded as second elderess. She was released Sep
tember 22, 1878, and Maria Foster succeeded to that position
which she now holds.
The doctrinal tenets of the Shakers are, briefly : that the
second coming of Christ was consummated in the person of
Mother Ann; that consequently a new dispensation has begun,
under which the curse has been taken from labor, and all men

FRUITLANDS. 275
may eventually be redeemed. The earth, which to the Puri
tan was "the scaffold of divine vengeance," is to the believer
in Christ's Second Coming, the heaven in which there is
neither marriage, nor death, nor resurrection. They claim
that Christ was the first Shaker, and that the first Shaker
church was established at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost,
as described in the second chapter of Acts.
Many of the Shakers are earnest Spiritualists, but not all,
nor is the belief an article of church faith. Some claim to
have more constant communion with angels and the spirits
of those who have passed out of sight save to the purified
eyes of the saints, than they do with the living. They are
continually jostled by ghosts. Some of the church hymns
and chants, which form a very prominent feature in the Sab
bath services, were communicated to believers by disem
bodied spirits. These lyrics in many cases certainly afford
evidence that the spiritual syntax, prosody and poetic afflatus
never rise above the habitude and genius of the grosser
medium. The Shaker community, eliminating as it does all but the
fraternal affections, and evading many social obligations and
sympathies, can hardly be called a seminary of good citizen
ship, even if individual souls within its rule be made white
as though purified by fire. Weakening coarse appetites
through ascetic denial, removing temptations by semi-mon
astic seclusion, and maintaining a high standard of spiritual
life, the society is a model of order, industry, sobriety and
rectitude; but unlike the Moravian Brethren, to whose com
munities it bears in many respects so close a resemblance, it
exerts little salutary influence beyond its own. narrow limits,
is not a leavening power in the world at large, and lacks most
elements of progress and self-perpetuation.
III. FRUITLANDS.
If the success of Shadrach Ireland and Mother Ann Lee
in winning and retaining converts to their dogmas might seem
to authorize the assumption that Harvard soil has some oc
cult properties genial to the culture of religious and social
istic eccentricity, there maybe adduced in rejoinder the signal

276 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
failure in later days of a high priest of new doctrines to found
here a home for mystic asceticism.
During the epidemic of transcendentalism in New Eng
land this town became the chosen domicile of a singular
social experiment; one which unlike former adventures of
the type was not so stimulated by proselyting zeal as to cre
ate local disturbance in church and domestic circles, or to stir
the village routine from its accustomed ruts; one which won
no serious converts, and speedily died a natural death, intes
tate. This scheme, in the conception of which Amos Bron
son Alcott was the foremost, and the most romantic, figure,
was no less than an attempt, under modern conditions and on a
rugged New England hillside, to reproduce the life of Adam
in Paradise. Its constitution is best set forth in the pros
pectus of the enthusiasts who founded this "Concordium" or
"Primitive Home," as it appeared in the Dial. ^
Fruitlands, June 10, 1843.
 We have made an arrangement with the proprietor of an estate of
about a hundred acres, which liberates this tract from human ownership.
For picturesque beauty, both in the near and the distant landscape, the
spot has few rivals. A semicircle of undulating hills stretches from south
to west, among which the Wachusett and Monadnoc are conspicuous.
The vale, through which flows a tributary to the Nashua, is esteemed for
its fertility and ease of cultivation, is adorned with groves of nut-trees,
maples, and pines, and watered by small streams. Distant not thirty
miles from the metropolis of New England, this reserve lies in a serene
and sequestered dell. No pubhc thoroughfare invades it, but it is entered
by a private road. The nearest hamlet is that of Stillriver, a field's walk
of twenty minutes, and the village of Harvard is reached by circuitous
and hilly roads of nearly three miles.
Here we prosecute our effort to initiate a Family in harmony with the
primitive instincts in man. The present buildings being ill placed and
unsightly, as well as inconvenient, are to be temporarily used, until suit
able and tasteful buildings in harmony with the natural scene can be
completed. An excellent site opens itself on the skirts of the nearest
wood, affording a view of the lands of the estate, nearly all of which are
capable of spade culture. It is intended to adorn the pastures with or
chards, and to supersede ultimately the labor of the plough and cattle,
by the spade and the pruning knife.
Our planting and other works, both without and within doors, are al
ready in active progress. The present family numbers ten individuals,
five being children of the founders. Ordinary secular farming is not our
object. Fruit, grain, pulse, garden plants, and herbs, flax, and other veg-

FRUITLANDS. 277
etable products for food, raiment, and domestic uses, receiving assiduous
attention, afford at once ample manual occupation, and chaste supplies
for the bodily needs. Consecrated to human freedom the land awaits
the sober culture of devout men.
Beginning with small pecuniary means, the enterprise must be rooted
in a rehance on the succors of an ever bounteous Providence, whose vital
affinities being secured by this union with uncorrupted fields and un
worldly persons, the cares and injuries of a life of gain are avoided.
The inner nature of every member of the Family is at no time neg
lected. A constant leaning on the loving spirit within the soul should
consecrate every talent to holy uses, cherishing the widest charities.
The choice Library is accessible to all who are desirous of perusing these
records of piety and wisdom. Our plan contemplates all such disciplines,
cultures, and habits, as evidently conduce to the purifying and edifying
of the inmates. Pledged to the Spirit alone, the founders can anticipate
no hasty or numerous accession to their numbers. The Kingdom of peace
is entered only through the gates of self denial, and abandonment; and
felicity is the test and the reward of obedience to the unswerving law of
Love. Miss Louisa M. Alcott in her satirical but not greatly ex
aggerated account of the "Consociate Family,'' published un
der the title of Transcendental Wild-oats, tells us that the
 prospective Eden consisted of an old red farm-house, a dilapi
dated barn, many acres of meadow-land, and a grove. Ten ancient
apple-trees were all the "chaste supply" which the place afforded; but
in the firm belief that plenteous orchards were soon to be evoked from
their inner consciousness, these sanguine founders had christened their
domain Fruitlands.
If there were few apples in the orchard, there was an abund
ance of forbidden fruit in the by-laws of this Eden. The
family were enjoined to use for food or raiment " nothing
which has caused death to man or beast." The redundancy
of farm products, it was alleged, would afford the means for
getting by barter the very few essential articles they could
not at first make or raise from the soil. But the ground was
not to be defiled by animal fertilizers, being trusted to yield
copious harvests unforced. Money as the root of all evil
was to be ignored so far as possible.
Under the rules for the body's garb, linen was logically
the only material permissible. Mr. Alcott's daughters, whose
fame is now world-wide, are remembered in Harvard as sad-

278 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
faced little girls, whose appearance in the village streets at
first attracted the wondering gaze of all by reason of their
brown-linen, bloomer costumes. But individuals joined the
family who were, in respect of dress as well as conduct, a law
unto themselves. One exalted Pythagorean is said to have
spent his days in the seclusion of his room, entirely without
clothing, that his spiritual growth might be hindered by no
incumbrances; while by night he was wont to refresh his soul
and body by wide wanderings through the fields and lanes in
unconstraihed communion with nature, clad in a single white
robe which he put on not from choice, but in deference to
the wishes of less advanced lunatics. In these divagations
he occasionally frightened belated wayfarers out of their
wits by his ghost-like semblance, and was one or twice inter
viewed by a committee of inquisitive youth not wholly sym
pathetic with his transcendental aspirations.
Not only fish and flesh, but milk, butter, cheese and eggs
were excluded from the consociate bill of fare, as well as
spices, salt, tea, coffee, and in fact all beverages but water.
Maple sugar and syrup were expected to take the place of
slave-made sweets, and bayberry tallow — kerosene had not
been invented — was to suffice for candles, when any artificial
light was required. The "inner light" was considered ample
illumination under ordinary circumstances. Such vagaries
and restrictions in diet and dress were proclaimed with magis
terial diction to be all potent in purification of the soul, and
essential factors for the reformation of the world. The toil
wasted upon clothing and food was pronounced the fatal
obstruction to spiritual life, and perfection — physical, intel
lectual and moral — was declared attainable in a community
strictly governed by Nature's law.
The original members of the fraternity, besides Mr. Alcott
and family, were Charles Lane and his son William, Henry G.
Wright, Samuel Larned and Abram Wood — a brotherhood
"with nothing apiece," agreeing to share their all in common.
Mr. Lane had for many years been manager of the London
Mercantile Price Current. He was a man of scholarly tastes
and refinement, and author of articles upon moral and social
topics in various magazines. He became a constant contrib-

FRUITLANDS.

279

utor to the Dial. Mr. Wright was a teacher in the Alcott
Home, a school at Ham, Surrey, England. The transcend
entalism of the individual last in the list seems to have shown
itself chiefly in the reversal of his own name to "Wood
Abram." Joseph Palmer soon joined the family. He was
always known among his' untranscendental neighbors of later
days as the " old Jew," because when it was the fashion for
every man to be clean shaven, he wore his luxuriant beard
unabbreviated. Christopher Greene, Anna Page and Charles
Bowers were also temporarily of the household.
Lane and Wright were Englishmen, who had become en
thusiastic disciples of Alcott while he was paying a visit to
London as the guest of certain theoretical educators who
had formed, by reading Miss Elizabeth P. Peabody's Record
of Mr. Alcott's Boston School, an exalted idea of his origin
ality and power as an instructor of youth. Ralph Waldo
Emerson warned them "that they might safely trust his
[Alcott's] theories, but that they should put no trust in his
statement of facts; " Lane and Wright, however, with simple-
minded faith in Alcott's appraisal of himself, accompanied
him upon his return to America, and the former became not
only his confidential partner in this fantastic dream of an
Utopia on the Nashua, but bore all the financial burden of the
enterprise — in his unselfish zeal, putting every cent he had into
it. Samuel J. May, Mrs. Alcott's brother, acting as Lane's
agent, purchased the land and buildings from Maverick Wy
man for eighteen hundred dollars, payment of a portion of
the purchase money being secured by bond and mortgage.
In a letter to Thoreau a few days after their arrival in Har
vard, Charl-es Lane wrote : —
 One afternoon in the latter part of May, Providence sent to us the legal
owner of a slice of the planet in this township, with whom we have been
enabled to conclude for the concession of his rights. It is very remotely
placed, nearly three miles beyond the village, without a road, surrounded
by a beautiful green landscape of fields and woods, with the distance
filled up by some of the loftiest mountains in the State. The views are,
indeed most poetic and inspiring. You have no doubt seen the neighbor
hood; but from these very fields, where you may at once be at home and
out, there is enough to love and revel in for sympathetic souls like yours.
On the estate are about fourteen acres of wood, part of it extremely

28o HISTORY OF HARVARD.
pleasant as a retreat, a very sylvan realization, which only wants a Thor-
eau's mind to elevate it to classic beauty.
 We have only two associates in addition to our own families; our
house accommodations are poor and scanty; but the greatest want is of
good female aid. Far too much labor devolves upon Mrs. Alcott 
For though to me our mode of life is luxurious in the highest degree, yet
generally it seems to be thought that the setting aside of all impure diet,
dirty habits, idle thoughts, and selfish feelings, is a course of self denial
scarcely to be encountered or even thought of in such an alluring world
as this in which we dwell.
Besides the busy occupations of each succeeding day, we form, in this
ample theatre of hope, many forthcoming scenes. The nearer little
copse is designed as the site of the cottages. Fountains can be made to
descend from their granite sources on the hill-slope to every apartment
if required. Gardens are to displace the warm grazing glades on the
south, and numerous human beings, instead of cattle, shall here enjoy
existence. The farther wood offers to the naturalist and the poet an ex
haustless haunt; and a short cleaning of the brook would connect our
boat with the Nashua. Such are the designs which Mr. Alcott and I
have just sketched, as, resting from planting, we walked round this re
serve 
Alcott's plans for the Consociate Family were expressed
by him in a letter to a friend before the purchase of Fruit
lands, thus : —
 Our purposes, as far as we know them at present are briefly these :
First, to obtain the free use of a spot of land adequate by our own la
bor to our support; including of course a convenient plain house, and
offices, wood lot, garden, and orchard.
Secondly, to live independently of foreign aids by being sufficiently
elevated to procure all articles for subsistence in the productions of the
spot, under a regimen of healthful labor and recreation; with benignity
towards all creatures, human and inferior; with beauty and refinement
in all economies; and the purest charity throughout our demeanor.
Should this kind of life attract parties towards us — individuals of like
aims and issues — that state of being itself determines the law of associ
ation; and the particular mode may be spoken of more definitely as indi
vidual cases may arise; but in no case, could inferior ends compromise
the principles laid down.
Doubtless such a household, with our library, our services and man
ner of hfe, may attract young men and women, possibly also families
with children, desirous of access to the channels and fountain of wisdom
and purity; and we are not without hope that Providence will use us pro
gressively for beneficial effects in the great work of human regeneration,
and the restoration of the highest life on earth 

FRUITLANDS. 281
From all contemporary evidence we are assured that Mr.
Alcott carried out his theories so far as "with benignity
towards all creatures human and inferior," to take upon him
self the functions of "the fountain of wisdom and purity,"
while Mrs. Alcott was kept under "a regimen of healthful
labor." Throughout his career he was always " sufficiently
elevated to live independently of foreign aid," after the "-free
use" of all the comforts of life, "including, of course, a con
venient plain house, and offices, wood lot, garden and
orchard" had been given him by friends or relatives. But we
are told that Alcott was ever utterly unconscious of his own
charlatanry. Emerson once said of him : " His ideal is be
held with such unrivaled distinctness that he is not only
justified but necessitated to condemn and to seek to upheave
the vast actual, and cleanse the world." His benevolence
endeci as it began, in theories. His riotous imagination was
rarely hampered by economic laws. He was a prophet in
whose messages were many elements of noble truths, but his
lack of humor and practical common-sense deprived these
messages of power to enlarge the limits of spiritual freedom.
Emerson should in poetic justice have been a stockholder
in Fruitlands, for his teachings furnished the scheme inspira
tion. During the summer he was at least once welcomed as
a guest there, and has recorded, with expression of sympathy
for the lofty aspirations, the heroism of faith, and the hatred
of civilization's falsehoods which begot the phalanstery, a
prophetic doubt as to its time and weather-proof construc
tion. As Thomas Carlyle has said, the philanthropists greatly
craved his leadership, but Emerson "could not be induced on
any conditions to applaud their sordid peace or preach the
panacea of cold water."
I Henry D. Thoreau was a less critical and a more congenial
visitor, as might be expected of one so bitterly at odds with
all conventionalism and so versed in ascetic experience.
Isaac Thomas Hecker, the baker at Brook Farm, seeking
a more self-denying life, came to Fruitlands and for a time
thought his aspirations attained; but a fortnight's residence
there in July convinced him that the Harvard experiment
was little more than a burlesque of that at West Roxbury,

282 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
and that hia romantic first impressions of its founder's genius
must be revised. , Hecker was, however, already far on the
road to Rome and in a state of mental unrest not to be satis
fied with any but a monastic life. He died in j888, Superior
of the Paulist Community.
Tramps of high and low degree strayed into the mystic
circle now and then; such as Hawthorne described from some
of his own experiences:  "the strangest companions
imaginable; men with long beards, and dressed in linen
blouses, and other such new-fangled and ill-fitting garments;
reformers, temperance lecturers, and all manner of cross-look
ing philanthropists; community-men and come-outers 
who acknowledged no law, and ate no solid food, but lived on
the scent of other people's cookery and turned up their
noses at the fare." They were led to Fruitlands chiefly by
curiosity, but their inquisitiveness was soon sated. "Vital
affinities" they found there, but the sesthetic conditions were
not of the kind to appease their special longings.
Neophytes from time to time deliberately joined this com
mune of "plain living and high thinking;" but as each was
left free to choose for himself such occupation as best ac
corded with his mental and physical capacity and taste, much
time was wasted in developing personal adaptations; the
drones outnumbered the honey gatherers, and often the labor
given was so misdirected as to add nothing 'to the harvest.
As at a summer's-day picnic make-shifts and incon
veniences do not detract from the zest of the common enjoy
ment, so the " Newness," in spite of miscalculations, mis
chances, and perpetual self-denial, for a time pleased the en
thusiasts; and yearnings, dreams and aspirations survived
awhile the insufficient bill of fare. But the gnawing of nat
ural appetites, and hands blistered with spading a garden of
insignificant area led to sober reflection, and also to secret
indulgence, by some of the disciples, in savory food at the
village or neighboring farmer's kitchen; and to other conces
sions which the chief philosophers denounced as soul-cor
rupting Epicureanism. The Alcott children for a time
attended the village school, and surviving playmates relate
that the scant noon lunch of the little girls always consisted

FRUITLANDS. 283
of an apple and a piece of unbuffered graham-bread for each;
to which, moved by pity, their companions regularly contrib
uted more toothsome food from their generously-filled dinner
pails. It was found necessary to admit cattle to assist in plough
ing — temporarily, "till the workers should become better
fitted for noble toil by a summer of the new life." This
"letting themselves down easy" was highly approved by the
Yankee philosopher who took the lead in all agricultural
matters. He is charged with having basely seized the oppor
tunity to introduce a milch cow as one of the yoke beasts,
and thereafter daily to have fortified his dinner of herbs by
surreptitious draughts at the barn.
The inspired "apostles of the Newness" dreamed away
summer and autumn in egotistic negligence of the ties of
society and the duties of citizenship, and in practical denial
of the authority of common-sense and human experience;
prating to each other with grave air of Platonic profundity,
rhetorical phrases about the eternal verities, and leading a
life of virtuous paganism. Had their natural powers been
such that they could have carried their imitation of the
woodchuck's habits one step further, or had their environment
been that of a tropical island with bananas, breadfruit and
custard — apples within easy grasp, their dream might have
been longer. But the frosts of winter came, and the crazy
old farm-house opened all its pores to the icy blasts that
swept down from the northern mountains across those "poetic
and inspiring views;" the wood-pile vanished, the granary
was soon empty, the cupboard bare, and the "sylvan realiza
tion" at length developed into a straggling procession of the
sadder and wiser to retreats less lonely — and therefore less
paradisiacal — but blessed with a sunnier aspect, and a pro
vision store around the corner.
The farm finally came into possession of Joseph Palmer.
Charles Lane, his small capital devoured in the experiment,
sought temporary refuge with the Shakers, and the next ye^ir
with his son William and Mr. Wright returned to England.
Mr. Alcott, impoverished, stunned, and for a time utterly
downcast by the rude awakening from his vision of a world
19

284 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
regenerated, lingered a year at a Still River home and then
returned to Concord; continuing to live buoyantly upon faith,
and to merit the title given him by Thoreau, "the great ex-
pecter." His faithful wife, who never shared in his visionary
hopes, seems to have been the chief burden-bearer while at
Fruitlands — an over-worked bond-slave where all others were
at least free to be slothful.
Four years after the ignominious flight of the transcen
dentalists from their poetic retreat, a railway was opened
through the heart of Fruitlands, sundering by its prosaic
roadbed the shabby barn and house from the meadows and
grove. "The traveler upon the cars when about half way be
tween the Still River and Harvard stations may yet see
towards the west the landscape that was so inspiring to Charles
Lane, and on the rocky hillside near by, at the eastward, the
old brown farm house that served as the phalanstery where
Alcott began the reformation of mankind through the soul-
exalting influences of a diet of apples and bran bread. Three
tall mulberry trees darken the front windows and shadow the
roof of the house, the only surviving relics of the transcen
dental gardening.

VI.
MILITARY ANNALS— 174^-176^.

I. KING GEORGE'S WAR.
THE yeomen of New England from the earliest days
were by necessity soldiers, and in many a bloody con
flict showed themselves inheritors of those martial qualities
which gave the victory to Cromwell's Roundheads in their
contest with the gallant Cavaliers of England; but before
1745 their experience had been almost exclusively that of
defensive or partisan warfare. In that year they won his
toric renown by the siege and capture of Louisbourg, which
had long afforded a safe refuge to the French privateers that
menaced the existence of the New England fisheries. This
was one of the strongest fortifications in the world, all the
resources of military art having been lavished upon it, and
it was considered the key of the French possessions in
America. Its reduction, wholly the achievement of the skill
and daring of the New England yeomanry, taught them their
own strength as a military people, and gave them competent
leaders and self confidence thirty years later, when they be
gan the long fight for a flag of their own.
Of the five infantry regiments from Massachusetts that
shared in the glory of the conquest of Louisbourg, the Fourth
was commanded by Colonel Samuel Willard. Born at Still
River in 1690, he was in 1745 a resident of Lancaster, and
had for many years been the ranking military officer of the
district. He received orders from Governor William Shirley
on the nineteenth of February to raise a regiment, and in

286 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
thirty days recruited and organized his command of five
hundred men, and sailed from Boston with General William
Pepperell, March 24, 1745. Sufh alacrity is ample proof of
the colonel's great energy and popularity; although the peo
ple of Massachusetts were fired with such zeal to assail the
enemy for whom they felt both racial and religious hatred,
that the bold enterprise put on all the features of a Protest
ant crusade. The little army of less than four thousand men
reached the vicinity of the reputed impregnable fortress
about the middle of April, and on the seventeenth of June^
Louisbourg, with all its batteries, garrison and stores, was sur
rendered to these audacious farmers and mechanics, who had
never seen siege operations before. Their victory was esteemed
of so vital importance, not only to the American colonies,
but to Great Britain, that the news of it was received with
extravagant demonstrations of joy upon both sides of the
Atlantic. The muster-rolls of Colonel Willard's regiment are not
known to exist, a roster of the officers only being found.
Seth Pomeroy was major of the regiment, and of the ten
companies two were officered by Lancaster men. In these
two companies were the volunteers from Harvard, but how
many or who they were cannot be told. The first company's
officers were: Captain Joshua Pierce, Lieutenant Abijah Wil
lard and Ensign Levi Willard; those of the fourth company
were: Captain John Warner, Lieutenant Joseph Whitcomb
and Ensign William Hutchins. Both Pierce and Warner laid
down their lives in the service. The latter was a grandson of
that John'^Warner who built his home upon Bare Hill about
1690. Abijah and Levi were sons of Colonel Samuel Willard,
born at the Still River farm. William Hutchins was also a
Harvard soldier.
Deeply chagrined at the downfall of Louisbourg, the
French organized a formidable naval expedition to wreak re
taliatory devastation upon Massachusetts. At news of its
coming, the militia of the state were called out to man the
coast defences and garrison Boston. For weeks the people
were in painful suspense, awaiting the attack from the French
armada commanded by the Duke d'Anville. The blow never

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.

287

fell, for a furious tempest fought for New England, scattering
the fleet and compelling the abandonment of its purpose.
But the savage raids from Canada, inspired by the French
Jesuits, continued a constant menace to the Massachusetts
frontier, filling the land with terror. Bands of Indians were
periodically equipped and sent to the border settlements of
the hated Puritans, to burn, plunder and scalp; and into the
murder-stained hands of the successful warriors, upon their
return with the spoils and half-dead captives, their ruthless
employers paid the promised blood-money.
Harvard was no longer a border-town, but from her hill
tops the debatable land was within sight, and, as in the days
of Lovewell's war, her young men were continually called
from their labors on the farm to shoulder their muskets and
scour the woodlands at the west and north, in search of the
swift-footed marauders known to be prowling about the cab
ins of the advance settlers. The following is the muster-roll
of a scouting party sent out from Harvard by Colonel Sam
uel Willard for a week's tour in the woods during July, 1748 : —

Jonathan Whitney, capt:
Thomas Ball, lieut:
Ephraim Gates, sergn:
John Randal, sergn:
Ebenezer Davis, clerk:
Justinian Holden, corpl:
Gabriell Preist, corpl:
Thomas Wheler Jun., cent^i:
William Farmer
John Warner
Ebenezer Worcester
William Harper
Sam": Harper

Hezekiah Willard
Stephen Haskal
John Davis
Amos Stone
Benj'. Sampson
Abnah Holt
Samuel Bruce
John Sterns
Benj". Baley
Benj". Marbel
Abijah Pratt
John Houghton
Daniel Whitney

Phineas Pratt
Joseph Wetherby
Ehsha Gates
Josiah Gates
Josiah Davis
Daniel Farr
Joseph Wetherby
William Skinner
David Jewett
Silas Wetherby
Daniel Bruce
Jonas Wilder
Abraham Houghton

II. THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR— 1754-1763.
The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which was signed Oc
tober 7, 1748, gave back to the French everything that
the valor of New England had wrested from them.
Their cruisers again had the safe harbor of Louisbourg
whence to threaten the coast and the commerce of New
England. The pretended peace was but a breathing spell

288 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
masking the preparations for a more desperate struggle be
tween the Puritan and Jesuit civilizations for the possession
of North America. Hostilities began by border collisions
long before the formality of a declaration of war between
the mother countries. Massachusetts stationed a force of
observation and defence during the spring of 1754 upon the
eastern frontier under Colonel John Winslow, and one upon
the western frontier under Colonel Israel Williams. With
the former there served from Harvard : Gordon Hutchins,
Benjamin Hutchins, Richard Holden and Jacob Willard;
with the latter, Elias Haskell and Solomon Stone. Gordon
Hutchins, who appears in subsequent rolls as a private, be
came a soldier of some distinction in the Revolution. When
about forty years of age he removed from Harvard, where he
had been a prosperous farmer and a manufacturer of potash
in the Still River neighborhood, to Concord, New Hampshire,
and there entered upon a mercantile life. At the Lexington
Alarm he became active in raising a company for the patriot
army, and was commissioned captain. He served in the reg
iment of Colonel John Stark for six months, and was
wounded in the battle of Bunker Hill. Promoted to the rank
of lieutenant-colonel he fought at White Plains in 1776 with
Colonel Nahum Baldwin's New Hampshire regiment. In
1777 he was chosen representative to the Provisional Con
gress at Exeter. He died at Concord December 8, 181 5, aged
eighty-two years.
In the spring of 1755, four great military expeditions en
tered upon their dread work under English generalship,
directed against Acadia, Crown Point, Fort Niagara and Fort
Duquesne. In the two first named Harvard men were en
listed. For the investment of Crown Point the combined
British and colonial forces were assembled under Major-
general William Johnson, at the head of Lake George early
in September. With them were two regiments from Worces
ter county, commanded by Colonel Timothy Ruggles of
Hardwick and Colonel Samuel Willard of Lancaster. The
latter was the eldest son of Colonel Samuel Willard of Louis
bourg fame, and a native of Still River, born November 12,
1718. He was authorized to raise a regiment of eight hun-

BATTLE OF LAKE GEORGE. 289
dred men for the expedition, and John Whitcomb of Bolton
was commissioned lieutenant-colonel under him. He was
attacked by a fever and died at Lake George, October 26,
when Colonel Whitcomb succeeded to command of the bat
talion. In his command were these soldiers from Harvard,
serving from August to December : —
Judah Clark, lieutenant Joseph Houghton
Benjamin Hutchins, sergeant Elkanah Keyes
Isaac Stone, corporal Samuel Meed
Uriah Holt, corporal Phineas Pratt
Samuel Hibbard, corporal John Sawyer
Samuel Corey Josiah Whitney
Isaac Gates
In Colonel Ruggles's command were Corporal Jabez Keep,
Caleb Wright and William Brabrook. These men, or most of
them, fought in the bloody battle of Lake George, September
8, 1755, when the gallant Dieskau, leading a large force of
French and Indians, was signally defeated by the undisciplined
valor of the New England yeomanry led by General Phineas
Lyman. The regimental rolls unfortunately give us no account of
casualties, but original petitions tell of two wounded men,
and give a glimpse of the economy of the period, and the
hardships endured by the disabled soldiers.
The Province of the Massachusetts Bay.
to his Honnor Spencer Phips Esqr. Commander in Cheiff to the Honnor-
able his Maj esty s Councel and house of Representives now Setting at
Boston In sd Province May 1756.
the Humble Petition of Judah Clark of Harvard In the County of
Worcester Humbly Sheweth that your Poore Petitioner Charfully In
Gaged In the Intended Expedition against Crown Point the last year and
went in the Capassity of a Lent. In the Company of Capt. William Peirce
and In Co". Whitcomb's Ridgement and was In the Ingagment on the
Eighth of September Last where he Rec"*. a wound in his Left arm by a
Ball from the Enemy which has occationed him Grate Paine Loss of time
and Rendred his arm all most usless and is Licke to be so for which this
Honnorable Courte In their Grate Wisdom and Goodness has been
Pleased to macke me a Grant of four Pounds besides the Expence of
my Geting home S^c which am Hartly thankfull for but am under an
necsessity to ask your Honnor and Honnors further Consideration for my

2go HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Sufferings as you in your Grate Wisdom shall see meet as In Duty Shall
Ever Pray. Judah Clark.
In the House of Reps. June ii, 1756. Read and Ordered, That there
be allowed and paid out of the public Treasury to the Petitioner the sum
of Four pounds in Consideration of his Sufferings for the present year.
Sent up for Concurrence. T Hubbard Spkr
In Council June 11, 1756. Read and Concurred. J Willard Secy
Consented. S Phips
[Massachusetts Archives, lxxv, 574.]
To his Excellency William Shirley Esq 
Thomas Wright of Harvard in the County of Worcester Yeoman
humbly Sheweth That your Petitioner has a Son named Caleb Wright a
Minor, who was a soldier in Capt. Asa Whitcomb's Company in Col".
Ruggles's Rigement in the late Expedition against Crown Point in which
service he continued, till by the accidental discharge of a Gun at Fort
Edward he was wounded with a Ball & two Buckshotts, the Bullet lodg'^
near his Shoulder Joint which occasioned him great Pain & Sickness, so
that when your Pet' went with a Horse to bring him home he could not
be moved, but lay confin'd & tarried till the Camp was discharged by
means of which, great charge has accrued to your Pet', vizt twenty shil
lings expended on tbe Road in going after his Son, besides the Hire of
the Horse & his own Time & Labour & eighteen shillings more expended
by his Son in getting home, & besides all this the Loss of his Sons Arm
in a great measure, the Bullet Continuing so near the Joint as to make it
painful to him to Work; all which your Pet', humbly submits to your
Consideration & prays you would grant him som Rehef, And your Pet'.
shall ever pray Thomas Wright
 £2 allowed by the Committee. [Massachusetts Archives, LXXV, 657.)
Re-enforcements were hurried to the aid of General John
son as soon as news of the battle reached the Massachusetts
authorities. A regiment of infantry was enlisted to serve
under Colonel Josiah Brown of Sudbury, and in this com
mand twenty Harvard men were enrolled : —
Zadock Davis, ensign Joshua Blanchard Gerdon Hutchins
Justinian Holden, sergeant Simon Blanchard - Oliver Tenney
Micah Davis, corporal Nathaniel Cobleigh Caleb Whitney
Daniel Houghton, corporal Josiah Davis Jonathan Whitney
Jeremiah Laughton, " Benjamin Hale Moses Whitney
Robert Whitcomb, " Abraham Houghton Phineas Willard Jr.
Benjamin Bridge, drummer William Houghton

SOLDIERS' PETITIONS. 291
Late in the autumn the colonial forces were dismissed to
their homes. Many soldiers, enfeebled by camp diseases,
died in the ill-appointed hospitals, or were brought home by
short stages on horseback through the wilderness of Western
Massachusetts. The costly campaign was barren of profit,
save that the New England men had gained experience and
self-reliance. The fortress of Crown Point had not been as
sailed even, but the dismal defeat of the royal troops with
General Braddock, in the public estimation elevated the re
pulse of Dieskau by the provincials into a glorious victory.
Though Colonel Brown's campaigning in 1755 was brief
and bloodless, the petitions of two Harvard soldiers show
that it was not unattended with suffering and danger. Ex
tracts from these are given to show some of the changes in
human intercourse which a century and a half have wrought
in Massachusetts : —
 The Humble petition of Daniel Houghton Jun'. who was in the
Service of the Government the last year in the Crownpoint Expedition
in the Regement whereof Josiah Brown Esqr. was Colonal and in Cap
tain Daniel Fleacher's Company, now may it please your Excellency and
Honours I was taken Very Sick at the Lake with the Camp fever and I
was brought Down in a Wagon from the Lake to Albany and when I had
got to Albany I being so poor that I was oblidge'to tarry some days upon
my own Expence and I travelled from there to Canterhook and there I
being so poor that I was oblidge to sell my Gun for five shillings and four
pence which I could have had one pound twelve shillings for it Before I
went from home, also I was oblidge to sell a new wollen check shirt for
two shillings and four pence, and a new pair of stockings for one shilling
and two pence, and a Good pair of Shoes for one shilling and three pence
which I was oblidge to sell for my Necessity and Besides that aforemen
tioned I was oblidge to spend eighteen shillings for my Necessity a com
ing home, and I travelled from Canterhook as well as I could to Spring
field and there I sent home for a man and horse to fetch me home, and I
travelled as well as I could from there to Brookfield and there a man and
horse came for me and it took the man three days a going there and
bringing me home and six shiUings sixpence for a norse hired to fetch
me home  Daniel Houghton, Jun".
[Massachusetts Archives, lxxv, 322.]
 The Humble petition of Abraham Houghton who was  in
the Regiment Whereof Josiah Brown Esq' was Colonal and in Captain
Daniel Fleacher's Company  as I was Returning home from the
Camps the Last fall I was taken 111 at Kanterhook and I travelled as well

292 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
as I could from thereto Westfield and there I sent home for a man and
horse to fetch me home and I travelled from there to Springfield and
there I was ten days sick at the house of one Joseph Taylor under the
Care of Doctor Ashly of Westfield and there a man and horse came for
me and it took the man and horse twelve days a going there and bring
ing me home and the Expence I was at a comeing home was eighteen shil
lings which I was oblidge to spend for my necessity Besides the time of
the man and horse which Cost me one pound and one shilling and I was
comeing home from the 29 day of November to the 22 day of December
from the Lake home and I was six weeks not able to do any sort of
work  Abraham Houghton.
[Massachusetts Archives, LXXV, 324.]
The expedition for the expulsion of the French from their
recently fortified positions on the Bay of Fundy, which
ended in the ravaging and depopulation of Acadia, set out
from Boston under command of Lieutenant-colonel Robert
Monckton, May 20, 1755. With it, belonging to the second
battalion — Lieutenant-colonel John Scott's — was a company
officered by, and largely composed of, Lancaster men. Its
captain, Abijah Willard, was the brother of Colonel Samuel,
and like him, a native of Still River, born July 8, 1720. A
younger brother, Joshua, and Moses Haskell were his lieuten
ants, and Caleb Willard his ensign. The Harvard men in his
command were eight in number: —
Benjamin Atherton, aged 20, laborer. Daniel Harper, aged 21, laborer.
Jonathan Creasy, " 25, " Elias Haskell, " 19, cooper.
Isaac Day, " 24, cooper. Joseph Metcalf, " 21, "
John Farnsworth, " 30, laborer. Silas Willard, " ig, laborer.
The enlistment was for a year. Captain Willard was a
very efficient officer, inheriting from his father and great
grandfather much of their energy and judgment in the man
agement of men. He was a strict disciplinarian, but studi
ously careful of the health and well-being of those under his
authority. The company had little experience of battle, for,
after some skirmishing and a four days' investment of Fort
Beausejour, the French military forces abandoned the coun
try; but there devolved upon it much hardship and a service
repulsive to brave men. Captain Willard was sent to Bay Verte,
where upon opening his sealed instructions he found his
orders were to desolate the whole district to the Basin of

FRENCH NEUTRALS. 29^
Minas, and march the inhabitants to Fort Cumberland. This
cruel mandate of Monckton was faithfully carried out. The
broken-hearted peasantry were driven on board transports and
carried to be dispersed among the American colonies, where
these exiles, known as French Neutrals, sighed their lives
away in wretched poverty, never ceasing to lament for their
lost Acadia. Captain Willard left a brief journal of his
Acadian experiences, from which we learn that one day in
his march along the shore of the Basin of Minas, where pre
cipitous cliffs bordered the sands, the expedition barely
missed a more tragic ending. The warning of a Frenchman
and a retreat at headlong speed to a point where the bank
could be scaled, just saved it from being ingulfed by the in-rush
of the eighty-foot tide, and many of the soldiers had to wade
to escape. Willard records his experience at one of the
chief settlements in his round of devastation thus : —
 I told them they might cary their familys with them if they
thought best; and upon that they askt me for to have Liberty to go with
their familys to the Island of St John's but soon answered them itt did
not lie in my power to do itt, and they askt me Liberty for two hours to
Consult wether they thought best to cary their familys. I Granted thern
the Liberty and after they had Consulted with each other they sent for
me and they made this Reply that they had chose to Leave their familys,
which I Readily Granted for I did not want the Trouble of the women
and children  this afternoon I ordered the whole to be Drawed up
in a Bodey and bid the french men march of, and soft fire to their Build
ings and Left the women and children to Tack Care of themselves with
grate Lamentation, which I must Confess itt seemed to be sumthing
shoking. The long and dreary winter was spent in barracks at Fort
Cumberland, and it was not until April, 1756, that the Har
vard soldiers of the Acadian campaign saw Massachusetts
again. Of the French Neutrals, whom they assisted in driv
ing from their pleasant homes, more than a thousand had
been distributed throughout Massachusetts the preceding
February, and Theal Forre [ForraitJ, his wife Abigail, and
their children, Mary, Abigail and Margaret, were assigned to
Harvard. Early in the spring of 1756 the provincial forces were or
ganized and began to assemble at Albany for a renewal of

294 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
the campaign against Crown Point. It was June before Gen
eral Joseph Abercrombie appeared to assume command, and
he awaited the coming of the royally-commissioned general-
in-chief. Earl Loudoun, who finally arrived late in July. The
dallying of these British officers had made useless the costly
preparations of New England; the expedition did not move
from the base of supplies. -Harvard was represented in the
army of the province by at least ten men; seven were en
listed in the company of Captain Thomas HartweU of Little
ton for the regiment of Colonel Jonathan Bagley, serving
from April to December: —
Benjamin Bridge, lieutenant. Abijah Coles Gershom Hale
Justinian Holden, clerk. Isaac Day Uriah Holt

[Massachusetts Archives, xcv, 50.]

Benjamin Hutchins

John Burt and Jonathan Peirce also served during the
campaign, and Jeremiah Dickenson enlisted but died in
March. A memorial by Uriah liolt may throw some light
upon the means used to keep watchers wakeful in 1756: —
The Petition of Vriah Hoult a Poor Soulger who was oute In the Ex
pedition against Crown Point In the year 1756 under the Command of
Capte Thomas HartweU In the Regement of Coll Bagley, and so it was
may Plese your Honours that as I was Returning home from said Expe
dition I was Taken Sik at the Hafe Moon & Lay there four Days and
then mov*. Homewards as fast as my strength would admitt and with
what it Cost me for Hiring Horses from Place to Place and for what I
payed for Nesecareys In my Sik & weke Condition over and above what
the Province allowed for my Billiting Eighteen Shillings and after I got
Home I was Confined to my Bead with the Camp fevour four wekes and
had watchers a grate part of the time and it Cost me for Rum Wine
Brandey & Plumes Ten Shillings & Eight pence & for Nursing four
wekes it Cost me twelve shillings  July 7, 1757. Uriah Holt.
[Massachusetts Archives, lxxviii, 561.]
The year 1757 was passed in "masterly inactivity" on the
part of the general-in-chief, and the loss of Fort William
Henry disheartened the provinces. Colonel Joseph Frye, on
August 2, marched with his Massachusetts regiment from
Fort Edward on the Hudson to the relief of Colonel Munro
at Fort William Henry, fifteen miles westward, at the head of
Lake George. The next day the Marquis Montcalm sur-

FORT WILLIAM HENRY. 295
rounded the fortress with a force of nine thousand French
and Indians, and after six days' brave resistance the garrison
was surrendered, upon promise from the French general that
the troops with their arms and private property should be
safely escorted to the Hudson. The savages broke through
all restraint, plundered the baggage of the retreating column,
and began a massacre for the spoils to be torn from the bodies
of their victims. Colonel Frye and most of his command
escaped with the loss of almost everything but life. In his
regiment were two companies under captains from towns ad
joining Harvard, but no muster-rolls of these have been found.
The men of Harvard known to have enlisted during 1757
are : Daniel Allen, Samuel Corey, Isaac Day, Josiah Haskell,
David Holden, William Hutchins, David Sanderson, John
Taylor. But in the lists of those captured at Fort William
Henry, August 9, 1757, preserved in the Massachusetts Ar
chives, Volume I Ixxxiv. are the following names of Harvard
men : John Burt, Joseph Church, the son of Joshua, John
Robbins, Lyn Jock, negro of Nathaniel Whittemore, and
probably others.
One of those who survived to tell the story of that fearful
day was Josiah, son of Deacon Joseph Haskell, of Still River.
He held the rank of ensign, and the bright buttons and other
glittering adornments of his coat excited the cupidity of
the Indians. As he fled in frantic haste from the ^scene of
turmoil and horror, he found himself nearly overtaken by two
stalwart warriors. He contrived to get his coat partly off,
and as the savages grasped it he slipped his arms from the
sleeves and left them quarreling over its possession. He
continued his course for Fort Edward with all the speed he
could command, running for nine miles before he was sure
that he had evaded his foes. So indelible was the impression
made upon his mind by the terrible scenes he had witnessed
and that frenzied race for life, that thenceforward in imag
ination he often heard the savage yells of the red demons,
and the despairing outcry of- suffering comrades, saw the
threatening tomahawks in the hands of swift pursuers, and
felt an almost irresistible impulse to flee at utmost speed. It
is told of him that in his later years — he died May 19, 1819,

296

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

aged eighty-two years — he was often known when at work
on some distant part'of;his farm to suddenly drop whatever
implement he held and^hurry to the house, fancying he heard
the war-whoop of Montcalm's bloodthirsty allies behind him.
The news of the investment of Fort William Henry by
Montcalm with an overwhelming force spread dire alarm
throughout New England, for it was expected that if victori
ous he would advance upon Albany and even invade Massa
chusetts. The bells were rung and messengers were hurried
with orders for the captains to march their commands to the
frontier without delay. But the Indians with their treacher
ously acquired plunder dispersed, and the French general,
weakened seriously by their defection, wisely secured the val
uable fruits of his success and returned to Canada. Before
this could be known, one-fourth of the Massachusetts militia
were on the road to the Hudson. Two companies under
Harvard commanders marched as far as Springfield : —

A Muster Roll of a Foot Company Commanded by Israel Taylor of Har
vard, out of Collo. Oliver Wilder' s Rigt: that March' d on the late
Alarm for the Relief of Fort William Henry, as far as Springfield.
[Service August 13 to August 26, 1757.]

Capt: Israel Taylor
Lieut: Daniel Whitney
Ens": Phineas Fairbank
Sergt. Oliver Stone
Do. Silas Weatherby
Do. David Jewell
Do. Joseph Weatherby
Corp": Zebulon Peirce
Do. Isaac Stone
Do. Abel Farnsworth
Do. Will™ Sanderson
Joseph Eveleth
Elias Stone
Abijah Cole
Gordon Hutchins
Win™: Burt
Benj'; Barnard

Joseph Houghton
Jon"; Sampson
John Houghton
Amos Fairbank
Hezek'': Whitney
Abel Davis
Nath": Gates
Sam"; Mead
Sam": Mead Ju':
Richard Whitney
Josiah Whitney
Nathan Warner
Will'": Farmer
Micah Stone ,
Abraham Willard
John Atherton
Delivefknce Davis,

William Withington
Amos Ray
Thomas Ozbon
Elisha Gates Ju':
Phinehas Taylor
Jeremiah Whitney
Sam"; Farr
John Davidson
Daniel Rand
Jabez Brown
John Whiteker
Jona: Conant
Daniel Allen
Jonas Brown
William Jewell
Asa Willard

[Massachusetts Archives, xcv, 489.]

TICONDEROGA.

297

A Muster roll of a Company of Troopers commanded by Samuel Haskell

of Harvard .

Capt; Samuel Haskell
Lieut: Samuel Tuttle
Cornet Samuel Fellows
Quartermaster Jon". Reed
Corp": Benja: Hale
Do. Jere'': Laughton
Do. Jona: Wheeler
Barnabas Davis, Ju'.
Jonas Peirce
Stephen Tuttle
Aaron Rand
Simon Blanchard

Isaac Gates
Sam": Finney
Moses Whitney
Nath"; Holman
Oliver Tenney
Phinehas Willard,
John Meriam
Ezekiel Haskell
John Cobligh
Aaron Davis
Tho'^: Wright, Ju';
Judah Clerk
[Massachusetts

Charles Willard
Josiah Priest, Ju';
John Sawyer
Caleb Sawyer
Will'"; Houghton
Ju': Daniel Houghton
Robert Whitcomb
Nath": Houghton
Peter Fox
Peter Willard
Tho": Houghton
' James Crosfield
Archives, xcv, 533.]

The close of the year 1757 saw the American colonies dis
couraged by their enormous war expenditures, the rapacity
of the English civil officials set over them, and the inef
ficiency of the arrogant martinets sent from the mother coun
try to take command of their military levies. The honors of
the contest were thus far wholly with Montcalm. Remember
ing Louisbourg, the New England captains might well wish
they had been left to plan and execute their own campaigns
without British interference. England was only saved frOm
deeper shame by the granting of almost dictatorial powers
to William Pitt, the sagacity of whose policy was no where
more evident than in his conciliatory treatment of the Amer
ican colonies. Their war claims were honorably discharged,
their commissions recognized as giving military rank, redress
was promised for official injustice, the lethargic general-in-
chief was retired, and twenty thousand men, the flower of the
British army, were sent^to ensure the conquest of Canada.
Massachusetts entered upon the campaign of 1758 with re
newed energy, furnishing seven thousand men for the central
column of attack to which was specially assigned the capture
of Ticonderoga. The nominal commander of the army was
Abercrombie, but its ruling spirit was the chivalric Lord
George Augustus Howe, who became a great favorite with
the colonial soldiers. Unfortunately Lord Howe was killed
in a preliminary skirmish, and the imbecile general-in-chief
so mismanaged the attack that Montcalm again bore away

298

HISTOR.Y OF HARVARD.

the palm of victory. The Harvard men serving in the sum
mer's campaign with the regiment of Colonel Jonathan Bag-
ley, in the company of Captain Salmon Whitney of Stow,

were: —
Judah Clark, lieutenant.
Abraham Willard, sergeant.
fonathan Whitney, corporal.
Samuel Mead, corporal.
Samuel Atherton
John Burt
David Brown
John Cole
John Daby

Jonas Davis
Josiah Davis
Samuel Fellows
Stephen Gates
James Haskell
Solomon Haskell
Aretus Houghton
Joseph Houghton
Asahel Nickerson

Jonathan Parkhurst
John Rugg
David Sampson
David Sanderson
Amos Stone
Samuel Wetherby
Hezekiah Whitney
Asa Willard

Massachusetts Archives, xcvi, 473.]

In Colonel Timothy Ruggles's regiment, under Captains
Joseph Whitcomb of Lancaster and James Reed of Lunen
burg, were: —

Jonathan Conant
John Conn
Jonathan Creasy
John Davidson
Joseph Davis

Phineas Farnsworth
Israel Hale
William Jewell
Ephraim Robbins
Samuel Sanderson

Isaac Stone
John Taylor
Jonathan White
Thomas White
Jonathan Whitney

Gordon Hutchins was ensign in Captain Aaron Willard's
company of Colonel Oliver Partridge's regiment. Jeremiah
Eaton and Jonathan Hutchins served under Colonel Ebenezer
Nichols, and Jacob Emerson, Samuel Corey, Joseph Proctor
and Isaac Holden took part in this year's campaign at Lake
George. A petition of Phinehas Willard, found in Massachusetts
Archives Ixxviii. 331, records the death of Sergeant Abraham
Willard at Sheffield. Another of Simon Daby, on sheet 537
of the same volume, narrates the particulars of the crippled
condition through illness, and the painful journeying home of
his son John Daby.
General Jeffry Amherst, shortly after his successful cam
paign against Louisbourg, marched with his army of four
thousand troops through Worcester County on his way to the
western frontier, arriving at Albany in September, 1758.
Under this general, for the campaign of 1759, the following

CROWN POINT. 299
soldiers from Harvard enlisted in the company of Captain
Aaron Willard of Lancaster: —
John Burt, sergeant. Jacob Emerson Josiah Procter
Samuel Corey, corporal. Jacob Harris Ephraim Robbins
John Daby, corporal. Isaac Holden William Sanderson
Nathaniel Bray John Houghton Micah Stone
David Brown Asahel Nickerson Samuel Whippy
John Cole Jonathan Peirce Jonathan White
John Conn [Massachusetts Archives, xcvii, 398.]
Sergeant Burt laid down his life in the service as the fol
lowing petition discloses : —
Province of the Massachusetts Bay.
to his Honnor Thomas Hutechson Commander in Cheaff in and over
said province and to the Honnerable his Majstys Council and house of
Representivess seting in Boston June 1760, the petition of William Law
rence of Groton In behalf of John Burt of Harvard in the County of
Woster Yeoman shews that John Burte Jun Son of the above s'' John
Burte did In List himself to Goo in the Expedition formed against Can
ada in the year 1759 and went in Cap' Aaron Willard's Companey and in
Brigedear Rugless Ridgement and did the duty of a Sargent until Maj'.
Rogers Raised a Company to go and destroy Saint fraintway [St. Fran
cis] wich he did and upon the s'^ John Burte Jun Return hom aboute
three days before he Got into No four dyed he allso Lost a Good Gun
which he Carrid with him and so it tis that the said John Burt Jun is made
up in s" Capt. Willards Rool moor than one month short in his Wages as
may be made to appear theirfore your petitioner in behalf of the first
named John Burt prays that your Honnor and Honnors will give order
for such a sum to be drawed oute of the province Tresurer as you in your
Grate wisdom shall think to be Just and your petitioner In behalf of the
s''- Burt shall Ever pray William Lawrence
[Massachusetts Archives, lxxix, 176.]
Two pounds, eleven shillings and fourpence were allowed
by the General Court. Colonel Abijah Willard commanded
a regiment during this campaign, in which Dr. John Taylor of
Harvard was surgeon and John Preston surgeon's mate; and
in the company of Captain Benjamin Hastings of Bolton
were : —
Jonathan Gates Ambrose Hale David Taylor
Ehas Haskell Gordon Hutchins [Massachusetts Archives, xcvii, 389.]

300 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
With other captains in 1759 were: Jonas Davis, Amos
Stone and Abraham Whitney. Amherst made his prepara
tions with so cautious deliberation that the advance upon the
French forts was not begun until late in July. Ticonderoga
and Crown Point fell into his hands with small pretence of
contest, but before he was again ready to push northward
upon Lake Champlain, Wolfe had immortalized himself at
Quebec and the frosts had set in. As usual the Colonial
forces were dismissed for the winter months, and the Harvard
soldiers related their thrilling frontier adventures by their
home firesides, awaiting the renewal of the conflict upon the
opening of spring.
Moses Wentworth, who after the war came to Harvard to
reside and died May 29, 1773, was a sergeant at the battle of
Quebec, and was fond of telling his recollection of Wolfe as
he saw him on the Heights of Abraham with long locks curl
ing about his shoulders, seemingly as calm as though he was
directing a holiday parade, instead of the contest for a con
tinent between rival nations.
The final advance of 1760 from Crown Point did not begin
until the tenth of August. The troops proceeded in batteaux
down Lake Champlain, drove the enemy with artillery from
their defensive works upon the St. John's river, and pursued
them to the vicinity of Montreal. The column was in charge
of Colonel William Haviland, a martinet much disliked by
the Provincial troops, who were kept upon fatigue duty when
not on the march, and after the conclusion of the campaign
and the return to Crown Point, where they expected speedy
discharge, were detained for two months building barracks
and fortifications. The men of Harvard in this year's service
were under Colonels Abijah Willard and Timothy Ruggles,
attached to several companies.
John Taylor, surgeon. Silas Farnsworth Jonathan Russell
David Taylor, surgeott's mate. Stephen Gates Coleman Sanderson
John Preston, " ¦' Samuel Hancock John Sanderson
Isaac Stone, second lieutenant. Solomon Haskell Peter Snow {died)
William Burt, ensign. Uriah Holt Ephraim Stone
Caleb Wright, sergeant. Maximilian Jewett Solomon Turner
John Conn, " Jabez Keep Ephraim Warner
Timothy Bowers Asahel Nickerson Samuel Whippy

CONOUEST OF CANADA.

301

James Burt Seth Oak Jonathan White
John Burt David Pierce Benjamin Whittemore
Silas Corey Timothy Powers {died).
David Dickenson James Reed Nathaniel Willard
Lemuel Farnsworth Jonathan Reed Sawyer Wright
Phineas Farnsworth Ebenezer Rice [Massachusetts Archives, xcix.]
The six years' conflict had ended in the complete conquest
of Canada, and New England had nothing further to dread
from French and Indian raids; but for two years more, until
the Treaty of Paris was signed, the forts at Crown Point and
Halifax were garrisoned by New England men. At the for
mer were stationed under Captain Thomas Farrington of
Groton these soldiers of Harvard in 1762: —
James Burt Jacob Harris Ephraim Stone
Silas Corey Uriah Holt Paul Willard
Thomas Daby Benjamin Priest Abijah Worster
Abel Farnsworth Timothy Powers Samuel Worster
Samuel Fellows James Reed Thomas Wright
At Halifax there were under Captain James Reed of
Lunenburg in 1761 : —
Abijah Cole John Harper Dole Johnson
Stephen Gates Paul Willard Simeon Johnson

Stephen Gates, Jr.

[Massachusetts Archives, xcix, 223, &c.]

In the militia organization of the state at the close of the
war. Harvard had two companies, attached to the Second
Worcester Regiment. Peter Atherton, Esq., was lieutenant-
colonel of the regiment and captain of the first company.
The other officers were : —
First Compatiy. Second Company.
Joseph Fairbank, Jr., captain lieiit. Phineas Fairbank, captain.
Benjamin Stow, lieutenant. Jeremiah Laughton, lieutenant.
Peter Atherton, Jr., ensign. Jason Russell, ensign.
The officers were frequently changed, but the organization
remained practically the same, Harvard always having two
infantry companies until within the memory of men now
living.

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VII.
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR— 1763-1783.
I. TOWN MEETING AND COUNTY CONVENTION.
TEN years of plenteous harvests and industry in the arts
of peace had covered from sight the scars received in
the long and bloody war that finally expelled the Bourbons
from America. The extraordinary military expenditures by
which Massachusetts impoverished herself had been re-im-
bursed from the royal treasury. Relieved from all fear of
savage incursions and French domination. New England was
prosperous, but not forgetful of past grievances and animosi
ties, nor content with the political outlook. The British min
istry not only persisted in a restrictive commercial policy op
pressive to colonial commerce, but in contempt of patriotic
remonstrance and petition were perpetually nagging the
colonies by petty tyrannies and encroachments upon what
they deemed their constitutional rights as English subjects.
Parliament having enforced the imposition of external taxa
tion through the Navigation Laws of 1763, attempted the
collection of internal taxes through the Stamp Act of 1765,
regardless of all signs of ripening revolt. Then the Sons of
Liberty organized for protest and resistance. Riotous dis
turbances prevented the execution of the obnoxious law, and
it was repealed in 1766, only to be succeeded two years later
by taxation equally unconstitutional, and by the sending of
ships of war to Boston to intimidate the people.
A nervous jealousy of all authority not originated by pop
ular will or defined in written charter found voice in church,
newspaper and town-meeting. The singing of liberty-sono-s
PARLIAMENTARY TYRANNY.

303

in the streets, and the raising of liberty-poles in every rural
village, were ominous of the coming struggle between loyalty
and the growing spirit of democracy. Committees of Corre
spondence secured unity and harmony of action throughout
the state. The veterans of Louisbourg and the Cj-own Point
expeditions in every township were fighting their battles over
by manj^ a fireside, teaching the younger generations their
own rankling resentment of the insolence received from the
red-coated martinets set over them by Parliament, and inspir
ing them with their own hatred for the supercilious royal
officials whose incompetence, sloth and greed had cost Mas
sachusetts so much blood and treasure.
March 5, 1770, a chance street affray between a few British
soldiers and the populace in Boston ended in bloodshed, and
was dignified by the popular sentiment of the day into a
massacre of patriots. In 1772 an act of Parliament for the
protection of dock yards and military stores arbitrarily in
vaded the right of trial by jury. In the same year the gov
ernor and judges were made independent of the Provincial
assembly — an innovation which aroused general apprehen
sion of graver tyranny. In 1773 a bill passed by Parliament
in favor of the East India Company led to the riotous destruc
tion of the tea in Boston harbor. In a spirit of retaliation
the Boston Port Bill was passed in 1774, practically closing
that harbor to commerce. This was met by non-import
ation and non-exportation agreements throughout the Colon
ies. At every advance in aggression the spirit of patriotic
resistance grew more enthusiastic and determined. The
growth of this spirit in Harvard will be shown by extracts
from the records of the town. At a town-meeting December
21, 1767: —
Unanimously Voted for a Concurrance with the vote of the Town of
Boston at their Meeting Legally Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Wednes
day the 28'^''. of Octob'. 1767: Voted that the Town will take all prudent
and Legal Measures to incourage the Produce and Manufactures of this
Province and to lessen the use of superfluities 
Sept. 20"' 1768  the Votes and Proceedings of the Town of Boston
at their late meeting at Faneuil Hall on the 12''''. and 13"". of Sept. in
stant, as attested by the Town Clerk of said Boston, as likewise the letter
from the gent' Selectmen of Boston, Dated the 14"". instant, to the Select-

304 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
men of Harvard, was Read, and after Deliberate Consideration the fol
lowing Votes passed. Viz: Voted to send one man as a Committeeman
to join the intended committee in Convention at Faneuil hall in Boston
on the Twenty-second Day of Sep', instant at Ten of the clock a fore
noon. Then Proceeded and Chose Israel Taylor Esq', to be a Commit
teeman as above said for Harvard. Proceeded and Voted the following
Resolve, viz: That the Freeholders and other inhabitants of the Town
of Harvard, will at the utmost peril of their lives, and fortunes, take all
legal and Constitutional Measures to Defend and Maintain the Person,
Family, Crown, and Dignity of our Sovereign Lord George the third;
and all and singular the Rights, Liberties, Privileges and immunities
granted in our Royal Charter: as well as those which are Declared to be
Belonging to us as British Subjects by Birthrite as all others therein
specially mentioned.
In the warning of a town-meeting called on the i8th of
February, 1773, the second article was: —
To see whether the Town will chuse and appoint a Committee of Cor-
respondance to consider and state the Rights of the Colonists and of this
Province in Particular, as men, as Christians and as Subjects; and to lay
their Resolves before the Town at their annual meeting in March next —
for their approbation, that the sense of the Town may be taken and made
publick by the Communication thereof to the Town of Boston or any
other Towns within this Province 
At the meeting, Reverend Joseph Wheeler being moder
ator, a committee of seven was chosen, and their report was
read and adopted on March i, and recorded by the town
clerk, Phinehas Fairbank, as follows : —
That any Disputes with our Parent Country is what we take no pleas
ure in, and would be glad might be avoided if possible consistant with
fidelity to ourselves and mankind in general. We would not therefore
be for violent measures if they can be avoided, but would support our
Rights by force of Reason and not by force of arms; but yet we earnestly
wish that nothing may intimidate us into a compliance with measures re
pugnant to the Liberties we have a right to clame.
That as a union between Great Brittain and the Colonies established
upon the principles of Equity, must tend to promote the Glory, Strength,
and Security of the whole, so this is what we earnestly wish might be
condnued tih Time shah be no more.
That the great end of government and of men's entring into Civil So
ciety is the preservation and security of their just Rights, Liberties and
Properties against unjust force and violence, and when this is disre
garded by those who govern they Counteract the very Design for which

PATRIOTIC RESOLUTIONS. 305
Government was Instituted, and that the governed have a right to judge
of what is for the benefit of the Societv as well as the Governour.
That every man has a right by Nature, which is likewise secured to
him by the British constitution, to have a voice either personally or by
Representatives in the making those Laws and Levying such Taxes as
he is to conform to. And that the contrary to this must be a state of actual
Slavery. That the powers assumed by the parlament of Great Brittain over the
Colonies for Taxation are not supportable in our opinion, neither by the
Law of Nature, the principles of the Brittish Constitution nor by the
manifest intention of their Charters: as they were understood by the
Royal authority granting them and the People emigrating into this Amer
ican Wilderness as well as the Concurring Conduct of Parlament in
divers instances.
That these measures unconstitutionally taken cannot be supposed to be
founded upon good policy as they have a natural tendancy to alienate the
affections of the Colonies from Great Brittain and to destroy that Union
which is the glory and exelency of the whole.
We acknowledge that government ought to be supported and the
Brittish Empire defended, and that it is the duty of the various parts of
the empire to contribute their equitable proportion for the defence of the
whole, whether the operations of the enemy are against that part or not,
and we are perswaded that government has been honorably supported
here; and that this government has done at least her equal proportion
for the defence of the whole, in the time of war, and we think it unrea
sonable to suppose that [the people will] do otherways so long as they
may enjoy the free exercise of their just rights. Why then should this
important Trust be wrested out of our hands accompanyed with so many
marks of Infamy.' Why should we be denied the pleasing satisfaction
of contributing something that we may call our own to the Support of
Government and the Defence of His Majesty's Dominions?
That our Forefathers' coming into this Wilderness, in leaving His
Majesty's Dominions and Encreasing the Commerce of Great Brittain
has tended more to the Emolument of the Mother Country than if they
had remained in their native land; and that the profit which Great Brit
tain annually receives from us in the way of Trade is more than we re
ceive from them. It must therefore be esteamed ungenerous and base as
well as Iniquitous to reward the Posterity of those worthy adventurers
who have done so much for the good of the Nation with Servitude and
Slavery. The new ofificers appointed from Home to superintend the revenue
unconstitutionally raised upon us; the unconstitutional powers vested in
them; the taking Castle Wilham out of our hands where are deposited
our principle Stores for defence, and puting [it] into the hands of troops,
over whome it seems, the governour has no controal; the fleats and arm
ies sent among us to CompeU us into a Compliance with measures uncon
stitutionally taken, and perverting the revenue thats raised upon us to

306 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
purposes injurious to our Liberties, and to the inriching of our oppressors,
are grevances which cannot be thought on but with indignation by every
one who wishes the prosperity of his Country.
The enormous extension of the power of the Court of Vice-admiralty,
whereby we are in a great measure deprived of the right to trials by
jurours; The danger we are in of being harried from our houses across
the Atlantick to the remotest parts of England for Trials agreeable to a
late act of parliament, upon the supposition of crimes we may be wholly
innocent of, are grievances of an alarming nature.
The making the governer, together with other principle officers in the
Province totally independant on the people for their support, and yet
paid with money unconstitutionally extorted from them, is making an
alteration in the Constitution very unfriendly to the Liberties of a free
People. And lastly the making the Judges of the Superior Court wholly de
pendant upon the Crown for their Support on whom not only the decision
of property but the power of life and death in a great measure depends,
and who, according to the Constitution of Great Brittain founded upon
the principles of right reason are to be as independant as possible, is a
measure which we think we have abundant cause to be alarmed at, for
altho we are well satisfyed with the integrity of the present Judges of the
Superior Court; yet the time may come when persons of a very different
carracter will be advanced to that important trust. Our minds are filled
with horror, at the apprehention that at some future period, a Jeffereys
accompanyed with a Kyrk, [Colonel Kirke] may take their progress
through the Province, men void of honour, glorying in their cruelty and
wantonly taking away the lives of innocent People, or obhging them to
purchase their hves at the expense of their estates.
We think that no attempt like this has been made upon our Constitu
tion since the day that our Fathers came out of England, to this present
day, and that our own interest, the interest of the publick, as well as the
interest of unborn milhons demands it of us, that we think of it, take ad
vice and speak our minds.
Therefore we recommend that a committee be chosen by the Town to
correspond with the Town of Boston Committee, and the Committees of
the Towns in the Province, in order to consider of the most wise and
prudent, and salutary measures which can be taken for the Recovering,
Maintaining, and Defending our Constitutional Rights and privileges;
Joseph Wheeler, v
Simon Daby,
Lemuel Willard, '
Phineas Fairbank, \ Committee.
Joseph Fairbank,
Abraham Whitney,
Richard Harris,
After Deliberate Reading whereof, it was Tryed by a Vote of the
Town for acceptance, and passed in the affirmative. Nem. Con.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH BOSTON. 307
And then the folowing votes were unanimously passed, r'. That the
Representative be instructed to use his Influence in the General As
sembly, in all Constitutional ways, for the maintaining and defending
those privileges, and the Removal of those Grevances Refered to in the
above paper. 2'>'. \'oted that Messrs. Joseph Wheeler, Phinehas Fair-
bank and Oliver Whitney, be a Committee for Correspondance with the
Committee of Boston and other Committees as Occation may serve. 3'3'.
Voted that the Committee be Directed with these Proceedings to Render
the Thanks of the Town to the Town of Boston for the wise, prudent
and sesonable efforts which they have used for the preservation of our
invaluable privileges. 4"'. Voted that the Report of the Committee to
gether with the other proceedings of the Town hereupon be put upon
Record. Entred Phinehas Fairbank Town Clerk.
Joseph Wheeler Moderator.
To the Committee of Communication 6^ Correspondance at Boston.
Gentlemen. Our being somewhat late in Delivering our Senti
ments upon affairs so deeply interesting to the inhabitants of this Prov
ince as well as to the American Colonies in general must not be attributed
to an unconcernedness in us about the Incroachments made and still
making upon our Constitutional Rights: But we waited in expectation
of receiving the proceedings of the Town of Boston directed to us which
have by some means failed.
Nevertheless we thought it our Duty to Contribute our Endeavours
(tho but small) to promote so Important a Cause as that which has en
gaged the attention of the Metropolis of this Province, which we believe
to be the Cause of Truth and Equity, and pray that in the Defence there
of we may have that wisdom from above which is profitable to Direct.
According as we are Directed we give you the sincere and harty thanks
of the Town for all the wise prudent and seasonable Efforts which you
have used in the Defence of the Common Cause of Liberty. May you
have the hapyness to see your Endeavours Crowned with lasting Success.
We trust that your names will be recorded with distinguished honour
in the annals of futurity. That the generations to come when in the
pleasing exercise of these privileges will call you Blessed.
We wish every desirable Felicity to the Town of Boston, the City of
our Solemnityes. May she ever be a Quiet Habitation, a Tabernacle not
taken down; may none of her libertyes be removed from her, but may
the Glorious Lord, be her Law giver, her Judge, and her Saviour.
Gentlemen with Due Respect we Remain your Friends, and fellow
servants in the Comon cause.
Joseph Wheeler,
Phinehas Fairbank, j- Committee.
Oliver Whitney.
Harvard, March 4"', 1773.

308 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
December 20"'. 1773 
The Committee of Correspondance for Harvard having laid before
the Town at their legal meeting this day the proceedings of the Town of
Boston together with many of the inhabitants of the adjacent Towns,
directed to us by the Committee of Correspondance for Boston, relative
to the East India Company's sending their Teas to America, subject to a
Duty hear, and their desire to have our Sentiments upon the affair, and
finding it to be a matter of as interesting and important a nature when
viewed in all its Consequences not only to this Town and Province, but
to America in general, and that for ages and generations to come, as
ever came under the dehberation of this Town, and therefore demands
our most serious and attentive Consideration, and after Due Considera
tion the following Resolves were passed viz :
Resolve i". That submiting to laws made and imposed upon us
without our Consent; and being subjected to Taxes where we are not
Represented is a grievance so directly subversive of the rights of Nature,
and the principles of the English Constitution that Fidelity to him that
made us free, Fidelity to ourselves and to posterity whose Representa
tives in this case we are, forbids our consenting to them.
2'y. That the reception of the East India Company's Tea while sub
jected to an American duty, would be a practicle acknowledgement of
the rights of Taxation as Expressed above, and therefore cannot be con
sented to.
3'y. That the Consideration of the manner in which the intended
Revenue is to be appropriated is an additional agrevation of our grev-
iance it being for the Support of Officers over whome we can have no
controle and for the support of peuonee [puisne] and place men whom
[in] all probility when their scheem is once established will be as mercy-
less in their disposition as the Egiption Taskmasters and will be likely to
silence the murmers of the people by increasing their burdens.
4'i'. Tumultuous Assembhes we would Discountenance but when the
Rights of the people are invaded, their valuable privileges trampled in
the dust, their petitions and remonstrances either not heard or Rejected
with Scorn and themselves surrounded with all the gloomy horrours of
abject slavery attended with all the marks of infamy is it the Duty of
such a people to remain quiet and tamly to submit to the yoak of oppres
sion; are they not rather to assume that power which originally belongs
to the people and if possible free themselves from the impending evil;
has the Ruler any more right to invade the privileges of the people than
the people the authority of the Ruler; do not the same laws which secure
the authority of the one, protect the privileges of the other?
;'>'. That the late meeting of the inhabitants of Boston and many
others from the adjacent Towns to consult measures to prevent the Re
ception of the East India Company's Tea and to Endeavour that it might
be sent back again was both lawdable and just and merits the aprobation
of every one who feels [for] the prosperity of his Country, and as they
are strugling for those rights which were so dearly purchased by our

CORRESPONDENCE WITH BOSTON. 309
memorable ancestors and which ought to be esteamed by us dear as life
itself, we think it our Duty as well as can declare it to be our Cordial Dis
position to assist them in so honorable a cause not in word and tongue
only but in deed and in truth.
6'y. That we will as far as in us lies discountenance the buying seling
or any way useing the article of Tea among ourselves and others so long
as it is subject to an American Duty.
7'^. That the thanks of the Town should be returned to Boston for
all that wise prudent and unwearied pains which they have taken for the
support of American liberty.
8'y. Voted that two members should be added to the Committee of
Correspondence for this Town, and that Dea. Lemuel Willard and Lieut.
Isaac Gates be the persons.
A true Copv Attest. Phinehas Fairbank, Town Clerk.
Harvard December 20. 1773.
Gent, we herewith transmit to you the proceedings of the Town of
Harvard at their legal meeting this day relative to our publick affairs, a
deep concern for the good of this country possesses the minds of almost
every one and a noble resolution prevails to do everything in their power
for the support of our hapy Constitution, and we hartily congratulate you,
gentlemen, upon that remarkable unanimity which prevails not only in
this province but thro the Continant of America in general. Ought we
not to consider this as the Lord's Doing who has the harts of all men in
his hands and that he will yet visit this vine and the vinyard which his
right hand hath planted which he will make strong for himself, that he
will defeat the devices of our enemies and turn their counsels into fool
ishness. We are heartily sorry for the misguided policy of our mother country
the place of our forefathers' sepulchers. we earnestly wish her welfare
and that she might yet be so wise as to consider the things which belong
to her peace, we glory in being called her children tho' our inheritance
is of our own earnings and wish to continue our relation to her so long as
we may enjoy the privileges of sons.
We are sorry we should have any among ourselves so sold to wicked
ness as to betray the liberties of their country that country too which had
lavished upon them all the Honours and Dignitys which she was capable
of bestoing. and trust that in the end they will render that recompence
which is meet; and hope that those will be advanced to rule over us who
like Mordica will be accepted of the multitude of their bretheren seak-
ing the welth of their people and speaking peace to all their seed.
Gentlemen, we sincerely thank you for the abundant pains you have
taken in the common cause and be assured that upon our side we shall
be ready to advertise you of anything which may arise within the reach
of our knowledge which may have a tendancy to promote the general
good, and beg leave to subscribe ourselves your sincear friends and hum
ble servants. By order of the Committee of Harvard
Joseph Wheeler, Clerk,

310 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
The Town being met  June 13"', 1774, on Article r'. Voted and
chose Mr Joseph Wheeler Moderator for said meeting.
Article 2''. After reading and hearing a number of prints from the
Comm*^°. of Correspondence at Boston, and others relating to an act that
has been passed by the British parliament for blocking up the Harbour
of Boston with a Fleet of ships of war and preventing the Entrance in
or Exporting of all sorts of Marchandise &c. After Deliberate Consid
eration and Debate came into the following Resolves : Viz. i*'. Voted
We highly resent the indignity; and are sensible that there is a system
established and establishing, to reduce us to a state of the basest slavery
by mear dint of power, in direct violation of the Sacred Laws of Nature
as well as of the Established Constitution, and which we imagine is ac
companyed with the foulest ingratitude considering the part which Airier-
ica and this province in particular has born, in raising Grait Brittan to
that destinguished Emenance among the nations which she now pos
sesses. We are determined to do everything in our power to evade the
impending evil,- and as a means for the accomplishment of which we
ernestly recommend a firm and steady persevearing uninimity among
ourselves. Faction has been the destruction of many powerfull states
and Kingdoms, while on the other hand firmness and uninimity has often
proved the Salvation of many otherways feable ones. We think it of
the greatest importance and consequence that a general Congress should
be held as soon as it can prudently be brought about, and wish to see the
non-importation agreement promoted for which we are determined to
contribute our endeavours to the utmost. Gentlemen with deep concearn
and ardent desire for your enlargement we subscribe your sincear friends
and humble servants.
Then 2'y Voted that the Committee of Correspondence for Harvard
are directed to transmit to the Committee at Boston, the votes on this
article 
September 19"'. 1774  Voted and Chose Mr Joseph Wheeler to
Represent the Town in a Provential Congress purposed to be held at
Concord on the Second Tuesday of October next, to consult measures
salutary to the promoting and maintaining Unity in the comon cause
of this province, in defending our Constitutional Rights and priveledges;
and to reccommend the same to their constituants.
Then voted that the military officers respectively resign their Commi-
tions, and no longer hold any power or athority by virtue of their said
Commitions. Then voted that the Devisions of the Companyes be as
heretofore and that they meet at the meeting house in Harvard on the
last monday in September current Eight o.Clock forenoon in order to
chose officers to lead them till an Establishment shall be made either by
the Congress of the Colonies, or some other constitutional way; and that
the officers so chosen shall be obeyed according to the Rules of Militarv
Discipline. Then voted to indemnify the Constables for neglecting to return a list

TOWN-MEETING ACTION.

311

of men's names qualifyed to serve as Juriours under the new constitution.
Then voted that the Law be put in Execution to prevent pedlers hawkers
&c. from carrying about and Exposing to sale their wares in this Town,
more espetially English and Eastindia goods. Then voted a compliance
with the Resolves passed by the Committees of Correspondence at Wor
cester relating to Justices of the peace, coroners, sheriffs and so forth.
officiateing in their respective offices.
Article 3. Voted that the Town stock of Amunition be 500 weight
of powder with bullets and flints answerable. Then voted and granted
the sum of twenty pounds to be assessed and , appropriated to purchase
said powder, lead and flints.
Article 4"". Voted that Harvard Committee of Correspondence at
tend the meetings of Correspondence in other Towns within this County
as occation may require acting therein Discressionary 
Sept 26*'' 1774 
Voted and chose the Selectmen of the Town of Harvard to be a Com
mittee to Receive the Charitable Donations of any of the inhabitants of
said Town brought by them to said Committee on or before the 25"' of
December next to be conveyed to the overseers of the poor of the Town
of Boston for their support.
 Voted that the Town well approves of the votes which have
been passed in our Military Companyes this Day namely the Choice of
officers and to train four times in a year. Then voted that the names of
the officers in their appartments be entred in this Volom, and are as fol
lows: Viz:
The Oldest Company.
Officers. Sergeants. Corporals.
Capt. Asa Houghton John Daby Joseph Atherton Jr.
Lieut. Isaac Gates Simeon Willard John Houghton
Lieut. Josiah Haskell Samuel HiU David Sampson
Ens. Amos Fairbank Lemuel HafkeU Richard Harris, Jr.
Phinehas Sawyer, clerk.
The Youngest Company.
Officers. Sergeants. Corporals.
Capt. Josiah Whitney Caleb Sawyer James Whitcomb
Lieut. James Burt Hezekiah Whitney Silas Rand
Lieut. Phinehas Farnworth Ephraim Davis Jotham Barnard
Ens. Jacob Robins Joel Stone Simon Cooper
Charles Taylor, clerk.
Harvard December 19"'. 1774  The Continental Resolves being
read before the Town the following vote passed namely — that the Town
of Harvard highly approves of and adhears to the same and likewise
wiU indeavour to govern themselves according to the true spirit thereof.

Having read before the Town the Resolves of the Provential Congress
bearing date Dec'"'. 5"'. 1774, in Conformity thereunto. Voted Smd Chose a

312

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Committee of three men to Draught a Covenant for the inhabitants of
this Town to sign: namely: Missuers Joseph Wheeler Joseph Fairbank
Oliver Whitney Committee.
The above Committee made Report and Recommended the following
Covenant to be signed by the inhabitants of this Town namely :
Whereas the Parliament of Great Brittan have for several years past,
been attempting to alter the Constitution of these American Colonies,
and to establish on oppressive arbitrary and tyrannical system over us;
which if carried into effect will not only reduce us to a state of basest
slavery; But indanger the Distruction of the whole Brettish Empire; For
which Reason we cannot but think our selves bound in duty by every
method in our power to Defeat so Detestible a plan. And whereas the
Association Recommended by the Contenential Congress in their Ses
sions at Phelidelphia the Fifth of September last for Defeating the De
signs of our Enemies and for the Recovering maintaining, and Defending
our Constitutional Rights & priveleges appears to us to be wise and judi
cious which ought and undoubtedly will be Religiously Regarded by
every friend to his Country, therefore as a part of the whole this Town
Resolves :
I"'. To pay the most Religious Strict and Solemn adhearance thereto.
2'>'. That the plan proposed by the Provential Congress for carrying
the same into execution appears to us to be a reasonable one; We there
fore Covenant and Engage with each other to adhear to the same.
3'y We recommend that the committee of inspection (Chosen this
Day) offer this Covenant to the several inhabitants of this Town to be
signed by them and make Return of their Doings hereon at the anual
March Meeting or sooner if occation Requir that those who Refuse to do
it may be Publickly Known and treated according to the nature of their
offence. 4'y. Whereas we have credible information that there is a Covenant
sent out by our Enemies in order to Defeat the plan proposed by the
Continental Congress, and as much as in them lies to sow the seeds of
Discord and Contention among us, and as there is Danger that some may
be Beguiled into the measure before they are aware of the pernitious
Consequences thereof, we therefore think it our Duty to Caution all the
inhabitants of this Town against any such Engagement, as they would
avoid the Displeasure not only of this Town and Province, but of the
whole Continent, and should any be so void of Reson and so Destitute of
Affection to their Country as to do it. We Recommend the withdrawing
all commertial Connections from them, and shall consider them as unfit
to hold any Posts of Honnour or profit hereafter in the Town. And we
Recommend that the Committee be carefull in their inquiries and give
the earliest notice if any such measure should be attempted in this place.
Dated at Harvard Decem'"'. 19"'. 1774.
Joseph Wheeler,
Joseph Fairbank, [ Committee.
Oliver Whitney,

COUNTY CONVENTIONS.

313

After acceptance of this the town chose a committee of
ten to inspect breaches of the covenant — Samuel Meads,
Josiah Whitney, Joseph Atherton, Josiah Haskell, Abraham
Whitney, Benj" Barnard, William Hudson, Charles Taylor,
John Farwell, Phinehas Farnsworth.
The action of the towns was forwarded by that of county
conventions. On Tuesday, August 9, 1774, the Committees
of Correspondence from the towns in Worcester County held
their first convention at the inn of Mrs. Mary Sternes in
Worcester. Harvard was ably represented therein and at
successive adjournments by Reverend Joseph Wheeler. Con
sequent upon the discussions at the assemblage of the dele
gates came the significant demonstration by the people on
September 6, when six thousand men under their chosen cap
tains, armed and equipped to defend themselves against any
force the royal governor might send, held a mass convention
on Worcester green and forced a humiliating recantation from
those citizens and court officials who had publicly declared
their loyalist sentiments. The convention of September 20
was important for its radical re-organization of the county
militia. It enjoined the resignation of all military commis
sions, and the immediate election of new line officers. The
company officers thus chosen selected their own field officers.
Of the seven regiments established for the county, the
Third or Lancaster regiment included the towns of Lancas
ter, Harvard, Bolton, Leominster, Lunenburg, Fitchburg, Ash
burnham and Westminster. The regiment nominally con
sisted of ten companies or "training bands" of one hundred
men each, and included all males between the ages of sixteen
and fifty years, save the very few exempted because of pro
fession or political position. But the temper of the times
was such that the whole male population of adult age
grasped such arms as were obtainable and began training for
the contest. The Alarm List included all the able-bodied
male citizens between sixteen and sixty-five years of age.
The Minute Men were picked soldiers, especially skilled in
arms, and bound to hold themselves in readiness for service
at a minute's notice. They numbered about one-third of the
whole Alarm List and formed a regiment by themselves. In

314 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
the days of actual conflict some of these distinctions disap
peared. Each soldier wore his every-day clothing and found his
own arms and accoutrements, or, if unable to do so, was sup
plied by the town. Training band and regiment were there
fore a mob in motley, so far as appearance went; and the
more so that in that age of home-spun, with a dye-tub in
most households, reds, blues and browns of various positive
shades were the fashion for coats and waistcoats. The
officers were frequently undistinguishable from the men by
any outward symbol. Ihe company officers sometimes car
ried guns, and their swords were often the handiwork of the
village smith. One of Washington's early orders at Cam
bridge required the wearing of cockades in their hats by all
holding commissions, field officers being distinguished by red,
captains by yellow, and subalterns by green.
The colonel-elect of the Lancaster regiment of Minute
Men was John Whitcomb of Bolton. None of the staff were
from Harvard. The colonel-elect of the Lancaster militia
regiment was Asa Whitcomb of Lancaster, brother of Johfi.
His staff officers were: Lieutenant-colonel Josiah Whitney
of Harvard, Major Josiah Carter of Leominster, Major John
Rand of Westminster, Adjutant Eliakim Atherton of Bolton,
and Quartermaster Jeremiah Laughton of Harvard.
March 7. 1775  Tryed by a vote to see if the Town will build a
Powder-house and it passed in the Negative. Then Voted to leave it to
the selectmen to Provide a place to Keep the Town's Stock of Arms and
Ammunition in  Heard the Report of Capt. Jonathan Davis, Capt.
Isaac Gates and Capt. James Burt, that there was the number of about
seven or eight, in the Town, who in their Judgement were not able to fur
nish themselves with arms  The Town then voted to Provide Twelve
Fire Arms, with a Bayonet to each of them  Then Voted and Grant
ed the sum of Thirty pounds to be Assessed for that use  After some
debate, the Town Voted and Chose a Committee to Draw up purposals
for the Town's acceptance, which might be thought an Honorable Gra
tuity to bestow upon the Minute Company, as a Reward for their pains,
and to incorage them in their industiy to lern military Exercise, namely
Messures Joseph Wheeler, Joseph Fairbank, Simon Whitney, Jonathan
Davis, Ehsha Fullam. Said Committee having made Report to the Town
the Town voted an acceptance thereof. Nevertheless Capt. Jonathan
Davis, leder of said Minute Company, having imbodyed his noble sol-

TOWN-MEETING ACTION.

315

diers, they Returned their Thanks to the Selectmen, for the Town's Gen
erosity to them, but Declared that as they had inhsted Volentears so they
do & will Remain Volentears, nither accepting nor Dispising what the
Town has Voted for them  Voted a bounty to be paid on Cloth
made in this Town, namely: one peney half peney pr. yard for alwool
cloth men's wair, fulled and Marchantable in the Judgment of the Select
men and being over and above what is intended for the use of the Fami-
lyes where it is made, and is Exposed for Sale — likewise one penney pr.
yard for woman's all wool for sale as above said, — and for linnen, and tow,
half penney pr yard. — Then the Town chose and impowered the Select
men to be a Committee for that purpose.
May 22. 1775  Voted and Chose Mr Joseph Wheeler to Repre
sent them in a Provincial Congress to be convened and held at Water-
town meeting house, on the thirty-first of may instant, and on their ad
journments 
June 7. 1775  Voted that the method Proposed by the Commis
sion officers of this Town to alaram is satisfactory to said Town; namely
that it be done by firing guns and to begin at Capt. Joseph Fairbank's.
And that the soldiers Repair Imediately to the House of Mr James Whit
comb for further orders. Then tryed by a vote to see whether the Town
will inlist a Company of men and Horses to be in the Utmost Rediness
upon an Alarum to Re-inforce the Troops [before Boston] and it passed
in the Negative.
August 10, 1775, the town considered the request of Col.
Asa Whitcomb and his regiment for the release from pastoral
duties of Rev. Daniel Johnson whom they had elected chap
lain of the regiment, but the town declined to spare him from
their service.
December 11. 1775.
To the Great and General Court assembled at Watertown for the
Colony of the Massachusetts Bay. The Petition of the Town of Harvard
humbly sheweth :
That from an Ardent Concern for the good of our Country, in every
prudent and necessary way, we are ready to Consecrate our all in such
an important cause as we all are Imbarqued in by reason of the intolera
ble Calamities Occasioned by British Invasions under which America
now Groans: Which is sufficient to alarm us to an exertion of our last
might, to defend our precious Liberties; and to evade abject slavery;
which depends much on the Unanimity of America; and it is with Pain
that we behold any thing to the contrary thereto. Therefore we beg
leave to mention our dissatisfaction with large stipends granted to offi
cers and some others except soldiers, in the American service which
Stipends at the lowest were so high that the Knowledge thereof much
21

3i6 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
chill'd the Spirits of the Comonality, much more when large additions
were made thereto, which has been a bar against the Army's filling up.
We acknowledge that a generous Reward is their due, this (in our Judg
ment) they would have had if their wages had been far less. That the
distresses of America should prove a Harvest to some and Famine to
others this we deprecate. Therefore we humbly pray that this Honorable
court would exert their Power, and use their Influence with the great and
general Continental Congress; that such large Stipends may be abridged.
This we conceive a necessary means to support unanimity in America
which otherwise we fear will soon be interrupted. We therefore beg a
candid attention to this our Petition, and as in Duty bound shall ever
pray. Simon Daby was sent to Watertown to present this peti
tion, and was perhaps the author of it.
II. LEXINGTON ALARM.
On the morning of the nineteenth of April, 1775, a
mounted courier galloped through Bolton and Lancaster
shouting to every one he saw that the "red coats" were on
the march from Boston. Messengers on fleet horses were
hurried off to carry the dread but not unexpected news to
adjoining towns; musket shots and drums and Lancaster's
little four-pounders spread the alarm; the captains hurriedly
assembled their companies, and soon down the Bay Road
poured a torrent of patriots to aid in sweeping the invaders
back to the sea.
The Harvard men who sprang to arms at the Lexington
Alarm and marched to Cambridge were as follows : —
The Troopers.
With the Lancaster Troop, commanded by Captain Thomas
Gates of Lancaster, rode : —
Joseph Blood Joel Phinney Jeremiah Willard
Shadrach Hapgood Jonathan Puffer
The Lancaster Troop was a noted organization for many
years after the Revolution, appearing at the annual militia
musters until 1825, when half a dozen of the veterans who
fifty years before had aided in chasing the British soldiers
into Boston were yet living — among them Joseph Blood and
Shadrach Hapgood: —

LEXINGTON ALARM.

317

The Minute Men.
Capt. Jon". Davis's Muster Roll in Coll. John Whitcomb's Regiment of
Minute Men Marched on the Alaram April y^ ig 1773 from Har
vard Thii-ty Miles to Cambridge
Capt. Jon". Davis Fifer
Lieut. Elisha Fullum Priv.
2'^ Lieut. Jon". Pollard

Ensign James Haskell
Serj'. Jabez Keep
" John Mead
" Isaac Holden
;' Abraham Munroe
Corp'. Benj". Larrance
" Josiah Whitney
" Prince Turner
" Josiah Gates
Drum"^. Cyras Fairbanks
" Jon". Davis
Fifer Abijah Worster

Jacob Davis
Jacob Fullum
Ruben Garfield
Thaddeus Pollard
Thomas Pratt
Solomon Haskell
Joshua Bowers
Benj. Robbins
James Robbins
Jacob Whitney
Jacob Priest
Josiah Davis
Manassah Stow
John Knight
Francis Farr

George Gleason
Eben''. Davis
Charles Warner
John Wood
David Whitney
John Farnsworth
Ezekiel Cox {deserted)
Abijah Warner
Nath" Farnsworth
Philemon Priest
Ohver Mead
Daniel Furbush
Thomas White
Isaiah Whitney {de
serted)

[Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, xii, 36, 41 , 48.]
Cyrus Fairbank, the drummer of this company, outlived
all his comrades. He was a son of Captain Joseph Fairbank,
born May 17, 1752, and died at Ashburnham, June 18, 1852.
George Gleason is yet remembered by elderly citizens as a
disreputable old person, with just energy enough to tramp
from his home near the Ayer line in Shabikin to the squire's
for his pension, and to the tavern daily to have his jug
replenished with Medford rum.
The Militia.
Provincial Reg*, of Footmen of the Militia Comm^. by Colo. Asa Whet-
comb, 4*^ Comp'y whereof Isaac Gates is Capt. who m.arch' d to Cain-
bridge on y Nineteenth April last in Consequence of an Alarm,
who return' d again not inlisted into the American Service.

Capt. Isaac Gates
Lt. Josiah Haskell
Lt. Amos Fairbank
Ens'n John Daby
Sergt. Sim; WiUard
¦¦¦ Sam'. HiU
" John Houghton
" John Derby
Corp'. Gibson Willard

Benj'. Barnard
Lem'. Farnsworth
Asa Farnsworth
Barzillai Willard
Molbory Kingman
Joseph Knight
Sam'. Farnsworth
Joseph Wood
Phineas Fairbank

Elijah Willard
Edw'' Cheney
Joseph Atherton
Zaccheus Stevens
Josiah WiUard
Jere''. Bridge
Eph"°. Barnard
Jon" Sawyer
Levi Fairbank

3i8

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Corp. Israel Whitney Nicholas Patterson Asa Haven
Drum'. Lem'. Willard John Atherton Benj". Stow
Priv. John Sawyer Lem'. Haskell Jon'. Symonds
The Names of those who Inlist d. into y American Army Viz. —
Eben'. Warner Thos. Chamberlin W". Safford
Sam'. Worster Joel Finney W"". Harris
Sam'. Finney W". HaskeU Aaron Priest
W". Bennett Benj' WiUard Sam'. Furbush
[Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, xii, 99.]
Captain Gates was of a family noted for physical and
mental energy. He was peremptory of speech, high spirited
and autocratic, with stately figure and soldierly mien. His
patriotism was so ardent that he devoted a large share of his
property, and he was one of the wealthiest men in the town,
to the cause of liberty. He lived on the east side of Bare
Hill, his home being quite a distance from the highway oppo
site the house owned by the late Deacon Jonathan Fairbank.
Captain Gates died insane in 1796, at the age of sixty-eight
years. Capt. James Burt's Muster Roll in Colo. Asa Whitcomb' s Regt. who
marched from Harvard on the Alarm April ig, 1773.
Abel Farnsworth
David Sterns
Lemuel Stone
Jon'. Crouch, Jr.
Willis Secomb
Aaron Warner
John Sawtell Farwell
Joseph Wetherbee
Joseph Park
Joseph Blanchard
Jabez Keep, Jun'.
Jerem. Willard
James Willis

Capt. James Burt
Lt. Phinehas Farnsworth
Lt. Jacob Robins
Ens. Caleb Sawyer
Sergt. Hezek. Whitney
" Ephraim Davis
" Joel Stone
" Charles Taylor
Corp. James Whitcom
" Silas Rand
" Simon Cooper
" Abel Whitcom
Jotham Barnard

Simon Whitney
George Conn
Colman Sanderson
Aaron Whitney
Silas Whitney
Sam'. Brown
Dan. Houghton
Moses Hale
Tim". Phelps
Tim". Crouch
Abijah Reed
W". Park
David Farwell

[Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, xi, 196.]
The Alarm Men.
Provincial Regiment of Foot of Alarm men under the Command of
Colo. Asa Whitcomb, whereof Joseph Fairbank is Capt. who m.arched
to Cambridge on ye igth of April last in Consequence of an Alarm is
as followeth :
Capt. Jos. Fairbank Israel Taylor, Esq. Oliver Whitney
Lt. W". Burt Jo^ Wheeler, Esq. Phineas Fairbank

LEXINGTON ALARM.

319

Lt. Phineas WiUard [Jr.]
Ens'n Jos. Willard
Sgt. Jon' Reed
" Ion'. Clark
" Benj'. Cutler
" Rich". Whitney
Corp'. John Priest
" Isaiah Whitney
Sam'. Meeds
" Tim" Wiliard

Lem'. Willard
Jer''. Laughton
W'". Sanderson
Jo^ Atherton
Jo^ Houghton
Abr-". Willard
Jon'. Adams
Ward Safford
Oliver Whetcomb
Aaron Davis
[Massachusetts Archives,

Jer''. Priest
Elijah Houghton
Joseph Blanchard
Eben'. Burges
Stephen Randall
Manasseh Sawyer
Isaac Haile
James Perry
Oliver Wetherbe
Revolutionary Rolls, xii, 74.]

By the courtesy of Samuel F. Whitney, Esquire, the author
has had access to the papers of Captain Joseph Fairbank,
found among the effects of the late Daniel HartweU Fair-
bank. One of these is a list of the "Alarm Men" of Harvard,
and records that they met at the old meeting-house on March
13 and organized themselves into a military company by
choosing officers. At that time there were nearly one hun
dred men in the "Alarm List," embracing all not classed in
the company of Minute Men and the two Militia companies.
To this organization belonged the three ministers — Reverends
Joseph Wheeler, Daniel Johnson and Isaiah Parker^and Doc
tor John Cleverly.
John Whitcomb had been made a general by the Provin
cial Congress, February 15, 1775, and acting in that capacity
was present and took part in directing the pursuit of the
British troops on their hurried retreat from Concord. It is
not supposed, however, that any organized body of his regi
ment reached the scene of conflict, nor is it known that any
of the Harvard men were engaged in that running fight.
The whole number of those who marched to Cambridge was
one hundred and seventy-one, which was more than one from
every house in the town. Some of these returned to their
homes within three days, but the majority were credited with
from five to eight days' service.
III. SIEGE OF BOSTON.
April 25, the Provincial Congress, convened at Watertown,
determined upon the enlistment of an army of thirteen
thousand men for the siege of Boston, expecting the other

320 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Colonies to come to their assistance with twenty thousand
more. Ten companies were to constitute a regiment as here
tofore, but the complement was fixed at fifty-nine privates,
two musicians, five corporals, four sergeants, one ensign, a
lieutenant and captain. The term of enlistment was for
eight months.
Colonel Asa Whitcomb of Lancaster was authorized to
raise a regiment, and was one of the first to report his com
mand complete. May 25, he announced his staff as Lieuten
ant-colonel Josiah Whitney of Harvard, Major Ephraim
Sawyer of Lancaster, Adjutant Jeremiah Gager of Westmin
ster, Quartermaster Jeremiah Laughton of Harvard, Surgeon
William Dunsmoor of Lancaster, Surgeon's Mate Moses
Barnard of Harvard. He then had eleven companies, con
taining five hundred and sixty volunteers. It was the largest
of the twenty-six Massachusetts regiments before Boston.
There were two companies in Colonel Whitcomb's regiment
largely composed of Harvard men, and their rosters are pre
served in the Massachusetts Archives, Coat Rolls, Ivi. 143 and
150:—
A Retum of Capt. James Burt's Company in Col. Asa Whetcomb' s
Regiment, the towns they belong to and the Casualties Happened,
Capt. James Burt, Harvard. Solomon Burgis, Harvard.
Lt. Ebenezer Wood, Fitchburg. James Farmer, "
Sec'*. Lt. Jabez Keep, Harvard. James Willis, "
Adjutant Isaac Holden, Harvard. Daniel Burt, "
Sgt. major Thos. Hovey, Lunenburg. Jesse Slack, "
Sergt. Thomas HUl, Fitchburg. Aberther Houghton, Leominster.
Samuel Finney, Harvard. Moses Brewer, Lancaster.
Corp". William Haskell, " Abraham Hager, Shrewsbury.
Benjamin Willard, " Joseph Simonds, Fitchburg.
" WiUiam Safford, " John Bowers, Leominster.
Ruben Dodge, " William Slack,
Thomas Harris, Fitchburg. John Woods, Fitchburg.
Uriah Holt, Ashburnham. Thomas Harris, Ju., Boston.
Jonathan Clark, Harvard. Edom Lonnon, Fitchburg.
John Adam Rupp, Boston. Joseph Woods,
Jeremiah Willard, Harvard. Jabez Keep, Ju., Harvard.
Jonathan Atherton. Lancaster. Abijah Eveonden, Stoughton
John Sawtle Farewell, Harvard. loseph Fry, Harvard.
Joel Finney, " Jonathan Stone, Mason.

Z-

SIEGE OF BOSTON.

321

William Harris, "
Joseph Weatherbe, "
Joseph Park, "
William Bennett, Westborough.

David Goodell, Fitchburg.
Jonathan Comming, "
John Thustings, "
Thomas Chamberlain, Harvard.

Jeremiah Laughton, Qur. Mst'. Died August 11, 1775, Harvard.
Israel Williard Sgt. Died Septemb'. 13. Lancaster.
Andrew Park Died July 6, Harvard.
Edward Holowell Deserted May 2, Lynn.
Henry Rimer Dischar''. Sept'. 23, Boston.
Jacob Davis " October 6, Harvard.
Ebenezer Flagg, Lancaster May 24. In ye Train.
Simeon Hemenway, Bolton May 24 "
Joseph Blanchard Harvard May 25 "
Nathaniel Tufts, Cambridge May 19 "
The last four enlisted in Captain John Popkins artillery
company of Colonel Richard Gridley's regiment, the Provin
cial Congress having passed an order. May 16, 1775, permit
ting artillery officers to recruit their commands from any arm
of the service, taking no more than four from any company.
Edom Lonnon, or London, who fought with this company at
Bunker Hill, was a negro slave who had run away from his
master. He afterwards was owned by Daniel Goodridge of
Winchendon, and became famous as the cause of the "Mas
sachusetts Slave Case" of 1806-7, Winchendon vs. Hatfield.
A Return of Capt. Jon". Davis' Compy. In Col": Asa Whetcomb' s Regt.
October y 6, 1773.

Captain Jona. Davis, Harvard.
Lt. Elisha Fullam, "
" John Meads,
Sergt. Abraham Munro, "
" Josiah Gates, "
Mikel Geary, Boston.
" William Kendall, Townsend.
" Francis Farr, Harvard.
Corp. Charles Warner, "
Thomas Ethridge, Boston.
" Joshua Bowers, Harvard, c
Samuel Forbush, "
Samuel White, Leominster.
Jacob Fullam, Harvard,
Ebenezer Davis, "
Benjamin Robins, ''

Joseph Holder, Barrington.
Soloman Haskell, Harvard.
Thaddeus Pollard,
Jacob Whitney,
Aaron Priest,
John Maccoy.
Samuel Worster,
Ebenezer Warner,
Isaac Sanderson,
Jona. Adams,
George Teat, Boston.
Ebenezer Gofe, "
Gilbert Coleworthy, Boston.
Benjamin Dolber, "
Joseph Putney, Ashby;
Anthony Shez?erel, Charlestown,

322 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Gideon Sanderson, Harvard. Joseph Rand, Charlestown.
Manasseh Stow, " Josiah Davis, Harvard. ^
Thomas Pratt, " Francis Dizer, Charlestown.
James Robines, " Jediah Felt, N. Rutland.
Jacob Priest, " Nathan Osgood, Lancaster.
Reuben Garfield, " Ephraim Whitcomb, "
George [G]leason, " Thomas Cogney, Sandwich.
Corporal Benjamin Lawrence, Harvard, died August 26.
Drummer Cyrus Fairbanks, " discharged September 11.
Fifer Abijah Worster, " deserted August y« 25.
Jobe Priest, " discharged September 30.
In Captain Robert Longley's company, of Bolton, Simon
Farmer of Harvard served, and in the regiment of Colonel
William Prescott were Phineas Whitney, serving with Captain
Joseph Moore of Groton, Abel Wetherbee, Caleb Wetherbee
and Joseph Swatridge with Captain Samuel Patch of Stow.
Harvard was therefore entitled to be credited with sixty-eight
enlistments, including field and staff officers, for the eight
months' service. Each non-commissioned officer and private,
under a resolve of the Provincial Congress, received a coat
in addition to his monthly stipend. The soldier might fur
nish his own coat if he preferred to accept twenty shillings
in money; otherwise the town was to provide one for him.
The coats were ordered to be made of American material if
possible, and a certificate was sewed inside of each, giving the
name of the town, the maker of the coat, and the weaver of
the cloth. Harvard's quota of coats was fifty-six.
Colonel Whitcomb's regiment was not of those in the de
tachment that fortified Bunker Hill, but several of its com
panies were ordered from their encampment at Cambridge
to the re-enforcement of Prescott during the battle on June
seventeenth. At least five or six, if not all of them, partici
pated in the fight, or reached the scene after the retreat began.
By the official returns published, the casualties in the regi
ment were fifteen; five killed, eight wounded and two missing.
The companies of Captain Andrew Haskell of Lancaster,
Captain James Burt of Harvard, Captain Benjamin Hastings
of Bolton, and Captain Abner Cranson of Marlborough were
under fire, as recorded casualties in their ranks testify.
Whether Captain Davis's company participated in the fight

BUNKER HILL. 323
is now uncertain. A petition by Elisha Houghton, found in
Massachusetts Archives, clxxxi. 73-74, is interesting in this
connection : — Coliney of the Massachusetts Bay.
To the Honnorabel General Coart seting at Watertown the Petion of
Elisha Houghton a Solder under Comand of Captan Hastings in Conal
Whitcomb's Rigement in the year 1775 and I was in the fight on bunkers
Hill So Called in Charlston on the 17 of June in the year 1775 as above
sd and on my Return I and others Lited on one Jacob Davis who was
wounded who requested our help and in tacking Care of the sd Davis
Caused me your Petinor to take Mistick Road to convey the sd Davis to
where he thought he could be tacken Care of and in so Doing I came
acres by Winter hill to Go to head Quater at Cambridge and in Coming
by the Gard of Connal Starks which was set on sd hill they took away
my Gun which I and others that Knew sd Gun Judged to be worth teen
Dolers. I Endevuered to Recover my Gun again but was Denied the
Same which may be made Evident to this Coart by Reading the Paper
acompining this Petition. I also Sertify this Coart that I have Never
Reseved my Gun since Nor any Consideration for the same. I therefore
your Poor Petitioner Humbly Pray that this Coart would be Pleased to
take my Case into your Consideration and alow me Pay for my Gun and
your Petitioner as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray. Bolton Jan. the —
1776 Elisha Houghton
This may Certify that Elisha Houghton of Col Whitcomb's Regiment
in Capt. Hasting's Company was in the Action on Bunker's hill and help
ing bringing the wounded men off to Cambridge went mistick Road over
Winter hiU and the Guard that was set on winter hUl took away the Guns,
and this sd Houghton's Gun was among the Rest, the next Day with [a]
number of others sd Houghton went in order to Get his Gun with an offi
cer with him, but could not find it and have Never heard of it since — as
I know of. Josiah Whitney, Lt. Col. of sd Regt.
Dorchester Camp Febury 29"'. 1776.
In the same company with Jacob Davis, Sergeant Israel
Willard was probably fatally wounded at Bunker Hill, as he
was awarded recompense from the Province for losses in that
action, and died three months after it. Whether Laughton
and Park died of wounds, or disease.'does not appear in the
records. In December, 1775, and January, 1776, General Washington
called upon the New England States for the temporary ser
vice of five thousand militia to man the fortifications, replac
ing troops whose terms of enlistment had expired. Harvard's

324

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

quota at each call was twenty-three men, but no record of their
names is discovered. The time of service under the first
draft ended January 15; that under the second ended April
I, 1776, The whole army during the investment, never ex
ceeding fifteen thousand effectives, was merely a volunteer
assemblage of yeomen, ununiformed, undisciplined, poorly
armed, short of powder and ball, living in wretched shelters
of their own contrivance, and often seriously diminished in
numbers by the absentees without leave. But it held Boston
in close siege for ten months, finally drove the British forces
to the safe shelter of their fleet, and entered the town March 20.

¦ IV. TOWN-MEETING ACTION — 1776-82.
At the annual meetings in March, a Committee of Corre
spondence and Safety was always chosen, and no man seems
to have been expected to serve more than one year. The
committees were: — ¦

1776
Joseph Fairbank
Samuel Cooper
Isaac Gates
Abraham Whitney
Jacob Robbins 1779
Oliver Atherton
Silas Rand
Aaron Whitney
Eleazar Hamlin
John Houghton

1777
Jonathan Davis
Joseph Willard
Caleb Sawyer
Zaccheus Stevens
Joseph Blanchard
1780
Samuel Hill
Micah Stone
Amos Fairbank
Abel Whitcomb
Jonas Whitney

1778
Phineas Fairbank
Isaiah Whitney
Asa Houghton
William Hudson
John Darby 1781
Asa Houghton
James Haskell, Jr.
Aaron Whitney
Shadrach Hapgood. Jr.
Oliver Sawyer

Silas Parkhurst was chosen to succeed Captain Jonathan
Davis, "removing out of Town," May 14, 1777.
The hoarding of gold and silver and specie payment for
imported goods soon left no money in the ordinary channels
of trade but the paper currency. State and Continental.
This, as the war continued, began to lose its purchasing
power, and such commodities as could be monopolized were
held by speculators at exorbitant prices. The usual panacea
— the fixing of prices by law — was expected to stay the evil.
The following was Harvard's "regulating act":—

REGULATING PRICES.

325

Febr'. 20"', 1777.
At a meeting of the Selectmen, & Committee of Safety of the Town
of Harvard, i"'. Chose Dea. Oliver Whitney Moderator, Phinehas Fair-
bank Clerk. Then proceeded in observence of the Resolves of the Gen
eral Court to state the price of the FoUowdng articles in Harvard.
Wheat, good marchantable wheat not to exceed 7/ pr. bushel.
Rye, good marchantable Rye not to exceed 4/8 pr. bushel.
Indian, good marchantable indian corn or meal not to exceed 3/4 pr.
bushel.
Sheep's wool, good marchantable sheep's wool not to exceed 2/ pr. lb.
Pork, Fresh pork & of a good quality not to exceed 4" pr. lb.
Pork. Salt pork in usual proportion, according to the price of salt.
Beef, good well fatted grass-fed Beef not to exceed 2''-3'"^ pr. lb.
Stall fed Beef well fatted at 3''-3'"' pr. lb. & of inferior quality in pro
portion.
Hides, raw hides at 3'' lb. raw calf skins at (f^ pr. lb.
Salt, good marchantable imported Salt at 12/ pr. bushel, and Salt manu
factured from sea water within this State at 14/ pr. bushel.
Rum, good marchantable Westindia rum at 7S-ii<'-2'i''^ pr. gallon by the
single gallon, and two shillings by the quart. New England rum
good & marchantable at 4'-9''-2'i'* by the single gallon, & proportion-
ably for a less Quantity, and by the Barrel at 4= -i''-2i'» a gallon.
Sugar, best muscovado Sugar at 4^-10'^ for seven pounds, and proportion-
ably for a less Quantity.
Chocolat, at 1^-9'^ pr. lb.
Cheese, manufactured here & of the best Quality at 6"^ pr lb. and of an
inferior Quality proportionably.
Potatoes, Spanish potatoes i' per bushel in the fall, and in the spring r.
6"' per bushel, and other potatoes at a usual proportion.
Stockins, mens best woling stockins at 6* pr pair, & in that proportion for
an inferior Quality
Shoos, mens, neet leather Shoos of the best Common sort at 8" pr. pair,
womans Calf skin Ditto at 5M^ pr pair
Cotton wool, at 35-8^-2"^ by the single lb.
Oats, at 2' per bushel. Flax well dressed i'' pr lb. and those persons who
bring Flax into Town for sale it is our opinion that they should have
a reasonable allowance for their time and expence.
Coffe, good coffe by the single pound I'-if^.
Tailor, good tryed Tailor at 7° 2'i"'. pr lb. & Rough Tailor 5" pr lb.
Towcloath, good towcloath yard wide 2»-3<' pr. yard, and other towcloath
according to its wedth in proportion, and course linen cloath to be
computed after the same rate according to its Quality.
Flanel, good yard wide striped Flanel, at 3^-6" pr. yard, and other Flanel,
in proportion to its wedth & Quality.
Good all wool cloath, mens ware well fulled & Dyed at the mill three
quarter wide at 8" pr. yrd.
Wood, good Oak wood Delivered at the door at 6" pr. Cord.

326 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Charcoal, best charcoal by the baskett, at 6^ pr. baskett.
Tanned hides, at i^'-s* pr. lb. and curried leather in usual proportion.
Homespun Cotton & linen cloath best sort yard wide 3'. o''. pr. yd. and
other cotton & linen cloath in like proportion.
Mutton, lamb, & Veal at 3" 2'"" pr. lb.
Flower, manufactered in the Town at i£-i^' pr. Hundred.
Hors Keeping one night or Twenty-four Hours at 1^-4''. pr. hors
Ox Keeping one night or Twenty-four hours on good hay i*-8'^ pr. yoak.
Teeming work at i''-6'' pr. mile every Ton weight.
Fowls at 5" pr. lb. Milk at i". 2'i"= pr Quart.
Iron, good refined iron at 2£ 10'* pr. Hundred, and bloomery iron at i£
10" at the place where it was manufactered and the same allowance for
Transporting as for other articles.
Hay good English hay at 2* S"* pr. Hundred.
Farming labour by the Day in the surnmer season shall not exceed 3*.
and be found as usual, & in proportion at other seasons of the year.
And the labour of merchandise, & Tradesmen, and all other labour
besides what is herein perticularly enumerated in like proportion there
unto & according to the Usages and Customs which have heretofore been
adopted and practiced in this Town when compared with Farming labour;
And 'tis expected that every person who is of a Friendly Disposition
to his Country will govern themselves in Traiding in every other article
according to the price of those above enumerated as near as may be ac
cording to the Former Usage and Custom in this Town.
The equalization of the burdens of patriotic duty, and of
the payments for patriotic service, often engaged the atten
tion of the New England town-meetings, giving rise to
lengthy and heated discussion, and usually ending in no prac
tical solution of the exasperating problem. In Harvard,
however, a scheme of valuation was determined upon by the
voters, by which the soldiers received bounties according to
the length and nature of their service. The second article
in the warrant for a town-meeting called April 3, 1777, reads
thus: —
To see whether said Town will chuse a committee to compute the ex
traordinary service and cost that perticuler persons have already done
towards carrying on the present war, over and above their equal propor
tion in the publick charges in order to lay a tax on said town so that such
persons may have justice done them equally 
The town voted that twenty pounds' bounty should be paid
"each man that Inlists into the Continental army for to make
up the Quota for said Town," and chose a committee of seven

EQUALIZING BOUNTIES.

327

to prepare a scale of allowances for past campaigns. This
committee reported on April 8, and their recommendations
were adopted with slight amendment as follows: — i. s.
That those in Cambridge campaign, 1775, eight months, be allowed, 4. .0
Roxbury campaign, 1775, six weeks,
Dorchester campaign, 1776, two months,
Dorchester campaign, 1776, four months,
York campaign, 1776, five months,
Ticonderoga campaign, 1776, five months,
York campaign, 1776, two months,
Nantasket campaign, 1776, eight months,
Jersey campaign, 1776, three months,
Continental service, 1776, twelve months.
Whether the soldiers or the rate payers were dissatisfied is
not told, but two days later another town-meeting declared
the action of April 8 null and void, and chose a new com
mittee "to set the prices on the several campaigns which are
past, and to make report to the Town as soon as may be."
April II, it was voted to pay the soldiers upon the following
basis: —

Roxbury campaign, in 1775, six weeks, to be set at

' 0.

12

' I.

.0

' I.

.0

9-

.0

IS-

.0

6.

.0

II.

.0

10.

.0

' 12.

.0

Dorchester
DorchesterDorchesterNantasket
YorkTiconderogaYork
Jersey Continental

1776, two months do.
1776, four months in summer do.
1776 & 7, four months in winter do.
1776, eight months,
1776, five months,
1776, five months.

Ji

S

0 -

18

I -

5

2 -

10

0 -

12

5-

0

9-

0

12 -

0

5-

0

6-

0

18-

0

1776, two months,
1776 & 7, three months,
.for one year.
Then the Town voted that those Persons that subscribed money in
order to raise men to go to Ticonderoga in 1776 be allowed the same
sums they disbursed 
Then voted and Impowered the committee to pay to each man that
Inhsts into the service [three years Continental] thirty pounds.
October 7, 1776, the town consented at a special town-
meeting to release Reverend Daniel Johnson for two months
" while he performs the duty of a Chaplain in the army.
May 14, 1777  Voted and Granted the sum of Ten pounds to be
paid such Soldiers as ingage in the Continental Service till the Tenth of

328 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
January next to make up our Quota of the seventh part sett on this Town
said sum to be paid each soldier at his passing muster 
December 2, 1777:  4. Voted to provide for the Families of the
Continental Soldiers agreeable to the Resolve of the Great and General
Court  then voted to chuse three as a committee to provide for said
families. December 15, 1777, the committee having in charge the
paying of bounties, reported that they had "borrowed and
paid the sum of Eleven Hundred and Seventy pounds, lawful
money, as a Bounty allowed by said Town towards the hire-
ing thirty-nine men for said service, [three years Continental]
at 30^;' pr. man." The committee chosen to appraise the
bounty due for campaigns not in the former list presented a
report which was adopted : — I s
Campaign to Providence, two months four days, 4- . o
Bennington Alarm, five weeks, 4. . o
Providence Alarm, two days, . . 12
Pelham Alarm, Six days, i ¦ ¦ 4
Stillwater Campaign, three months, 8. . o
The last thirty days' Campaign, at Fort Edward, 4. . o
January 5, 1778  2. Voted the addition of two pounds to the
Jersey campaign  4. Voted and Directed the committee chosen on
the 16"' of December last to collect the services Done by the people in
the Town of Harvard in the present war, to make up a sum total in or
der for our assessment, Governing themselves by the present established
prices of the several campaigns, and make report to the town.
This committee, January 13, brought in an estimate that
1230;^ would be required to pay the bounties to Continental
soldiers, and 2538;^ 3^ 10* for the soldiers serving in the spe
cial campaigns.
January 12, 1778  3. Voted to allow those soldiers who shall go
on alarm for the future against our Enemies when called upon six shil
lings per Day each soldier.
January 13, 1778, a committee which had been appointed
"to take into consideration the Articles of Confederation and
Perpetual Union of the United States of America Concerted
on by Congress : —

CONFEDERATION, U. S. A. 329
Report that it is their Humble opinion that said Articles are weU Cal
culated for the Good of the United States, to support our Independency.
Wherefore your Committee do Unanimously Recommend it to the Town
of Harvard that they give Instructions to their Representitive to use his
Influence that the said articles may take place be Ratified and Confirmed.
Josiah Whitney, Chairman.
The above report being read upon an adjournment the the 13"' instant
in a town meeting in Harvard was accepted, and voted that the Repre
sentitive of said town Govern himself accordingly 
March 23, 1778  2. Voted that the committee appointed by the
Town the 12"' of January last to hire Soldiers when caUed for from this
Town in defense of the cause we are contending for with Great Britain
be Impowered at any time or times to Draw so much Money out of the
Town Treasury by orders from the Selectmen as shall be necessary to
make up to each Soldier together with their Bounties and other Wages
six pounds per month who Shall hereafter Inlist or be Draughted and
Serve as a Soldier in either of the New England States. Likewise Voted
to make the same addition to the non commissioned officers wages as is
voted to the private soldier, and the sd committee to be accountable to
the Selectmen for the sums they shall so draw out of the said Treasury by
procuring Certificates from the Soldiers who shall receive said money. . .
June 25, 1778  3. Voted that the Committee appointed to hire sol
diers for this Town act Discretionary therein, in this and after Draughts,
during the Town's pleasure. 4. Voted and Granted the sum of Eight
hundred pounds to be collected for the purpose of hiring soldiers.
January 25, 1779  2. Voted and granted the sum of eight hun
dred pounds for supporting poor Families of Contenantel Soldiers, and
to defray other necessary Charges of Purchasing Cloathing for Soldiers.
The needy families of those in the service, and the widows
and orphans of those who laid down their lives for their
country, were systematically cared for by the town fathers,
and the state refunded the amount expended. Massachusetts
demanded of each town a proportionate share of the cloth
ing required by the soldiers, making annual requisition upon
it according to its financial ability. These assessments seem
not to have been recorded, but in 1780 requisition was made
upon Harvard for twenty-eight pairs of shoes, ten shirts and
twenty-seven pairs of stockings.
May 21, 1779  Voted that we will use our Endeavours in the Ex
ecution of every salutary measure for appreciating our Contenantal Cur
rency, and lowering the price of the necessary articles or life.

330 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Captain Eleazar Hamlin was sent as a delegate to a con
vention at Concord which met on the first Wednesday in
October " to consider and proceed further on the regulating
the price of articles." He also attended the county conven
tion called for the same object in August. The legislated
scale of prices based upon irredeemable paper money de
manded frequent re-adjustments, and the tinkering of the
patriotic financiers could not stay the rapid depreciation of
the Continental currency.
SHORT SERVICE ENLISTMENTS— 1776-82.
Upon the departure of the Continental army for New
York, the Massachusetts militia were summoned to the de
fence of the coast. Two regiments were formed in April,
1776, for the defence of Boston harbor and stationed at Hull.
For these the Continental organization was adopted which
fixed the battalion complement at eight companies of ninety
men each. Colonel Josiah Whitney of Harvard was placed
in command of one of these regiments, but seems to have
been followed by only two of his townsmen, Joseph Fry and
William Stevens, in Captain William Warner's company.
Simon Farmer, Jonathan Simons and Consider Turner served
in Colonel Thomas Marshall's battalion and Captain Andrew
Haskell's company. A memorial from Colonel Whitney,
found in Massachusetts Archives, clxxxi. 293, throws some
light upon the service performed by these regiments, and
upon the character of Harvard's most noted officer in the
Revolution : —
To the honourable the Council and House of Representatives convened
at Watertown in the State of Massachusetts Bay.
Your memoriahst hereby shows ; That he was appointed the tenth of
April last, to take the command of a Battalion of men raised by this
State, And tho' the pay of the State was Small, yet my Zeal for the Lib
erties of my Country was so great, that I chearfuUy undertook : The
men were obtained and we early in the Spring took the Field, while the
Enemy were in the Harbour and a Re-inforcement Daily Expected. But
since that, other Officers have been appointed; the men ready raised to
their hands without their being at any Expence to look them up; placed
in the most secure and least laborious quarters, and yet put on Continen
tal Pay; while we who were at vast expence to inlist our men are sta-

SHORT SERVICE ENLISTMENTS.

331

tioned in the Key of the State, the most hazardous and fatiguing Post,
where everything is difficult to be obtained and of extravigant price; and
only the small establishment of this State to support us, which does not
much more than clear our Expences. This as to myself is not so grevi-
ous, for I am ready to spend, not only my fortune in the Cause; but my
Life also if need requires; But my under Officers are very much troubled
and think your bounty towards them small as towards some of the other
regiments, ai?d tho' they do not pretend to claim Continental pay as ab
solutely due, yet when they consider the impartiality that ought to govern
every legislative body, and which they are perswaided reign in this House
they flatter themselves that you will not degrade them below their breth
ren, but raise them to Continental Pay.
And this I humbly conceive, would put a stop to the great uneasiness
in the Camps; and that coldness and indifference that appears between
the several Regiments would cease; and all would go on in love and
unity in the glorious Cause of Liberty.
Therefore your petitioner humbly prays that you would take the Prem
ises under Consideration and order as in your great wisdom [you] shall
think best; and if possible put us on Continental Pay — And as in duty
bound shall ever pray. Josiah Whitney, Coll.
Camp at Hull, October ye 29, 1776.
A request from the Continental Congress for five thousand
militia to aid the operations of the armies in New York, re
sulted in a resolve of the General Court, June 25, 1776, offer
ing a bounty of three pounds to each volunteer, with an
allowance of eighteen shillings if he furnished his own arms
and accoutrements, the term of enlistment ending December
first. The quota of Harvard was thirty-six men, and as Cap
tain Jabez Keep marched with eighty-two men on July 22 to
join the. regiment of Colonel Jonathan Smith, the allotted
number probably was furnished. Unfortunately no roll of
the company is known to exist. The regiment was attached
to the brigade of General John Fellows, at New York, which,
in an encounter with the Hessians at Kip's Bay, September
15, was quickly routed and fled in disorder from the field. It
participated in later battles of the campaign with more
credit. John McCoy of Harvard, doubtless one of Captain
Keep's men, was killed September 17, according to the town
records. July 10, 1776, two regiments were raised for eight months'
service by drafting every twenty-fifth man of the train band

332

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

and alarm lists. One of these battalions was commanded by
Colonel Nicholas Dyke and located at Dorchester Heights
for most of its term of enlistment. The lieutenant-colonel
of the regiment was Henry Haskell, at that time resident at
Lancaster. He was a grandson of the first Henry Haskell
of Still River. In this command, under Captain Manasseh
Sawyer of Lancaster, were these soldiers of Harvard :—
Sergeant Daniel Laughton Philemon Priest Salvenias Sanderson
Corporal Reuben Conant Jonathan Puffer John Whitney
Joseph Atherton Benjamin Stow Josiah Whitney
John Hill Manasseh Stow Salmon Whitney
John Laughton [Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, in and xxvi,/3J«"»/.]
Samuel Farnsworth and Joseph Farnsworth served with
Captain John HartweU of Littleton, and Benjamin Warner
with Captain Bangs.
In a regiment of militia commanded by Colonel James
Converse of Brookfield, Captain Samuel Hill and Lieutenant
Simon Cooper are found serving at Tarrytown and Dobb's
Ferry, but no rolls of their men are extant.
Captain David Nurse of Bolton led a company of sixty-
four men to service "in the Jersies," from December 12, 1776,
to March 26, 1777. From his papers it is ascertained that
twenty-nine of his men were from Harvard; and Lieutenant
Davis receipted to the captain for "their Continental Wages,
Sauce and Milage and Prize money: Two hundred Forty-four
Pounds twelve Shillings and three Pence," April 2, 1777: —
Lieutenant Ephraim Davis Private Benjamin Bridges
Sergeant Simeon Willard '• Jonathan Farnsworth
Corporal Philemon Priest " "Manasseh Farnsworth
Charles Warner " Solomon Haskell
Levi Fairbank " John HiU
Carpenter James Burt " Jonathan Hutchins
WiUiam Burt " Carter Knights
Phineas Warner " William Stevens, died
Ohver Willard " Jonathan Symonds
Teamster Jeremiah Bridge " Dwelly Turner
Joseph Blanchard " Jotham Whitcomb
Joseph Fry " John Whitney
Jabez Keep " Simon Whitney
Private Samuel Atherton " Stephen Whitney
" Thomas Burges

SHORT SERVICE ENLISTMENTS. 333
In all the Colonies there existed a deeply rooted distrust
of a standing army. The French and Indian War had been
conducted in a series of summer or autumn campaigns, and
short terms of enlistment were familiar to the people. The
unmilitary custom was continued therefore until the grave
dangers incident to the perpetual changes in the rank and
file were too obvious and vital to be longer neglected. Suc
cess was seen to be altogether hopeless without a permanent
force held under rigid discipline; and in the autumn of 1777
Congress set about the organization of a Continental Army
enlisted for three years or during the war. Massachusetts
was required to furnish fifteen of the eighty-eight battalions
of infantry thus established. The quota of each town was
determined by dividing the number of males of military age
by seven, and a census was ordered to be rendered under oath
by the selectmen.
For the encouragement of enlistments the Continental
Congress offered to each volunteer a bounty of twenty dol
lars, one suit of clothes annually, and one hundred acres of
the public lands, beside subsistence and the monthly pay of
six dollars and sixty-seven cents. The Province added a
bounty of twenty dollars, and when the danger of a draft
became imminent the towns sometimes offered special boun
ties. Harvard, as has been before noted, voted thirty pounds
to each enlisted man.
Harvard's selectmen reported the number of males in the
town above sixteen to be three hundred and forty-one, and
they were therefore required to furnish forty-nine three years'
men under the first call. Before giving a roster of the
soldiers serving in the Continental Army for three years or
during the war, the records of short-service enlistments found
will be completed.
In December, 1776, the occupation of Rhode Island by
Sir Henry Clinton with a corps of six thousand British
troops was a serious menace to Massachusetts, and General
Joseph Spencer was detailed to hold in check, and if possible
capture this force, with an army collected from the New Eng
land states. A special brigade of three thousand men, en
rolled for three months, was raised from Massachusetts in

334

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

May, 1777. In this, under Colonel Abijah Stearns of Lunen
burg and in the company of Captain Joseph Sergeant of
Princeton, there were from Harvard : —
Q. M. Serg'. Jacob Whitney Jacob Robbins Reuben Whitney
James Burt Jonathan Symonds Salmon Whitney
Joseph Fry [Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, in, i52.I
In October, half of the militia of the state were drafted
to aid in a carefully planned attack upon the enemy, but the
campaign came to naught through delays and unpropitious
weather. The following year a more determined attempt was made
to wrest Rhode Island from the enemy, an attack by the
combined forces of the French and Americans, on land and
water, being agreed upon. Again a tempest disarranged
well-laid plans by driving the French fleet to sea, and the
battle of Quaker's Hill closed with honor an unsuccessful
campaign. The Second Worcester regiment of militia, with
its commander. Colonel Josiah Whitney, took part in the
operations in Rhode Island, and included these men from
Harvard, serving with Captain Manasseh Sawyer, in July,
August and September, 1778: —
Lieutenant John Daby Ehsha Fullam Manasseh Stow
Sergeant David Sampson John Mead Ebenezer Warner
Oliver Atherton Jacob Priest Israel Whitney
Micah Davis Nehemiah Ramsdell Richard Whitney
Francis Farr [Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, xxii, 207.]
In the regiment of Colonel Nathaniel Wade and the com
pany of Captain Nathan Fisher, were : —
Corporal Phineas Warner WUham Sanderson, Jr. Abel Wetherbee
Ohver Edwards Prince Turner Jonas Whitney, Jr.
John Hale Calvin W^arner
[Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, LV, 56, and xlii, 50.]
In 1779, Harvard furnished seven two-months' men, who
served in October and November under Colonel John Jacobs
in the company of Captain David Moore of Bolton. These
soldiers participated in the re-occupation of Rhode Island,
when hastily abandoned by the British forces October 25 : —

RHODE ISLAND CAMPAIGNS. 335
Sergeant John HiU Nathan Garfield David Stone
Thaddeus Brown Nathaniel Hazeltine Jonas Whitney
James Furbush [Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, 111,9.]
The rolls of short-service recruits sent to Rhode Island in
1780, during the encampment of the French troops there, are
not discovered, but in 1781 the following Harvard soldiers
served for three months in the company of Captain David
Moore of Bolton and the regiment of Lieutenant-colonel
Enoch Hallet : —
Isaac Burbank Elijah Houghton Benjamin Robbins
John Dudley Joseph Houghton Peter Stickney
David Farwell William Park Benjamin Warner
George Gleason Thomas Peabody Abel Wetherbee
Israel Hale Walter Pollard Abner Whitcomb
Oliver Hale Elijah Priest
[Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, xxi, 61.]
In December, at Butt's Hill, with Captain Joseph Elliott
in the regiment of Colonel William Furnas, were : —
Samuel Haskell Nehemiah Ramsdell Samuel Russell
[Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, II, 13.]
In July, 1777, the Massachusetts Council of War, suddenly
aware of New England's peril if the victorious progress of
Burgoyne was not stayed, hurriedly sent heavy re-enforce
ments of militia to aid General Benjamin Lincoln, who was
then harassing the rear of the invading army. Colonel Josiah
Whitney, on July 27, ordered a draft of one-sixth of the
training bands and alarm lists in his regiment to march at
once to Betinington with six days' rations, and on August 2
ordered one-half of the militia to follow with eight days'
rations. The roll of the second Harvard detachment is not
found. In the first there were these Harvard men who
marched July 30, serving with the regiment of Colonel Job
Cushing : —
Captain Hezekiah Whitney Jonathan Clark David Whitney
Sergeant James Burt Samuel Davis Josiah Whitney
WiUiam Haskell John Hill Richard Whitney
Corporal Gabriel Priest Thaddeus Pollard Enoch White
Fifer Isaac Crouch Jonathan Stearns WiUiam Willard
Oliver Atherton Jonathan Symonds
[Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, xxiv, 25 & 36.]

336

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

In the companies of Captains John Drury and Ephraim
Stearns of Colonel Ezra Wood's regiment, at Ticonderoga,
from May to December, 1778, were: —
Sergeant James Burt Joseph Houghton Thomas Laughton
Thomas Dodge Joseph Houghton, Jr. Joseph Priest
Phineas Fullam Jacob Hutchins Jonathan Stearns
Jonathan Houghton [Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, xlvi, 89, etc.]
To fill a call for nine-months' men, in 1778, to re-enforce
the Continental Army, Harvard's quota of nine men reported
at Fishkill, June 17, as follows: —

Age.

Stature.

Complexion.

Lysaias Blanchard,

29

5 ft. 8 in.

Dark

Jonath Crouch, Jr.,

31

5" 9"

Light

Harbour Farnsworth,

21

5" 6-

Dark

George Leason [Gleason],

30

5" 6"

Light

Europe Hamhn,

20

5 " 10 "

Dark

WiUiam Parks,

28

6"

Light

Aaron Priest,

20

5 " 9 "

Dark

Freedom Ramsdell,

20

4 " 8 '¦

Light

Abraham Willard, 28 6 " Dark
[Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, xxvii, 135.]
The Harvard nine-months' men, in 1779, were: —

Age.

Height.

Age.

Height.

Adam Amsden,

17

5 ft. 7 in.

Aaron Priest,

21

5 ft. 8 in.

Reuben Garfield,

25

5 " 10 "

Samuel Russell.

18

5 " 7 "

America Hamhn.

17

5 " 6 "

John Todd,

28

5 " 9 "

Jonathan Houghton,

18

5 '¦ 6 "

Reuben Willard,

23

6 "

[Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, xxix, 55; xli, 352; xlii, 42.]
From October 27 to December 11, 1779, there were also
in Continental service at Claverack, New York, in the com
pany of Captain Luke Wilder of Lancaster and the regiment
of Colonel Samuel Denny: —
Lieutenant John Daby Benjamin Bridge Oliver Haskell
Sergeant Wilder Chamberlain Thomas Davis Joel Whitney
" Jacob Whitney William Farr Amos Wetherbee
Corporal Luther Stevens David Farwell
[Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, xxiv, 173.]

THE HARD WINTER. 337
The winter of 1779-80 was long remembered in New Eng
land as the "hard winter." From November until April the
snow lay deep over the country, and the cold was intense.
Walls and fences were mostly covered from sight, and for
weeks no roads were broken out in the rural towns. Grain for
the family bread had to be drawn to and from the mill upon
hand sleds, and no traveling was possible except upon snow
shoes. Hardly had winter surrendered to the genial air of
spring, than there came. May 19, 1780, the "dark day," which
spread consternation throughout Eastern Massachusetts.
Daylight faded slowly out a little before noon, and candles
had to be lighted for the conduct of ordinary household
work. The fowls retired to their roosts, the bats came out,
and everything wore the semblance of night.
These phenomenal disturbances in Nature's laws seemed
to many the frowns of an offended Deity. They were co-in
cident with the chilling of fond hopes and the gloom of
despair in patriot councils and patriot homes. The French
Alliance thus far had brought only disappointments. Disas
ter followed disaster in the field of military operations, which
had been removed from the Northern to the Southern states.
The army, greatly reduced in numbers, was ill-fed, half-clad
and despondent. Congress had lost its credit and the paper
currency was fast losing all purchasing power. Everywhere
was distress, privation, dejection. But the military authori
ties calmly pursued theiir prescribed routine, the inexorable
draft bore its fruit, and the terrible mill of war ground on.
The following is a descriptive list of six-months' men
raised for the Continental Army in 1780: —

Age.

Height.

Age,

Height.

John Oaks,

22

5 ft.

5 in.

Salmon Whitney,

20

5 ft. 7 in

Jonathan Stearns,

17

7 "

Jonathan Houghton,

19

S " 8 "

John Atherton,

18

9 "
John Warner,
18
5 " 7 "
Simeon Conant,
18
7 "
John Scollay,
17
5 " 7 "
Thaddeus Brown,
18
6 "
Benjamin Bridges,
20
S " 9 "
Benjamin Hale,
16
2 "
Oliver HaskeU,
22
5 " 4 "
Jonathan Whitney,
21
6 "
Abijah Cole,
17
5 " 9 "
David Stone,
18
7 "
Manasseh Stow,
23
5 " 7 "
America Hamlin,
18
8 "
Joel Whitfiey,
17
5 " 10 "
Nathaniel Hazeltine
, 16
6 "
[Massachusetts Archives, Reyplutipnary Rolls, xxxv, 195; xxv, 230; iv, 125, etc.]
338 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
The following men of Harvard served at West Point from
September to November i8, I781, in the company of Captain
Nathaniel Wright and Regiment of Colonel Drury: —
Simeon Conant America Hamlin Benjamin Warner
Jacob Fairbank Samuel Hutchins Phineas Warner
Israel Hale David Stone
Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, xxiv, 119-120.]
Not only were the militia called upon to go beyond the
state line for temporary emergencies, but there were frequent
details for guard duty within the state. The following is a
copy of one order for such detail in 1778: —
Harvard, March 21, 1778.
To Capt. David Nurse. Sir. in consequence of orders I Rec^ from
Gen" Warner he having Rec'' orders from the General Court of this State
Baring Dait the 9 of this Instant and I am ordered to Detach 46 men out
of my Reg*, non-commissioned officers and privit soldiers to Do duty at
or near Boston till the 2 day of July next unless .Sooner Discarged: your
cota is fore men which you are to Detach from your company without
Delay, s'' men to be Equiped with arms and amonition according to law
and to be at head-quarters at Boston on the 2 Day of April next with out
fail ther to Rec" further order & it is Resolved that if any noncommis-
soned officer or privit soldier so drafted as afores'' shall Neglect or Refuse
to march in consequence heirof he shall hire an able bodyed man in his
Rome or pay a fine of Ten pounds within twenty-fore hours, or shall be
considered as a soldier in that detachment and y= Capt or commanding
officer of the company shall cause others to be drafted in stead of those
who pay their fines; or other men- to be hired with said fines and you
make Return of your doings and the names of the men so Drafted.
You are ordered to view the arms of both Lists and their acotrements
& see that they are Compleet acording to Law and at a minits warning
and make Return of the number you have on Both Lists of men: and
ther arms and ther Equipments: these Returns must be made to me by
the 20 Day of this Instant without fail.
Yours to Serve. J. WmxNEY Coll.
These men answering a similar requisition from Harvard
were serving from September to December 31, 1778, in Colonel
Nathan Sparhawk's regiment near Boston, with Captain
James Mirick : —
David Baldwin Daniel Page Ephraim Whitney
America Hamhn John Parker Stephen Whitney
Oliver HaskeU Walter Pollard
[Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, xxi, 125.]

CONTINENTAL SERVICE. 339
Those detailed for guard duty were frequently boys, old
men, or others in some way unfitted for field duties. There
were from time to time details of soldiers for guarding pris
oners of war at Cambridge and Rutland. At the latter place
among the guards in 1 779-1 780 were: —
Sergt. Joseph Haskell Jacob Fairbank David Stone
Sergt. John Atherton Walter Pollard Hananiah Whitney
John Blanchard John Scollay Daniel Willard
[Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, xxv, 120, 123.]

V. CONTINENTAL ARMY.
As has been stated. Harvard's quota under the first call for
enlistments in the Continental regiments to serve for three
years or during the war, was forty-nine men. The three-
years' men were all volunteers or hired substitutes, no soldier
being drafted for more than twelve months. A second call
was made in the spring of 1780, when Harvard's quota was
five; a third for the year I78i,when Harvard furnished six
teen men, and a fourth in March, 1782, Harvard|s quota
being three. The town in due time filled all these requisitions.
Enormous bounties, as they were then considered, were
sometimes paid for substitutes. "Bounty-jumpers" were
not unknown, and towns frequently had serious quarrels over
their claims to particular recruits, which were usually settled
by reference to the General Court. Occasionally prisoners
were liberated from jail (perhaps confined for debt or politi
cal offence) to serve in the Continental Army. The rapid
depreciation in value of the paper currency, both Continental
and State, unsettled all contracts. Early in 1780 a silver doj-
lar would buy forty in paper, and before the close of 1780 the
whole paper money issued was valueless. "Not worth a con
tinental" became a common description of the utterly worth
less. The precious metals were hoarded to so great an
extent that commercial transactions were mostly by barter.
Such coins as were in circulation were largely foreign and
often clipped, so that the merchants kept specie scales to
weigh all cash received, as the only safe means of finding its
worth.

340

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

The debasement of the currency of course destroyed the
value of the bounties to, and contracts entered into with, the
soldiers. The following agreement, made with one of Har
vard's citizens for his service as a soldier, will show the usual
method of avoiding the uncertainty of values expressed in
paper money : —
We the subscribers belonging to Bolton in the County of Worcester
do promise to pay unto John Whitney of Harvard in said County or or
der in consideration of his Engageing into the Continental Service for
three years for us. Eighteen Calves, Ten whereof are to be Heifers and
Eight Steers to be Delivered to him within six weeks after his Discharge
from the Continental Service (provided it be within three years) viz: if he
be Discharged in one year after Date he is to Receive Said Stock at one
year and Six weeks old and so for a longer or Shorter time according to
the Same Rule. N. B. said Stock is to be Six weeks older when he Re
ceives them than the time he is in the Service provided it be no longer
than three years. Said Stock is to be of the midhng Size, in witness
whereof we have hereunto Sett our hands and Seals this Tenth Day of
AprU A. D. 1781.
A true Coppy of the Obligation Signed by Nathaniel Holman John
Whitney and Simon Houghton to me on account of my Engageing into
the Continental Service for three years for a Class in Bolton to which
they belong. [Captain David Nourse's Papers.]
No better illustration of the condition of the currency can
be given than the enormous figures of the town appropria
tions at this date : —
1780, March 6  Granted the sum of six thousand pounds to hire
preaching the ensuing year; likewise voted to allow for Highway work;
to a man 12*. pr. hour, for oxen 8" pr. hour and cart 4^ pr hour.
As the salary of the minister was one hundred and twenty
pounds in specie, the purchasing power of silver was then
called fifty times that of the paper currency.
July I, 1780  Voted and Granted the sum of Twenty thousand
pounds to Defray the charges of the war; also voted that the sd. Grant be
immediately assessed 
October 11. Voted eighty thousand pounds to defray the charges of
the war.

CONTINENTAL SERVICE. 341
December 27, 1780: Voted to allow seventy Dollars pr Bushel for Rie
which may be dehvered to pay off Soldiers. Then voted that the sd Rie
may be delivered any time by the 20"'. day of January next, and also
voted that the Town treasurer receive the sd. Rie and give orders on the
Constables and Collectors to Discount Rates for the same  Voted
thirty thousand pounds to buy beef for the army.
, This purchase of commissary stores was in pursuance of a
requisition from the state. The purveyors of the Continental
Army finding it impossible to procure suflficient food with
debased promises to pay, each state was called upon for a
share of the needed supplies.
The uncertain and ever lessening value of the paper money
was made worse by the prevalence of counterfeits, often as
well executed as the genuine bills. Much of this forged
paper was manufactured within the British lines. The col
lectors every year applied to the town to make up to them
losses sustained by their innocent taking of bad bills for
taxes. The depreciation was especially severe in the hard
ship it brought upon those dependent upon fixed salaries or
wages for their living.
The roster of the soldiers serving for Harvard, or residents
of the town, during the years 1 777-1 780, are given in the
order of regiments, with such facts of record as appear in
their pay certificates. No Harvard men appear in the Massa
chusetts regiments not named. The fifteen battalions were
consolidated into ten during 1780, and their pay certificates
are not found. Nearly all these regiments took part in the
battles that resulted in the surrender of Burgoyne, and for
the rest of their terms of service were generally stationed
along the Hudson.
CONTINENTAL THREE-YEARS SOLDIERS.
Second Regiment, Colonel John Bailey.
John Oaks, in 8"" company, March 1, 1777, to December 31, 1779.
Aaron Samson (Abner in rolls), February 12, 1777, to December 31, 1779.
Third Regiment, Colonel John Greaton.
Jabez Beaman, with Captain Charles Colton, February 4, 1777, to Decem
ber 31, 1779; also served for Springfield, 1780, as fifer.

342

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Ehas Warner (Nathaniel in rolls), under Captain Job Sumner, January
20, 1777, to December 31, 1779.
James WUlis, corporal, with Captain Job Sumner, January 20, 1777, to
November 18, 1779.
Fifth Regiment, Colonel Rufus Putnam.
Jacob Davis, corporal, with Captain Job Whipple, enlisted March ip,
1777, died October 23, 1779.
Sixth Regiment, Colonel Thomas Nixon.
Jeremiah Bridge, in Captain Adam Wheeler's company, February 12'
1777, to October 30, 1777; transferred to Invalid corps.
Eighth Regiment, Colonel Michael Jackson.
In Captain Benjamin Brown's Company :
.Sergeant Jabez Keep, April i, 1777, to December 31, 1780.
Corporal Phineas Whitney, February 5, 1777, to January 28, 1780.
Samuel Atherton, April i, 1777, to January 28, 1780.
Simon Blanchard, August 17, 1777, to April 10, 1780.
Thomas Burges, April i, 1777, to March 23, 1780.
Daniel Burt, April l, 1777, to May i, 1780.
Ezekiel Cox, April i, 1777, to January 28, 1780.
Jonathan Farnsworth, April i, 1777, to March 23, 1780.
Israel Hale, April i, 1777, to March 23, 1780.
William Harris, April i, 1777, to April i, 1780.
Joseph Frye, July 15, 1777, died February i, 1778.
Jonathan Hutchins, April i, 1777, to March 23, 1780.
Jabez Keep, Jr., April i, 1777, to April i, 1780.
Abraham Munroe, April i, 1777, died March 11, 1778.
Jonathan Stearns, March i, 1777, to March 23, 1780.
William Stone, AprU l, 1777, kiUed July 17, 1779, at King's Ferry.
Luther Topliff, drummer. May 13, 1777, to December, 1779.
Tenth Regiment, Colonel Thomas Marshall.
In Captain Samuel King's Company :
Reuben Dodge, sergeant, January i, 1777; promoted ensign November
I. 1777-
Reuben Conant, sergeant, September 5, 1777, to September 5, 1780.
Samuel Finney, corporal, January i, 1777, to December 31, 1780.
Thomas Chamberlain, January i, 1777, to December 31, 1779.
Isaac Sanderson, August 5, 1777, to December 31, 1780,

CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS. 343
Twelfth Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Ebenezer Sproat.
Francis Saussure, with Captain John Pray; credited to Bolton. 1777-79,
and to Harvard for 1780-.
Fifteenth Regiment, Colonel Timothy Bigelow.
In Captain Joshua Brown s Company ;
Samuel Barret, March 11, 1777, to May i, 1780.
John Burnham, May i, 1777, to May i, 1780.
Zadock Burnham, April 14, 1777, to April 14, 1780.
Titus Coburn, April 14, 1777, died March 15, 1778.
Elnathan Daby. AprU 14, 1777, to April 14, 1780.
Jonas Davis, April 14, 1767, to April 14, 1780.
Levi Farnsworth, April 14, 1777, to April 14, 1780.
Manasseh Famsworth, April 14, 1777, to April 14,1780.
Samuel Farnsworth, April 14, 1777, died April 15, 1778.
Elisha Houghton, sergeant. May i, 1777, to May i, 1780.
Jesse Lund, March 16, 1777, to May i, 1780.
Eleazar Parker, April 14, 1777, to April 14, 1780.
William Proctor, April 14, 1777, to April 14, 1780.
Consider Turner, corporal, April 14, 1777, to April 14, 1780.
Benjamin Willard, sergeant, March 10, 1777, died December 31, 1779.
Samuel Worcester, May i, 1777, to March 11, 1779.
John Whitney, July 10, 1777, to July 10, 1780.
In Captain Sylvanus Smith's Company ;
Thomas Burnham, corporal, December 26, 1777, to December 11, 1780.
John Haskell, drummer, April 10, 1777, died December 3, 1777.
Joseph Jones, Jr., November 10, 1777, to November 10, 1780.
Joseph Longley, corporal, May 19, 1777-.
In Captain Edmund Monroe' s Company :
David Parker, sergeant, November 10, 1777, to November 8, 1780.
Sixteenth Regiment, Colonel Henry Jackson.
Elias Willard, "Hospital Mate, and 2" Surgeon," May 15, 1777, to De
cember 31, 1779. Colonel John Cranes's Artillery.
Joseph Swaughtridge, drummer, served with Captain Benjamin Froth
ingham. March 10, 1777, to October, 1780; deserted. Claimed also
by Dedham and Boston.
Reverend Daniel Johnson, chaplain in the Continental Army, died
September 23, 1777.

344 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
December 2, 1780, the demand was made upon Harvard
for sixteen soldiers for the Continental Army to serve for
three years : —
January i, 1781. Voted a Committee of five to raise the sixteen.
Then voted if any of the late soldiers who served three years in the
army do Inlist  the Town will make up to them the Bounties and
Gratuities Reducted from their Depreciation notes provided the General
Court does not make up the same.
February 2, 1781  Voted that the Committee be instructed to
endeavour to see those persons who are Candidates for going into the
Army as soon as may be and find out the lowest terms they will inhst
upon, and make report to the town.
The recruiting went on but slowly, and it was soon deter
mined to divide the town into squadrons, or "classes," as they
were commonly called, a plan then generally used for the
more speedy and certain procuring of men to satisfy the de
mands of the Continental service. The number of classes
corresponded with the number of the town's quota, the divi
sion being made according to tax valuation, each class hiring
a soldier and giving him satisfactory security for the bounty
agreed upon. The town was responsible to the class for all
needful expenditure. If any member of a class failed or re
fused to pay his proportion, he was liable to be fined double
the amount, and all assessments were legally collectable in
the same manner as tax rates. If a class could not buy the
three-years' service required, lots were cast among the mem
bers, and the man upon whom the lot fell was obliged to
serve for that year or procure a substitute for that period.
The sixteen three-years' men under the call of December 2,
1780, were duly obtained, and each signed a receipt similar to
the following: —
Harvard  1781.
Received of the Committee for Class No 4 in sd. Town nine hard
Dollars and % of a Dollar and Twenty-five hundred paper Dollars and
an obligation for eighteen head of three year old Horned Cattle as en
couragement for Inlisting and serving three years in the Continental
Army. Samuel Atherton.

CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS.

345

The selectmen reported to the General Court that they
had paid the sixteen men " Three hundred and ninety-eight
Silver Dollars, forty-one thousand and fifty Dollars of the old
paper currency, and obligations for two hundred and sixty-
seven horned cattle to be three years old."
Descriptive List of Recruits for Three Years Service, 1781

i

1

¦ftc a.2 0

§1

Q-3

<;

ffi
0
0
M
Phineas Whitney,
23 yrs.
S
ft. 1 1 in.
dark.
farmer.
March 7
John Scollay,
I8
" 7 "
light.
"
April 16.
Daniel Knight,
21
" 5 "
"
cordwinder
March 27
Joel Atherton,
16
.. ^ ,.
"
farmer.
April 3.
Asa Mead,
20
" 6 •'
"
"
March 6.
Edman Wintworth,
21
'• 6 "
"
"
4-
Benf. Hale,
17
' 3 "
dark.
"
" 9-
Jason Mead,
17
' 2 "
light.
"
" 7-
Nath". Hellaston,
17
" 7 "
"
"
3-
John Dudley,
19
' 2 "
"
"
10
Elias Warner,
16
*( 2 "
dark.
"
14
Titus Tuttel,
16
' 2 "
"
"
" 31
Jabez Keep,
21
' 4 "
"
bloomer.
" 8.
Sam". Atherton,
21
¦ 4 "
"
farmer.
" 6.
Jonas Davis,
21
' 7 "
light.
"
" 7-
John Atherton,
19
' 9 "
"
"
" 6.
[Massachusetts Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, xxxiii, 332-6.]
The three men enlisted in 1782 were : William Camobell,
Benjamin Warner and John Pratt, each receiving sixty pounds
bounty from the town.
Of the prowess of these men of Harvard who offered
their lives for their country's freedom we know little. But
few of them fell in battle, and the record of wounds never
appears upon the rolls. Of the very few hired to fill the
town's quota some deserted, as hireling soldiers in all wars
are prone to do. The children of the soil did not disgrace
their lineage. The rolls give the names of but twelve who
died in the service; there were probably several more, unre
corded. The military career of Surgeon Elias Willard had a ro
mantic ending. Elias was the son of Deacon Lemuel and
346

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Hannah (Haskell) Willard, and inherited from his mother a
goodly share of the personal dignity and comelines for which
the Haskell family was noted. In his official uniform he was
a man to delight a woman's eye, and so thought Katherine
Livingston, daughter and heiress of one of the great patroon
families of New York, when she saw him pass in the street
of a garrison town where she was visiting. Turning to her
companion she fiippantly expressed her admiration for the
handsome surgeon, and announced her determination to cap
tivate and marry him. It was easy for her to gain his
acquaintance, and her attractions of person and estate speed
ily effected the conquest she planned. They were married
in due time and lived at Albany with all the luxury wealth
can bring.
The citizen of Harvard who held the highest military rank
during the Revolution was Colonel Josiah Whitney. He was
born in Stow, September ii, 1731, the youngest son of Rich
ard and Hannah (Whitcomb) Whitney, his mother being a
relative of the veteran military leaders. Colonel Asa and
General John Whitcomb. His home was at the cross-roads
on the present town farm in Harvard. This he sold to Seth
Babbitt in 1791, removing to Ashby, where he died January
24, 1806. Colonel Whitney, at the time of the battle of
Bunker Hill, was stationed in Cambridge, and although sev
eral companies from the regiment of which he was lieutenant-
colonel were engaged, there is no evidence that he personally
participated in the fight. Subsequently during the war he
was several times called into the service for short periods
as commander of a regiment of state forces. He was a dele
gate to the convention of 1779-80, which framed the State
constitution, and to that of 1788 called to ratify the United
States constitution. At the close of hostilities he was com
missioned a brigadier-general of militia and justice of the
peace. He enjoyed great local popularity, was the favorite
moderator at town-meetings, was five times chosen selectman,
and represented the town in the lower branch of the legisla
ture for five years. During the growth of agrarian discontent
which culminated in the insurrection organized by the mis
guided Daniel Shays, Colonel Whitney seems to have been

COLONEL JOSIAH WHITNEY. 347
outspoken in his sympathy with the disaffected, and to his
dominant influence it was doubtless in some measure due that
Harvard's iiiajorit}' showed a disloyal spirit when the govern
ment finally resolved upon a vigorous repression of the riot
ers. Probably some imprudence of speech gave his political
foes their opportunity to denounce him as a public enemy.
It was even reported that the command of a body of insur
gents was offered him. He was arrested upon the charge of
treason, and thrown into the common jail, whence he sent the
following petition to the governor: —
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
To His Excellency James Bowdoin Esqr., Governor of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts : ajid the HotiH'. Councel.
The petition of Josiah Whitney Humble sheweth that he has been ar
rested and committed to Goal, by vertue of a state worrant and do moast
earnestly pray for the previladge that he may be admitted to Bail for the
Following Reasons.
I, he has Left at home a Destrest family, a wife and seven children,
and the eldest not twelve years of age
2, the season is Advancing in which it is most necessary for me as well
as others to attend to farming beasness.
3, he does promise to Demean himself as a peaceable quiet and good
subject of this Commonwealth; and to use his best endavers for the sup
pression of any that shall be in opposition of the Goverment of this state.
4, he will procure Good and sufficient bondsmen for his appearance
at Court to answer to the charges that may be stated against him when
ever the time of his trial shall be.
5, your petitioner humbly Conceives that if the prayer of his petition
is granted that the merits of his trial will not in the Least be enjured.
If your Excellency and honors for these and other considerations
which might be urged, will of clemency and goodness be pleased to
Grant a permission that he may be liberated upon sufficient Bonds; shall
think himself highly Favored, and as in duty bound shall ever pray
Josiah Whitney
Dated Worcester Goal March ye 29, 1787.
[Massachusetts Archives, vol. 189, p. 231.]
Joseph Wheeler, Esq., Colonel Henry Bromfield and Hon
orable John Sprague of Lancaster advised the governor that
the petition might safely be granted, and Brigadier-general
Whitney, after sixteen days' imprisonment, was released upon
giving bonds in the sum of two hundred pounds with two
23

348

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

sureties. When the case came before the grand jury, no wit
nesses appearing to testify against him, he was discharged.
The town continued to elect him their representative, but his
several petitions to be recompensed for the cost and disgrace
of his imprisonment failed to win the favor of the legislature.
There is no hint in the town records that any citizen of
Harvard was classed among active Tories. The few who
were inclined to the loyalist side were prudent enough to
conciliate the Committee of Safety. The itinerant English
exhorters, called Shakers, because of their denunciations of
war were suspected of being British emissaries, and sometimes
suffered harsh treatment from over-zealous patriots. It is
traditionary that Richard Goldsmith, who lived near the sum
mit of Oak Hill, had close affiliations with certain officers in
Gage's army, and that he designated to them the leading
Whigs in Harvard with a view to their being deprived of
their ¦ fire-arms. The wife of Hezekiah Whitney, an ardent
republican, is said to have satisfied her sense of patriotic duty
by visiting the pragmatical Richard and completely disarm
ing him. Joshua Atherton, one of Harvard's most famous
sons, was for a time proscribed as a loyalist, although he
seems never to have been aggressive in his political opinions.
He, however, had removed to New Hampshire seven years
before the struggle for independence began. There is a tra
dition that Deacon Phineas Fairbank, a prominent Whig,
had a son in Harvard College who abandoned degree and
kindred to join his country's foes. Of this youth it is told
that he feared to meet his father, but one Sunday before flee
ing to Gage's camp in Boston, he paid a secret visit home
— ^knowing the family would be at church service — and wand
ered over the house, taking a last sad farewell of all that had
been dear to him in boyhood.
During 1776, sundry British officers, who by various for
tunes of war fell into the power of the patriots, were distrib
uted among the smaller inland towns upon their paroles,
being restrained within the township bounds. Two of these
were quartered in the Still River village at Harvard, and
probably in the old Atherton house which stood opposite
where James Humphrey Atherton now lives. They were

PRISONERS OF WAR. 349
Captain PMward Barron of the 4th or King's Own Regiment,
and Surgeon Walter Cullen of the 72d Foot, Royal Fencibles.
These gentlemen seem to have dwelt quietly "in harmony
with the town's people" for several months. Captain Barron
had been so disabled by wounds that he could only take exer
cise on horseback, and unfortunately for their comfort, the
ofificers finally extended their rides beyond Harvard high
ways. The prisoners were absent from their quarters two or
three nights, were seen outside their prescribed limits, and
remanded to Worcester jail, the indecently crowded and un
cleanly condition of which they describe in a petition to the
council for return to their pleasant rural retreat. The report
of the town's Committee of Safety and Correspondence to
the council in the matter is a curiosity worth preserving, and
gives evidence that the committee were selected for their
burning patriotism rather than for their flamboyant penman
ship or scholarly attainments: — Harvard Aprill y" 28"'. 1777.
The Comettee of Safty of the Town of Harvard on Suspetion that
the prisnors of war Destined [detained] in Harvard had Broak thair Pa-
roll CaUed in the, Esistance of the Comettee of Safty of the Town of
Lanchester and of Bolton in order for thair advice and thenjProseded to
Chus a Chairman and a Clark in order to make a strict Enquirey and it
apeared to the full satisfaction of the whol Comettee then Convened
Both By Circumstance and Evidence that Capt. Edward Barron of the
4 Regiment of the Britch trups and Doct Wolter Collens Sirgn have
Broak thair ParoU By Going out of Town three Knights and two Days
without Leave of the Comettee. Then the Comettee of Safty of the
Town of Harvard Cometed Edward Barron Capt of the 4 Regement of
the Britsh trups and Wolter Collens Sirgn to the common gold of the
County of Worster agreable to order of the Cort of this State on Aprill
y 29. 1777.
By order of the Comettee Jonathan Davis
Caleb Sawyer
A true Coppey a testis. Zaccheus Stevens
Jonathan Jonathan Clark.
The papers in the case fail to tell where the two un
fortunate men passed the time during their escapade; but in
the neighboring town of Lunenburg there were detained five
Highland officers with their gillies, and it is possible that the

350 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
bored Brit, ons may have been guests of these Scotchmen,
who often relieved the tedium of their retirement by festivi
ties of a decidedly jovial character. The captain and surgeon
were soon removed from Worcester to less squalid quarters
at Newburyport, where in July they were again remonstrating
against alleged hardships, and the council consented to their
return to Harvard, after which no further record of their life
is found. In 1840 there were eight Revolutionary pensioners living
in Harvard, only two of whom, however, had served for the
town : —
Ehas Warner, act. 76. Lemuel Stone, act. 87. John Stacy, act. 81.
Jonathan Baird, " 85. Samuel Dickenson, " 88. Moses Tyler, " 82.
Polly Smith, " 79. Levi Hayden; " 78.

VTIl.
THE REBELLION— 1861-186^.

THE irrepressible conflict between free and slave labor in
the United States had been waged for nearly three-
quarters of a century. Sectional bitterness had grown year
by year until blatant extremists on either side declared the
Union unworthy longer preservation. Compromise and con
cession only made the slave oligarchies more insolent and
aggressive. The far more rapid growth of the free republican
commonwealths had given them preponderance in national
councils and it was evident that the day of one-sided com
promises was at an end; that republican ideas were to rule
under the constitution. The election of Abraham Lincoln
furnished an excuse for the ambitious aristocrats and political
hacks of the South, who had lost allh ope of controlling the
government longer, to intrigue for its destruction. Open re
bellion, often threatened and long prepared for by a few, soon
became a fact, and found the North unready and ignorantly
apathetic. The guns at Charleston were trained upon the
. national ensign floating over Fort Sumter for the purpose of
"firing the Southern heart," but the traitorous act set the
Northern temper ablaze. The riotous assault of April 19,
1861, upon the Massachusetts Sixth Regiment when passing
through Baltimore for the defence of the capital, awoke the
most lethargic patriot to a sense of the nation's danger, and
as in 1776, the New England town-meetings gave expression
to the popular will and began the organization of republican
victory. In Harvard at a legal meeting called : —

352

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

April 29, 1861  2. Resolutions were offered by Rev. Mr. Whit
well, which were slightly amended, and passed by an unanimous vote, as
follows :
Whereas, in the present state of affairs, when the government of our
country is threatened with anarchy, and the destruction of our glorious
republic is menaced, it becomes all good citizens to rally for the defence
of the constitution and the laws; therefore.
Resolved, that we the citizens of Harvard, in town-meeting assembled,
hereby vote to appropriate the sum of four thousand dollars for the pur
pose of equipping and paying a bounty to soldiers who may volunteer
their services to suppress the present rebellion.
 The town then voted " to make up the pay of each volunteer,
with what he receives from the State, the sum of twenty-two dollars per
month while in actual service;" also voted "to pay the volunteers of this
town each the sum of five dollars per month while drilling at home, pre
paratory for service." 
The following resolution was unanimously adopted ; Resolved, that
it is the duty of all good citizens to frown indignantly upon, and follow
with uncompromising hostihty every individual among us, if any there
be, who shall express sentiments disloyal to the government of the United
States, or who shall sympathize with the plotters of treason and blood
shed.  Voted that the town provide for the families of those volunteers
ivho join the army, if needed.
The anniversary of national independence in 1861 was
celebrated by the ringing of the church bells, and a parade
of the "Ancient and Honorables" under Captain Jeremiah
Barnard, escorted by the " Harvard Guards " commanded by
Captain G. C. Wetherbee. A dinner followed the out-door
exercises, for which tickets were sold, the receipts being de
voted to the payment for a town-clock, at that time being
placed in the steeple of the Unitarian meeting-house.
A company styled the " Fay Light Guard " was already-
organized in Lancaster, and this these eleven Harvard citi
zens joined during June : Levi E. Brigham, Galen P. Ather
ton, Charles H. Burgess, Daniel H. Dickinson, John W,
Dickinson, George H. Hardy, Silas H. Holman, William W.
Ingerson, James Montgomery, William H. Savage and George
W. Willis. Brigham was chosen third lieutenant of the or
ganization. After several weeks drilling the company under
its captain-elect, Thomas Sherwin, entered camp in V\'orces-
ter, adding seventy-eight men to the Fifteenth Regiment, in

SL.WEHOLDERS' REBELLION. 353
which it was incorporated as Company'I. Through some
unfortunate influence Governor Andrew was induced to com
mission a stranger to the company as its captain, instead of
Sherwin. The rank and file indignantly refused to submit to
this injustice, and not having been mustered-in, had to be dis
banded. All of the Harvard men save Brigham enlisted
again and did honorable service, mostly in the Fifteenth and
Twenty-first Regiments.
Wesley Caleb Sawyer was actively instrumental in recruit
ing a company for the Twenty-third Infantry, of which he
was commissioned captain. Under him when the 'regiment
left the state, November 11, 1861, were fifteen soldiers claimed
for Harvard. Three others joined the company the next
August. No other organization bore upon its rolls the names
of so many recruits from this town during the war. The
Thirty-sixth Regiment, which went to the front September 2,
1862, came next in number of Harvard soldiers, of whom it
had sixteen. The other representatives of the town were
scattered through all arms of the service and in numerous
commands. As call after call for volunteers came, the energies of
the town's officials were put to the test to fill the quotas, for
the work of recruiting devolved upon the selectmen. No
record of their labors is found other than in the successful
results of their administration. How they were supported
by their constituency may be seen in the further action of
the town-meetings : —
July 24, 1862  2. Voted to give as bounty $100 to each volunteer
who shall be mustered into service as a Harvard volunteer, or as one of
her quota of seventeen. Voted and chose a committee of three to can
vass the town for recruits; if not found in Harvard to enlist them from
any source where they can be found. C. T. Savage, Captain [Wesley C]
Sawyer, A. G. HiU, committee.
Voted that the committee shall take legal advice with regard to the
duty of the town touching the aid of soldiers' families and bounty to sol
diers, and be governed accordingly.
At a citizens' meeting July 16, 1862, these resolves were unanimously
passed :
First. Resolved, That we have the fullest confidence in the honesty
and ability of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, and
that we hold the determined resolution to stand by him to the end of this
infernal war.

354 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Second. Resolved, 'That we at this time promise our support to the
utmost of our ability.
Third. Resolved, That we hereby pledge ourselves to offer a bounty
additional to the government pay, of one hundred dollars to each recruit
who shaU enlist and be mustered into the service of the United States
upon the quota of Harvard, say seventeen men.
Fourth. That the selectmen be requested forthwitti to open subscrip
tion hsts, and to call a legal town-meeting to make the necessary appro
priation to carry out the foregoing.
August i8, 1862, the town —
Voted to pay fifty doUars in addition to the $100, to each of the seven
teen volunteers of the first quota of volunteers. Voted to pay the nine
months volunteers the sum of one hundred dollars to each man, and to
assume the responsibility of the payment of the fifty dollars each sub
scribed for them 
March 2, 1863. Voted to abate the taxes of the soldiers in the army
and navy last year.
March, 1864, appropriated three hundred dollars for the Soldiers'
Aid Society for the benefit of the soldiers 
At an Informal meeting, June 7, 1864 : Voted to raise ^2550 by a
separate tax to pay a bounty to each of the men Drafted to fill the quotas
of Harvard under the late calls of the President of the United States,
and also to pay for seven men recently procured, to fill the quota of Har
vard under the last call.
Voted that the Club shall refund the money collected to the individu
als who have paid in 
Voted to raise $300 to erect a Monument to our brave men who have
fallen in the service — their names to be inscribed thereon.
June 7, 1864  3. Voted to pay to each man who volunteers into
the United States service as part of the quotas of Harvard the sum of
one hundred and twenty-five dollars, while the law will allow it 
The memorial monument standing in the public square
had its origin in the vote of the citizens' meeting June 7,
1864, already quoted. It is composed of a base in two mem
bers, of hammered granite, square in section, surmounted bv
a polished granite pedestal, upon which stands a draped
female figure in white marble, representing Memory in the
act of strewing flowers upon the names below. Upon the
south face of the pedestal is the inscription : —
harvard erects this MONUMENT IN GRATEFUL
remembrance of her SOLDIERS WHO
GAVE THEIR LIVES TO THEIR COUNTRY
IN THE WAR FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE UNION.

LIBRARY BUILDING AND SOLDIERS' MONUMENT,

" H, 1ST

"

" A, 20TH

"

" H, 23KD

"

" G, 36rH

"

CO. E, 53D

REG.

" H, 5 1st

"

" G, 36TH

"

" G, 36TH

"

IITH BATTERY.

to. H, 23RU

REG.

" G, 36TH

"

" H, 23RU

"

" D, 2IST

"

" H, 23RD

"

SLAVEHOLDERS' REBELLION. .^c,
Below this crossed swords are chiseled above the dates
1861 -1865. On the other three faces are the names of fifteen
of the soldiers who died for Harvard in the war:—
ALLHX, EDWARD M. CO. G, 36TH REG.
BIGELOW, JOSEPH H.
BROGAN, CHARLES H.
CHELLLIS, JOHN T.
DVNX. WILLIAM A.
DEVER, EDWARD.
GIFFORD, ROBERT.
HALL, WILLIAM H.
HASKELL, JOSEPH F.

HOLMAN, EDWIN.
STACY, EDWARD W.
SAWTELLE, JAiMES D.
WILLIS, GEORGE W.
WOOD, CHARLES.
The cost of the monument, including foundations, was
Si 208. 19. It was originally proposed to place it in the burial
ground, but in l888 the town authorized its present location.
Among contributions to the fund for the erection of this
monument was the sum of $88.60 from the ladies, the pro
ceeds of an art exhibition October 29, 1885. It was dedi
cated with appropriate ceremonial on Memorial Day, 1888,
under the direction of Post 48 of the Grand Army of the
Republic. In the building for the Free Public Library, provision was
made for memorial tablets to bear the names of all the
soldiers of the town. These tablets, of Tennessee marble, are
afifixed to the vestibule wall on either side of the entrance to
the library, each bearing two columns of names incised and
gilt. Above the lists is the legend : " harvard to her
BRAVE SONS WHO FOUGHT FOR THE UNION IN THE WAR OF THE
REBELLION." Upon the left tablet there are sixty-eight
names of soldiers, and upon the right, sixty-four of soldiers
and those of two volunteer nurses from Harvard. The omis
sion of some names and the admission of others upon these
tablets may be fairly criticised, and there are several errors

356 HISTORY OF HARVARD. . *
in those registered. If official records can be relied on, at
least one of the list was a rejected recruit and never saw ser
vice. A few others — mostly hired non-residents — can hardly
be classed, even by courtesy, with those " who fought for the
Union." Two soldiers are twice recorded under slightly dif
ferent names. Leonard H. Parker appears in the list by some
mistake, since he is a native of Lancaster, enlisted in that
town, and was counted for her quota. Like statement might
perhaps be made respecting one or two others, natives of
adjoining towns. But similar faults are frequent in such rosters,
however laboriously prepared, when made from imperfect
town records long after the men and their individual experi
ences are forgotten by the town's people.
The following alphabetical and descriptive roster of those
who did military service for Harvard, or, being natives or resi
dents of the town, were enlisted for the Union during the
Rebellion, has been made up from all known sources of in
formation, and is the result of many revisions. That it is
without errors and omissions it would be presumptuous to
hope. It is simply the best attainable, since the scant town
records and the fading recollections of citizens have failed to
aid the compiler in his search for more personal history than
is here given. Names are followed by the record of service
in the following sequence : the number of regiment, Massa
chusetts infantry being understood where not otherwise
specified; the letter of the company; the age of the soldier
when enlisted; town bounty; date of muster; experience of
soldier: —
DESCRIPTIVE ROSTER OF HARVARD SOLDIERS,
including natives and residents of the town, and those hired
FOR her quota.
Agnew, Henry, 57th, Co. I; 23 yrs.; $125 bounty; April 6, '64; deserted
April 17, '64. A non-resident substitute. Not on memorial tablet.
*Allen, Edward M., 36th, G; 23; Aug. 13, '62; died of typhoid fever at
Knoxville, Tenn., Oct. 28, '63.
Anderson, John, 57th, I; 19; $125 bounty; April 6, '64; deserted April 17,
'64. A non-resident substitute. Not on memorial tablet.
Art, John, ist Lt. ArtiUery; 20; $125 bounty; Dec. 14, '64; transferred to
gth Lt. Artillery, Feb. 28, '65: mustered out June 6, '65. Non-resident
hired.

HARVARD SOLDIERS, 357
Atherton, Charles Philemon, corporal, 1st Cavalry, G; 25; Aug, 8,
'62; credited to Springfield; mustered out Dec. 25, '63, to re-enlist in
Co. F for Harvard's credit; S125 bounty; mustered out June 26, '65.
Son of Oliver.
Atherton, Frank A., 6th (100 days), E; 18; July 18, '64; mustered out
Oct. 27, '64. Son of Alfred.
Atherton, Galen P., corporal, 21st, D; 23; Aug. 23, '61; discharged for
disability Feb. 14, '63. Son of Oliver.
Atherton, George R., 1st Cavalry, G; 24; Aug. 8, '62; credited to
Springfield; mustered out Dec. 25, '63, to re-enlist in Co. F to credit of
Fitchburg; mustered out June 26,' '65. Born in Lancaster; son of
Otis R.
Atherton, James O., ist Cavalry, G; 27; Aug. 22, '62; credited to Spring
field; discharged for disability Sept. 21, '64. Native of Harvard, son
of Otis R. Ahit on memorial tablet.
Atherton, Roswell, 33d, E; 30; Aug. 5, '62; credited to Groton; dis
charged for disability Nov. 30, '62. Son of Otis R. Not on memorial
tablet.
*Atherton, William H., 1st Cavalry, G; 21; Aug. 8, '62; credited to
Springfield; discharged for disability Jan. 13, '63; died April 13, '63, at
home. Native of Harvard, son of Oliver.
Attleton, Joseph C, 23d; H; 25; Sept. 28, '61, to credit of Natick, but
appears in town records as a resident of Harvard when enlisted: dis
charged for disability April 23, '64. Joseph T. Atherton on tablet.
Bacon, Joseph A., 6th, B; 26; as corporal credited to Groton, April 22,
'61, to Aug. 2, '61; as ist sergeant credited fo Groton, Aug. 31, '62; pro
moted to 2d Lieut. Feb. 13, '63; mustered out June 3, '63; as ist Lieuf
credited to Harvard, July 17, '64, to Oct. 27, '64. Died since the war
in Albany, N.Y.
Bacon, Samuel A., 44th (9 mos.), D; 19; Sept. 12, '62; mustered out June
18, '63.
Baker, Henry A., 2ot'h, E; 18; S125 bounty; March 30, '64; mustered out
July 16, '65. Non-resident substitute. Not on memorial tablet.
Barnard, Abner, 17th, band; 29; Nov. 4, '61; discharged Aug. 30, '62.
Berry, John, 19th, K; 21; $125 bounty; Jan. 6, '65; deserted Feb. 21, '65.
Non-resident substitute. Not on memorial tablet.
*BiGELOW, Joseph H., ist, H; 20; May 23, '61; credited to Chelsea;
wounded at Chantilly and died Sept. 22, '62, at Alexandria, Va.
*Blood, Lyman R., 20th, F; 15; March 28, '64; credited to Watertown.
Son of Heman L. Blood, born Feb. 18, 1849, in Harvard. KiUed be
fore Petersburg, Va., Oct. 18, '64. Not on tablet or memorial monu
ment.
Bowdoin, Michael {Bowden in State records), nth, H; 30; Si 25 bounty;
June 3, '64; mustered out June 19, '65. Non-resident hired.
Bowen, Amasa W., V.R.C, 27; J125 bounty; July 27, '64; mustered out
Nov. 14, '65. Non-resident hired.

358

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

BowEK, John, nth, F; 28; Aug. 13, '63; deserted April 15, '64. Non-resi
dent hired. Not on memorial tablet.
Bowley, Joseph P., i'6th, C; 23; July 2, '61, mustered out July 27, '64.
Brannon, John W., corporal, 59th, H; 27; S125 bounty; April 2,'64: trans
ferred June I, '65, to 57th; mustered out June 13, '65. Non-resident
hired.
*Brogan, Charles H., 26th, A; 18; $125 bounty; May 4, '64; died at New
Orleans, La., Aug. n, '64. Non-resident hired.
Brown, Frederick W., corporal, 23d, H; 20; Oct. i, '61; promoted ser
geant Dec. 9, '63; promoted 2d Lieut, ist U. S. C. T., Jan. 3, '64.
Brown, John, 33d, unassigned; 26; $125 bounty; June 23, '64; July 16, '64,
rejected recruit.
Burgess, Charles H., 56th, B; 30; $125 bounty; Dec. 26, '63; mustered
out July 12, '65, in Co. K.
Burgess, James L., 56th, B; 25; Dec. 26, '63; discharged for disabihty
May 18, '65.
Burke, Stephen, 33d, F; 22; $125 bounty; June 23, '64, to July 16, '64.
Bink on tablet. A hired substitute, non-resident.
Burke, William, 15th Lt. ArtUlery; 30; S125 bounty; Dec. 14, '64; mus
tered out Aug. 4, '65.
Burnett, George, 12th Lt. ArtiUery; 20; S125 bounty. Dec. 16, '64; mus
tered out July 25, '65.
*Chellis, John F., 23d, H; 22; Aug. 7, '62; died at Arhngton, Va., June
20, '64, of wounds received in battle at Cold Harbor, Va.
Churham, John {Curham in State records), 3d U. S. I.; June 3, '64; S125
bounty. Non-resident hired.
Clark, John, ist Hy. Artillery, I; 25; S125 bounty; Dec. 15, '64; dis
charged for disability May 29, '65.
Cody, John, 12th Lt. ArtiUery; 22; JS125 bounty; Dec. 16, '64. No record
found; non-resident hired. Not on memorial tablet.
Cora, Charles F., 6th (100 days), E; 21; July 20, '64; Oct. 27, '64.
Coughlin. Patrick, 19th, B; 24; April 2, '62; Tiransferred to V.R.C.
March 7, '64. Further record not found. Not on memorial tablet.
Crouch, Henry E., 45th {9 months), D; 21; Sept. 26, '62; mustered out
July 7, '63.
Dadmun, James Forest, 36th, G; 24; $125 bounty; Dec. 8, '63; trans
ferred June 8, '65, to 56th, D: mustered out July 12, '65. Wounded
May 6, '64 in right eye. Died Feb. 7. 1873, in Harvard.
Daily, John, 23d, H; 18; Oct. 2, '61; corporal Nov. 10, '63; mustered out
Oct. 13, '64.
Dayton, Morris C, 2d Cavalry; 24; J125 bounty; June 21, '64. Unas-
signed recruit.
*Dever, Edward, 53d, C; 38; Nov. 6, '62; wounded in shoulder in charge
at Port Hudson, La., June 14. '63, and died at Baton Rouge, La., July
7. '63-
Dickinson, Daniel H., 15th, A; 24: July 12, '61; discharged for disabihty
Dec. 23, '62.

HARVARD SOLDIERS. 35g
Dickinson, John W., i^th. A; 23; July 12, '61; discharged for disability
Feb. 14, '63. Died 
Dinsdale, George, 2d, C; 32; $125 bounty; June 29, '64; deserted Aug.
1 3, '64. Non-resident hired. Not on memorial tablet.
DOLAX, Michael., or Dalton, Michael, V. R. C; 43: $125 bounty; June i,
'64; Nov. 18, '65. These two names appear upon the memorial tablet,
representing one soldier — a non-resident.
Donahoe, Daniel, 15th, E; 21; $125 bounty; March 28, '64; transferred
July 27, '64, to 20th, E; mustered out July 16, '65.
Douglas, James, i6th, K; 22; Aug. 17, '63; deserted Oct. 21. '63. Hired
non-resident. Not on memorial tablet.
*DuNN, William A., 36th, G; 18; Aug. 13, '62: killed at Cold Harbor, \'a.,
June 3, '64.
DwiNELS, Edwin, 6th {9 months), E; 20; Aug. 31, 62; June 3, '63.
Edgarton, Warren P., ist Ohio Lt. Artillery, E; 25; Aug. 23, '61; ap
pointed captain Oct. 7, '61; major, March 16, '64; resigned July 9, '64.
Enlisted in Cleveland, Ohio; native of Harvard. Not on memorial
tablet.
EuSTis, William S., V.R.C; 32; June 27, '64; Nov. 15. '65.
Fairbank, Charles F., 53d, D; 18; Oct. 17, '62; discharged to re-enlist
July 24, '63.
Fane, William, 19th, G; 18; May 13, '64; mustered out June 30, '65.
Non-resident hired. Not on mem,orial tablet.
Farmer, Nahum H., corporal, 36th, G; 19; Aug. 14, '62; mustered out
June 8, '65.
*Farnsworth, Jerome, Jr., 23d, H; 18: Aug. 7, '62; discharged for disa
bility Oct. 13, '63. Died Sept. 19, '64, at home.
Fisher, Henry Martin, 4th Heavy Artillery, K; 28; S197.33 bounty;
Aug. 22, '64; June 17, '65. Credited to Milford; native of Harvard.
Not on inemorial tablet.
*Gifford, Robert, 6ist, K {31st Regt. on memorial monument); 20; $125
bounty; Dec. 17. '64; killed at Petersburg, Va., April 7, '65.
Griffin, John, nth, unassigned recruit; 21; Aug. 13, '63; deserted Aug.
23, '63. Not on memorial tablet.
Gurnsey, Thomas. This man appears in State records as Morris Gav-
ney, i6th, Co. K; 23; Aug. 17, '63; transferred to nth, Co. F, July n,
'64, wherein he appears as Thomas Gurney; mustered out July 14, '65.
Hagar, Gustavus D., ist Heavy Artillery, K; 27; July 5, '61, to credit of
Lawrence; mustered out for re-eulistment Nov. 27, '63; deserted Aug.
5, '65, Gustavus D. Hayes in State records.
Hall, Henry M., 36th, G; 44; Dec. 7, '63; transferred to 56th, D, June 8,
'64; mustered out July 12, '65.
*Hall, William H., 36th, G; 19; son of above; Aug. 13, '62; killed at
Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, '64.
Hamilton, Richard, 26th, unassigned; 27; $125 bounty; May 3, '64;
transferred to navy May 28, '64.
Hafgoou, Charles W., 6th (100 days), E; 19; July 18, '64-Oct. 27, '64.

36o HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Hardy, Albert E., 6th (loo days), E; 19; July 18, '64-Oct. 27, '64,
Hardy, Charles O., i6th, C; 22; July 2, '61; discharged for disabihty
Feb. 10, '63. Died March 2, 1866, at home.
Hardy, George H., 21st, D; 21; Aug. 23, '61; mustered out to re-enlist
Jan. I, '64, to the credit of Leominster, in 36th, I; transferred June 8,
'65, to 56th, G, corporal; mustered out July 12, '65. Wounded in leg
at Roanoke Island, N. C, Feb. 8, '62, and in body at Petersburg, June,
1864. The name Henry H. Hardy, found in town register and on me
morial tablet, may be an error made in recording the re-enlistment of
George H. Hardy. No official record of any Henry H. Hardy is dis
covered.
*Harlow, Charles E., corporal, nth Lt. ArtiUery; 21; 8125 bounty;
Jan. I, '64; died March 2, '64. at Washington, D. C, of dysentery and
pneumonia.
Harlow, Edward O., 23d, H; 18; Sept. 28, '61; transferred to V. R. C.
Feb. 8, '64; discharged from hospital, Beaufort, N. C, Sept. 19, '64,
Hart, Samuel B., 33d, E; 23; Aug. 5, '62; credited to Groton; transferred
to V. R. C, Aug. 1, '63. Further record not found.
Hartwell, Daniel Gardner, nth Lt. ArtUlery (9 months) ; 25; Aug.
25, '62; mustered out May 25, '63.
*Haskell, Joseph F., 36th, G; 20; Aug. 13, '62; died June 10, '64, in hos
pital at Washington, D. C, of wound in knee, received in Wilderness,
Va., May 6, '64.
Hathaway, James B., V, R. C; 19; $125 bounty; June i, '64; Nov. 15, '65.
Hayden, Alfred P., 3d N. H. Infty., F; Aug. 23, '61; corporal July i,
'62; sergeant June 30, '63; wounded severely Aug. 25, '63; mustered out
Aug. 23. '64.
Hayden, George A., 23d, H; 18; Sept. 28, '61; discharged for disabUity
Nov. 29, '62.
*Heffron, Michael, 59th, I; 18; $125 bounty; April 2, '64; died of
wounds July 30, '64. Hefrow in State records. Not on memorial
monument.
Heney, James, nth, unassigned; 20; Aug. 13, '63; deserted Aug. 23, '63.
Non-resident hired. Not on memorial tablet.
Hersey, Henry W., corporal, ist Cavalry, G; 26; Aug, 5, '62, to credit of
Springfield; re-enhsted to credit of Harvard, Dec. 25, '63; mustered
out June 26, '65.
Hill, John L-. 6th (9 months), E; 31 ; Aug. 31, '62-June 3, '63.
*Holman, Edwin, 23d, H; Sept. 28, '61; credited to Fitchburg; died Nov.
10, '62, at New Berne, N. C, in hospital.
Holman, Silas H., ist sergeant, 22d, I; 27; Sept. 6, '61; discharged
March 18, '63, for disability, and died at home May i, 1865. Son of
Dr. Eliakim A. Holman.
Hosmer, Edward B., 44th (9 months'), D; 20; Sept. 12, '62; mustered out
June 18, '63.
Hosmer, Lucius S., 6th (100 days), E; 19; July 18, '64; credited to Acton;
mustered out Oct. 27, '64.

HARVARD SOLDIERS. 361
Hoi'GHTon, Ephraim W., corporal, 36th, G; 38; Aug. 13, '62; discharged
for disability Aug. 8, '64; wounded in leg at Campbell's Station, Tenn.,
while carrying the State colors, Nov. 16, '63.
Hoyt, Bradford H., 23d, H; 19; Sept. 28, '61; mustered out Oct. 13, '64.
*Hunt, Isaac E., Jesse E. Hunt in State records, 2d Cavalry, I; ig; cor
poral; Feb. 10, '63, to credit of Worcester; died Nov. 18, '64, at Savannah,
Ga.
Ingerson, David Harvey, corporal, 27th, K; 18; Oct. 16, '61; re-enlisted
Dec. 23, '63; S125 bounty; mustered out June 26, '65.
Ingerson, Frederick A., sergeant, 27th, K; 21; Oct. 6, '61; discharged
for disability Dec. 9, '62; credited to Springfield. Not on memorial
tablet.
Ingerson, William N\'., 21st, D; 28; Aug. 23, '61; discharged for disa
bility Sept. 13, '62. Not on memorial tablet, but "Harvey" is repeated.
Jenkins, Henry, i6th, K; 26; Aug. 17, '63; deserted Oct. 21, '63. Non
resident hired. Not on meTnorial tablet.
Johnson, William H., 53d (9 months), C; 22; Nov. 6, '62; deserted Nov.
II, '62; resident of Harvard, credited to Leominster. Not on memorial
tablet.
Kittredge, Floyer Galen, Dr., assistant-surgeon, 31st; 42; Dec. 29,
'62; resigned Jan. 28, '64. Died June i, 1878. Not on memorial tablet.
Lawrence, Alfred G., i6th, C; 25; July 2, '61; deserted June 30, '62.
Not on memorial tablet.
Lawrence, Edward Hy, 36th, I; 22; July 21, '62; discharged for disa
bility March 4, '63.
Lawrence, Frederick J., 53d, C; 23; Lunenburg; Oct. 17, '62-Sept. 2,
•63. (?)
Leavitt, Sullivan, 36th, G; 34; Aug. 13, '62; deserted Sept. 12, '62. Not
on memorial tablet.
Logan, James, V. R. C; 34; June i, '64; mustered out Aug. 31, '65.
Lovejoy, Charles M. {Charles W. on tablet), 6th, B; 20; June ig, '61,
credited to Townsend, 3 months' service; Aug. 31, '62, corporal, credi
ted to Groton forg months' service; mustered out June 3, '63; ist Heavy
Artillery, M, corporal, Oct. 27, '64, credited to Berlin; mustered out
Aug. 16, '65.
LovERiNG, James B., 23d, H; 20; Aug. i, '62; mustered out Oct. 16, '64.
Lynch, George R., corporal, 16th, C; 18; July 2, '61; discharged May 10,
'64, for disability.
Mace, George, 6th (100 days), E; 18; July 18, '64; mustered out Oct. 27, '64.
McGiNNis, James, nth, F: 23; Aug. 13, '63; deserted Nov. 17, '63. Non
resident hired. Not on memorial tablet.
Montgomery, James, 21st, D; 41; Aug. 23,61; wounded in thigh and side
at Roanoke Island, N. C, Feb. 7-8, '62; discharged for disability Nov.
14. '62. Died Jan. 22, 1870, in Lancaster.
Moore, Frederick, 53d, D; 31; Oct. 17. '62; mustered out Sept. 2, '63.
Moran, Thomas, 3d U. S. Infty.; June 3, '64. Further record not found.
*Mulliken, William, ist sergeant, ist Cavalry, K; 24; $125 bounty;

362 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Dec. 29, '63; wounded in face and leg at Wilderness, Va., May 5, '64,
and died of wounds June 3, '64. Not on soldiers' monument, but on
memorial tablet.
MuLLOY, Patrick, 2d, D; 26; July 20, '64; S125 bounty. No further rec
ord. Non-resident. This soldier is enrolled upon the memorial tablet
under the iinpossible name of Nocboy.
Newton, Augustus, 6th, (9 months), E; 25; Aug. 31, '62; credited to Stow;
mustered out June 3, '63.
Nichols. William H. T., 6th (9 months), E; 44; Aug. 3, '62; mustered
out June 3, '63.
Partridge, James H., sergeant, 2d Cavalry; 21; June 20, '63; mustered
out July 20, '65.
Patterson, John (/"^^^rjfj/z in State records), 2d, B; 21; §125 bounty;
June 23, '64; transferred in August, '64, to 33d, C; deserted Nov, 10, '64.
Non-resident hired.
Peckham, Samuel H., 23d, H; 24; Sept. 28, '61; discharged for disability
July 21, '62.
Peckham, William C, 23d, H; 20; Oct. 2, '61; discharged May 10, '62.
Phelps, George T., 36th, G; 20; Aug. 13, '62; promoted Q. M. sergeant
Oct. 4, '64; mustered out June 8, '65.
Pinkham, Andrew J., V. R. C; 21 ; June 24, '64. Not on metnot-ial tablet.
Pratt, Charles, 2d Cavalry, C; 28; $125 bounty; Sept. 2, '64; mustered
out June 19, '65. Credited to Middleborough.
Priest, Charles W., 36th, G; 25; Aug. 13. '62; mustered out June 8, '65.
Priest, John F., 23d, H; 20; Sept. 28, '61; discharged for disability Oct.
26, '62. Died March 19, 1873.
Puffer, George G., 6th (100 days), E; 24; July 18, '64; credited to Con
cord; nJustered out Oct. 27, '64.
Rand, Joseph A., musician, i6th, C; 19; July 2, '61; mustered out July
30. '63-
Rand, Josiah Kendall. 6th (g months), E; 24; Aug. 31, '62; mustered
out June 3, '63.
Robinson, Charles A., ist Cavalry, G; 21; Oct. 5, '61; credited to Farm
ington, Me.; discharged Feb. 6, '63, for disabihty; 56th, E; sergeant;
Jan. 12, '64, to credit of Boston; mustered out June 2g, '65.
Ryan, Mark. Name on tablet, but no record of such a soldier discov
ered. A hired substitute.
Saluce, Joseph. Name on tablet, but no record of such a soldier dis
covered. A hired substitute.
Savage, William H., sergeant, 15th, A; 2g; Aug. i,'6i; discharged for
disabihty May 13, '64; re-enlisted in U. S. ArtiUery, Co. C, Feb. 27, '6s-
sergeant; discharged Feb. 27, 1868. Shghtly wounded at Gettysb'uro-i
July 3, '63.
*Sawtelle, James D., 23d, H; 20; Oct. 3, '61; transferred to \. R.C., Feb
8, '64; died of fever Sept. 16, '64.
Sawtelli:, John D. (father of above), 22d, I; 41; Sept. 6, '61; discharo-ed

HARVARD SOLDIERS. 363
for disabihty March i, '62. Credited to Harvard in Stafe records.
Not on memorial tablet.
Sawyer, George Luther, sergeant, 6th (9 months), E; 23; Aug. 31, '62,
as corporal; mustered out June 3, '63; 6th (100 days), E; July 18, '64-
Oct. 27, '64.
Sawyer, Wesley Caleb, captain, 23d, H; 22; Oct. 8, '61; wounded by
cannon ball (left leg shot off) at New Berne, N. C, March 14, '62; dis
charged for disability Nov. 17, '62. Commandant of Camp Stevens,
Groton, during the organization ot the 53d Regiment Mass. Infty.
Sawyer, Wilbur Fiske, corporal, 140th Illinois Infty., I; 28; June i,'64,
to Dec. 15, '64.
Shannehan, Dennis, V. R. C; 44.; June i, '64; mustered out Nov. 30, '65.
Short, Frank, 57th, H; 24; Jan. n, '64; credited to Worcester; mustered
out July 30, '65.
Smith, Peter, i6th, G; 24; Aug. 17, '63; transferred to U. S. Navy, May
2, '64. Not on memorial tablet.
Smith, William, 23d, H; 22; Sept. 28, '61; discharged March 28, '63, for
disability.
Sprague, Charles E., 6th (g months), E; 24; Aug. 31, '62; (100 days) cor
poral, July 18, '64-Oct. 27, '64.
*Stacy, Edward Waldo, 36th, G; 20; Aug. 13, '62; killed in Wilderness,
Va., May 6, '64.
.Swan, Charles F., bugler, ist Cavalry, A; 18; Jan. 9, '64-June 26, '65.
Sevan on memorial tablet.
Thomas, Charles W., 57th, I; 26; AprU 2, '64-July 30, '65; credited to
Brookline.
Thomas, Joseph, 5th Cavalry, I; 22; June 23, '64-Oct. 31, '615.
Thompson, Samuel S., 2d Cavalry, unassigned; 21; $125 bounty; June 26,
'64- May 10' '65.
Tibbetts, Henry W., 6th (9 months), E; 27; Aug. 31, '62-June 3, '63; also
served for Lowell in 15th Lt. Artillery, Dec. 12, '63-Aug. 4, '65.
Vangesel, Joseph R., 6th (9 months), E; 22; Aug. 3I, '62-June 3, '63;
credited to Kent Co., Del.
Warner, Daniel Webster, corporal, 22d, C; 23; Sept. 6, '61 ; discharged
for disability Nov. 3, '63; credited to Berlin.
Warner, John G., 21st, D; 27; Aug. 23, '6i-Aug. 30, '64; wounded in foot.
Waterford, John, 2d Cavalry, unassigned; 25; J125 bounty; June 22, '64;
transferred to navy May 17, '64.
Wetherbee, George C, 23d, H; 21; Oct. 17, '61; promoted 1st lieut.
and quartermaster May 2, '63; promoted captain and commissary of
subsistence U. S. V., Sept. i, '63; brevet major.
Whitney, Charles Edward, 40th, B; 21; corporal, Aug. 22, '62; ist
lieut. Feb. 26, '64; twice wounded; mustered out June 16, '65. Son of
Benjamin F.; credited to Boston; died in Harvard, Feb. 8, 1872. Not
on memorial tablet.
?Whitney, John Marshall, M. D., surgeon in U. S Navy; drowned
24

364 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
while bathing near Jacksonville, Florida, Aug. 16, '64, aged 22 years.
Son of Marshall Whitney. Not on mejnorial tablet or monument.
Whitney, George H., 1st Cavalry, C; 22; $125 bounty; Nov. ig, '61; re-
enhsted Jan. I, '64-June 21, '65; captured May 12, '64, near Todd's Tav
ern, Va., and in prison at Florence, S. C, to Dec. 24, '64.
Whitney, George T., 5th (3 months), G; 23; May i, '6i-July 31, '61. Not
on memKirial tablet.
Whitney, Horatio T., ist Cavalry, C; 21; Sept. 17, '6i-0ct. 3, '64; wound
ed in neck June 17, '63, at Aldie, Va.
Whitney, Salmon, 6th (6 months), B; 28; April 22, '6i-Aug. 2, '61; cred
ited to Groton; also in 53d, C, Nov. 6, '62; discharged for disability June
6, '63; credited to Boston; died at Leominster, July 26, '64. Native of
Harvard. Not on memorial tablet.
Willard, James Marshall, 23d, H; 35; Nov. 4, '61; wounded at New
Berne, X. C, and discharged for disabihty July 21, '62.
?Willis, George W., 21st, D; 17; Aug. 23, '61; wounded at Chantilly,
Va., and died Sept. I2. '62, at Alexandria, Va. Credited to Stow.
Wilson, Charles H., 57th, H; 32; March 12, '64; mustered out July 30,
'65. Credited to Stoneham.
Winchester, Emory, 36th, G; 24; Aug. 12, '62; credited to Sterling; mus
tered out May 25, '65.
?Wood, Charles, 23d, H; 23; Oct. 2, '61; missing in action at Drewry's
Bluff, Va., May 16, '64, and no doubt killed or died a prisoner.
Wood, Benjamin L., 36th, G; 37; Aug. 13, '62; mustered out June 8, '65.
Worster, George H., 36th, G; 20; Aug. 13, '62; discharged for disabihty
Jan. 28, '64.
Wyer, James I., Jr., 44th (9 months), F; 19; Sept. 12, '62; mustered out
June 18, '63. VOLUNTEER NURSES.
The names of F"lorence H. Burt and Sarah T. Bacon appear
upon the memorial tablet as " Volunteer Nurses." Miss Burt
became the wife of Joseph E. Haskell, and died October 24,
1870, aged thirty years and five months. Miss Bacon was not
a hospital nurse, but as a resident of Albany became con
nected with the New York Sanitary Commission, and was for
a time stationed at Washington in charge of sanitary supplies.
SUMMARY.
The population of Harvard by the census of i860 was.. . . .-  1507
The valuation of the town in i860 was  $877,330
The amount expended for war purposes, excepting State aid, was ^(17,668
The town's quota, under all calls, rated at three years' service,. .. 117
Credited to the town by State authority (surplus 12)  129

SLAVEHOLDERS' REBELLION. 365
The official report of the town officers in 1866, claimed that the town
furnished :
Under the call of May 3, 1861  5 men for three years' service.
" " ¦ June 17, 1861  24 " " " "
" July 4, 1862  29
 ' August 4, 1862  19 men for nine months.
" October 17, 1863  9 men for three years.
" July 18, 1864  33 men for three years.
I man for one year.
Recruited in December, 1864  5 men for three years.
2 men for one year.
\'olunteers for the one hundred days' service, 8 men.
These one hundred and thirty-seven soldiers entitled the town to be
credited with one hundred and eleven men for three years' service. The
surplus was presumably derived from State recruits assigned to the town.
The State Aid delivered to families of soldiers and refunded by the
State was ;
For the year ending March, 1862  $523 70
" " " 1863  1,127 36
" " " 1864  1,301 40
1865  1,603 95
" " 1866  727 64
?5,284 05
The names of individuals in the preceding roster number  162
Of these the actual residents or natives of Harvard were about  80
" re-enlisted veterans  4
" commissioned officers  6
" killed in action or died of wounds  13
" died of disease before 1866  9
" wounded other than mortally, so far as ascertained  n
Many natives of Harvard, not to be found in this roster,
no doubt served to the credit of other localities where they
had found homes; but their military record has not come to
the knowledge of the writer.
No Post of the Grand Army of the Republic has been or
ganized in Harvard, but most of the ex-soldier residents are
members of Post 48 of Ayer. The town has annually appro
priated from twenty-five to fifty dollars for the celebration
of Memorial Day, and the money has been expended under
the direction of this Post.

T " *;, " "' !||',ii,,!l||',i,,,',',ii..!.'.,....!,.'. ¦" " jLu^ra^

t^ ¦¦ ¦¦ ¦¦ ¦¦ ¦¦ H II il w 11 II II M I

IX.
EDUCATION.

I. THE SCHOOLS OF HARVARD.
THE educational opportunities enjoyed by the youth of
the Still River and Bare Hill settlements before the in
corporation of the town of Harvard have been detailed in
the preliminary chapter. /The duty of providing for the in
struction of their children engaged the attention of the citi
zens assembled in town-meeting, April i, 1734. Twenty
pounds were then voted for a school, and it was ordered that
the town should be divided into four districts. As John
Martyn, the town clerk, was the next year allowed fifteen
shillings "for a journey for Mr. Pierpont" — it can be safely
asserted that this Roxbury scholar, who had been previously
employed by Lancaster, was Harvard's first schoolmaster.
It was also voted to build four school-houses, each twenty by
fifteen feet in plan, and permission was given the rate-payers
to select to which district their school tax should be paid.
At first the selectmen were instructed to procure the school
master and "place him in which Quarter they pleased," but
in November, 1735, it was "voted that each Quarter of the
Town be empowered to chuse their own Schoolmaster."
There was some friction, unrecorded, for the vote to build a
school-house in each quarter was reconsidered October 12,
1737. It was not until January 10, 1738, that the selectmen
reported their division of the town into quarters. In the
meantime whatever school was kept, was at the centre of the
township, probably in the building which had first served as
a meeting-house. ^ The districts were outlined as follows : —

SCHOOLS OF HARVARD. 367
1 . Barehill Quarter, beginning at Joseph Priest's, taking in John Priest,
Henry Houghton, John Warner Jun'', the Widow Warner, Elijah Whitney,
Abraham Whitney. John Sampson, and all the Lands and Families within
these before mentioned, containing twenty-three rateable Persons and
Estates. 2. Still River Quarter, beginning at James Atherton's, taking in
Ephraim Houghton, James Willard and all StUI River Row with what is
behind them by the River till it comes to Samuel Rogers, then running
to Benj Nurse's, including all the lands and famihes within the above
mentioned, being in the whole twenty-five famUies and estates.
3. Old Mill Quarter, beginning at Ebenezer Sprague's, taking Stephen
Gates, from thence to Nathan Brooks, then taking John Davis, Andrew
Harper, the Widow Farnsworth, Nathan Daby, John Daby, and all the
famihes and lands in these before mentioned, being in the whole twenty
famihes and estates.
4. Oakhill Quarter.'beiginnmg 3.x. John Wright's and John Atherton's,
taking Simon Daby, Nathan Warner, Ebenezer Davis, Eleazar Davis, Jon
athan Heald, James Whitcomb, Jonathan Worster, Ebenezer Worster,
and John Whitney, with all the families and estates included within these
before mentioned, being in the whole twenty-one families and estates.
This report seems to prove that before its sixth birth-day
had dawned there were eighty-nine families, or over five hun
dred souls, in Harvard; showing an annual ihcreasfe of nearly
forty persons — over ten per cent. The town was presented
to the grand jury in 1739 for not being provided with a school
according to law, and on May 16 of that year voted to have
a school at the meeting-house. January 7, 1740, a special
town-meeting came to the following settlement of a school
system : —
Voted, to have y" School for y' f uter in y'^ quarters.
Voted, that each quarter shall have a quarter of y° money spent in
Schooling among themselves, as it shall be granted from time to time.
Voted, that each quarter shall find or build a convenient house to keep
y School in.
Voted  that y* Selectmen shall have full power tobrder y" School
in each quarter from time to time; it is to be understood that if ohe
quarter has y" school in a good time, then to have it next in time not so
good, as it shaU be judged by y" Selectmen who are fully Impowred to
maneg sd. afair.
Voted, that if any quarter neglects to build or procure a Convenient
House to keep y" School in, when it come to their turn y" School shall be
kept in y" next quarter whose turn it would be 
In 1740, John Atherton was the schoolmaster, He was

368 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
succeeded by Phineas Brown in 1742. In 1752 the town was
presented by the grand jury for neglecting to set up and
maintain a grammar school as required by law, although " for
the space of five years it had consisted of more than a Hun
dred familys." In 1754 and thereafter the dwellers in Shabi
kin were granted leave to apply their rates in the support of
a school among themselves, subject to the supervision of the
selectmen. This was practically the creation of a fifth dis
trict. In 1758, Samuel Tuttle, a Harvard College graduate of
1757, was the town's grammar schoolmaster; in 1760, Phineas
Whitney of the Harvard class of 1759 taught; in 1766, the
schoolmaster was Ezra Green, a graduate of the previous
year; in 1767, Stephen Shattuck, Harvard graduate of 1756,
taught; in 1768, Phineas Brown; in 1769, Abraham Haskell;
in 1771, Samuel Sheldon Pool, a Harvard graduate of the pre
ceding year, and in 1773, Charles Stearns, graduate of that
year, were in charge of Harvard's grammar school. The
town records give no clue to the names of the other early
teachers, and as the annual statements of the selectmen were
wholly of a financial nature, little of interest respecting
the schools is found in the town books. After the close of
the war for independence, and recovery from the subsequent
financial depression, the town grew rapidly and the five
school-houses were crowded beyond their capacity. March
15, 1 790, a committee was appointed to "redistrict" the town in
conformity with the requirements of a general act passed by
the legislature in 1789 — a measure characterized by Horace
Mann as "the most unfortunate law, on the subject of com
mon schools, ever enacted in the state." The result of the
committee's labors was duly reported and accepted as fol
lows : —
 Then voted that there be a district in the middle of the town
containing a Circle of one mile on a strait hne each way from the School
House. Voted that there be a district in Old Mill to begin at Littleton
Line and take in Ohver Sanderson and run in a Circle between Simon
Coopers and Zaccheus Dudleys leaving out Esq. Whetney and thence
by said circle to the Road that leads to the Old Mill from the Meeting
House, thence to Groton hne so as to take in Charles Taylor and David
Pollard. That Shabekin be a district as formerly except John Darby and
William Willard Jr, That there be a middle District to extend from Old

SCHOOL DISTRICTS. 369
Mill and Shabekin Districts so far South as to take in Lemuel and Josiah
WiUard. That there be a District in Still River to extend to Bolton hne
and towards Bear hill so far as to take in Abraham Whitney. That there
be a District to extend from StiU River District so far on Bear hUl as to
take in John Warner, thence on a strait line to the Cercle so as to take in
Nathan Longley. That there be another District containing aU the re
mainder of Bear hill Quarter. That there be a District on Oak hiU to
extend from the last to the Old Mill District.
By order of the Committee
Oliver Whitney Chairman
Eight new school-houses were provided for at an esti
mated expenditure of about thirty pounds for each. Those
for the Oak Hill, Bare Hill and Central districts were ordered
located upon the old sites. The positions of the others were
designated thus: —
I. Old Mill  shall stand eighteen rods north of the Stone Bridge
above Simon Blanchard's on the west side of the way. 2. Shabikin 
one half on Mr Enoch Huse's land and the other half on Mr George
Conn's land agreeable to their consent, on the west side of the way. 3.
Middle  opposite to a great Rock a little above Mr Elisha FuUam's
Cyder Mill on the East side of the way. 4. Still River  corner of
Mr David Atherton's land betwixt his House and the Widow Atherton's
on the West side of the way.
The Shaker Community, though not mentioned, appears
to have been included in the Old Mill district, but the Shak
ers very probably by this date had a school of their own, for
March 5, 1787, the town : —
 Voted that the Society that attends the Public Worship at Capt.
Aaron Jewett's may have liberty to draw their Money which they pay for
Schooling, and appropriate it to that use as they shall think proper.
This privilege, though annually contended for, was gener
ally denied them until May 27, 18 16, when they appealed to
the legislature for redress in these terms : —
To the Honorable Senate <&-- House "/ Representatives of the Cotn-
monwealth of Massachusetts in General Court assembled. The under
signed, Joseph Frost and Seth Babbitt of Harvard in the County of
Worcester, in behalf of themselves, and the religious society of Protest
ant Christians, called Shakers to which they belong, in said Harvard, re
spectfully represent, that the number of children and youth of both sexes,
belonging to said society, upwards of four and under twenty-one years of
a.ge, is now about sixty and for the last seven years has been from thirty
to sixty; that the taxes paid by ?^id society into the town treasury, during

370 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
that period, towards the support of schools, have been about thirty-five
doUars, annually; that the said society has ever been anxious to educate
the youth under their care, in a suitable manner, conformably to the laws,
and deem it reasonable that they should have the benefit of their own
taxes for that purpose of which they have hitherto been deprived by rea
son of the great distance of their village from any school-house, and the
refusal of the town to allow them to appropriate their proportion of the
school-tax for the instruction of their youth, whereby the said society is
greatly aggrieved.
Wherefore the said Joseph and Seth in behalf of the said Society
most respectfully and earnestly request this Honorable Legislature to de
clare the said Society to be a School district in said town of Harvard,
with the powers and privileges, and hable to the duties of other school
districts, or grant such other relief in the premises as in your wisdom shall
seem fit and reasonable. Joseph Frost.
Seth BaSbitt.
A special committee was appointed by the legislature to
make due investigations in the matter, and the towij was
given notice to present their side of the case; but before any
further legislative action was taken a town-meeting instructed
the selectmen to compromise with the Shaker agents. From
that date the Community has constituted a school district
known as Number 8.
The care of the schools, which for sixty years had wholly
devolved upon the selectmen, after the inauguration of the
district system in 1790 came into the hands of a school board,
consisting of one man from each district usually called the
" prudential committee." They were chosen at the annual
town-meeting, and it seems to have been the tacit understand
ing that every citizen should take his turn at the unpaid duty.
Certainly no man was elected to serve a second year. Each
was expected to provide the schoolmaster and inspect the
school of his own district. This plan was not only wasteful,
but not seldom put large powers into hands ludicrously in
competent. The town, however, it will be seen, clung to it
with perverse tenacity, regardless of the re-iterated recom
mendations of its most experienced educators. The general
unfitness of the prudential committee for the supervision of
the schools was too obvious to long escape the attention of
the intelligent citizen, and the first step was taken in remedy
of the evil. April 10, i8ii,the town chose a committee to

ADVISORY SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

371

inspect the schools — Reverend Stephen Bemis, Reverend
George Robinson and Benjamin Kimball, Esq. — and voted
that : —
 said Committee, with the committeemen chosen to provide said
schools, visit the respective schools so often as they shall think necessary
and make enquiry into the situation of said schools, whether they arc
supplied with suitalile instructors and suitable books etc.
This board — a pureh- advisory one — was increased to
five the next year, and was thereafter composed of that num
ber of citizens until 1832, with the exception that two or
three times the annual town-meeting voted that " the three
settled clergymen " should constitute the committee. In 1818
it was voted that thereafter the citizens of the town : —
 are authorized to meet in their several districts and when thus met
to organize themselves, choose a conimittee and transact any other mat
ters not repugnant to the laws of the commonwealth.
This was merely an acknowledgment of the act passed by
the legislature of 1817, making school districts corporations
for certain purposes. The prudential committees chosen by
the districts were empowered to draw and expend the money
allotted for the support of the several schools. The division
of the school money continued to be made in accordance
with the taxes paid, and in 181 3 the town formally rejected a
proposition to allot the appropriation proportionately to the
number of school children in the districts.
In March, 1832, the advisory committee presented a code
of regulations for schools, which was adopted by the town,
and four hundred copies were printed in the United Society
for the use of teachers, school committee and families. This
little pamphlet of eight pages contained the state laws re
specting schools, as passed in 1827, regulations for schools,
including a list of text books, and regulations for teachers.
In these rules of sixty years ago there is very little that might
not well be observed in the schools of today. For instance,
the first article in the regulations for instructors is : —
The teachers are required during the hours prescribed for instruction
to devote their attention exclusively to the oversight and improvement of
their schools; and it is especially enjoined upon them to pursue a syste
matic course, "having a time for everything, and everything done in its
time," and that they be less sojicitous to hasten the progress of their pu-

372

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

pils through a multitude of studies, than to make them thorough in a
few; and that the important branches of spelling, reading, writing and
arithmetic receive their first and principal attention.
The committee making this report of 1832 was composed
of seven men, among the ablest in Harvard — Reverend
Abisha Samson, Reverend George Fisher, Reverend Wash
ington Gilbert, General John P. Whitcomb, Daniel Robbins,
Calvin Haskell, Esq., and Augustus Granville Hill. The lit
tle unventilated school-rooms of that period were crowded,
especially in the winter term, almost to suffocation. Two or
three prolific families sometimes sent more pupils to a dis
trict school than its total enrollment in 1892. The extent
of school privileges in the rural town was a term of twelve
weeks in summer and one of from nine to twelve in winter.
Under the usual conditions of the period it is not matter for
wonder that what was meant for a hive of intellectual industry
sometimes degenerated into a pandemonium, and that the
anxious prudential committee, in his selection from the can
didates who applied to him for the pedagogic chair, often
looked more to muscular than mental accomplishments.
There was always some pedagogue of athletic mould and large
experience in the taming of wild youth, who was called upon
when the riotous spirits in a district succeeded in getting
control of the school, as they often did. Master Daniel Rob
bins was one of these heavy-handed worthies, remembered
with genuine respect by many surviving pupils. Abel Whit
ney and Noah Warner, possessing similar physical qualifica
tions, but with intellects broadened by a liberal education,
were famous schoolmasters of the same stern sort.
One characteristic specimen of the school-houses of the
last century, little altered in external appearance, though long
removed from its original site and use, stood until May, 1893,
as an annex to the ancient house now occupied- by Thomas
Atherton Bigelow in South Still River. It was brought
thither from the opposite side of the highway a few rods to
the north, where it was built in 1790. This low-walled, hip-
roofed structure, about twenty feet square, was considered in
its day one of the finest buildings for school purposes in town.
Fifty or sixty youth of all varieties — from the abecedarian

REBUILDING SCHOOL-HOUSES.

373

to the stalwart young men and robust young women " finish
ing their education" — were closely ranged on the plank
benches of that diminutive edifice, winter after winter, thirty-
three hours in each week.
In March, 1852, the town voted the appointment of a com
mittee to appraise the property of the school districts, in
accordance with the provisions of an act passed in 1850, and
"that the town own and build the school-houses hereafter."
But the conservatives rallied to the rescue of the moss-grown
district system and procured a reconsideration of the vote
the next month. April 4, 1864, a committee again recom
mended the town to assume ownership of the school-houses,
most of which were then described as " mean and cheerless
apartments, on lots but a little larger than the size of the
building," and otherwise grossly unfit for their purpose. The
report was adopted, and a board composed of three chairmen
of the assessors from Bolton, Stow and Littleton appraised the
district property. The town then began the gradual renova
tion of the school buildings. The Number Six or North
Still River school-house had been rebuilt in 1846. In i860,
that of Shabikin — Number Nine — had been rebuilt, a new
location being selected " about thirty rods south of the old
site," and on another road. In 1866 the Oak Hill — Number
Two — school-house was built by the town at a cost, including
purchase of additional land, of 82079.93. In 1873 the Old
Mill — Number Four — school-house was built at an expense
of $2474.07, including $160 for land. In 1879 the East Bare
Hill — Number Five — house cost the town $1281.45, includ
ing $60 for one-half acre of land. In i»8o the West Bare
Hill — Number 7 — house cost S1450, including $50 for land.
In 1881 the South Still River — Number Three — school-house
cost $1709, including $50 for land. In 1883 repairs upon the
Centre — Number One — house cost $607.70. In 1888 the
North Still River house received an appropriation of $600
for extensive repairs. School-house Number Eight remained
the property of the Shaker Community, and is rented to the
town. This alone needed neither rebuilding nor repair. The
first superintendent, in his report of 1878, speaks of it as
"kept in most perfect order," and notes the fact that after

374 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
fifty years' use the desks were about as good as new. The
Shabikin school has not been opened since 1886, the very few
children of that district being transferred to Still River. But
at one period Shabikin was so well peopled as to furnish forty
pupils to the local school.
Supervising committees from time to time advocated in
their reports to the town the joining of districts to secure the
advantages of graded schools, and the establishment of one
central school wherein pupils qualified could pursue higher
branches of study than those usually taught in the com
mon schools. The committee of 1854-5, three scholarly gen
tlemen, two at least of whom could boast experience as
teachers, made an eloquent appeal for the high school. But
the brighter youth of Harvard who were desirous of some
thing beyond an elementary education continued to seek it
at the Lancaster or Groton Academies, or in some even more
distant seminary. District jealousy, aroused by any project
that seemed to favor centralization, always packed the town-
meeting against it, and far-reaching economies were neglected
for some petty present saving. The school of District No.
One was, however, divided into an upper and lower grade as
early as 1840.
Mrs. Mary Whitney by her will, dated February 24, 1856,
left a beqnest of one thousand dollars to the selectmen of
Harvard in trust : —
 to be kept safely invested on interest till a sufficient amount shall
be obtained to establish, maintain, and continue under good management,
a free High School in said town, for the benefit of the children and youth
of said town — Provided it can be appropriated in the actual existence
of such school within ten years from the time of my decease 
The town accepted the trust April 5, 1858, and the fund
was duly invested. In 1862 a committee appointed to con
sider the advisability of establishing the high school reported
that it was inexpedient at that troublous time. In 1867, Mrs.
Margaret Bromfield Blanchard made a proposition to the
town, offering the sum of four thousand dollars and the
Bromfield house lot for the purpose of establishing a high
school to be known as the Bromfield Seminary, provided the
town would raise by taxation or subscription si.x thousand
five hundred dollars for the purpose. It was voted to accept

HIGH SCHOOL. 375
this proposal, and the selectmen were instructed to confer
with Mrs. Bromfield, procure necessar}' plans, and report to a
future town-meeting. February 17, 1868, there was an article
in the warrant for a town-meeting inviting action relative to
joining with the trustees of the Bromfield Seminary for the
erection of a building on the site of the Bromfield house
suitable for a town-hall and the seminary. It was voted in
expedient to consider the proposition. A brief attempt to
support a high school was made in 1872, when F. E. Sherman,
an Amherst graduate, was employed as preceptor, but the
e.xperiment was not encouraging. The Mary Whitney fund
had previously reverted to her heirs.
The reports of successive school committees show that
they were not blind to the many evils inherent in the district
system; but the inherited custom was so^firmly grounded in
the prejudices of the community that arguments were pow
erless against it. The committee of 1868-9, under leadership
of its chairman, Augustus J. .Sawyer, made a shrewd and vig
orous onslaught upon it, with the result that the next year,
for the first time, the supervising committee were given the
power of the employment of teachers and the general man
agement of the town's schools. They had exercised this
power but a single year before it was wrested from them
again. In 1877 the town returned to the method of Colonial
days so far as the state law would permit — electing a com
mittee of nine, one from each district, after first obtaining
the resignation of the members of the old committee whose
terms had not expired. The nine were required, however, to
employ a superintendent, "to have the general oversight of
all the schools in town, to examine and employ teachers, and
recommend such changes as he might deem proper." Rev
erend Daniel Round was chosen superintendent.
March 4, 1878, the town finally voted to abandon the dis
trict system. This was four years only before legislation put
an end to the very few — about forty — superannuated district
autocracies then surviving in Massachusetts. The unwieldy
committee of nine had no further excuse for being, and the
school board was soon reduced to its normal number of three.
The appropriation for schools in 1734, the first voted, was

576

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

twenty pounds. During the eighteenth century, until the
adoption of the state constitution, the yotes for approoria-
tions read, "for support of schools and o'ther town charges,"
which included all municipal expenditure but that for the
ministry and the highway tax, the last being always "worked
out." In 1740 this appropriation was sixty pounds; in 1750,
two hundred and fifty pounds; in 1760, ninety pounds; in
1770, seventy pounds; in 1780, when the currency was near
its lowest stage of depreciation, eighteen thousand pounds.
The grant for schools in 1790 was one hundred pounds; in
1794, one hundred and twenty pounds; in 1800, five hundred
dollars; in 1803, six hundred dollars; in 1805, seven hundred
dollars; in 1807, eight hundred dollars, at which amount the
annual expenditure remained until 1838, when nine hundred
dollars was the sum appropriated. From that year the full
statistics printed by the State Board of Education, afford
more details.
Reverend George Fisher was a member of the school
committee for thirty years, and Reverend Washington Gil
bert for seventeen years was one of Mr. Fisher's associates.
Their several reports were able papers, and were often quoted "
from by the secretary of the Board of Education.
The following tables have been compiled from records and
official reports. The noticeable decrease in the number of
school children between 1850 and 1851 was due to the change
in the legal age; after 1850 the enumeration including only
those between five and fifteen years of age instead of those
between four and sixteen. Among interesting facts to be
gleaned from these statistics is the sad one that although the
town's population is about two-thirds what it was forty years
ago, the children of legal school age do not number three-
sevenths as many as then. The standing of the town in
county and state, with reference to the amount expended for
each child has fallen below the average but three or four
times in fifty years, and for several years has been near the
head of the county list. On the contrary her rank according
to the percentage of valuation appropriated has remained
steadily below the average, and for more than twenty-five
years has been near the foot of the county list of towns.

SCHOOL STATISTICS.

m

Year
ending in
March.

Appropriation for
Schools.

1840 18411842 1843 18441845 1846 1847
1848 184Q18501851 185218531854 1855 18561857 18581859 i860 1 861
1862 1863 18641865 186618671868i86q1870 18711872
1873187418751876
1877 I878 1879
18801881 1882
188318841885 1886

18901891 1892
1893

900 900goo 900936 900900
1. 136
1,1001,436 1,236 1,2361,2361,236 1,236 1,272 1,4001,711 1,8361,940 1,9401,800 1,8001,500 1,500 1,5001,875
2,0002,000 2,375
2,375 2,4002,4002,4002,400
2,4002,4002,4002,4002,200 2,000
2,000 1,800 1,800
2,400 2,2502,5002,5002,5002,5002,5002.550 2,6002,850

No. of
Children of
Legal
School Age.

424 4304i8 432400434 427400 408407 395306 334326289 259 258 283308 313286 273271 257274264 273278287279 300280 22g
246 236244254243263244230 197177171165154146139147134 132133140140

Sum
Appropriated for each
Child.

2.12 2.092.152.08 2.342.082. II
2.842.70 3-528 3-129
4-039 3.7013-791
4-6234 91 1
5-4266.046 5.961
6.20 6.7856.604 6.642 5-8375-4745.682
6.868 7-194
6.969 8.513 7-9178.57
10.48 9.756
10.169 9-836 9-459.876
10.126 9.016 8.696
10.152
10.17 10.52614.56514.6117.123 17.985
17.007 18.65718.93919.16918.571
20.357

Rank by amount
expended for each
Scholar.

In County. In State,

.393320 20
31 36 7
13 6
21

1215 6 64 2 32

24 4
9 5
II17 II
24 1710
21 2424292626 3031 181517 46

Rank by Percent
age of Valuation
expended.

County.

152151120 118157 182 7799 51
142 67
104108 71
6961 50 58
4940 50
47 55
69 857584
129 81
148132 90
141143174 188
159 151178 181129136142 39
47 28
28 342726 28
40 32

Stal

26 302636 302420 16
202724 3839 50
3944 50
4448 4642 5453
48 57
4649 51 565055575255
49 545454 55
55 5250

206 '95
218 211 161 126no123I2g 135189
208260 114
229259 220249258 240300299266 300248260270303265 299307269290267 271279290288 288
282 270

378

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Rev. Stephen Bemis, 1811, '12, '17,
'21, '22.
Rev. George Robinson, 1811-12.
Benjamin Kimball, Esq., 1811-12.
Rev. Isaac Bonney, 1812.
Joel Harris, Esq., 1812, '14.
Rev. Warren Fay, 1814, '16, '17.
Rev. Abisha Samson, 1814, '16, '17,
'21-32.
Dr. Samuel Young, 18 14.
Stevens Hayward, 1814.
The Selectmen and Ministers, 1816.
Ephraim Hinds, Esq., 1821, '26.
Philemon Atherton, 1821.
Dr. Ephraim Stone, 1821.
Rev. George Fisher, 1822 to 1853,
except 1837 & 1847; 30 years.
John Warner, 1823.
Erastus Otis, 1823.
Rev. I. H. T. Blanchard, 1823-7.
Daniel Robbins, Jr., 1826, '30, '32.
Calvin Haskell, 1829, '32, '35,
Dr. Eliakim A. Holman, 1829, '31.
Reuben Whitcomb, Jr., 1830-31.
Augustus G. Hill, 1830, '32-5, '47,'53.
Rev. Washington Gilbert, 1831-6,
'38 to '46, '48, '51.
Gen. John P. Whitcomb, 1832-6.
Rev. J. E. Lazell, 1833.
Rev. B. H. Hathorne, 1834.
Rev. Moses Curtis, 1836, '38-40.
Eli Hosmer, 1836-7.
Abel Whitney, 1837.
Noah Warner, 1837, '50-1, '4, '5-8,
'61-3, and '69-72.
Rev. Jonathan Farr, 1841-3.
Rev. Clark Sibley, 1844-6, '48-50.
Dr. Gideon C. Noble, 1847.
Rev. John B. Willard, 1847, '54-8,
'65-7.

Ephraim Abbott, 1749.
Francis A. Howe, 1851-2, '54.
Rev. Charles M. Willard, 1852-3.
Henry B. Bearson, 1855.
Augustus J. Sawyer, 1857-8, '60-75.
Rev. William A. Whitewell, 1859.
Rev. John Dodge, 1856, '62-4.
Rev. Henry H. Barber, 1864-6.
Samuel G. Clarke, Esq., 1867-9.
Rev. George H. Pratt, 1868.
Dr. J. Q. A. McCollester, 1870-2.
Dr. Jacob S. Eaton, 1872.
Charles H. Cummings, 1872.
Rev. Daniel F. Goddard, 1873-6.
Rev. Alfred E. Tracy, 1873.
Mrs. Mary R. Farwell, 1874-6,
1881-4.
Rev. Stephen S. Morrill, 1875-6.
Zophar Taylor, 1877.
Charles M. Hosmer, 1877-80.
James H. Atherton, 1877-80.
Calvin D. Blanchard, 1877-8.
Wilbur F. Sawyer, 1877-8, '83-5.
Abel Willard, 1877-8.
Franklin Lovering, 1877-9.
Elijah Myrick, 1877-82, '85-9.
Zophar Warner, 1877.
Benjamin K. Barnard, 1878-9.
Edwin A. Hildreth, 1878-80.
James L. Whitney, 1879-81.
Ephraim W. Houghton, 1879-81.
Jonathan P. Knight, 1879-81.
Luke Whitney, 1880.
J. G. Dickinson, 1880-2.
Warren H. Fairbank, 1881-1893.
William L. Hooper, 1882-3.
Frederick G. Blanchard, 1884-8.
Arthur H. Turner, 1888-93.
J. E. Maynard, 1889-93.

SUPERINTENDENTS.

Rev. Daniel Round, 1877-9.
Charles M. Hosmer, Sept. 1879-80.
Warren H. Fairbank, 1881.

William L. Hooper, 1882-3.
Edmund P. Barker, 1890-2.
J, A. Pitman, 1 892-

BROMFIELD SCHOOL,

BROMFIELD SCHOOL.

STILL RIVER ACADEMY,

379

About 1834 Miss Minerva A. Todd opened a school for
girls at Still River in a building erected for the purpose, and
known as the Academy. The enterprise proved far from
remunerative and had a very brief existence. The house
was occasionally used during several years for private schools.
Among those who presided over such schools here were :
Lucius Lester Scammel, from Hopkinton, a graduate of Dart
mouth, 1837, who recently died a noted physician of St.
Louis, Missouri; William F. Basto, from Killingly, Connecti
cut; Noah Warner and John B. Willard, well known Harvard
scholars. The Academy building is that in which the post-
office is kept by Mrs. Bateman. The old meeting-house of
the Baptist society moved across the highway in 1832 to make
room for the new house, was utilized as a boarding-house for
the Still River Academy for a time.
THE BROMFIELD SCHOOL.
Upon the death of Mrs. Margaret Bromfield (Pearson)
Blanchard, November 29, 1876, it was made known that a
generous portion of her estate was devoted to the foundation
of a school of high grade, to be located in Harvard upon the
homestead of her grandfather, Colonel Henry Bromfield, as
a memorial to him. The sections of her will which created
the Bromfield school are these : —
 Ninth. Having long desired, in conformity with the wishes of
my deceased parents, to establish a school in the town of Harvard, in
which the higher branches of education should be taught, upon the site
that for nearly half a century was the chosen residence of my grand
father, Henry Bromfield, and to connect with such an institution the mem
ory of his name; of that of his son Henry, late of Cheltinham, England;
and of his nephew John, late of Boston in this Commonwealth, through
whose bounty I am enabled to accomplish this attempt to confer a public
benefit and to do honor to good and venerated relatives, I do ordain and
direct as follows : I give and devise the rest and residue of my estate,
real and personal and mixed, including therein the homestead of six
acres, or thereabouts, in Harvard, formerly occupied by my grandfather
aforesaid, which I purchased and have retained for this purpose for the
last thirteen years past, unto Henry B. Rogers, my executor, Andrew P.
25

38o HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Peabody, of Cambridge, A. A. Miner, of Boston, H. H. Barber of Somer
ville, Edmund H. Sears, of Weston, Washington Gilbert, of West New
ton, Clergymen, Edward Lawrence of Charlestown, manufacturer, Daniel
D. Slade aforesaid, physician, Gardner Wetherbee, of Boston, proprietor,
and George [H.] Fletcher of Harvard, merchant, within this Common
wealth. To Have and Hold to them and their survivors, successors
and assigns forever, upon the trusts and to and for the uses and purposes
following, and no other namely : —
First. In trust, as soon as may be after my decease, to erect on said
homestead lot a 'substantial, well-proportioned and convenient brick
school-house which shall be capable of accommodating from sixty to one
hundred pupils. And I direct that said school-house shall be simple and
harmonious in style, and free from useless or expensive decorations, in
side or outside. And it is my wish and hope that its cost, including the
necessary furniture and the preparation of the grounds about it, may not
exceed the sum of fifteen to twenty thousand dollars; but, having full
faith in the fidelity, prudence and good judgment of my trustees in car
rying into effect the purpose I have in view, I deem it best not to limit
them in this particular, and, therefore leave the cost, as well as the gen
eral plan and arrangement of the edifice, and all subsidiary matters in
relation to the same, to their best wisdom and discretion. I order how
ever, that the building shall at all times be kept fully insured against loss
by fire, and that the words " Bromfield School" shall be cut on a stone
tablet to be affixed to the front, and that by this name it shall always be
known and designated.
Second. In trust to invest, and keep invested the balance of said rest
and residue, which shall remain after the cost of erecting said school-
house shall have been paid, in good and productive stocks and securities
real or personal, and, from time to time, and at their discretion, to ex-
exchange the same for other good and productive stocks and securities
real or personal, to be holden on the same trusts and to and for the same '
uses. Third. In trust to apply the interest, income and profits arising from
said balance from time to time, and in such amounts and proportions as
to them may seem best, as follows: namely: to keeping said building and
the grounds adjacent thereto in suitable repair; to the purchase of neces
sary books and apparatus for the use of said school; to providing instruc
tion for a limited number of pupils of talent and promise, whose parents
may be unable to pay for it, and to defraying such other expenses in the
conduct of the institution as, in the judgment of the trustees may seem
to be necessary or expedient.
Fourth. In trust to superintend, manage and conduct the institution
aforesaid, without pecuniary compensation, according to their best judg
ment and ability, and for the best good of the pupils and the public; pre
scribing such studies and making such rules and regulations in relation
to the same, from time to time, as to them may appear to be necessary or

BROMFIELD SCHOOL. 381
desirable, for the attainment of a thorough education in some of the
higher branches of school learning, and for the proper development and
discipline of the religious and moral nature. And whether the said
school shall consist of boys and girls, or of the latter only, I also leave
to the judgment of said Trustees; but if boys are admitted, I order that
their number shall always be one third less than that of the girls.
Fifth. In case the trustees under the will of my deceased brother,
Henry, should hereafter be wilhng to locate the school for which he, in
said will, has made provision, upon the spot above selected by me, and
which was dear also to him as the residence of his grandfather, and for
many years of himself, I authorize my trustees to make any arrange
ments with them that may be necessary and proper in order to unite the
two institutions together and increase the ability and utility of each.
Such a union would be agreeable to me, and in strict conformity with
plans which we formed together, but which were prevented from being
consummated by circumstances beyond our control.
Sixth. I order that said trustees shall hold stated meetings; shall
make all proper and necessary rules and regulations for their own gov
ernment; shall choose a president, secretary and treasurer, who shall re
tain their offices until others shall have been appointed in their stead;
and that each of my trustees shall be held responsible for his own acts
and omissions, but not for the acts or omissions of bis fellows.
Seventh. I order that the Board of Trustees shall at no time consist
of less than seven persons, and if, by death, resignation, incapacity to
act, or its own rules, vacancies occur in the body without reducing it to
this number, it shall be optional with the Board to fill them or not, as the
best interests of the institution may seem to it to require; but if, from
any cause, the number of trustees be at any time less than seven, I order
that the vacancy or vacancies be filled within six months from the time
of their occurrence. And all elections shall be made by written ballots,
given at a meeting which has been duly called by notifications sent by
the Secretary to each member, and specifying the purpose for which it is
called. And no person shall be a trustee in the place of the persons
herein named, or hereafter appointed, unless he shall have received sev
en votes in his favor when the Board consists of ten persons, or six votes,
when it consists of any other number 
This public benefaction, including the real estate, was val
ued at not much less than one hundred thousand dollars. A
spacious and beautiful building, the design of Peabody and
Stearns, the Boston architects, was begun in July, 1877, and
dedicated September 12, 1878. It stands upon the site of the
Seccomb parsonage which was burned August 3, 1855. Its
cost, including all accessory expenditure, was about twenty
thousand dollars, leaving of the bequest for permanent invest-

382 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
ment seventy-one thousand dollars. The school was opened
September 17, 1878, with about forty scholars. Charles Wade
Stickney, A. B., of Harvard College, 1876, was called from the
Arlington High School as principal, with William Leslie
Hooper, A. M., of Tuft's College, class of 1877, in charge of the
scientific department, and Henrietta N. Stickney instructor in
music. Mr. Stickney remained at the head of the institution
less than three years, being discharged by the trustees in May,
1880. His strangely sad career deserves, perhaps, brief men
tion here, because of the circumstances attending his deposi
tion. Within two years from his departure from Harvard, he
was put upon trial for his life at Denver, Colorado. He had
deliberately killed the alleged seducer of his wife, and in
shooting him, had also accidentally slain a young woman who
chanced to be near. The jury acquitted him of crime on
the ground of insanity.
William L. Hooper became principal of the school in 1880,
and held that ofifice for two years. He had as assistants Cor
nelia D. Smith, A. B., instructor in languages, and Mary Alice
Marshall. Mr. Hooper preferring to serve in his original depart
ment, Selah Howell, A.M., late the principal of the Watertown
High School, a graduate of Union College in the class of 1864,
and a teacher of twenty years' standing, was appointed head
of the institution in 1882. Lilla N. Frost, who had pursued a
partial course at Wellesley College, became instructor in
mathematics and French. In 1883 Mr. Hooper accepted the
appointment of adjunct professor of physics at Tuft's Col
lege, and Clara P. Ames was chosen assistant. Upon the
resignation of Mr. Howell in 1890, Miss Frost was made prin
cipal. Mr. Howell upon leaving Harvard accepted a position
in the Quincy Shaw School, Boston. Besides those named
other assistant instructors in the Bromfield School have
been : Miss S. E. Mace and Lizzie J. Woodward, in science;
Charles H. Pollard, in Music; Elizabeth Sprague, in drawing,
etc.; Louisa Bigelow, in elocution.
Of the ten trustees named in Mrs. Blanchard's will, Mr.
Sears died before the opening of the school, and William
Minot, Jr., of Boston, was elected in his place and made treas
urer of the board. He resigned in 1882, when Henry Park-

LIBRARIES AND LYCEUM. 383
man, A.M., of Boston, was chosen to succeed him. Reverend
Washington Gilbert died in 1879, and Honorable Edward
Lawrence, in 1880. Their places were filled by the choice of
Reverend George Murillo Bartol, D. D., of Lancaster, and
Professor Adams Sherman Hill of Cambridge, as trustees.
Gardner Wetherbee resigned his trusteeship in 1880, and was
succeeded by Caleb Strong Gerry of Harvard, who died in
1885, when Warren Herbert Fairbank was made a trustee.
Henry Bromfield Rogers, A. M., president of the board, dying
in 1887, Reverend Alonzo Ames Miner, D. D., was chosen
president and Denison Rogers Slade was added to the board.
Upon the death of Reverend Andrew Preston Peabody, D.D.,
in 1893, Henry Bromfield Cabot, A. B., was chosen to succeed
him. The chemical and physical laboratories have been pro
vided with all needful apparatus for individual work as well
as instruction. A very complete set of instruments for his
tological research was presented to the institution by Henry
B. Rogers, A. M., in 1879, and a telescope from the work-shop
of Alvan Clark and Son was received from the same bene
factor in 1880. The equipment for scientific work is valued
at fully $4000. The class-rooms and laboratories are ample
and convenient. Upon the walls of the assembly-room are
hung a few family portraits saved from the conflagration
which destroyed the old mansion, upon the site of which the
building stands; among them are those of Mrs. Blanchard
and Colonel Henry Bromfield.
Despite its generous endowment, its picturesque and
healthy location and its abundant facilities for giving sys
tematic intellectual training, the Bromfield School has thus
far failed to attract many pupils from beyond its neighbor
hood, and must therefore be said to have failed to meet the
sanguine expectations of its founder and benefactors. The
erection of a dormitory upon the grounds is contemplated,
to remove one patent cause of past ill success.

384

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

II. LIBRARIES AND LYCEUM.

Reverend Peter Whitney, writing of Harvard in the year
1793, says that a library association had recently been formed
there which had acquired about one hundred volumes.
This was the first social library of the town. It was founded
through the exertions of Reverend William Emerson, who
served as librarian, keeping the books in his own house. Its
history after the departure of Mr. Emerson in 1799, is lost,
unless, as is highly probable, the Social Library of Harvard
organized in 1808 under the leadership of Edmund Foster, a
merchant on the public square, may be considered its direct
heir. The first meeting of the promoters of the Social
Library was at the centre school-house, and the signers of
the call were: Edmund Foster, Joseph Fairbank, Manasseh
Sawyer, Amos Fairbank, Elijah Dwinnel, Francis Farr, Alex
ander Dustin, Joseph Willard, Jr., Richard Whitney, Ephraim
Warner. Their organization was effected under the provis
ions of the act passed March 3, 1798, giving library associa
tions authority to acquire and manage property. Francis
Farr was chosen secretary and treasurer, and held that office
for many years. Edmund Foster was the first librarian. The
annual meetings were thenceforward held on the first Mon
day of January, at the inns of Jonas Merriam and Ezra
Wetherbee. There seem to have been seventy-eight share certificates
issued, proprietorship in the society being attained by the
payment of two dollars. The rules and regulations were too
voluminous to introduce here, in full. There was no restric
tion as to the residence of members, but the books were re
quired to be kept within half a mile of the Congregational
meeting-house in Harvard. Only one volume could be bor
rowed at a time by any family, and books could be kept sixty
days. If kept over that time a fine of three cents a dav was
imposed. This gives some indication of the leisurely way of
reading in vogue with the book lovers of that day. They
read, with a vieW to digest, a few good books. The social
library was not managed to cater for the book taster, the
dilettante, or the gluttonous devourer of fiction. In fact the

SOCIAL LIBRARY. 385
only works to be found in the early catalogue that can be
classed with romance, are: Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrim's Pro
gress, and the Vicar of Wakefield. No transfer of original
certificates of membership, or increase of proprietors, was
permissible without the vote of a majority of the associates.
Additions were made to the collection through annual assess
ments. For several years the assessment was ten cents per
share, though sometimes twenty-five. There were one hun
dred and fifty volumes at the end of the first year, when the
library was removed from Foster's store to Ezra Wetherbee's
tavern. The following year Jonas Merriam obtained the
office of librarian, and it became one of the attractions of his
tavern. The reason of these frequent moves was the custom
of setting up the official honor of the custodianship of the
library at auction, the lowest bidder winning the prize. In
1811, Joel Harris, the lawyer, offered to give twenty-five cents
for the privilege of having the library in his office at the
south-east corner of the common, and was chosen librarian;
but the innkeeper, Ezra Wetherbee, succeeded him the next
year, and retained the office for five years. Other librarians
in succession were : Doctor Samuel Young, Captain George
Willard, Captain John P. Whitcomb, Miss Sarah A. Stetson,
Isaac Whitney, Jonas Bateman, Jonathan Hosmer, Newell
Fuller, William F. Bateman, Reuben Whitcomb, Jr., and
Benjamin F. Whitney. In 1824 there were two hundred and
five volumes, and it was voted to "cover them with good
paper." There had been no increase for ten years, more
books having been lost or sold than were added by purchases.
There was a growing lack of interest in the library made
evident by the non-payment of assessments and fines. Many
years no assessment was orderec^. The question of selling
the library and abandoning the organization was sometimes
discussed, and in 1845 ^ committee was appointed to report
upon the causes of the indifference of the members, and
suggest a remedy. The shares of the society were then pur
chasable for fifty cents each, and many had been sold at auc
tion for unpaid dues, as authorized by an article of the con
stitution, The report made by Doctor Eliakim A. Holman

386

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

was an admirable one, and much of it well applies to the
library management of today. He said : —
 The spirit of the times, and the wants of the community de
mand that new books should annually be added to the library; then and
not till then will the Company be benefited as it may and ought to be;
then instead of selling their shares at half cost, they will reckon these
small outlays among their most profitable investments, and sufficient
annual payments to keep the library up where an enlightened and read
ing community shall demand, will be paid cheerfully and not drawn from
the pockets like pulling 'eye teeth, with grudges, distortion of counte
nance, and worse distortion of mind 
He also recommended the purchase of all shares offered
at fifty /Cents per share, and an assessment of twenty-five
cents per share was ordered, to procure the necessary funds.
The next year a more lengthy and radical report was made
by a committee of two, Augustus J. Sawyer and Isaac Gates.
It contains the following suggestions relative to the selection
of books : —
 Books that will lead the mind to think, reason and judge cor
rectly, filled with interesting facts and the results of experience, that per
tain to the duties and business of life, and such as will give the mind an
eager longing to grasp and hold whatever is true, just and holy, and
whatever will give a relish for all that is beautiful in nature and art,
should be selected for the library. Harvard is an agricultural town, yet
there is not a single treatise on husbandry in the library. This is hardly
a pardonable deficiency. We have political duties yearly to perform, and
of great interest, and we have no lights on legislation and political econ
omy, and only one valuable book that relates to politics, and this treats
exclusively of the Federal Constitution, its powers and duties. We have
no records to show what has been done by our federal legislature and the
principles on which action was had; we have to seek for principles in
partizan newspapers that are guided by passion and the self interest of a
few whose principles change with the change of circumstances, so that
honest people march and countermarch by blind and uncertain dictation.
These are evils, and the committee recommend such books as will coun
teract them.
Under such wise direction the library began a career of
greater usefulness. Dead material was sold by auction, shares
of the apathetic were purchased, and new books placed upon
the shelves by means of larger assessments. In 1849 there
were two hundred and seventy-one volumes. Soon, however,
the interest began to flag again. After the legislation of

SCHOOL LIBRARIES. 387
1851, empowering towns to support free public libraries by
taxation, many social libraries were given by their proprie
tors to form the nucleus of town libraries. That of Harvard
was among the earliest so bestowed. At a meeting of the
corporation in March, 1856, it \vas voted to offer their books
for the founding of a free public library, provided the town
would raise one hundred dollars for the purpose. The voters
at their April meeting accepted the proposition of the socie
ty and appropriated the required sum "for the enlargement
and improvement " of the donation. Thereupon the Social
Library Association, on May 14, voted to "transfer to the
town of Harvard all the rights and interest the proprietors
have in the Library." From that date the library has been
a town institution free to all citizens, and managed by a com
mittee annually chosen. It was opened with four hundred
and twenty-nine volumes upon its shelves.
The earliest free circulating library in town antedated this
by six years. The legislature from 1837 to 1845 passed a
series of acts which gave the sum of fifteen dollars to each
school district that should raise a like amount and would de
vote it to the purchase of a select collection of books for
public use in connection with the district schools. Harvard,
like all the towns about her, took the necessary steps to win
the state's bounty, and the little common-school libraries, es
tablished in each district during 1842, contributed much to
the intellectual well-being of the community in their day.
Failing to receive replenishment with fresh literature their
use in time grew more and more limited. At length the dis
trict disappeared, and the books, like other school property,
came into the town's possession, or were scattered.
The most prominent among those who labored for the es
tablishment of the town library was Augustus Granville Hill,
Esq., a gentleman of the broadest culture and refined taste.
He was made chairman of the library committee and so re
mained until his removal to Boston in 1867. In 1857 the
town adopted the rules and regulations submitted by the
committee and appropriated one hundred dollars for the pur
chase of books. The library was opened to the public once
a week — on Thursday afternoon and evening. Each family

388

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

was privileged to borrow two volumes at a time, and to retain
them four weeks; except that a book which had not been in
the collection for twelve months could be kept but a fort
night. In 1858 the committee reported five hundred and
seventy-two volumes upon the shelves, and a " circulation in
homes " of twenty-seven hundred and four. The breaking
out of Civil War, and the consequent heavy demands upon
the town treasury, deprived the library of any further appro
priations until 1866, when the sum of one hundred dollars
was granted. Since that date the annual appropriation has
never been less than one hundred dollars, and for the last two
years has usually been two hundred. The books during the
first six years were kept in the building now occupied by the
Odd Fellows' hall and Gale and Dickson's store. Alfred R.
Willard acted as librarian until i860, when Charles A. and
Everett Hussey assumed the charge. Benjamin F. Whitney
became librarian in 1863, and held the office until May, 1869,
being succeeded by Mrs. A. M. Harrod, who served the town
for twenty years. During this period the library occupied a
room of the house in which Mrs. Harrod lived. In 1866 the
Harvard Agricultural Society gave its collection of books,
which amounted to one hundred and thirteen volumes, to in
crease the free library.
Augustus Jonathan Sawyer, a prominent citizen, identified
with all progressive movements in the town, had avowed his
intention of devoting some part of his estate, at his death, to
the public library, of which he had for several years been an
efficient trustee, but when the inevitable message came to him,
December 27, 1881, his plans were not perfected. His widow,
Hannah Whitcomb (Coolidge), Sawyer, mindful of her hus
band's wishes, by her last testament made the public her
residuary legatee in the following terms : —
 All the rest and residue of my property, including all the re
mainder from the above [bequests] shall be appUed to and used by my
said Trustees, according to their own best judgment and discretion,
towards the support and maintenance of a Harvard Public Librarv.
Said Trustees, if they can make satisfactory arrangements with the
Town of Harvard to assist and join in the same, may purchase or join in
purchasing a suitable lot of land, and erect or assist in erecting thfereon
a suitable building for the Public Library; and any portion of the money

AUGUSTUS J. SAWYER. 389
in the hands of my Trustees may be used for or towards the support and
maintenance of said Library. All the funds of my estate and their in
vestments, and the application of the portion allotted to said Library
purposes, shall be fully under the control and management of my said
Trustees. Either of the Trustees desiring to resign his trust may nomi
nate his successor. I hereby nominate for my Executors, and also to act
as Trustees under this my Will, Edwin A. Hildreth and Andrew Fair-
bank 

Mr. Sawyer was born in Harvard, April 14, 1816, the son
of Jonathan and Mary (Priest) Sawyer, near the homestead
where his later years were spent, on East Bare Hill. After pre
liminary education in the Harvard schools, he resolved to pur
sue a course of scientific study. Having been brought up in
the Methodist faith, he naturally sought the instruction he de
sired at the Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Connecticut,
where he entered with the class of 1838. There he remained
only two years, but acquired a taste for literature and science,
which he cherished throughout his varied career. For several
years he taught in the public schools, gaining an experience
which made him a very valuable member of the school-board
in Harvard, upon which he served during eighteen years. In
1850 he accepted the office of clerk to the Lancaster Quilt
Company of Clinton; and the following year, on December
17, at Madison, New York, was married to Miss Hannah W.
Coolidge, whom he had first met at Harvard while she was
visiting friends there. Their union of thirty years was a
happy one, though saddened by the loss of their only child,
who died an infant. Mrs. Sawyer survived her husband but
a few months, dying July 5, 1882. Leaving piinton in 1856,
Mr. Sawyer bought a farm adjoining that of his father, and
was soon recognized as a leader in Harvard. Though a far
mer by profession, his time was soon largely given to public
duties. He was the favorite moderator at town meetings; an
active and influential member of the Unitarian Society; often
appointed administrator of estates, and chosen to various
town offices. In 1873 he represented the Sixth Worcester
district in the lower branch of the legislature. He was the
founder of the Grange in Harvard, and an honored member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Crayon portraits

390

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

of Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer have prominent place on the walls
of the new reading-room.
The trustees of the Sawyer benefaction, upon the settle
ment of the estate, found in their possession available for the
library fund about six thousand dollars, and proceeded, ac
cording to the terms of the will, to procure a site and enlist
the co-operation of the town. In the March meeting of 1886,
an appropriation of thirty-five hundred dollars was voted,
and a building committee chosen, the trustees promising a
like sum. A portion of the lot made vacant by the burning
of the Wetherbee Inn was purchased for four hundred and
fifty dollars. Of several plans presented, the committee
selected that of William Channing Whitney, an architect of
Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a native of Harvard. The de
sign and specifications were a free gift, his filial contribution
to the work. When the bids of contractors were sought, it
proved that the plan adopted could not be carried out, in the
material and finish contemplated, for the sum available from
bequest and appropriation. At this juncture Warren Hap
good, a retired merchant of Boston and a native of Harvard,
addressed a letter to the building committee offering to con
tribute twenty-five hundred dollars to ensure the fit comple
tion of the building according to the architect's wishes.
This timely gift was accepted at a special town-meeting July
21, with the following action : —
Voted, That the Town of Harvard gratefully accepts the generous
donation of twenty-five hundred dollars offered by Mr. Warren Hapgood
to his native town for the purpose of beautifying and improving the finish
of the new Library Building, as more fully explained in his letter of July
15, 1886, to the Building Committee of the Harvard Library: and in token
of our appreciation, it is ordered that a copy of said letter be entered in
full upon the town records, that the thanks of the town be tendered to
Mr. Hapgood for his generous gift, and that the town clerk be instructed
to forward to him a copy of this vote.
Mr. Hapgood finally added one hundred dollars to his
donation. The foundations were begun August 2, 1886, and
the edifice was dedicated June 22, 1887. The total cost of
the building and land was ^10,472. 71, as reported by the build
ing committee; the town and the executors of Mrs. Sawyer's

EDWARD LAWRENCE.

391

will contributing in nearly equal proportion. The building
is very attractive in its exterior, and is conveniently arranged
for its purpose. It is forty-four feet square in general plan
and thirty- eight feet in height, of faced brick trimmed with
Long Meadow brown stone, the underpinning being of cut
granite. The basement contains the furnace and lavatory, and
the attic serves as a store-room. The first floor consists of a
book-room with a capacity of twelve thousand volumes, libra
rian's office, delivery-room, art-room and waiting-room. Two
of these are, however, for the present allotted to the post
master of Harvard, who acts as janitor of the library. The
inside finish is of ash. On the north end wall of the vesti
bule is a tablet of Tennessee marble, upon which are inscribed
the names of the chief donors to the library. On the east
wall are two similar tablets dedicated by "Harvard to her
brave sons who fought for the Union in the war of the Rebel
lion, 1861-1865." Upon them are the names in alphabetical
order of one hundred and thirty-two soldiers claimed for the
town. Honorable Edward Lawrence of Charlestown, by his will
dated May 20, 1880, and proved November g, 1885, established
a fund devoted to the annual increase of the library. The
terms of this bequest are : —
 I give to the Town of Harvard, Massachusetts, my native place,
five thousand dollars, payable to its treasurer for the time being, for a
public Library, four thousand of which shall be kept invested, and the
income therefrom expended annually in the purchase of books for said
Library, and one thousand dollars to be applied without unnecessary de
lay to the purchasing and furnishing to the said Library such books of
reference, so called, as the Trustees of said Library for the time being,
with the Rev. A. A. Miner of Boston, joined in case he may beliving, and
may not be one of such Trustees, shall select, subject to the condition,
however, that the said town shall furnish a suitable room for said Library,
and keep the same open, properly lighted and warmed at all reasonable
times for the use of its inhabitants, and without charge to those using
the same, and shall keep the books insured against loss by fire as fully
as reasonably can be done, so as to secure their replacement, as near as
may be, in case of loss or damage from fire, all without charge to this
fund 
The following sketch of the career and character of Hon-

392 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
orable Edward Lawrence has been kindly contributed by his
nephew, Solon F. Whitney, librarian of the Watertown Free
Public Library: —
Edward Lawrence was the fifth child, and second son, of Stephen
Lawrence aud Lucy Bigelow his second wife, born in Harvard June 21,
1810. At the age of fifteen he went to Charlestown to work for Jacob
Foster and Son, cabinet-makers. He became a partner in the firm in
1833, and continued the business after Mr. Foster the younger retired, in
1856. In 1863 he withdrew. He was for many years active in the public
.iffairs of Charlestown, serving in the board of selectmen upon important
committees; was for six years an alderman; two years — 1858 and 1859
— a representative in the state legislature; and in 1873 a state senator.
He was chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Charlestown
Waterworks, 1862-1864, and afterwards for several years president of the
Mystic Water Board. He became a director in the Bunker Hill Bank in
1842, and its president in 1855, retaining the position until his death on
October 17, 1885  Mr. Lawrence was an able business man, carry
ing all the details of the complicated affairs involved in the manufacture
and sale of thousands of articles of furniture in his mind, while at the
same time managing with great success the business of the Bunker Hill
National and Warren Savings Banks, as chairman of their investment
committees. He was ever ready to meet cheerfully any calls upon his
patience and time from the church, the city, his family and relatives, or
any one desiring his counsel and his aid. It was with a liberal foresight
that he manifested his interest in his native town. He could not bear to
see things at loose ends  A memorial discourse was printed soon
after his death, and the Boston papers at the time of his funeral con
tained lengthy obituary notices. The town of Harvard may well cherish
the memory of a son of one of its honored mechanics, who in his finan
cial and social success did not forget her beautiful hills and valleys, and
spending the leisure of many a summer's vacation among the scenes of
his childhood always' preserved a love for the simple life of even her
humblest citizens.
The exercises at the dedication ot the new library build
ing on June 22, 1887, included an address by Warren Hapgood,
a brief historical essay by Selah Howell, A. M., principal of
the Bromfield School, the Report of the Building Committee,
etc. These were printed at the time in pamphlet form, with
a heliotype view of the building.
In 1890, Miss Anna C. Brackett gave one hundred dollars
in books, selected by herself, as a memorial to her relative.
Miss Mary Hersey, deceased. The permanent investments
from which income is now derived for library purposes in-

LIBRARY ANNALS.

393

elude the Edward Lawrence fund of four thousand dollars
in the hands of the town treasurer, and the Hannah W. C.
Sawyer fund of two thousand dollars in the care of the trus
tees under her will.HARVARD LIBRARY ANNALS.

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1858
Sioo
572
2704
1875
$100
1837
4295
1884
$190
2756
4184
1867
100
908
1538
1876
100
1919
3982
1885
200
2869
3937
1868
100
1123
2172
1877
100
1989
4901
1886
289
3070
3848
1869
100
1203
2823
1878
100
2044
5056
1887
200
3I9I
.3911
1870
100
1364
3017
1879
100
2122
4433
1888
158
3050
3490
1871
100
1452
,3450
1880
100
2206
4377
1889
200
2980
4489
1872
100
1557
3915
1881
100
2427
4196
1890
300
3034
4286
1873
100
1641
3307
1882
16S
2495
4046
I8ql
200
.3435
3953
1874
100'
1750
3782
1883
201
2636
3789
1892 1893
200200
35633612
4203 4917
LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
Augustus Granville Hill, 1856-1866.
Dr. Eliakim A. Holman, 1856-58.
Rev. William G. Babcock, 1856-57.
Rev. John Dodge, 1856-58.
Emory Barnard, 1856.
Rev. John B. Willard, 1857-67, '70,
'75. '76.
Dr. George M. Howe, 1858.
Trumbull Bull, 1865-69.
Rev. Henry H. Barber, 1865-66.
Rev. Daniel F. Goddard, 1871-76.
Mrs. Mary R. Farwell, 1871, '76, '82.
Charles H. Haskell, 1872.
Rev. Alfred E. Tracy, 1873, '74.
Rev. Stephen S. Morrill, 1875, '76.
Rev. Daniel Round, 1875.
Dr. Joseph H. Robinson, 1876.
Hiram Whitney, 1877-79.
Warren H. Fairbank, 1880-93.
Charles M. Hosmer, 1880.
Mrs. A. M. Harrod, 1880, '81, '87-93.
Charles H. Cummings, 1865-74.
Augustus J. Sawyer, 1869, '72. '76-81. William L. Hooper, 1882.
Rev. George H. Pratt, 1868-71. Wilbur F. Sawyer, 1883-8
Edwin A. Hildreth, 1869, '83-91.
Samuel G. Clarke, 1867, '68, '70.
Rev. Jefferson M. Fox, 1868.
S. C. Higgins, 1870;
Stanley B. Hildreth, 1870, '71, '73,
'74, '77, '78, 79-
Miss S. E. H. Farwell, 1887-93.
Selah Howells, 1887-
Francis G. Blanchard, 1887-
Miss Elizabeth Sprague, 1888-90.
Miss Ellen Gamage, 1889-93.
Frederick W. Bateman, 1891-93.
LIBRARIANS.
Alfred R. Willard, 1857-58. Benjamin F. Whitney, 1863-69.
Charles A. and Everett Hussey, Mrs. A. M. Harrod, 1869-89.
1860-63. Miss Emma E. Willard, 1889-92.
394 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
LYCEUMS AND LECTURES.
About the middle of this century the lyceum became an
efficient and very popular means of providing entertainment
and instruction to the people. An association of citizens
known as the Harvard Lyceum then flourished for a few
years and introduced to the community many of the literary
celebrities of the period. No records of this Lyceum are
known to exist, and personal recollections of it are vague.
Such noted lecturers as Oliver Wendell Holmes, Edwin P.
Whipple, Wendell Phillips, Bayard Taylor, and Ralph Waldo
Emerson are remembered as having delighted appreciative
audiences in Harvard, but the less famous and their efforts
to amuse or inspire their hearers are forgotten. The first
president of the Lyceum was Augustus Granville Hill, an
ideal presiding officer, stately but polite and graceful. It is
related that when introducing Mr. Emerson to his fellow citi
zens, he did so in conventional form, calling him the Reverend
Ralph Waldo Emerson. " Never mind the reverend, Mr. Hill
— never mind the reverend," said the great lay preacher so
as to be heard all over the hall. In later years various asso
ciations, sometimes wearing the same name and generally
influenced by similar motives as the first Lyceum, have yielded
amusement and more or less intellectual recreation to the
town's people.
March 2, 1891, the town accepted — the vote being " unan
imous and taken standing" — the generous gift of ten thou
sand dollars from Henry L. Warner, a native of Harvard, in
trust for the providing of educational lectures open to all
citizens of the town. -The terms of the bequest are thus
given by the donor : —
 to found a lectureship and as a permanent fund and endowment,
and in trust for free public lectures for the residents of the town, upon
the following conditions and understanding, and with reference to the
foregoing and following statements ;
The town shall issue and guarantee the perpetual safety and integrity
of the original gift or fund, and make good the loss in full, should any
loss ever occur to it, and keep it forever unimpaired and undiminished.
The town, moreover, shall be responsible for and make good one-half of
any loss which may happen to the increase to the fund arising from the

WARNER FUND.

395

income as hereinafter provided. In other words the town is to assume
and replace all losses to the first ten thousand dollars of the fund, and
one-half of all losses to the balance or excess over that amount. The
town shall also furnish, free and without charge, a room or hall heated
and lighted for the lectures. It shall make no charge for administering
the trust and shall pay the incidental expenses, leaving the fund un
touched and the income to be disposed of as hereinafter stated.
The town shall have full control and management of the fund, and
invest or loan the same for an income to the best advantage.
Four-fifths of the whole income shall be used or expended from time
to time for free public lectures, and the other one-fifth thereof shall be
added to and merged in the permanent fund and become a part of it
ever after and be treated as such. After the fund has reached the amount
of thirty thousand dollars, the town shall be at liberty to reduce the rate
of increase to one-tenth of the income, and to apply the remaining nine-
tenths to the lectures. After the fund amounts to fifty thousand dollars
the town shall be at liberty to discontinue or suspend from time to tirae
any further increase.
The word fund herein mentioned is understood to include both the
original principal or gift, and all additions made to it from the income.
The town shall have the full control and regulation of the lectures
and the attendance upon them, and can exclude disorderly persons and
take any course it pleases as to the attendance of those not residing in
the town, as far as it is consistent with the permanence and object of the
endowment, and the right management of the trust and of the provisions
and statements herein contained. It is intended that the town shall pos
sess and exercise full discretion and authority in all things pertaining to
the fund, trust, income and lectures.
The lectures shall avoid partisan politics and religious sectarianism,
and it is the intention of the undersigned that they shall be delivered as
far as practicable by eminent or able lecturers and scholars, upon sci
entific, literary, biographical, histoncal, patriotic, national, educational
and moral subjects; including also, travels, questions of government and
society, and whatever may interest the people, and at the same time in
struct and benefit them in accordance with the design of the lectures.
It is not the intention, in the least degree, to supplant or interfere with
the usual lectures delivered in the town, nor to provide for them, nor for
the professional or mixed courses of lectures and entertainments run by
managers for profit, nor for any other which would be obtained by other
means. The intention is rather to add to all these, and furnish lectures after
the character and style of the Lowell lectures and those previously de
scribed, and which the town might not otherwise enjoy. The town can
administer the trust in whatever character, name, style, form or method
it deems best for the purpose, and can do this by itself, its regular officers
or by special agents.
26

396 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Any one shall have the right and duty to enforce the due observance
and execution of the trust in any name, manner or place.
In addition to this the undersigned reserves for himself the privilege
and position of special inspector of the management of the trust and ad
viser as to the lecturer and lectures, and this privilege and position he
can transfer to a successor with the right of transmission from one suc
cessor to another, who shall be of his kindred as far as possible. The
same privilege and position shall ever be extended to and held by the
principal of the Bromfield School. The fund trust or free lectures shall
be designated or known as the Henry L. Warner, or for brevity, the
Warner Fund Trust, or Free Lectures 
Henry L. Warner, whose loyal affection for his birth-place
and respect for his ancestry have borne fruit in this benefi
cence, is the president of the National Bank of Sioux City,
Iowa. He is a direct descendant of the John Warner who
came from Woburn in 1687 to build a new home upon Bare
Hill; his father, Lu he , being the grandson of Ebenezer, the
third son of the pioneer. He was born on the original War
ner homestead, October 28, 1834. His mother, Louisa Dwin
ells, was of a family living in the south-eastern part of
Harvard. He was graduated at Union College, Schenectady,
New York, in the class of 1859, and studying for the legal
profession, was two years later admitted to the bar. He im
mediately went West, and in 1868 engaged in real estate
operations at Sioux City, of which place he has twice been
chosen the mayor.
The first course of lectures under the provision of the
Warner trust began December 18, 1891, with a discourse upon
Household Art in Japan, by Professor Edward S. Morse. He
was followed by : Leland J. Powers, January, 1892, upon David
Garrick; Henry A. Clapp, January 15, upon the Merchant of
Venice, and January 29, upon the First Part of Henry IV.;
George Kennan, February 26, upon Russia and its Political
Exiles, with stereoptic illustrations; Reverend J. J. Lewis,
March 10, upon the Passion Play at Ober-Ammergau, with
illustrations; Justin Winsor, upon the Search for the North
west Passage to India through the American Continent. The
lectures were well attended, and the public appreciation of
the privileges due to Mr. Warner's generosity thus far honors
all concerned.

X.

SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND INDUSTRIAL
STATISTICS.

FEW rural communities even in Massachusetts display so
obvious and uniform impress of culture, comfort and
thrift as the town of Harvard; nevertheless it affords a fair
example of that tendency to decadence in population and
industrial enterprise which is emphasized anew by each cen
sus — that steady numerical decline which seems to threaten
the abandonment, as permanent human abiding places, of
those hill towns which lie at some distance from any great
thoroughfare, or which have no water-courses furnishing
steady power competent for large industrial operations. The
native youth, who are the life and soul of such little repub
lics, are nearly all enticed away to the commercial marts or
the manufacturing centres by expectation of larger personal
gain or better social advantages, and imported hirelings stand
in their places, but can in no respect make good the loss.
The population of the town grew with even though slow reg
ularity from the date of its settlement to 1850, since when it
has as steadily decreased, losing about ten per cent annually.
At the incorporation of the town in 1732 there were be
tween fifty and sixty families, or not less than three hundred
and twenty-five inhabitants; for the family then averaged
over six persons, while at the latest census the average fam
ily in Harvard numbered but four. About 1746 the com
munity came under the provisions of the law requiring the
keeping of a grammar school, having over one hundred fam-

398

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

ilies within its limits. A return of the census for 1765, the
first officially made in the colony, is found in Massachusetts
Archives, Ixxxviii, as follows: — ¦
Inhabitants under sixteen : — males, 276; females, 270.
Inhabitants over sixteen : — males, 272; females, 296.
Inhabitants, colored: — males, 7; females, 5.
Houses, 153: Families, 173; Total Population, 1126.
In a letter from Reverend Joseph Wheeler, dated Febru
ary 24, 1767, and printed in the Massachusetts Historical
Society's Collections, he states that there were then about
two hundred families in Harvard, and one hundred and ninety-
five church members; and that one farmer in the town usually
sowed ninety acres of grain, chiefly wheat. In thirty-five
years the population had nearly quadrupled.
The returns of the earliest elaborate valuation, that of
1771, are preserved in Massachusetts Archives, cxxxiii, and
from them the following compilation of facts is derived : —

Polls (males over sixteen).
Dwellings  163
Stores  2
Tannery  i
Iron Works  i
Malt House,!.  I
Fulling Mill  i
Grist and Saw Mills  3
Tillage, acres  942
English mowing, acres  728
Meadow, acres  1346

273

Horses  150
Oxen  254
Milch Cows  569
Sheep  830
Swine  276
Cider made, barrels  1554
Pasturage, acres  1320
Grain, bushels  9213
English Hay, tons  559
Meadow Hay, tons  1245

Other crops were neglected in the valuation, although flax,
hops, potatoes, turnips, beans and tobacco were raised in
large quantities. The population of the town was very nearly
the same as at the state census of 1885. This fact adds in
terest to a comparison of the farm property and products of
the two periods. It is especially noteworthy that the hay
crop was not half what it now is, and that the production
per acre was less than three-fourths as much as modern farm
ing secures. For every yoke of oxen now in the town, there
were nine in 1771. Then sheep were to be seen browsing in
every rocky pasture, for each farmer had his little flock; and

HOME MANUFACTURE.

399

the sheep-washing and shearing season was a time for much
neighborly exchange of labor, and rum-inspired hilarity.
The wool was largely manufactured at home, for homespun
was the every-day wear of both sexes, and the good wives
and girls were all skilled in spinning, dyeing and knitting, if
not in carding and weaving. Every farm-house had its cards,
spinning wheels, reels and dye-tubs, but local experts were
sometimes called upon to assist in carding the greased fleeces
into rolls, "a pound being considered a fair day's work. Not
much later carding machines were introduced in the little
fulling mills, one of which was to be found in nearly every
town, and the clothier receiving the wool returned the rolls
to the spinners for seven or eight cents per pound. A few
specialists, owning hand looms, did the weaving for many
spinners at so much per yard, " according to the cloth," mak
ing two or three yards per day. Now a great-granddaughter
of one of these Harvard weavers of Revolutionary days,
standing at a power loom in a neighboring town, with much
less physical exertion, turns off as finished product more
than fifty yards of Brussels carpeting in ten hours, or manag
ing four or more looms weaves from one hundred and twenty
to two hundred yards of gingham in a day. Elisha Fullam,
or Seth Gould at his fulling shop on Nonacoicus Brook, fin
ished the various fabrics that came from the Harvard looms.
An even larger proportion of the tow-cloth and linen man
ufacture was strictly home industry, in which every member
of the household, young and old, in turn participated; from
the pulling and rotting of the cultivated and ripened flax
through the processes of breaking, swingling, hatcheling,
hanking, spinning and weaving to the bleaching on the green
sward, If the goodwife or her girls would have a calico
gown they had to pay at the village store fifty or sixty cents
a yard for the goods — although six or seven yards then satis
fied all the requirements of fashion in such a garment. The
merchants' wives and fine ladies of the large towns on state
occasions flaunted their silks, laces and false hair, aping for
eign fashions; but very little imported finery entered into the
costumes with which the rural belles dazzled the eyes of their
swains,

400

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Harvard in 1771 was no less famous for its orchards than
it has ever since been, but most of the apples then found a
market as cider. In the even years, which were the "apple
years " as now, there were at least twenty farmers who made
from thirty to forty barrels of cider each. Some of this went
into the winter store of apple sauce, some was boiled down
for spring and summer use, much of it was sold to the Bay
towns, a little was saved for vinegar; but an astonishing
amount was "drunk on the premises."
The hides of the animals slaughtered were at once taken
to James Stone, the tanner, who converted them into leather
by the pains-taking old-fashioned methods, which devoured
nearly two years' time before the matured product was re
turned to the farmer. Its wearing properties when contrasted
with those of modern leather, it must be confessed, more
than justified the dilatory process. The tanned sheep-skins
were in general use for leather breeches and aprons, while
the neat's leather was reserved for harnesses and shoes. The
tanner dressed the hides for a share — usually one-third — of
the product. The cordwainer was very commonly a peripa
tetic philosopher who conveyed his kit from farm to farm,
made his own lasts and thread — pegs had not been invented
— and sojourned at each fireside long enough to mend and
make the foot-gear for every member of the family. But in
the summer and autumn not only the boys and girls, but the
farmers, all went barefoot.
The hatter made hats to order, and bought of the boy
trappers the skins of foxes, rabbits and muskrats, from the
hair of which he manufactured his felting. Usually there
was some skillful spinster or widow tailoress in the com
munity, who, in like manner with the cordwainer, went from
house to house to cut and make the boys' clothes, which were
almost always evolved from a selection of the fittest portions
of garments cast off by their elders, sometimes pieced in con
spicuous places with nearly invisible rentering. The mother
and daughters not only cut and made their own garments,
but also the shirts and frocks of the men folk. The village
tailor was depended upon for little besides the elaborate fab
rication of the coats and waistcoats with which the goodmen

NEGRO SLAVERY. 401
disguised themselves on Sunday, and the cutting to measure
of other garments.
There was a store in each village, wherein, theoretically,
everything was for sale: groceries, drugs, dyestuffs — espe
cially indigo, madder, logwood and copperas — hardware,
crockery, hats, wooden ware, stationery, farming tools, an as
sortment of dry goods, school books, the heavier wines and
Medford rum. For these produce was accepted in exchange
if desired. Squire Joseph Wheeler, the retired clergyman,
presided over the larger one, his stock in trade being taxed
upon a valuation of i80;^, while Elias Haskell's, at Still River,
was set down at lOO;^. Captain Jabez Keep had a small trip
hammer forge and bloomery upon the brook at Old Mill, to
which upon his death in 1774 his son Jabez succeeded. The
fifteen citizens paying the largest taxes were Lemuel Haskell,
Judah Clark, Nathan Warner, Nathaniel Whittemore, Oliver
Atherton, Jabez Keep, William Park, Lemuel Willard, Isaac
Gates, Benjamin Barnard, Benjamin Stow, John Farwell, Sam
uel Mead, Peter Atherton and Samuel Haskell. Property
was much more evenly distributed than at the present day.
Of the twelve negro inhabitants reported in the census of
1765, the majority were probably "servants for life," as
slaves were then styled. Slavery gained a foothold in Har
vard before its incorporation, for Major Samuel Willard took
to Lancaster from Still River "his negro Caesar" in 1726.
Most householders of the town were of too humble means
to hire labor, much less purchase laborers. In fact their own
children were often apprenticed, or put out to service for a
term of years to those who possessed large means or who
would teach them some handicraft. But with the increase
of wealth and luxury in New England the Boston ship-own
ers engaged in the Southern slave trade began to find the
home market for their commodity increasing; and soon not
only the wealthy city families bought their domestic servants,
but in the little country towns the squire, two or three of the
the most prosperous farmers, and often the minister, owned a
" likely " colored boy or girl, usually bought when quite
young. An able-bodied young black man or woman was val
ued at fifty pounds or more. The condition of those here

402

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

held in involuntary bondage was in many respects quite uri-
like that of the slaves in more southern latitudes, and in fact
differed little from that of the bound apprentices. The north
ern negro was the same music-loving, superstitious, happy-
go-lucky creature as his southern brother.
Abundant traces of the existence of slavery in Harvard
survive in record and tradition. In 1735, " Zilpah a Negro
Servant Girl to Eleazar Robbins" was baptized. The same
year Hagar, negro servant to Jonas Whitney, was married by
Reverend John Seccomb to Jexess, a negro belonging^ to
Nathan Chase of Littleton. In 1737 "A Negro Servant-,
Child of John Forbush" died. In 1738, "Caesar the Negro
Man-Servant of Thomas Wheeler" was baptized. The pub
lic conscience was always sensitive about the morality of
slaveholding, and Thomas Wheeler's character was doubtless
deemed whiter in his own day, as it is in ours, for his having
put upon record the following agreement with his bond-slave
and Christian brother : — Harvard, August 21, 1744.
This may Certifie that Ceasar my Servant is to have his time and be
freed from me and any under me at the expiration of four years from
the date hereof, if he serves me faithfully till then.
Ebenezer Davis Witness my hand, Thos. Wheeler.
John Wetherbee Jun«.
In 1740, "Cato a Negro Man Servant of John Martyn
Esq.," died^and Caesar, before named, was admitted a mem
ber of the church. In 1756, an item of Justinian Holden's
inventory was " One Negro, 2t,£:' In 1757, Joseph Hutchins
in his will bequeathed his negro Neptune to a kinsman. In
1773, "A negro man belonging to Elijah Houghton, of ad
vanced years," died. In 1775, "A Negro Woman belonging
to the Widow Margaret Whitney," died. Othelloj better
known in rural life as " Thurlo," the faithful negro body-
servant of Colonel Henry Bromfield, was an eccentric char
acter, as well known in Harvard as his master. Born in the
interior of Africa, he was bought in England and brought to
Arnerica about 1760. Being manumitted, he chose to remain
with the Bromfield family, and became an almost inseparable
attendant upon the colonel. An equally noted colored citi-

STATISTICS. 403
zen, but one whose life was passed in less aristocratic society,
was Cyprian, who figured at the rustic dances, and figures in
the town records as " Sip." He was the slave of Ephraim
Robbins, and apparently, after years of service had impaired
his usefulness as a drudge, was granted the cheap boon of
freedom. He built for himself a lodging-place, half cellar,
half hut, in a lopely hollow in Shabikin, still referred to in
deeds as " Sip's/nole," and kept body and soul together by
trapping, fishing, and other ways best known to Cyprian. In
time his remnant of strength failed him, and in July, 1768, the
town was called upon by Isaac Willard to pay for care rend
ered and food furnished him. At a later town-meeting
Ephraim Robbins was duly notified to excuse himself for his
abandonment of this worn-out chattel. Ephraim's statement,
if any was made, is not found, but the selectmen were in
structed to "proceed Discressionary in Regard to said Sip."
The poor negro had one prized possession, which he clung to
until he saw death near at hand. Like Thurlo, he was a born
fiddler, and had furnished the musical inspiration and called
the dance figures for all the rural junketings in his neighbor
hood. His only treasure was an old violin, and this, just
before he died — over ninety years of age, in 1784 — he had
broken into small pieces in his presence, declaring that there
should be no " quarreling over his estate after he was gone."

By the enumeration in 1776 the population had grown to
131 5. A resolve of the Provincial Congress, December 9,
1776, required each town to make a sworn return of all its
male inhabitants over sixteen years of age, for military pur
poses. The- selectmen on January 31, 1777, certified :—
 that there are belonging to the Town of Harvard Three hundred
and Thirty-eight [male] Inhabitants and Mr Eads of Charlstown, Like
wise two aged Negro men belonging to said Harvard, all which are above
sixteen years old.
The valuation returns for 1786 are found in the Massachu
setts Archives, clxiii, 230, of which the following is a sum
mary : —

404

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Polls  306
Dwellings  165
Barns  156
Shops and Stores  18
Tannery  i
Potash Works  i
Grist and Saw Mills  6
Iron Works  I
Horses and Colts  190
Swine, 6 months  255

Tillage, acres  877
English mowing, acres  755
Fresh Meadow, acres  1162
Woodland, acres  1840
Unimproved, acres  4965
Unimprovable, acres  1345
Cider made, barrels  2190
Oxen, 4 years old  250
Cows, 4 years old  583
Other neat Cattle  428

By the successive censuses under the present constitution
the population has been as follows : —

1790.1800.1810.1820.1830.

•1387 •1319•1431¦1597.1600

1840.1850. 1855-i860.1865.

.1571.1630 ¦1533
.1507 ¦1355

1870. 1875.
1880. 1885.
1890.

.1341.1304•1253 .1184
•1095

At the last state census, that of 1885, Harvard ranked as
the two hundred and thirty-fifth town in the state in popula
tion; the two hundred and forty-eighth in the value of goods
manufactured; the forty-fourth in agricultural products. Of
its inhabitants but forty-four, over the age of ten years, were
unable to read and write; there were five hundred and sixty-
four males and six hundred and twenty females; one thousand
and fifty-two were born in the United States, eighty-eight in
Ireland, twenty-five in England and English speaking colo
nies, nine were French Canadians, and eight, Germans. Six
teen were colored. There were one hundred and twelve
persons over seventy years of age, being nearly one for every
ten of the population; a proportion equalled by less than a
score of towns in the commonwealth. The oldest person
living was ninety-eight.
The records of the town afford many instances of excep
tional longevity. February 13, 1755, Caleb Sawyer died aged
ninety-six. He was the last of those householders whose
names appear in the garrison lists of 1704. He had almost
attained manhood at the time of the Rowlandson massacre;
and had the Reverend Timothy Harrington, when writing his
Century Sermon in 1753, spared us ten pages of historic plat
itude about the persecutions of Israel, and given us, fresh

AGED PEOPLE.

405

from Caleb Sawyer's lips, his reminiscences of the Nasha
way warriors, of his grandfather John Prescott, of his sturdy
father Thomas Sawyer the blacksmith, of his energetic broth
ers the mill-builders, and of the other leading spirits in the
Nashaway Plantation and their heroic lives, how much richer
we should be !
February 16, 1806, died Abel Jewett of the Shaker com
munity, aged ninety-nine years. In the mortuary list of 1807
there were six names of citizens who had seen more than
four score and ten years : Ebenezer Burges, 92; Samuel War
ner, 95; John Warner, 96; Widow Safford, 97; Eunice Raw-
son, 97; Elizabeth Hapgood, 96. In 1869, there were twelve
widows resident in Harvard all over eighty-two years of age,
whose united years amounted to one thousand and thirty-two.
The oldest of these, Mrs. Rebecca (Parker) Huse, lived
in the Shabikin district, on a little farm that slopes down to
the Nashua river. The house in which all but three years of
her married life and widowhood were passed was burned a
few years ago. She died September 14, 1869, when the town-
clerk recorded her age as one hundred and four years, two
months and twelve days, and her parents' names as Ebenezer
[EleazarJ and Dinah Parker of Groton. Upon her grave
stone her years are given as 103. She retained to the last
year of life a fair possession of all her physical powers and
mental faculties, and read her bible without the aid of spec
tacles, but was somewhat hard of hearing. She cultivated a
small garden, and kept a cow or two which she milked
with her own hands until past her ninetieth year. She at
tended to all ordinary household duties until nearly one hun
dred years of age, and when ninety-five one day walked four
miles to gratify her desire to visit an old acquaintance. Her
memory of sundry incidents that occurred during the Revo
lution was vivid — especially that of her father's departure
to join the patriot army, and his return to his family. He
was a Harvard soldier, serving in the Continental regiment of
Colonel Timothy Bigelow. She was born in Groton, but re
moved to Harvard when fifteen years of age, and married
John Dennison Huse in December, 1795. Of several chil
dren born to her only three outlived their mother: two sons.

4o6 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
John and Enoch, and a married daughter, Rebecca (Huse)
Ross. Her husband, aged eighty-one, died August 6, 1840.
Mrs. Lydia (Sprague) Blanchard, now ninety-three years
of age, who was born in Shabikin, a near neighbor to Mrs.
Huse, describes her as a notable housewife, locally famous
for the excellent quality of her butter and cheese, and a kind-
hearted, motherly woman whose skillful aid as a nurse was
eagerly sought and cheerfully rendered in cases of illness in
the neighborhood.
Her grandson, Eliakim H. Ross of Medway, remembers
her as a devoted Christian, fond of reading the scriptures.
She claimed to have read her bible through fifty times. He
also relates that she was a wonderful knitter, as attested by
the fact that she could knit three pairs of men's mittens in
two days.
A. J. Brown of Concord, New Hampshire, who married a
grand-daughter of Mrs. Huse, writes that there was some
uncertainty about her age, and the question was settled by
a birth record obtained from a relative, a Dr.- Parker of Shir
ley. He pronounces the inscription upon her gravestone
correct, and says that her father's name was Eleazar. In his
possession is an original letter directed to John D. Huse at
Harvard, dated Bloomfield, Maine, August 5, 1830, and
signed, "Your father and mother, Eleazar Parker, Dinah
Parker." In the letter they speak of being partly supported
by a pension. Note of their burial in the Bloomfield Ceme
tery has been found, but without date.
It should be added that the doubt respecting the age of
Mrs. Huse was owing to her belief that she was even older
than the record proves her to have been. She asserted her
recollection of an accident by which three men were drowned
in the river on an Election Day, when she was about four
years of age. This accident occurred May 30, 1764, and if
her statement had been accurate it would have proved her
109 years old at her death. It is not very rare for a person
to deceive himself into the belief that he can remember
events which took place even a little before he was born,
when those events were of so thrilling interest as to be much
talked about during his early childhood. A writer in the

CENSUS OF iJ

407

"Daily Evening Traveller" for October 27, 1865, speaks of
her as "now 106 years old." This was probably a typographic
error for 100.
In 1888, on February 15, Stephen Withington died at the
age of one hundred years, eight months and fifteen days.
He was born in Stow, May 27, 1787, and spent the first fifty
years of his life in that town. He was one of a family of
fourteen children. All of his brothers lived to be over eighty,
and one who survived him died soon after at the age of
ninety-eight. In 1890 there were eighteen deaths in Harvard, and omit
ting one whose years were not known, the average age of the
deceased was sixty-eight years and four months; eleven were
over seventy, five over eighty, and three over ninety. Such
records sufficiently controvert the belief rife in early days
that the site of the town was an unhealthy one.
The occupations of Harvard citizens, as classified in 1885,
were: —

males.

Merchants and dealers  10
Farmers  179
Farm laborers  145
Carpenters  6
Painters  5
Machinists  5

Woolen mill operatives  5
Scholars and students  97
Retired  14
At home  36
Other occupations  62

FEMALES.

Teachers  11
Housekeepers in families  8
Housewives  243
Housework  170

Dress-makers  10
Scholars  109
At home  41
Other occupations  28

Of manufactories there were two of agricultural imple
ments, George E. Burt's and that of the Hildreth Brothers;
one of drugs and medicines, the Shakers' herb-drying and
packing establishment; three of food preparations, grist-mills;
one of glue, Mr. Bacon's; one of metal goods; one of woolen
goods, a shoddymill; one of grave-stones. The capital en
gaged in these was ;g8i,450. The hands employed numbered
thirty-nine, earning $11,320 in the preceding twelve months.

408

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

The annual products of manufacture were valued at $73,318.
The whole number of farms was two hundred and ten,
seventeen of which were leased. The wages paid for farm
labor amounted to $21,285, ^"^d the total products to $229,533
per annum.
The dwellings numbered two hundred and eighty-one, of
which two hundred and fifty-two -were of wood and eleven
wholly or partly of brick. Eighteen were unoccupied. The
families were two hundred and ninety-three in number.
The land, estimated at 17,792 acres, and valued at $481,-
886, was divided as follows : —

Mowing  3.483^ acres.
Market gardens  12^ "
Pasture  6,6i6K "
Principal crops  7265^ "
Nurseries  4 "

Unimproved  91 iX acres.
Orchards  182X "
Other cultivated  398 K "
Woodland  5.457

The domestic animals, valued at $89,807, were : —

Bees, swarms  44
Bulls  47
Calves  248
Colts  5
Dogs  92
Ducks  25
Heifers  211
Hens and chickens  9664

Hogs  264
Horses  288
Milch cows  1 138
Oxen  28
Pigeons  80
Pigs  igo
Sheep  60

The farming machines and implements, including wagons
and harnesses, were valued" at $41,161. The fruit trees and
vines were called worth $124,219, and included 27,717 apple
trees, 13,743 peach trees, and 20,033 grape-vines. The chief
agricultural products were : —

Hay, tons  3,778
Fodder, tons  1,782
Corn, bushels  1 1,494

OatS; Rye,Barley,Potatoes,
Turnips,

401 343256
14.713 4.488

Cabbage, heads  10,880

Canned fruits, pounds  11,789
Small fruits, quarts  44.700
Cranberries, barrels  194
Cider, gallons  8,513
Milk, gallons  466,665
Butter, pounds  35.905
Eggs, dozen  ,32,427
Beef, pounds  68,401
Pork, "  61,737

FINANCIAL HISTORY.

409

Apples, bushels  24,014
Pears, "  1,085
Cherries, "  81
Nuts, "  388
Grapes, pounds  127,877

Veal, pounds  78.507
Poultry, "  16,367
Squashes, "  13.000
Pumpkins, "  53.240

Only twenty-eight towns in the state surpassed Harvard in
the amount of milk produced. The apple crop of the even
years is far in excess of the amount above recorded. There
are five farmers in Harvard — Andrew Fairbanks, Wilbur F.
Sawyer, William B. Haskell, Samuel F. Whitney and Stowell
W. Davis — whose orchards produce a thousand barrels of
apples each in a favorable season; and the first named has
gathered nearly two thousand barrels in a year. His fruit
marketed in 1892 amounted to fifteen hundred barrels. From
twenty-five to thirty-five thousand barrels have been shipped
from Harvard in each of the three or four apple years last
past. These mostly found a market in Liverpool. The
peach crop, which for several decades has been insignificant,
is fast assuming large proportions.
The financial records of Harvard during the first century
are too imperfect and confused for trustworthy tabulation.
For a time the appropriations did not distinguish the cost of
the schools from "other town charges," and the minister's
salary and bills for "building the meeting-house" were in
cluded in the selectmen's accounts. The appropriation for
highways and bridges was always kept distinct, it being as
sessed by itself, every one "working out " his road tax or
hiring others to do it, under the supervision of the district
surveyors. The first highway rate, that of 1734, was forty
pounds, and at this sum the annual appropriation was fixed
until 1765, when it was made fifty pounds. It became sixty
pounds in 1770, eighty in 1772, and in 1780, when the paper
currency was fast losing all value, it was set at two thousand
pounds. For the three years 1732, 1733 and 1734 the selectmen re
ported the total town expenditures as: 125;^. 14'. 6; 248^, 7^
10".; and 340;^. From this period until Revolutionary days
the yearly appropriations were very irregular in amount,
although never exceeding these given. In 1780 the enormous

410 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
sum, in paper, of eighteen thousand pounds was assessed.
In 1790 the town voted 75;^ for ordinary charges and lOOi,"
each for schools and highways. In 1795 the appropriations
were 150.^ for town charges, 120;^ for schools and 170.^ for
highways. From this date the town officers kept their accounts in
the decimal currency of the United States. But for nearly
fifty years later, in daily traffic merchants and farmers stated
their prices in shillings and pence, although the coins of these
designations slowly gave place to those issued from the na
tional mint. The trader priced his cloths at " three shillings,"
"four and six," and "five and thrippence," not half a dollar,
seventy-five, and eighty-seven and one-half cents; and the
skilled mechanic called his daily wages "seven and six," or
"nine shillings," instead of a dollar and a quarter or a dollar
and a half.
In 1800 the town granted: $550 for the minister's salary,
$500 for schools, $770 for highways, and $600 for other ex
penditures; in 1805, $400 for the minister, $700 for schools,
$800 for highways, and $900 for other charges; in 18 10, $400
for the minister, $800 for schools, $800 for highways, and
$1200 for other charges; in 1815, $640 for the minister, and
for other uses the same sums as in 1810. In 1820" the appro
priation for the ministry ceased; there were 330 polls, and
the grants were : $800 for schools, $800 for highways, and
$1500 for town charges; at about these sums the appropria
tions remained for the next fifteen years. The following tab
ulation, derived from the assessors' records, gives the finan
cial history of the town since 1836: —

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412 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
called for, or reached its destination by the news-carriers, who
once a week, on horseback, travelled over their established
routes, delivering from their saddlebags to subscribers the
diminutive and ill-printed Gazettes and Chrotiicles of the
period. Silent Wilde and Isaac Church of Lancaster were
the post-riders through this part of the county for a time be
fore the war for independence. One of them started from
the city every Monday over his route to the Connecticut val
ley, and returned at the end of the week. The following is
one of the advertisements found in the Massachusetts Gazette
and Boston Weelily News Letter of May 5, 1774 : —
SILENT WILDE, News-Carrier along the Road from Boston through
Lancaster Rutland &c. to Northampton Deerfield &c. desires seasonably
to put his Customers in Mind that the first half year of his last Engage
ment ends with the News Paper of the g''''. of May Inst, when there will
be due from each of them One Dollar &c. the Payment of which some
Time in the Week following the said g*. of May, at the usual Places
where he has left their Papers, he greatly hopes will be Certain and Punc
tual — and flatters himself therefore that none of them will be so Unkind
as by their Delinquency, to deny him the Means of defraying the great
Expence attending the same.
His former Customers who are yet in Arrears may not expect to be
called upon again in this Way as he must have his Pay in a short Time
without fail. May 5, 1774.
Joshua Thomas, also of Lancaster, was post-rider from
Worcester through Lancaster eastward during the Revolu
tion. Letters for Harvard citizens were occasionally adver
tised as remaining uncalled for in both the office at Boston
and that at Worcester. In 1795, Lancaster was granted a
post-office, and the Boston, Concord and Lancaster Mail
Stage, twice a week, conveyed travellers and the mail to and
from the metropolis. The Lancaster office served Harvard
and other towns adjoining. Sixteen years more passed be
fore a post-office was established at Harvard. The first mail-
carrier was the proprietor of the " Harvard, Lunenburg and
Winchendon Stage," which came from Concord over the
Union Turnpike, and passed on through Shirley Wednesdays
and Saturdays, returning on Mondays and Thursdays. The
Wetherbee tavern was a regular " half-way house," where the
horses were changed and the passengers alighted to stretch

POST OFFICES. 413
cramped muscles or lubricate dry throats. Stage-drivers
Harrington and Chickering were well known worthies of this
line. For a few years a stage coach ran between Lowell and
Worcester and made daily halts here.
The f6llowing is a list of the postmasters of the town with
the dates of their appointments as registered in the Postmas
ter General's office at Washington : —
HARVARD.
William S. Foster, April i, 181 1. Thomas B. Wheeler, Oct. 10, 1872,
Stevens Hayward, Oct. i, 1812. Hiram Joy, July 31, 1873.
Ebenezer Bridge, Jan. i, 1818. Abbott A. Jenkins, Nov. 28, 1879.
John P. Whitcomb, Feb. 11, 1826. Charles A. Hersey, Aug. 11, 1880.
Zophar Wetherbee, Nov. 28, 1845.
The first four postmasters kept the office in their stores;
Mr. Wetherbee moved it from the Whitcomb store to his
tavern which stood at the north corner of the same street,
on the site of the library building. Mr. Wheeler died in
office June, 1873. Mr. Hersey, who had been in charge of the
mail during Mr. Jenkin's official term, upon the destruction
of the Wetherbee tavern by fire, August 25, 1880, established
the office in the building now occupied by Gale and Dickson.
There it remained until removed to its present room in the
library building, June 25, 1887. The Harvard office was
given the privileges of the money-order system in 1872.
STILL RIVER.
William F.Bateman, Jan. 11, 1855. Mrs. Louisa H. Bateman, Feb. 13, 1877.
Mr. Bateman died January 31, 1877, and his widow was ap
pointed to succeed him. The office was at first in Mr. Bate-
man's residence, the house now occupied by Amos H. Keyes.
For about three years, beginning with the spring of 1856,
Chandler Lee and his father Charles Lee served as deputy
postmasters, and kept the mail at their store. Since then the
office has always been in the Bateman family's dwelling, be
ing removed to its present location in April, 1885. Befor^
the establishment of the post-office, for several years it was
customary for the postmaster at Harvard to send the mail be-
'longing to the Still River people to the store of H. N. Smart

414

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

by any chance messenger. There it was thrown into a box
from which every comer helped himself as he pleased.
THE REPRESENTATIVES OF HARVARD.
December 28, 1726, a law of the province enacted that no
town, "under the number of sixty families shall be obliged
(unless they think fit) to send a person to*i-epresent them in
the Great and General Court." Harvard went unrepresented
for the first eight years of her history, though not exempt
under this statute after the first twelvemonth. The deputies
were paid a per diem stipend, varying from six shillings in
1726 to two shillings in 1741. Usually three shillings was the
daily pay, with allowance for travel at the rate of one day for
each twenty miles. But the sum paid from the public treas
ury was recovered from each town in the tax rate for the fol
lowing year. The poorer towns therefore naturally excused
themselves from electing a representative whenever possible,
unless some local want made the sending advisable. This
neglect became so common that the General Court sometimes
inflicted heavy penalties upon such towns as omitted the elec
tion of a representative without excellent reason. Harvard
was find five pounds for neglecting to send a deputy in 1745
and in 1750; ten pounds in 1746 and 1762; fifteen pounds in
1755 and 1759; eight pounds in 1757, and twelve pounds in
1758. At a town-meeting May 19, 1740, it was for the first time
voted to send a representative to the General Court. Deacon
Joseph Fairbank was the choice of the town, but he declined
the dignity proffered him, and Peter Atherton was then
chosen. Instances of an elected delegate's refusing to serve
were not very rare, and sometimes a town had to advance
part of the stipend to enable their deputy to properly equip
himself for his official elevation.
After having been twice fined for neglect of their duty,
May 18, I747> Harvard elected a second representative. The
last record made in the town-book by the third town-clerk,
Thomas Wheeler, was that of the action of this town-meet
ing, and it closes thus : " Chose Mr. Daniel Perce to repre
sent them in y'= great and general Court, and I hope those

REPRESENTATIVES.

415

that chose him will pay him." Peter Atherton died while
attending the General Court at Concord, of a bilious colic,
June 13, 1764. The date of the annual election was " at least
ten days before the last Wednesday in May," until 1831, since
when it has been in November. In the following list when
the year is not given the town voted not to send a delegate : —
Harvard's Representatives in the Massachusetts Legislature.

1740. Peter Atherton. 1769-
1747. Daniel Peirce. 1770.
1749. Daniel Peirce. 1771.
1751. Captain Jonathan Whitney. 1772.
1752. Daniel Peirce. 1773.
1753. Captain Jonathan Whitney. -I774.
1756. Captain John Whitney. I77S.
1764. Peter Atherton, died. 1776.
1765. Captain Israel Taylor. 1777.
1766. Captain Israel Taylor. 1778.
1767. Captain Israel Taylor.
Under the State Constitution the representation was originally based
upon one hundred and fifty ratable polls, and three hundred and seventy
ratable polls entitled a town to two representatives. Harvard was fined
for sending no representative to the General Court of 1786.

Captain Israel Taylor.
Captain Israel Taylor.
Captain Israel Taylor.
Captain Israel Taylor.
Captain Israel Taylor.
Captain Israel Taylor.
Reverend Joseph Wheeler.
Captain Phineas Fairbank.
Captain Phineas Fairbank.
Deacon Oliver Whitney.

178a. Colonel Josiah Whitney. 1806.
1781. Colonel Josiah Whitney.
1783. John Munroe. 1807.
1784. Joseph Stone.
1785. Oliver Whitney. 1808.
1787. Josiah Whitney, Esq. 1809.
1788. Josiah Whitney, Esq.
1789. Josiah Whitney, Esq. 1810.
1791. Major Benjamin Kimball.
1793. Major Benjamin Kimball. 1811.
1794. Benjamin Kimball, Esq.
1795. Benjamin Kimball, Esq. ^812.
1796. Benjamin Kimball, Esq.
1797. Honorable Joseph Stone, Esq. 1813.
1798. Honorable Joseph Stone, Esq.
1799. Honorable Joseph Stone, Esq. 1814.
1800. Honorable Joseph Stone, Esq. 1815.
1802. Benjamin Kimball, Esq. 1816.
1803. Thomas Park. 1817.
1804. Thomas Park. 1818.
J 805. Thomas Park. 1823.

Doctor Isaiah Parker.
Jonathan Wetherbee.
Jonathan Wetherbee.
Jonathan Symonds.
Jonathan Symonds.
Jonathan Symonds.
Jonathan Wetherbee.
Jonathan Symonds.
Jonathan Beard.
Jonathan Beard.
Reuben Whitcomb.
Reuben Whitcomb.
Jonathan Sawyer.
Reuben Whitcomb.
Jonathan Sawyer.
Stevens Hayward.
Stevens Hayward.
Stevens Hayward.
Stevens Hayward.
Philemon Atherton.
Calvin Haskell.

i84i.

Asa Daby.

1851

1842.

Joseph Carter.

1852.

1843.

Ellis Harlow.

1854.

1844.

Ellis Harlow.

1855.

1848.

Ebenezer Willard.

1856.

1850.

Elhs Harlow.

416 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Constitutional Amendment X. was ratified May 11, 1831, changing the
beginning of the political year from the last Wednesday in May to the
first Wednesday of January, and the election to the second Monday in
November. 1835. Calvin Haskell.
In 1836, Constitutional Amendment XII. was adopted, under which
representation was based upon three hundred polls.
1838. Cephas Houghton. 1839. Abel Whitnev.
1839. Asa Daby. 1840. Asa Daby.
In 1840, Constitutional Amendment XIII. was adopted, by which rep
resentation was based upon twelve hundred inhabitants.
George Gerry.
Gideon Cadwell Noble, M. D.
Joseph Carter.
Caleb Strong Gerry.
Ebenezer Crosby Willard.
In 1857, Constitutional Amendment XXI. was adopted, when Harvard,
Berlin and Bolton formed the Seventh Worcester District, with one rep
resentative. 1859. George Edward Burt. 1865. Frederick Augustus Willard.
1862. Isaac Newton Stone.
In 1866, the Sixth Worcester District was formed of Harvard, Bolton
and Lancaster.
1867. John Milton Whitney. 1875. Jonathan Cady Richmond.
1873. Augustus Jonathan Sawyer. 1876. Jonathan Cady Richmond.
In 1876, the Fifth Worcester District was formed of Lancaster, Har
vard, Bolton, Sterling, Berhn, Lunenburg and Clinton, with two repre
sentatives. 1879. Abner Barnard. 1883. Edwin Alonzo Hildreth.
In 1886, the Thirteenth Worcester District was formed of Harvard,
Lancaster, Bolton, Clinton, Sterling, Boylston and West Boylston, with
two representatives. 1890. Stanley Barbour Hildreth.
STATE SENATOR.
In 1787, Joseph Stone was chosen to the senate.
DELEGATES.
Reverend Joseph Wheeler was Harvard's delegate to the
Provincial Congresses of 1774. and 1775. To the Constitu-

TOWN OFFICERS.

417

tional Convention of 1779-80, were sent Deacon Oliver Whit
ney, Colonel Josiah Whitney and Joseph Stone. To the
convention that ratified the Constitution of the United States,
held at Boston in 1788, Brigadier-general Josiah Whitney was
sent as a delegate. In the convention of 1820 for the Revision
of the State Constitution, Harvard was represented by Rev
erend Abisha Samson and Thomas Hersey. In the conven
tion of 1853 to Revise and Amend the State Constitution,
Reverend Washington Gilbert represented the town.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
Reverend Joseph Wheeler, Esq., was chosen Register of
Probate for Worcester County in 1776, and served in that
office until his death in 1793. The following were appointed
Deputy Sheriffs: Peter Atherton, 1774-84; Jonathan Sy
monds, 1788-1802; John Hill, 1807-1809; Cyrus Whitney,
1813; Reuben Whitney, 1814-1823; Emory Barnard, 1829-32;
A. A. Jenkins, 1878. Jerome Gardner was County Commis
sioner, 1847-1850.
TOWN OFFICERS.
At the first town-meeting in Harvard twenty-three officials
were created to administer the affairs of the corporation,
under eleven titles : moderator, clerk, treasurer, five select
men, three assessors, two constables, two tithing-men, two
highway surveyors, two fence viewers, two field drivers, and
two hog-reeves. Within five years thereafter these titles
were added : surveyor of flax and hemp, pound-keeper,
sealer of weights and measures, sealer of leather. In 1741
two deer-reeves appear in the list of officials. Two cullers
of staves, shingles, clapboards and hoops were chosen after
1756; two wardens, a surveyor of wheat, and a grave-digger
appear a few years later. In 1790, the election of a school-
committee, composed of one citizen from each district, be
gan. There were fifty town officers in 1800, including one
school committee-man, a highway surveyor and a hog-reeve
foj each of the eight school-districts. The titles were but
sixteen in number, the wardens, deer-reeves, and surveyor of
wheat having been dropped. Several new titles have since

4i8 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
been added, although many of the minor offices, if not dis
continued, are of late left to be filled by appointment of the
selectmen. Of new ones are : collector of taxes, measurers^,
of wood and surveyors of lumber, superseding the old office
of cullers of staves, etc., library committee, dating from 1857,
cemetery committee, dating from 1887, registrar£of voters,
from 1886, fish committee, from 1878, auditor, from 1889.
The selectmen in Harvard have always performed the duties
of overseers of the poor. In 189O the office of highway sur
veyor disappeared and three road commissioners succeeded
to their duties.
The curt registry of municipal acts made by the clerks
need not mislead us into supposing that the business of self-
government in the Massachusetts town was always conducted
with the quiet and brevity of a Quaker meeting. Both
municipal and parish affairs were at first under control of
the taxpayers. Often discussions were protracted, noisy,
embittered by district jealousies, and personal, political or
sectarian feuds. Frequently the presiding officer of the town-
meeting had to put forth all his natural and delegated pow
ers, even to a call upon the constable for assistance, before
he could quell a turbulent broil, or the boilings of factious
spirit. In fact the moderator was commonly selected for his
heroic qualities as well as his knowledge of the rules govern
ing deliberative assemblies. He at times needed a nimble
wit and the voice of Stentor, not less than the judicial cool
ness and sharp decision of Rhadamanthus. It was not un
common for some citizen of slow perception or captious
disposition to jump up after hands were counted to assert that
he did not understand the question. One favorite moderator,
noted like most of his class for stately courtesy, had a voluble
reply always ready for such obstructionists: "The chair
regrets the gentleman's unfortunate lack of understanding,
but he cannot be held responsible for it. The question is
decided in the negative. The next article in the warrant is

The most popular moderators before the opening of the
present century were : Captain Simon Stone, Captain Jona
than Whitney, Peter Atherton, Esq., Israel Taylor, Esq., Cap-

TOWN CLERKS.

419

tain Eleazar Hamlin, Colonel Josiah Whitney, Honorable Jo
seph Stone, Benjamin Kimball, Esq., Captain Aaron Whitney
and Captain Francis Farr; in the present century John Park,
Jerome Gardner, Emory Barnard, Caleb Strong Gerry, Augus
tus Granville Hill, Augustus Jonathan Sawyer and Warren
Herbert Fairbank. TOWN CLERKS.
Peter Atherton was chosen the first clerk of the town, and
recorded the action of the first town-meeting. He was not a
skilled penman, and held the office only eight .months. In
that time a scholar of excellent qualifications became a resi
dent of Harvard and was chosen town-clerk March 5, 1733.
Most of his successors have been legible, and some of them
very neat penmen, and their records are in good preservation.
The names and service of these valuable servants are here
listed : —

Peter Atherton, 1732.
John Martyn, 1733-8.
Thomas Wheeler, 1739-47.
Israel Taylor, 1748-51.
WiUiam Willard, 1752-65.
Phineas Fairbank, 1766-79.
Oliver Whitney, 1777-8.
Richard Harris, 1780-5.
Benjamin Kimball, 1786.
Francis Farr, 1787-1819.
Isaac Whitney, 1820-3.

John Willard, 1732-4.
Thomas Wheeler, 1735,
Joseph Fairbank, 1736-40.
Jonathan Whitney, 1743-54.
William Keyes, 1755.
Israel Taylor, 1756-66.
Joseph Fairbank, Jr., 1767-9.
Nathan Warner, 1770-7.
Phineas Fairbank, 1778.
Joseph Atherton, 1779.
Silas Parkhurst, 1780-2, and 1790-
1B02, and 1806-7.
Joseph Willard, 1783 and 1818-22.

John Priest Whitcomb, 1824-9 and
1831.
Eliakim Atherton Holman, 1830
and 1860-5.
Jerome Gardner, 1832-45.
Reuben Whitcomb, Jr., 1846-53,
and 1856.
Silas W. Holman, 1854-5.
Trumbull Bull, 1857-9.
Hiram Whitney, 1866-79, died.
Wilham Henry Savage, 1879-83.
Abner Barnard, 1884-93.
TREASURERS. James Stone, 1784-6.
Caleb Sawyer, 1787-8.
Francis Farr, 1803-4.
Jonathan Sawyer, 1805 and 1808-17.
Ezra Wetherbee, 1823-4.
Seth Nason, 1825-1834.
Reuben Whitcomb, Sen., 1834-46.
Asa Daby, 1847-79,
Caleb Strong Gerry, 1880-5.
Andrew Fairbank, 1885-6.
Eli W. Hosmer, 1887, '9-90.
Harvey Melville Whitney, 1888.
Philip O. Dickson, 1891-3.

420

HISTORY OF HARVARD.
ASSESSORS.

The Board of Assessors has always been composed of
three. In 1736, 1737 and 1739 the selectmen were the asses
sors.

Samuel Warner, 1732.
Eleazar Davis, 1732, '3, '5, and '42-7.
Lt. Peter Atherton, 1732, '4, '8, '40-2,
'4, '5. '6, '9, '50, ' I '3, '7, '8, '60.
John Martyn, Esq., 1733, '4, '5, '41.
Thomas Wheeler, 1733-5, '40-2.
John Atherton, 1738.
Jonathan Whitney, 1738.
Israel Taylor, 1 740-1, '3-50, 'i, '3, '4,
'7, '60.
Ebenezer Davis, 1743.
Phineas Fairbank, 1747, '8, '50, 'i, '4,
'5, '6, '9, '60-4, '6, '9, '70.
Dea. John Laughton, 1748, '9.
Richard Harris, 1752.
Joseph Fairbank, Jr., 1752, '3, '6, 7,
'8, '71, '2, '5, '6.
Wilham Keyes, 1754, '5.
William Willard, 1755.
Simon Daby, 1756, '8, '76, '77.
Isaac Foster, 1756.
Lemuel Willard, 1757-9, '61-5, '7, '8,
'g, '70, 'i, '2.
Jeremiah Laughton, 1759, '61-5, "70,
'3. '4, '5.
Jonathan Whitney, Jr., 1765, '6, '7,
'8,'g.
Joseph Wheeler, 1771, '3.
Phineas Willard, Jr., 1772, '3, '5, '6,
'7, '8, '88, '9.
Isaac Gates, 1774.
Ohver Whitney, 1774.
Jacob Robbins, 1777.
Silas Parkhurst, 1778, '9, 'gi.
Ephraim Davis, 1778, 'g, '80-4.
John Munroe, 1779, '80, 'i, '2, 3, '6, '7.
Francis Farr, 1780, '5, '6, '7, '8, '9, '90,
'9, 1801 to 1818.
Peleg Crooker, 1781, '2.
Nathaniel Longley, 1783, '4.

Abraham Whitney, Jr., I7g4, 98.
Benjamin Kimball, 1785, '9, '90-97,
'9, i8o2, '3, '4, '6. '8, '11, '12, '20,
'21, '22.
Josiah Willard, 1785, '6, 'go-8.
Ward Safford, 1787, '8, 1801.
Thomas Park, 1792-7, 1805.
Phineas Sawyer, Jr., 1798.
Joseph Willard, Jr., 1799.
Josiah Willard, 1801-4.
Joseph Henney, 1801.
Lemuel Willard, 1805, '7.
Jonathan Symonds, 1805, '7, '9.
Flint Davis, 1806.
Leonard Edgarton, 1807, '31.
Philemon Atherton, 1808, '13, '14,
'17, '18, '19-22.
Ellis Harlow, 1809.
Jacob Robbins, 1809.
Reuben Whitcomb, 1810-13.
Jonathan Sawyer, 1810, '11, '14-17.
William Park, 2d, 1814, '15, '23-28.
Stevens Hayward, 1816,
Isaac Whitney, 1818, 'g-22.
Ephraim Warner, 1823-28,
Jonathan Wetherbee, 1823-28.
Daniel Robbins, Jr., 1829-31, '4-7,
'41-2.
Shadrach Hapgood, 1829-31.
John P. Whitcomb, 1829.
Calvin Haskell, 1830-1.
Jonathan Fairbank, Jr., i832,'3,'44,'5.
Nathan Willard, 1832-7.
Wilham B. Willard, 1832.
George Gerry, 1833, '46-9, -51-3.
John Park, 1834-6.
Cephas Houghton, 1837-40, '43, '50.
Jerome Gardner, 1838-40.
Nathaniel Stacy, 1838.
Benjamin K. Park. 1839, '40.

SELECTMEN.

421

Luther Farwell, 1841.
Emory Barnard, 1841-2, '4-7, '50-6,
'60, 'i.
Ephraim S. Willard, 1842, '5, 7.
Levi Willard, 1843.
Rowland Willard, 1843, 4.
Thomas Cummings, 1846, '64-8,'75-9.
Isaac N. Stone, 1848, '9, '56-8.
Wilham K. Harrod, 1848-50, '57-g:
'6g, '70.
John Hapgood, Jr., 1851-3, '6-9.
Zimri Whitney, 1854, '5.
Luke Sawyer, 1854.
Trumbull Bull, 1855.
Samuel F. Whitney, 1859.
John Farwell, 1860-3.

Samuel Bacon, 1860-1.
Augustus J. Sawyer, 1862-70.
H. F. Davis, 1862-4.
Alonzo Willard, 1865-70.
Charles H. Haskell, 1867.
Luke Whitney, 1870-4.
I. Jonathan C.Richmond, 1871-75, '80.
Sherman Fletcher, 187 1-4.
Harry M. Whitney, 1875, '6, '8, 'gto
'84, and '86-g3.
Frederick A. Willard, 1876, '7.
Ephraim W. Houghton, 1877 to '85.
Elisha D. Stone, 1881-92.
Charles C. Maynard, 1885-8.
Warren H. Fairbank, 1889-93.
Alfred A. Sawyer, 1893.

SELECTMEN.
For many years the selectmen were five in number, but the
board usually has consisted of three : —

Hezekiah Willard, 1732-3, 'g.
Capt. Simon Stone, 1732, '5, '6, '8, 'g,
'40, '6.
Capt. Jonathan Whitney, 1732, '6,
'8-41, '3-5, '8-51, '3-6, '9, '60.
Thomas Wheeler, 1732, '3, '5, '7, '9,
'40, '43.
Gabriel Priest, 1732.
Eleazar Robbins, 1733, '7.
Dea. Joseph Fairbanks, 1733, '5, '43,
'5-52.
John Willard, 1733.
John Daby, 1734, '8, '43.
Joseph Hutchins, 1734, '5.
Jonathan Sawyer, 1734.
Jonathan Farnsworth, 1734, '52.
John Martyn, Esq., 1734-8, '41.
Ens. Joseph Atherton, 1735.
Ens. Jacob Gates, 1736, '7, '40, 'i, '7,
'8, '50, '3, '7-60.
John Warner, 1736.
Caleb Sawyer, 1737.
Ens. Henry Willard, 1738, '41, '4. '9-
'56-8.

Lt. Peter Atherton, 1739-41, '4-8,
'5i.'3-5. '58, '9, '61-4.
Daniel Peirce, 1743, '4.
Eleazar Davis, 1744, '5, '6, '54, '8.
Israel Taylor, 1745, '6, '7, '50, 'l, '3,
'5, '7-63, '5, '6, '9, '73.
Shadrach Hapgood, 1747, 9, '54, '5,
'63, '4-
Dea. Joseph Haskell, 1748.
Dea. John Laughton, 1749.
Ebenezer Davis, 1750.
Jonas Whitney, 1751, '86.
James Whitcomb, 1752, '7, '61-4.
Capt. Samuel Haskell, 1752, '60, '6.
Jonathan Gates, 1752.
Judah Clark, 1753, '61, '2, '4, '5.
Elijah Whitney, 1754.
Seth SaWyer, 1755.
Nathan Warner, 1756, 'g, '64, '6.
Samuel Fellows, 1756.
Oliver Stone, 1756.
Phineas Fairbank, 1757, '61, '2, '5,
73-6, '9.
Nathaniel Whittemore, 1761.
Benjamin Lawrence, 1763.

422

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

John Priest, 1765, 6, '70, 'i, '91, '2, '3.
Dea. Lemuel Willard, 1765, '6, '9,
'70-4.
Simon Whitney, 1767, '8.
Tarbel Willard, 1767, '8.
Benjamin Barnard, 1767, '8.
Joseph Wetherbee, 1767, '8, '78.
Ens. Jason Russell, 1767, '8.
Capt. Joseph Fairbank, Jr., 1769,
¦72. '7.
Samuel Mead, 1769, '71, '2.
John Farwell, i76g, '70, '2, '3.
Joseph Willard, 1770, '8, 'g, '80.
Nathaniel Farnsworth, 1770, '2, '93,
'4, '9.
William Burt, 177 1, '4, '5, '8, '9, '80.
Isaac Gates, 1771.
Oliver Atherton, 1773.
Oliver Whitney, 1773-7, '85, '95-7.-
Phineas Farnsworth, 1774.
Joseph Atherton, 1775, '6, '7, '88-90.
Jonathan Reed, 1775.
Samuel Hill, 1776.
Isaiah Whitney, 1776, '8ii '95.
Simon Daby, 1777.
Joseph Farnsworth, 1777.
Caleb Sawyer, 1778, '9, '80, '7. '8,
'95-8.
Richard Harris, 1778, '9, '80, 'i, '3, '4,'
'5. '94-7.
James Hill, 1780, 'i.
Amos Fairbank, 1781, 'g, 'go.
Wilham Park, 1781.
Ward Safford, 1781, 1801, '4, '5, '6.
Ephraim Davis, 1782.
John Houghton, 1782.
Thaddeus Pollard, 1782, '92, '3, '4.
Eleazar Hamhn, 1782.
Josiah Whitney, 1783, '4, '7, '8, '9.
Micah Stone, 1783. '4.
Jabez Keep, 1783, '4.
John Darby, 1783, '4, '7.
James Haskell, 1785, '90, '5.
Phineas Warner, 1785.
Jonathan Wetherbee, 1785, '6, 7,
'90, l8o6-g, 1821-5.

Benjamin Kimball, 1786, '9, 'go,
1800, '4, '5, '6, 'II, '12, '13.
Josiah Haskell, 1786, '96, 7, '8, 1800,
'4, '5-
Israel Whitney, 1786.
Josiah Willard, I787,"'9i, '8.
Samuel Hill, 1788.
Thomas Park, 1788, 'g, 'g8, 'g, 1800.
Joseph Stone, 1791, '2, '3.
Isaac Whitney, 1791, '2, '3.
Shadrach Hapgood, i79i;'2, 1821-5.
Richard Goldsmith, I7g4.
Philemon Priest, 1796, '7.
Francis Farr, 1798, 'g, 1802, '4, '5, '6,
'11-13.
Richard Whitney, 1799, 1800.
Jacob Robbins, 1799, 1803, '14.
Phineas Sawyer, 1800.
Joseph Willard, 1801, '3, '7, '8, '9,
'11-14, '18-20.
Jonathan Symonds, 1801, '6, '7, 10.
Jacob Priest, 1801.
Reuben Whitney, 1801, '4, '5, '31.
Solomon Taylor, 1802.
Jacob Haskell, 1802, '15. '16, 17.
Jonathan Sawyer, 1802, '8, 'g, '14, '15.
Isaiah Davis, 1802.
Reuben Whitcomb, 1803, '7-15.
Cyrus Whitney, 1803, '10.
John Hapgood, 1803, '18.
Lemuel Willard, 1807.
James Whitney, 1808, '9.
Jonathan Beard. 1810, '13.
Aaron Whitney, Jr., 1810, 'ig, '20-4.
Jonathan Fairbank, rSio.
Stevens Hayward, 1814-16.
WilUam Park, 2d, 181 5, '16, '17.
Abner Pollard, 1816, 17,
Ephraim Warner, 1816, '17, 'ig, '20.
Isaac Whitney, Jr., 1817, 'ig, '20.
Philemon Atherton, 1817, 'ig, '20.
Ezra K. Beard, 1818.
Joel Bowers, i8i8. /i^
Theodore Goldsmith, 1821-2.
Calvin Haskell, 1821-4.
Luther Farwell, 1823-8.
Cephas Houghton, 1825-8,

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

423

Jabez Hapgood, 1825-6.
Jonathan Willard, 1826.
John Park, 1826, '7, '8, '31.
Nathan Willard, 1827, '8, '9.
John P. Whitcomb, 1827, '8, '45-66.
Jerome Gardner, 1829, '30, '55-6.
John Blanchard, 1829, '30, 31, '59-71.
Ebenezer Willard, i82g, '30, '47-50.
Charles Atherton, i82g.
William Lewis, 1830.
George Gerry, 1830, '2.
Abel Whitcomb, 1831.-
Levi Willard, 1832-6.
William K. Harrod, 1832-4, '5g-63.
Luke Sawyer, 1833.
Ellis Harlow, 1831, '34-9, '50.
Joseph Carter, 1835-6.
Aaron Whitney, 1837-9, '43.
Asa Daby, 1837-42 and '44-47.
Samviel Bacon, 1837-39.
Daniel Robbins, 1840-2.
Daniel Hartwell, 1840-1.
Thomas Cummings, 1842.
Reuben Whitcomb, 1843-4.
Andrew Gardner, 1843-5
Peter D. Conant, 1846.
Silas W. Holman, 1848-51.

and

-72.

Gideon C. Noble, 1851, '2.
James L. Whitney, 1851-3.
Caleb S. Gerry, 1852, '63-75.
Emory Barnard, 1853, '4.
William B. Willard, 1853, '4.
Phineas H. Harlow, 1854-8.
John Farwell, 1854.
Dr. Eliakim A. Holman, 1855-62.
Andrew Farwell, 1857, '8.
Andrew Fairbank, 1864-7,
'75-82.
Jonathan C. Richmond, 186
J. William Bacon, 1872, '3.
Augustus Jona. Sawyer, 1872.
George L. Sawyer, 1873, '79-84.
George H. Fletcher, 1874.
Hiram Whitney, 1874-9.
Elisha D. Stone, 1876-8.
Edward Warren Houghton, 1879-82.
Charles M. Hosmer, 1883.
Stowell W. Davis, 1883-88.
Warren H. Fairbank, 1884-6.
Alfred A. Sawyer, 1885-go.
Mark A. Farnsworth, 1887-93.
Ephraim W. Houghton, 1889-93.
John H. Davis. 1891-93.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
The citizens of Harvard requiring the services of a mag
istrate were for several years dependent upon those of the
adjoining towns. The following have been resident justices,
the years of their first appointment only being given: —
Francis Farr.
Stevens Hayward.
Isaac Whitney.
Jacob Haskell.
John Park.
Jerome Gardner.
Abel Whitney.
Augustus Granville Hill.
John Priest Whitcomb.
Benjamin Stow Farnsworth.
Emory Barnard.
Eliakim A. Holman, M. D.

1738-

John Martyn.

1814.

1745.

Peter Atherton.

1818.

1767.

Henry Bromfield.

1821.

1768.

Israel Taylor.

1822.

1776.

Joseph Wheeler.

1827.

1782,

Brig,-Gen. Josiah Whitney.

1833.

1794.

Benjamin Kimball.

1837.

1802.

John Mycall.

1840.

i8og.

Joseph Stone.

1842.

1811.

Alexander Dustin.

1845.

¦¦

Joel Harris.

1845.

1812.

Jonathan Symonds.

1849.

424

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1850. 1853.
1854. 1856.1867.

1872.

Ephraim Abbott. 1974.
Ellis Harlow.
Noah Warner. 1879.
Reuben Whitcomb, Jr. 1880.
William Bowles Willard. 1882.
Samuel Fletcher Whitney. "
Samuel Greeley Clarke. 1883.
Augustus Jona. Sawyer. 1884.
Edwin Alonzo Hildreth. 1886.
Trumbull Bull. 1888.
Asa Dunbar Farnsworth. 1889.
Enoch Perkins.

John Quincy Adams McCol-
lister, M. D.
Andrew Patch.
Caleb Strong Gerry.
Warren Herbert Fairbank.
William Henry Savage.
Stanley Barbour Hildreth.
Silas H. Stuart.
Martin Howard.
Mark Antony Farnsworth.
Charles Philemon Atherton

ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW.
Alexander Dustin, graduate of Dartmouth College, i79g, A.M.;
resident in Harvard until 1811, when he removed to Sterhng and West
minster. Died 1837, aged sixty years. He claimed direct descent from
Hannah Dustin, famous in the story of Indian warfare.
Joel Harris, native of Harvard, graduate of Dartmouth College,
1804; died in Harvard December 2, 1817. See native graduates on later
page. Harrison Gray Harris, brother of Joel, born in Harvard July
2, 1790, studied law with his brother for a time here. He became a dis
tinguished lawyer at Warner, New Hampshire.
Merrick Rice, graduate of Harvard College, 1785, A.M.; a native of
Brookfield; established an office in Lancaster two years after graduation.
Having accumulated about twenty thousand dollars, a fortune in that day,
he built a mansion considered the finest in the town. The lady whom he
hoped would become its mistress was not won by its grandeur, however,
and Mr. Rice was never married. He sold the house, removed to Har
vard in 1814, and in August, 1819, while on a journey, died at Pittsfield.
Ephraim Hinds, graduate of Harvard College, 1805; born in Shrews
bury, 1780; established an office in Harvard 1820, having previously prac
ticed in Athol and Barre. He removed to Marlborough in 1834, and died
at West Boylston, June 18, 1858.
Austin Denny, graduate of Yale College, 1814, A.M., 1822; son of
Daniel, born in Worcester December 31, I7g5; studied in office of Hon.
Nathaniel Paine; resident in Harvard 1817-ig; removed to Worcester
and became editor of the Massachusetts Spy, etc.; died July i, 1830.
Abel Whitney, graduate of Williams College, 1813: born in Harvard
February 17, 1786, son of Aaron and Sarah; died May 30, 1853. After
twenty years' experience as a teacher, chiefly in Boston, he began the
practice of law in Harvard about 1837. He purchased the estate now
held by Dr. Herbert B. Royal, where he resided. His son Giles Henry
Whitney, a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1837, was for a
time associated with him, but removed to Templeton in 1846, and thence
to Winchendon in 1855, where he died January 12, 1888, one of the most
trusted citizens of that town.

PHYSICIANS.

425

Isaac Gates, graduate of Harvard College, 1802; died at the age of
seventy-five years, Novemberg, 1852, in Harvard, his birthplace, to which
he returned to spend the closing years of life, having practiced his pro
fession at Concord, New Hampshire, Brunswick, Maine, and Lynn. He
was an uncompromising Federalist, obstinate and self-asserting. This
and his advanced years prevented his gaining any JDrominence in town
councils, although in intellectual force he had no superior among his
townsmen. Henry Bromfield PearsoJj, A.M., graduate of Harvard College,
1816; born at Andover, the son of Professor Eliphalet Pearson, L.L.D.;
died in Boston, June 29, 1867. Mr. Pearson married Elizabeth McFar
land in 1841, and thereafter generally resided at Harvard in the Brom
field mansion until its destruction by fire in 1855.
Samuel Greeley Clarke, resident at Harvard from May, 1865, to
-April, 1870; graduate of Harvard College, 1851. Mr. Clarke was the
eldest son of Captain John Clarke, born at Pittsfield, N. H., June 17, 1827.
He was fitted for college at Phillips' Exeter Academy, and after gradu
ating — the first scholar in his class — studied law in the office of Daniel
Webster and John P. Healey. A retentive memory aided by extended
foreign travel gave him command of several languages and an exhaust
less fund of information. Thus richly endowed with intellectual gifts,
his genial disposition attracted troops of friends. He rendered valuable
service to Harvard upon the school and library committees, and his loss
was greatly regretted in social circles. He died at Bristol, R. I., April
19, 1887.
Salmon Whitney, son of Justin and Mary Cushing (Cotton), born in
Harvard, March 4, 1833; studied law in Lowell and at Harvard Law
School; was admitted to the Bar in i860, and opened an office at Groton
Junction, now Ayer. He served in the Sixth and Fifty-third Massachu
setts Infantry, and died at Leominster July 26, 1864.
PHYSICIANS.
Harvard at the date of its incorporation, and for several
years after, had no medical practitioner resident within her
limits. In every garret were hung bunches of dried boneset,
sarsaparilla and sundry mints; in the gardens were cultivated
mustard, rue, wormwood, saffron, tansy and fennel. Certain
good-wives reputed skilful as nurses, and wise in the occult
properties of roots and herbs, were consulted in cases of or
dinary family ailments, especially in those of children, and in
midwifery; and no doubt the minister sometimes gave drastic
doses of drugs, as well as of theology, to the sick. If a case
of surgery or fever got beyond such curative agencies, some
one galloped over to Lancaster to summon Dr. John Duns-

426 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
moor, or to Bolton after Doctor Daniel Greenleaf — two young
men who had recently begun to trot about the highways and
'by-ways of the region, their saddlebags loaded with aloes,
jalap, rhubarb and calomel. Their heroic doses, blistering
and bleeding, usually eliminated disease, or patient, without
tiresome delay.
Phillip Fowler was the physician earliest mentioned in the town
records, During the epidemic of 1746, he lost two young children. He
owned lands in the Old Mill district, bought of Justinian Holden, which
he sold in 1754, being then called of Groton.
John Taylor was married to Mary Bowker of Harvard in 1756. In
1759 and 1760 he served as surgeon of Colonel Abijah Willard's regiment
in the campaigns against Canada. His wife died in Harvard, 1764, and
probably not many years later he removed to Lunenburg, where he soon
became a controlling spirit in town affairs. His ardent patriotism and
forensic talents made him prominent in the Provincial Congresses. Be
fore the close of the Revolution he left Lunenburg, and for some time
lived in Pomfret, Connecticut. Reckless land speculations in Maine in
volved him in litigation, and destroyed the happiness of his later years.
He died at Dudley, Massachusetts, of an over-dose of laudanum, April
27, 1794, aged sixty years.
Israel Atherton, born at Still River in 1740, was graduated at Har
vard College in 1762, and began the practice of medicine at Lancaster
not long after, having studied his profession with the famous Doctor Ed
ward Holyoke of Salem. He won a wide reputation, and had an exten
sive clientage in Harvard.
Peter Green, son of Peter and Abigail, born in Lancaster October i,
1745, a Harvard graduate of 1766, was a sojourner in Harvard, and buried
his wife therein 1770. He died in Concord, March 31, 1828.
Nathaniel Martyn was of Harvard in 1765, when he married Mrs.
Anna Townsend of Bolton, and lost a child there the following year; but
no evidence of his extended residence in the town is found. Probably
son of John and Mary.
John Cleverly was a prominent physician in Harvard for about
twenty years. He was of Concord in 1763, of Braintree in 1767, and prob
ably came from the last town to Harvard during the Revolution; the
town-records give the death of a child here in 1778, and that of his wife
in 1780. He bought the William Buttrick farm in North Still River, and
other lands; in 1785 built a house "near the Baptist meeting-house," but
removed to a farm in the north part of Lancaster in the summer of 1795.
Moses Barnard, born in Harvard, the son of Benjamin, May 7, i74g,
was a graduate of Harvard College, A.M., 1773. The date and place of his
death are unknown. He was surgeon's mate in Colonel Asa Whitcomb's
regiment during the siege of Boston.
Isaiah Parker, son of Aaron, born in Westford, November 13, 1752,

PHYSICIANS. 427
was the first pastor of the Baptist Society at Still River. He studied for
the medical profession under Dr. Thomas Green of Leicester, and prob
ably began practice in Harvard in 1772 dr 1773. During the Revolution
and later he acted as surgeon in the militia. He removed to Cavendish,
Vermont, about 1806, and died there January 16, 1848. His son Samuel
Stilman, born in Harvard, 1776, was also a physician; he died in Michigan
in 1811. Elias Willard, born in Harvard, the son of Lemuel, January 7,
1756; was an assistant surgeon in the Continental Army during the Rev
olution. He married in Albany and died there.
Daniel Robbins, oldest son of Jacob and Anna (Whitcomb), born in
Harvard, October 12, 1758; settledin Boxborough, and married Elizabeth
Townsend. Ephraim Munroe married Mercy Atherton January I2, 1778, and died
in Harvard December 8, 1795, aged fifty years.
Thomas Kittredge, son of Jacob and Rebecca, born in Brookfield,
March 7, 1784; married Olive Derby May 14, 1809; died in Harvard Sep
tember 4, 1809.
Dr. Paul Kittredge is named in records, 1813, as a local physician.
Samuel Young, M.M.S.S., born in Athol August 12, 1782, son of Lt.
Samuel and Lois (Sanderson) Young. Dr. Young was a graduate of
Williams College, 1804, and practiced in Athol and Lowell before coming
to Harvard. He lived for about thirty years in a house yet standing
upon the east side of the common, where he died March 30, 1845. One of
his legs being much shorter than the other, he walked with a cane. He
was the last of the old-style doctors, paying his visits on horseback, his
stock of medicines borne in saddlebags before him.
Ephraim Stone, M.M.S.S., born at Ashburnham, December, 1770, was
a direct descendant from Deacon Simon Stone of Harvard. He began
the practice of his profession near the close of the last century, at Still
River. There he resided until 1840, when infirmities incident to his
years prevented active labor, and having acquired a competence he re
moved to Boston to enjoy it. He died June 26, i860.
Eliakim Atherton Holman, M.M.S.S., born in Bolton, April 20,
I79g, the son of Silas and Elizabeth (Atherton) Holman; graduate of Bow
doin Medical School in 1826; married Lucinda Whitcomb Sept. ig, 1827;
died at Harvard January 22, i86g. He resided near the south-east corner
of the common.
Augustus Robbins, M.M.S.S., son of Jacob and Olive (Willard) Rob
bins, born in Harvard, October 17, 1805; graduate of Harvard Medical
School, 1832. He removed from Harvard to Holden in 1842, and went
thence to Brooklyn, New York, about 1850, and died there September 13,
1855. William Stone came to Still River from Wellfleet. He died here
May 20, 1843, within a few months of his coming. He was born at Enfield,
December 14, 1784.
Levi Howard, Jr., M.M.S.S., born in Bolton near Still River, May 26,
28

428 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
1820; graduate of Dartmouth Medical School, 1846; practiced in Harvard
1846-1851, when he removed to Chelmsford, and there died Feb. 24, 1885.
Ebenezer Willis, M.M.S.S., was in Harvard 1845-1850, when he re
moved to Groton Junction. He was the son of John and Nancy (Sprig-
gins) Wilhs, born at Newmarket, N. H., January 26, 1815, and died at Ayer
May 10, 1890.
Floyer Galen Kittredge, M.M.S.S., graduate of Harvard Medical
School, 1845; assistant surgeon 31st Massachusetts Infantry rn Rebellion;
died at Peabody, Mass., June i, 1878, aged fifty-eight years.
Gideon Cadwell Noble, M.D., 1829, born at Norfolk, Connecticut,,
the son of Matthew and Hadassah (Tucker) Noble, June 6, 1803; moved
to Harvard from Fitchburg in 1844, and became a farmer; removed to
Hudson 1868: died in Waltham, September 6, 1879. Representative from
Harvard 1852.
Lemuel Fuller, M.M.S.S., son of Dr. Lemuel and Mary (Shepherd)
Fuller, born in Marlborough, April 2, 181 1 ; graduate of Vermont Medical
College at Woodstock, 1841; resided in Still River; removed from Still
River to Groton 1847, whence, after about three years' residence, he re
moved to Milton and thence to North Weymouth. Being on a visit to
Harvard, he died there February 11, 1864, aged fifty-one years.
John O. Dow, M.M.S.S., born in Lyndon, Vermont, April 25, 1822;
graduate of Castleton Medical College, Vermont, 1846; residence of Har
vard 1846-1871. Now a much respected practitioner in Reading.
Jonathan Newell, A.M., M.M.'S.S.,born in Stow, but came to Har
vard about 1852, but died February 8, 1868, aged eighty-four years; a
graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1805.
George Marshall Howe, M.M.S.S., son of Buckley and Sarah
Howe of Sudbury, born July 2, 1824; graduate of Harvard Medical
School 1854. In Harvard, 1855-1863; married Harriet M. Howe of Pep
perell, January 17, 1855, and had four children; removed to Framingham
and there died in 1882.
John Quincy Adams McCollester, M.M.S.S., resident in the Old
Mill district 1869-1880, removing here from Groton Junction; born in
Marlborough, New Hampshire, son of Silas and Achsah (Holman) Mc
Collester, May 3, 1831; graduate at Norwich University in class of 1853;
A.M., 1856; M.D. at Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, 1856; dur
ing the Rebellion, surgeon of the Fifty-third Regiment, Massachusetts
Volunteer Infantry; returned to Ayer, 1880, and thence moved to Wal
tham, where he now resides.
Jacob Sawyer Eaton, M.M.S.S., youngest son of John and Mary
(Kimball) Eaton, born in Warner, New Hampshire, January 4, 1805; died
in Harvard, September 5, 1888. He studied medicine whh Dr. Buswell
of Warner, and attended lectures at the Hanover and Philadelphia Med
ical Schools. He began practice at Alexandria, New Hampshire, but
soon removed to the adjoining town of Bristol, where he remained twen
ty-four years. In 1855 he removed to Stow, thence to South Deerfield
and finally to Harvard. He was twice married, his first wife being Mrs.

COLLEGE GRADUATES. 429
Harriet B. Kimball, who died at Bristol, December 5, 1837; his second.
Alma Ellery Tyler of Harvard, married September 20, 1849.
Joseph H. Robinson came to Harvard from Littleton in January,
1872, and removed to Worcester in June, 1884. He was born in Stoning-
ton, Connecticut, January 28 1840; graduated at the University of New
York City, 1863, and was acting assistant surgeon U. S. A. for two years.
He is now in successful- practice at Worcester.
Ebenezer M. Perkins succeeded Dr. Robinson in 1884. He was
born in North Brookfield, January 28, 1853; practiced in Sterling, and was
an assistant physician at the Worcester Lunatic Asylum previously. He
removed to Enfield in 1888.
Herbert Benjamin Royal, M.M.S.S., graduate of Bowdoin Medical
School, 1887. Dr. Royal was born at Foxcroft, Maine, the son of Josiah
P. and Susan M. (Garland) Royal, September 24, i860. He came to Har
vard from Lowell in July, 1888, and was married to Alma Tyler Eaton,
daughter of Dr. J. S. Eaton, June i, 1889.
Shadrach Mellen Cate, a homoeopathic physician, came to Har
vard from Salem in the summer of 1889. Dr. Cate is a native of Loudon,
New Hampshire, born October 24, 1823. He received his medical educa
tion in -the Western Homeopathic Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio,
graduating in 1854. His medical experience includes three years' prac
tice at Loudon, N. H., ten years at Augusta, Maine, and twenty at Salem,
Massachusetts.
A List of Graduates from Collegiate and Professional
Schools who were Natives of Harvard, or Residents of
THE Town 'at Graduation.
Joshua Atherton, A.M., 1762, Harvard College; born June 20, 1737,
son of Peter and Experience (Wright) Atherton. He intended to be a
farmer, but being crippled by illness he fitted for college with Rev. Tim
othy Harrington of Lancaster, and after graduation studied law with
Abel Willard, Esq., of Lancaster and James Putnam, Esq., of Worcester.
He was admitted to the bar in 1765, and practiced at first in Petersham,
but soon removed to Amherst, N. H. He served in house and senate of
the New Hampshire legislature, and became attorney-general in 1793.
He died at Amherst, April 3, 1809.
Israel Atherton, A.M., 1762; Harvard College; brother of the pre
ceding, born 1740, and married Mrs. Rebecca (Stevens) Prentice, Sept. 6,
1772. He became a widely known and esteemed physician at Lancaster,
and died of palsy July 20, 1822.
Moses Barnard, A.B., 1773; A.M., Harvard College; son of Benja
min and Lucy, born May 7, 1749. He was a physician; the date and
place of his death are unknown.
Samuel Mead, A.B., .1787; A.M., Harvard College; son of Samuel
and Hannah, born May 30, 1761. He was a minister at Alstead, N. H.,
Danvers and Amesbury, and died at Walpole, N. H., March 20, 1832. He
was an able though eccentric man; several of his sermons were printed.

430

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Ebenezer Grosvenor, Jr., entered Harvard College 1784; son of
Rev. Ebenezer and Ehzabeth Grosvenor, born 1768 at Scituate; died at
Harvard, May 15, 1788.
Benjamin Haskell, A.B., 1789; A.M., Harvard College; M.B., 1793;
M.D., 181 1 ; born in Harvard, February 23, 1764; died 1829, it is said, in
Paris. John Harris, A.M., I7gi, Harvard College; born Oct. 13, i76g, son of
Deacon Richard, Jr., and Lydia (Atherton) Harris. He studied law with
Hon. Simon Strong of Amherst and Hon. Timothy Bigelow of Groton;
admitted to the bar at Hopkinton, N. H., I7g4; judge of probate for Hills
borough Co. 1812-1823, and of Merrimack Co. 1823-1843; trustee of
Dartmouth College; appointed associate justice of supreme court of New
Hampshire 1846, when he declined the office; but accepted it when again
appointed, and served 1823-1833; died April 23, 1845, at Hopkinton. N. H.
He married Mary Poor, September i, I7gg, by whom he had a son,
George, and three daughters. He early became a prominent member of
the Masonic fraternity, and attained the highest honors that body can
confer. Isaac Gates, A.B., 1802, Harvard College; born in Harvard, May 7,
1777, son of Isaac and Submit (Lawrence) Gates; practiced law in Con
cord, N. H., Brunswick, Me., Lynn and Harvard; died in Harvard, No
vember g, 1852. His brother Jacob entered college, but did not graduate.
Joel Harris, A.B., 1804; Dartmouth, A.M.; brother of John; born in
Harvard, September 24, 1782. He studied law with John Harris and be
gan practice at Hopkinton, N. H., 1807, but removed to Harvard i8og,
and there died December 2, 1817. He married Mary Blood of Bolton,
September 20, 1808. His office was at the eastern corner of Harvard
common. Samuel Scollay, A.B., 1808, Harvard College; born in Harvard,
January 21, 1781; son of Grover and Rebecca (Harris) Scollay; cousin of
the Harrises above; M.D., 1816, University of Pennsylvania; died Janu
ary II, 1857, in Smithfield, Va.
George Kimball, A.B., 1809, Dartmouth; son of Esquire Benjamin
and Nancy (Wilder) Kinjball, born in Harvard, May 18, 1783; a lawyer.
Abel Whitney, A.B., Wilhams College, 1813: son of Aaron and
Sarah (Pollard) Whitney, born in Harvard, February 17, 1786. He was
a noted schoolmaster of the old-fashioned type, stalwart and stern. He
taught a classical school for several years in Lancaster and for a much
longer period in Boston. Studying law late in life, he returned to his na
tive town about 1837 with a competence, and died May 30, 1853.
Richard Farwell, A.B., 1817, Harvard College, A.M.; born in Fitch
burg, July 23, 1789, but taken to Harvard when an infant; a lawyer in
Dubuque, Iowa; died at Marlborough, Mass., February 20, 1853.
Jonathan Farr, A.B., 1818, Harvard College, A.M., 1824; Harvard
Divinity School, 1821; Unitarian minister at Gardner, Mass., etc.; born
in Harvard, son of Francis and Sarah (Laughton) Farr, Sept. 20, 1790;

COLLEGE GRADUATES.

431

died in Harvard, June 3, 1844. He was a voluminous writer upon rehgi
ous themes.
Alonzo Hill, A.B., 1822, Harvard College, A.M., S.T.D., 1851; Har
vard Divinity School, 1826; born in Harvard, the son of Ohver and Molly
(Goldsmith) Hill, June 20, 1800; fitted for college with Rev. Stephen
Bemis; minister of Unitarian Parish at Worcester, where he died Febru
ary I, 1871.
Caleb Stetson, A.B., 1822, Harvard College, A.M., Harvard Divinity
School, 1827; born at Kingston, Mass., in I7g3, son of Thomas. The
family moved to Harvard, and while there Caleb was fitted for college at
Andover; minister at Medford, South Scituate and Lexington; died at
Lexington, May 17, 1870.
George Haskell, A.B., 1857, as of the class of ;i827;iDartmouth
College, M.D., 1827; son of Samuel and Ruth (Safford) Haskell, born in
Harvard, March 23, 1799, but removed to Waterford, Maine, in 1803; a
physician at Rockford, Illinois, etc.; died 1876.
Noah Warner, A. B., 1827, Brown University; born in Harvard, the
son of Calvin and Anna (Houghton) Warner, February 15, 1800; a teacher,
surveyor, farmer, student, and a man of scholarly tastes and accomplish
ments; died at Harvard, February 4, 1873.
John Whitney, A. B., 1831, Amherst College; Andover Theological
Seminary, 1834; born in Harvard, September i, 1803; son of Salmon and
Hepsibeth Whitney; minister three years at Boxford, twenty years at
Waltham, ten years at Canaan, N. Y. : died at Newton Centre, May 31,
1879. Augustus Robbins, M. D., 1832, Harvard Medical School; born in
Harvard, October 17, 1805; son of Jacob and Olive Robbins; died at
Brooklyn, N. Y., September 13, 1855.
George Whitefield Samson, A. B., 1839, Brown University, D. D.;
Newton Theological Institute, 1843; horn at Still River, son of Rev. Abi
sha and Mehitable Samson, September 29, 1819; a Baptist minister at
Jamaica Plain, Washington, D. C, Harlem, N. Y., etc.; President of Co
lumbia College, Washington, and of Rutger's Female College, N. Y.; a
voluminous author.
John Barstow Willard, A. B., 1842, Brown University; born in New
York city, April i, 1822, the son of Luther and Mary (Davis) Willard, but
removed to Harvard when quite young; studied law but did not enter the
profession; studied theology with Reverend Washington Gilbert, and or
dained at Westford in 1848; minister at Barnstable, Norton and Lunen
burg; of late years resident at Harvard.
Benjamin West Ball, A. B., 1842, (1886) Dartmouth College; born
at Concord in 1823, son of Benjamin; a journalist and poet, resident of
Rochester, New Hampshire. His father and family lived at Harvard for
ten or more years, during which time Benjamin was educated at the
academy in Groton, and Dartmouth College.
George Elisha Fisher, A. B., 1846, Amherst College; Andover
Theological Seminary, 1849; born in Harvard, the son of Rev. George

432

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

and Mary H. Fisher, January 22, 1823; minister at Rutland, Amherst,
Mason Village, N. H., Ashburnham, South Hadley Falls, etc.
Andrew Jackson Willard, A. B., Yale, 1853; Yale Theological
Seminary, 1856; M. D.Vermont, 1877; born in Harvard, the son of Nehe
miah B. and Hannah Willard, March 19, 1832. Resident at Burlington,
Vermont. Henry L. Warner, A. B., 1859, Union College, Schenectady, N. Y.;
admitted to the bar as attorney, i860; Mayor of Sioux City, Iowa; now
President of the National Bank of Sioux City. Born in Harvard, son of
Luke and Atsacoaa. Warner, October 28, 1834.
Andrew Pollard, A. M. (honorary). Brown University, 1853; S. T. D.
1863; born in Harvard, October 7, 1814; a Baptist minister, ordained at
Holden, and pastor at South Gardner, Hyannis, Taunton 1849, South Bos
ton 1872; Secretary for New England of the American Baptist Publica
tion Society for twelve years; Treasurer of the Massachusetts Baptist
Convention; died at South Boston, August 21, 1886.
Solon Franklin Whitney, A. St, 1859, Brown University; born in
Harvard, son of Benjamin F. and Louisa Whitney, August 22, 1831.
Librarian of Watertown Public Library.
Wesley Caleb Sawyer, A. B., 1861, Harvard College; A. M.; Ph. D.,
Gottingen, 1870; born in Harvard, son of Luke and Mercy B. (Whitcomb)
Sawyer, August 26, 1839; captain 23d Mass. Infantry in War of Rebellion
where he lost a leg; Professor of Philosophy, Rhetoric and Library Econ
omy at Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin; Professor at Normal
School, Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Professor of English Literature and Social
Science, and Acting President of University of the Pacific, College Park,
California. Sullivan Whitney, M. D., 1861, Harvard Medical School; born in
Harvard, December 22, 1808, son of John and Sally Whitney; homeo
pathic pharmacist at hospital, Boston, and the first to manufacture hom
eopathic medicines in that city; died at Newton ville, where he had lived
for fifty years, January 27, 1891.
JOHN Marshall Whitney, entered class of 1863, Amherst College,
M.D. L. I. Medical College; surgeon in U. S. Navy, drowned at Jackson
ville, Florida, August 16, 1864; born in Harvard I?), son of Marshall and
Caroline W. Whitney.
Alfred Newell Fuller, A. B., 1871, Harvard College; born in
Harvard, son of Newell and Jane (Davis), October 12, 1848; studied in
the Yale Theological Seminary, 1874-5, one year; now a teacher in New
York city.
Charles Sidney Hayden, L. L. B., 1871, Harvard Law School; born
in Harvard, son of James G. and Lucretia Hayden, November 10, 1848;
special justice; Mayor of Fitchburg i88g.
William Channing Whitney, A. B., 1872, Massachusetts Agricul
tural College; born in Harvard, son of Benjamin F. and Louisa Whitney,
April II, 1851; an architect, resident of Minneapolis, Minn.; designer of
Harvard library building, etc.

INNHOLDERS. 433
Waldo Vernon Howe, A. B., 1877, Massachusetts Agricultural Col
lege; born in Harvard, son of Dr. George Marshall Howe, Dec. 2, 1855.
Edward Herbert Atherton, A. B., 1879, Harvard College; son of
Alfred and Abby M. Atherton, born February 11, 1856. Now a teacher of
languages in Boston.
Everett Chickering Willard, A. B., 1883, Dartmouth College;
son of Alonzo and Sarah E., born May 20, 1867. Now a teacher.
THE INNHOLDERS OF HARVARD.
From the registry of the Middlesex Court of Sessions it
is learned that Simon Willard of Lancaster was licensed
April 10, 1705 "to be ah" Inholder in sd Town having entered
into Recognizance persuant to Law." His was the first tav
ern in Harvard. It was located in Still River, and probably
in the vicinity of Elisha D. Stone's residence. The enter
tainment of wayfarers was but a small part of the country
innholders business in Simon Willard's day. The inn was
always an ordinary farm-house, one room in it being given to
the retail trade in strong drink. Travelers were furnished
with farmers' fare, but not obsequiously welcomed. For
license fee there was paid to the county treasurer two pence
per quart for all distilled liquors sold, and no license was
granted until the approval of the selectmen was obtained by
the applicant. The innkeeper was required to advertise his
business by a sign, and to thrust out of his doors all tipplers
at nine o'clock P. M.
Simon Willard's tavern was closed by his death in 1706.
Benjamin Bellows was a licensed innholder in 171 1, probably
at the homestead of Henry Willard, whose widow he had
married. Samuel Willard obtained a license in 1718-19 and
kept a tavern at the same location until 1726, when he re
moved to Lancaster, selling his business and real estate to
John Wright from Andover. It is probable that Samuel Wil
lard's tavern is standing, being now known as the Haskell
house. John Wright kept a licensed ordinary here for a short
time, but being unable to pay off a mortgage of eleven hun
dred pounds held by James Bowdoin, Samuel Willard regained
possession of and sold the estate in 1734 to Theophilus Cush
ing, who transferred it to Joseph Haskell the same year.
The licensed innholders since Wright have been : -

434

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

John Atherton, 1 734- 1 736.
Eleazar Robbins, 1 734-1 740.
Ebenezer Sprague, 1737-1747.
Joseph Haskell, 1738-1747.
Samuel Fellows, 1 745-1 750.
Robert Holland, 1746-1755.
Justinian Holden, 1747-1756.
Samuel Haskell, 1748-1762.
Jason Russell, 1 752-1 753.
Israel Taylor, 175 5-1 772.
Eleazar Davis, 1759-1761.
Oliver Whitney, 1762-1773.
Oliver Atherton, 1 770-1 783.
Amos Fairbanks, 1 770-1 773.
John Farwell, 1772-1774.
John Priest, Jr., 1776-1777.
John Houghton, 1778-1785.
Silas Parkhurst, 1779-1784.

Lemuel Willard, 1779.
William Saunderson, 1780-1784.
Eleazar Hamlen, 1780-1785.
Nehemiah Ramsdell, 1780-1.
Phineas Farnsworth, 1 780-1.
Jonathan Puffer, 1782-1787.
Jonathan Davis, 1788.
Joseph Curtis, I78g-I7g4.
Thomas Hammond, 1795-1796.
Nathaniel Geary, I7g6.
Benjamin Robbins, i7g7-8.
Ezra Wetherbee, I7g8-i832.
William Stearns, 1802-4.
James Haddick, 1802.
Peter Perham. 1802-3.
Jonas Merriam, 1807-1815.
Zophar Wetherbee, 1832-1861.

The location of the more important among these can be
told, at least approximately. Several of the licensees per
haps kept temporary groggeries rather than inns. John
Atherton's house was at the southwest corner of the com
mon, where Dr. Herbert B. Royal now lives. Silas Parkhurst
of Pepperell bought the place of the Atherton heirs in 1772,
and sold it to Jonas Merriam in 1807. When the Union Turn
pike was completed and Harvard expected to become a way
station on a great thoroughfare between Boston and the upper
valley of the Connecticut, Jonas Merriam's tavern was opened
in rivalry with Ezra Wetherbee's, which faced it across the
common. Neither turnpike nor inn rewarded the owners'
hopes, and Merriam removed to Shirley in 1816, selling his
estate to Seth Nason. Eleazar Robbins lived on the Groton
and Lancaster highway in the southerly part of the Old Mill
district. He sold his tavern and farm to Justinian Holden in
1745, and in 1760 it was bought by Jabez Keep, Holden having
died in 1756. Ebenezer Sprague, who came to Harvard from
Maiden about 1736, had a farm on both sides of the same
highway at the old Lancaster and Stow Leg line, which he
sold to Samuel Hunt in 1744, who transferred it to Elisha
Fullam in 1748. Joseph Haskell lived in the old Samuel
Willard inn, now owned by William B. Haskell. Samuel

INNHOLDERS. 435
Haskell, the son of Henry, inherited the next farm on the
north and probably lived where Elisha D. Stone's house now
is; the Haskell heirs sold the place to Rev. George Robinson
in 1802. Samuel Fellows owned lands which he bought of
Reverend John Seccomb, Jonathan Sawyer, Thomas Wright
and others near the south-east corner of the town's common.
Jonathan Puffer succeeded him on the same estate, but their
inn cannot be exactly located, and is probably not now stand
ing. Oliver Whitney and Joseph Curtis were in the same
neighborhood. When Robert Holland began his career as an innholder
he was but twenty-one years of age, and had recently mar
ried Experience, the oldest daughter of " Squire " Peter Ath
erton, a girl of sixteen. His tavern stood on the north side
of the road about half way between Still River and the centre
of the town, and was removed by Absalom B. Gale a few
years ago when he built his house over its cellar. Holland
died in 1755, and his wife the next year.
Captain Israel Taylor was for many years the most popu
lar citizen of the town. He was nine times elected to the
lower branch of the legislature, and was never free from the
cares of one or more town offices. He owned real estate in
various parts of the town, but his inn is supposed to have
been in Old Mill at the junction of the Shirley and Ayer
roads. Eleazar Davis lived on the farm owned by the Shakers
and occupied by the East Family of the Community until
within a few years. Oliver Atherton kept a well known pub
lic-house in the days of the Revolution, where Oliver H. and
Galen Atherton now live, near the Still River Station. Dea
con Oliver Whitney's inn was probably somewhere near the
south-east corner of the common. William Saunderson's
tavern was on the Littleton road at the northern end of Oak
Hill. Eleazar Hamlin lived where Charles E. Sprague now
dwells. Nehemiah Ramsdell and Phineas Farnsworth were
also of the Old Mill district.
The Wetherbee Inn stood where the Free Public Library
building now is. The noted landlords Ezra and Zophar
Wetherbee, father and son, here served the public for over

436

HISTORY OE HARVARD.

sixty years. Zophar Wetherbee having resolved to retire
from business, in May, 1866, sold the tavern estate to an asso
ciation of about thirty individuals formed for the purpose of
keeping the house open as a temperance inn. This Union
Hotel Company, as it was called, refurnished the house, and
sundry landlords successively sought the public favor, of
whom Frederick A. Willard was the first. June 4, 1869 Jo
siah Puffer took charge of the house, and retained it for four
years, when he was succeeded by Mark Ray. Abbot A. Jen
kins bought the property and thoroughly renovated the
buildings in 1875, at a cost of about $3000, increasing the
number of rooms in the house to sixty-seven, and gave the
inn a new name — the "Elm House." The expected guests
did not throng the portals of the refurnished hostelry, and
even with the rental of a part of the building for a store, and
the income of the postmastership, Mr. Jenkins received scant
interest for his outlay. Timothy B. Snow took charge as
landlord for Mr .Jenkins March i, 1879. August 25, 1880, a
little before midnight, a fire, undoubtedly incendiary in its
origin, broke out in the stables, by which the inn and a dwell
ing adjacent were destroyed. Since that date there has been
no public-house for the entertainment of travelers in the town.
Several natives of Harvard have won repute in the diffi
cult role of landlord, and in a much larger field of enterprise
than their birth-place afforded. Orsamus Willard, one of the
eight sons of William Willard, Jr., who lived in the old house
yet standing on the south verge of Shabikin, was for almost
twenty-seven years a chief-manager of the City Hotel in New
York City, which he entered at the age of nineteen as office
boy. He there acquired a wide reputation not only for his
energetic and skilful administration of the household econo
mies, but for his urbane and courtly manners, and his never-
failing memory of names, persons and events. He was
known even across the Atlantic as the landlord who never
forgot the face or title of any one who had ever been his
guest. He could write with either hand, and possessed in a
remarkable degree the power of giving politely prompt and
satisfying answers to the multifarious questions of guests
without interrupting the book-keeping or other business de-

.A

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STORE-KEEPERS. 437
tails upon which he might be engaged. His geniality was
not professional only, but had its source in a kindly heart;
for he was a great favorite with children, and loved to have
them about him. He returned to Still River in 1849 to spend
the closing years of life, and died there April 28, 1876, in his
eighty-fourth year.
Of the sons of Zophar Wetherbee two are now landlords
in famous New York hotels; Gardner Wetherbee being the
junior member of the firm of Hawk and Wetherbee, proprie
tors of the Windsor, and Charles L. Wetherbee, senior part
ner of the firm of Wetherbee and Fuller, proprietors of the
Buckingham. A third son, Ezra Zophar Wetherbee, had an
official position in the management of the Lindall Hotel at
St. Louis, Missouri, at the time of his death.
THE "STORE-KEEPERS."
While among the hereditary aristocracy of the city it was
held a decided loss of caste to enter trade, in the country
town any one who had capital and enterprise enough to be
come a retailer of merchandise stepped at once near the por
tal of the circle of gentility. None more likely than he to be
chosen in due time to represent the town at the General
Court, and ultimately write Esquire after his name. Finan
cial prosperity was reasonably sure if he oiled his tongue
with tact, kept the hinges of his back pliant, and resolutely
withheld from his own the cup he offered to the lips of others.
An attempt to compile any comprehensive list of the mer
chants of Harvard during the one hundred and sixty years
of the town's life, could only end in failure but for one fact.
During the first one hundred years the assortment of goods
kept in the country stores embraced everything salable that
a customer was likely to call for, and a generous source of
profit was the sale of spirituous liquors. But the retailing of
spirits was by law restricted to those who were licensed by
the county court. From there cords of licenses, therefore,
the names of the more prominent retailers can be gleaned.
Ebenezer Sprague was the first in Harvard to receive license
as a retailer. He obtained an innholder's permit in 1737,
when Benjamin Nurse appears as a retailer, holding a license

438 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
as such for several years. Samuel Haskell was licensed for
fourteen years — 1748-1762 — sometimes as retailer, but often
as an innkeeper. Israel Taylor was similarly licensed for the
period from 1855 to 1772. In 1762 Elias Haskell and Gordon
Hutchins of Still River were licensed " to sell tea and coffee,"
as well as spirituous liquors; the latter appears as a retailer
for four years, the former until 1772. The subsequent retail
ers recorded are as follows : —
Ephraim Davis, 1763-g. Ethan Wetherbee, 1805-15.
William Burt, 1767-g. William Stearns, 1806-8.
Joseph Wheeler, 1771-83. Edmund Foster, 1806-8.
John Munroe, 1773-81. Cyrus Whitney, 1807-8.
William Safford, 1776-81. Joseph Haskell, Jr., i8og-io.
Lemuel Willard, 1778-80. Stevens Hayward, i8og-i4.
William Park, 1782- William L. Foster, 1810.
Benjamin Kimball, 1783-1800. Joseph Edgarton, i8io.
Stephen Cleverly, 1783-5. Thomas Hersey, Jr., 1814-16.
Nicholas Patterson, i783-g5. Joseph Stevens, 1814.
Silas Parkhurst, Jr., 1784- Ebenezer Bridge, 1815-23.
Samuel Hill, 1785. Sylvester Richmond, 1815-18.
Lysias Blanchard, 1787. John Walker, 1817-ig.
David Sampson, 1789. Calvin Haskell, 1819-1832.
John Whitney, 1786-93. Seth Nason, 1820-1.
Simon Whitney, 1792-7. Abel Blanchard, 1820.
Elias Haskell, Jr., 1795-7. Enoch Perkins, 1820-35.
Isaiah Whitney, Jr., 1797-1800. John P. Whitcomb, 1822-6.
Josiah Haskell, Jr., 1798-1812. Jonathan Wheeler, 1826-7.
John Mycall, 1801- Reuben Whitcomb, Jr., 1827-1861.
Joseph Harwood, 1801-4.
Many, if not all, of the earlier Harvard traders, following
the fashion of their times, gave up one of the main rooms of
their own dwellings to the display of their little stock of
goods. The Haskells, except during the Revolutionary period,
almost monopolized the trade at Still River for fully a cen
tury. Their last place of business was at the southern corner
of the meeting of the two highways leading to Lancaster.
In this vicinity were in succession Samuel, Elias, Elias, Jr.,
Josiah, Jr., and Calvin Haskell. The Calvin Haskell store
was also occupied in later years by Thomas Hersey, Henry
J^erned, Haines M. Stuart, 1847, Chandler and Charles Lee,
1856-9, and by one or two others for brief periods.

STEPHEN CLEVERLY.

439

John Munroe, who succeeded Elias Haskell as the Still
River merchant in 1773, was located " near the meeting of the
county roads," on the east side of the highway, where he pur
chased of Reuben Dodge, cordwainer, the old house now owned
and occupied by Arna Robinson. John Munroe was a gradu
ate of Harvard College in the class of 1751; had been the
grammar-school master at Concord, and sometimes occupied
the pulpit in default of the regular pastor. He died in 1790.
Stephen Cleverly, an eccentric genius, son of Dr. John
Cleverly, succeeded Munroe at the close of the Revolution,
but his business career was brief and unfortunate. He began
the erection of the large dwelling well known as the Mycall
or Jerome Gardner house, but his enterprise ended in finan
cial trouble, and he removed to Lancaster with his father.
Thereafter he indulged his taste for strong drink, became be
sotted and insane, and died at the age of seventy-two, A. D.
Ig32, in the alms-house. He was an educated man, had a
talent for rhyming, and in his later years was wont to wander
about, half-tipsy, repeating whenever he could find listeners
certain scurrilous verses of his own composition, in which he
satirized his fellow men and scoffed at the world in general.
His favorite declamation was a lengthy doggerel which he
styled " Mobtown," wherein he assailed Lancaster and its
aristocracy with spiteful epithets. This, like the less am
bitious of his lyrical efforts, is now lost to fame, the first
stanza only clinging in a few retentive memories : —
" Mobtown's a long and narrow strip of land.
Cussed at both ends and in the middle damned;
With self-conceited ninnies thickly peopled o'er.
Fair on the outside, but rotten at the core."
Despite the "bee in his bonnet," and even when half-fud
dled. Cleverly rarely came off second-best in encounters of
wit with the practical jokers of his time. One day as he was
trudging his devious way homeward from the grocery, having
as usual a jug for company, he met a crony, familiarly known
as Little Breeches, who at once became clamorous for a drink.
¦' No," said Stephen, putting the jug behind him, "I'm only a
retailer, and your's is a wholesale gullet." But Little Breeches

440 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
had all the eloquence of thirst, and Cleverly after conspicu
ous reluctance at last consented to spare "one swallow," on
condition that he was to hold the jug. The cork was drawn,
and just as the dry lips and the nose of the jug were glued
together, Cleverly gave the vessel a sudden upward tilt and
ran off shouting with laughter, leaving Little Breeches curs
ing and coughing up the whale oil which he had greedily
sucked into his capacious throat instead of the expected
Medford rum.
Lieutenant John Whitney bought, in 1786, of Doctor John
Cleverly, a house recently built by him — that now owned by
William Augustus Parker. Here he was a licensed trader for
seven or eight years.
John Mycall, in 1798, bought of Cleverly's creditors the
unfinished mansion and lands at the meeting of the highways,
and there lived for about ten years. He was a native of Wor
cester, England, and arrived in America just as the war for
independence began, when he was but eighteen years of age.
For a time he supported himself by keeping school at New
buryport, but having acquired skill as a printer, he became
editor and publisher of the "Essex Journal," which he con
ducted from 1780 to 1790. While a citizen of Harvard he
was highly esteemed, and purchased a considerable landed
estate. Hewas made justice of the peace in 1802. His store
was kept in an ell of the house, which has been moved across
the highway and made into a dwelling.
Of John Mycall, when publisher at Newburyport, the fol
lowing story has been more than once printed. The sheriff
had been a regular subscriber to the Journal for a long time,
but failed to pay the bills presented to him, save in profuse
promises. One day, being urgently pressed for the amount
due, the sheriff with his usual earnest manner, said: "Mr.
Mycall, you shall have your money tomorrow, if I am
alive; you may be certain I am a corpse if you are not paid
in full." When the sheriff began reading the next issue of
the paper he was astounded to find staring him in the face
the formal announcement of the "sudden death of Philip
Bagley, Esq., Sheriff of Essex County," followed by a flat
tering obituary, which closed with the sentence : "Alas !

STORE-KEEPERS. 441
Sheriff Bagley had one grave fault — he neglected to pay the
printer." He threw down the sheet in a rage and rushed out
to contradict the report. He met several acquaintances, but
no one seemed at all surprised to see him in his usual vigor,
until he entered the printing office. The publisher put on a
look of grave astonishment, ejaculating : "Why, Mr. Sheriff,
I thought you a corpse." "Who told you so?" asked the
angry official. "Why, you yourself were my authority" —
and he recalled the solemn promise. The sheriff drew his
wallet, paid the bill, and demanded that the statement be
contradicted in the next week's Journal. "O," said Mycall,
"that isn't at all necessary; the notice was printed in but one
copy of the Journal; that one sent to you." Squire Mycall
became entangled in some litigation with Joseph Stone, shook
Harvard dust from his feet and returned to Newburyport,
where he died.
Nicholas Patterson bought in 1782 the Samuel Mead, Jr.,
farm upon Oak Hill — that now owned by Honorable Robert
Fuller — and stored his merchandise in his residence. Israel
Taylor, Ephraim Davis, William Burt, Lysaias and Abel
Blanchard and Sylvester Richmond were residents of the
Old Mill district. A large majority of the others named in
the preceding list of licensees occupied shops on or near the
common. The store of Benjamin Nurse was upon the west
side of the common. William Safford's was in the same
locality, and he transferred his estate to Silas Parkhurst in
178 1. Reverend Joseph Wheeler, upon leaving the pulpit,
was commissioned a justice, and established a profitable mer
cantile business in connection with his office. His store was
the most important one in the town during the Revolution,
and was probably upon his own premises if not in his own
house — that now occupied by William H. Savage. He seems
to have had no rival for several years at the centre of the
town, although in 1771 Doctor Peter Green and Deacon Oliver
Whitney petitioned for leave "to Build a Shop for Trade on
the Common with Conveniences for that purpose; " but the
town denied their request.
Benjamin Kimball, coming from Worcester, in 1778 bought
at the south-east corner of the common the estate of the

442 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Reverend Daniel Johnson, deceased, and succeeded to Mr.
Wheeler's local offices and trade. "Squire Kimball " was
not long in proving himself a valuable acquisition to the town.
He had received a good education, was distinguished in per
sonal appearance, and by his ability and energy soon attained
leadership in the community. He added to his influence by
winning a wife in the daughter of one of Lancaster's wealth
iest citizens. Squire Kimball's office was the headquarters of
Federalism in Harvard, and though Harvard's majority be
longed to the opoosite political party, he was five times sent
to represent the town in the lower branch of the legislature
His store and business passed in succession to Joseph Har
wood in 1802; Ethan Wetherbee in 1804; Ebenezer Bridge in
1815; Reuben Whitcomb, Jr., about 1825. The store built by
Whitcomb shortly after entering trade stands upon the corner
opposite the public library. It took the place there of a
long, low building, painted red, which had served the predeces
sors of Deacon Whitcomb as dwelling and shop.
William Stearns, Edmund Foster, William L. Foster and
Joseph Stevens had retail shops in the vicinity of the com
mon for brief periods. Stevens Hayward's place of business
was in his own house, that now occupied by Charles A. Hersey.
Reuben Whitcomb, Jr., died in 1861. He was succeeded
by Trumbull Bull, who sold to Thomas B. Wheeler in 1866.
Mr, Wheeler died in 1873, but had previously sold his stock to
Deacon Charles H. Cummings, who continued in business
here until 1877. Benjamin F. Whitney and Silas W. Holman
(1847-52) also occupied the Whitcomb store as retailers pre
vious to Mr. Bull's purchase of the premises.
Enoch Perkins, who came to Harvard about 1819, pur
chased the estate adjoining the old red store on the south,
and here accumulated in trade a considerable fortune. Seth
Nason bought in 1816 the inn of Jonas Merriam, and used
the old bar-room a few years for his retail trade. Jonas Bate
man, his next neighbor across the way south, had a saddler's
and harness shop beside his house.
The site at the north-east corner of the burial ground, now
occupied by the building of the Union Hall Company, was
in: possession of Jason Bigelow in 1816. He sold it to John

POLITICAL STATISTICS. 443
Walker the next year. In 1820 it came into ownership of
Seth Nason and John P. Whitcomb. In 1821 Nason and
Whitcomb asked leave of the town to build a stable between
their store and the school-house. Nathaniel Stacy occupied
it for his book-store and bindery after Nason and Whitcomb
gave up the trade, and was here in 1831. Benjamin S. Farns
worth, Jonathan Hosmer, Benjamin F. Whitney, Churchill
and Porter, A. Kendall Porter, and Ebenezer C. Willard in
turn were retailers here until the burning of the building,
February 28, 1850. The present store house was built in 1851,
and has had the following tenants : William Harlow and
Ebenezer C. Willard, 1852-3, when Harlow sold to his part
ner; A. R. Willard and George Wetherbee, 1855; Wetherbee
died in 1858; Charles A. and Everett Hussey, 1859-64; John
B. Day and Lemuel Whitney, 1866; Day and Whitney sold
to Bull and Willard, 1869; Bull and Whitney moved into the
store vacated by Charles H. Cummings in 1877. The next
year Mr. Bull died and Frederick A. Willard sold to H. H.
Gale and Philip O. Dickson in 1881.
Charles Philemon Atherton conducted a retail business in
the Elm House from 1877 to the day of its destruction by
fire in 1880. POLITICS.
In the earlier elections for state officials, the first of which
was that of September 4, 1780, no grave political questions
were at issue. The contest among the voters was that of
their personal opinions respecting the fitness of candidates.
Harvard usually gave an almost unanimous vote for Governor
John Hancock whenever his name was before the people for
office. When the Constitution of the United States was ac
cepted by the state convention in Federal Street Church,
February 6, 1788. it was by a vote of one hundred and eighty-
seven in favor, to one hundred and sixty-eight against it.
Harvard's delegate. Colonel Josiah Whitney, voted against it,
as did forty-three of the fifty delegates who represented the
towns of Worcester County. At the first election for presi
dential electors, December 18, 1788, when two candidates
were to be selected by the district, the recorded vote of Har-
29

444 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
vard was : twenty-four for Henry Bromfield, seventeen for
Levi Lincoln, six for Seth Washburn, six for John Fessenden
and one for Joseph Stone. In the list of the ten electors
actually chosen for Massachusetts, not one of Harvard's can
didates appears. Unguided by caucus or convention, or even
printed ballots, the rural freemen gratified their preferences
and threw away their votes. At the election of November 2,
1792, when the state was divided into four electoral districts,
and five electors were to be chosen in the district, which was
composed of Berkshire, Hampshire and Worcester Counties.
Henry Bromfield, Samuel Henshaw, Thompson I. Skinner
and William Shepherd received fifteen votes each, Moses Gill
had nine, and Samuel Baker six. These ballots probably in
dicated the popularity of certain individuals, but had no
political significance, for it must have been well understood
that whoever the electors were, Washington was to be presi
dent. Before the close of Washington's administration, the peo
ple began to range themselves into two parties — Federalist
and Republican — under the leadership of Hamilton and Jef
ferson. After the third election, party feeling rose to a degree
of heat and bitterness that has since been rarely equaled.
Though centrally situated in the hot-bed of Federalism, Har
vard early became aggressively Republican. The intellec
tual leaders and social aristocrats, like the minister and Es
quires Benjamin Kimball and Henry Bromfield, were earnest
Federalists — Adams men; but the majority were generally
of the Jeffersonians — the French party or Democracy, as
their opponents derisively nicknamed them. Though Feder
alism ranked as the more "gentlemanly" politics, in elec
tion squabbles it was hard to tell which party was the most
skilful in mud-throwing.
At the election in 1796, which gave the presidency to John
Adams, the congressional and electoral districts in Massachu
setts were identical and fourteen in number. Harvard's vote
was : twenty-nine for Henry Bromfield, twenty-six for James
Winthrop, twelve for Elbridge Gerry and nine for E. Breck;
apparently more than two to one in favor of the Federal
candidate; but in the second year of Adams's administration

POLITICAL STATISTICS.

445

the town gave instructions to her representative, Joseph
Stone, a Jefferson Republican, requesting him to exert his in
fluence in the legislature to procure a petition for the repeal
of the alien and sedition laws passed by congress, and for
the preservation of peace with France — although the inso
lent aggression of the French government made peace im
possible except with national dishonor.
In 1800 the electors were chosen by the legislature; but
the vote in Harvard for the representative to congress was :
seventy-nine for Joseph B. Varnum and twelve for Timothy
Bigelow; showing a great change in popular sentiment in
favor of the administration. At the election which secured
for Jefferson a second term of office — when even Federalist
Massachusetts cast her electoral vote for him — one hundred
and thirty-three ballots were cast in Harvard for the Repub
lican electors, and fifty-three for the Federalists. In 1808
the legislature a second time chose the presidential electors,
but for representative to congress, Moses White had one hun
dred and twenty-seven votes in Harvard, while his competitor,
William Stedman the Federalist, who won in the district,
had but sixty-four. The embargo, which went into effect
during the closing year of Jefferson's administration, destroy
ing as it did the chief source of New England's prosperity,
was stigmatized as sectional legislation, and party rancor
passed the bounds of reason. The declaration of war against
England brought even the conservative clergy to take part
in political discussion. Thus in Harvard a town-meeting
majority so fiercely and persistently resented the fast-day ar
guments of their Federalist minister, that he was forced to
resign his pastorate.
The November election showed that the intemperate
speech and action of the local radicals had not added to their
numerical strength. The rallying cry of " free trade and
sailors' rights " was used with effect, but the war was deemed
suicidal and awakened no enthusiasm even among its abet
tors. There were six districts, and district number two, com
posed of Worcester, Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin and
Berkshire Counties, was entitled to six electors. Harvard
gave ninety-nine votes for the Federalist and eighty-seven

446 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
for the Admihistration ticket. In 1816 the vote for the
national representative was sixty-nine for Solomon Strong
and sixty-six for Edmund Cushing, the latter being the Re
publican candidate. The electors were chosen by joint ballot
of the legislature. In the election of 1820, which gave James
Madison the presidency for a second term, although but one
elector was to be chosen in each congressional district, three
candidates were voted for in Harvard, receiving respectively
fourteen, thirty and forty votes. The ballot for congressional
representative shows that the parties were nearly equally
divided; and they remained thus for several years, at least so
far as the state elections were concerned; but the nomination
of " Old Hickory" in 1824 awakened a popular enthusiasm
only before exceeded by that in the days of Thomas Jeffer
son's candidacy. Both parties united in calling Levi Lincoln
to the governor's chair in 1825, and kept him there for nine
years, but Harvard annually cast a large minority vote for
the regular Jacksonian nominee. In 1831 a third party, the
Anti-Masonic, first appeared as an influential factor in politics,
and during three years controlled nearly twenty-five per cent.
of the votes in Harvard.
With the national election of 1832 began new designations
to the two great political parties; those adhering to Andrew
Jackson being called Democrats, while the followers of Henry
Clay styled themselves the National Republican party. A
year or two later the latter name was dropped, and the Whig
party absorbed all the opponents of the administration. The
Whigs boasted themselves the legitimate heirs of the patriots
of Revolutionary days who bore that name, raised liberty-
poles on the public squares, and denounced their political
foes as Tories, and " loco-focos." The diligent use of epithets
seems to have swayed voters, for in 1836 Harrison had a few
more supporters in Harvard than Van Buren. With 1840 the
Anti-Slavery party appeared, and it gradually won adherents
until, in 1856, nearly two-thirds of Harvard's ballots were
given to the Free Soil candidate for the presidency, John C.
Fremont. The American or "Know Nothing" party the
same year had a heavy majority in the town at the state elec
tion. Since that date the Democrats have remained in the

POLITICAL STATISTICS. 447
minority, except in the state elections of 1869 and 1875. The
following is a tabulated exhibit of Harvard's votes for the
presidential and gubernatorial candidates :—
HARVARD'S VOTE FOR GOVERNOR.
The first column contains the names of the successful candidates.
The election in 1780 was on September 4. Subsequent elections until
that for 1832 were on the first Monday of April; since then they have
been in November.
1780. John Hancock, 57   James Bowdoin, 5 
1781. John Hancock, 39  Artemus Ward, 30 
1782. John Hancock, 9  James Bowdoin, i  ..Oliver Prescott, i.
1783. John Hancock, 25.  Thomas Cushing, 13  Scattering, 4.
1784. John Hancock, 35  Thomas Cushing, 13  Artemus Ward, 5
1785. James Bowdoin, 24  Azor Orne, 5  Oliver Prescott, i.
' 1786. Tames Bowdoin, 15  John Hancock, 2 .
1787. John Hancock, 120.  James Bowdoin, 19 
1788. John Hancock. 58.  --.- Elbridge Gerry, 15 
1789. John Hancock, 56   James Bowdoin, 5  {coL^J™U.h^Haskeil,'i.
1790. John Hancock, 36  James Bowdoin, 3
I79r. John Hancock, 50  
1792. John Hancock, 55 
1793. John Hancock, 48.. 
1794. Samuel Adams, 61   William Cushing, 25 
179;. Samuel Adams, 53  Moses Gill, i 
1796. Samuel Adams, 67.  Increase Sumner, 14  Moses Gill, 1.
1797. Increase Sumner, 24  James Sullivan, 69 
1798. Increase Sumner, 27  James Sullivan, 11 
1799. Increase Sumner, 62  William Heath, 91  Samuel Brooks, 1.
1800. Caleb Strong, 37  Elbridge Gerry, 117 
,1801. Caleb Strong, 34  Elbridge Gerry, 106 
1802. Caleb Strong, 56   Elbridge Gerry, 106  Edward H. Robbins, i.
1803. Caleb Strong, 65   Elbridge Gerry, 86  Edward H. Robbins, 1.
1804.. Caleb Strong, 54   Elbridge Gerry, 115  Scattering, 2.
1805. Caleb Strong, 51  James Sullivan, 148 
1806. Caleb Strong, 86  James Sullivan, 126 
1807. Caleb Strong, 86  James Sullivan, 123  Levi Lincoln, 7.
1808. James Sullivan, 121  ^...Christopher Gore, 86  Scattering, 4.
1809. Christopher Gore, 70  Levi Lincoln, 148  Scattering, 5.
1810. Elbridge Gerry, 149  Christopher Gore, 72 
1811. Elbridge Gerry, 136. -  Christopher Gore, 53
1812. Caleb Strong, 98  Elbridge Gerry, 150 
1813. Caleb Strong, 107  Jos. Bradley Varnum, 129 ..Wilham King, i.
1814. Caleb Strong, 113  Samuel Dexter, 122 
1815. Caleb Strong, 106  Samuel Dexter, 130 
r8i6. John Brooks, 94  Samuel Dexter, 146 
1817. John Brooks, 105  Henry Dearborn, 124 
1818. John Brooks, 102  Benjamin Wm. Crowningshield, 123.
1819. John Brooks, 99  B. W. Crowningshield, 106 .WilUam King, 8.
1820. John Brooks, 90  William Eustis, 104 
1821. John Brooks, 77  William Eustis, 83 
1822. John Brooks, 64  William Eustis, 55 
1823. WiUiam Eustis, 116  Harrison Gray Otis, 94 
1824. William Eustis, ng  Samuel Lathrop, in  John Brooks, i.
1825. Levi Lincoln, 138  ...Samuel Lathrop, 1 
1826. Levi Lincoln, 107  Samuel Hubbard, 36 

448

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1827.1828.1829. 1830.1831.1831.1832.1833. 1834.
1835. 1836.1837.1838.1839. 1840.

1843. 1844.1845. 1846.1847. 1848.
1849.1850.i8i;i.1852. 1853-1854.1855. 1856.1857.1858.1859.j86o. 1861.1862.1863.1864.1865.1866.1867. 1868.
1869.1870. 1871.
1872. 1873.1874. 1875.
1876. 1877.

Levi Lincoln, 92 
Levi Lincoln, 78 
Levi Lincoln, 100.. . .
Levi Lincoln,9o 
April. Levi Lincoln, 92
Nov. Levi Lincoln, 77.
Levi Lincoln, 64 
John Davis, 54 
John Davis, 100 
Edward Everett, in 
Edward Everett, 117. ..
Edward Everett, 128. ...

..WilUam Charles Jarvis, 43 Elijah Hunt Mills, i.
..WilUam Charles Jarvis, 25 Scattering, 6.
Marcus Morton, 18  Harrison Gray Otis, n
..Marcus Morton, 38  Scattering, 12.
..Marcus Morton, 40  Scattering, 8.
. Marcus Morton, 43  Samuel Lathrop, 32.
..Marcus Morton, 80  Samuel Lathrop, 42.

..John Quincy Adams, 52.
John Bailey, 15.
Sam. Turell Armstrong.

Marcus Morton, 67.
Marcus Morton, 74.
Marcus Morton, 106
Marcus Morton, 103
Marcus Morton, 103
Edward Everett, 122  Marcus Morton, 125 
Marcus Morton, 160  Edward Everett, 122 
John Davis, 139  Marcus Morton, 159  George W. Johnson. 4.
, . ^ . Uf ivj _i _« ( Lucius Bowles, 12.
John Davis, 129  Marcus Morton, 159  j vVendell PhilUps, i.
_ , TA . ( Sam. Edmund SewaU, 22.
John Davis, 121  j gg^^ Sprague, i.
„yr T\ff _i ..e. 1 Samuel E. Sewall, 20.
Marcus Morton, 176  { j^hn Pierpont, i.
George Bancroft, 163  Samuel E. Sewall, 19.
,„ „ ¦ o,. f Samuel E. Sewall, 24.
Isaac Davis, 135  j Henry Shaw, 9.
Isaar Davis T2T i Samuel E. SewaU, 30.
Isaac Davis, 121  | Francis Baylies, 13.

Marcus Morton, 173 
George Nixon Briggs, 131.
George Nixon Briggs, 142.
George Nixon Briggs, 128.
George Nixon Briggs, 108.

George Nixon Briggs, 113.. ..Caleb Cushing, 126  | Francis Baylies, 9.
George Nixon Briggs, 95. . . Isaac Davis, 91  Stephen C. PhilUps, 61.
George Nixon Briggs, 95. . George S. BoutweU, 116 ... Stephen C. PhilUps, 57.
George Sewall Boutwell, io7.George Nixon Briggs, 93 ...Stephen C. PhiUips, 58.
GeorgeSewall Boutwell, io6.Robt. Chas. Winthrop, 89 ..John Gorman Palfrey, 74.
John Henry CUfford, 86  Henry Walker Bishop, 108 Horace Mann, 81.
Emory Washburn, 70  Henry Walker Bishop, 91 ..Henry Wilson, 69.
Ti„.,„, T„==„v, (-„,/!„=, tc i Henry W. Bishop, 46  /Charles Allen, 1.
Henry Joseph Gardner, 56. | g^^/y Washburn, 51  I Henry Wilson, 42.
Henry Joseph Gardner, 2 ...JuUus Rockwell, 78 ... { fa'^Hurf WaUe^ytse. '
Henry Joseph Gardner, 164. Erasmus D. Beach, 75 ... | s"at'tering,'^f "' ^'^'
Nath. Prentice Banks, 100. Erasmus D. Beach, 75  { Cale?^™, 1.^^''^°*''' ^^'

..Erasmus D. Beach, 104  Amos Adams Lawrence, 4.
..Benjamin F. Butler, 71 
Fra=Tr,„5 n Reiirh fi7 I Amos Adams Lawreuce, 5i .
.Erasmus U. Beach, 67  | Benjamin F. Butler, 7.
..Isaac Davis, 86  ". 
-Charles Devens, Jr., 112 
-Henry WilUam Paine, 90 ...Edward Everett, 1.
..Henry William Paine, 106 ..

Nathaniel P. Banks, 113.
Nathaniel P. Banks, 92. ...
John Albion Andrew, 151.
John Albion Andrew, 136.
John Albion Andrew, 134.
John Albion Andrew, no.
John Albion Andrew, 163. ,
Alex. Hamilton Bullock, 82. ..Darius N. Couch, 44 
Alexander H. Bullock, 109. .Theodore H. Sweetzer, 80
Alexander H. Bullock, 136... John Quincy Adams, 118 .
WilUam Claflin, 149  John Quincy Adams, 100
WilUam Claflin, loi  John Quincy Adams, 108..
William Claflin, 95  John Quincy Adams, 85
Wm. Barrett Washburn, loi. John Quincy Adams, 78
WiUiam B. Washburn, 123. Francis William Bird, 81
William B. Washburn, 8?. ..William Gaston, 83 . .
WilUam Gaston, 97  Thomas Talbot, 81 
Alex. Hamilton Rice, 90  William Gaston, 102 
Alexander H. Rice, 128  Chas. Francis Adams, 106 .Robert Carter Pitman, 8.
Alexander H. Rice, 91. . . .William Gaston, 90 
Thomas Talbot, 147  Benjamin F. Butler, 52 ...Josiah Gardner Abbott, 34.

Robert Carter Pitman, i.

..Scattering, i.
. Scattering, 2.

POLITICAL STATISTICS.

449

1879. JohnDavis Long, 140 
. John Davis Long, 149 
. John Davis Long. 78,
. Benj. Franklin Butler, 71. .
,. Geo. Dexter Robinson, 141..
,. George D. Robinson, 123.
. George D. Robinson, 83.
I. OUver .\mes, 89.
. OUver Ames, 87. . .
1. Oliver Ames, 145 
I. John Q. A. Brackett, 100. .
K William Eustis Russell, 60.
William Eustis Russell, 67..
1892. WilUam Eustis Russell, 68.

Benjamin F. Butler, 42 . .. John Quincy Adams, 30.
Chas. Perkins Thompson, 74.
Charles P. Thompson, 38 -

Robert W. Bishop. 119
Benjamin F. Butler, 95
William C. Endicott, 96
Frederick O. Prince, 60
John F, Andrew, 64 ..
Henry B. Lovering, 59

...Charles Almy, 2.
Charles Almy, 2.
I Matthew J. McCafferty, 8.
( Julius Hawley Seelye, 7.
...Thos. Jackson Lathrop, 7.
. Thomas J. Lathrop, 12.
WilUam Homer Earle, 12.

WilUam Eustis Russell, 91 .William Homer Earle, 4.
WilUam Eustis RusseU, 54 John Blackmer, 12.
John Q. A. Brackett, 95 . . John Blackmer, 7.
.Charles Herbert Allen, 99 Charles E. Kimball, 4.
WilUam Henry Haile, 121...

HARVARD'S VOTES FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
*Those thus marked received the electoral vote of Massachusetts.

1856,

1S60

Dec. 18, 1788. *George Washington,
Nov. 2, 1792. "George Washington.
1796. *John Adams, Federalist, 29. 1852
Thomas Jefferson, Republican. 12.
1800. Vote for Representative.
Thomas Jefferson, Rep^iblican, 79.
*John Adams, FederaUst, 12.
1S04. *Thomas Jefferson, Republican, 133.
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Fed
eralist, 53,
1808. Vote for Representative.
James Madison, Refublican, 127.
*Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 64.
1812. James Madison, Republican, 87.
*DeWitt CUnton, Federalist, 99.
1816. Vote for Representative.
James Monroe, Republican, 66.
*Rufus King, Federalist, 69.
1820. Vote for Representative.
Rufus King, Federalist, 40.
*James Monroe, Republican, 48.
1824. *John Quiflcy Adams, Federalist, 21
Andrew Jackson, Republican, 97.
1828. Andrew Jackson, Republican, 97.
»John Quincy Adams, Federalist, n.
1S32. Andrew Jackson, Democrat, 72.
*Henry Clay, National Republican, ii,.
William Wirt, Anti-Masonic.
1836. Martin Van Buren, Democrat, 108.
*Daniel Webster, Whig, 122.
1840. *\Viniam Henry Harrison, Whig, 139.
Martin Van Buren, Democrat, 158.
James G. Birney, Anti-Slavery, 4.
1844. James Knox Polk, Democrat, 159.
* Henry Clay, Whig, 127.
James G. Birney, Anti-Slavery, 31.
1848. *Zachary Taylor, Whig, 78.
Lewis Cass, Dem-ocrat, 112.
Martin Van Buren, Anti-Slavery, 79.

1872

1876,

24. . 17. .6.. 6. .1. Two electors.
15.15.15.15.9.6. Five electors.
Franklin Pierce, Democrat, 92.
*Winfield Scott, Whig, 81.
John Parker Hale, Anti-Slavery, 69.
James Buchanan, Democrat, 74.
*John Charles Fremont, Free Soil, 188.
Mill-ird Fillmore, Whig, 24.
. *Abraham Lincoln, Republican, 156.
Stephen Arnold Douglas, Squatter
Sovereignty Democrat, 67.
John Cabell Breckenridge, Pro-Slav
ery Democrat, 12.
John Bell, Union Whig, 41.
. *Abraham Lincoln, Republican, 163.
George :Brinton McClellan, Demo
crat, 106.
, *Ulysses Simpson Grant, Republi
can, 152.
Horatio Seymour, Dem-ocrat, 98.
, *Ulysses Simpson Grant, Republi
can, 130.
Horace Greeley, Dem.ocrat, 76.
. *Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Repub
lican, 138.
Samuel Jones Tilden, Democrat, 105.
, *James Abram Garfield, Republi
can, 149.
Winfield Scott Hancock, Democrat, 74.
. Grover Cleveland, Democrat, 98.
*James Gillespie Blaine, Republi
can, 118.
Benjamin Franklin Butler, Green
back, 9.
John P. St. John, Prohibition, 8.
. *Benjamin Harrison, Republican, 144.
Grover Cleveland, Democrat, 92.
Clinton B. Fisk, Prohibition, 4.
. Grover Cleveland, Democrat, 69.
*Benjamin Harrison, Republican, 130,

450

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

SLATE STONE QUARRIES.
The blue slate of Pin Hill was quarried for grave-stone
slabs very early in the history of the town, and for many
miles around the majority of the memorials in the older
burial-grounds probably came from this locality. A deed of
land in this vicinity dated 1765, locates a bound " where rocks
have been dug for grave-stones." Quarries have been opened
from time to time over nearly its whole length on the west
ern face of the ridge. The slabs were detached from the
ledge by splitting with wedges, and were usually conveyed in
the rough to the yard of the stone-cutter to be wrought.
Among those who worked this stone early in the present cen
tury were Enoch Kendall, Luther Farwell, Samuel Farnsworth,
Major William Park and James Carter of Harvard; Benjamin
Morse of Lancaster, John Park and Nathaniel Stone of Groton.
There were many others who quarried here at various times in
a small way. Some of these workmen kept in stock a collec
tion of head and foot stones, assorted sizes, set up in a grim
row by the roadside to attract purchasers. These ready-made
memorials were finished, even to the lugubrious willow droop
ing over "HERE LIES," above the blank space for the inscrip
tion; and always had some sententious legend at the base —
entirely non-committal and available for any character,
saintly or reprobate — such as "An honest man's the noblest
work of God," or " Death levels all both the Wicked and the
Just." In 1819 this monumental industry is first mentioned in
town-records, when authority was given for cutting down the
road over Pin Hill, " north of where stones have been gotten
out for grave-stones." At the same date several persons
sought and obtained leave " to open the quarry " at that
locality. About 1825, Levi Hayden began to cut grave
stones here, and devoted a part of his time yearly to this
work until 1855. The partners Benjamin K. Park and Isaac
N. Stone were the first to saw stone in Harvard (1839), usino-
for'their shop the old fulling-mill which stood where George
E. Burt's manufactory now is. They not only worked slate
here, but imported marble to keep their saws busy. About
•1842 the firm of Winslow, Folsom and Company of Lowell

SLATE QUARRIES. 45 1
appeared upon the scene, boldly proposing to revolutionize
the process of quarrying in this locality, and lay the founda
tion of an important and lucrative industry. The chief ad
venturers in the enterprise were : Edward Winslow, John L.
Folsom and Paul Hill. They scouted at the slow method of
splitting the stone, and confidently began the use of bla.sting
powder. After throwing down thousands of tons of slate
from the side of the hill at sundry points, they were forced
to the conclusion that the old-fashioned way was cheaper, as
well as better in its results, than the new. Most of the rock
torn from its bed by the explosives was so shattered as to be
worthless; and upon sawing blocks that seemed homogene
ous, seams were often developed, or spoiled the finished pro
duct when exposed to the weather for a winter or two.
Having wasted considerable capital the firm abandoned the
field. Deacon Isaac N. Stone continued the manufacture of
slate until 1863. The fashion in mortuary monuments favor
ing marbles and granite, there has been little use made of the
Pin Hill slate since his day.
The Lowell firm had leased the old paper mill beside the
highway upon the site of the Turner forge, and had fitted it
with machinery for slate-working. After their abandonment
of the quarries, Mr. Edward A. Winslow conceived the idea
of turning marble urns, vases, and decorative architectural
details by machinery, and contrived tools which successfully
effected his purpose. His invention did not lead to any large
manufacture here, but it was used with great saving of cost to
the government, in building the additions to the Capitol at
Washington, Calvin Warner, Winslow Bradford and perhaps
one or two other Harvard workmen going thither to operate
the Winslow machinery,
AQUEDUCT.
The first aqueduct in Harvard dates from 1796. In No
vember of that year the town granted leave to William Emer
son, Silas Parkhurst, Thaddeus Pollard, Benjamin Kimball
and Jonas Whitney to dig a trench across the highway and
the common for the purpose of laying pipes of wood for con
veying water into their houses from a spring they had pure-

452 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
I
hased of Colonel Henry Bromfield. This aqueduct remains
in use, the bored logs originally laid having, however, been
long ago displaced by lead pipe.
POTASH WORKS.
In 1755, Joseph Wilder, Jr., and Caleb Wilder of Lancas
ter, in a petition to the General Court, set forth " that they
have acquired the art of making Potash and Pearlash," and
desire to ship their product to Great Britain, but cannot
legally do so until it has been assayed, and ask that an assay
master may be appointed. This marks the beginning in
America of an important industry, which soon extended to
all the towns around Lancaster. The Wilders sometimes
sent as much as one hundred and fifty tons of pearlash and
half that quantity of crude potash to England in a year, and
their " acquired art " being a simple one, requiring no plant
more complicated than a leach tub and a cast-iron kettle,
" potash works " were speedily established in Harvard, The
first of which mention is found was that of Gordon Hutchins
and associates. It is said this was located on the Atherton
farm near the Still River Station. It was in operation as
early as 1760. David Sampson and Lieutenant John Whitney
built a potash works in the same locality some time after the
Revolution, which they sold to John Barnard in 1791. An
other potash works is shown on the map of 1794, in the ex
treme north of Harvard, and is mentioned in the transfer of
lands to and from Captain Eleazar Hamlin.
CIDER AND VINEGAR MANUFACTURE.
In the last century many of the wealthier farmers had
their own cider-mills, the apples being ground and pressed by
horse and hand power. The old style mills have altogether
disappeared, and steam and water power are now called upon
to do their work. The chief cider and vinegar factory of
Harvard is that of William B. Haskell in Still River, built in
1876. Its motive power is steam, and its capacity four thou
sand barrels of vinegar per annum. The most approved mod
ern machinery is here used to hasten the conversion of the
cider to vinegar.

MANUFACTURES.

TANNERIES.

453

The business of currying and tanning, once prominent in
the town, has wholly disappeared, and the location of the
old tan-yards is known to but few. The last tannery aband-
one"d was probably that of the Shakers. Another that sur
vived into the present century was a few rods south of the
residence of Reverend John B. Willard. Among those who
made leather at this location were : Flint Davis, Amariah
Wood and Deacon Charles Chace. James Stone was the
chief tanner of Harvard during the Revolutionary period;
he owned lands near and north-east of the common.
BRICK-MAKING.
The brick-yard beside the railway near the Still River
station was bought of two Northborough men, Silas Haynes
and Albert Goodrich, in 1852, by Jonathan C. Richmond and
William Comstock, who came from Southborough. The man
ufacture begun by them grew under Mr. Richmond's manage
ment into a thriving business, but misfortunes came, and about
1880 Frederick Augustus Willard succeeded Mr. Richmond in
ownership of the property. He continued the making of
brick here until his death. Frank G. Bailey of Danielson-
viUe, Connecticut, purchased the clay right and plant in 1889,
and introduced* improved machinery. The product of the
yard now reaches from two to two and one-half millions of
brick per annum, and twenty workmen are employed. Sam
uel W. Dickinson of Shabikin manufactured brick to the
amount of three or four hundred thousand yearly for several
years, but has now abandoned the business. Before these
yards were opened the brick used in Harvard was brought
chiefly from the Burbank and other kilns west of the Nashua.
MILLS, ETC.
The corn-mill built by John Prescott on Nonacoicus Brook
in 1668, and given to his son, Jonas, was the first building
known upon Harvard soil. It served the town of Groton
until the desolation of the border towns by the Indian raids
of 1676. Upon the resettlement, under special leave granted
at a town-meeting in Groton, June 13, 1681, Jonas Prescott

454 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
set up his corn-mill at Stony Brook, and probably removed to
the new location such material from his old mill as remained.
After that date we find references to the " old mill place,"
but no hint of a mill there, and when, September 22, 1710,
Jonas Prescott deeded all his lands, four hundred and forty
acres, between the Cold Spring and Nonacoicus Brooks to
Jonathan Farnsworth, there was no mention of buildings
thereon. The first mill built in Harvard after the Prescott grist-mill
was the saw-mill of John Daby, which is mentioned in the
records as early as 1733, when he provided a part of the ma
terial for the meeting-house. Daby was a smith by trade,
and lived in Stow Leg, his name standing at the head of the
petitioners for the town grant in 1731. His son, Joseph, a
joiner, is mentioned as proprietor of a grist-mill in 1748.
These Daby mills probably stood on or near the site of the
upper mills on the brook. Joseph Daby sold both saw-mill
and corn-mill to Jonathan Symonds in 1751.
Joseph Wetherbee, a blacksmith, appears in possession of
a grist-mill at the site of the old Prescott dam in 1755, but
whether it was built by him or by Nathaniel Farnsworth who
preceded him in ownership of the privilege is not discovered.
Wetherbee, in 1768, sold the privilege to Jabez Keep of West
ford, " gentleman," who established a forge and bloomery
here, which he and his son and grandson of the same name
managed until some time after the Revolution. The bog ore
used in the bloomery was mostly dug in the swamps in Gro
ton. It made a very " hot-short " metal, difficult to weld,
which went under the name of Groton iron. The forging
done here was chiefiy of bars and such articles as plough
points and plates for the wooden ploughs then in vogue.
Captain Jabez Keep, senior, died in 1774, and Captain Jabez
the second in 1784. The other members of the family re
turned to Westford. The Keeps are supposed to have lived
in a house which stood on the site of the large dwelling with
brick ends, known as the Blanchard house. The mill privi
lege has had numerous owners since the forge was abandoned
by the Keep family. The various heirs disposed of their
rights to different persons, and just before the close of the

OLD MILL.

455

eighteenth century Prince Turner — who had married Rachel
Keep — Lysaias Blanchard, Asa Cole, a wheelwright of Rindge,
and Europe Hamlin appear in possession of the forge or the
larger portion of it. Ellis Harlow, a mariner from Plymouth,
bought it in 1798, but it is not probable that there was any
further attempt at iron manufacture here. Certainly in 1818,
when Ellis Harlow transferred his property to William
Adams, a grist-mill had taken the place of the forge. Mr.
Adams found the flowage too restricted for the economical
running of a mill, and built a new dam and mill a short dis
tance below the historic Prescott dam obtaining a larger stor
age basin. In 1824, Arna Wetherbee bought the mill, but
sold it to the Shakers in 1829. The power was emploj'ed by
them for the pulverizing of herbs, spices, etc. Their purchase
of the privilege marks the beginning in the Harvard Com
munity of the herb business, which soon attained large pro
portions and is their chief industry today. Henry Hapgood
was the next owner of the power, which he purchased in
April, 1838. He introduced a shingle-mill and some other
wood-working machinery. Simon W. Draper, from Dedham,
bought the property in 1853, but immediately sold it to Ed
ward A. and George L. Winslow, who called themselves mar
ble workers, and perhaps proposed to develop here their
newly-invented process of turning marble for decorative and
structural uses, but found no encouragement to do so.
Frederick Copeland, a wheelwright, bought the grist-mill
of Edward A. Winslow in 1864, utilized the power here for a
few years, and added to the regular exTercise of his trade the
manufacture of various mechanical devices, such as wagon-
jacks, corn-shellers, etc.; but with so little success that about
1870 he abandoned the estate to the mortgagee, William Burt
Blanchard, and went to California. William and George
Haberly leased the shop for a time and made hammers and a
few other tools. The next owner, J. Willard Bacon, in 1873
greatly enlarged the mill and added new buildings adapted
to the manufacture of glue. His business, originally estab
lished in 1852, had grown to an aggregate of about ten thou
sand dollars a year, giving employment to six hands, when,

456

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

on the night of October i8, 1888, the buildings were entirely
destroyed by fire and have not been rebuilt.
The map of the Harvard survey of 1794 shows a fulling-
mill where George E. Burt's machine shop now stands, a trip-^
hammer just south of the highway, and two grist-mills and a
saw-mill upon the brook above at dams still in use. The
forge occupied the site of the Daby blacksmith shop, which
Thomas, the son of John, sold to William Hudson of Bridge-
water in 1771. Hudson probably introduced the trip-hammer.
In 1783, Prince Turner, a son-in-law of Jabez Keep, bought
Hudson's forge and "water-works." He was a soldier of the
Revolution, and a blacksmith by trade. It was jestingly said
of his numerous descendants that they came honestly by
their noses, which were commonly of generous length, for
that organ in their progenitor. Prince Turner, was the most
"rhinocerostic" ever seen upon a human face in Harvard.
Of an earlier patriarch of the tribe it is told that his nose
was so protuberant that he had to drink from a bottle even
from childhood. The forge was largely employed in the
making of axes, scythes and other farmers' tools. Luther,
the son of Prince, succeeded him, and the excellent quality
of his work brought him plenty of orders.
One night when returning from Boston with a heavy load
of steel and iron for the shop, his wagon was upset, and being
caught under the load his leg was so badly crushed that it
had to be amputated. He lived eight years after this misfor
tune, but had to relinquish the business to his son Elisha,
who, after running the forge for a few years, in 1829 sold the
water rights and building to Cyrus Whitney. The shop
was replaced by the mill now standing, and the manufacture
of paper was undertaken, but met with indifferent success.
For a time the paper pulp was made in the Oregon mill, and
by a long wooden trough was conveyed to this lower mill for
manufacture into sheets, and drying. Mr. Whitney sold the
privilege to John W. Patch in 1844, and in 1849 the title
passed to George C. Roundy of Lowell, a paper-maker. He
at once transferred it to Edward A. Winslow, who used the
power for the sawing of slate and marble. The title was
constantly changing hands by the foreclosing or transfer of

MILLS. 457
mortgages, and in 1855 a rope-walk is spoken of as a part of
the property sold by Reuben Whitcomb, Jr., to a Mr. Willis-
ton of Boston. The rope, cord and twine machinery and
the mill fell into the hands of Joseph Palmer in 1865, and his
son sold it to James McLaughlin in 1874. The rope and
cordage manufacture here was conducted by Thomas Dun
ham, and for a brief time only, the water-power being often
unused for long periods.
The fulling-mill shown on the map of 1794 was built by
Seth Gould from Sturbridge, in 1782, the water rights and
land for the mill site, dye-house and " tenter-bars " being
bought of William Hudson, the owner of the forge near by.
Gould retained the property but a brief time. It passed
through the hands of Moses Binney, Jonathan Stacy and
Daniel Kendall to Asa Warner in 1797. Warner rebuilt the
mill and conducted the business of a clothier here until 1816,
when he transferred it to Horace Rice and Hollis Freeman.
They were succeeded by Lucius Johnson of Petersham in
1821, who sold out to Alden Fuller, a clothier of Acton,
within a few months. James Wilson was located here for a
time. Fuller and John Whitney deeded the mill to Joseph
C. Green in 1830, who was soon succeeded by Olney Eldridge.
In 1834 the creditors of Eldridge took possession of the es
tate, and in 1839 it was bought by Benjamin K. Park, who
changed the fulling-mill into a shop for the manufacture of
grave-stones, etc. The firm of Benjamin K. Park and Isaac
N. Stone here introduced machinery for sawing slate and
marble, and conducted business successfully for about fifteen
"years. The property was deeded to George E. Burt and
George Wright, machinists, in 1855. About the same time
Mr. Burt acquired from Edward W. Winslow a small batting-
mill, or carding-shop, which stood on the north side of the
highway by the brookside. Under the title of Burt, Wright
and Company the firm carried on the business of manufactur
ing agricultural machinery for two or three years when Mr.
Wright removed to Clinton and entered the employ of the
Clinton Wire Cloth Company. In 1864, shortly after gradua
tion at the Lawrence Scientific School, Edwin A. Hildreth
became associated with Mr. Burt. Burt, Hildreth and Com-

458

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

pany were chiefly engaged in the making of horse-power ma
chines. Since 1880 Mr. Burt has conducted the business by
himself, until failing health destroyed his ability^to labor,
employing from three to five hands. His works have been
closed during the past year. He has patented numerous
mechanical devices, chiefly improvements in farming imple
ments. His "American hay tedder," manufactured by the
Ames Plough Company, has been sold by thousands, and his
patent horse-rake and improved horse-power have been widely
used. On these he received a royalty, selling the rights of
manufacture to others. It is rare that inventive talent is ac
companied with those business qualifications that ensure large
financial success, and Mr. Burt is not exceptional in this re
spect. Edwin A. Hildreth l3ft the firm of Burt, Hildreth and
Company in 1881, and with his brother, Stanley B. Hildreth,
began the manufacture of horse-power machiney, etc., by a
steam-driven plant in a shop built near his residence. The
Hildreth Brothers have created a prosperous business, em
ploying six hands, and selling finished products to the
amount of about ten thousand dollars annually. The chief
articles manufactured by them are saw tables and a " power-
axe " or wood-splitter, patented by them.
As has been before stated, the Daby Mills came into pos
session of Jonathan Symonds in 175 1. His widow Judith
married Simon Daby, and in 1778 joined with other heirs to
sell the estate of eighty-one acres, including the Pin Hill
quarries, a dwelling, saw and grist-mills, to Jonathan Weth
erbee from Fitchburg. Wetherbee's Mills were a Harvard '
institution for over forty years.. In 1829 he removed to
Maine, transferring his estate here to Nathaniel Stacy and
Jonathan Sawyer. The description of the property deeded
included : a saw-mill, a grist-mill with a shingle-mill attached,
a paper-mill and "an old factory." The map of 1831 places
the paper factory at the dam of a mill now known as " Ore
gon," with two grist-mills and a saw-mill higher up the stream.
As the canal rights to the paper-mill were sold by Luther
Farwell to Cyrus Whitney in 1817, it was perhaps built about
that time. The original structure was destroyed by fire about

OREGON MILL. 459
1830. It received the name " Oregon " many years later —
about the date of the difficulty with England in regard to
the north-west boundary line — this soubriquet being deris
ively given it by a workman at one of the upper mills.
Since the Oregon factory ceaseid to be employed for the
manufacture of paper, it has passed through many hands,
and been utilized in various ways, though often idle. William
Baldwin bought it of mortgagees in 1857, and ten years later
sold it to John Bachelder of Groton, who leased it to sundry
parties. William J. Scrivener and a Mr. Hazeltine were
lessees who ran a grist-mill here. In 1878 Mr. Bachelder sold
the privilege to Henry B. Beard, and he, in 1881, deeded it to
Joseph A. Coram of Lowell. Edwin W. Trueworthy of
Lowell introduced stocking-knitting machinery here in 1881,
employing fifteen hands. This business which began so
auspiciously ended in November, 1882, and the next year
Enos O. Kingsley was in possession, but sold in 1884 to Rob
ert Murphy of Boston, who began preparations for the manu
facture of cutlery here. The mill lay idle for several years,
when in 1892 Benjamin K. Gallup and James Boland leased
it of Mr. Murphy, introduced machinery for the making of
cotton batting, and for a brief time turned out a production
of about five hundred pounds per day. This enterprise, like
most adventures here, has ended in failure.
The firm of Stacy and Sawyer about 1831 built below the
upper dam on the brook a large mill, the basement of which
was filled with machineiy for the making of wrapping paper,
while the upper story was used as a lead-pencil factory. Ben
jamin Ball of Concord was manager of the pencil manufac
ture. An excellent grade of goods was made and an exten
sive business was created. The company became embar
rassed, however, and in 1839 assigned their property to John
P. Whitcomb and Jerome Gardner for the benefit of their
creditors. The mills were sold at auction, and the second
privilege and mill were bought by Samuel Freeman Stone ;
John Stacy, Jr., purchasing that on the stream above, includ
ing the paper and pencil factory. /Mr. Stacy was compelled
to place heavy mortgages upon his property, and in 1859 his
creditors sold the upper mills to Mr. Stone. In i860 Nahum
30

46o HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Harwood and Sherman Fletcher bought all Mr. Stone's
rights, and by a subsequent agreement Mr. Harwood took
the paper-mill, into which was introduced machinery for the
making of leather board, while Mr. Fletcher became pro
prietor of the saw and grist-inills. These last were burned
the same year. In 1866, Mr. Harwood disposed of the
upper mill and the water rights to the American Machine
Company of Newburyport, the consideration named being
$14,000. The next year the mill was again transferred to
James Blood, William Graves, William H. Brewster and
others for gi8,ooo, and in 1868 the Harvard Manufactur
ing Company was organized with a capital of ;^40,000,
William Graves being president and Nahum Harwood treas
urer. The leather-board industry prospered for a time, and
the mill was sometimes run night and day, the full capacity
of the works being one ton of finished product per diem ;
but water sometimes failed, the breast wheel was ill adapted
to the situation, and the company sold to Charles W.. S.
Adams of Chelmsford its works, known as the Excelsior Mill,
and the water rights for the sum of $3000. The mill was
closed in August, 1880, and sold by Mr. Adams to Walter S.
Watson of Lowell in 1882. It has been temporarily leased
by Mr. Watson for the making of shoddy, wool-scouring, etc.,
but is now idle.
Sherman Fletcher conveyed the saw and grist-mills to
George H. Fletcher of Littleton in 1862, and he, associating
with him his brother, Edward E. Fletcher, greatly enlarged
the capacity of the machinery and conducted an extensive
lumber and manufacturing business. August 8, 1874, these
mills were a second time destroyed by fire, when the loss was
estimated to be ^11,000; including gang and circular saws, a
shingle-mill, box-machinery, a stave-mill, and a grist-mill.
The following year the firm went into bankruptcy, and the
Lancaster Savings Bank took possession of the property,
which was sold at auction to Oliver W. Turner. In February,
1877, both saw and grist-mill were at work again under a lease
to Edward O. Turner and H. H. Gale. In 1883 the buildings
were for the third time consumed by fire, but were at once
rebuilt and in operation again September 20 of that year.

MILLS.

461

An engine was at this time added to supplement the very
variable water-power. The firm of Farwell and Dickson
bought the mills in 1887, and Arthur S. Bigelow succeeded
to possession of them February 29, 1888.
On the Assabet branch near the Boxborough line there
were from Revolutionary days small saw and grist-mills in
possession of the Whitcombs. On the map of 1794 there are
represented two grist-mills and a saw-mill here. James Whit
comb, the earliest landholder in this part of Harvard, when
transferring his estate to his sons in 1768, mentions his dam.
In 1849, Reuben Whitcomb sold a saw and grist-mill to John
A. Withington. These were deeded to Silas Wetherbee in
1868, to William Messire in 1873, and to Philo Clapp in 1882.
They were destroyed by fire in- 1885, and the other saw-mill
upon the brook — that of Peter and Granville Whitcomb —
long ago became useless and disappeared. On one of the
feeders -of this stream, upon the farm of Andrew Fairbank,
a, dam was built and a small shop with tools for wire-drawing
was occupied during the Revolution.
A saw-mill upon Bowers's Brook, built by Joel Bowers be
fore 1830, was standing, though disused and falling into decay
in 1857. A dam yet visible upon the Bare Hill Brook —
which rises near the No. 7 school- house — marks the site of a
grist-mill of colonial days. Mention of this is first found as
" Houghton's Mill Spot." In 1777 the heirs of Israel Hough
ton and others sold this privilege to John Priest, and it was
for some time utilized by him. The mill probably stood
nearly upon the line between Bolton and Harvard.

XI.
HARVARD BIBLIOGRAPHY.

THE citizens and natives of Harvard gifted with literary
tastes and talents have been many, and of these several
have given to the press works entitling them to rank as
authors. The names of such as have been discovered, with
the titles of their published writings, will be given. The
earliest in the list was the first minister of the town — a minor
poet, whose muse, singularly enough, seems to have deserted
him when he left the classic groves of Harvard College to
dwell amid the idyllic landscapes of Harvard township : —
John Seccomb, 1708-1792; pastor and resident of Harvard, 1733-1763.
I. Father Abbey's Will. To which is now added, A Letter of Court
ship to his virtuous and amiable Widow. Cambridge, December, 1731.
Sold at the Bible and Heart in Cornhill, Boston, 4to, i leaf.
2. Brief Account of the Revival of Rehgion at Harvard, a letter to
Prince's Christian History for February and March, 1744.
3. A Sermon Preached at Halifax, July 3, 1770, at the Ordination of
the Rev. Bruin Romcas Comingoe, to the Dutch Calvinistic Presbyterian
Congregation of Lunenburg [N. S.] by John Seccomb of Chester, A. M.,
being the first preached in the Province of Nova Scotia on such an occa
sion; to which is added an Appendix. Hahfax; A. Henry, 1770, 8vo. pp.
31. This discourse was reprinted the same year at Philadelphia, in the
Dutch language.
4. A Sermon occasioned by the Death of the Honourable Abigail
Belcher, late consort of Jonathan Belcher, Esq., late Lt. Gov. and Com.
in Chief, and His Majesty's present Ch. J. of his province of Nova Scotia,
del. at Hahfax, in the said province, Oct. 20, 1771  with an Epistle by
Matthew Byles, D. D. Boston; T. & J. Fleet, 1772. Bvo. pp. 7, 25.

FATHER ABBEY'S WILL. 463
5. A Sermon, occasioned by the Death of Mrs. Margaret Green, con
sort of the late Honourable Benjamin Green, Esq., delivered at Halifax,
in the Province of Nova Scotia, Feby. i*'. 1778. Halifax, 1778. 8vo. pp. 21.
Father Abbey's Will was reprinted in the Weelily Rehearsal,
Boston, January 3, 1732, and the Letter of Courtship in the
same weekly for February 7, 1732. Governor Belcher sent a
copy of these papers to his son Jonathan, Seccomb's class
mate, who was then in London, and the rhymes were at once
reprinted there; the Will appearing in the Gentleman s Maga
zine and the London Magazine for May, 1732, and the Letter'
in the Gentleman s Magazi?ie for June, and in the London Mag
azine for August, 1732. Both were reprinted in the Massa
chusetts Magazine for November, 1794. Reverend John
Langdon Sibley published them, with annotations, in the
Cambridge Chronicle, and printed a small edition in pamphlet
form for private distribution, 1854-5. Benjamin H. Hall in
cluded these poems in College Words and Customs, 1856.
They are also to be found in Duyckink's Cyclopedia of Amer
ican Literature. The Will has been set to music. The jing
ling lines were very popular at New England firesides during
the eighteenth century, clinging to the memories of the aged,
and often repeated for the entertainment of the young. The
transcript appended follows the original broadside copy, such
variations as are found in other texts being inserted in brack
ets or placed in foot-notes : —
FATHER ABBEY'S WILL:
To WHICH IS NOW ADDED, A LETTER OF COURTSHIP TO HIS VIRTU
OUS AND AMIABLE WiDOW.
Cambridge, December, 1731.
Some time since died here, Mr. Matthew Abbey in a very advanced
age : He had for a great number of years served the College in quahty
of Bedmaker and Sweeper : Having no child, his wife inherits his whole
estate, which he bequeathed to her by his last will and testament, as
follows, viz. —
( < T'O my dear -wife. My tub of soap,
1 My joy and Ufe. A long cart rope,
1 freely no-w do give her A frying pan and kettle,
My whole estate. An ashen [ashes] pail.
With all my plate, A threshing flail.
Being just about to leave her. An iron wedge and beetle,

464

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Two painted chairs.
Nine warden pears,
A large old dripping platter,
This bed of hay
On which I lay.
An old sauce pan for butter.
A little mug,
A two-quart jug,
A bottle full of brandy,
A looking-glass
To see your face.
You'll find it very handy.
A musket true.
As ever flew,
A pound of shot and wallet,
A leather sash.
My calabash.
My powder-horn and bullet.
An old sword-blade,
A garden spade,
A hoe, a rake, a ladder,
A wooden can,
A close-stool pan,
A clyster-pipe and bladder.
A greasy hat,
My old ram cat,
A yard and half of linen,
A pot of grease,
A woolen fleece.
In order for your spinning.
A small tooth comb.
An ashen broom,
A candlestick and hatchet,
A coverlid
Strip' d down with red,
A bag of rags to patch it.

A ragged mat,
A tub of fat,
A book put out by Bunyan,
Another book
By Robin Rook, [Cook] [Hook]
A skein or two of spun-yarn.
An old black muff,
Some garden stuff,
A quantity of burrage.
Some devil's weed.
And burdock seed.
To season well your porridge.
A chafing-dish.
With one salt-fish,
If I am not mistaken,
A leg of pork.
A broken fork.
And half a flitch of bacon.
A spinning-wheel.
One peck of meal,
A knife without a handle,
A rusty lamp.
Two quarts of samp.
And half a tallow candle.
My pouch and pipes.
Two oxen tripes.
An oaken dish well carved.
My httle dog.
And spotted hog,
With two young pigs just starved.
This is my store,
I have no more,
I heartily do give it,
My years are spun.
My days are done,
And so I think to leave it.

Thus father Abbey left his spouse,
As rich as church or college mouse.
Which is sufficient invitation
To serve tbe college in his station.

"Newhaven, January 2, 1731.
"Our sweeper having lately buried his spouse, and accidentally hear
ing of the death and will of his deceased Cambridge brother, has con
ceived a violent passion for the relict. As love softens the mind and
disposes to poetry, he has eas'd himself in the following strains, which
he transmits to the charming widow, as the first essay of his love and
courtship :

LETTER OF COURTSHIP.

465

MISTRESS Abbey,
To you I fly,
You only can relieve me,
To you I turn,
For you I burn.
If you will but believe me.
Then gentle dame.
Admit my flame.
And grant me my petition,
If you deny,
Alas ! I die
In pitiful condition.
Before the news
Of your dear spouse
Had reached us at Newhaven,
My dear wife died,
Who was my bride
In anno eighty-seven.
That [thus] being free.
Let's both agree
To join our hands, for I do
Boldly aver
A widower
Is fittest for a -widow.
You may be sure
'Tis not your dow'r
I make this flowing verse on ;
In these smooth lays
I only praise
The beauties [glories] of your person.
For the whole that
Was left my [by] Mat
Fortune to me has granted
In equal store.
[I've] one thing more.
Which Matthew long had wanted.

No teeth 'tis true
You have to shew,
The young think teeth inviting ;
But, silly youth I [youths]
I love the mouth [those mouths]
Where there's no fear of biting.
A leaky eye.
That's never dry.
These woful times is fitting.
A wrinkled face
Adds solemn grace
To folks devout at meeting.
[A furrowed brow.
Where corn might grow.
Such fertile soil is seen in't,
A long hook nose,
Tho' scorn'd by foes.
For spectacles convenient.] (i)
Thus to go on
I would [cou'd] put down
Your charms from head to foot.
Set all your glory
In verse before ye,
But I've no mind to do it. [do't.]
Then haste away
And make no stay ;
For soon as vou come hither,
We'll eat and sleep.
Make beds and sweep,
And talk and smoke together.
But if, my dear,
I must move there
Tow'rds Cambridge, I'll get thee (2)
To touse the hay
On which you lay,
If age and you will let me. (3)

1. This stanza is found only in the London Magazine.
¦z. "Tow'rds Cambridge straight I'll set me," in Magazines.
3. "If, madam, you will let me," in Gentleman^ s Magazine.
Joseph Wheeler, A. M., 1736-1793; pastor and resident of Harvard,
1759-1781. A letter dated February 24, 1767, giving a few facts relating to the his
tory and growth of the town of Harvard, printed in the Massachusetts
Historical Society's Collections, x. 88.
Ebenezer Grosvenor, A. M., 1739-1788; pastor at Harvard, ^782-
1788. A Sermon at the Ordination of the Rev. Daniel Grosvenor  Grafton,
October 19, 1774. Boston, 1774, 8vo. pp. 31.
Amos Taylor, resident, 1782-
A Narrative of the Strange Principles, Conduct and Character of th§

466 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
People known by the Name of Shakers: whose Errors have spread in
several Parts of North America, but are beginning to diminish and ought
to be guarded against  by Amos Taylor, Late of their Number, and
acquainted with them in five different Governments for ten Months.
Number i. Wherein their whole Constitution is laid open, more particu
larly the Method used by that People in making their Proselytes. Wor
cester, printed for the Author, mdcclxxxii. [Harvard, April 15, 1782.]
i6mo. pp. 17. To this is appended a "General Advertisement intended
to promote Printing and the manufacture of paper more generally in the
United States of America " — being in purport a proposition to buy paper
rags of those who would take their pay in Taylor's pamphlets.
William Emerson, A. M., Member Mass. Hist. Soc; Fellow Am.
Acad.; 1769-1811; pastor of First Church in Harvard, 1792-1799.
I. A Discourse delivered in Harvard, July 4, 1794, at the Request of
the Military Officers in that place  who with the militia under their
command were then assembled to commemorate the Anniversary of
American Independence. Boston, 1794, 8vo. pp. 18.
2. A Sermon preached at the Request of the Ancient and Honourable
Artillery Company, in Boston, June 3, 1799, the Anniversary of their
Election of Officers. Boston, 1799, 8vo. pp. 23.
3. An Historical Sketch of the First Church in Boston, from its For
mation to the Present Period. To which are added Two Sermons, one
on leaving the old, and the other on entering the New House of Worship.
Boston, 1812, 8vo. pp. 259 — Also nine occasional sermons and an oration.
Samuel Mead, A. M., native of Harvard, graduate of Harvard Col
lege, 1787: ordained at Alstead, N. H., June, 1791; pastor at Danvers, 1797-
1803, and at Amesbury, 1804-; died at Walpole, N. H., March 20, 1832.
I. Some Plain Truths delineated and Matters of Fact proposed as a
substitute for Groundless Tradition, by Samuel Mead, A. M., Pastor of
the First Congregational Church in Alstead. Walpole, 1793, 8vo. pp. 33.
2. A Sermon Delivered December 29, 1799; occasioned by the Death
of General George Washington, who Died December 14, 1799. By Sam
uel Mead, A. M,, Pastor of a Church in Danvers. Salem, 1800, 8vo. pp. 24.
3. A Sermon on the War, delivered at Amesbury, August 20, 1812.
[Fast Day.]  Newburyport, 1812, 8vo. pp. 18.
Isaiah Parker, M. D., 1752-1848; pastor of the Baptist Church at
Still River, 1776-1799, and resident in Harvard several years later.
I. A Funeral Discourse, delivered in the Baptist Meetinghouse, Har
vard; at the interment of Mr. Josiah Bowles, who departed this life March
29, 1799, in the 23d year of his age. By the Rev. Isaiah Parker, Pastor
of the Baptist Church in Harvard. Pubhshed at the repeated request of
the Widow and Friends of the deceased — To whom it is most respect
fully Inscribed by the Author. Boston: Printed by Luther Parker, 1800.
i6mo. pp. 21.
2. Two Discourses upon " The Final State of Humankind consid
ered," Printed at the Harvard Press, by Sewall Parker, son of the

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

467

author, 1804. 1 6m. pp. 59. These two sermons give Ur. Parker's reasons
for his conversion to the doctrines of the Universalist Church.
Eliphalet Pearson, L L. D.. Fellow Am. Acad.; Member Mass.
Hist. Soc; Professor and Acting President of Harvard College; 1752-
1826; resident in Harvard, 1820-1826. Professor Pearson's great literary
powers were waning when he took up his permanent residence in Har
vard, and his subsequent writings, if any there were, are forgotten. He
had before printed five sermons, and a sketch of the Rise and Progress
of the Theological Seminary at Andover.
Jonathan Farr, A. M., 1790-1844; native of Harvard, graduate of
Harvard College, 1818, and of Harvard Divinity School, 1821; pastor of
Unitarian Society at Gardner, Massachusetts.
I. Gospel Temperance. A Sermon, delivered in Gardner, Mass., the
Sunday Morning after there had been a "Protracted Meeting" in that
town. Boston, 1831, pp. 16.
2. Religious Curiosity or the Great Concern, a Sermon delivered in
Gardner, Mass., the Sunday Afternoon after there had been a " protracted
meeting" in that town. Boston, 1831, pp. 14.
3. These Four Days' Meetings — What are they for ? and what will
be the cost and the fruit of them? Boston, 1831, pp, 16.
4. Plain Letters on Important Subjects. [Gardner, 1831.] Boston,
1831, i6mo. pp. 230.
5. Sermons designed to teach the doctrines of the Gospel and earn
estly to enforce the precepts of Jesus Christ. [Sixteen sermons.] Bos
ton, 1833, i6mo. pp. 280.
6. Counsels and Consolations; Containing Meditations and Reflec
tions on sixty-two Passages of Scripture, with particular Reference to
those in Trouble and Affliction. To which are added four Sermons,
suited to Persons in distressed and mournful Circumstances. Boston:
two editions, i8mo.
7. The Child's Duties and Devotions. Boston, 1835. [Harvard, April
4, 1835.] i8mo. pp. 96.
8. Forms of Morning and Evening Prayer, composed for the use of
Families. Boston, 1836, 1843, etc. [Harvard, May 14. 1836.] i8mo. pp. 176.
9. The Death of the Righteous and the Birth of the Saviour. Two
Sermons dehvered in the First Church of Boxborough, March 27, 1836 :
being the Sunday after the Interment of Dea. Oliver Mead, who died
March 20, aged 84; the first being a funeral Sermon on his death, the sec
ond a Sermon on a text selected by the deceased not long before he died.
Boston, 1836, i2mo. pp. 24.
10. A Serious and Friendly Address to the Anxious Inquirer, pp. 18.
II. A Pastoral Letter, by a Unitarian Minister, pp. 16.— On Reviv
als, pp. 16.
12. Dorcas : a Sermon; etc 
Amos Bronson Alcott, 1799-1888; resident at Harvard, 1843-1844.
While here he contributed articles to the Dial, and probably to other
periodicals. His important hterary work was all of a later date.

468 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Charles Lane, resident in Harvard, 1843. He was a prolific writer
for the press, and especially for the Dial, of which he was a diligent con
tributor while in Harvard. Among his articles was one uppa the Shaker
Community. Alonzo Hill, S. T. D. (1851), graduate of Harvard College, 1822,
and of Harvard Divinity School, 1826. Overseer, 1851-4; native of Har
vard; died at Worcester, February i, 1871.
I. A Sermon .... at the Ordination of Rev. Josiah Moore  in Athol,
Dec 8, 1830. Worcester, 8vo. pp. 39.
2. A Discourse on the Life and Character of Rev. Aaron Bancroft,
D. D  Worcester, 1839, 8vo. pp. 40.
3. A Discourse on the Life and Character of the Rev. Nathaniel
Thayer, D. D  Worcester, 1840, 8 vo. pp. 40.
4. A Discourse delivered in the ancient Meetinghouse of the First
Congregational Society in Hingham  Boston, 1850, 8vo. pp. 23.
5. The Glory of the Latter House : A Discourse delivered at the
Dedication of the Second Congregational Society in Worcester, March
26, 1851. Worcester, 8vo. pp. 55.
6. A Discourse on the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of his Ordination in
Worcester, March 28, 1852. Worcester, 8vo. pp. 46.
7. A Discourse  in Worcester on the  Death of Hon. John
Waldo Lincoln, who died Oct. 1, 1852. Worcester, 8vo. pp. 33.
8. The Maine Law : An Address  in Sterling, April 13, 1853 
Worcester, i2mo. pp. 12.
9. A Sermon on the Death of Hon. John Davis  at Worcester,
Mass., April 23, 1854. New York, 8vo. pp. 25.
10. A Discourse commemorative of the Hon. Thomas Kinnicutt, who
died January 22, 1858. Boston, 8vo. pp. 28.
II. A Commemorative Discourse on the Rev. Samuel Clarke  Dec.
II, 1859. Boston, 8vo. pp. 36.
12. A Sermon preached in Worcester, August 17, 1862  after the
burial of Mr. William Hudson, a private in the Twenty-fifth Regiment of
Mass. Volunteers. Boston, 8vo. pp. 23.
13. In Memoriam : A Discourse preached in Worcester, Oct. 5, 1862.
 Lieut. Thomas Jefferson Spurr, 15th Mass. Vols., mortally wounded
at the Battle of Antietam, died in Hagerstown, Sept. 27th. Boston, 1862,
8vo. pp. 32.
14. A Discourse preached March 28, 1867. . ..on the Fortieth Anni
versary of his Settlement  Cambridge, 1867, 8vo. pp. 66. Portrait.
Henry Bromfield Pearson, A. M., 1795-1867; resident in Harvard,
1820-1855. I. A Discourse delivered in the First Congregational Church at Har
vard, Worcester Co., Mass., on the day of the Annual Fast, April 6, 1848.
 Published by subscription at the Request of the hearers and others.
Boston, 1848, 8vo. pp. 22.
2. Discourse on the Immortality of the Soul, delivered at Harvard,
Worcester Co., Mass., on Sunday, April 30, 1848. . . Boston, 1848, 8vo. pp.31.!

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

469

3. Letters  to Rufus Choate, on his Letter to the Whig Committee
of the State of Maine. [Originally published in the Eastern Mail, Water
ville, August and September, 1856.] Portland, 1856, 8vo. pp. 16.
Lorenzo Dow Grosvenor, resident, a Shaker elder.
A Circular Letter in defence of the United Society of Behevers com
monly called Shakers, with a reply to correspondents. Harvard, 1849.
He was a writer of verse, some of which was printed. Stanzas by him
called "Mother's Closet" can be found on page 718 of Reverend Seth
Chandler's History of Shirley.
George Fisher, 1796-1853; pastor of the Evangelical Congrega
tional Church in Harvard, 1819-1853.
Mr. Fisher preached two sermons upon the history of the town and
church, being centennial discourses — July 11, 1832, and September 8,
1833. These were not printed; but being deposited in the Congregational
Library, Boston, are accessible to students.
2. A Sermon preached in Pepperell, July 21, 1840, at the Funeral of
the Reverend James Howe. . . .Concord, 1841, pp. 25.
Washington Gilbert, 1800-1879; pastor of the First Church in
Harvard, 1831-1855.
I. A Sermon delivered before the First Congregational Society in
Harvard, Sunday, October 23, 1831 — Connexion of Morality with ReUg
ion. Lancaster, 1831, 8vo. pp. 15.
2. A Sermon  The Law of Liberty, 1834.
George Whitefield Samson, D. D., native of Still River; gradu
ate of Brown University, 1839, ^^^ of Newton Theological Institution,
1843: pastor of East Baptist Church, Washington, D. C, of First Baptist
Church at Harlem, N. Y., and the Baptist Church at Jamaica Plain, Mass.
President of Columbia College, Washington, D. C, 1859-1871, and of
Rutger's Female College, N. Y., 1871-1875, and 1886-
I. Baptist Succession, or Baptist Principles in Church History. A
Centennial Discourse delivered June 27, 1876, before the Baptist Church
in Harvard, Mass. New York, 1878, i6mo. pp. 93. To the discourse is
added an historical appendix. There are numerous errors in the nar
rative portion of this pamphlet.
2. Sermon on the Death of Sarah Constance Green .... August 17,
1849, 8vo. pp. 16.
3. Te Daimonion; or the Spiritual Medium. Boston, 1852, i2mo.
4. The Providence of God in Raising up under our Republican Insti
tutions, Great and Good Men as our Rulers : a Discourse  at Jamaica
Plain, Mass., on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 1852. Boston, 1853, 8vo.
pp. 16. This relates to the death of Daniel Webster.
5. Spirituahsm Tested; or the Facts of its History classified, and
their cause in Nature verified from Ancient and Modern Testimonies.
Boston, i860, i2mo. pp. 185.
7. Outhnes of the History of Ethics, i860. i6mo.
8. Elements of Art Criticism. Philadelphia, 1867, 8vo. The London

470

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Examiner honors this with the criticism: "immoderately ambitious."
An abridged edition was printed in 1868. l2mo. pp. 406.
9, Physical Media; in Spiritual Manifestations. 1869. 8mo.
10. Memorial Discourse on the Life and Character of Rev. ]oel
Smith Bacon, D. D., Third President of the Columbian College  June
27, 1870. Washington, 8vo. pp. 26.
The Atonement viewed as Assumed Divine Responsibility. Philadel
phia, 1878, i6mo. — The Divine Law as to Wines. Philadelphia, 1880,
i2mo. — The English Revisers' Greek Text shown to be unauthorized ex
cept by Egyptian Copies discarded by Greeks. Cambridge, Mass., 1883.
i6mo. — Guide to Self Education. 1886. — Guide to Bible Interpretation.
1887. — Idols of Fashion and Custom. 1888. — Also a Memoir of Mary J.
Graham, with her Test of Truth. 1859. 8vo. — An Appendix to Daggs'
Theology. 1857. 8vo. — Sundry articles in Christian Review, 1849-1862.
George Elisha Fisher, born in Harvard; graduate at Amherst,
1846; clergyman.
I. The Church, the Ministry and Slavery. A Discourse, Delivered
at Rutland, Mass., July 14, 1850. Worcester, pp. 23.
2. A Farewell Discourse to the Congregational Church. .. .Rutland,
Mass., May 16, 1852. Worcester, 8vo. pp. 24.
3. Historical Address at the Semi-Centennial Celebration of the
Congregational Church in South Hadley Falls, Mass., August 9, 1874, etc.
Holyoke, 1874, pp, 21. [46.]
4. Historical Discourse at the Second Congregational Church. Am
herst, Mass., November 12, 1882 — with other addresses, etc Amherst,
1882, pp. 18. [40.]
Frederick Alonzo Reed, 1821-1883; pastor of Evangelical Con
gregational Church in Harvard, 1880-1883; graduate of Amherst Col
lege, 1843.
I. Sermon preached at the Rededication of the House of Worship of
the Evangelical Church in Harvard, Mass., October 12, 1882. 8vo. pp. 24.
This contains a condensed history of the church from 1733.
2. Twin Heroes. A Tale of the Separatists of the Times of Queen
Ehzabeth. i2mo. pp. 413. Boston, Congregational Pub. Society, 1875.
3. Boy Lollard : a Tale of the Readers of Tyndall's New Testament
in the Times of Henry VIII. i2mo. pp. 302. Boston, Congregational
Pub. Society, 1884.
John Barstow Willard, graduate of Brown University, 1842; a
clergyman, resident of Harvard from early boyhood. Mr. Willard has
been a constant contributor to various journals. His memory is a store
house of local history, and many of his shorter articles deal with this
topic. His Centennial Oration at Harvard, July 4, 1876, was printed in
Turner's Public Spirit. He has written much upon the theological, polit
ical and social questions of the day in a racy, readable style. His fellow
townsmen have long hoped for a History of Harvard from his pen — his
quahfications for the work being beyond those of any other man — and
this volume owes much to his courtesy and knowledge.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

471

Wesley Caleb Sawyer, A. M., Ph. D., Acting President University
of the Pacific, native of Harvard, son of Luke, born August 26, 1839.
I. A Practical German Grammar. Chicago, 1883, and 2d ed., 1886.
2. A Complete German Manual. Chicago, 1887, i2mo. pp. 133.
3. The Heroes of Wagner's Operas, soon to be published. Professor
Sawyer has also contributed articles to various magazines.
Warren Hapgood, native of Harvard, born October 4, 1816, the son
of Joel and Sally (Fairbank) Hapgood.
I. Address at Dedication of Harvard Free Library, June 22, 1887.
Mr. Hapgood has been an occasional contributor to various journals, and
has written much upon subjects connected with gunning and fishing for
the columns of Forest and Stream and similar periodicals. His articles
prove their author to be not only an enthusiastic and successful sports
man, but a true lover of nature, and a keen observer of the habits of
wild animals.
Annie Maria (Lawrence) Clark, native of Harvard, born Sep
tember 21, 1835.
I. Light from the Cross. Boston, 1869, i6mo. pp. 376.
2. Olive Loring's Mission. Boston, 1871, i6mo. pp. 279.
Mrs. Clarke has been a frequent contributor of both prose and poetry
to the journals. Her sister, Katherine Louisa Lawrence, has also
written much for the local newspapers.
Emily Eliza Hildreth, resident of Harvard, born at Chelsea,
Mass., May 25, 1839.
I. Lessons from Daily Life. Philadelphia, 1869, i6mo. pp. 120.
Miss Hildreth has contributed both prose and poetry to periodicals.
William Marshall Fitz Round, A. M., son of Reverend Daniel
Round, resident at Still River, 1876-1879; born at Pawtucket, Rhode Is
land, March 26, 1845.
Mr. Round wrote in Harvard : Child Marion Abroad, and Hal, the
Story of a Clodhopper. In Rosecroft, a later publication, one or two
characters figure, drawn from his memories of life at Still River, when
his residence — in which the post-office now is — was known as Rosecroft.
William Read, a Baptist clergyman, born at Barrington, Rhode
Island, November 10, 1825; resident pastor at Still River, 1879-1885.
I. The Restrung Harp. Poems. Boston, 1889, pp. 98.
Jane Maria Read, daughter of the last; resident at Still River,
1879-1885; born at Barnstable, Massachusetts, October 4, 1853.
I. Between the Centuries, and other Poems. Boston, 1887, PP. 206.
Also a contributor to journals and magazines.
Edwin Lassetter Bynner, the well-known novehst, though not a
native of Harvard (born in Brooklyn, New York, 1842), was brought to
this town when very young, and received his early education here, 1847-
1853- Benjamin Wesley Ball the poet, was born in Concord, but be
came a Harvard school-boy when about ten years old, and his home was
here until his graduation at Dartmouth, in 1842.

472 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Mr. Ball printed Elfin Land and other Poems, Boston, 185 1, and The
Merrimack River, Hellenics and other Poems, New York and London,
1892, 500 pp. i2mo.

The Harvard Printing Press has been incidentally men
tioned. It was established about 1800 by Luther Parker, son
of Dr. Isaiah Parker, the first pastor of the Baptist Society.
The business of printing was carried on by him and his
brother Sewall at his dwelling-house in the northerly part of
Still River village, for about ten years. They were but just
of age when they entered upon this enterprise. The first ex
ample of their handiwork now known is : —
A Sermon delivered at Harvard, June 3, 1801 ; at the Ordination of the
Rev. Stephen Bemis to the care of the Congregational Church and So
ciety in that place. By Joseph Lathrop, D. D., pastor of the first church
in West Springfield. Harvard : Printed by Luther Parker, 1801.
This pamphlet is admirably printed, with neatly engraved
and tasteful headpieces. It would do credit to any modern
press. The second work found with the local imprint is the
pamphlet of Dr. Isaiah Parker's sermons in 1804, already
noted, printed by Sewall Parker, the workmanship being good,
but inferior to the former. An almanac was issued from this
press for several years by Sewall and I. S. Parker. The title
of this in 1810 was : —
Trufant's family Almanac and Daily Register, Harvard, printed by
Sewall Parker, Proprietor of the Patent, sold by him wholesale and
retail, at his Printing Office, and at various other places in the New Eng
land States. (Price 9 dolls, per gross, 87 eents per doz. 12 cents single.)
This annual, besides the usual calendar and astronomical
matter, contained ruled and dated blank leaves for a diary,
lists of courts and stage routes, and several pages of anec
dotes, riddles, arithmetical problems, culinary and medical
recipes and letters upon agricultural topics. The last were
mostly from the pen of a local wiseacre, Phineas Willard,
who claimed that his advice to his brother farmers was
prompted by his own successful practice. Having reason to
believe that the husbandmen of the present day in Harvard
are not all versed in the methods of culture commended by

HARVARD ALMANAC. 473
Phineas, an item or two from his oracular articles will be
given : He inveighs against the common practice of apply
ing fertilizers to corn, either in the hill or by spreading upon
the field and ploughing in at the time of planting, alleging
that the stimulant is then largely appropriated by leaf and
stalk; and states that he has secured at least one-third more
grain by making the application at the time of " half hilling"
about the roots of the corn. He discourses of the salutary
lunar influences upon "buggy" peas thus : —
Peas are a profitable esculent, which will not impoverish lands where
they are raised. They will be more fruitful in a moderate soil than in a
rich one, but a particular time ought to be observed in sowing them to
prevent their being buggy, which is the third day after the full moon in
April, May or June.
Joseph Trufant, who probably gave name to this almanac
and perhaps was its compiler, at this time resided in Harvard,
having come thither from Groton in 1800. Luther Parker re
moved to Michigan and Sewall Parker to New York. Print
ing has also been done in a very limited way at the Shaker
village, e. .g: —
I. Regulations for the Free Schools of the Town of Harvard adopted
March 19, 1832, to which are prefixed extracts from the Statute relating
to Schools  Harvard, Mass., Printed in the United Society, 1832. i2mo.
pp.8. 2. Something New, a weekly published by Michael H. Barton. This
was at first printed at Exeter, and later in Boston, its purpose being "to
improve aiid perfect the orthography of the English language by substi
tuting an alphabet in place of the present one which shall contain thirty-
nine letters, each representing one of the distinct articulate sounds used
in our language." It was printed at Harvard, beginning with the number
for February, 1832, by Simon Blanchard, the type being of the new alpha
bet. The characters somewhat resemble those used by short-hand writ
ers. A few numbers of the paper are preserved in the library of the
Massachusetts Historical Society.
3. William Leonard. A Discourse on the order and propriety of
Divine Inspiration and Revelation, showing the Necessity thereof, in all
Ages, to Know the Will of God; Also a Discourse on the Second Ap
pearing of Christ in and through the Order of the Female. And a Dis
course on the Propriety and Necessity of a United Inheritance in all
Things in order to Support a true Christian Community. Harvard,
published by the United Society, 1853, pages 88.

474 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Very little has been written relating to the town's history
or that of its people. The maps of Harvard worthy of no
tice are : i. The manuscript draught of the survey of 1794, by
Silas Holman, the Bolton surveyor. This is deposited in the
Massachusetts Archives. The scale is two hundred rods to
the inch. 2. The survey by Holman in 1831, also in the state
archives. There are serious disagreements between Holman's
two surveys. 3. A map of the town based upon Holman's
later survey, from the Lancaster press of Carter, Andrews and
Company, 1831. This is drawn to a scale of one hundred
rods to the inch, exhibits all the roads and locates all the
houses, giving the names of the occupants or owners. 4. The
map of Worcester County, by Henry F. Walling, published
in 1857, following state surveys. 5. A map of Harvard on a
scale of one and a half inches to the mile, in F. W. Beers'
Atlas of Worcester County, 1870. This gives the location of
dwellings and the owners' names. 6. The section maps of
the United States Government Geological Survey, and the
Atlas of Massachusetts based upon them, published by
George H.Walker and Company, 1891. These give contour
lines and heights of the principal hills.
The map in this volume is a compilation of the above au
thorities, with additions and corrections from special surveys
and observation by the author of this volume, and Harold
Parker of Lancaster, civil engineers.
The following historical or biographical sketches may
properly be placed among Harvardiana : —
Reverend Peter Whitney in his History of Worcester County, 1793,
devotes ten pages (154-165) to Harvard's history and a description of the
town at that date.
Valentine Rathbun, " Minister of the Gospel," published A Brief Ac
count of a Religious Scheme Taught and Propagated by a Number of
Europeans who lately lived in a place called Nisqueunia in the State of
New York, but now residing in Harvard, commonwealth of Massachu
setts, commonly called Shaking Quakers. Worcester, 1682, i6mo. pp. 36.
Various editions of this were printed at Boston, Newburyport, etc.
Reverend Abijah Perkins Marvin, in a History of Worcester County
published in 1879, of which he was the editor, contributed a historical
sketch of Harvard, pages 558-569 of volume II.
Reverend Seth Chandler delivered An Historical Discourse .... before
the First Congregational Society in Harvard. .. .October 22, 1882. This

HARVARDIANA. 475
was printed with an Appendix, for Samuel A. Green, M. D. Boston,
1884, 8vo. pp. 88.
Honorable Samuel Abbott Green's several publications upon Groton
history contain numerous passages relative to Harvard and its founders.
This is especially true of his : The Boundary Lines of Old Groton.
A History of Worcester County published by J. W. Lewis and Co., in
1889, contains an anonymous chapter of one page (1164) upon Harvard !
In The Early Records of Lancaster, Mass., 1643-1725, The Military
Annals of Lancaster, Mass., 1740-1865, and The Birth, Marriage and
Death Register, Church Records and Epitaphs of Lancaster, Mass.,
1643-1850, three volumes printed by Henry Stedman Nourse, 1884-1890,
there are many pages which contain facts relating to Harvard's early his
tory, her soldiers of the eighteenth century, and her pioneer families.
Reverend Jacob Ide. A Sermon preached Sept. 12, 1821, at the Ordi
nation of the Rev. George Fisher as pastor of the First Congregational
Church in Harvard. Concord, 1822, 8vo. pp. 31.
Joseph Willard, A. M., in his Willard Memoir, or Life and Times of
Major Simon Willard, with notices of.... his descendants, gives much
genealogical information about Harvard families. Boston, 1858, 8vo.
pp. 470.
Reverend Nathaniel Thayer, D. D., preached a sermon, " The Good
Man," at the funeral of Henry Bromfield, Esquire, Harvard, February
20, 1820. This was largely biographical. Andover, 1820, 8vo. pp. 14.
Miss Susan Quincy's Memoir of her mother, Eliza Sus.an (Morton)
Quincy, adds to our knowledge of Colonel Henry Bromfield and the peo
ple among whom he lived.
In Memoriam. Edward Lawrence. Discourse delivered at The Me
morial Service held in the First Universalist Church, Charlestown, Mass.,
Nov. 8, 1885, and other tributes. Boston, 1886, 8vo. pp. 29. This is an
elaborate eulogy by Reverend Charles F. Lee, pastor of the society, in
which Mr. Lawrence was a deacon.
Professor Daniel Dennison Slade, M. D. Articles upon the Bromfield
Family in the New England Historic Genealogical Register, xxv and
and XXVI. A New England Country Gentleman, in the New England
Magazine for March, 1890.
Miss Louisa M. Alcott relates the story of Fruitlands in her "Tran
scendental Wild Oats," a sketch included in her volume entitled Silver
Pitchers. A Chapter in the Life of Father Hecker, by Reverend Walter Elliott,
New York, 1891, is also devoted to Fruitlands.
A Memoir of the Hon. Joshua Atherton, by his son, Charles H. Ath
erton. Printed, not published. Boston, 1852, pp. 57, 8vo.
Proceedings at the Dedication of Harvard Public Library at the Town
Hall, June 22, 1887 — together with an Historical Sketch of the Town and
its Public Institutions, by Selah Howell, A. M., and other Documents re
lating to the Library and its Benefactors. Boston, 1888, 8vo. pp. 46.
31

476 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
The printed reports of Harvard officials begin with that
of the selectmen for the year ending March 6, 1837, which is
a broadside from the press of the Concord Gazette. The
selectmen continued to print their annual statements of ex
penditures and receipts, including the reports of the treasurer
and overseers of the poor, on single sheets, increasing in size
from year to year until 1865. The press work was done some
times in Boston, sometimes in Fitchburg or Clinton, but more
usually in Groton. The report for 1864 and those since 1865
have been in pamphlet form, gradually including more and
more statistical information. The first school committee's
report made in print is that for the year ending in April, 1855.
The Assessors' Inventory and Valuation of Estates were
printed in the years: 1866, 1870, 1882 and 1890. The town
has no file of these reports in either the town-clerk's ofifice
or public library, and anything near a complete set can now
be found' in but one or two houses in Harvard.

XII.
VITAL STATISTICS.

I. THE BURIAL GROUND.
FOR one hundred and sixty years Harvard had but one
public burial place — the field given for that use by the
Lancaster proprietors February 5, 1733. Each year the high
way surveyors of the olden time were instructed at the annual
town-meeting "to mow the brush in the burying ground."
May 19, 1766, it was: "Voted to Fence the Burying Place
with a Stone wall four Foot and half High," and fifteen
pounds were appropriated for this improvement; but every
man was given permission to work but his share of the appro
priation upon the wall, if he chose to do so, within six months.
The grave-digger was one of the town's officials, chosen
at the annual meeting. Thus on March 25, 1754, "the Town
appointed Simon Davis for to Dig Graves the year ensuing."
/In 1808 the town bought a " Hearse and Harness '' for eighty-
eight dollars. Before that date the coffin was borne to the
grave upon a hand bier by the neighbors of the deceased;
or, if the distance was great, it was conveyed upon any con
venient vehicle to the gate of the burial ground. The little
building known as the hearse-house, until moved in 1821, was
beside the pound where the meeting-house of the Evangelical
Spciety now stands. In 1846 the present hearse-house re
placed the old one upon the present site^ ' March i, 1886, the
town accepted a legacy of one thousand dollars from the es
tate of Honorable Edward Lawrence, a resident of Charles-

478 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
town but native of Ha!rvard, under the provisions of his will
given : —
 to be expended by the selectmen or such committee as maybe
appointed with all reasonable dispatch after receiving the same, in build
ing a new stone wall or wooden fence, as they may think proper, around
the old Burying Ground in said Town, and in planting trees therein, and
generally in improving the same so as to make it more in accordance
with what such a place should be, and to manifest my affectionate re
membrance of those dear to me lyirtg buried there.
With this donation a substantial stone wall was built along
the roadside, and other much-needed improvements were ef
fected. At the formation of the Baptist Society in Still River, it
was proposed to locate a second burial place in the rear of
their meeting-house, and the fragments of an inscribed stone
which lie by a wall in that place indicate that the body of
Deacon William Willard, if no other, was interred there. The
Shaker Community, about the time of the organization in
1792, set apart a field for their dead in which there have been
a little over three hundred burials. An enclosed tomb in the
Old Mill district bears the inscription : " Erected in memory
of William Park, who died May 15, 1808, and Joseph Munroe,
who died July 25, 1847, act. 73 years, 3 mos. 23 ds." Two or
three solitary graves are known to exist in orchard and field,
probably the resting places of those hurriedly buried after
death by contagious disease. One of these, a short distance
westward from the alms-house, is marked by a stone in-
sbribed : —
Here Lies | Buried y'^ Body | of Capt. Benjamin | Stewart of Boston |
who died of the | small pox June | i6">. 1775 in y« 45 | year of his age.
Other lonely graves— notably that of Israel Reed in 1824—
were opened after time and earth had done their disinfecting
work, and the relics found were transferred to the family lot
in the public burial place.
The old burial ground becoming crowded, a movement
began in 1891 looking to the selection and purchase of land
for a town cemetery. This resulted in securing about sixteen
acres west of Pin Hill, for which the sum of eight hundred

BURIAL GROUNDS.

479

dollars was paid. The land was at once laid out for burial
purposes, and named Brookside Cemetery. This burial place,
though centrally located, and otherwise suitable for its use,
was not distinguished by any picturesque features, nor was it
so diversified in surface as to favor the landscape gardener's
art. Its selection therefore became the subject of some
criticism, and in September, 1892, Henry L. Warner, Esq.,
who had before given the sum of five hundred dollars " to
enhance and extend the beauty and ornamentation of the new
cemetery," offered to buy a site better adapted to ornamental
treatment, and give one thousand dollars for its improvement
if the town would accept the gift and abandon the location
at Brookside. At a very full town-meeting, September 24,
the town unanimously accepted the generous benefaction.
The new site chosen, to which the name Bellevue has been
given, is upon the east side of the road leading from Still
River to Harvard, commanding charming views of Bare Hill,
the lake and the central village; and when the skill of the
engineer, the taste of the gardener and the growth of tree
and shrub have perfected their work, it must become one of
the most attractive spots in this beautiful town. There had
been but a single burial at Brookside, that of Mr. John Hutch
inson. The first burial in the old field, it is said, was that of a
young girl, Elizabeth Willard by name, whose unmarked
grave is in the north-east corner of the enclosure. The old
est memorial stone is that of Ebenezer Davis, dated May,
1735. The building of the first tombs was authorized in Oc
tober, 1827; others have been added from time to time until
there are now twelve. In 1884 a public receiving tomb was
built at a cost of five hundred and twenty-five dollars. Dur
ing the excavations for the first tombs human bones were un
earthed, and at a town-meeting in 1829, Leonard Edgarton
and others, being complained against by citizens dwelling
near the grounds, were ordered to build their tombs " where
they will neither disturb the dead, nor offend the living." At
a much more recent date, the desecration of the grave of a
citizen famous in the early life of the town, awakened public
remonstrance, and the restoration of the crumbling relics tg

48o

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

their rightful resting place was enforced by a town-meeting.
Memorials to the earliest dwellers apon Harvard soil are for
the most part conspicuous by their absence. The graves of
the first Willards, Farnsworths, Athertons, Hapgoods, Hough
tons, Warners, etc., were perhaps beside those of their kin in
the older fields of Groton, Lancaster and Stow, though in
this enclosure a large proportion of the early graves were
unmarked, and time has so leveled the mounds that their lo
cation is no longer discernible. The head and foot stones
here have all been shaped with hammer and chisel. There
is not one slab rough as rived from the ledge, such as are
common in the oldest burial ground of Lancaster. The near
neighborhood of the Pin Hill slate, and the presence of stone
cutters having the requisite skill, made regular and decently-
inscribed memorials possible. These were all small at first,
with no other attempt at decoration than a faintly outlined
border, and, until about 1750, the inscriptions were formal
and altogether in capital letters of plainest type. Sometimes
the mortuary artist attempted a deaths'-head in low relief as
the crowning adornment of his work; but his representation
was as conventional as a school-boy's first attempts in the
same line. After the middle of the century there began to
appear more ambitious stones and inscriptions, and the letter
ing gives evidence that another and more ambitious artist
wielded the chisel. The staring deaths'-heads gradually grew
into faces, chubby, and meant to be cherubic, as the semblance
of wings attached to them makes evident.
There was no variation from the fashion of slate head and
foot-stones until public gratitude placed memorials over the
ashes of the two ministers, Johnson and Grosvenor. These
and that over Peter Atherton's grave are heavy tables of slate
resting horizontally upon pillars of brick and stone. A little
before the Revolution, quotations from the Scriptures and
mortuary rhymes began to appear upon the more pretentious
head-stones, and soon the fashion of the day pronounced an
epitaph crude that did not close with at least a couplet from
the standard works of the anonymous laureate of grave-yards.
The cherubim continued through the century to be the favor
ite symbol, but occasionally a draped urn was substituted.

EPITAPHS. 481
The weeping willow was rarely attempted before 1800. The
examples of the ludicrous or greatly incongruous are few
here. The sculptured bas-relief of a mother and babe stand
ing in an arched door-way, which surmounts the epitaph to
Martha Green, is the most noteworthy sample of both.
Rows of graves where three or more of the same family
died within a few years of each other, or even within a single
season, like those of the Bowles and the Cole families, tell of
the ravages of epidemics — the scourge of consumption for
which Harvard was once held in ill repute, or the fatal en
demic dysentery of 1746 and 1756. In the Bowles family
there were nine deaths within seven years. The portions of
the ground earliest occupied, thickly set with low memorials
of native slate, in simplicity present an eloquent contrast to
the newer lots, loaded with costly obelisks or elaborate mon
uments of imported marbles and polished granite.
The burial grounds since 1888 have been in charge of a
special Cemetery Committee of three citizens chosen annually,
and the sum of one hundred dollars is usually appropriated
each year to cover general care and repairs. There is also
available for the care of special family lots, the income of
three permanent funds : the Abigail Newman Fund of two
hundred dollars received in 1888; the Meriam Fund of one
hundred dollars received in 1891; and the Hiram Whitney
Fund, originally (1884), three hundred dollars, accepted
April, 1892.
EPITAPHS IN HARVARD BURIAL GROUNDS OF DATE
PRIOR TO 1800.
here lies buried I the body of I ENSIGN JOSEPH | ATHERTON,
WHO I DIED AUGUST | THE 16"* 1 735, | IN y" 43'* | YEAR OF HIS AGE.
PETER ATHERTON ESQ" closed the | Sccnc of life at Concord during
the Setting | of the General Court there, of which he | was a Member, the
ijth Qf June Anno Dom | 1764 in the 60"' year of his Age.
EXPERIENCE the Partner of his life | closed the Scene the 14th No-
vem. 1775, in the 64''' year of her | Age.
One Solitary Mansion incloses their Remains. | Companions in Life they have
the consolation (of not being seperated in death— if indeed Consolation be found
in the Grave ! This Monument is erected to their Memory -which will ever be
dear to the sons & daughters of Virtue & Religion.
In Memory of | M"'" Elizabeth Atherton | wife of Mr Peter Atherton, |
who died June lo"". | 1793, Aged 62 | years.
In Memory of | Mr Ephraim Barnard | Jun', son of Mr Ephraim | &

482 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Mrs Hannah Barnard, | who died June 27'". | 1795, Aged 23 years | & 4
months. Happy exchange to part with all below, | For worlds of bliss where joys unceasing flow.
Here lies Inter'd | the Remains of Mrs | Hannah, Wife of Mr: | Eph
raim Barnard, | who departed this | Life Oct. 4'". 1777. In | the 28'^ year
of I her Age
Here Lies The | Body of Lucy | Barnard y" Dafter | of Mr Beniamin
I And Mrs Lucy | Barnard, Who | Died Jan. y' 24. | 1752 aged 9 | Years 2
M. & II Ds
In Memory of | Mr Benj" Barnerd, | who departed this | Life Ocf.
24"". 1791 I in the 79"" year of | his age.
In Memory of | Daniel Barnard, son of | Lieut. Samuel Barnard & |
M'-'. Hannah his wife, | who died Oct'. 5"". 1799, | Aged 14 y" & twenty 9
days. with patience Lord I bore thine Hand | 'Till Death did set me free,
Resign'd my Breath at thy Command | Hoping to dwell with Thee.
IN I memory of | M'^ Elizabeth | Bateman, wife of | M' Jonas Bate
man, I who died | Feb' 19"", 1798, | in y" 62 yr | of her age.
Long she liv'd a life of pain, 1 We trust she reaps eternal gain.
In Memory of | Deacon William Bowles | who died July ii""- | 1766,
in the ^ig*. | year of his age.
Hear what the voice from heav'n [ For all the pious dead proclaim' d.
Sweet is the savor of their name, | And soft their sleeping bed.
In Memory of | Mrs Sarah Bowles | Relict of Dea"". William Bowles,
I who departed this life | Nov', ii"". 1798. | in the 57"' year of her age.
Sweet is the Memory of the Just, | His end is lasting Peace;
The pious soul ascends from dust, | To dwell in endless bliss.
In Memory of | Mr John Bowles son of | Deac"". William Bowles, |
who departed this | Life Sept. 28*''. 1795, | Aged 32.
Death is a debt to Nature due | Which I have paid and so must you.
Miss Mary Bowles, ] Daug'. of Deac" William | & M'^ Sarah Bowles
I died Nov 25"'. 1792, | Aged 27 years.
Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.
Miss Eliz" Bowles | Daug' of Deac". Will". | & M'* Sarah Bowles |
died Janu'. g*. 1793. Aged 20 years.
The sweet remembrance of the Just | Shall flourish when they sleep in dust.
Stephen Bowles | son of Deac" William, | & Mrs Sarah Bowles | died
Feb'. 3'*. 1793. I Aged 4 years.
Sleep on sweet babe Sc take your rest, | To call you home God thought it best.
In Memory of | M'. Nathaniel Bowles | son of Deacon Wilham | &
M'* Sarah Bowles, | who died Jans'. 24">, | 1797. In the 21=' year | of his
age. They die in Jesus & are blest, | How kind their slumbers are.
From sufferings & from sin releas'd | And freed from every snare.
In Memory of | Miss Anna Bowles | daug' of Deac" WiUiam | & M'^
Sarah Bowles, | who died Feb'. 20^''. 1797, | in the 17* year of her age.
She's bidden worldly vanity | And mortal bliss adieu.
And gone to sing without a sigh, | The anthem ever new.
In Memory of | MR JOSIAH bowles, | who departed this hfe | March
29"'. 1799, I in the 22"* year | of his Age.
Here in the Silent Grave is laid, | A Pattern for us all.
His willing Soul with joy obey'd | His Heavenly Father's call.
In Memory of | M' WILLIAM BOWLES, | who died Oct'. 19, 1790, I in
the 26 year | of his age.
Sleep on my brother take your rest | To call you home God thought it best
And at the resurrection morn | I trust he will your soul adorn.

EPITAPHS. 483
In Memory of | Polly Bridge Daug' | of M' Ebenezer & J M" Annes
Bridge, | who died June 2r' | 1788. Aged 16 months | & 26 days.
In memory of | Betsy Brooks | daught' of M' Samuel | & M" Betsy
Brooks I who died | Aug'. 19"", 1797 | Aged 18 months.
Here Lies Buried | The Body of | Dec" Caleb Brown ] Who Died No
vember I 23 A. D. 1758 I In y" 61 | Year of His Age.
Here Lies Buried | The Body of | Hepsabeth Brown | Dafter of Dec"
Caleb I & Mrs Ehsabeth Brown | Who Departed This | Life July y' 4 |
1766 & In y" 29 I Year of Her Age.
HERE LIES BURIED | Y" BODY OF WILLIAM | BURGES SON OF MR
I EBENEZER & MRS | HANNAH BURGES, | WHO DIED SEPTR | 8 A D I748
I AGE 3 YEARS | 2 M & 25 D.
IN Memory of | M" Martha Burns, wife of | M' John Burns, | who died
1 Aug' y« 13"', 1793; i Aged q6.
Death to ye Saints is no surprize, | They view by faith ye heavenly prize.
HERE LIES BVRIED | Y" BODY OF | HANNAH CLARK y« | DAUGHTER
OF MR JUDAH & MRS | EVNICE CLARK | WHO DEC"^ JVLY | y" 18"' I739
AGE I 4 YEARS 6 M I & 5 n.
HERE LIES BURIED | y" BODY OF | MARTHA COLE | DAUGHT^ OF MR
I JONATHAN & MRS | JUDITH COLE, | WHO DEC" | NOVEMBER 23, | A. D
1746, I AGE 20 YEARS ] & 20 DAYS.
HERE LIES BURIED | y^ BODY OF MRS | JUDITH COLE y" | WIFE OF
MR JONA. I COLE, WHO DEC"^ | NOVEMBER y« I*' | A. D. 1746 | AGED 46
YEARS. HERE LIES BURIED | y" BODY OF | JEDEDIAH COLE | SON OF MR
JONA. I & MRS JUDITH | COLE, WHO DEC'' | OCTOB" y' 21*' | A. D. I746. |
AGE 9 YEARS I 7 M. & II D.
HERE LIES BURIED | y= BODY OF MARY | COLE DAUGH". OF | MR
JONA. I & MRS. I JUDITH COLE, | WHO DEC''. | OCTOBR. y" 22''. | A. D I746.
I AGE 3 YEARS | & 25 D^
IN Memory of | Sarah Conant | Daugh' of Mr Will". | & Mrs Huldah
Conant, | who died Sept. y' i6">. | 1778, in y" 14'" year | of her | age.
ERECTED in Memory | of M'* mary conn | wife of M' | george
CONN who I died May ig"". | 1783; Aged 70 years.
No house of pleasure here bare ground | Did I expect to have ;
My bed of rest for sleeping found | I've made the silent grave.
In Memory of | Mrs. Hannah Curtis | wife of I M' Timothy H. Curtis
I who died August lo"". | 1798 in the 55"' year | of her age
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
HERE LIES BVRIED | y" BODY OF MRS | HANNAH DABY WIFE OF |
I MR JOHN DABY, | WHO DEPARTED | THIS LIFE NOVEMBER | I7"' A D
1744 I AGE 58 YEARS I & 5 M.
Here lies the Body | of Mr John Daby | who Departed this | Life
Jan?, e"" A. D. 1769 | Aged 80 years and | 11 months.
'Tis but a few whose Days amount | To three score and ten ;
And all beyond that short Account, | Is Sorrow Toil and Pain.
Our Vitals with laborious strife, | Bear up the crazy Load,
And drag those poor Remains of Life, | Along the tiresome Road.
Here lies y» Body of | Mr= Ehzabeth Daby, wife | of M' John Daby,
who I Departed this Life Septemb'. | y= 9 AD 1767, in the | 62 year of her
Age My Looks like -wither'd Leaves | Appear. And Lifes declining (
Light grows dim as Evening shadows are. | Life's vanisht into night.
In Memory of | M' jonas davis | who departed this life | May 30""
1764 I in the 37 year | of his age.

484 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Here hes the | Body of Daniel | Davis son of M' | Aaron Davis and |
M" Ruth his wife | who died Dec' 12"" 1778 Aged | 10 days & g hours.
Here hes | Interred the | Remains of M' | John Davis, who | Departed
this life January 29"' | 1768 In the 7o"» | year of his | age.
In Memory of | Abigail Davis | daug' of M' Flint | & M"' Abigail
Davis, I who died Oct'. 29"' | 1800, aged 5 years | & 6 months.
EBENEZER y" SON OF EBENEZER & SARAH | DAVIS DYED MAY y*
23. 1735. AGD 20 DAYS
HERE LIES BURIED— y" BODY OF MRS | SARAH DAVIS | y" WIFE OF
MR I ELEAZER DAVIS, | WHO DIED | FEBRUARY y" 3'' | A. D. I746 | AGD
31 YEARS I 9 M. 23 D.
Here Lies Buried | The Body of | Mrs Abigail Davis | Consort of the
late I Mr Eleazar Davis, | Dec'^. Who Departed | this Life July y" \ 2g,
1762 Aged 58 I years, ii Months & | 13 Days.
Here Lies Buried | the Body of M' | Eleazer Davis who | Departed
this Life | March y^ 26 | A. D. 1762, | Aged 59 years | & 10 Days.
IN Memory of | Mrs. Mary Dickinson | wife of J Mr Francis Dickinson,
I who departed this life | April 13"", 1790, Aged | 40 years, 3 months | &
6 days. Here hes ye Body | of a Daughter | of Lieut Isaac | Dodge and M'=
I Ehzabeth his wife | who was Born April 21" | and died 23'' 1782.
Here are deposited the Remains | of Deacon Josiah Fairbank, | who
departed this Life | Dec. 6. 1772 in the 79"" year | of his Age.
In him were hapily united those Graces and Virtues which are the | distin
guished Ornament of the | Christian Life. He was a tender | Husband, a kind
and instructive | Father, a generous Friend & good | Neighbour. Having served
his I Generation, yielding to the Will of | God, he fell asfeep in a well | grounded
Hope of a blessed Resurrec | tion to Immortal Life thro the | Merits of the Re
deemer. Mark the Perfect Man and behold | the upright for the End of that
Man is Peace.
HERE lies I Interred the Body of | M'» Mary Fairbank | Relict of |
Deac". Joseph Fairbank | who departed this Life | Nov'. 14"', 1791, | Aged
91 years, 1 1 mon. | and 6 days.
ERECTED I In Memory of | Abigail Fairbank | Wife of | Capt. Joseph
Fairbank, I who departed this Life | April 12"", 1798, Aged | 76 years, 10
months & | 6 days.
Here lies Interred y" | Body of Thomas | Fairbank Son of M' | Joseph
& M'= Abigail | Fairbank, who Deceas'd | Octob'. y^ 10 A. D. 1756 I Aged
5 years 11 | months & 17 Days.
Here lies Interred y= | Body of Ephraim Fairbank, | Son of Mr Joseph
& I Mrs Abigail Fairbank | who Deces*. Octob'. | y= 15, A. D 1756 I
Aged 2 years 11 | months.
In Memory of Lydia | Fairbank daughter of Dea. | Phinehas & Mrs
Sarah | Fairbank, who departed | this life Octo'. y^ i, 1782, I in ye 22 year
I of her age
When on my Grave you turn your Eyes, | Remember you were born to Die
Dear youth take care, beware, | Prepare to follow after me.
In Memory of | dean phinehas fairbank, I who departed this hfe I
I Aug'. 22*, 1800, in the | 82" year of his age.
By long experience I have known | Thy sovereign power to save-
At thy command I venture down | Securely to the grave
When I am buried in the dust, | My flesh shall be thy care.
These withering hmbs with the I trust | To raise them strong & fair
In Memory of | Miss Mary Fairbank, | Daughter of | Lieut. Amos
Fairbank | and Mrs Lucy his wife | Dec": who departed I this Life Nov
ye I*': | AD. 1784, aged 18 | Years, 7 months & 4 D.
Retire my Friends, dry up your Tears,
Here must I lie 'till Christ appears.

EPITAPHS.

48s

Here Lies buried | the Body of ] Mrs Lucy Fairbank, | Wife of Mr
Amos I Fairbank, Deceased 1 November 12, | 1767, Aged 28 | Years & 12
Days. Here are deposited the | Remains of Mr Jabez | Fairbank, who de
parted I this Life May y= 18 | AD. 1774 | Aged 30 Years 2 | months & 10
days. Behold and see as you pass bv | As you are now, so once was I
As I am now so will you be, | Prepare for Death and follow me.
Here lies ye body of | Mary Fairbank, Daft' | to Mr Jabez & Mrs. |
Keziah Fairbank, 1 who Died October | 11, AD. 1777, | Aged 5 years 5
months | and 20 Days.
Here are deposited y« | Remains of Manasseh I Fairbank son of Mr
J Jabez & Mrs Keziah | Fairbank, who was Born [ October 3"": 1767, | &
aeparted this life | the same Day.
HERE LIES BURIED ] y^ BODY OF CYRUS I FAIRBANK y= SON | OF MR
PHINEHAS I & MRS SARAH | FAIRBANK WHO | DEC* OCTOB' y« 5"" | A. D.
1746 I AGED 5 YEARS | 6 M & I3 D^
HERE LIES BURIED ] THE BODY OF | ELIZABETH FAIRBANK | THE
DAUGHTER OF | Mr JOSEPH & MARY | FAIRBANK WHO DIED NOVEMBER
I THE Ig"". 1736 I AGED 2 YEARS | & Ig DAYS
HERE LIES I BURIED Y" BODY OF | CYRUS FAIRBANK | SON OF MR
JOSEPH I & MARY FAIRBANK | WHO DIED | SEPTEMBER THE | 3'' 1 736
AGED 10 YEARS | 6 M | & II DAYS.
Here lies Interred y' | Body of Mrs Mary | Fairbank Wife of | Mr
Joseph Fairbank Jun; 1 who departed this | Life August y« 26 | AD 1748 |
Aged 25 years | 10 months | & 17 Days.
ERECTED I in Memory of | Mr Joseph Fairbank Jun'. | who departed
this Life I May 12"' 1784 Aged | 40 years 5 months | and 18 days
Tho' I am dead & in my grave | & all my bones are rotten I
When this you see remember me, if not yet quite forgotten.
In Memory of | Mrs Eunice Farnsworth, | Relict of Mr | Nathaniel
Famsworth, | who departed this life | Aug'. 6"'. I7g9 in the | 79"' year of
her age.
In Memory of Mr | Nathaniel Farnsworth | who departed this | Life
March 7"". 1784, | Aged 70 years.
Memento mori. | here lies the [ Body of Mr Jonathan | Forbush son
of Mr I John Forbush & Mrs | Eunice his Wife, f he died May 26'^ 1777
I Aged 20 years i month and | 26 days.
Memento mori. | Here lies Buried | the Body of M' | John Forbush |
who departed this Life Dec'. | 6"', 1775, Aged | 65 years & 23 d^
Here lie the Remains | of M'= Eunice forbush | Wife of | M' john
FORBUSH, I who departed this Life | March 14'", 1788, | Aged 74 years, |
9 months & 14 days.
HERE lies buried | y° Body of Mrs Sarah | Fullam wife of Lieut |
Elisha Fullam, | who died May 15"" | 1776 In ye 53'' | year of her age.
HERE LIES BURIED | Y" BODY OF MRS | ELIZABETH GATES | y" WIFE
OF INSIGN I JACOB GATES WHO I DEPARTED THIS | LIFE JANUARY y« |
24"» A. D. I74f, I AGE 37 YEARS | g M. & I5 D.
Here lies | the Body of | Abraham Gates son of M' | Jonathan Gates
J and Mrs Mary | his wife, who died Nov' i*' 1770 Aged 2 months & 6
days Here lies | Interr'd the Body of | Ensign Jacob Gates | who departed
I this Life | August 22, i76g, | In the 71*' year | of his age.
The wise the just the pious & the Brave, I Live in their death, & flourish from ye grave.
Grain laid m earth repays ye Peasants care, | And evening suns but set to rise more fair.

486 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
erected I In memory of | capt isaac gates | who departed this
Life I Oct'. 30"^, 1796 I In the 68"' year | of his age
In Memory of | Mr Nathaniel Geary | who departed this life | Jan'.
29"". I7gi. I In the 59"' year of | his age.
Forbear my friends to weep, | Since death has lost its sting
Those Christians that in Jesus Sleep, | Our God will with him bring
Here lies Intered | the Remains of | Mr JOHN goldsmith: | who was
Killed by the fall | of a stick of timber at | Acton on the 22'' day of |
Septemb'. 1798, aged 28 | years, 5 months & 5 days.
This Monument is erected | In memory of | Mr Sherman Goldsmith
I Son of M' Richard & | M'' Sarah Goldsmith | who departed this Life |
at the Island of Tobago | Jany. 1796 m the | 23'' year of his age.
What though in foreign lands remote from home,
The dying stranger gently sinks to rest.
Yet man's vast brotherhood shall build his tomb,
And the lorn pilgrim lodge on Nature's breast.
In memory of Mrs Martha | Green (& Infant Babe) the | Amiable and
virtuous Consort | of Doct. Peter Green, who | departed this Life June
8"", I 1770, In the 25"" year aetats.
To the deep Regard of those who | were so happy as to be nearly | allyed to her,
and the Great Grief | of numerous friends whose | Esteem her affable and | oblidg-
ing Deportment had | justly merited.
How charming all, how much she was ador'd
Alive ; now dead now much's her loss deplor'd.
This Stone | marks the grave of miss | Lucy Grosvenor | eldest daugh
ter of the late rev. | Ebenezer Grosvenor and M"' | Elizabeth his relict.
She I died the 8"". day of febry. | I7g5, in the 2g"' year of her age.
Who would resemble this young | lady must fly the noise and notice of the | gay,
and seek in retirement the hallowed | pleasures of sobriety, sympathy & devotion.
Each lovely scene shall thee restore. | For thee the tear be duly shed.
Endear'd till life can charm no more, | And mourn'd till pity's self be dead.
erected I In Memory of | Miss nancy grosvenor, | Daughter of
the I Rev. ebenezer grosvenor, | and Elizabeth his wife. | She died
In the 16"" year of her | age.
The bloom of youth with all the charms, | Which make fair virtue dear,
Must yield alas ! to deaths cold arms ; For these lie buried here.
erected I to the Memory of | M' ebenezer grosvenor son | of the
Rev. ebenezer grosvenor, | and Elizabeth his wife; | a student at the
University of Cam | bridge, & would have compleated his | accadimecal
studies the Commence | ment following; but death summoned | him to
the world of spirits, & blasted | the expectations of his admiring friends
I He died May 15, 1788 aged 20,
The tears that bountifully flow at the | memory of the deceased are but a I tribute
due to virtue.
See death invades the sacred ties of love, | Bands of parental tenderness dissolve.
And calls from earth the soul to virtue form'd | To leave this lump of clay it once adorn'd.
When rais'd to more substantial joys on high | How great the change.how pleasing 'tis to die.
The epitaph upon the memorial placed by the town over the grave of Reverend Ebene
zer Grosvenor has been given on a previous page.
Memento mori. | In Memory of Miss | Mary Hale, Daughter I of Mr
Benjamin Hale | and Mrs Mary his wife, | who departed this Life I April
y I2'^ 1782. I Aged ig years 4 | months & 6 days.
Here hes the | Body of Mr | Benjamin Hale | who departed this I Life
Sep'. 20'" 1771. I In the 43" year | of his age.
Here hes Buried | ye Body of Mr Timothy Hall, I Who Died Sep
temb' 13": I A. D. 1751. I Age 32 Years | 7 M & 10 D.
Here hes the | Body of William Hall | Son of Mr 1 John Hall & Mrs
I Sarah his Wife, | who died April | 15'": 1781 Aged I i Year, 9 months
12 days. ^

EPITAPHS. 487
Here lies the body | of Sally Hall | Daughter of Mr. | John Hall &
Mrs I Sarah his wife. She | died Aug'. 24, 1778, | Aged 3 years 3 M 2 D
Happy ye babe who priveleg'd by fate, | To shorter labour & to hghter weight.
Receiv'd but yesterday ye gift of breath, | Ordered tomorrow to return to death.
In Memory of | Mrs Sarah Hamlen wife of | Capt Eleazar Hamlen, |
who departed this life, | Nov. y« i5">: 1788, | In the 45"' year of | her age.
Here lies the | Body of asia | hamlen son | of Capt Eleazer | Ham
len & Mrs I Sarah his wife, | who died Nov | y" 2, 1778 IE 4 | years 5
months & 21 D.
IN Memory of | Mr Nathan Hartwell | who died | Dec. 8, 1768. | in the
4g year | of his age.
IN Memory of | Mrs Mary Hartwell | wife of | Mr Nathan Hartwell,
I who died | Oct 21, 1800, | aged 77 years.
ERECTED I in memory of | Lieut Shadrach Hapgood, | who departed
this Life 1 Oct'. 6"" 1782, Aged \ 77 years & | 11 months.
HERE LIES BURIED | Y' BODY OF | ASA HAPGOOD Y' | SON OF LIEUT.
I SHADRACH & MRS. | ELIZABETH | HAPGOOD WHO | DIED AUGUST Y" |
16'°, A' D. 1743. I AGED 3 YEARS | 2 M. & 2 D.
HERE LIES BURIED | THE BODY OF MRS | MARY HASKELL WIFE |
OF DEACON JOSEPH | HASKELL DYED FEB. j" 23 I744-5 | AGED 43
YEARS I & g MONTHS.
Here lies the Body | of Mrs Abigail Haskell, | wife of | Deacon Joseph
Haskell, | who died Jany 27"^. 1775, | Aged 71 years & 2 M.
In Memory of | Deac" Joseph Haskell | who departed this life | Aug'.
7"", 1791. I In the I g3 year of his | Age.
Memento mori. | In Memory of | Miss Eunice Haskell | Daughter of
Mr Moses | & Mrs Anna Haskell | who departed this | Life July 16"',
1782, I Aged 28 years.
In Memory of | Mr Asa Haskell | son of Mr James | Haskell and Mrs
I Anna his wife, | who died Nov. | 22'', 1777, Aged | 24 years and | 21
days. Here lies Interr'd | the Remains of | Capt. Samuel | Haskell who De
parted this Life | October 13"', 1770, | Aged 55 years | And 2g days.
In Memory of | MRS sybel haskell | Rehct of | cap samuel has-
KELL I who departed this life | July g"", I7gg, in the 77"". | year of her age.
In Memory of | Sarah Haskell, daug' | of Mr Samuel & | Mrs Ruth
Haskell, | who died July i, 1800 aged 7 years | & 3 months.
Here Lies Buried | y" Body of Mr henry haskell, | who Departed
I this Life | April y" 17"" | A. D. I73g | About y» 62 | year of | His Age.
Here lies Buried | ye Body of y' Widow | ruth haskel | Relic' to
Mr I Henry Haskel, | Who Dec" | June y" le"" | A. D. I74g | About y= 67
I year of | Her Age.
In Memory of | MRS. mary haskell | wife of Col" josiah haskell,
I who died Jany. 5, I7g8, | aged 53 years
In Memory of Mr John j Hill, Died May y" 30; 1764. | Aged 27 Years,
3 Months I & 10 D".
Behold And | See You That Pass By As | You Are Now So Once was I,
As I Am Now So You Must Be, Prepair For | Death And Follow Me.
In Memory of | cap samuel hill | who departed this Life | Sep'
21"' I7g7 in the 63'' year of his age.
So sleep the saints & cease to groan. | When sin & death have done their work,
Christ hath a glory like his own | That waits to clothe their sleeping dust.
Ehzabeth; Daughter | of Mr John, & Mrs | Esther Houghton, | died
ye 20"": of Sept': | 1771, Aged i Year | i Month & 26 Days.

488 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Eunice, Daughter of | Mr John & Mrs | Ehsabeth Houghton, | died
ye 30"': of March, | I76g, Aged 4 years, | 8 Months & 14 Days.
Here Lies Buried | The Body of Mr Thomas Houghton | Who De
parted This I Life March y g | A. D. 1764, Aged 1 67 years 11 | Months
& g Days.
In Memory of | Mrs Moriah Houghton | wife of | Mr Thomas Hough
ton, I who died May 2" 1790 | Aged gi years & 10 | months, | 13 days.
Here Lies ye Body of | Olive Houghton Daft' of | Mr Asa & Mrs |
Ehzabeth | Houghton Who Dec". Oct' ye 22 | 1757 Aged | 4 years 7
Months I & 20 Days
Here Lies ve Body | of Asa Houghton | son of Mr Asa & Mrs Elisa
beth Houghton I Was Born August | ye i, 1756 & Died ye 7 Day.
JONATHAN I HOUGHTON SON | OF MR ASA & | MRS ELIZABETH HOUGH
TON I WAS BORN Y« lO"" | DIED OCTOBR Y' I3, 1750. | AGE 3 Days.
HERE lies Buried | y" Body of Mr Samuel | Hunt who depart | ed
this Life July | 4"". 1775 In y= 68"" | year of his | Age.
Here lies Buried | the Body of Mrs | Tabitha Hunt wife | of Mr Sam
uel Hunt I who died Nov. 2" | 1762 In ye 68'" | year of her | Age.
Memento mori f In memory of | ensn will" hutchins, | who de
parted this I Life March 7"' 1772, | In ye 77"' year | of his Age.
Here Lies Buried | The Body of Mrs | Bethiah Hutchins | Wife of
Mr William | Hutchins, Who Departed | this Life Oct'. y= 21 | A. D. 1750
In ye | 59 year of Her Age.
The epitaph upon Reverend Daniel Johnson has been before given.
Here lies the | Remains of Capt. | Jabez Keep, who |- departed this
Life I Aug'. 19"', 1774, Aged | 68 years' 4 months | and 28 days.
Nahum Kimball, | a promising & amiable i child of | Benjamin Kim
ball Esq. & Mrs Nancy | his wife: died Dec. | g"", I7g8, aged 4 years.
So fades the lovely blooming flower, | Frail s  solace of an hour;
So soon our transient comforts fly, f And pleasure only blooms to die.
In Memory of | Mr Ebenezer Kingman | who departed this life | March
25'", 1781 I Aged 77 years | 2 months and | 2 days.
In I Memory of | Mrs Content Kingman, | who departed this life |
Aug'. 2g"', I7gi | Aged 71 years & 7 days.
Memento Mori. | Here lies the | Body of Mr Daniel | Knight, who |
Departed this | Life October 18'". | I76g, Aged 33 | years 5 months.
Here Lies ye body of | Dea". Jeremiah Laughton | who departed this
1 Life August y° 11 | AD. 1775 | Aged 4g years 11 | months & 27 Days.
Here lies ye body of | Olive Laughton | Daft' of Dea" Jeremiah | &
Mrs I Rachel Laughton Died | Novemb' ye 25 | 1768 aged 6 | years.
In Memory of | Mr John Laughton | Who departed this Life | May
25th, I7gi, I Aged 35 years | 10 months | and 28 days.
Happy exchange to part -with all below, | For worlds of bliss where joys unceasing flow.
Here lies ye body of | Mrs Sarah Laughton | wife of Dea" John |
Laughton, who departed this Life | February y« 4 | A. D. 1772 Aged 90
years, 1 1 months 24 Days.
Here lies ye Body of | Dea" John Laughton, | who Died March | y=
5"' A. D. 1768 I aged 86 years | i month & 17 Days, and he Lived with y°
I Wife of his youth | 61 Years and 18 Days
Here lies y= | Body of Phebe | Lawrence Daft' of | Mr Abel & Mrs
I Phebe Lawrence | Who Died Oct. ye 31, | 1756, Age 12 | years 6 M. &
gD.

EPITAPHS. 489
Here Lies y« | Body of Tryphena | Lawrence Dafter | of Mr Abel &
Mrs I Phebe Lawrence | Died November y" I 12, 1756, Aged 1 7 M"^ &
20 D^ IN Memory of | Benjamin Lawrence, | -who died Aug; | 26, 1775, | AL.
23, I Adopted son of Mr. Nathan | and Mrs. Mary Hartwell.
Here hes | the body of Mr. ] benjamin lawrance, | he died July y'
5"", I 1767 1 Aged 53 years.
Here | Lies the body of | Mr Jonah Maynard | who died | Oct': y" 21*':
1785 I In the 2g year ] of his age.
erected I in memory of | DOCT. EPHRAIM munroe | who died | Dec.
8, I7g5, I in the 51'' year of | his age.
The Almighty spoke nor durst the power reply
A re-vrend norrour silenc'd all the sky.
Trembling they stood before their father's look.
At length his best belov'd the power of Wisdom spoke.
ERECTED I in Memory of | Mrs mercy munroe | wife of doct. eph
raim MUNROE, I who died Nov. 10, 1788, | In the 36"'- year of | her age.
Friends and physicians could not save J My mortal body from the grave,
Nor can the grave confine me here I When Christ shall call me to appear.
Here Lies Buried | The Body of Mrs | Meriam Neeland | Wife of Mr
Joseph 1 Neland who | Died March ye | 15, 1763, In ye 54 year of | Her
Age. Thoug:h of a date later than included in the plan of this record, the following epi
taph is inserted as of especial interest. The slate stone upon which it is inscribed
stands in the extreme north-western corner of the cemetery ;
OTHELLO I The faithful Friend of | Henry Bromfield. | Came from
Africa about 1760, died 1818, | Aged about 72.
IN Memory of | Mrs Ahce Park | wife of | Mr Joseph Park, | departed
this life I Feb: ye g"", 1788 in the | 32" year of her age. | She was Daugh
ter of I Capt. Eleazer Hamlen, | and Mrs Lydia his wife.
Memento Mori. | Here lies y" Body of | Andrew Park son of Mr |
John & Mrs Joan Park, who | departed this Life July 6, | 1775 In the town
of Cam I bridge in his Country's | Service Aged 18 years | i month and
17 days. My fellows and Brothers dear | And sisters that to me was near.
Come view the Place where I do lie I And think of your Eternity.
A Plasent youth a Loved Son, [ And God that made him called him home.
Here lies the Body | of Mr John Park who | departed this Life | Sep
tember 20 I 1768 I Aged 67 years.
Mourn not for me my Family, | But Live in Unity.
Remember you must quickly come, | To lie in dust with me.
In Memory of | MRS jane park Rehct of | mr john park | who de
parted this life I Feby 6"' 1800 in | the 87"" year of her age.
Lord I commit my soul to Thee | Accept the sacred trust.
Here lies ye body of | Mrs Margaret Parker, | Wife of Mr Moses |
Parker, | who departed this Life May y" 3. 4. | A. D. 1750 aged 77 | Years
& 12 Days.
gad pearce I SON OF MR WILLIAM & MRS | MARCY PEARCE, | WHO
DIED I JVLY y= Ig"" I 1739 AGE 2 YEARS 2 M. | <fe 2 D
Here Lies y° | Body of Jonathan | Peirce Son of Mr | Jonathan & Mrs
Sarah | Peirce Who Died | Oct' y« 19, 1759, | Aged 11 Months | & ig Days.
Here lies y= body | of Mrs Sarah Peirce | Wife Mr Jonathan | Peirce,
Who departed | this Life March | y" 3" AD 1771 | Aged 36 Years & | 23
Days. CAPT WALTER POLLARD | died Feb. 5, i7go. I Mt 80.
DOROTHY I His wife | died June 22 1791 | JEt. 76.

490

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

In Memory of | 2 children of Cap | Thad. & Mrs Submit Pollard |
Nathan died Nov' 14"', | 1786. Aged 4 | years 7 months | & 28 days. |
Nabby Died Jan' 20"* | i7go Aged 17 | months & 22 days.
Early in life our God hath call'd us home | To sound his praise & bow before his throne.
In I Memory of Miss Eusebia Pollard | daug' of Capt. Thad' & | Mrs
Submit Pollard | who died March 23", | i7go, Aged 21 years | 5 months &
15 days. My days are spent, my race is run; Remember me though dead and gone.
Cease my beloved's to complain | My sleeping dust shall rise again.
In Memory of | Mrs Submit Pollard | wife of | Capt. Thaddeus Pol
lard, I who died Jan 26'" | 1790 Aged 41 years | 6 months & 17 days.
When Christian meekness, truth & love, | Are ripened for the world above.
How great the privilege to rise, | Snatched in a moment to the Skies.
ERECTED I In Memory of | MR ephraim pollard | who departed
this Life, | April 15, i7gg, | In the 32" year | of his age.
Sleeping in Death, Ues buried here, | A tender Parent, Husband dear ;
With strict integrity of Heart, I He acted well his mortal part.
Just as the grass is withered, I Beneath the scorching sun.
His glory in the dust is laid, f His usefulness is done.
In Memory of | Mr Israel Pollard | son of Mr James | & Mrs Molley
Pollard, I who died Jan'. 1='. | 1788 | Aged ig years | and 5 months.
In memory of | James Pollard | son of Mr James | Pollard & Mrs |
Molley his wife, | who died July ig, | I77g, Aged ig | years & 6 months.
In memory of | Sarah Pollard Daugh | ter of Mr James | Pollard &
Mrs Molly | his wife, who died | April y" 7"'. 1782, | Aged one year, 3 |
months & 18 | days.
Cally Pollard | Daug"". of Mr David | & Mrs Patty Pollard, | died
May y 7"^. 1783, | Aged 2 Years | & 5 months.
In Memory of | MRS RACHEL pollard | wife of mr ephraim pol
lard I who departed this life | Aug' lo'" I7g3, In the | 28'" Year of her
age. The Bride Ues in the silent Tomb, | Like a rose, cropt in perfect bloom;
Death Crowns her life in virtue spent, | And gives her soul its full content.
We living, than the virtuous dead, I A greater loss sustain;
The pious soul to bUss is fled, | While we with vice remain.
HERE LIES THE BODY | OF MRS ELIZABETH PRIEST | THE RELIKS OF
MR DANIEL PRIEST | WHO DIED SEPTEMBER | THE 6'^ I737 IN I THE 53
I YEAR OF HER AGE.
In Memory of | Ohver Priest son of | Mr Jacob & Mrs Mary | Priest,
who died | Dec' ll"", I7gi | Aged i month | and lo days.
In Memory of | Mrs Marv Priest | wife of | Mr Jacob Priest I who died
Nov. 7"' I I7gi, aged 33 years | 5 months & ig days.
Death thou has conquer'd me, | I by thy dart am slain;
But Christ has conquer'd thee, | And I shall rise again.
In Memory of | Miss Sarah Priest | daug'. of Capt. Philemon I & Mrs
Lois Priest, | who died March 2, 1800, | Aged 21 years.
Fresh in the morn the summer rose | Hangs withering ere 'tis noon;
We scarce enjoy the balmy gift, | But mourn the pleasure gone.
HERE LIES THE | BODY OF MRS | HAZADIAH PRIEST | WHO DIED JULY
I THE I, 1736, I IN THE Ig | YEAR OF | HER AGE.
HERE LIES I THE BODY OF | THE WIDOW | RACHEL PRIEST | WHO DIED
MAY I Y" 17"': 1737: I IN THE 8l'^': | YEAR OF HER AGE.
Here lies y« body of | Sarah Priest Daft', of | Mr John & Mrs I Mary
Pnest, who | Died January y" | 7, 1772 aged | 10 months & 27 days.
Here Lies y | Body of Mary | Priest Daft', of Mr | John & Mrs Mary
I Priest, Who Died | June y« 9, 1767, | Aged 2 Years | & 4 Months.

EPITAPHS.

491

Here Lies y' I Body of Calvin | Priest son of Mr | John & Mrs Mary
I Priest who died | Oct. y" 2, 1762. | Aged 3 Weeks & 4 Days.
Here Lies y" | Body of Mary | Priest Daft' of Mr | John & Mrs Mary
I Priest who died | Sept y« 29 ] 1756 Age i | Year & 27 D.
Here Lies y" | Body of a Son of | Mr John & Mrs | Mary Priest, Born
I July y* 19, 1749 I & Desecesed | y" Same Day.
HERE LIES BURIED | Y" BODY OF MRS | SARAH PRIEST Y" WIFE OF MR
JOHN I PRIEST, & THEIR CHILD | BORN 3" DEC"- Y" 4"" OF Y" SAME |
MONTH, WHO dec" | DECEMBB Y» 6'^ A. D. | 1 744 | AGE 24 YEARS | 7 M. &
ig D. Here lies y" body of | Mr John Priest, | who departed this | Life April
ye ^ta I y^_ j)_ 1772, aged 54 years | 4 months & 2 Days.
Here lies y" body of | Mrs. Mary Priest, | wife of Mr John | Priest, who
departed | this Life June | y= 17"". AD. 1772. | aged 43 years.
In Memory of | Miss Relief Priest | Daughter of Mr John | & Mrs
Mary Priest, | who died Sept. II'^ | I7g4, Aged 26 years | g months & 28
days. In Memory of | Mr jabez priest. | son of Mr john & | Mrs mary
PRIEST, I who departed this Life | Nov': 23": 1789: Aged | 25 years & 10
months. Just in my prime & noon of day, | The Lord hath call'd, I must away,
Down to the dust till Christ returns, | And Summons all before his throne.
Here lies y" body of | Mr Jeremiah Priest | who departed this | life
December y' 28, | AD, 1781 aged 60 | Years & 8 Months.
Dear friends for me pray do not | weep, for here I lye in dust and | Sleep,
And here indeed I must | Remain till (Christ shall rais me up again.
Here hes Buried | The Body of | job Procter | y" Son of Mr Jonathan
I & Mrs Elizabeth ] Procter Who | Departed This Life | October y' 7">
I A. D. 175 1 AGE I 21 years i M. & 14 D.
Here Lies Buried | y' Body of | amos Procter | Son of Mr Jonath |
& Mrs Elizabeth | Procter who | Dec" Septemb' 5"= | A D 1749 | Age 10
years | 6 M. & 17 D^
In Memory of | Mr Jonathan Puffer | who died November i»' | 1782
Aged 71 years.
So Sleep the Saints & cease to groan | When sin & death have done their worst,
Christ hath a glory like his own, | Which waits to clothe their sleeping dust.
erected I In Memory of Lieut. | Jonathan puffer | who departed
this life I Sept. 1789 | Aged 36 years.
Behold and see as you pass by, J^ As you are now so once was I,
As I am now so you must be, | Prepare for death and follow me.
Here lies the | Body of Molly Puffer, | Daughter of Mr | Jonathan
Puffer Jun'. | & Mrs Abigail his | wife, who died May | 8"", 1776, Aged i
Year | 4 month and | 22 days.
HERE LIES 1 THE BODY OF | SILAS RAND | THE SON OF MR JONATHAN
I RAND & ABIGAIL | WHO DIED | DECEMBER THE 26, | I736 | & WAS II
YEARS 1 & 7 M. & 26 D. OLD.
Here lies y<' body | of David Randal | Son to Mr Stephen | & Mrs
Sarah Randal, | who died March | y" 18, AD. 1776, | Aged 5 years i |
month & 29 Days.
Here lies y« Body of | Sarah Randal Daft' | of Mr Stephen & | Mrs
Sarah Randal, | who died March | y« 21 AD. 1776, | Aged 5 Years | & 14
Days, In Memory of | James Robins | Son of Capt. Benj' | & Mrs Lydia
Robins, | who died Sep'. 25, | 1794 | aged 5 months | & 23 days.
32

492

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

In Memory of | Suky Robins | Daug' of Lieutenant | Benjamin and
Mrs I Lydia Robins, | who died May 5"" | 1791, Aged 10 days.
In Memory pf | James Robins, | Son of Capt. Benj". | & Mrs Lydia
Robins, | who died Sep'. 13"' 1794 | aged 2 years | 2 months | & 24 days.
In Memory of | Miss Sally Robins daug'. | of Capt. Benjamin and |
Mrs Lydia Robins, | who departed this life | May 25, I7g7aged 18 | years
& 5 months.
In Memory of | Peter Robins | Son of Mr Jacob | Robins and Mrs |
Anna his wife | who died March | 20"' 1770 | Aged 5 years.
In Memory of | Susannah Daughter | of Mr Jacob | Robins and Mrs |
Anna his wife, | who died March | 12"'. 1776, Aged | 3 years | 3 months &
5 days. In Memory of Ephraim Whitcomb | Robins, Son of Mr | Jacob Robins
& Mrs I Anna his wife, who | died March 23" | 1770 | Aged 13 months |
and 5 days.
Memento mori, I In Memory of | Lieut Jacob Robins | who departed
this I Life Nov'. 25''', | 1778 In | the 50"! year | of his Age.
Here Lies Buried y' | Body of Mrs Abigail | Rugg who Dec". Sept"".
I y* 30, A. D. 1746. I Age 31 years i M. & ig Days. Also their child, |
Releaf Rugg, died Sept"" ] 30, 1746. Age 11 M. | & 14 D.
HERE LIES BURIED | Y" BODY OF MRS | DEBORAH RUSELL | Y« WIFE
OF MR I AMOS RUSELL | WHO DEC" | SEPTEM'" Y« I4"': | A. D. I745. | AGE
17 YEARS I II MONTHS & 28 DS.
Here Lies Buried | y" Body of | Parker Russel Son | of Mr Jason &
Mrs I Elisabeth Russel, \ Who Dec" Nove'. | 16"", A. D. 1750 | Age 4 years
I 6 M.
HERE LIES BURIED | Y^ BODY OF | PARKER RUSSEL Y'' ] SON OF MR
JASON I & MRS ELISABETH | RUSSEL WHO | DEC" MAY Y' 7"' | 1 745, AGE 3
YEARS I 10 M & 16 D.
Here Lies Buried | The Body of | Mr John Sampson | Who Died April
I y" 2g, I75g, | Aged 62 Years. | 7 Months & i Day.
HERE LIES BURIED | Y" BODY OF | ABIGAIL SAWYER | DAUGHTER OF
MR I JOSEPH & MRS | ABIGAIL SAWYER | WHO DEC" | MAY | Y" I5, I740, |
AGE 4 YEARS I 6 M & 15 D.
In Memory of | Mr Joseph Sawyer | who departed this life | May g,
1775. I In the 66"" year | of his age.
In Memory of | Mrs Abigail Sawyer | Rehct of | Mr Joseph Sawyer,
who I died March 30"" I7g3 | in the 85"" year | of her age.
HERE LIES I BURIED y« BODY | OF JOHN SAWYER | SON OF | JOHN &
I MARY SAWYER WHO | DEC" AUGUST | y« I7, I73g. | AGE 16 YEARS I
IO M. & 10 D.
Here Lies Buried | ye Body of | Mrs Sarah Sawyer | Wife of Mr Caleb
I Sawyer Who | Departed this Life | November the 15, | A. D. 1757. In
y° I go year of Her Age.
Here Lies Buried | The Body of Mr | Caleb Sawyer | Who Died Feb
ruary I yo 12, 1755, Aged | g8 Years, 10 Months. | & 2 Days.
Here Lies Buried | The Body of Mrs | Relief Sawyer Wife I of Mr
Caleb Sawyer | Who Died December | y= 2, 1764 | Aged 24 years I 10
Months & 20 I Days.
Here Lies Buried | The Body of Mr | Seth Sawyer Who I Died March
ye 2g, I 1768, Aged 63 Years 2 Months | & 2g Days.
Here lies the Body of Mille | Stone Daughter | of Mr Joel Stone &
I Mrs Eunice his | wife who died | Dec'. 17, 1771, | i Year, 6 M. 23 D.

EPITAPHS.

493

In Memory of | Mr James Stone | son of Mr James & | Mrs Deborah
Stone I who died May 21*'. | 1789 Aged 40 years.
In Memory of | Mr James Stone | who departed | this Life June 24"":
I 1788 Aged 60 years j and 10 months.
Also in Memory of | Mrs Deborah Stone | wife of | Mr James Stone, |
who departed this | Life Nov': 2": 1774 | Aged 46 years | and 33 days.
In Memory of | Mrs Mary Stone | Wife to Mr Micah | Stone. She
died I Aug', ye 21^'. AD. 1764 f Age 26 years | & i Month.
HERE LIES BURIED | Y« BODY OF ANNA | STONE DAUGHTER | OF MR
OLIVER & I MRS HANNAH STONE | WHO DEC" FEBRY: | 25"». 1749 | Age
7 Years | g M & 12 Ds.
Here Lies Buried 1 The Body of | Mrs Moriah Stone | Wife of Mr
Ohver | Stone, Who Died | June y» 13, 1754, | Aged 32 Years | n M &
20 D. Here Lies Buried | ye Body of Eunice | Storie E)aughter of | Mr Simon
& Mrs I Eunice Stone f Who Dec": June y' I 7; A. D. 1752, I Age 12 Years
I I M. & 25 D.
HERE LIES BURIED | y" BODY OF DEAC" | SIMON STONE | WHO DE
PARTED I THIS LIFE OCTOBR | 22, A; D. 1 746. | AGE 60 YEARS | 2 M. &
21 D. Here Lies Buried | The Body of Mrs | Sarah Ston Wife of | Deac"
Simon Ston, Who | Departed This Life | May y=3o 1767 | Iny« 78 Year |
of Her Age.
In Memory of | Mrs Abigail Stow | wife of | Mr Benjamin Stow | who
died March is"" | i7gi Aged 32 years | and 6 months.
ERECTED I in Memory of | Mr beniamin stow | who departed this
Life I June ig"". i7go, In the | 72" year of his age.
The memory of the just is blessed.
Here lies the Body | of Mr Jonathan Symonds who de | parted this
life Jan'y. | 24"" A. D. 1770 | In the 55"' year of his Age.
Death like an overflowing Flood, [ Doth sweep us all away.
The Old, the Young, the Middle age | To Death become a prey.
Here lies the | Body of Ephraim | Taylor, son of Mr I Charles Taylor
I and Mrs Mercy | his wife, who | died Sep', ye 7"'; A. D. | 1778, Aged i
year | 9 months & 2 days.
Memento mori. | here lies the | Body of | Israel Taylor Esq. | who
departed this Life | Sept. the 2", A. D. | I77g | Aged 69 years [And 3
months. Here Lies Buried | The Body of Mrs | Mary Taylor y« | Wife of Doc
tor I John Taylor, Who | Departed This | Life November y" \ 29 A. D.
1764, I Aged 27 Years, | 9 Months & 22 Days.
Memento mori. | in Memory of | Mrs Bethiah Turner, | wife of Mr
Simeon Turner | who Departed this | Life Jan. 13"", 1773, | In the so'"
year of | her age
HERE LIES buried | y* BODY OF | AARON WARNER | SON OF MR
SAMLL. I & MRS HANNAH | WARNER, WHO DEC" | OCTOB' Y" 12" | A. D.
1746 I AGE 24 YEARS j 8 M & 28 D.
HERE LIES BURIED Y' BODY OF MR | SAMUEL WARNER. | AS YOU
ARE SO WERE WE AS | WE ARE SO YOU WILL BE. | WHO DEPARTED |
THIS LIFE JULY 17'" | A. D. 1 744, | IN y'= 65 YEAR | OF HIS AGE
ERECTED in memory of | Mr Clark Warner, | who departed this life
I March 25, 1792, | in the 39"" year | of his age.
He suddenly was snatched away, | By death, that conquering foe,
But Christ shall brake the bars of death, | And let his prisoner go.

494 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Memento mori. | In Memory of | Mrs Hannah Warner | wife of Mr
I Samuel Warner | who departed | this Life April | 22" 1775 in y« 98"'
I year of her age.
In Memory of | Mr Aaron Warner | who departed this life | Feb. 12
1779. I Aged 25 years & | 7 months.
Memento mori. | In Memory of | Miss Sarah Warner | Daughter of
Mr I Samuel Warner & | Mrs- Hannah his | wife. She departed | this
Life March 6"', | 1777, In y^ 65"' | year of her Age.
Memento mori. | In Memory of | Mrs Dorathy | Warner wife of | Mr
Nathan | Warner, who | departed this | Life March 31^'. | 1777, In y« 65"'
I year of her age.
ERECTED I to the memory of Mr Nathan | Warner, who died Jan.'' g""
I 1792, in the 83" year of his age.
Economical Industry | managed his own concerns | & strict integrity his dealings
with I mankind. Regular in his atten | dance on the pubhc worship J of God & con
scientious & exact I in the liabits of sobriety, he | sought in private life the happi |
ness which flows from "guiltless competency."
Here lies ye body of | Mr Josiah Wetherbee | who departed this Life
I April ye 5 AD 1783 | in ye 77 year | of his age.
Behold and see as you pass by | As you be now so once was I,
As I am now so you must be. I Prepare for death and follow me.
HERE LIES BURIED | y= BODY OF MR | JOHN WETHERBEE | WHO DE
PARTED I THIS LIFE MAY 30"" | A D I746 | AGE 44 YEARS | II M & 4 D.
Here Lies ye | Body of Micah Wetherbee son of | Mr John & Mrs
Anna | Wetherbee, who | Died Sept. y= lo | 1756 In ye 12 | Year of his
Age. Here Lies ye | Body of Anna | Wetherbee Daft' | of Mr John & Mrs
I 'Vnna Wetherbee | Who Died Sept. | ye 22, 1756. | In ye 15 year | of
Her Age.
DELIVERANCE | WHEELER SON | OF MR THOMAS | WHEELER JUNR.
& MARY HIS I WIFE, WHO DEC". OCTOBER Y« 7"'- | I748, AGE 8 YEARS
I 6 M. & 9 D.
Here lies Buried | The Body of Mrs | Sarah Whitcomb | Wife of Mr
James | Whitcomb Jun' Who | Died October y'' | 30 1766, In y' | 23 year
of Her I Age.
Here lies ye body of | Molley Whitcomb | Daft', to Lieu. James |
Whitcomb & Mrs Lucy Whitcomb his | Wife, Deceased October | ye 15,
1778, Aged I 5 Years, 4 Months | & 15 Days.
Here lies ye body of | Mrs Sarah Whitcomb | wife of Mr Abel | Whit
comb who I Departed this Life | June ye 20 AD. 1772, | Aged 22 years, 7
I Months & I Day.
HERE LIES I BURIED Y= BODY | OF LOIS WHITCOMB | DAUGHT' OF
MR I JAMES & MRS | HANNAH WHITCOMB WHO | DEC" MAY Y" l6 | I739
AGE 8 YEARS & 3 DS.
HERE LIES BURIED | Y": BODY OF ] LYDIA WHITCOMB | DAUGHTER
OF MR I JAMES & MRS HANNAH | WHITCOMB WHO | DEC" APRIL Y= 24 |
1739 AGE I 2 YEARS | 5 M & 28 D.
HERE LIES BURIED | Y« BODY OF | PETER WHITCOMB | SON OF MR
JAMES I & MRS HANNAH | WHITCOMB WHO | DEC" APRIL Y" 10 I I739
AGE 5 YEARS 18 M & 24 D.
HERE LIES I THE BODY OF | MARY WHETCOMB | THE DAUGHTER I OF
MR JAMES WHETCOMB & | HANNAH, | WHO DIED | NOVEMBER THE 25
1736, AND I IN THE 8 YEAR | OF HER AGE.
Here Lies Buried | The Body of | Lieut. Elijah Whitney | Who De
parted I This Life February | ye 19, A. D. 1755 | Aged 47 Years, 6 M &
14 Ds

EPITAPHS. 495
Here Lies y« | Body of Elias | Whitney, Son of Lieut. | Elijah & Mrs
Rebekah | Whitney, Who | Died April ye 12 | 1755 Aged | 14 Years & 9
I M & 21 D.
ERECTED in Memory of | Mrs hannah whitney | wife of | Lieut.
ISRAEL WHITNEY, | who died Aug'. 14"'. I 1788. Aged 34 years |
With serious joy th' enlightened soul, | Surveys a part, admires the whole.
Nor always silently surveys, | But fir'd with gratitude to praise,
In holy confidence is blest, | And calmly waits eternal rest.
In Memory of | Luke Whitney | son of Deac" Israel | & Mrs Naby
Whitney, | who died May 2" 1795. | aged 2 years, 2 months, | 24 days.
In Memory of | Mrs Sarah Whitney 'wife of | Mr Abraham Whitney
1 who died July 4, 1800. | Aet. 82.
Here lies y= body of | Mr Abraham Whitney | who departed this Life,
I May y ig, A. D. 1784 | Aged 75 years, 3 | months & g Days.
Behold and see as you pass by, I As you be now so once was I,
As I am now so you must be, | Prepare for Death and follow me.
In Memory of | Mr richard whitney | who departed this life | May
4, 1798, in the | 73 Year of his | age.
Here lies the Body | of Hannah Whitney | Daughter of Mr. | Richard
Whitney | & Mrs Mary his wife, | who died October | 14"'. 1767, Aged 4
I Years 1 1 months | and 26 days.
In Memory | of Mr Wetherbee | Whitney who | departed this | life
October. | 14"", 1775. Aged | 29 Years and | 5 months.
Here lies the | Body of Mrs Anna | Whitney wife | of Mr Aaron |
Whitney, who departed this | Life July 16"' | 1773 Aged 30 | years, 11
months & | 27 days.
Here lies the | body of Moses Whitney y« | only son of Mr Aaron |
Whitney & Mrs Anna his wife, | who died April 25, 1773 | Aged 11 month
& 21 days.
Here lies y= body | of Mr Jonas Whitney | Departed this life | Sept. y=
18"' AD 1770 I Aged 71 Years 7 | Months & 7 Days.
Memento mori. | here lies the | Body of Miss meriam whitney |
Daughter of Mr | Jonas Whitney & | Mrs Zebudah his | wife who depart
I ed this Life April | 30"". 1773 Aged | 22 years 8 months | & 11 days.
In Memory of | Mr John whitney | who departed this life | Dec. 25.
1 78 1, in the | 65 year of his age.
Behold & see all that pass by, | As you are now so once was I,
As I am now so you must be, | Prepare for death & follow me.
In Memory of | Mrs Asena Whitney | Consort of | Mr Cyrus Whitney
I who closed this scene of life | March 22, 1800 Aged 27 ys.
Shall we with faith's steady eye, | View thee thy kindrea angels join ;
An inmate of thy native sky, | While Heavens eternal years are thine.
In Memory of | Asena Whitney, | daughter of Mr Cyrus | & Mrs
Asena Whitney | who died in her 8"' | month, Nov. 4. 1800.
In memory of | Mrs Alice Whitney | Relict of | Deac" Jonathan Whit
ney I who departed this hfe | Feby. ig'\ I7g2, Aged | g2 years & 2 months.
Here lies y' Body of | Dea" Jonathan Whitney | who departed this |
Life November y" | 8 A. D. 1773 j Aged 78 years | 8 months & 12 Days.
HERE LIES BURIED | Y' BODY OF SARAH WHITNEY | DAUGH' OF DEAC"
JONATHAN I & MRS ALAS | WHITNEY WHO | DEC" DECEMBER. | 26"" A. D.
1746. I AGE 6 YEARS I 6 M & 26 DS.
Here lies y" body of | Jonathan Whitney | son of Capt. Hezekiah | &
Mrs Lucy Whitney | who died May y= 5, 1776, | Aged i year & 2 months.
Here hes y" | Body of Joshua | Whitney, son of Mr | Caleb & Mrs
Anes I Whitney who | Died January y« 24, 1750, Age | 3 Weeks & 4 D.

496 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Here Lies y" | Body of Anes | Whitney Daft' of | Mr Caleb & Mrs I
Anes Whitney Who Died January | y" 13, 1758. | Age i Year 8 | M & 22 D.
Abel Whitney | died Dec. 2. I7gg | aged 8 Years i | Month & 11 Days,
I Son of Mr Abraham | & Mrs Rebekah Whitney.
Joseph Whitney | died May 16. I7gg. | Aged 4 Years | 4 Months | & 10
Days I Son of Mr | Abraham & Mrs | Rebekah Whitney.
The lines upon a memorial to Salmon Whitney, who died in 1844, are much admired:
" As for me I will behold thy face in righteousness ;
I shall be satisfied when I awake in thy likeness."
In Memory of Mr | Joseph willard; | he died July y« 30"' | A. D.
1 76 1. Aged 76 years.
In Memory of Mrs | Elisabeth willard. | Wife to Mr Joseph Wil
lard I She died Dec', y" 23" | 1763 | Aged 72 Years.
IN Memory of Mr | William Willard | Who died March 17'" | I7g7
aged 84 years | and 6 months.
In Memory of | Mrs Ellen Willard | Wife of Mr William Willard |
who died Sept'. 21"'. 1796: | Aged 81 years 4 mon. | & 9 days.
Here lies the | Body of Naby | Willard Daughter | of Simeon Willard
& Mrs I Elizabeth his wife, | who died Sept. 9 [ I77g, aged 4 years.
Memento mori | Erected in | Memory of Mr | Simeon Willard | who
departed this | Life April 9'^ 1777, | Aged — years — months.
Here hes the | body of Betsy | Willard, Daughter | of Mr Timothy
Willard & Mrs J Ehzabeth his wife, | who died Sept. 3" | 1779, Aged i
year | g months & 27 days.
here lies I buried Y' body OF I MR JOHN WILLARD [ JUN>t. ONLY
CHILD I OF MR JOHN & | MRS ANN WILLARD | WHO UEC" MAY | y« 6'\ A. D.
I73g I AGE 23 YEARS | 1 1 M & 30 D.
The lines which close the epitaph of Deacon Lemuel Willard, who died in 1821, have
been much admired :
When present usefuU; | Absent, wanted. | Lived, respected: Died, Lamented.
Memento mori | here lies the Body of | Mrs Abigail Wood | Wife of
Mr Eliphelet Wood | she departed this Life | Jan. 23. 1780, in the | 48""
year of her age.
Behold and see all that pass by, | As you are now so once was I.
As I am now so you must be, | Prepare for death and follow me.
IN Memory of | miss lucy wood | daugh' of mr eliphelet | & mrs
ABIGAIL wood I who died Nov' 5"", 1800, | Aged 32 years 4 m & 11 d.
Lament no more dear friends for me, I tJnder the dust you soon must be.
Cut down at noon my fate arrives, | Yet know that my Redeemer lives.
When the last trumpets joyful sound, | Opens the graves and saints are crown'd.
O then my friends we meet again | Dwelhng in bless when time shall end.
In memory of Mrs Nancy | Worster. wife of Mr Samuel | Worsteri
who Died in | Childbirth Sept. y" 21. | 1776, Aged 24 Years | 8 months &
21 Days.
Though she was fair while she had breath, | And on her cheeks the Rose did bloom,
Yet her Dear Babe became her Death, | While she became the Infants Tomb.
Here hes y« Body of Rebekah Worster | Wife of Mr Jonathan | Wors
ter, Who died. | January ye 20 | AD 1772. | in y" 58 year | of her age.
Here lies Buried y= | Body of Mr Jonathan | Worster Who Died |
April The 12 A. D. | 1754, Aged 46 | Years And 5 Months.
Dear Friends For Me | pray do Not Weep, | I Am Not Dead but | here do Sleep
And here I In Deed I Must Remain til | Christ Shall Rais Me Up Again.
HERE LIES BURIED | Y' BODY OF JOHN WORSTER | SON OF JONATHN I
& REBEKAH | WORSTER WHO DEC" OCTOB' Y« I 26, A. D. I746. I A?e C
YEARS. I 7 M & 18 Days. /-* i s 3

EPITAPHS.

497

HERE LIES BURIED | Y« BODY OF | JONATHAN WORSTER | SON OF JON
ATHAN I & REBEKAH | WORSTER WHO | DEC" OCTOB' Y" | lo"', A. D. I746,
I Age 3 YEARS I 10 M & 4 DS.
HERE LIES THE | BODY OF MARY | WORSTER DAUGHTER | OF JONA
THAN WORSTER I & REBEKAH, WHO | DEC" NOVEMBER | THE I, I736, IN |
THE 2 YEAR OF HER AGE.
HERE LIES I BURIED Y« BODY | OF JONATHAN | WORSTER SON OF |
JONATHAN & I REBEKAH WHO | DEC" MAY 8, | I73g. AGE 2 | YEARS I M &
14 D. HERE LIES I BURIED Y= BODY | OF REBEKAH | WORSTER Y" DAUGHTER
OF. I JONATHAN & REBEKAH | WORSTER WHO | DEC" MAY Y" I3, | I739
AGED 5 YEARS | 3 M, 12 D.
Here lies y« body of | John Worster, Son | of Mr Jonathan & | Mrs
Rebekah Worster, | Who died August y" — | A. D. 1755 | in y« 4 year of
his I age.
Here lies y" body of | Lemuel Worster Son | of Mr Jonathan & Mrs |
Rebekah Worster, | who died April | 20 AD. 1773 | in y" 20 year of | his
Age. ^ In Still River.
In Memory of I Deac. william willard | who died March 7. 1793,
I -^t- 55 years and 4 months.
Lord we thee thank, we sing thy praise.
For calling thus thy children home,
And shortning tribulation days
To hide them in the peaceful tomb.
SHAKER BURIAL GROUND.
Susannah Willard, Died Oct. 3. I7g2, aged 62.
David Crouch, Died July 20. I7g3 aged 68.
Eunice Lathe, Died Jan. 27. I7g4. Aged 60.
Ruth Keep, Died April ig. I7g4, aged 23.
Sarah Bemis, Died May 26. I7g5. age 75.
Rachel Adams. Died June 21, 1796, aged 70.
Meriam Powers. Died July 23. 1796, aged 74.
Elizabeth. Mixter, Died Dec. 25. 1797 aged 56.
Hannah Williams, Died July 10, 1798, aged 12.
Elizabeth Shattuck, Died Oct. 7. 1798 aged 72.
II. MARRIAGES, DEATHS AND BIRTHS.
1732 — 1800.
In the year 1890 Harvard appropriated fifty dollars to pay
for copying the records of Births, Deaths and Marriages to
the year 1840. The work has been completed, but the fol
lowing lists have been made without reference to this tran
script. Those of Marriages and Deaths copy the order of
entry and the spelling of names in the original registry. The
dates — which were irregularly abbreviated and placed by the

498

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

various scribes — are here made uniform. The words " of
Harvard " have been omitted, it being understood that all are
of this town unless otherwise noted. Words in brackets give
information derived from other sources than the clerks' en
tries, or point to discrepancies between the church and town
registers. The clergyman's record of marriages usually has appended
to each entry the fee received. These are not here printed.
John Seccomb, during the earlier years of his ministry, gen
erally had five shillings from each couple joined by him,
though some generous grooms gave him double that sum.
About 1750 the marriage fee became " one pound old tenor."
Towards the close of his pastorate the entries were mostly
" a dollar " or " half a dollar." On one occasion he sets down
in his very plainest chirography a " pistareen." Reverend
Joseph Wheeler from 1760 commonly records " 2£ 5^" as the
fee received. This was of course in depreciated currency.
During the Revolution the usual fee was six shillings legal
money. Mr. Seccomb's record of deaths is probably the more com
plete because, at the time of his coming to the pastoral
duties, the custom had grown somewhat general in the coun
try of inviting the minister to offer a prayer at the dwelling
before the body was borne to the grave. To the earlier New
England such ceremony would have seemed to favor Episco-
palianism. The classic but much abused custom of offering
refreshments to the watchers over the corpse, and to the vis
itors on the day of the funeral, was deemed obligatory even
by the poorest family. The death rate of 1778 surpassed that
of every other year, the register noting forty-eight funerals.
Three-fourths of the deaths were of young children, and
nearly half of them were in the month of September.
The list of Births here given is a labored compilation from
various records found scattered through the early town-
books and elsewhere. For convenience of reference and to
economize space, the disorderly entries of the clerks have
been arranged by families and alphabetically.

m'arriages.

499

1734.

May g.

1735-

Sept. 18.

Octo. 16.

1736.

Jany. 8.

1737-

Jany. 17.

"

May 24.

"

une 23.

"

; uly 4.

"

July 22.

1738.

Jany. 13.

**

Feby. 23.

*'

April 20.

"

June 8.

1 739-

May 16.

tl

Novem. 29.

1740.

May 13.

((

June II.

"

Sept. 5.

"

Sept. 30.

I74I.

March 5.

'*

May n.

"

une 25.

"

' >Jovem. 26.

1742.

June 3.

<(

Novem. 11.

*'

Decem. 29.

1743-

April 21.

August 2.

"

Octo. ig.

1744-

April 6.

"

May 10.

'*

May 28.

"

August 7.

"

Sept. 25.

"

Novem. 22.

1745-

Jany. 2.

((

Octo. 2g.

..

Decem. 5.

1746.

April 2.

May I.

"

Mav 14-

"

May ig.

1747-

Feby. 17.

June 24.
"
Novem. 26.
1748.
Octo. 12.
1749-
March 2,
May 24.
June 28.
Novem. 16.
Marriages by Reverend John Seccomb.
Samuel Rogers and Sarah Houghton.
John Wetherbee and Anna Houghton.
Joseph Blood and Rebeccah Warner.
Abraham Rugg and Abigail Warner.
Nathan Warner and Dorothy Goodenough.
Hezekiah Willard and Lydia Haskell.
Ebenezer Taylor and Beulah Sawyer.
Joshua Moore and Eliz: Sawyer.
Josiah Butterfield and Hannah Farnsworth.
Wilson Rawson and Abigail Temple.
William Willard and Ellen Davis.
Abraham Whitney and Sarah Whitney.
Joseph Daby and Eliz: Nurse.
Moses Sawyer and Ruth Robbins.
Eleazar Robbins and Lydia Powers.
Tarbell Willard and Rachel Haskell.
Benjamin Nurse and Widdow Hannah Atherton.
Phineas Fairbank and Sarah Stone.
Joshua Nurse and Mary Sampson.
Jonathan Sawyer Junr and Betty Whitney.
Phineas Wetherbee and Betty Whitney.
Samuel Whitcomb and Submit Atherton.
Justinian Holden and Ruth Sawyer.
W™ Bennet and Mary Atherton.
Jonathan Beaman and Widdow Deborah Farnsworth.
Joseph Fairbank and Mary Willard.
Jonathan Crouch Junr. and Ehz: Worster.
Ebenezer Worster Junr. and Mary Crouch.
Ephraim Robbins and Hannah Blanchard.
Thomas Wheeler Jun'. and Mary Daby.
John Wood Jun' and Lydia Davis.
W° Whitcomb and Hannah Daby.
Isaac Stone and Kezia Pierce.
Samuel Haskell and Sybil Willard.
Simeon Farnsworth and Martha Hall.
Joseph Whitney and Hannah Chandler.
Asa Harris and Eunice Kent.
John Peirce and Hannah Stone.
Daniel Page and Ruth Haskell.
W"" Farmer and Ruth Willard.
Robert Holland and Experience Atherton.
Ephraim Willard and Azubah Atherton.
Benjamin Willard and Hannah Goodfry.
Abraham Willard and Mary Haskell.
David Crouch and Mary Brown.
John Farnsworth and Sarah Davis.
Daniel Albert and Sarah Peirce.
John Wetherbee and Sarah Brown.
Jonathan Cole and Sarah Holt.
Lemuel Willard and Hannah Haskell.
John Priest and Mary Fairbank.
Samuell Mead and Hannah Willard.
Phineas Brown and Anna Willard.
Jonathan Farnsworth Jun' and Rachel Nutting.
John Warner Jun' and Phebe Whitney.
Samuell Haseltine and Amy Willard.
Caleb yVhitney and Anise Church.
500

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1750. Jany. 4.

Jany. 17.
March 14.
March 22.
June 20.
Sept. 6.
Sept. 13.
Novem. 8.
Feby. 7.
May I.
Novem. 28.
Decem. 3.
Jany. g.
Feby. 11.
Feby. ig.

175L

1752.

1753-1754. I755-1756.1757-

Feby. 20.
May 20.
June 24.
Novem. 16.
Novem. 28.
Jany. 25.
Feby. 14.
June 14.
Jany. g.
Feby. 27.
August 8.
Decem. 3.
Feby. 12.
April 8.
April 21.
Novem. 25.
Decem. 16.
Feby. 18.
March 31.
July 7.
Decem. 9.
March g.
March 31.
April 5.
May 4.
May II.

Joshua Harris and Rebeccah Mead.
Asa Houghton and Ehzabeth Randv
Nathanael Warner and Rachel Sampson.
Benjamin Stow and Dorcas Stone.
Ebenezer Warner and Abigail Sampson.
John Crouch and Hannah Brown.
John Frost and Mindwell Bigelovv.
Jonas Whitney and Zebudah Davis.
John Nichols and Mercy Warner.
Nathan Brooks and Mary Bigelow.
Jonathan Cole Jun' and Edith Davis.
John Goodridge and Abigail Hale.
Jonathan Read Jun' and Betty Farnsworth.
Ebenezer Houghton and Susannah Farnsworth.
Jonathan Hildreth and Phebe Davis.
Henry Willard Jun' and Phebe Atherton.
Grover Scolly and Lois Atherton.
Uriah Holt and Anise Willard.
Timothy Whitney and Alice Whitney.
Aretas Houghton and Anna Rand.
Oliver Whitney and Abigail Hutchins.
John Davis and the Widdow Hannah Johnson.
Benjamin Bridge and Ann Haskell.
Joseph Willard Jun' and Elizabeth Hapgood.
Jonathan Simons and Judith Cole.
Josiah Davis and Elizabeth Willard.
Amos Stone and Adna Hale.
James Reed and Ann Con.
James Burt and Beulah Mead.
Samuell Corey and Sarah Chamberlain.
Joseph Wetherbee and Hannah Forbush.
Joseph Farnsworth and Hannah Flint.
David Whitney and Sarah Hill.
Samuell Harper and Mary Wheeler.
Manasseh Sawyer and Lydia Fairbank.
Nathaniel Marble and Abigail Houghton.
Moses Whitney and Elizabeth Hutchins.
Samuel Corey and Dinah Fowler.
Clark Brown and Lucy Davis.
Adam Rand and Elizabeth Randal.
Benjamin Hutchins and Lucy Davis.
Ephraim Reed and Elizabeth Peirce.
Daniel Albert and Rachel Warner.

Marriages by Reverend Joseph Wheeler.
1760. Jany. 8. Thomas Farwell and Sarah Davis.
" March 22. John Wetherbee and Martha Harris.
April 23. Amos Fairbank and Lucy Gates.
" May 22. Joseph Willoughby and Lois Ball.
" Octo. 21. Deliverance Davis and Dorothy Wood.
J' Novem. 20. Moses Stickney and Sybil Farnsworth.
" Decem. g. Caleb Sawyer and Rehef Fairbank.
1761. Feby. 4. John Sawyer and Ehzabeth Gates.
" Feby. 11. Timothy Kneeland and Moriah Stone.
" April 23. David Sampson and Lucy Warner.
May 21. Jonathan Gates and Mary Shed.
" William Burt and Hannah Gates.

MARRIAGES.

SOI

I76I.

Novem. 26.

"

Decem. 15.

1762.

Feby. 24.

March 4.

"

March 8.

"

April 21.

"

May II.

41

May 13.

«

June 2.

<(

Sept. 30.

1763.

Feby. 22.

March 24.

"

Sept. 26.

"

Octo. 4.

"

Decem. 6.

**

Decem. 15.

1764.

; any. 25.

• f

'eby. 16.

"

March i.

'•

March 29.

::

. May 29.
Sept. 6.

1765.

Jany. 17.

]any. 31.

w

Feby. 28.

*i

March 26.

"

April II.

"

Octo. 31.

(1

Decem. 5.

"

Decem. 16.

"

Decem. 26.

1766.

Jany. 8.

"

Jany. 15.

*•

March 18.

*'

June 19.

"

Sept. 2.

"

Sept. 25.

"

Sept. 30.

"

Octo. 2g.

"

Decem. 24.

1767.

Jany. i.

.1

March 25.

"

Sept. 17.

1768.

Jany. 12.

"

Feby. 18.

"

March 23.

;;

May 3.

-

July 12.

"

July 25.

Peter Edes and Anna Haskel,
Tilly White and Keturah Somes.
John Wright and Elizabeth Houghton.
John Conn and Ruth Davis.
Nathaniel Willard and Elis: Haskel.
Ebenezer Burges and Rachel Farnsworth.
Caleb Church and Tamer Warner.
Stephen Randal and Sarah Fairbank.
Solomon Sampson and Rebecca Blood.
Peter Willard and Mary Stone.
Silas Rand and Sarah Farwell.
Samuel Fellows and Mary Blodget.
Ephraim Davis and Sarah Farnsworth.
Joseph Kneeland and Abigail Bigelow.
Abel Farnsworth and Elizabeth McFarling.
Josiah Haskell and Mary Gates.
Deacon Joshua Whitney and the Widow R. Whitney.
Isaac Gates and Submit Lawrence.
Paul Fletcher and Abigail Willard.
Charles Taylor and Mercy Starnes.
Oliver Willard and Lucy Haskell.
Thomas Daby and Mary Holt.
John Daby and Sarah Hapgood.
Ebenezer Nutting and Sybel Stickney.
John Safford and Mehitable Farnsworth.
James Haskell and Lydia Whitcomb.
Abel Davis and Martha Potter.
Timothy Powers and Martha Sampson.
Matthias Farnsworth and Mary Preston.
Phineas Whitney and Keziah Farnsworth.
William Farwell and Sybel Farwell.
Aaron Whitney and Anna Lawrence.
Josiah Starnes and Abigail Emerson.
Elijah Houghton and Mercy Whitney.
James Whitcomb and Sarah Gates.
John Little and Margaret Parkes.
John White Jun' and Lydia Jeffs.
Nehemiah Phillips and Patience Bennett.
Simeon Willard and Elizabeth Darby.
John Darby and Dinah Willard.
Micah Stone and Elizabeth Lawrence.
John Laiten and Lowis Worster.
Silas Stone and Eunice Fairbank.
Charles Bailey and Abigail Safford.
Samuel Cleland and Hannah Hale.
Lemuel Farnsworth and Hannah Daby.
Moses Richards and Ruth Willard.
Jonathan Priest Houghton and Sarah Priest.
Thomas Park and Rosanna Conn.
Thomas Willard and Sarah Farwell.
Joseph Russell and Sarah Russell.
Ambrose Hale and Mercy Daby.

Marriages by Reverend Daniel Johnson.
I76g. Novem. 16. Josiah Willard and Eunice Farnsworth.
" '• Nathaniel Whittemore and Martha Farnsworth.
" Decem. 22. Leonard Proctor of Westford and Mary Keep.

502

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1769. Decem. 23. Abel Whitcomb and Sarah Whitney.
1770. Jany. 25. Joshua Holden and Huldah Samson.
" March 8. Thomas Holt and Dina Corey.
" " Ezra Atherton and Ame Willard.
July 23. Shadrach Hapgood Ju' and Elizabeth Keep.
" July 26. Samuel Worster and Nancy Wizel.
July 2g. Simon Daby and Judith Symonds.
" August 2g. John Keley Ju'. and Molly Park.
" Sept. II. Oliver Saunderson and Eliz: Wintworth.
" Sept. 13. Nathan Night and Susannah Putnam.
" Octo. II. Jonathan Crouch Jur. and Dorithy Law.
'¦ Octo. 26. Ephraim Barnard and Hannah Fairbank.
" Decem. 4. John Farewell and Lydia Taylor.
" •' W"" Henry Ju'. and Mary Conn.
" Decem. 6. Dan' Zwear Ju' and Abigail Willard.
" " Samll Haskell and Ruth Safford.
1771. Jany. 31. Ruben Witherbee and Hannah Burges.
" Feby. 14. Phinehas Sawyer and Hannah Whitcombe.
" Feby. 20. George Leason and Betty Saunderson.
" April 16. Joshua Kendal and Dorithy Warner.
" August 26. John Meads and Sarah Whitney.
" August 27. Samuel Willard and Molly Stearns.
" Sept. 10. Jon". Peirce and Anne Hyle.
Octo. 15. Francis Wright and Anne Harper.
" Novem. 12. Titus Coburn and Peggy Whittemore.
'• Novem. 21. Joseph Atherton Jur and Hannah Farnsworth.
" Decem. 5. Coleman Saunderson and Submit Adams.
" Decem. 26. Elijah Wilder Jur. and Eunice Safford.
1772. Jany. 22. Amos Lawrence and Sarah Witherbee.
March ig. John Priest y^ third and Hannah Stow.
" March 30. Sam" Garfield and Sarah Cole.
May — . Israel Whitney and Hannah Mead.
May 25. John Park and Rhoda Cooper.
Jacob Whitney and Lois Hapgood.
" Sept. 17. Levi Whitney and Sarah Lawrance.
" Sept. — .  Eager and Dinah Sawyer.
Octo. 20. Abner Sampson and Lucy Farnsworth.
Decem. 15. Richard Whitney Jur and Mercy Willard.
1773. March g. John Farnswonh and Hannah White.
" March 15. Samuel Finney and Sibel Wright.
March 16. Isaac Gibson Jur. and Lois Sampson.
July 15. Edmund Farewell and Mary Russell.
July ig. Aaron Hodgkins and Phebe Wintworth.
August 26. John Knight and Elizabeth Davis.
Octo. 20. John Richards and Margret Conn.
Novem. 25. David Farewell and Hannah Taylor.
1774. Feby. 3. Cap' Josiah Whitney and Sarah Dwelly.
Aprd 21. Aaron Whitney and SaUy Pollard.
Solomon Haskell and Betty Davies.
April 26. Ward Safford and Priscilla Randal.
April 28. Abel Whitcomb and Jemima Keep.
Daniel Witherbee and Mary Stone.
May 3. Michael Sawtel and Sarah Fowler.
May 12. Isaac Whitney and Lucy Mead.
May 17. Samuel Cooper Jun' and Sarah Willard.
July 3- John Hall and Sarah Willard.
July 7. Witherbee Whitney and Abigail Warner.
July 13. James Willis and Molly Willard.

MARRIAGES.

503

1774-

I77S-

1776.

1777.

August 18. Zacheriah Whitney and Ehzabeth Witherbee.
Octo. 6. Simeon Turner and Anna Bridge.
Octo. 13. Benjamin Robins and Lydia Haild.
Decem. 15. Thomas Atherton and Betty Whitney.
Jany. 3. Reuben Willard and Catherine Parkhurst.
March 22. John Burges and Betty Witherbee.
March 30. j^lijah Willard and Mary Atherton.
April 4. Abraham Munroe and Lydia Hapgood.
Octo. 25. Oliver Gates Jur. and Patience Meriam.
Novem. ig. Joseph Chandler and Elizabeth Dopson.
Decem. 5. Prince Turner and Rebecca Keep.
Decem. ig. Thomas Chamberlain and Anna Brown.
Jany. 30. Josiah Whitney Junr and Anna Scollay.
Feby. 2. Matthias Farnsworth and Azuba Farnsworth.
March 21. Philemon Priest and Lois Hartwell.
April ID. Moses Hale and Molly Farwell.
April 18. Eben^ Wood Jur. and Phebe Brooks.
April 23. Reuben Garfield and Lydia Symonds.
" Aaron Warner and Mary Stow.
April 30. Abraham Densmore and [Widow] Mindwell Wint
worth.
August 7. Samuel Barret Jur and Abigail Houghton.
 Timo Willard and Elizabeth Farnsworth.
 Josiah Hartwell and Hannah Willard.
 Willis Seccombe and Mary Brown.
 Elisha Fullam and Ehzabeth Knight.
 David Crouch Jur. and Sarah Stearns.
April 16. James Robins Jur and Anna Warner.
June 22. Oliver Mead and Anna Whitney.

1783-

1784.

1785.

Marriages by Reverend Ebenezer Grosvenor.
Jany. 23. Benjamin Hazzan and Elizabeth Gates.
March 11.. Jonathan Crouch Jun. and Anna Hill.
April 2. Simeon Turner and Lucy Cox.
May I. Reuben Conant and Lydia Dudly.
May 15. Samuel Barnard and Hannah Laughton.
June 10. Joseph Willard Jun'. and Susa Kingman.
June 24. Francis Farr and Sarah Laughton.
June 26. Jonathan Houghton and Rachel Hale.
Sept. 10. Jacob Phelps of Marlboro' and Prudy Dudley.
Sept. II. James Bowers and Lydia Sawyer.
Octo. 7. Phinehas Warner and Widow Elizabeth Willard.
Decem. 30. Edward Macklene and Sarah Parker.
Jany. 22. Phineas Whitcomb and Abigail Wethington of Stow.
Feby. 25. David Dickinson and Lydia Munroe.
June 18. Ezra Baker of Stoddard and Dorcas Whitney.
June 22. Elnathan Darbey and Lucy Chaffen of Acton.
Novem. 25. Joseph Parks of Groton and Ahce Hamlen.
Decem. g. Oliver Divol of Leominster and Abigail Hill.
Jany. 2. John Whitney and Hannah Atherton.
Jany 13. Ebenezer Bridge and Annis Stone.
Feby. 17. Jacob Houghton of Bolton and Ohve Houghton.
March 22. Isaac Whitney Jun'. and Susanna Fletcher.
April 7. Daniel Knight and Esther Fairbank.
" America Hamlen and Sarah Parkhurst.
April 12. Ephraim Fairbank and Lucy Nurse of Bolton.
May 3. Ebenezer Davis and Sarah Wheeler of Concord.

504

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1785. May 10. Samuel Sampson and Mary Farnsworth.
" June I. Jabez Keep and Lydia Parkhurst
" June 2. John Warner and Mary Piper, (he took her without
any estate.)
June 26. Onesimus Newell of New Ipswich and Sally Knight.
July 7. Levi Worster of Littleton and Sarah Whitney.
Sept. 2g, Eliphalet Pearson of Andover and Sarah Bromfield.
Octo. II. Jonathan Haskel and Hannah Robbins.
'• Decem. 15. Ohver Barnard and Martha Atherton.
" Decem. — Jonas Hosmer of Walpole and Betsey Willard.
" Decem. 2g. William Knight and Lydia Cleverly.
1786. Feby. 6. Peter Atherton and Zilpah Pollard.
'• April 13. Europe Hamlen and Dorcas Stow.
" May 3. Ephraim Chaffin and Sarah Hill.
June II. David Atherton and Esther Atherton.
July 2. Jonathan Stone Jun'. and Catharine Willard.
" Decem. ig. Warren Kent and Bethiah Turner.
1787. Jany. 2. Silas Parkhurst and Sarah Merriam.
" April 5. Caleb Sawyer of Bolton and Relief Fairbank.
" May 22. John Wilder of Templeton and Mary Holland.
" July 3. Phinehas Houghton and Sarah Knight.
" Novem. 2g. Abel Houghton and Sarah Fairbank.
" Decern. 10. Jason Meeds and Silence Atherton.
1788. March 30. Israel Whitney and Susanna Garey.

Marriages by Reverend William Emerson, etc.
I7g2. Octo. 2. Nathaniel Page and Anne Wetherbee of Boxboro.
" Novem. 6. Isaiah Davis and Sally Hamlen.
" " Samuel Stearns of Leominster and Sarah Daby.
•' Novem. 3. Benjamin Sampson and Molly Atherton of Bolton.
" Decem. 18. Elijah Houghton Jun and Lucy Haskell.
" Decem. 26. William Walcott of Stow and Mary Whitney.
I7g3. Jany. I. Jacob Priest and Rhoda Warner.
" April 8. Asa Cole and Anna Goldsmith.
June 25. Ephraim Pollard and Rachel Phelps.
" July g. Nathaniel Butler and Dorcas Adams of Bolton.
August II. Joshua Davis of Groton and Sibyl Patterson.
I7g4. Jany. I. Joseph Sawtell Jun. of Groton and Lucy Farnsworth.
" April 3. . Benjamin Atherton of Bolton and Miss Lucretia Hud
son.
" May 22. Phineas Stone and Sarah Mead.
July 2. Jonathan Sawyer and Mary Priest.
Octo. 2. Kiah Bayley, A. B., and Abigail Goodhue.
I7g5. Jany. 12. Nathaniel Allen of Weston and Mary Garfield.
Feby. i. Israel Reed and Anna Park.
Feby. ig. Amory Pollard and Phebe Atherton.
" March 22. Samuel Dudley and Patience Atherton.
•' April 26. Amos Fairbank Jun and Rebecca Whitney.
" June 18. Simon Daby and. Betsey Whitcomb.
" July 2. Reuben Whitcomb of Boxborough and Mercy Priest.
" August 4. John Geary and Sarah Meriam.
" Sept. 22. Joel Stone of Waterford and Lucinda Parkhurst.
" Octo. 6. Thomas Legate of Sterling and Polly Farwell.
" Decem. ^ John Dennison Huse and Rebecca Parker.
I7g6. Jany. 11. Daniel Forbush and Ruth Forbush.
" Jany. 20. John Conn and Lucy Sawyer of Boxborough.
" Jany. 26. Abel Wetherbee and Sylvia Pollard.

MARRIAGES.

SOS

1796.

1797.

1798.

i7gg.

1780. Itn
1782.
1784.

I785. 1786.

1787.

1788.1789.

March 20. Francis Nurse and Abigail Puffer.
April 13. Henry Parker and Mary Grosvenor.
April 14. Benjamin Stow and Lucy Emerson.
June ig, Cyrus Whitney and Asenath Harris.
June 23. Ephraim Warner and Mercy Houghton.
June 27. Josiah Haskell Jun., and Rhoda Fairbank.
June 28. Phineas Barnard and Ehza Willard Whitney.
July 3. Asa Daby and Eliza Houghton.
Octo. 10. Elias Haskell Jun. and Lucy Priest.
Decem. 15. James Haskell Jun. and Mercy [Sarah] Pollard.
Decem. 20. James Richardson of Sterling and Lucy [Phebe] Mer
iam.
March 14. Francis Dickenson and Mary Bowers.
June II. Leonard Whitcomb of Boxborough and Hannah Saw
yer.
July 3. Willis Sampson and Mariah Houghton.
August 24. Timothy Wood and Sarah Hapgood of Acton.
Sept. 13. Josiah Stone and Sally Daby.
Novem. 23. Ohver Hill and Molly Goldsmith.
Novem. 28. Elijah Dwinel and Hannah Cutting.
Novem. 30. Luther Sawyer and Achsah Burnam.
" Thaddeus Pollard of Bolton and Achsah Atherton.
Decem. 6. John Hapgood and Molly Haskell.
Jany. I. John Munroe Dodge and Mehitable Dwinel.
Jany. 18. Samuel Sprague and Lydia Whitney.
Feby. 5. Jonathan Worster of Henneker and Mary H. Whitney.
April 22. Thomas Davis and Mary Gates.
May 3. Nathaniel Turner of Leominster and Susanna Baker.
Sept. I. Theodore Goldsmith and Mercy Hapgood.
Octo. 4. Luther Turner and Abigail Geary.
Novem. 28. Aaron Pollard of Lancaster and Anna Taylor.
March 14. Jabez Wood and Abigail Stone.
April 4. Cyrus Houghton and Sarah Gates.
May g. Thomas Hammond and Patty Laughton.
May 16, John Pierce and Dinah Sawyer.
August 4. Ethan Wetherbee and Betsey Robbins.
August 18. Luther Stearns of Leominster and Lucy Warner.
Marriages by Reverend Isaiah Parker, M. D.
April 24. Samuel Finney and Rhoda Park.
June 29. Peter Atherton of Lancaster and Phebe Daby.
Decem. 5. Peter Stickney of Shirley and Eunice Carlton.
June 18. Jonathan Atherton and Nancy Bridge.
Novem. 28. Thomas Williams of Hancock and Sarah Reed.
March 21. Joseph Buffum of Fitchburg and Sarah Haskell.
August 21. Tubal Stone and Pegg Colburn of Lancaster.
Decem. 12. Jonathan Lewis and Hannah Turner.
Decem. 13. Thomas Willard and Sarah Fletcher of Concord.
August 24. Michel Richards of Lunenburg and Lydia Davis.
Sept. 28. Jonathan Davis and Sarah Warner.
Novem, 30. Jonathan Willard of Lancaster and Lydia Munroe.
April 12. Joshua Phelps of Lancaster and Elizabeth Whitte
more.
Decem, 21. William Willard of Lancaster and Sarah Haskell.
May 28. John Pratt and Rebecca Darby.
Jany. I. Jonathan Rand and Mercy Taylor.
June 16. Reuben Baker of Shrewsbury and Betty Maynard.
Decem. 10. Jonathan Reed Jr and Lois Conant.

5o6

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1789.1790.

1792.

Decem. 30. Gladwin Chaffin and Eunice Farwell.
April 22. David Foster of Attleboro' and Sabra Atherton.
May ig. John Gibson and Lucy Reed.
May 23. Simon Hartwell of Littleton and Rachel Atherton.
June 20. Levi Buttrick and Rebecca Willard.
Sept. 8. Francis Meeds and Molly Crouch.
Decem. 16. James Hill of Stoneham and Elizabeth Crooker.
Jany. 2. Joel Willard and Polly Haskell.
Feb'y. 23. Samuel Worster and Relief Johnson of Lancaster.
March 31. Ephraim Stone and Ame Haskell.
June 20. David Barnard and Polly Emerson.
Sept. 6. Moses Haskell and Sarah Willard.
Octo. 20. Benjamin Wyman and Hannah Boynton.
Novem. 16. Ehsha Knight and Lydia Farnsworth.
Decem. 27. John Goldsmith and Moriah Houghton.
May 22. Simon Whitney and Polly Welch.
Sept. 26. John Crouch Jr of Boxboro' and Lucy Willard.
Decem. 2. William Merriam and Ruth Fletcher.
Decem. 18. Paul Willard and Martha Haskell both of Lancaster.
Jany. 24. Silas Willard and Hannah Hawks both of Lancaster.
March 7. John Joy of Ashby and Eunice Godfrey of Lancaster.
Sept. 18. Benjamin Locke and Eunice Bardean.
Sept. 16. Abel Morse and Polly Park.
Novem. 7. Salmon Willard and Rachel' Whitney.
March 5. Israel Longley of Shirley and Lucy Conant.
May 26. Thomas Hammond and Betsy Hapgood.
July 2. David Lesson and Louisa Robbins.
August 23. Daniel Bardean and Nabby Cooper.
Sept. 15. Scripture Frost of Shirley and Sarah Sprague.
Novem. 2. Aaron Davis and Hepsibeth Priest.
April 7. Nathaniel Williams and Dinah Davis.
July 3. Moses Wares and Polly Foster.
Jany. 8. Joseph Ballard of Andover and Sally Parker.
Feby. 23. Joel Cutting of Fitchburg and Eunice Carlton.
April 5. Ivory Longley of Shirley and Lydia Munroe.
Octo. 15. James Willard of Lancaster and Ame Atherton.
Novem. 5. Samuel Walker of Leominster and Betty Farrington.
Decem. 11. Samuel Stillman Parker and Rebecca Thomas of
Lancaster.
Decem. 17. Abel Willard and Eleanor Bowles.
Jany. 14. Stephen Farrar and Lucy Davis.
Jany. 23, Francis Barnard and Sarah Hammond.
April 5. Levi Hill and Sabra Barnard.
May 27. Josiah Brooks and Eunice Willard.
Sept. 30. John Haskell and Lucy Harris.
Jany. 2. Jesse Willard of Lancaster and Nabby Farnsworth.
Marriages by Peter Atherton, Esq.
Novem. 27. Jonathan Whitney and Sarah Holt.
August 25. David Whitney and Olive Sawyer.
March 31. Isaac Willard and Hannah Farnsworth.
Novem. 24, Ohver Atherton and Rachel Goodfrey.
I74g. Octo. 31. Benjamin Mead and Abigail Willard.
1750/1. March 5. Daniel Houghton of Bolton and Experience Willard.
1751. May 2g. Moses Warner and Unice Whitney of Stow.
Sept. 26. Joseph Houghton and Ame Haskell of Bolton,
1752. May 26. Robert Powers of Littleton and Anna Wetherbee.

1792.

1793.

1794.1795.

I7g6.1797-

1798.

I7gg.

1746.1747- 1748.

MARRIAGES.

507

1752.

Novem. 16.

1753-

Feby. 6.

August 2.

1754-

June 4,

¦'

Octo. 24.

1755.

May 21.

1756.

May 26.

1757.

Jany. 17.

Octo. 6.

"

Octo. 12.

..

Novem. 17.

¦'

Decem. 8.

1758.

Jany. 8.

tl

Feby. 2.

(1

March 14.

"

April 20.

"

May 30.

"

June 28.

"

Octo. ig.

((

Novem. 23.

I759-

Jany. 11.

Feby. 22.

"

March 24.

"

March 3.

"

March 17.

"

Decem. ig.

1760.

Jany. 15.

**

Jany. 2g.

"

Jany. 17.

.

Decem, 11.

1761.

March 31.

"

Decem. 31.

1762,

Jany. 18.

"

March 11.

"

April 26.

'¦

April 2g.

*'

Sept 8.

'•

Sept. 13.

"

Decem. 30.

1763-

Decem. 6.

"

Decem. 21.

1764.

Jany. ig.

1768.

April 5.

"

May 5.

Joseph Atherton and Sarah Hutchins.
Stephen Gates and Dinah Mead
Joseph Moffett of Ipswich Canada and Dorathy Priest
of Stow.
Elisha Coolidge and Sarah Boutelle both of Leomin
ster.
John Pratt and Mary Hall.
Thomas Wright and Moriah Houghton.
Peter Atherton Junr and Betty Atherton of Bolton.
George Peirce of Lincoln and Deborah Tarbell.
Benjamin Hale and Mary Taylor.
Jonathan Clark and Mercy Hapgood.
Gording Hiitchins and Dolly Stone.
Asa Robbins of Petersham and Hannah Russell.
Richard Holden and Dorathy Adams.
Edward Hazen of Shirley and Sarah Willard of Lan
caster.
Abijah Frost of Shirley and Sarah Laughton.
John Atherton and Hannah Cole.
Jonathan Sampson and Mary Oak.
Richard Harris and Phebe Atherton. [widow of John.]
Nathaniel Haseltine and Patience Whitcombe.
Jonathan Farwell and Eunice Hazen of Stow.
Ebenezer Knight of Lancaster and Prudence Church,
Benjamin Cutter of Lexington and Ehzabeth Buttrick.
Elkanah Keyes and Elisabeth Warner.
Benjamin Barnard and Mary Hunt.
Samuel Nichols and Lydia Willard.
Abijah Cole and Sarah Kent.
Micah Stone and Mary Whitney.
Jotham Houghton and Esther Taylor, both of Peters
ham.
Silas Farnsworth and Lydia Platts.
Nathaniel Wheeler and Mary Taylor, both of West
minster.
Timothy Haild and Elizabeth Byham both of Narra
gansett No. 6.
Wilham Willard and Mary Whittemore.
Jeremiah Bridge of Lexington and Sarah Buttrick.
Ephraim Houghton and Lois Rogers of Boxford.
John Farewell and Eunice Snow.
Oliver Wetherbee and Rachel Willard.
Jonathan Oak and Abigail Rand.
Silas Parkhurst of Pepperell and Sarah Atherton.
Ephraim Farr of Westminster and Elisabeth Cobleigh
of New Braintree.
Thomas Sawyer of Templeton and Prudence Carter
of Bolton.
Oliver Stone and Lucy Willard.
Elisha Jackson and Bulah Taylor, both of Westmin
ster.
Josiah Houghton and Abigail Godfrey, both of Lan
caster.
Samuel Hunt and Lydia Willard.
Marriages by Israel Taylor, Esq.
Thomas Gould of Lunenburg and Elizabeth Willard.
Simon Whitney and Patience Haseltine.

33

5o8

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1768.
1769. 1770.

1773-1774-

1776.

1777.

1778.

1782.1783- (( (I
1784.1785.

1787. (I
1788.

June 28. Timothy Phelps and Sarah Farnsworth.
Octo. 18. Nahum Daby and Susanna Worster.
Decem. i. Richard Harris Jr and Lydia Atherton.
Feby. 2. Jonathan Page of Fitchburg and Esther Willard.
April II. Ebenezer Burges Jr and Anna Fairbank.
August 14. Wilham Miles and Sarah Sanderson.
Sept. 27. Josiah Wetherbee and Lucy Haskell.
Feby. 22. William Farmer and Hannah HolL
April 23. Nathaniel Hastings and Jemima Bennett.
April 30. Abram Carlton of Lunenburg and Eunice Willard.
Octo. 25. Gibson Willard and Mary Hall.
June 7. Isaac Holden and Sarah Hale.
May 5. Jonathan Puffer and Abigail Fairbank.
" Hezekiah Whitney and Lucy Pollard.
July 27. Ehsha Fullam and Mary Willard.
Decem. 19. John Overlook and Molly Bigelow.
March 13. Francis Dickerson of Shelburn and Mary Fairbank.
March 14. James Willis and Alice Adams.
Marriages by Joseph Wheeler, Esq.
August 10. Jonathan Davis and Alice Whitney.
Sept. 14. Francis Farr and Abigail Haskell.
" Joshua Bowers and Mary Whitney.
Novem. 20. James Farmer and Deboiah Stone.
" Lemuel Stone and Martha Fullam.
Sept. 23. Marlboro' Kingman and Sybil Haskell.
Jany. II. Gideon Sanderson and Hannah Dodge.
March 12. Harbour Farnsworth and Lucy Haild.
March 19. Phineas Taylor of Stow and Sarah Haseltine.
Jan) . 23. Barzillai Willard and Silva Kingman.
April 29. William Safford and Sarah Scollay.
Marriages by Josiah Whitney, J. P.
Octo. 14. Simon Blanchard and Elizabeth White of Littleton,
Novem. 12. Israel Hale and Esther Taylor.
Jany. 3. Thaddeus Brown and Molly Pollard.
May 27. James Whitney and Rachel Laughton.
Sept. 25. Josiah Whitney and Lois Hill.
Novem. 27. Josiah Maynard and Betty Woodbury.
Feby. 17. Daniel Daby and Abigail Sawyer.
May 27. Jonas Davis and Abigail Sampson.
June 16. Jonathan Atherton and Mary Welsh of Bolton.
Sept. 23. John Welsh and Ruth Corley of Bolton.
Octo. 25. Elijah Priest and Lois Gates.
Decem. 14. Elias Warner and Abigail Priest.
Feby. g. Jeremiah Bacon Jr. of Dover and Betty Davis.
March 7. Eli Longley and Mary Whitcomb.
" Abel Priest and Zerviah Whitcomb.
August 21. Jeremiah Richardson of Neiv Fane and Triphena
Whitcomb.
June 6. Joseph Pratt and Elizabeth Sawyer.
Sept. 26. John Blanchard of Sutton and Huldah Carol of Groton.
Octo. 24. Nathaniel Geary Jr and Betty Farnsworth.
April 10. Ebenezer Davis and Sarah Whitney.
July 31. John Conn and Molly Farwell.
Feby. 12. William Flood and Sybil Clark both of Lancaster.

MARRIAGES.

509

1788.

June I.

.(

Octo. 10.

1789.

May 12.

May 21.

"

Novem. 17.

1790.

Jany. 27.

Feby. 8.

'*

Feby. 15.

"

June 10.

It

Octo. 12.

"

Octo. 17.

1791-

Feby. i.

Feby. 15.

"

April 19.

((

May II.

1732.

Novem. 29.

1740.

Octo. 2.

[1742.

June 3.

1756.

Sept. 23.

1792.

March 20.

1792.

Decem. 4.

1799.

Octo. 27.

Simon Daby and Joanna Hale.
Elnathan Polley and Rebecca Warner.
John Laughton and Patty Pollard.
Oliver Haskell Jr and Mary Atherton.
Benjamin Hoar of Littleton and Abigail Whitney.
Josiah Davis and Susanna Stone.
Stephen Lawrence and Lucy Stone.
John Falls of Dublin and Flora Whitney.
Edward Baker of Littleton and Betsy Reed.
Oliver Davis and Sarah Pollard.
Hezekiah Hildreth of Tyngsboro' and Sarah Davis.
Charles Warner and Rhoda Sawyer.
Jabez Fairbank and Betsy Houghton.
Israel Taylor and Sarah Rand.
Jeremiah Laughton and Sarah Sawyer of Boxboro'.

T. W., J. P.

Sawyer, by John

Eleazar Davis and Sarah Willard, by
John Sampson juner and Martha
Martyn, J. P.
John Priest and Sarah Whitney.]
John Taylor and Mary Bouker  by Joseph Blanch
ard of Dunstable, J. P.
Jacob Fairbank and Sarah Goldsmith, by Rev. Ed
mund Foster of Littleton.
Thomas Reed and Ame Parkhurst, by Rev. Moses
Adams of Acton.
Jonas Merriam and Rachel Parkhurst, by Rev. Ed
mund Foster ot Littleton.

MARRIAGES OF HARVARD CITIZENS CONSUMMATED IN
OTHER TOWNS.
ashburnham.
 ¦ Marrett and Sarah Shed of Ashburnham, by
Samuel Wilder, Esq.
BERLIN.
Phillip Cooledge of Bolton and Mary Bennett, by
Ephraim Fairbank, Esq.
BEDFORD.
Amos Brooks and Lydia Bacon of Bedford, by Rev.
 Bowers.
Levi Conant and Abigail Davis of Bedford, by Rev.
Ezra Ripley. BILLERICA.
Silas Farnsworth and Elizabeth Bowers of Billerica
by Rev. Jno. Chandler.
Elias Haskell and Sarah Kidder of Billerica, by Rev.
Samson Spaulding.
Rev. WiUiam Emerson and Ruth Haskins of Billerica
by Rev. Sam'. Parker.
BOLTON.
Paul Whitcomb of B. and Rebecca Whitney, by Rev.
Thomas Goss.
Rev. Joseph Wheeler and Mrs. Mary Greenleaf of B,
by Rev. Thomas Goss.

1788.

August 21

1788.

Octo. 29.

1746.

Feby. 6.

1794.

June l6.

1754.

Sept. 17.

I76I.

May 14-

1796.

Octo. 25

1759-

Sept. 19.

1760.

Octo. 21.

510

1763.

Novem. 28.

1764.

Octo. 2.

1765.

Decem. 23.

1767.

July 2.

1768.

Novem, 30.

1769.

Jany. 12.

"

Feby. 27.

"

June 14.

"

June 29.

1770.

I77I.

Jany. g.

1772.

April 14.

1773-

May 20.

1774.

March 24.

"

Decem. 15.

1776.

April 30.

1777-

Feby. 13.

"

Sept. 12.

1779-

Decem. 24.
April 8.

"

Novem. 10.

"

Decem. g.

1780.

July 5.

"

August 28.

i78i.

Jany. 11.

"

Feby. 22.

"

March 5.

HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Phineas Houghton of B. and Eunice Rogers, by Rev.
Thomas Goss.
Abraham Scott of B. and Mary Kent, by Rev. Thomas
Goss.
Dr. Nathaniel Martyn and Mrs. Anna Townsend of B.
by Rev. Thomas Goss.
Jacob Holmes of Worcester and Elizabeth Gates of
H. by Iohn Whetcomb, Esq.
Elisha Houghton and Meriah Pairs of B. by Rev.
Thomas Goss.
Moses Worcester and Sarah Witt, by John Whitcomb,
Esq.
Phineas Warner and Lydia Whitney of B. by John
Whitcomb, Esq.
Abel Farwell and Hannah Daby, by Rev. Thomas
Goss.
Samuel Burnam and Hannah Pearce of B., by Rev.
Thomas Goss.
Stephen Wilder of Lancaster and Betty Sawyer, by
John Whitcomb, Esq.
John Whitney and Sarah Atherton, by John Whit
comb, Esq,
Jeremiah Priest Jr. and Rebecca Houghton of B., by
Rev. Thomas Goss.
Ehjah Whitney and Sarah Stearns of B., by Rev.
Thomas Goss.
Silas Houghton and Sarah Wyman of B., by John
Whitcomb, Esq,
Wilham Burgess and Ehzabeth Richardson of B., by
Rev. John Walley.
Jacob Davis and Ruth Atherton of B., by John Whit
comb, Esq.
Job Priest and Martha Butler of B., by John Whit
comb, Esq.
Ebenezer Warner Jr. and Deborah Ball of B., by Rev.
John Walley.
James Stone and Susanna Fosgate of B., by Rev.
Thomas Goss.
Daniel Laughton and Lucy Dutton, by John Whit
comb, Esq.
David Stearns and Lois Crouch, by Rev. John Walley.
Simon Meriam of Bolton and Phebe Lock, by John
Whitcomb, Esq.
Cyrus Fairbank and Mercy Hale of Stow, by John
Whitcomb, Esq.
Asa Houghton Jr. and Dorcas Moore of Bolton, by
John Whitcomb, Esq.
Nathan Priest and Mary Bacon of Bedford, by John
Whitcomb, Esq.
Zaccheus Dudley and Mary Conant, by John Whit
comb, Esq.
Samuel Forbush and Mary Warner, by John Whit
comb, Esq.
John Warner Jr. and Susanna Barrett of Leominster,
by John Whitcomb, Esq.
Nathaniel Longley and Keziah Fairbank, by John
Whitcomb, Esq.
Thaddeus Pollard and Mary Fairbank, by John Whit
comb, Esq.

MARRIAGES.

SII

1781. 1783.1786. 1787.1788.

1789. 1790.I7gi.

August 2g.
Octo. 31.
August II.
Jany. 12.
Novem. 2g.
Octo. 2.
Novem. 13.
Decem. 23.
April 22.
Decem. 26.
May ig.
Sept. ig.

I7g4. Decem. 11.
•
1776. August 5.
1764. June ig.
1776. Feby. 28.
1798. Decem. 20.
1783. Novem. 13.
1787. June —
[1737. Julys.
1 1742. July 15.
[1747. April 20.
[1749. Octo. 4.
1759. March i.
1760. March 11.
1767. May 5.
1772. May II.

Jonathan Barrett and Phebe Warner, by Rev. John
Walley.
Jacob Ploughton of Bolton and Lucy Houghton, .by
Rev. John Walley.
Daniel Robbins and Elizabeth Townsend of Marlboro'
by Rev. Reuben Puffer.
Phineas Samson and Rachel White of Bolton, by Rev.
Phineas Wright.
Calvin Warner and Anna Houghton of Bolton, by
Rev. Phineas Wright.
Joseph Atherton 3'' and Anna Wheeler of Bolton, by
Rev. Phineas Wright.
David Stone and Lucy Samson, by Rev. Phineas
Wright.
Manasseh Sawyer and Mercy Mead, by Rev. Phineas
Wright.
Israel Whitney and Abigail Puffer, by Rev. Phineas
Wright.
Capt. Thaddeus Pollard and Mrs. Elizabeth Atherton,
by Rev. Phineas Wright.
Thomas Sawyer Jr. and Hannah Whitney, by Rev.
Phineas Wright.
Abel Sawyer and Polly Cutting of Boylston, by Rev.
Phineas Wright.
BOXBOROUGH.
David Nurse and Lois Brown of Boxboro', by Rev.
Joseph Willard.
CAMBRIDGE.
Isaac Haild and Sarah Bowers of Cambridge, by
WiUiam Kneeland. Esq.
CONCORD.
William Stearns of Littleton and Elizabeth Burt, by
T. Whiting, Esq.
Josiah Whitney Jr. and Mary Wheeler of Concord, by
Ephraim Wood, Esq.
Jonas Bateman and Abigail How of Concord, by Rev.
Ezra Ripley. DEDHAM.
Seth Gould and Margaret Craige of Dedham, by Rev.
Jabez Chickering. FRAMINGHAM.
David Kendall to Hannah Rider, by Rev. David Kel
logg. GROTON.
Joseph Bridge and Elizabeth Atkinson of Groton.]
John Farwell and Sarah Sawtell of Groton.]
John Darby and Elizabeth Holden of Groton.]
Joseph Fairbanks and Abigail Tarbell of Groton.]
John Dudley of Groton and Sybil Russell, by Caleb
Trowbridge, Esq.
John Houghton and Esther Tarbel of Groton, by Ca
leb Trowbridge, Esq.
Jonathan Farnsworth and Hannah Farwell of G., by
Rev. Samuel Dana.
Jonathan Weatherbee and Abigail Farwell of Groton,
by Rev. Samuel Dana.

512

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1773. March 18.
1778. Feby. 19.
1780. July 4.
1 78 1. Novem. i.
1782. Novem. 27.
1785. Octo. 18.
1789. April 16.
" August 20.
1792. Jany. 3.
1794. May 27.
1784. Novem. 24.
1760. March 3.
1769. Feby. 16.
" June 7.
1780. Feby. 5.
1781. August 21.
1783. Feby. 27.
1786. May 18.
1787. Jany. 9.
1790. April 4.
1794. June 29.
1732. Octo. 12.
1732/3. March 9.
1739. Novem. 29.
1758. Feby. 2.
Jany. 5.
Octo. 5.

Jonathan Stone and Jemima Longley of Groton, by
Rev. Samuel Dana.
Nathaniel Whittemore and Lydia Stone of Groton, by
Rev. Daniel Chaplin.
Ebenezer Farnsworth of Groton and Martha Haild,
by Rev. Daniel Chaplin.
William Park Jr. and Eunice Stone of Groton, by Rev.
Daniel Chaplin.
John Hill and Sarah Davis of Groton, by Rev. Daniel
Chaplin.
Africa Hamlen and Susannah Stone of Groton, by
Rev. Daniel Chaplin.
Richard Briant and Mary Whitney, by Rev. Daniel
Chaplin.
Moses Stone of Newburyport and Polly Hayden, by
Rev. Daniel Chaplin.
Nehemiah Ramsdell of Groton and Polly Farnsworth,
by Rev. Daniel Chaplin.
Timothy Stone of Groton and Lydia Farwell, by Rev.
Daniel Chapliu.
HOPKINTON.
Zadock Barnum and Sarah Haven of Hopkinton, by
Rev. E. Fitch.
LITTLETON.
Joseph Worster Jr. of L. and Mrs. Sarah Adams, by
Rev. Daniel Noyes.
Mathias Farnsworth of Groton and Sarah Fa»nsworth,
by J. D. Noyes, Esq.
Ephraim Proctor of L. and Dorothy Burt, by J. D.
Noyes, Esq.
William Farr and Lucy Hadley of L., by Jonathan
Reed, J. P.
James Daniels and Betty Robbins of L., by Jonathan
Reed, J. P.
Mannasseh Stow and Molly Whitcomb of L., by Rev.
Edmund Foster.
Peter Wright of L. and Esther Reed, by Rev. Ed
mund Foster.
Lysias Blanchard and Esther Warner of L., by Rev.
Edmund Foster.
Simon Hartwell of L. and Rachel Atherton, by Rev.
Edmund Foster.
Jacob Whitney and Mary Patch of L., by Rev. Edmund
Foster. LANCASTER.
Seth Sawyer and Hepsibah Whitney, by Rev. John
Prentice.
Joseph Sawyer and Abigail Foskett, by Joseph Wil
der, J. P.
Oliver Stone and Maria Priest of Bolton, by 
Elijah Woods of L. and Mrs. Mary Godfrey, by Rev.
Timothy Harrington.
Phineas Willard and Rebecca Willard, bv Toseoh
Wilder, J. P. • :»' J" cpn
Simon Willard of L. and Elizabeth Willard, by Rev.
Timothy Harrington.

MARRIAGES.

513

1763. July 21. Sarnuel Hancock and Abigail Snow of L., by William
Richardson, J. P.
1765. July 25. Ephraim Robbins of Petersham and Joanna Holden,
by Joseph Wilder, J. P.
1767. May ig. James Godfrey of L. and Mrs. Mary Pratt, by Rev.
Timothy Harrington.
I76g. Octo. 12. Lemuel Haskell and Lucy Green of L., by Rev. Tim
othy Harrington.
1776. May 2. Abijah Warner and Elsea Fuller of L. Josiah Wil
der, J. P.
1778. Jany. 12. Ephraim Munroe and Mrs. Mary [Mercy] Atherton of
L. Rev. Timothy Harrington.
1780. April 23. Benjamin Kimball and Anna Wilder of L. Rev. Tim
othy Harrington.
1783. May 13. John Munroe and Lucy White of L. Rev. Timothy
Harrington.
1785. Jany. 17. Levi Page and Martha White of L. Rev. Timothy
Harrington.
" Decem. 21. Thomas Houghton Jr. and Betsy White of L. Rev.
Timothy Harrington.
1788. Octo. 14. Orsamus Newell of New Ipswich and Lydia Meed.
Rev. Timothy Harrington.
1797. Jany. 2. Sampson Worcester and Phebe Wilson of Sterling, by
Timothy Whiting, J. P.
1797. March 17. Tristam Sanborn and Abigail Knight, by Timothy
Whiting, J. P.
1798. Octo, 25. Caleb Willard and Rachel Perry, by Timothy Whit
ing, J. P. LEOMINSTER.
1746. Octo. 3. Aaron Brown of L. and Rachel Reed, by Rev. John
Rogers.
1770, Octo. 7. John Colburn of L. and Anna Daby, by Rev. John
Rogers.
1773. Octo. 28. Jephtha Richardson and Abi Nichols of L. 
1777. Feby. 13. Nathaniel Farnsworth and Mary Collins of L. 
LUNENBURG.
1747. June 15. James Johnson of L. and Susanna Willard, by Thomas
Prentice, Esq.
1755. Jany. 28. William Dodge of L. and Elizabeth Salmon, by Rev.
Daniel Stearns.
1764. May g. Jacob Gates and Elizabeth Gibson of L., by Edward
Hartwell, Esq.
MANCHESTER.
1770. May I. Rev. Daniel Johnson and Betsy Lee of M., by Rev.
Benj. Toppan. PEPPERELL.
1758. Jany. ig. Isaac Woods of P. and Anna Houghton, by Rev. Jos
eph Emerson.
1785. June g. Shubael Conant of P. and Rhoda Boynton, by Rev.
Joseph Emerson.
1786. June I. John Park Jr. of Groton and Lydia Hamlin, by Rev.
John Bullard.
I7gi. Jany. 18. Jacob Haskell and SaUy Boynton of P., by Rev. John
Bullard. RUTLAND.
1747/8. March 17. Edward Powers and Mary Nourse of R., by Rev. Jos
eph Buckminster.

514 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
SHIRLEY.
1763. June 16. Joshua Peirce of S. and Eleanor Safford, by Rev.
Phineas Whitney.
i7g4. Sept. 25. WiUiam Longley Jr. of S. and Rebecca Munjoy, by
Joshua Longley, Esq.
I7g8. March 24. Thomas Hazen of S. and Nancy Crooker, by Joshua
Longley, Esq.
May g. Silas Rand Jr. and Betsy Farnsworth of S., by Joshua
Longley, Esq.
SHREWSBURY.
 Nathan Taylor of S. and Sarah Hale. Rev. Ebenezer
Morse. STONEHAM.
1762. Decern. — Charles Willard and Mrs. Sarah ScoUay of S., by Rev.
John Searl. STOW.
1766. March 25. Hezekiah Willard and Azubah Wood of S., by Henry
Gardner, Esq.
1767. July 16. Abraham Whitney of S., and Sarah Shed, by Henry
Gardner, Esq.
1771. July 25. Jacob Willard and Rhoda Randall of S., by Henry
Gardner, Esq.
1778. Feby. 3. John Whitney of S. and Mary Farnsworth, by Rev.
jona. Newell.
Feby. 16. Jonathan Crouch and Ehzabeth Skinner of S., by Rev.
Jona. Newell.
1780. Decem. 7. Peter Conant of S. and Elizabeth Fairbank, by Rev.
Jona. Newell.
" Ephraim Whitney of S. and Sarah Burgess, by Rev.
Jona. Newell.
1782. April 4. Jacob Priest and Mary Stone of S., by Rev. Jona.
Newell.
" July 27. Peter Houghton and Marcy Whitney of S., by Rev.
Jona. Newell.
1787. Jany. 30. Jonathan Fairbank and Hannah Hale of S., by Rev.
Jona. Newell.
I7g2. Feby. 6. Thomas Fairbank and Lydia Wolcott of S., by Rev.
Jona. Newell.
" April 20. Nahum Smith of S. and Mary Stone, by Jonathan
Wood, J. P.
TOWNSEND.
1778. March 26. John Farwell and Sarah Warner of T., by Reverend
Samuel Dix.
WESTFORD.
1733. July 12. Benjamin Robbins of W. and Ann Johnson, by Rev.
Willard HaU.
1747. June 25. Amos Russell and Sarah Hildreth of W., by Jonas
Prescott, J. P.
i78g. June 3. Eleazar Hamlin and Mrs. Hannah Fletcher of W.
Rev. Matthew Scribner.
WESTON.
1736/7. March 7. Rev. John Seccomb to Mrs. Mercy Williams of W.,
by Rev. W"" Williams.
WILMINGTON.
1741. Decem. 23. Daniel Peirce and Sarah Buck of W. 

DEATHS.

S15

RECORD OF DEATHS.
Reverend John Seccomb's Registry of Deaths : with Addi
tions AND Corrections from Town and other Records.

1728. March 17.
1732. Decern. 11.
>732/3. Feby. 14.
" Feby. ig.
1733. Octo. 5.
" Octo. 22.[23]
1734. May 30.
" June 16.
1735- Jany. 10.
" May 23.
" August 16.
Octo. 20.[l8]
1736. July ig.
" July 10.
'" August 5.
" August 25.
Sept. 3.
" Sept. 21.
" Sept. 30.
Octo. 13.
" Novem. i.
" Novem. 19.
" Novem. 24.
" Decem. 26.
1737. Feby. 18.
" April g.
May 17.
May 18.
" July 16.
" July 17.
¦' August g.
" August II.
Sept. 4.
" Sept. 6.
[ " Sept. 24.
Octo. I.
Octo. 9.

Mary Farnsworth, Daughter of Jonathan and Mary.]
Keziah Atherton, Daughter of Peter and Experience.]
Ebenezer Houghton, son of Stephen and Abigail.]
Samuel Rogers Senior.]
Elizabeth Willard, Daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth.]
Peter Atherton, Son of Peter and Experience.
A Child of W'". Buttrick and his wife Elizabeth.
Ephraim Stone, Son of Dea: Simon [and Sarah] Stone.
^tat. 18.
Elizabeth Wetherbee, wife of John Wetherbee.
^tat. 33.
Ebenezer Davis, Son of Ebenezer [and Sarah] Davis.
^tat. 3 Weeks.
Joseph Atherton. Mta.t. 43.
A Child of W" Buttrick, age a fortnight. [Ezra.]
Hezekiah Priest. yEtat. 35 years.
Caleb, Son of Thomas and Abigail Wright. yEtat. 3
years.
Thomas Houghton, Son of Thomas Houghton, aged
4 years and 10 months.
Oliver Davis, Son of Eleazer and Sarah Davis. JEta.t.
I year and 10 months.
Cyrus Fairbank, Son of Dea: Jos. [and Mary] Fair-
bank. Mtzt. 10 years, 3 months.
John Robbins, Son of George Robbins, aged 1 1 months.
Miriam Davis, Daugh. of John Davis. ^Etat. 2 years
& half.
A Child of Jonathan Farnsworth's.
Mary Willard, Daugh' of Phineas Willard. ^Etat. 6
years, 8 months.
Mary Worster, Daugh' of Jonathan and Rebecca
Worster. yEtat. i year and 4 months.
Elizabeth Fairbank, Daugh' of Dea. Joseph Fairbank.
yEtat. 2 years and half.
Mary Whitcomb, Dr. of James Whitcomb. ^Etat.
about 7 years and half.
Silas Rand, Son of Jonathan Rand. vEtat 1 1 years.
Ephraim Farnsworth. yEtat. 35.
Susannah Priest, Daugh' of Joseph Priest. ^Etat. 15
years.
The Widow Mary [Rachel] Priest. .-Etat 82 years. [81]
Thomas, Son of W"". and Elizabeth Buttrick. yEtat.
2 months.
Mary, Daugh' of Joseph Priest. ^Etat. 16 years.
Josiah Knight, ^tat. about 24 year*.
Isaiah Whitney. yEtat. 38.
Phinehas, Son of Shadrach Hapgood, few days old.
Sarah Wheeler. ^Etat. 78.
The Widdow [of Daniel] Elizabeth Priest. yEtat. 53. ^
Ruth Procter, Daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth.] '
Jedediah, Son of Eleazer and Ruth Robbins, aged
about 22 years.
A Child of Nathan Warner's in dehvery.

5i6

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1738. April 25. Benjamin, Son of Joseph Priest, ^tat. 18 years and
2 months.
July 10. Hannah Meeds, Daug'. of Samuell and Dinah Meeds.
iEtat. g years.
August 23. a Child of Joseph and Rebeccah Blood. [Joseph.]
Sept. 2g. Mary Harper, Wife of Andrew Harper, ^tat. 39
years.
Octo. 13. A Negro Servant Child of John Forbush's.
I73g. April 13. A Child of Phineas Willard's, a day old.
AprU 16. Peter, Son of James Whitcomb. ^tat. 5 years, 7
months.
April 17. Henry HaskeU. ^Etat. 63.
April 23. Lydia, Daug'. of James Whitcomb, 2 years, 6 months.
" May 8. Jonathan, Son of Jonathan and Rebeccah Worster.
jEtat. 2 years.
May 13, Rebeccah, Daug'. of Jonathan and Rebeccah Wors
ter. .<Etat. 4 years.
May 16. Lois, Daug' of James Whitcomb. jEtat. 8 years and
2 days.
ivlay 2g. Elisabeth, Wife of Benj" Nurse, aged about 50.
[ " June 25.- Mary, Daughter of Peter and Experience Atherton.]
" July 18. Hannah, Daug'. of Judah and Eunice Clark. .(Etat.
4 years and half.
¦' July ig. Gad, Son of W'". and Mercy Pierce. JEta.t. 2 years.
" August 10. Mary, Daughter of Jonathan and Rebecca Worster.
" August III Elisabeth, Daug'. of Abraham and Sarah Whitney,
aged about 4 months.
[ " " Ensign Joseph Atherton.]
" August 16. Jonathan, Son of John Wetherbee. JEtat. 5 years
and half.
" August 17. John Sawyer. Aged 16 years.
August 24. Elisabeth, Daug'. of John [and Anna] Wetherbee, aged
about 2 years.
'¦ August 26. Anna, Daug'. of John [and Anna] Wetherbee. ^Etat. 4
years.
" August 30. Hannah, D'. of Jonathan and Elizabeth Gates, ^Etat.
6 years.
" Sept. 6. Deliverance, Son of Thomas and Elisabeth Wheeler,
age 2 years, 2 months.
" Sept. 14. Mary, Daug'. of John [and Anna] Wetherbee, about 2
months old.
" Novem. 7. Silas, Son of Samuell and Dinah Meeds, about 18
months old.
" Novem. 2g. Hulda, Daug'. of Henry and Hulda Haskell, near 2
years old.
" Decem. 17. Hannah, Daug'. of Henry and Hulda Haskell, 2 weeks
old.
1740. Feby. 3 A Child of Stephen [and Betty] Gates, 3 days old.
[John.]
" March 2g.^ John, Son of Joseph and Mary Haskell, aged 12
months.
May 7.[g.] A Child of Peter Atherton's, lived a few hours. [John.]
May 15. Abigail, Child of Joseph and Abigail Sawyer, Aged 4
years and half.
" June II. Abiel Barran, wife of Nathan Barran of Groton.
" August 21. Ezra, Son of John Davis, about 2 vears old.
" Sept. 24. Elias, Son of Jonathan [and Mary] Farnsworth, Junr.
3 years old.

DEATHS.

S17

1742.

1743-

1740. Octo. 26. Lydia Houghton, Daughter of Simon and Jerusha.]
1741. Jany. I4.[g.] A Child of Peter Atherton's lived about an hour.
[Isaac]
[Feby. 6. Sarah, Daughter of Nathaniel and Eunice Farnsworth.
" April 27.[6.] Hannah, a Child of Jonathan and Elizabeth Procter,
6 months old.
Daniel, a Child of the body of Elizabeth Warner, aged
5 years.
Jonathan, Son of Jonathan and Elizabeth Procter.]
Mary, the Wife of Thomas Wheeler, ^Etat. 40.
Elisabeth, Wife of Jacob Gates. yEtat. 40.
Nathanael, Son of Nathanael [and Eunice] Farns
worth.
Joseph Blood, Son of Joseph and Rebeckah.]
A Female Child of Mr. Stinson's, aged 11 years.
Lucy, a Child of Tarbell and Rachel Willard, aged i
year and g months.
Stephen, a Child of Stephen and Abigail Houghton,
aged 3 years.
Stephen. Son of Thomas and Sarah Willard, aged
about 4 years.
Cato, a Negro Man Servant of John Martyn Esq.
yEtat. 35.
Amos, Son of Nathaniel and Eunice Farnsworth.]
A Child of Joseph and Rebecca Blood, one day old.
[Joseph].
Hannah Atherton, yEtat. 57.
A Child of Shadrach and Elisabeth Hapgood. [Israel].
Eunice, a Child of Jonathan and Elisabeth Gates.
Joseph, Son of W™. and Elisabeth Buttrick, about a
week old.
August I5.[i6.] Asa, Son of Shadrach and Elisabeth Hapgood, 3
years old.
A Child of Nathan and Dorothy Warner.
Another, a Twin Child of s'^. Warner.
A Still-born Child of Thomas and Mary Wheeler.
A Child of Simon and Mercy Daby's was buried.
June 26.[25.] A Child of Nathaniel and Eunice Farnsworth's.
[Daniel].
Eleazer, Son of Eleazer and Lydia Robbins, age 3
years.
Samuel Warner, in 65* year of his age.
Jemima Sprague, choaked with dry beans — the Daug'.
of Ebenezer Sprague.
Sept. 10 [g]. A Child of Peter and Experience Atherton's, a few
hours old. [Sarah].
A Child of Abraham Ruggs.
Hannah Daby, JEt. 5g. [Wife of John].
A Child of John and Sarah Priest.
Sarah Priest. Wife of John Priest, in 25"' year of her
Age.
Mary, the Wife of Dea : Joseph Haskell ; Age 43
years, g m".
Joel Brooks, age 3 years.
A Child of John Farewell's.
" Another, a Twin Child, very young.
May 8 [7]. Parker Russel, age about 4 years.
May 22. Job Warner, about 4 months old.
July 8. A child of Simon and Mercy Daby, a day old.

May 6.
June 30.
July 23.
Jany. 24.
Feby. 6.
Feby. 11.
June II.
June 13.
June 18.
July 26.
Sept. I.
Decem. 4.
Jany. 30.
Feby. 13.
March 2.
June 10.
August 13.

1744. March 26.

June 6.

July 8.
July 18.
Sept. 5.

" Octo. 29
" Novem. 17,
" Decem. 5.
" Decem. 6.
1745. Feby. 23.
Feby. 28.
March 26.

5i8 HISTORY OF HARVARD

1745, July 15. Abigail Reed was drowned, aged about 28.
" August 12. Dole John.Mn, aged about 43 years.
" Sept. 14. Elisabeth* Wetherbee [Dau. of John and Anna], in 2^
year of her age.
[" Sept. II. Ephraim Procter, Son of Jonathan and EUzabeth.]
Sept. 14. Deboi:,a:h Russell, Wife of Amos Russell. JEt. 18.
" Sept. 21. Sarah Fellows, age 4 years [Daughter of Sam', and
Eunice].
" Octo. I. Joseph" "bellows, age i year, 8. months [Son of Sam'.
and E^unice].
" Octo. 3. Silas Meg^dt age nine weeks.
" Octo. 21. Hannah Peirce, about 2 months old.
1746. Jany. 10. Anna Willard, Mt. 56.
[ " Jany. 3. Jacob Procter, Son of Jonathan and Elizabeth].
" March 28 [29]. Olive Gates, aged 15 years [Daughter of Jonathan
and Elizabeth].
" May 29 [30]. John Wetherbee, age about 45.
" June 14 [20]. A Child of Peter Atherton's, few hours old [John].
" July g. a Child of Dr Phihp Fowler's.
" July 23. Ebenezer Brown, about a year old.
" August I. A Child of Dr. Fowlers, very young.
" Sept. 6. A Child of Daniel Peirce's, about 2 years old [Abigail].
" Sept. 10. Samuell Willard, age 4 years, 2 months.
" Sept. II. Gibson Willard, age 12 months.
" Sept. 12. Saralj Willard, aged about 3 years.
" Sept. 15. Mary Buttrick, age 2 years, 7 days [Daughter of Wil
liam and Elizabeth].
" Sept. ig. Jeremiah Willard, Eleven years old.
" Sept. 23. Timothy Willard, age about 13 years.
Sept. 30. AbigaU Rugg, Mt. 33, Wife of Abraham Rugg.
" " Relief Rugg, age 1 1 months, 14 days [Daughter of
Abraham].
" " Cap". Jonathan Sawyer, in ss* year of his age.
Octo. 5. Cyrus Fairbank, age 5 years and half [Son of Phine
has and Sarah].
Octo. 7. Nathan Sprague, yEt. 15 years.
" " Jonathan Forbush, about 3 years old [Son of John and
Eunice].
Octo. 10. Jonathan Worster, about 3 years old [Son of Jonathan
and Rebecca].
" Octo. 12. Lois Sawyer, about 16 years.
" " Aaron Warner, in 25 year of his age.
" Octo. 17. Jonathan Crouch, Mt. 50.
" Octo. 20. Philemon Warner, i year, 7 months old.
" Octo. 21. Jedediah Cole, in lo"". year of his age.
" Octo. 22. Mary Cole, age i year, 7 months.
" " Deacon Simon Stone, yEt. 61.
Octo. 24. Samuel Forbush, aged 5 years [Son of John and
Eunice].
Octo. 26. John Worster, age 5 years [Son of Jonathan and Re
becca],
Octo. 31. Judith Cole, yEt. 46 [Wife of Jonathan.]
Novem. 3. Anna Warner, aged 31 years.
Novem. I4[i2]. Samuel Warner, age i year, 6 months [Son of Na
than and Dorothy].
Novem. 23. Martha Cole, yEt. 20.
Decem. 18. Jonathan Sawyer, age i year.
" Peter Sawyer, about 3 years.
" Decem. 26. Sarah Whitney, in her 7"". year.

DEATHS.

S19

1747. Jany. 10. A Child of Phinehas and Sarah Fairbank, a day old
[EUzabeth.]
" Feby. 3. Sarah Davis, age 32 years, g months, 21 days fWife of
Eleazar.]
" March 13. Maximilian Brown, age 6 years.
" March i6[g.] A Male Child of Peter Atherton's, very young [Sam
uel]
" April 28. Elisha Houghton, age 1 1 months.
[ " June 28. Esther Houghton, Daughter of Simeon and Jerusha.]
" July 7. Sarah Houghton, in her s**". year.
" July g. Abigail Houghton, in her 8"* year.
" Sept. 12. Samuel Mead, age I2'days.
" Novem. 5. A Child of Simon Stone's, a few days old.
" Decem. 25. A Child of Phinehas Fairbank's.
Decem. 28. A ChUd of Peter Atherton's.
1748. Feby. 22. Charles Warner, Age i year, 6 months ]Son of Joshua
and Dorothy].
" April 30. Elisabeth Wetherbee [Daughter of John and Sarah].
" August 16. Jonathan Farnsworth, yEt. 74.
" August 26. Mary Fairbank, yEt. 25 [Wife of Joseph].
" August 31. Timothy Davis, 11 years old lacking g days [Son of
Ebenezer and Sarah.]
" Sept. II. Dinah Davis, aged 9 years and 3 months.
" Sept. 15. William [Keen] Davis, aged 8 years [Son of Simon
and Silence].
" Sept. 18. William Burgis, 4 years and half old.
" Sept. 27. A Child of John Daby's.
" Sept. 29. Lois Mead, age 7 years.
Octo. 2. Alice Mead, Mt. 3.
" Octo. 7. Deliverance Wheeler, age 3 years and half.
" " Lucy Mead, age g years.
" Decem. 13. Daniel Hutchins, age 2 years and half.
" Decem. 20. Sarah Hutchins, age about 7 years.
I74g. Jany. 5. A Child of Phinehas Fairbank's [Abel].
Jany. g. A Child of Ehjah [and Rebecca] Whitney's, 10 days
old. [Israel,]
" Feby. 8. A Child of Edward and Mary Powers, 10 weeks old.
[Edward.]
" Feby. 12. A Child of John Wetherbee's.
" Feby. 25. Anna Stone, age 7 years, g months. [Daughter of
Oliver and Murriah.]
" March 3. A Child of John and Sarah Farewell's.
" March 22. Sarah Hartwell, aged 52 years.
'• April II. A Child of Isaac [and Tamer] Hale's [HaUd], very
young. [William.]
April 18. A Child of Jeremiah Laughton's.
June 16. The Widow [of Henry] Ruth HaskeU, aged 70.
June 23. A Child of Peter Atherton's.
•' July ig. A Child of John Priest's.
" Sept. 5. Amos Procter, aged about 1 1 years. [Son of Jonathan
and Elizabeth.]
" Novem. 11. A Child of Jonathan Oaks.
1750. Jany. 24. A ChUd of Caleb and Anise Whitney.
April 2. A Child of Simon Daby's.
" AprU 10. A Child of John Daby's.
May 20. A Child of Peter Atherton, Esq.
May 22. John Whipple, aged 1 1 years.
May 23. A Child of Eleazer Robbins, aged i year, g months.

520

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1750. May 24. The Widow Mary Parker, aged 77. [Margaret, wife
of Moses.]
June 5. A Child of John [and Sarah] Farnsworth's. [Dinah.]
" July 16. Lydia, a Child of David [and Anna] Warner, age 3
months.
" July 24. Elizabeth Sanderson, aged 2 years, 6 months.
August 13. A Child of Eleazer and Lydia Robbins.
" August ig. Olive Whitney, aged about 24 years.
" Sept. 25. Susannah Brooks, aged 37. [Wife of Nathan.]
" Octo. 4. A Child of John Peirce's.
" Octo. 13. Jonathan, a Son of Asa [and Elizabeth.] Houghton's.
" Novem. 8. Anna, a Child of Lemuel [and Hannah] Willard, age
8 months.
" Novem. 16. Parker Russell, age 4 years. [Son of Jason and Eliz
abeth; 1 75 1 in town records.]
'¦ Novem. 23. Elizabeth Oak, aged 23 years, g months.
" Novem. 28. Anna Harris, aged 7 months. [Daughter of Richard
and Martha.]
" Decem. 8. Ann Warner, aged 24 years. [Wife of David.]
1751. Jany. 6. A ChUd of Nath". [and Eunice] Farnsworth's, named
John, a month old.
" Feby. 10. Mercy Mead, 8 months old.
" Feby. 17. A Child of Benjamin and Dorcas Stow.
" April 10. David Warner, in his 40"" year.
" June 17. A Child of Peter Atherton's.
" Sept. 13. Timothy Hall, almost 34 years of age.
Octo. 7. A Child of Shadrach [and Ehzabeth] Hapgood's.
' [Ohver.]
Octo. 8. Job Procter, aged 21 years, i month. [Son of Jona
than and Elizabeth.]
" Octo. 23. Abigail Warner, aged I year, 4 months. [Daughter
of John and Phebe.]
" Novem. 15. [16.] Sarah Sawyer, aged go. Rev. 22. 14. [Wife of
Caleb.]
1752. Jany. ig. A Child of Isaac Stone's.
Jany. 22. A Child of John Farwell's.
" Jany. 24. Lucy Barnard, age g years, 2 months. [Daughter of
Benjamin and Lucy.]
April 17. Phinehas Farnsworth. Mt. 44 and 7 months.
April 30. Daniel Foster. yEt. 4g. Rev. 14. 13.
June 7. Eunice Stone, age 12 years.
August 30. A ChUd of Robert Holland's.
1753. Feby. 15. A Child of Samuel Mead's, age 5 months.
" " Sampson, a Negro man, about 30 years old.
March 3o.[3i.] Ebenezer Davis. yEt. 77.
April 28. A ChUd of Jeremiah Laughton's.
June I. Sarah Corey, aged 34. [Wife of Samuel.]
Octo. g. Ann WiUard, aged 70. [Wife of John. Sept. 25 in
town records.]
" Octo. 2g. Buried a ChUd of Jonathan Reed's.
Decem. 3. A Child of Robert HoUand's.
Decem. g. Lucy Holden, about 2 years old.
Decem. 27. Shadrach, Son of Joseph Jr. and Ehz Willard: a few
days old.
1754. Jany. i. Hannah Prat, age 4 years and half.
Jany. 2g. William Salmon, Son to Mr. Tho^ Salmon of London.
.^t. about 46.
Feby. 3. Mary Warner, aged 6 years. [Daughter of David and
Anna.]

DEATHS.

521

[Son of

1755-

1754. March 14. Daniel Peirce, in 77"' year of his Age.
" March 27. [17.] Joshua Farnsworth, age about 5 years.
Widow Azubah^]
" April 10. Mary Willard, aged 8 years. [Daughter of Henry
and Abigail.]
" April 12. Jonathan Worster, age 46 years, 5 months.
" " Philemon Willard, about 6 years old. [Son of William
and EUen.]
May 7. Martha Farnsworth. yEt. 34. [Wife of Simeon.]
" May 20. Ebenezer Worster, aged 32.
" May 21. Mary Willard, Wife of Abraham, aged 30.
" June 5. Luther, Son of James ^yhitcomb, 1 1 months old.
" June 13. MoriahStone, about 33 years of age. [Wife of Oliver.]
" June 14. Bridget Corey, aged 6 years, 3 months.
" June 23. Samuel Hazletine, age 26 years, 8 months.
" July 6, Elizabeth, the Wife of Joseph Wetherbee, age about
26 years.
" August 21. Jonathan, Son of Eleazer Robbins, 20 days old.
" August 23. David, a Twin of the above named.
" Sept. 9. EUzabeth Russel. yEt. 71.
" Octo. 17. The Widow [of Joshua] Mary Atherton, about g5.
" Novem. 20. Hannah, Wife of James Willard. yEt. 66.
" Novem. 26. Dinah, Wife of Sam: Mead, age 44.
Feby. 13. Caleb Sawyer, age about g8 years. [g6.]
Feby. ig. Elijah Whitney, aged 47 years, 6 months.
Feby. 20. Hannah, a Child of W"". [and Hannah] Whitcomb, age
2 years, 10 months.
Feby. 23. Rachel, a Child of Eleazer Robbins, 10 years.
March 15. The Widow Elizabeth Gates, age about 72. House
burnt down.
March 23. The Widow Sarah Whitney, Aged 88 years. [Wife of
Moses.]
March 27. Gabriel Priest. yEt. 65.
April 12. Elias Whitney, age 14 years, 10 months.
April 22. Robert Holland. yEt. 30.
May 4. Andrew Harper, age 56.
May 13. Nathaniel Warner. yEt. 33.
becca.]
June 7. A Child of Ambrose Hale's.
June 28. Sarah, a Child of Benj. Sampson's, age 15 months.
August 8. [7.] Asa, a Child of Asa Houghton's, a few days old.
[1756.]
Isaiah, a Child of Abr: Whitney's, about 4 years old.
Solomon Stone, son of Dea. Simon and Sarah.]
John Atherton, aged 53 years, 8 months. Psal. 37, 37.
Isa. 32. 17.
Sept. 28. Joseph Davis, aged about go years.
Sept 28. Sarah Corey, aged 11 years, 4 months.
Octo. I. [12.] Jonathan Procter aged 63.
Octo. 27.[28.] Sarah, a Child of Peter [and AbigaU] Dudley's, age
g weeks. *
Jonathan, a Child of Josiah Chamberlayne's, age 9
months.
Benjamin Sampson, aged 28 years.
David, Son of Joseph and Sarah Atherton, 2 years and
half old.
Jany. 7. John, Son of Grover and Lois ScoUey, aged 2 years.
Jany. 18. Lois Kent, aged 30 years.
Feby. 9. A Child of John and Sarah Farewell.

['•

1756.

[Son of John and Re-

Sept. 8.
Sept. 9.
Sept. 22.

Novem. 5.
Novem. 25.
Jany. 5.

522

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1756. Feby. 13. Sarah Corey, in 2g">. year of her age. [Wife of Samuel.]
March 2. A Child of Ambrose Hale's.
April 17. Samuel, Son of Simeon and Martha Fairbanks, aged
8 years.
" April ig. John Burt, aged about 83 years.
[ " July II. Jacob WiUard, Son of Henry and Abigail.]
" July 16. Lois, Daug'. of Simon and Olive Whitney, almost 3
years old.
July 27. The Widow Ehzabeth Farwell, aged about 70. /
" August 2. Submit, a Child of John and Sarah Farnsworth, aged
one year.
" August 7. Ephraim, Son of Ephraim and Dorothy Stone, aged
II years.
Sept. 8. Martha Harris [wife of Richard], aged 46 years. — a
good Woman.
" Sept. 10. Micah Wetherbee [son of John and Anna] died at Lit
tleton, buried at Harvard, aged about 1 1 years.
[ " Sept. 12. Ephraim Hildreth, son of Sampson and Lydia.]
" Sept. 18. Experience Holland, aged 27 years and 7 months.
Sept. 20. Mary, Daug'. of John and Mary Priest, aged 13 months.
" " Gideon, Son of the Widow Mary Worster, aged 3
years and 5 months.
" Sept. 21. John, Son of Richard [and Martha] Harris, aged
about II years.
" Sept. 22. Anna Wetherbee, died at Still River [daughter of John
and Anna], buried at Harvard, aged 15 years.
" Sept. 24. David, Son of Benj": and Lucy Barnard; aged 2 years
and 7 months.
" Sept. 27. Jonathan, Son of Benj". and Lucy Barnard; aged 5
years.
" Sept. 30. Oliver, Son of Sam', and SybiU Haskell, aged 2 years
and II months.
" Octo. 2. Joshua Warner, aged about 37 years and six months.
[ " Octo. 3. Jeremiah Dickerson, Son of George and Sarah.]
" Octo. 6. John, Son of the Widow Rebeccah Worster, aged 5
years, 2 months.
" Octo. 10. Thomas, Son of Joseph and Abigail Fairbanks, about
6 years.
" Octo. 12. Judith, Daugh'. of Peter and Eunice Snow, aged 10
months.
" Octo. 15. Jacob Gates, son of Jacob Gates, aged 22 years, 6
months.
" " Martha Corey, a Child of Samuel Corey's, aged 6 years.
Relief Whitney, a Child of Jonathan and Sarah Whit
ney's, aged 2 years, 5 months.
" " Ephraim, Son of Joseph and AbigaU Fairbank's, aged
3 years.
" Octo. 21. Esther, a Child of John and Sarah Farnsworth, aged
5 years, 5 months.
" Octo. 22.[i9] Olivia, a Child of Asa and Elisabeth Houghton's,
aged 4 years and half.
" Octo. 26. Jonathan, Son to Jonathan and Sarah Whitney, aged
7 years, 3 months.
" " Hannah, Daug'. of Amos and Adna Stone, aged one
year and g months.
" " Hannah, a ChUd of Jonathan and Sarah Whitney, aged
7 months.
" Octo. 31. Jonathan, Son of David and Mary Crouch, aged 2
years and half.

DEATHS.

S23

1756. Octo. 31. Huldah, a Child of Ambrose Hales, age seven years.
" " Phebe, a Child of Abel Lawrence, aged 2 years and
half. '
" Novem. 2. Lois, a Child of Ebenezer and Abigail Warner, Aged
5 years, 8 months.
" Novem. 11. Mercy, a Child of Jonathan and Elisabeth Gates, aged
13 years, 7 months.
'• Novem. 12. Triphena, a Child of Abel and Phebe Lawrence, aged
about 7 months.
" Novem. 14. Mary, a Child of David and Mary Crouch, Aged 7
years, 8 months.
" Novem. i8.[ii] Lucy, a Child of Jonathan and Mary Parkhurst,
age 10 months.
I7S7- Jany. 30. Sarah Wright, Daug'. of Thos. and AbigaU Wright,
aged 13 yrs., 8 m, 10 d.
" Feby. 24. The Widow Mary Wetherbee, aged 43 years.
" Feby. 27. John Farnsworth, aged 31 years, 11 months.
" March 5. An Infant Child of John and Sarah Farewell.
" March g. Triphena Farewell, Wife of Jonathan Farewell.
" March 11. A Child of James and Beulah Burt, a few hours old.
" June 4. Abel, Son of Moses and Anna Haskell, about 6 months
old.
" July 24. Thomas, Son of John and Mercy Seccomb, aged 4
months and 7 days.
" August 5. Joseph Hutchins, aged 83 years, 4 months, 20 days.
" Sept. 16. Solomon Vi'illard, Son of Thos. and Sarah WUlard,
aged 17 years, 7 days.
" Novem. 11. Daniel Marstin, of Hampton, aged 50 years.
" Novem. 18. Abigail Rand, Wife of Jonathan Rand, aged about 56
years.
" Novem. 27. Elisabeth Russel, Wife of Jason Russel, aged 40
years and 4 months.
" Novem. 2g. Elizabeth Hutchins, Wife of Joseph Hutchins, aged
80 years and 1 1 months.
" Decem. 8. Milo, a Negro Man Servant of Israel Taylor's, aged
about 22 years.
1758. Jany. 4. Eunice, a Child of John and Sarah Wetherbee, aged 2
years, 6 months.
" Jany. 31. Annis, a Child of Caleb and Annis Whitney, about a
year and 8 months old.
" April 26. John Warner, aged 73 years and eleven months.
" May 14. Samuel, Son of Peter and Abigail Dudley, aged 18
months.
" Sept. 13. Lieut. Eleazer Robbins, aged man.
" Sept. 19. Mary Fellows, a Child of Sam" and Eunice Fellows,
aged 2 years, 4 months.

Record of Deaths kept by Reverend Joseph Wheeler.

1758. Octo. 6.
" Octo. 22.
Octo. 26.
Octo. 24.
Novem. 23.
" Novem. 27.
" Decem. 16.
34

Elisabeth, Wife of SUas Farnsworth.
Eunice, aged 15 months, D. of Jon", and E. Crouch.
Bethiah Hutchins, Wife of W"". Hutchins.
Rebeccah Burt, Widow of old Mr." John Burt, aged 8
years.
A Child of Abel Davis, very young.
Dea. Caleb Brown.
A Child of John and Hannah Atherton, very young.
A Child of Isaac and Keziah Stone, very young.

524

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1758. Decem. 18. John Townsen, in the 20"" year of his age, who was a
traveller from the army taken sick at Thomas
Wrights.
1759.  Moses, Son of Lemuel Willard.
" March 27. Jacob Powers — aged man.
" March 30. Patience, Daughter of the Widow Sarah Farnsworth,
21 months old.
" April 9. Elizabeth, 10 months [daughter] of Joseph Willard
Ju'.
" April 21. John Burt Jr., Apprentice to James Burt: about 18 yrs.
" April 29. John Sampson. [63 y.]
" May I. Lydia, 18 m. 3 d. Child of Jonas Whitney, Jr., and Ze
budah.
" May 3. Manasseh, Son of Simeon Farnsworth & Lucy his
Wife, aged 13 months.
" May 6. Benjamin [Son] of Ebenezer and Abigail Warner, age
I y. II m. 16 d.
" May 9. Nathaniel Haseltine.
" May 14. A Child of Isaac HaUd, about 3 weeks of age
" June 26. Jonathan Farnsworth, Junr.
" " Moses Jewet, in his 7"" year — a Widow's Son.
" August 14. Jonathan Read, an old man.
" August 17. A Child of Aaron Rand, 4 days old.
" August 18. Elisabeth, D. of James Read, in her 4 year.
" " Jonathan, S. of Jona. Peirce, about 12 months.
" August 23. Sarah, wife of John Wetherbee.
" Decem. 6. Robert Darby, an aged man.
1760. Jany. 20. An Infant Child of Gordon and Dorothy Hutchins.
" March 26. Benjamin Whittemore, aged 24 years.
April 15. Nabby, a young Child, D. of John and Phebe Warner.
" April 19. Stephen Atherton, an aged man.
April 26. An Infant Child of Abijah and Sarah Coles.
August 21. An Infant Child of Seth and EUzabeth Oaks.
SepL 6. Peter, son of Hezekiah and Lydia Willard.
Octo. 7. Hannah Mead.
" Decem. 6. An infant Child of Elcanah Keyes.
Decem. 15. Mrs Hannah Seccomb, an aged woman.
1761. Jany. 3. Ruth Robbins, 78 years old.
Jany. 6. Daniel Bray, aged 23 years.
Jany. 7. Ephraim Hutchins, Son of Gordon and
Hutchins, aged 37.
Jany. 10. Oliver Stone, aged 12 years and 5 months.
Ohver and Moriah.]
Jany. 16. Hezekiah Willard, lun'., aged 42 years.
Jany. 21. Oliver Stone, aged 41 years. [Ensign.]
Feby. 17. Sarah, Daughter to Tho^ Wright, aged 2 years and %
¦ AprU 23. John Willard — an aged man.
May 8. Hannah Burges, a middle aged woman.
May — Mary Stevens, omittedin her proper place
;| May 22. Sarah Oaks, Wife to Jonathan Oaks. yEtatis. 28.
Judah, Son of Simon Whitney. yEtatis 4
May 23. Sarah FarweU, Wife to John FarweU.
"^ May 28. Sarah Houghton, Wife to Ephraim Houghton
Sarah, D. to John Samson. yEtatis. 6.
June I. Annis, a Chifd of Jonathan Whitney, Junr
J June 4. A ChUd of Josiah Whitney's.
" " An Infant Child of Amos and Lucy Fairbank
June 5. Rebecca Warner, Widow. yEtatis 70
July 30. Joseph WiUard. Aetatis, 75.

Dorothy [Son of

DEATHS.

525

1761. August I. Mary Maccoy, a Widow Woman. Aetatis, 32.
¦' August 27. Seth, Son of Caleb and Relief Sawyer. yE. one Week.
Sept. 18. Son of Micah Stone. yE. 6 months.
" " An Infant Child of John and Elizabeth Sawyer.
'• Novem. 6. Micah, Son of John Weatherbee. yE. 3 years.
" Novem. 28. An Infant Child of Phinehas Willard's, Jun'.
" Decem. 5. An Infant ChUd of the above sd. Person born at the
same time.
" Decem. 14. Moses Bennit.
1762. Jany. 7. An Infant Child of Peter and Betty Atherton.
" March 25. Eleazer Davis. yE. 59.
" April 24. Benjamin, Son of Benjamin and Mary Barnard.
" May 10. An Infant Child of Josiah Whitney's.
" July — An Infant Child of Benjamin Stow's.
" July 2g. The Widow Abigail Davis. yEtatis, 59.
" Sept. 17. An Infant Child of Solomon Samson.
" Octo. 2. The Wife df Wilham Starnes.
" Octo. g. An Infant Child of John Priest's, named Calvin.
Novem. 2. Tabathy Hunt, Wife of Sam". Hunt. yE. 66.
'¦ Novem. 5. Isaiah, an Infant Child of Isaiah Whitney.
" Novem. 28. Mary Stone, a Widow Woman. yE. 76.
" Decem. 3. Sarah Gates, the Wife of Insign J. Gates. A:,. 53.
1763. Feby. 18. An Infant Child of Caleb and Tamar Church's.
" Feby. 22. Tamar, the Wife of Caleb Church.
" Feby. 26. An Infant Child of John Con's.
" March 16. Meriam Kneeland, Wife of Joseph Kneeland.
" " An Infant Child of Josiah Whitney's.
" March 3i.[2g] Ohver Whitney, Son of Jonathan Whitney, Jun'.
" April 2. An Infant Child of Caleb Sawyer's.
" April 23. An Infant ChUd of Capt Phineas Fairbank's.
" April 26. An Infant ChUd of Phineas Willard's.
" May 20. Abigail Prat, a Widow woman. M. 45.
" May 27. Dinah Gates, Wife of Stephen Gates.
" June 20. An Infant Child of Nathan Brooks.
Octo. 14. John Pratt. yE. 75.
" Decem. 23. The Widow Elisabeth Willard.
1764. Jany. 7. Joel, Son of Peter WUlard.
" Feby, 3. An Infant Child of Jonathan Davis.
" Feby. 5. Ebenezer Worster, aged 85.
" March 9. Nathaniel Hazletine. yE. 33.
" April 10. Thomas Houghton, [aged 68.]
" May 30. Caleb, Son of Caleb Sawyer. M. 5 weeks. [April 7,
in town records.]
" " fj^mrM.ft \ D-wned in Lancaster River.
Note.— The Post-Boy and Advertiser for June, 1764, records the accident as
follows : " Last Wednesday five Men going in a Canoe in Harvard River to
catch some Fish the Canoe sank, and three of the men unfortunately drowned."
" June 2. Lydia, D. to Jeremiah [and Sarah] Bridge. yE. 2 years.
June 13. Peter Atherton, Esq. yE. 59. Died att Concord.
" August 17. [15.] Mercy, D. to Phineas, Jr. [and Rebecca] Willard.
" August 21. Mary, the Wife of Micah Stone. yE. 26.
Sept. 23. An Infant Child of Ephraim Davis.
Octo. 19. An Infant Child of Simon Whitney. [Lucy.]
Novem. ig. Johanna Bennet, a widow woman.
Novem. 2g. Elisabeth [Mary] Taylor, the Wife of Dr. John Taylor.
Decem. 3. [2.] Relief Sawyer, the Wife of Caleb Sawyer.
" Decem. 4. An Infant Child of Josiah Whitney's.
1765. March 8. The Widow Elisabeth Sawyer.

526

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1765. March 26. Martha, the Wife of Jonathan Hale, 70.
" April 22. Samuel Corey, a middle aged man.
" June 9. Mary Farnsworth, the yyife of Jonathan Farnsworth, 64.
May I13.J The Widow Mary White, an aged Woman.
" Octo. 10. Caleb Crouch, Son of David Crouch. yE. 10 years.
1766. Jany. 21. An Infant Child, Son of James Reed.
" Feby. 8. Ebenezer [Eleazar], Son of Abel [and Ruhamah]
Davis.'
" Feby. i. An Infant Child of Josiah Whitney's.
" March ig. Thamer Haild, the Wife of Isaac Haild.
" April 6. An Infant Child of Josiah Haskell's.
" May 28. Robert Powers, aged 65 years.
" July 4. Hephsabah Brown, aged 28 years.
Octo. 2. An Infant ChUd of Dr. Nathaniel Martyns. [Michael.]
" " A Son of James Brooks, aged 17 months.
" " Reuben, Son of Abraham Johnson.
" Octo. 2g. Sarah, Wife of James Whitcomb, aged 23 years.
" Nov. 25. [24.] An Infant Child of John Warner's. [David.]
J^ " Novem. 26. Sarah Bowers, aged 14 years.
" Decem. 16. Rachel Whitney, aged 18 years. [D. of Simon and
Olivea.]
" Decem. 31. Sarah, an Infant Child of James Whitcomb, Jun.
1767. Jany. 18. Simon, an Infant Child, Son of Simon Whitney's.
" Jany. 23. The Widow Deliverance Worster, aged 88 years.
'¦ March 8. Josiah Kent, aged 76 years.
" April 15. Ambrose Hail, aged 66 years.
" May 30. The Widow Mary Stone, aged 76 years. [Wife of
Simon.]
" June 8. Mary Priest, D. to John Priest, in the 3'' year of her age.
" J"^y 5- Benjamin Lawrence, aged 54 years.
" July 8. Lydia Haskell, an Infant ChUd belonging to J [ames] H.
August 7. Oliver Dudley, Son of P[eter] Dudley. yE. 2 y. and g""-
" August 8. Olive Whitney, Wife of Simon Whitney. M. 43 years.
August g.[io.] An Infant Child of Jonathan Pierce's. [Elijah.]
" August 14. An Infant Daughter to Asa Houghton. [Dorcas.]
Sept. g. Ehsabeth Daby, Wife of John Daby.
Octo. 4.[3.] An Infant Child of Jabez Fairbank's. [Menasseh.]
" Novem. 6. An Infant Child of Henry Bromfield's.
Decem. 12. Lucy Fairbank, the Wife of Amos Fairbank.
" Decem. 17. Eunice Farwell, the Wife of John Farwell.
1768. Jany. 23. Annis, Daughter to Jonathan Whitney Jun.
" Jany. 31. John Davis, aged 70 years.
" Feby. i8' An Infant Child of Josiah Whitney's.
" March 5. Deacon John Laughton, aged 86 years.
" March 28. Seth Sawyer, aged 63 years.
" May II. Abijah Cole, a middle aged man.
May — Sarah, an Infant Child to Simeon Farnsworth.
" July 4. Jonathan, Son of Uriah Holt.
Sept. g. An Infant Child of Gordon Hutchin's.
' Sept. 20. John Park, aged 67 years.
" Octo. 12. Daughter of Richard Whitney, aged 5 years.
Octo. 28.[27.] Widow Johnson, an aged woman. [Mary.]
Novem. 25. [Olive] Daughter of Dea. Jeremiah Laughton, aged
7 months.
 Nathan Hartwell.

DEATHS.

527

1769.

1770.

Reverend Daniel Johnson's Record of Deaths.
Jany. 6. John Daby, aged about 81 years.
Jany. 31. Nathaniel Whittemore, aged 70 years.
Feby. 22. Hepzibah, Daughter of Nahum Daby.
April 16.  Son of Nahum Daby.
March 3o.]29,] Eunice, Daughter of John Houghton, aged 4 years,
4 months.
August 23. Jacob Gates, [aged 71 years.]
Sept. 18. Jonathan Haild.
Octo. 8. An Infant Child of Ephraim Procter.
Octo. II. James Willard.
Octo. 18. Esther, the Wife of Simon Daby.
Octo. 20. Daniel Knight, aged 33 years, 7 months.
Octo. 25. [29.] Sarah, the Wife of Jonathan Whitney, Jun.
Jany. 20. ^ — '' — ^ii-i-;^ ¦-- = , ^ .^
Jany. 24.
Feby. 28.
March 14.
June 8.
June 19.
June 29.
Sept. 16.
Octo. 13.
Novem. i.

1771.

1772.

Jonathan Whitney, Jur., in his 47 year.
Jonathan Symonds, [aged 55 years.]
An Infant Child of Phinehas Willard, Jur.
Widow Reed, of advanced years.
Martha, Wife of Doctor Green, in 25 year of her age,
together with an infant still-born.
Molly Clark, about 17 years of age.
Widow [of Gabriel] Abigail Priest, of advanced years.
177 y. 5 m. 7 d.]
Jonas Whitney, about 73 years of age.
Capt. Samuel Haskell. [Age 55 yrs. 30 days.] [1771 in
town records.]
An Infant Child of Jonathan Gates.
Decem. i4.[io.] An Infant Child of Aaron Davis. [Daniel.] [1771
in town records.]
Decem. — John Burt, advanced in years.
Decem. 18. Widow Mary Crouch, advanced in years.
Jany. 25. An Infant Child of Jonas Whitney.
March 12. Nahum Daby. [1770 in town records.]
March 15. An Infant Child of Abel Whitcombe's.
March 31. Sarah, Wife of Jonathan Peirce.
June 15. Seth, Son of John Sawyer, a young child.
 Dolly, Daughter to Benjamin Cutler.
August 22. Zadock Davies.
August 28. Levi, Son of Eben^ [and Anna] Burges Jur., about 2
years old.
August 31. Mary, Daughter of Abel Farnsworth.
Sept. 5. An Infant child of Sam". Worster, Stillborn.
Sept. 12. Hitte, Daughter to W™. Hutchins, about 5 years old.
Sept. ig. An infant child of Josiah Willard's.
Sept. 20. Submit, Daughter to Ephraim Davis, about a fort
night old.
" Benjamin Hale, about forty-four. [43.]
Elizabeth, Daughter to John Houghton.
Son to  Procter, about 17 months old.

Sept. 22.
Octo. 16.
Novem. 18. An infant child of Jacob Willard's.
Decem. 17. An infant child of Joel Stone's, over a year old. [Mille.]
Jany. 7. Sarah, Daughter to John Priest, ab'. 1 1 months old.
Jany. 11. An infant child of Capt Asa Houghton, Still Born.
Jany. 20. The Widow Rebekah Worster [aged 58 years].
Feby. 4. The Widdow Sarah Laughton, of very advanced
years [go].
Feby. 26. Lois, Daughter to Simon Whitney.
March 7. W™. Hutchins, of advanced years 1.771.

528 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
1772. March I3.[i2.] The widow Hannah Priest, of advanced years.
" AprU 3.[4.] John Priest [aged 54 years].
" AprU 15. Abraham, Son to James Whitcombe Jur.
" May — Widow Graves, of advanced years.
May — An infant Child of W"". Proctor'-s.
" June 17. Widow Mary Priest [aged 43 years].
" Tune 20. Sarah, Wife to Abel Whitcombe.
[ " June 24. Solomon, Son of Solomon and Rebecca Sampson.]
" Sept. — ' Solomon, Son to Phinehas Willard Jur.
" Sept. 18. an infant Child of John Crouch's.
SepL 26. Abraham Scott, still born.
" Decem. 5. [6.] Dea'^. Joseph Fairbank, in y' 7g"' year of His Age.
" Decem. 24. Jon". Gates, of advanced years.
1773. Jany. 13. An infant Child of Jotham Barnard's.
" April ig. Lemuel Worster, a young man.
" April 21. Sarah, Wife to Cap'. Whitney. [Josiah.]
" AprU 24.[25.] Moses, Son to Aaron Whitney, an infant.
" April — an infant child of Oliver Whitcomb's.
" May 2g. Moses Wintworth.
" June 7. The Widow Lois HUl, advanced in years.
" June 14. Susannah Darby, wife to John Darby, of advanced
years.
" June 23. Sarah, Daughter to Josiah Haskell, an infant.
" July 16. Anna, wife of Aaron Whitney.
" July ig. Timothy, son to Timothy Crouch; an infant.
" July 28.[27.[ A young child of Elijah Houghton's. [Abraham, 2 y,
6 m. 4 d..]
" July. 2g. an infant child of Colman Saunders. [Sanderson.]
" Jfly 30.[29.] an infant child of Simon [and Judith] Daby. [Calvin.]
" August II. Lydia, Wife to John Farwell.
" Octo. 2g. '¦A Negro man belonging to Elijah Houghton, of ad
vanced years.
" Novem. 8. Deac. Jon". Whitney, of advanced years.
" Novem. 18. William Atherton, a young man.
1774. Jany. 6. Henry Willard, of advanced years.
" Jany. 12. an Infant Child of Dr. [Isaiah] Parker's.
" Jany. 13. Wife to Simeon Turner. [Bethiah.]
April 13. An Infant Child of Phinehas WUlard Jur.
" Ai)ril 22. Solomon Sampson.
" May g. Lucy, an infant child of Abel Farnsworth's.
" May I7.[i8,] Jabez Fairbank [in 31''. year.]
" May ig. an infant child of Josiah Gates.
" May 27. Judah Clark, a man in years.
" July 13. an infant child of Thomas Conn's.
August 18. Jabez Keep, of advanced years [68].
" Octo. 6. Eunice, Daughter to John Crouch.
" Octo. 2g. The Widow Kent, of advanced years.
" Novem. 3. [2.] The Wife of James Stone. [Deborah.]
1775. Jany. 20, Peter Dudley, a Man in years [in 56"". year].
Jany. 27. The Wife of Dea'=. Joseph Haskell.
" April 21. A Son of Joseph Wetherbee.
AprU 22. The Widow Warner. [Hannah in 98"'. year.]
April 30. Miriam Whitney. [D. of James and Zebudah.]
" May g. Joseph Sawyer of advanced years.
May 10. A Negro Woman Belonging to the Widow Margaret
Whitney.
" June 15. Isaac Haild.
" July 4. Samuel Hunt, of advanced years.
" July 6. Andrew Park, a young man.

DEATHS.

S29

1775. August I. Jon". Farnsworth, of advanced years.
" August 7. an Infant child of James WiUis.
" August ig. Dea". Jeremiah Laughton.
" August —[16.] A Child of Ephraim Davies. .[Esther.]
" August — [24.] A Child of Ephraim Davies. [Lydia.]
" August — The Widow Burt, of advanced years.
[ " August 26.] Benjamin Laurence, a young man.
August — A Daughter of Ebz. Warner's.
Sept [18.] The Wife of Phinehas Farnsworth. [Lydia.]
Sept — A child of W"°. Burt's.
" Sept. 24. A Son of Phinehas Farnsworth. [Joshua.]
Octo. — A Child of Sam". Russel.
Octo. — A Child of Micah [and Ehzabeth] Stone. [Oliver.]
" Octo. [14.] Witherbee Whitney.
Octo. — Dea°. Lemuel Willard.
" Novem, 14. The Widow Experience Atherton, of advanced
years [64].
" Novem. 27. Hezekiah Willard Jun.
" Decem. 6. John Furbush, of advanced years [65].
1776. Jany. 20. Richard Harris, Aged 71 Years and 26 Days.
" Jany. 23. A ChUd of Gibson Willard, about 5 years old.
" Feby. 23. A ChUd of Phinehas Whitney, about 4 years old.
" March 10. The Wife of Nathaniel Whittemore. [Martha.]
" March 12. A child of Jacob Robbins.
March 14. A Child of the Widow Wheat
" March 18. A child of Stephen Randall. [David, in 6"=. year:]
" March 20. An infant child of Nath'. Whittemore. [Calvin.]
" " A child of Jacob Robbins.
" March 21. A child of Stephen Randall. [Sarah, in 4"" year.]
" March 23. A child of Jacob Robbins.
March 24. A child of Manasseh Sawyer.
" March 27. A child of Phinehas Warner's.
April 28. Jonathan Sawyer, a young man.
" April 2g. David Houghton, a young man.
" May 5. an Infant Child of Hezekiah Whitney.
May 8. an Infant Child of Jon". Puffer Jur, named Molly.
[Polly.]
" May 15. Tne Wife of EUsha Fullam.
" May 20. a son of John Sampson's.
" May 22. a child of Manasseh Sawyer.
June 6. The Widow Hannah Cleaverly.
" July 14. -W". Moore, an infant child of Doct'. Moses Barnard.
" July ig. Rachel, Daughter to SUas Parkhurst.
" August 20. an Infant Child of Ephraim Barnard. [Submit]
" Sept 17. [John McCoy, slain in battle at New York.]
" Sept 21. The Wife of Samuel Worster.
" Novem. 16. Daniel, Son to Daniel & Betsy Johnson.
 »
WhUe Reverend Daniel Johnson was absent with the army, there
were no deaths recorded in the church book. The following are found
in the town-clerk's registry :—
1776. Decem. 20. Richard Harris, aged 71 years.
1777. Feby. 16. Joseph Blood Deceased.
" Feby. 12. Mr. Aaron Warner Departed this life in 26 yr. of his
age.
" March I. Artemas, son of Mr. Wetherbee Whitney, Deceased.
and Abigail his wife, departed this hfe in the sec
ond year of his age.

S30

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1777. March 6. Mrs. Sarah Warner Departed this life.
March 31. Mrs. Dorothy, wife of Mr. Nathan Warner, Departed
this life.
" May 15. Elisha, Son of Elisha and Moriah Houghton, aged 2
yrs. 4 m.
•' June 12. Mr. John Darby Deceased.

1778.

1777. Sept 23.
" Decem. 22.
" Decem. 23.
" Decem. 24.
Feby. 7.
" May 26.
'• Novem. 22.
Octo. 4.
March 25.
March 11.
March 25.
March 31.
April 6.
April g.
April 22.
May I.
May 26.
August 15.
August 24.
August 25.
August 26.
August 27.
August 28.
August 2g.
Sept I.
Sept. 2.

Sept. 3.
Sept. 4.
Sept 5.
Sept. 6.
Sept. 7.

Sept 10.

Sept II.
Sept 12.
Sept. 14.
Sept. 16.

Rev". Daniel Johnson, in the Thirtyeth year of His Age
and Eighth of His Ministry.
Jonathan Russel, of advanced years.
Henry Houghton, aged 75 years.
Edward Kneeland.
A ChUd of Reuben Dodge.
Jonathan Forbush, Aged 20 years, i m", 26 Days.
Asa Haskell, a. young Man.
the Wife of Ephraim Barnard. [Hannah.]
John Sampson, in y« 58"* year of His Age.
Abraham Munroe, Aged 31 years: Died in y= Conti
nental Army.
A Child of Doctor John Cleaverly.
A Child of Josiah Willard.
A Child of Oliver Sawyer.
The Wife of Thomas Waight in a good old age.
A Child of Phinehas Sawyer.
John Sawtle Farwell, a young man.
Simon Whitney.
A Child of John Daby.
A Child of Oliver Sawyer.
A Child of John Hall.
A Child of Benjamin Barnard.
Elisabeth Pratt, about 22 years of age.
A Child of John Atherton.
A Child of Samuel Barrit.
Sarah, D. of Mr. Micah & Mrs. Elizabeth Stone, aged
6 year & a half.
A Child of John Daby.
A Child of Micah Stone named Elizabeth, Aged 8 year
&%.
Lucy Crouch, Daughter of Mr. John Crouch, a young
woman.
A ChUd of Dea''. [Richard] Harris, aged 3 years 3
months & 19 Days. [Lydia.]
A Child of Richard Whitney Jr.
A Child of Elias Haskel.
Daniel Forbush.
The Widow Rebekah Blood.
the Wife of Grover ScoUey.
Micah, Son of Mr. Micah & Mrs. EUzabeth Stone,
aged 13 years.
A ChUd of Samuel Mead Jun.
A Child of Charles Taylor. [Ephraim.]
A ChUd of Jeremiah Bridge.
A Child of David FarweU.
A Child of Micah & Elizabeth Stone.
A Child of Widow Jerusha Forbush.
A Child of Benjamin and EUzabeth Cutler.
the Widow Anna ScoUey, aged about 70 years.
A ChUd of Grover ScoUey.

DEATHS.

S3l

1778. Sept. 16.
Sept. 24.
Octo. I.
Octo. 3.
Octo. 15.
Octo. 18.
Octo. 22.
" Octo. 26.
" Novem. 2.
" Novem. 5.
" Novem. 10.
" Novem. —
1779. March 5.
March 10.

AprU 26.
May 16.
May 22.
July 18.
August 12.
August —
August '22.
Sept 2.
Sept. 5.
Sept. g,
Octo. 26.
Jany. 12.
Jany. 20.
Jany. 23.
March 17.
April —
May —
July- July [23.]
July 27.
August 4.
August —
August 14.
Sept. 13.
Octo. 3.
Novem. 2.
March 4.
March 8.
March 11.
March —
May 2.
August 25.
Octo. —
Novem. 28.
Decem. 24.
Decem. 28.
Decem. 30,
March g.
AprU 3.

1780.

1782.

Sarah, Daughter of WUliam and Hulda Conant, in
the 14"' year of her age.
Mercy, D'. of y* Widow Dudly, a young Woman.
[25 yrs:]
the Vi'ife of Samuel Mead Jun.
A Child of Joseph Sawyer.
A Child of James Whetcomb Jr.
A Child of Abraham Whitney, Jr. [Abraham.]
A Child of George Lesson.
Jacob Robins.
A Child of Eleazer Hamlin.
A ChUd of  Chase.
A Child of  Chase.
A Child of William Safford.
A Child of John Priest Jr. [Eunice.]
A. Child of Lieut. Amos [and Rhoda] Falirbank.
[Danieh]
 Potter, an aged Woman.
an Infant Child of Colman Sanderson.
the Wife of Thomas Willard.
WUliam Stone, s. of James Stone, slain at King's
Ferry.]
an Infant Child of Lieut. Francis Farr.
a Child of Thomas Willard.
a Child of Barzilla Willard.
Esq' Israel Taylor, [aged 70.]
a ChUd of Timothy WiUard.
a Child of Joel [and Eunice] Stone. [Eunice.]
a Child of ye Widow Elizabeth Willard.
the Widow Ehzabeth Houghton, aged 84 years.
the Widow Mercy Warner, in the gg"" year of Her Age.
the Wife of John Fitch, an Aged woman.
the Wife of Eliphelet Wood, In y= 48"" year of her age.
an Infant Child of Ezekiel Cox.
Mahittabel Burbank.
the Widow Russel, of advanced Age.
an Infant Child of William Farr.
the Widow Whittemore, of advanced Age. [Abigail.]
the Widow Rebekah Whitney, of advanced Age.
a Child of Mary Worster.
an Infant Child of Jonas Whitney Jr.
an Infant ChUd of Isaiah Whitney Jr.
an Infant Child of William Safford.
Stephen Cleverly, a young Man.
the Wife of M. D. John Cleverly.
A Child of George Lesson.
Capt. John Daby.
A Child of Esq'. Joseph Wheeler.
the Wife of Jonathan Crouch Jun.
A ChUd of John HaU.
A Child of Ebez. Warner Jr. [Lucy.]
Gideon Saunderson, a youngish man.
A Child of John George.
A Child of Abel Whetcomb.
Linn, a Negro Man, advanced in years. [Lynn Jock.]
Jeremiah Priest.
the Widow Elizabeth Nurss, aged 83 years.
Martha Harris, aged Person, [83 years.]
WiUiam Meriam, in the Fiftyeth year of His Age.

532

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1782. April 7. A ChUd of James Pollard, about 16 months old.
" AprU 12. Mary Hail, a young Woman.
AprU 23. an Infant Child of Isaac Dodge.
June 2. John Safford, an Aged Man.
" June — Dwelly Turner.
July 4. ChUd of Phineas Warner.
July 18. Eunice Haskell, 27 years.
August g. James Whitcomb, 72 years.
Sept 30. Samuel Atherton, young man.
Octo. 3. Lydia Fairbank, 27.
Octo. 8. Shadrach Hapgood, 77.
" Novem. i. Widow Mary Willard.
" Novem. 4. Jonathan Puffer, aged 71.
Novem. 9.[7,] Wife of Capt [Francis] Farr, 24. [Abigail]
Novem. i8. Wife of Phineas Warner, 38.
1783. Jany. 4. Capt. Crooker, about 50 years.
" Jany. — Wife of John Warner, 60.
" Jany. — Widow Sampson, go years.
April — Infant Child of Thaddeus Brown.
AprU 7. Jonathan Wetherbee, aged 77.
April 15. Child of Jonathan Pollard, 2 years and half.
May 8. ChUd of David PoUard, 3 years old.
" June 7. Elizabeth Davis, young Ptrson.
" August 25. Child of William Farr, Aet. 2 yrs., drowned in a Well.
Sept 27. old Mr. Meriam died in Fitt. Aet 77.
Octo. 3.i2.] Son of Deacon Harris, Aet 4 yrs. [Richard.]
["  — OUver Willard.]
1784. March g. Nathaniel Farnsworth, yEtat. 73.
" March [16.] Ulnfant] ) IrTwins 1
" March 30. \ Infant. \ ChUd of Wilham Willard. \ L ^^^^^- ^
May 12. Wife of Eben Davis, yEtat 81.
" May 13. Joseph Fairbank Jun. yEt. 41.
" May 22.[ig.]Abraham Whitney, yEtat. 75.
Sept i6.[i5.] ChUd of William Willard Jun., aged 3 years. [Wil
liam.]
" Sept. 20. Peter Atherton, aged 50 years.
" Octo. — Child of Joshua Powers, aged 2 yrs.
" Octo. 31. Child of Joseph Crosby, i yr.
" Novem. 2. Mercy, Daughter of Amos Fairbank, aged ig.
" Novem. 7. Cyprian, Negro Man aged go. ["Sip."]
" Novem. 25. Daughter of Widow Peter Atherton, aged 13 yrs.
" Decem. 21. Theodore, Son of Barzillai Willard. aged 6 yrs.
1785. Jany. 4. Widdow Whitney, aged 76 years.
" Jany, 1 5. [13.] Child of Elijah Houghton, aged 3 years & 4 months.
[4y. gm. 6d. Hannah.]
" March 6. Child of George Gleason, aged 4 years.
" April 5. Child of Eliphalet Wood, aged 20 Months.
" April 6. Son of Richard Whitney, Jun., aged 4 yrs.
" July 4. Wife of John Atherton, aged 46.
Sept 16. Child of Nicholas Patterson, yEt 6 yrs.
" Sept. 17. Jonathan Rand, aged 86.
" Sept. 25. [24.] Child of Capt. Phinehas Farnsworth, aged about 3
years. [Lydia Whittemore.]
" Octo. 13. Child of George Conn, aged about 4 yrs.
" Octo. 17. Child of Silas Rand. ^Et. 4 years.
" Octo. 23. Josiah Maynard. yEtat. 26 years.
" Novem. 6. Wife of Jonas Davis, aged 24 years.
" Novem. n. Child of Jonathan Pollard, aged 8 months.
[ '¦ Decem. i. John Cooper.]

DEATHS.

533

[1785.

. Decem. ig.

1786.

Feby. 25.

'*

March 30.

"

une 16.

["

' uly 19.

((

August 23.

"

Octo. 6.

"

Octo. 28.

"

Novem. 15.

["

Decem. 31.

1787-

March 16.

Novem. 28.

1788.

any. 3.

"

, any. 8.

"

any. 11. [8.

l(

""eby. II.

((

March 7.[5.

'*

March 16.

"

March 27.

["

1789-

1790-[ "

Esther Samson.]
Infant Child of James Whitney.
Wife of Silas Parkhurst. yEtat. about 40.
Infant Child of John Whitney.
Samuel Cooper.] ¦
Infant Child of Eben. Farnsworth.
Widdow Hannah Davis. yEt 56.
Infant Child of Elias V/arner.
[14.] Infant Child of Capt Thadeus Pollard. [Nathan.]
Jonathan Cooper.]
Infant Child of Abel Priest.
Infant Child of Silas Parkhurst
Israel, Son of James Pollard, aged ig yrs.
Daughter of John Sawyer, aged about 22 years.
] Old Mr Meeds, aged about 83 years. [Joseph.]
Wife of Joseph Parks, aged about 24 years.
,] Josiah Wetherbee, aged 43 years.
Widow Forbush, aged 83 years.
Ebenezer Kingman, aged 77 years.

May 15.

May 28.

June 22.
June 24.
August 14.
Novem. i.]
Sept 22.
Octo. 20.
Novem. 11.
Novem. 15.
Jany. 21.
May 16.
May 21.
May 25.
June 8.
Octo. 22.
Novem. 23.
Novem. 26.
Decem. 5.
Jany 17.
Jany. 20.
Jany. lg.[20.
Feby. 5.
March 21.
March 23.
April 7.
April 12.
April i8.[ig
April ig.
April 2g.

half past 4 o clock P. M. Ebenezer Grosvenor, Son of
Rev'' Ebenezer Grosvenor & Wife, in the 21*' Year
of his Age; and in the 4 & last year of his Studies
at Harvard College.
half past I O'clock P. M., Rev'^. Ebenezer Grosvenor,
Aged 49 years, and in the sixth year of his minis
try in this place.
Polly, Daughter of Ebenezer Bridge, Aged 16 Months.
James Stone, in 61^' year of his age.
Wife of Israel Whitney. [Hannah, aged 34.]
Jonathan Puffer. [Aged 71 years.]
Nancy, Daughter of the Rev'*. Mr Grosvenor, De
ceased.
Widow Puffer, an Aged Woman.
Wife of Doctr. Ephraim Munroe. [Mercy.]
Wife of Capt Eleazer Hamlen. [Sarah.]
Wife of Josiah Davis.
Levi, Son of Widdow Daby, about 8 yrs old.
James Stone.
Infant Child of Peter Atherton.
Infant Child of Israel Whitney, Junr.
Wife of Lemuel Farnsworth.
Jabez Priest, a young man.
A Child of Edward McLain, 13 months old.
Joseph Atherton.
John Munroe.
Phebe Keep.]
] Child of Capt. Thaddeus Pollard. [Nabby.]
Capt Walter Pollard.
Infant Child of George Lesson.
Lucebia [Eusebia], Daughter of Capt Thaddeus Pol
lard.
Child of Jacob Whitney.
Child of James Robbins.
.] Child of Thomas [and Betsy] Houghton. [Cephas,
2 y. 2 m. 23 d.]
Child of John Whitney.
Wife of Ebenezer Warner.
Molley, Daughter of Josiah Davis.

534

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

1790.

May I.

May 2.

t<

June ig.

"

June 26.

"

July 31

"

Octo. 6.

••

Octo. II.

[ "

Novem. 12.

1791.

Jany. 29.

[March ig.]

"

April 29.

"

[June 22.]

"

May 5.

((

May 28.

"

[August 7.]

"

August 2g.

tt

Novem. 7.

"

Novem. 14.

[ "

Novem. 16.

((

Decem. 11.

"

Decem. 21.

¦•

Decem. 23.

1792.

Jany. 9.

Feby. i

"

Feby. 19.

•¦

March 24.

April 23. ¦p T7TTT
1792.
I\.JiVr
May 25.
August 27.
"
Sept 25.
[ ;;
Octo. 3.
Novem. 14.
"
Decem. 26.
1793.
any. 3.
.*lay 24.
"
May 27.
"
une 18.
"
>ly4.[L]
["
uly 20.
*i
; uly 30.
"
Sept. 18.
[ "
Sept. 25.
"
Octo.g.[i3.;
..
Decem. i.
1794.
Jany. 18.
["
Jany. 27.
April 4.
["
April ig.
"
May 17.
["
May 26.
tt
Sept. II.
It
Sept 12. [ri
Widow Mary Worster.
Widow Moriah Houghton. [ W. of Thomas, gi y. 10 m.
13 d.]
Benjamin Stow.
Wife of Capt. Thaddeus PoUard. [Submit.]
Wife of Job Priest.
Wife of Elias Chaffin.
Ebenezer Davis.
Nelly Cooper.
Nathaniel Gary.
Wife of Benjamin Stow. [AbigaU.]
Child of Nathaniel Gary.
Widow Pollard. [Dorothy, w. of Walter.]
ChUd of Benjamin Robbins.
John Laughton [age 35 years].
Deac. Joseph Haskell.
Widow Kingman.
Wife of Jacob Priest [Mary.]
Widow Fairbank.
Mary Jewett aged 75 years.]
Child of Jacob Priest [OUver.]
Wife of Joseph Knight.
Jonas Whitney [aged 84 years.]
Nathan Warner.
Widow Gates.
Widow Whitney. [AUce, w of Dea. Jonathan.]
Charles Warner.
Wife of Joseph Wetherbee Jur.
Reverend William Emerson's Records.
Lucy Lawrence, 3 days, convulsions.
Sarah Wetherbee, 83 years, widowed, old age.
Child of Samuel Hill, Still born.
Child of Samuel Hill, 6 hours.
Susannah WUlard, aged 63.]
Daniel Emerson, 4g years, bachelor, bilious disorder.
Benjamin Stone [s. of Micah], 25 years, bachelor,
hectick fever.
Levi Daby, 2 years, scald.
Lois Whitney, 39 years, married, consumption.
Eliza Atherton, 53 years, widowed, fever.
Jonathan Reed, 66 years, married, asthma and palsy.
Abigail Dudley, 72 years, widowed, debility.
David Crouch, aged 69 years.]
Rachel Pollard, 2g years, married, consumption.
Levi Whitney, 16 months, dysentery.
Daniel Tiffany, aged 26 years.]
] Mary Dudley, 45 years [43 y. 11 m. 27 d.], maiden,
consumption.
John Kelley, 2 years, accidental.
Lydia Whitney, 28 years, married, consumption.
Eunice Lathe.]
Joanna Daby, 26 years, married, consumption.
Ruth Keep.]
Nabby Lesson, 7 months, consumption.
Sarah Bemis.]
Rehef Priest, 27 years, maiden, fall from horse.
I.] Amos Whitney [s. of Israel], 3 years, quincy.
DEATHS.

535

1794.

Sept 13.

(1

Sept. 23.

"

Octo. 16.

"

Octo. 24.

1795-

Jany. —

11

Jany. 18.

((

Feby. 8.

"

Feby. 12.

"

Feby. 18.

"

Feby. —

**

March 6.

"

April 12.

"

April 30.

"

May 3.[2.]

<(

May g.

"

May 13.

"

, une 28.

"

' uly 24.

tc

Octo. 18.

u

Novem. i.

(i

Decem. 8.

1796.

Jany. 13.

Feby. 21.

"

March 22.

"

AprU 15.

.'

April 16.

[ "

March 6.

1796-

April ig.

[¦'

May I.

"

June I.

[;:

June 21.

June 27.

[;;

Sept. 10.]

Sept. —

*'

Sept —

¦ ((

Octo. 2.

' t<

Octo. 30.]

((

Octo. 13.

[ ;;

Octo. 10.

Sept 23.
I7g7.
Feby. 24.
March 17.
["
June 22.]
[;;
May 25.]
May —
["
August 20.
Sept. 2.
Sept 3.
Sept. 16.
Sept. 22.[2I
Novem. 8.
James Robbins, 6 months, convulsions.
James Robbins, 3 months, convulsions.
Lydia Conn, 8 years, cankerrash.
Benjamin Barnard, 7g years, married, consumption.
Mary Sampson, 5g years, widowed, dropsy.
Jane Sawyer, 84 years, maiden, consumption.
Lucy Grosvenor, 28 years, maiden, nervous fever.
Hannah Farwell, 35 years, married, puerperal fever.
Mary Rand, 77 years, widowed, consumption.
John F. Chaffin, 5 months, quincy.
Thomas Rand, 4 years, cankerrash.
Levy Daby, 2 years, cankerrash.
John Whitney, 2 weeks, convulsive fits.
Luke Whitney [s. of Israel], 2 years, canker.
Charles Warner, 17 years, fever.
Moses Warner, 80 years, married, instantaneous death.
Ephraim Barnard, 23 years, bachelor, consumption.
Phebe Harris, 82 years, widowed, fever.
Joshua Bowers, 41 [42] years, married, putrid fever.
Margaret Park, 21 years, maiden, consumption.
Ephraim Munroe, 4g years, widower, fever.
Thomas Bardeen, 21 months, consumption.
George Conn, 80 years, widower, old age.
John Sawyer, 63 years, married, fever & consumption.
Mary Dickinson [wf of Francis], married, dropsy &
consumption.
Eloisa Knight 2 d. consumption.
Thomas, son of Jonathan Rand, 4 years old.
Henrietta Knight 5 days, consumption.
Mary Worster.]
Charlotte Geary, still born.
Rachel Adams.]
Henry Houghton, still born.
Ehzabeth Wood, 50 y. [wf of Abraham], consumption.
Mary Willard, 83 y. married, dysentery.
Eliza Knight 2 days, debility.
Asa Farnham.]
Isaac Gates, 68 y. married, palsy.
Elizabeth Keep.]
Clarissa Whitney, 10 m. fits.
Silas, son of Jonathan Rand, 16 months.]
Jason RusseU, 86 y. married, old age.
William Farwell, 15 y. nervous fever.
William Willard, 84 y. widower, old age.
Elizabeth Hammond [wf. of Thomas], 25 y. married,
consumption.
Sally Robbins, ig y. maiden, consumption.
Hepzibah Sawyer, 87 y. widow, debility.
Elizabeth Russell, 7g y. widow, debility & ulcerous
humor.
Calvin Turner, 2 y. dysentery.
Sally Turner, 5 y. dysentery. .
William Saunderson, 6 y. drinking of rum.
Elizabeth Brooks, 2 y. canker.
John Davis, 2 y. dysentery.
Ebenezer, son of Isaiah and Sally Davis.]
Paul Thurston, 42 y. married, consumption.
,] Samuel Hill, 63 y. married, epelepsy.
Sally Warner, 22 y. maiden, consumption.
536

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

[1797- 1798.

["

["

1799-

1800.

Decem. 25
Jany. 19.
Jany. 30.
Feby. 21.
Feby. 28.
April 1 4. [I
June 15.
June 27.
July 3-
July 10.
August II.
August 27.
Sept 16.
Sept [21.
Octo. 15.
Octo. 17.
Octo. ig.
Novem. 13,
Decem. 12.
Feby. 22.
March 4.
April 15.
April —

July 5.
August 6.
Octo. 5.
Octo. 7.
Octo. 10.
Novem. 6.
Jany. 21.
Feby. —
March 2.
March 22.
March 23.
March 2g.
April 30.
May i8.[i6
July 4.

["

July 14.
July 18.
' August 22.
' Sept. 20.
Octo. 16.
Octo. 21.
' Novem. 4.
' Novem. g.
' Novem. 6.
' Decem. 23.
' Decem. 30.
io4g entries of

Elizabeth Mixer.]
Abel Wetherbee, 2 months, canker.
Hannah Emerson, 20 years, maiden, putrid fever.
Elizabeth Bateman, 61 y., married, canker.
Elizabeth Shattuck.]
2.] AbigaU Fairbank [Wife of Capt. Joseph], 75 y., mar
ried, dropsy.
Daniel Bardeen, 23 y., married, fever sore and con
sumption.
Richard Harris elder, 55 y., married, consumption.
Ehzabeth Fuller, 84 y., widow, debiUty.
Hannah Williams.]
Lydia Curtis, 60 y., married, debility.
Nabby Lesson, 3 y., dysentery.
[Rebecca, d. of Manasseh and Mercy.] Mercy Sawyer,
5 y., throat distemper.
Johnson, son of Richard and Sarah Goldsmith, 25
years.]
David J. Wilder, 27, quincy.
Sally Priest, 67, dysentery.
Adam Chapman, 2 y., quincy.
. Samuel Sprague, II days, fits.
Nahum Kimball, 4 y., quincy.
Francis Farr, 18 y., consumption.
Asa Warner, 21 y., consumption.
Ephraim Pollard, 32 y., married, consumption.
Lydia Conant 17 y-, maiden, consumption.
Sarah Warner, married, consumption.
Joseph Whitney, 4, drowned.
Sarah Whitney, 83 y., widow, old age.
Eunice Farnsworth, 80 y., widow, old age.
Daniel Barnard.
Elizabeth Blanchard.
John Daby.
Rachel Taylor [widow.]
Thomas Davis.
Widow Park.
Sally Priest.
Ascena H. Whitney, wife of Cyrus Whitney.
Sally Emerson.
Capt. Prince Turner.
Rebecca Moor.
] Widow Randall. [Priscilla, wife of Stephen.]
Susanna Priest daughter of Elijah and Lois, in the 17
year of her age.]
Mrs. Sarah Whitney, wife of Abraham, at. 83 yrs.]
Lucy Priest.
Timothy Wood.]
Deacon Phinehas Fairbank. [81 years.]
Nehemiah Ramsdell.]
Wife of David Whitney. [Sarah.]
Mary Hartwell, widow.
Child of Cyrus Whitney.
Earl Frizzel, puerile.
Lucy Wood, puerile.
ChUd of ye Widow Davis.
Wife of Capt. Asa Houghton, sudden.
deaths in church book to this date.

BIRTHS.

537

Dr. Isaiah Parker's Record of Deaths.
An account of y Deaths of Persons belonging to the Baptist Church.
Stephen Gates, Died Dec' ig, 1779.
Moriah Houghton, Do. April 12, 1781.
W"". Willard, Do. Sept' 1782.
Sarah WUlard, Do. March 29, 1784.
Prudence Greenleaf, Do. Sept' 14, 1784.
Abigail Butler, Do. Dec'. 12, 1784.
Hannah Lewis, Do. Aug'. 1, 1785.
Josiah Mayner, Do. Oct'. 21, 1785.
Daniel Davis, Do. April 2, 1786.
Rachel Willard, Do. May 23, 1787.
Jon". Hemmenway, Do. Feby. 1787.
Betty Crouch. 
Lister Snow. 
Joseph Haskell.  [August 7, 1791.]
Hannah Crouch Sen'. Sept'. 23, 1789.
Persis Bartlet. 
Sarah Bowles, June 3, 1790.
Lem'. Butler, Oct' 7, i7go.
Abijah Frost. 
Mary Bowles, Nov. 25, I7g2.
Hannah Harrington, IVIarch . — , I7g3.
Benjamin Willard, Nov' 30, I7g4.
Elizabeth Wyeth,  1795.
Rosanna Ross,  1795-
Sarah Lewis, July 4, 1795.
Ruth KUburn,  I7g6.
Dea. William Bowls, July 11, 1796.
John Diggins, June 30, 1797.

BIRTHS.
ANDERSON. Bethshua, daughter of Abraham and Bethshua, May 12, 1733.
atherton. [The children of James Jr., and Abigail (Hudson), m. June
6, 1684, were: James, February 27, 1685, Jonathan, Benjamin (m. Eu
nice Priest, 1727), Abigail (m. John White), Marj (m.  Goodman),
Ruth. Inventory of the father's estate is dated November 19, 1718.]
[The children of James Atherton Jr. (3'') and Sarah, baptized at Lancas
ter, were: Simon and Amos, 1708; John, 1710; Abigail, 1712; Sarah,
1714; James, 1716; Moses, 1718; David, 1722; Submit, 1725; Pru
dence, 1727.]
[The chUdren of Joshua and Mary (Gulliver) Atherton were: Joseph,
Hannah, Joshua, Mary, Benjamin, Stephen, John and Peter, perhaps
all born in Still River, though probaoly two or more were born m
Milton.] The Children of Joseph and Hannah {Rogers) Atherton.
OUver, August i, 1721. Ehzabeth, September 7, 1729.
Mary, March 8, 1722/3. Hannah, May 16, 1731.
[Joseph, baptized October 26, 1729.] Patience, August 15, 1735.
EUzabeth, May 5, 1727.
The Children of Peter and Experience ( Wright) Atherton.
Experience, February 13, 1728/g. James,- May g, 1740,
Azubah, December 23, 1730. Isaac, January g, 1740/1.

538

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Keziah, December ii, 1732. Israel, November 20, 1741.
Peter, October 23, 1733. Sarah, September g, 1744.
Peter, December 2g, 1734. John, June 20, 1746.
Joshua, June 20, 1737. Samuel, March 9, 1746/7.
Mary, June 25, 1739. Mercy, April 11, 1753.
The children of John and Phebe { Wright) Atherton.
[Phebe, February 7, 1730/31.] Eliakim, December 15, 1743.
Lois, January 18, 1733. Ezra, February 21, 1744/5.
John, February 22, 1736/7. Lydia, October 27, 1747.
Samuel, February 11, 1738/9. WiUiam, March 4, 1750.
Sarah, March II,' 1740. Thomas, April 10, 1753.
The children of Oliver and Rachel {Goodfrey) Atherton.
Joseph, August 5, 1750. Rachel, April 12, 1761.
Mary. January 28, 1753. Esther. January 13, 1764.
Oliver, August 24, 1755. Philemon, June 15, 1771.
The children of Joseph and Sarah {Hutchins) Atherton.
David, July 31, 1753. Jonathan, November 11, I75g.
Sarah, May 25, 1755. AbigaU, November 2, 1762.
David, September 17, 1757. Joseph, May 12, 1768.
The ehildren of Peter Jr. and Betty {Atherton) Atherton.
Betty, March 24, 1757. Experience, May i, 1765.
Eunice, August 26, 1758. Anna, October 25, 1766.
Benjamin, September 23, 1760. Sophia, June i, 1768.
Peter, October 13, 1763. Mercy, May ig, 1772.
The children of John and Hannah {Cole) Atherton.
Samuel, November 15, 1758. Martha, May 17, 1767.
Samuel, AprU 8, 1760. Mary, October 15, I76g.
John, March 26, 1762. Sarah, 
Joel, August 22, 1764. Samuel, December 17. 1782.
The Children of Joseph, Jr., and Hannali {Farnsworth) Atherton.
Nathaniel, January I, 1773. Humphrey, May 4, 1783.
Oliver, August 4, 1774. Fanny, January 10, 1785.
Arethusa, May 16, 1778. Rachel, June 8, 1787.
Sally, March 30, 1780. Lucy, October 23, 1791.
The Children of David and Esther {Atherton) Atherton.
SUence, March 29, 1785. Martin, July 2, 1793.
Louisa, May 11, 1787. Emily, July 31, 1795.
Eben, March i, i78g. George, January 21, I7g8.
Charles, February 22, i7gi. Mary, March 2, 1801.
BARNARD. The Children of Benjamin and Lucy.
Jotham, February 24, 1745. Jonathan, September 22, 1751.
Ephraim, May 3, 1747. David, January 18, 1754.
Moses, May 7, I74g.
The Children of Benjamin, Jr., and Mary {Hunt) Barnard.
Samuel. June 18. 1760. Jesse, June ii, 1767.
Benjamin, November 27, 1761. Elisha, May g, 1770.
David, March 13, 1763. Francis, March 11, 1773.
Oliver, April 3, 1765. Daniel, March 2, 1777.
Phebe, daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth Barnard, September 20, 1753.

BIRTHS.

539

The Children of Jotham and Lucy Barnard.
Jacob, AprU i6, 1769. Calvin, July 25, 1781.
Jonathan, January 27, 1771. Sarah, February 3, 1784.
Lucy, September 26, 1774. Esther, June i, 1786.
Benjamin, June 12, 1777. Levi, April 20, 1789.
Sabra, July 24, 1779. Joel and Joab, May 12, 1793.
The Children of Ephraim and Hannah {Fairbank) Barnard.
Ephraim, February 17, 1772. Submit August 20, 1776.
Phinehas, April 26, 1774.
The Children of Ephraim and Elizabeth Barnard.
Ehzabeth, January 31, 1780. Amory, October 23, 1784.
Luther, June 7, 1781. Sarah Moor, March 13, 1787.
Hannah, December i, 1782.
The Children of Samuel and Hannah {Laughton) Barnard.
Daniel, September 7, 1785. Emory, August 14, 1794.
Samuel, January 3, 1789. Jeremiah, December 2, I7g7.
John, June 6, I7gi.
The Children of Oliver and Martha {Atherton) Barnard.
Mary Hunt November 8, 1789. George, December 11, 1791.
The Children of Jesse and Susanna Barnard.
Susanna, August 8, I7gi. Harriet April 16, I7g5.
Benjamin, May 2g, 1793.
Nancy, daughter of Moses and Abigail Barnard, May 22, 1786.
PoUy, daughter of Francis and Sarah (Hammond) Barnard, Nov. g, 1798.
Levi, son of Phineas and Betsy Barnard, October 24, 1800.
BARDEEN. Thomas, son of Thomas and Hannah Bardeen, April 8, 1794.
Chloe, daughter of David and AbigaU (Cooper) Bardeen, March 7, 1796.
Hannah; " " " " " June 10, 1797.
BARRETT. The Children of Jonathan and Phebe { Warner).
Moses, November 6, 1779. Lydia, March 10, 1786.
Elias, December 30, 1782. Rebecca, February 18, 1788.
Phebe, AprU 5, 1784.
BARRIL. Nabby, daughter of John and Judith, February ig, 1765.
BATEMAN. The Children of Jonas and Lydia.
Rebecca, April g, I7g6. Harriet, May 20, 1800.
PoUy, March 15, I7g8. John, April 5, 1802.
BENNETT. David, son of Moses and Joanna, May 28, 1761.
BIGELOW. The Children of Roger and Elizabeth.
Daniel, April 24, 1777, at Fitchburg. Jason, November 11, 1786.
Abijah, August 8, 1779. do. Joseph, March 27, 1790.
Betsy. March 21, 1782. Thomas, April g, I7g3.
Lucy, October 27, 1783. Emery, September 14, 1795.
BLACKDEN. The Children of William and Sarah.
Joseph Fairbank, April 6, 1772. Sarah, February 17, 1774.
blanchard. The Children of Joseph and Betty.
Joseph, November 8, 1754. Simon, June 6, 1756.
The Children of Abel and Lucy Blanchard.
Betsy, AprU 21, 1782. John, April 5, 1787.
Polly, July 24, 1784.
35

540

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Esther, daughter of Lysias and Esther (Warner) Blanchard, Oct 27, 1787.
TJie Children of Simon and Elizabeth {White) Blanchard.
Phebe, July 8, 1783. Joseph, March 16, 1790.
Rebecca, January 21, 1785. Betsy, April i, 1795.
Lucy, October 10, 1786. Abel, August 28, 1798.
BLOOD. The Children of Joseph and Rebecca { Warner).
Rebecca, July 14- 1736. Joseph, May 6, 1747.
Joseph, August 27, 1738. Ebenezer, March 30, 1750.
Mary, November i, 1739. Samuel, October 24, 1752.
Joseph, January 29, 1741/2. Levi, January 25, 1757.
Joseph, January 27, 1742/3. Sarah, July 21, 1759.
Mercy, March 15, 1744.
BOWERS. The Children of Joshua and Mary [ Wfiitney).
Joshua, March 18, 1778. Polly, April 17, 1786.
Molly, July 17, 1780. Joel, February 5, 1789.
SaUy, October 11, 1782.
BRIDGE. The Children of Benjamin and Anne {Haskell).
Benjamin, October 5, 1753. Amee, August 21, 1757.
Jeremiah, July 18, 1755. Benjamin, November 10, 1759.
Joseph, son of Benjamin and Lucy Bridge, May 17, 1773.
The Children of Jeremiah and Sarah {Buttrick) Bridge.
Lydia, May 25, 1762. Sarah, October 22, 1764.
The Children of Ebenezer and Annis {Stone) Bridge.
Ebenezer, September 2g, 1788. George Washington, Aug. g, I7g6.
James Stone, January 11, i7go. Benjamin, November 5, I7g8.
Annis, December 17, I7gi. John Adams, August 10, 180L
Mary, November g, 1793.
BROOKS. Nathan, son of Nathan and Susanna, March 31, 1738.
The Children of Am.os and Lydia {Bacon) Brooks.
Joseph, January 16, 1746/7. Amos, August g, i74g.
BROWN. The Children of Phineas and Anita ( Willard).
Anna, February g, 1750. John, December 17, 1764.
Mary, May g, 1752.
Caleb, son of Clark and Lucy (Davis) Brown, February 12, 1758.
BURGES. The Children of Ebenezer and Hannah.
Hannah, August 14, 1748. Solomon, December 4, 1756.
WiUiam, January 5, 1750/1. Thomas, February 26, 1761.
John, April 3, 1753.
The Children of Ebenezer and Rachel {Farnsworth) Burges.
Sarah, December 31, 1762. Josiah, July 18, 1767.
^ Marrit, July g, 1765. Loammi, March i, 1770.
The Children of Ebenezer Jr. and Anna {Fairbank) Burges.
Levi, August 6, i76g. Ebenezer, April i, 1771.
The Children of Marret and Sarah Burges.
Sarah, February 15. 1789. Marret March 27, I7g7.
Nancy, March i, I7gi. Daniel, December 27, I7gg.
Jonathan, February 6, I7g3. Mary, July 25, 1801.
Asa, April 4, I7g5.

BIRTHS.

541

The Children of Josiah and Anne Burges.
Josiah, May 10, I7gi. Nathaniel, October 17, 1792.
The Children of Loammi and Sarah Burges.
Mary, January -20, 1792. Sarah, August 29, 1807.
Josiah, December 14, 1793. Benjamin Franklin, January 23, 1810.
Emery, June 22, 1795. Dwelly Whitney, July 26, 1812.
Susanna, September 27, 1798. Adehne, August 8, 1814.
Maranda, March 29, i8oi. Charles Wesley, January ii; 1817.
Rachel, June 4, 1803. Baldwin Bradford, October 7, i8ig.
Loammi, September 6, 1805.
William, son of William and Hannah Burges, June 23, I74g.
BURT. The Children of John and Elizabeth {Nutting).
James, 1727. Sarah, 1731. Elisabeth, 1737.
WUliam, i72g. John, 1735. Dinah, 1739.
The Children of James and Beulah {Mead) Burt.
Oliver, September 8, 1755. Daniel, March 23, 1758.
David, April 10, 1757.
BUTLER. Smith, son of John and Abigail, August 24. 1757.
BUTTERFIELD. Eliza, daughter of John and Martha, August 25, 1761.
buttrick. The Children of William and Elizabeth { Whitcomb).
Ezra, October 8, 1735. Sarah, July 22, 1741.
Thomas, March 29, 1737. Joseph, August 21 [Sept. 2'',] 1743.
Elizabeth, August 10, 1739. Mary, September 8, 1744.
The Children of Levi and Rebecca { Willard) Buttrick.
Sukey, March 23, 1791. Nancy, August 22, 1794.
Sally, April 23, 1792.
CHAFFIN. The Children of Ephraim and Sarah {Hill).
James, April 21, 1787. Sally, September 14, 1789.
The Children of Gladwin and Eunice {Farwell) Chaffin.
Betsy. February 22, 1790. John Farwell, May 17, 1798.
Sally, April 5, 1791. Nancy, April 13, 1801.
Eunice. January g, I7g3. William Farwell, January 12, 1804.
Harriet, December 2g, 1796. Joseph, March 13, 1807.
CHAMBERLAIN. Thomas, son of Josiah and Hepsibah, March 26, 1753.
Josiah, son of Thomas and Anna (Brown) Chamberlain, Novem. 28, 1776.
CHATMAN. Lucy, daughter of Oliver and Relief, born April 14, 1793.
CHURCH. The Children of Jonathan and Annis {Johnson).
Mercy (or Mary), Jany. i, 1733/4. Silas, October 23, 1751.
Huldah, April 20, 1754.
Their chUdren were mostly born in Lancaster, and besides the above
were :
Joseph, July 22, 1729. Caleb, June 3, 1741.
Annis, July 7, 1731. Joshua, August 6, 1743.
Vashti, October 3, 1736. Silas, June 18, 1745.
Prudence, April 5, 1739.
CLARK. The Children of Judah aud Eunice.
Jonathan, May 26, 1733. Hannah, September 13, 1735.
The Children of Jonathan and Mercy {Hapgood) Clark.
Jonathan, January 28, 1759. Hannah, September 19, 1762.

542 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Thomas Hazen, son of Matthew and Elizabeth Clark, March ii, I7g7.
CLEVERLY. The Children of John and Rachel.
Sally, February ii, 1773. Rachel, November 6, 1777.
Nancy, May 23, 1774.
COLBURN. Abigail, daughter of William and Elizabeth, Feby. 17, 1763.
COLE. The Children of Abijah and Sarah {Kent).
Sarah, May 24, 1761. Judith, March 5, 1767.
Abijah, December g, 1762. Asa, December 5, 1768.
Lois, November 2, 1764.
Jonathan, son of Jonathan and Edith (Davis) Cole, October 14, 175 1.
Asa, son of Asa and Anna (Goldsmith) Cole, November 15, I7g3.
CONANT. The Children of Reuben and Lydia.
Lydia, November 28, 1783. William, March 14, I7g2.
Reuben, October 5, 1785. Mary, April 'g, I7g4.
Abel, February 3, 1788.
The Children of Levi and Abigail {Davis) Conant.
Benjamin, July 13, I7g5. Geo. Washington, April 10, 1805.
Rebecca, January 23, I7g7. Lucinda, April 28, 1808.
Sewall, October 13, 1798. Levi, February 6, 1810.
Abigail, March 31, 1800. Henry Warren, September 18, 1815.
Eliza Davis, August 6, 1801.
CONN. The Children of George, Jr., and Anna.
John, February 27, 1772. Thomas, November i, 1773.
The Children of John and Lucy {Sawyer) Conn.
John, October 2, 1796. Thomas, at Charlestown, N. H.,
February 24, 1804.
Emery, May 26, 1798. Almira Jefferson, at Charlestown, N.
H., November u, 1805.
Lucy, February 2, 1800. Abigail Townsend, at Charlestown,
N. H., September i, 1808.
Jefferson, October 16, 1802, at Charlestown, N. H.
COOK. Rachel, daughter of Jonathan and Lydia, August 26, 1774.
COREY. The Children of Samuel and Sarah.
[Sarah, Bridget and others born before coming to Harvard.]
Martha, October 7, 1750. Jane, May 27, 1753.
The Children of Samuel and Dinah {Fowler) Corey (3'^ wife).
Stephen, May 27, 1758. Samuel, November 7, 1762.
Philip, November 6, 1760.
CROSFIELD. James, son of James and Rebecca, September 23, 1750.
CROUCH. The Children of Jonathan and Elizabeth { Worster).
Jonathan, February 4, 1745. Eunice, July 8, 1757.
Timothy, July 27, 1750. Betty, January 9, 1763.
Lois, November 30, 1754.
The Children of Jonathan and Elizabeth {Skinner) Crouch.
Oliver, April 19, 1782. Ann, September 7, 1784.
The Children of John and Hannah {Brown) Crouch.
Hannah, June 2, 1751. Sarah, July 4, 1762.
Mercy, July 30, 1753. John, April 25, 1767.
Eunice, November 13, 1755. Amos, August 27, i76g.
Lucy, November 24, 1758.

BIRTHS. 543
The Children of David and Mary {Brown) Crouch.
Susanna, August i8, 1747. Jonathan, March 14, 1758.
Mary, March 3, 1748/g. Isaac, May i, 1760.
Elizabeth, November 2, 1750. Mary, June 24, 1763.
David, June 28, 1752. Patience, October 28, 1766.
Jonathan, April 13, 1754. Caleb, June 18, 1768.
Caleb, March 4, 1756. Moses, March 27, 1771.
The Children of Jonathan and Dorothy {Law) Crouch.
MoUy, November 23, 1770. Thirsa, January 16, 1772.
The Children of David and Sarah {Stearns) Crouch.
Ephraim, October 22, 1778. Levi, July 7, 1782.
Daniel, April 16, 1780.
Joseph, son of Timothy and Betty Crouch, September 4, 1774.
CULLIVER. Samuel, son of Seth and Thankful, November 28, 1733.
DABY. The Children of Simon and Mercy.
Thomas, September 22, I73g. Hannah, November 21, 1746.
John, March 24, 1741. Phebe, July 25, 1748.
Mercy, September 24, 1742.
The Children of Joseph and Elizabeth {Nurse) Daby.
Elizabeth, October 16, 1738. Deliverance, December 27, 1748.
Esther, July 17, 1740. Joshua, October 17, 1751.
Benjamin, son of Joseph and Mary Daby, September 24, 1746.
The Children of Nahum and Mary Daby.
Nahum, September 2, 1743. Jonathan, March 13, 1753.
Mary, May'  • John, AprU 30, 1755.
Eunice, February 27, 1746/7. Salmon, September g, 1757.
Hepsibeth, December 2, 1748. Daniel, March 30, 1760.
William, July 26, 1751. Amos, April 27, 1762.
Phebe, daughter of Simon and Esther Daby, June 21, 1758.
Molly, daughter of Thomas and Molly (Holt) Daby, May 10, 1765.
Amos, son of Nahum Jr. and Susanna (Worster) Daby, August 5, I76g.
The Children of John, Jr., and Sarah {Hapgood) Daby.
Simon, May 20, 1765. Sarah, February 7, 1772.
Asa, February 6, 1767. Betsy, May 7, 1774.
Mercy, May 11, I76g. John, January 9, 1779.
The Children of Simon and Judith {Symonds) Daby.
Lucy, February 2, 1772. Calvin, August 26, 1775.
Calvin, July 4, 1773.
The Children of Asa and Elizabeth {Houghton) Daby.
Asa, August 29, 1797. Elizabeth, March 13, 1804.
Ethan, February 27, I79g.
DAVIS. The Children of Eleazer and Sarah { Willard).
[Eleazer, September 25, 1730.] Ephraim, January 2, i73g/40.
Oliver, October 4, 1734. Sarah, March 22, 1742.
Abel, March i, 1736/7. Oliver, AprU 21, 1744.
The Children of John and Rebeccah {Burt) Davis.

[John, November 10, 1725.]
[Zebudah, AprU 11, 1728.J
[Rebecca, October 29, 1729-]

Aaron, April 11, 1732.]
'Meriam, May 11, 1734.]
Ezra, August 23, 1738.]

544

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Children of Amos and Elizab^eth Davis.
Edith, September 2g, 1728. Rachel, Oct 7, 1739. at Nichewog.
Phebe, June 21, 1730, at Westford. Lois, October i, 1742, do.
Amos, Sept 2, 1732, at Littleton. Samuel, Oct 15, 1744, do.
Elizabeth, Nov. 14, 1735, Uxbridge. Reuben, July 17, 1747, at Harvard.
Jonas, April g, 1737, at Littleton. Esther, August 21, I74g. do.
Children of Ebenezer and Sarah Davis.
Ebenezer, May 3, 1733/4- Dinah, June 17, I73g.
DeUverance, July i, 1736. Timothy, September 9, 1741.
Children of Simon and Silence Davis.
Mary, February 27, 1748. Simon, February 27, 1754.
Lois, October 12, 1751.
Children of Josiah and Elizabeth { Willard) Davis.
Josiah, October 3, 1754. Betty, January 15, 1764.
Ebenezer, February 8, 1757. Phinehas, August 21 1766.
Hezekiah, August 21, 1759. Thomas, April 8, 1769.
Timothy, September 14, 1761. Molly, September 10, 1771.
Children of Jonathan and Hannah {Johnson) Davis.
Jonathan, September 17, 1756. Hannah, October 13, 1765.
Samuel, January 25, 1764. Mary, July 31, 1767.
Children of Jonas and Elizabeth Davis.
Elizabeth, July 19, 1755. Oliver; Noverhber 27, 1761.
Peter, March 7, 1757. Marcy, October 21, 1764.
Jonas, August 13, 1759.
Children of Abel and Ruhamah Davis.
Sarah, September 10, 1758. Sarah, July 31, 1770.
Ruhamah, October 2, 1759. Levi, April i, 1772.
Eleazer, October 20, 1764. Joel, July 28, 1774.
Eleazer, August 6, 1766. Moses, July 6, 1776.
Abel, June 30, 1768. Alice, June 7, 1778, at Stow.
Children of Zadock and Hannah Davis.
Dinah, March i, 1760. Elizabeth, February 28, 1765.
Hannah, September 23, 1762. Isaiah, September g, I768.
Children of Ephraim and Sarah {Farnsworth) Davis.
Eleazer, September 13, 1764. Lydia, July 31, 1774.
Ephraim, November 16, 1765. John, July 2g, 1776.
Esther, September g, 1767. Daniel, June 6, 1778.
Sarah, August 31, I76g. Ebenezer, January 28, 1780.
Submit September 3, 1771. Lydia, October 14, 1781.
Lucy, October 7, 1772.
Sarah, daughter of Oliver and Lydia Davis, March 8, 1765.
Seth, son of Caleb and ReUef Davis, August 22, 1761.
Children of Abel, Jr., and Martha {Potter) Davis.
Lydia, October 11, 1765. Aaron, December 26, 1770.
Abel, February 16, 1767. Martha, August 25, 1774.
Hannah, March 26, 1769.
Children of Aaron and Ruth Davis.
Dinah, November 12, 1770. Lucy, November 9, 1772.
Daniel, December 2, 1771. John, December 14, 1773.

BIRTHS. 545
Children of Jonathan and Mary Davis.
Mary, January 31, 1783. AbigaU, May 18, 1788.
Patty Chatman, May 30, 1786.
Jacob, son of Jacob and Ruth (Atherton) Davis, January 18, 1776.
Children of Isaiah and Sally {Hamlin) Davis.
Zimri, October 17, I7g3. Sally, November 2g, I7g7.
Ebenezer, January 2, I7g6. Hamlin, November 13, 1800.
Children of Thomas and Mary {Gates) Davis.
Mary, August 27, I7g8. Ehzabeth, March 28, 1800.
Children of Aaron and Hepsibeth {Priest) Davis.
Hepsibeth, February 23, I7g8. Sally Chatburn, January 8, 1803.
Aaron, September 7, 1800. Sophronia, November 2, 1805.
DICKINSON. Children of George and Sarah.
Jeremiah, December 16, 1736. Amos, March 14, 1743/4.
Daniel, June 14, 1739. Francis, September 20, 1746.
David. October 7, 1741. Dorcas, August 24, 1750.
Mary, daughter of Francis and Mary (Bowers) Dickinson, May 14, I7g8.
DUDLEY. Children of Peter and A bigail.
Abigail, May 29, 1743. Samuel, November 12, 1756.
Zaccheus, November 6, 1745. Prude, April 18, 1759.
Mary, October 17, I74g. Lydia, May 26, 1761.
Mercy, March 7, 1753. Oliver, November 2gj 1764.
Sarah, August 26, 1755.
Children of John and Sybil {Russell) Dudley.
Sybil, December 5, 1760, at Groton. Parker Russell, May 27, 1771, at
Groton.
John, October 11, 1761, at Groton. Molley, August 2g, 1773.
EUzabeth, Novem. 30, 1763, Groton, Francis, Decem. 31, 1775.
Jason, July 8, 1766, at Groton. Lucy, November 14, 1781.
Hannah, Novem. 13, 1768, at Groton.
Children of Samuel and Patience {Atherton) Dudley.
Sally Atherton, June 4, I7g8. Louisa, August 25, 1805.
GuUford, September ig, 1800. EmUy, April 13, 1814.
Solomon, December 23, 1803.
DWINNEL. Children of Elijah and Hannah {Cutting).
Dexter, June i. I7g8. Mary, June 15, 1803.
Louisa, December 25, I7gg. Pliny, September 3, 1804.
Harriet May 10, 1801.
EMERSON, Phebe Ripley, daughter of Reverend William and Ruth (Has
kins), February g, 1798.
FAIRBANK. Children of Joseph and Mary {Brown).
Phinehas, April 8, 1719.] Ehzabeth, May i, 1734.
Mary, October 17, 1721.] Amos. April 21, 1737.
Joseph, November 4, 1722.] Relief, December i, 1739.
Mercy, February 6, 1724/5.] Joseph, December 5, 1743.
^Cyrus, May 23, 1726.] Jabez, March 8, 1744/5-
Mary, January 19, I72g.j Anna, March 25, 1746.
Lydia, August 16, 1731.]

546 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Children of Phinehas and Sarah {Stone) Fairbank.
Cyrus, March 22, 1741. Phineas, November g, 1752.
Sarah, October 27, 1742. Mary, January 7, 1756.
Eunice, December 23, 1744. Elizabeth, January 13, 1758.
Elizabeth, January 10, 1746/7. Lydia, December 16, 1760.
"A son," December 27, 1747. Relief and twin sister.April 26,1763.
Abel, January 5, 1748/g. Esther, October 8, 1766.
Hannah, January 23, 1749/50. •
Children of Joseph, Jr„ and Abigail {Tarbell) Fairbank.
Thomas, November 12, 1750. Abigail, November 24, 1756.
Cyrus, May 18, 1752. Jonathan, September 4, 1758.
Ephraim, October 18, 1753. Mary, July 13 [12], 1762.
Levi, May 2g, 1755. Thomas, May 7, 1764.
Children of Amos and Lucy {Gates) Fairbank.
Jacob, June — , 1761. Lucy, March 24, 1764.
Jacob, May 6, 1762. Mercy, March 28, 1766.
Children of Jabez and Keziah Fairbank.
Ephraim, January 29, 1766. Sarah, May 28, 1770.
Manasseh, October 3, 1767. Mary, April 24, 1772.
Jabez, August 26, 1768. Phinehas, May 20, 1774.
Children of Amos and Rhoda Fairbank.
Amos, September 5, 1769. Joseph, February ig, 1776.
Noah, June 23, 1771. Daniel, October 20, 1778.
Rhoda, June 15, 1774. Mary, February 24, 1781.
Children of Ephraim. and Lucy {Nurse) Fairbank.
Lucy, October 25, 1786. Jabez and Kezia, March 3, I7g7.
Nabby, January 3, I78g. Zilpah, AprU 7, I7gg.
Ephraim, June 20, i7gi. Samuel, July 24, 1802.
Achsah, May 17, I7g4. Eliza, September 21, 1805.
Children of Cyrus and Mercy {Hale) Fairbank.
Sally, August 8, 1780. Mercy, October 4, 1785.
Jacob, March 17, 1782. Nabby, February 24, 1788.
Cyrus, October 4, 1783.
Children of Jonathan and Hannah {Hale) Fairbank.
Adtemas, November 3, 1787. Sally, September 23, I7g2.
Jonathan, December 2g, 1788.
Children of Noah and Hannah Fairbank.
Emery, May 15, 1800. Noah, April i, 1802.
Children of Jacob and Sarah {Goldsmith) Fairbank.
Mercy, March 20, I7g3. Sarah, September 2, 1801.
Nancy, May 4, I7g4.
Children of Jabez and Betty iHoughton) Fairbank.
Polly, September 6, I7gi. John, August 10, 1797.
Sally, October i, 1793.
Children of Amos, Jr., and Rebecca { Whitney) Fairbank.
Horace, October 15, I7g5. Clark, February 13, 1802.
Amos, November 27, I7gg.

Births. 547
Children of Thomas and Lydia {Wolcott) Fairbank.
Lydia, March 21, 1793. Mary, May 7, 1804.
Luke, AprU 20, 1795. Clark, February 4, 1807.
Levi, May 8, 1797. Joel Whitcomb, August 26, i8og.
Jacob, December 15, i7gg. Lurenia, August 18, 1812.
Sophia, May 17, 1802.
FARMER. Children of William and Ruth { Willard).
Timothy, July 30, 1749. James, March 13, 1755.
John, March 12, 1753. Simon, August 12, 1757.
FARNSWORTH. Children of Jonathan and Mary {Burt.)
Mary, June 18, 1726. Abel, May 12, 1734.
Jonathan, November 22, 1727. Elias, October 28, 1737.
Betty, October 13, 1729. Lemuel. August 6, 1740.
Joseph, January 31, 173 1/2.
Children of Phinehas and Azubah Farnsworth.
Azubah, January 15, 1730/1. Keziah, June i, 1742.
Phinehas, July 15, 1733. Sarah, May 28, 1748.
Sybil, September 17, 1736. Joshua, February 28, 1748/9.
Dinah, September 6, 1739.
Children of Nathaniel and Eunice Farnsworth.
Sarah, February 28, 1740/1. Nathaniel and John, Decem.5,1750.
Nathaniel, January 7, 1741/2. Hannah, August 22, 1753.
Amos, December 4, 1742. Elizabeth, August 22, 1756.
Daniel, June 2g, 1744. Lucy, February 21, 1761.
Eunice, July 7, 1748.
Children of John and Sarah {Davis) Farnsworth.
Sarah, February 22, 17^677. John, April 11, 1753.
Ruth, June 18, 1748. [Submit — , I755-]
Dinah, March 16, i74g/5o. Patience, May 30, 1757.
Esther, May 17, 1751.
Children of Ephraim. and Deborah Farnsworth.
Deborah, September 17, 1727. Ephraim, April 24, 1734.
Children of Simeon and Martha {Hall) Farnsworth.
Mehitable, May 25, 1745. Martha, August 20, 1750.
Simeon, September 10, 1746. Lucy, May 3, 1752.
Samuel, March g, 1747/8.
Children of Jonathan, Jr., and Rachel {Nutting) Farnsworth.
Elias, June 17, 1750. Asa, May 12, 1754.
Thomas, October 23, 1752. Jonattian, September 6, 1758.
Children of Silas and Elizabeth {Bowers) Farnsworth.
Silas, July 6, 1755. Zaccheus, January 17, 1758.
Children of Simeon and Lucy Famsworth.
Relief, August 12, 1755. David, April 16, 1765.
Manasseh, April 3, 1760. Daniel, April g, i76g.
Samuel, June 16, 1762.
Children of Phineas and Lydia Famsworth.
Joshua, August 5, 1766. Dorcas, June ig, I76g.
Benjamin, May 12, 1768. Azubah, August 31, 1771.

548 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Children of Joseph and Hannah {Flint) Farnsworth.
Samuel, August 2g, 1755, at Reading. Jonathan, August 20, 1767.
Levi, February 27, 1758. Nathaniel, January 2, 1770.
Joseph, April 27, 1760. John, February 4, 1772.
Hannah, September 26, 1762. Eunice, May 15, 1774.
Jesse, March i, 1765.
Children of Abel and Elizabeth {McFarling) Farnsworth.
Jacob, March 13, 1764. Lydia, June ig, 1775.
Mary, October 22, 1765. Mercy, May 5, 1778.
Betty, June 16, 1768. Abel, June 15, 1780.
Mary, September 18, 1770. Sally, September 8, 1782.
Elias, July ig, 1772.
Children of Lemuel and Hannah {Daby) Farnsworth.
Sarah, September 11, 1768. Lemuel, March 30, 1774.
Amy, May 3, 1770. Lucy, April 24, 1776.
Hannah, April i, 1772.
Children of Samuel and Hannah Farnsworth.
Mary, June 12, i7go. Hepsibeth, December 16, I7g4.
Thomas TreadweU, April 2g, I7g2.
Children of Matthias and Mary {Preston) Farnsworth.
Mary, October 3, 1771. Samuel, September 24, 1767.
Children of Pliinehas and Hannah Farnsworth.
Lydia, February 28, 1783. Hannah Burt December 2g, 1784.
FARR. Children of Francis and Abigail {Haskell).
Abigail Haskell, December 31, 1777. Anna Goodhue, October 20, 1782.
Francis, February 27, 1781.
Children of Francis and Sarah {Laughton) Farr.
Asa, December 12., 1783. Sarah, October 10, I7g2.
Thomas, January 8, 1786. Lydia and Hannah, March 27, I7g6.
Levi, March 15, 1788. WUUam, March 19, 1798.
Jonathan, September 20, 1790.
Children of William and Lucy (Hadly) Farr.
William, September 24, 1781. Cynthia. January 15, 1788.
Sarah, Januarv g, 1783. WUliam, Sept. 27, i78g, at Ashby.
Mary, June 12, 1784. Willard, December 14, 1791.
FARWELL. Children of John and Sarah {Sawtell).
SybU, January 28, 1746/7. John Sawtle and David, May 12,
Sarah, July 10, 1750. 1754.
Eunice, daughter of John and Eunice (Snow) Farwell, March 17, 1763.
Children of David and Hannah (Taylor) Farwell.
Daniel, September 17, 1774. Luther, February 23, 1787.
John, September 22, 1779. Sewall, October 22, 1789.
Wilham, January 21, 1782. Stedman, August 15, 1792
Sally, April 16, 1784.
Children of William and Sybil (Farwell) Farwell.
Hannah, February 14, 1766. Oliver, August ?I, 1768.

BIRTHS. 54g
FELLOWS. Children of Samuel and Euniee.
Eunice May 23, 1736. Thomas, October 13, 1753.
Samuel. February 13, 1739. Mary, May 21, 1756.
Sarah, October g, 1741. William, ) r, , v.
Sarah, May II, 1746. WUlis, J October 5. 1758.
Joseph. May 27, 1748. Solomon, December 5, 1760.
John, May 11, 1751.
FORBUSH ^ Children of John and Eunice.
Rachel, December 28, 1738. Sarah. April 30, 1750.
John, December 8, 1739. Lucy, June 17, 1752.
Jonathan, November 28,' 1743. Samuel, March 20, 1754.
Molly, March 7, 1747/8. Jonathan, AprU i, 1757.
John, August — , 1760.
Children of Samuel and Mary (Warner) Forbush.
John, November 8, 1781. Eunice, May 25, 1788.
Aaron Warner, April 8, 1784. Manasseh Stow, July 24, 1790.
David, February 16, 1786. Mary, June ig, I7g2.
FOSTER. Children of Jeremiah and Rebecca .
Sarah, July 28, 1744. Rebecca, October 20, 1750.
Judith, March 2, 1747.
FOWLER. AbigaU, daughter of Dr. PhiUp and Abigail, Nov. 21, 1743.
FROST. Thomas S., son of Scripture and Sarah (Sprague) Frost, Octo
ber 17, I7g7, at Shirley.
FULLAM. Children of Elisha and Sarah.
Jacob, January 24, i74g]5o. Elisha, February 14. 1752
GARFIELD. Children of Reuben and Lydia (Symonds).
Jonathan, AprU 28. 1777. Lydia, September 13, 1791.
Levi, June 20, 1779. Samuel, October 11, 1784.
GATES. Children of Jacob and Elizabeth.
Isaac, August 6, 1729. Elizabeth, October i, 1736.
Zaccheus, August 26, 1731. Lucy, October 31, 1739.
Jacob, April 7, 1734. Children of Jacob and Sarah Gates.
Sarah, January 13, 1744. Mary, July 18, 1745.
Children of Jonathan and Elizabeth Gates.
Elizabeth, October 8, 1735. Josiah, September 26, 1747.
Jonathan, May 27, 1738. John, October 31, i74g.
Hannah, October 2g, 1740. Susanna, October 13, 1753.
Mary, May 30, 1743. Rachel, January 18, 1756.
Henry, June 19, 1745.
Children of Stephen and Betty Gates .
Nathaniel, February 18, 1738. John, January 31, 1739/40.
Lemuel, son of Stephen and Dinah (Mead) Gates, April 30, 1757.
Jonathan, son of Jonathan and Mary (Shed) Gates, September 27, 1762.
Children of Isaac and Submit (Lawrence) Gates.
Elizabeth, November 24, 1764. Mary, December 25, 1774.
Jacob, December 6, 1766. Isaac, May 7, 1777.
Lucy, July 22, 1769. Zaccheus, September 11. 1779.
Sarah, September 21, 1771. Nabby, December 29, 1782.

550

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

GERRY. Children of John and Sally (Merriam).
George, June 14, I7g9. Ward Safford, June 6, 1804.
Fanny, May 5, 1802. John, March — , 1806.
GOLDSMITH. Children of Richard and Sarah.
John, April 17, 1770, at Littleton. Theodore, August 7, 1775.
Anna, January 27, 1772. Molly, AprU 17, 1777.
Sherman, October 28, 1773. Thomas, March 18, 1779.
Maria, daughter of John and Moriah (Houghton) Goldsmith, May 15, I7g2.
GOODFREY. Children of James and Hannah.
Andrew, December 28, 1738. James, November 20, 1744.
Daniel, October 17, 1742. Salmon, March 10, 1747.
GREENLEAF. SUencc, daughter of Daniel and Anna, AprU 8, 1764.
HALE. Children of Isaac and Tamar (Haild).
William, AprU 4, i74g. Lydia, February 3, 1755.
William, September 25, 1750. Isaac. June 2g, 1760.
Martha, December 7, 1752.
Children of Benjamin and Mary (Taylor) Hale.
Israel, June 12, I75g. Rachel, August 2, 1765.
Ohver, December 16, 1760. Joanna, May 5, 1768.
Mary, December 6, 1762. Sarah, November 12, I76g.
Benjamin, March 18, 1764. David, March 22, 1772.
Children of Ambrose and Mary Hale.
Jacob, March ig, I76g. Huldah, December 27, 1772.
Mercy, January 14, 1771. Esther, May 3, 1774.
Sarah, daughter of Ambrose and Hannah, August i, 1751.
HALL. Children of Timothy and Mary.
John. May 22, 1747. Timothy, February 18, 1752.
Mary, August 25, 1749.
Children of John and Sarah ( Willard) Hall.
Anna, September 12, 1777. William, September 22, 1782.
WiUiam, June 2g, I77g. Sally, January 4, 1787.
Elinor, July i, i7g3.
HAMLIN. Children of Europe and Dorcas (Stowe).
Dorcas, November 12. 1786. Abigail, May 14, I7g4.
Hannah, July 27, i78g. James, December 31, I7g6.
Joash, August 7, I7gi. Adams Green, June 21, I7g8.
Africa Hamlin, son of Molly Burt August 25, 1785.
HAMMOND. David, son of Thomas and Betty (Hapgood) Oct. 17, I7g6.
HAPGOOD. Children of Shadrach and Elizabeth (Wetherbee).
Mercy, January 26, 1732/3. Sarah, June 16, 1744.
Ehzabeth, September 26, 1734. Sadrach, October 4, 1747.
Asa, June 13, 1740. OUver, October 7, 1751.
Israel, March i, 1743. Lois, AprU 13, 1754.
Lydia, July 4, 1757.
Children of Shadrach, Jr., and Elizabeth (Keep) Hapgood.
John, June 20, 1771. Jabez, September 30, 1781.
Betty, February 16, 1773. Shadrach, December 16, 1783.
Lucy, December g, 1775. Joel, March 26, 1788.
Mercy, February 15, 1779.

BIRTHS. 551
HARLOW. Children of Ellis and Sarah.
WilUam Holmes, October 2, I7g8. Charles, AprU i, 1800.
HARPER. Children of Andrew and Jane.
John, September 25, 1740. Martha, September 11, 1747.
Ann, April 18, 1743.
HARRIS, Children of Richard and Martha (Foster),
John, October 13, 1745. Anna, April 23, 1750.
Rebecca, March 25, 1748. Nathaniel, April 4, 1752.
Wilham, October 8,- 1754.
Children of Richard, Jr., and Lydia (Atherton) Harris.
John, October 13, I76g. Joel, September 24, 1782.
Asenath, August 16, 1772. Sally, October 4, 1785.
Lydia, May 15, 1775. Harrison Gray, July 2, 1790.
Richard, November 5, i77g.
HASKELL. Children of Joseph and Mary.
Josiah, July 5, 1737. Solomon, February ig, 1740/1.
John, July 13, 1739. Children of John and Huldah Haskell.
Huldah, December 18, 1737. Ruth, March 18, 1742, at L.
John, January 6, 1740, at Lancaster. Abraham, November 18, 1745, at L.
Lucy, daughter of Joseph and Abigail Haskell, June 25, 1747.
Children of Samuel and Sybil ( Willard) Haskell.
EUzabeth, March 14, 1745. Sybil, July 7, 1755.
Lemuel, February 16, 1746/7. Oliver, September 5, 1757.
Samuel, June 12, 1749. Joseph, October 23, 1759.
WUliam, September 20, 1751. -Amy, December 25, 1761.
Oliver, October 28, 1753. Sarah, AprU 4, 1768.
Children of Stephen and Sarah Haskell.
Joseph, April 4, 1752. Mary, October 12, 1756.
Samuel, November 29, 1753. Betty, October 11, 1758.
Josiah, April 30, 1755.
Children of Moses and Anna Haskell.
Ohve, June 12, 1752. Abel, November 17, 1756.
Eunice, July 2, 1754. Abel, October 11, 1758.
Children of Elias and Sarah (Kidder) Haskell.
Sarah, February 14, 1762. John, April 8, 1764.
Moses, February 3, 1766.
John Haskell, son of Elias and Rebecca, June 17, 1781.
John, son of Solomon and Betty (Davis) Haskell, November 18, 1784.
Abigail, daughter of James and Ann HaskeU, September 29, 1758.
Levi, son of Josiah and Mary (Gates) Haskell, June 4, 1764.
Caleb, son of Phineas and Susanna Haskell, May 31, 1764. ^
Children of James, Jr., and Lydia (Whitcomb) Haskell.
Jonathan, February 15, 1766. James, September i, 1774.
Lydia, June 7, 1767. Molly, November 25, 1776.
Oliver, June 6, 1768. Asa, July 13, i77g.
Lydia, June 12, 1770. Susanna, July 26, 1781.
Lucy, August 21, 1772. Sarah, January 31, 1786.

552

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Children of Lemuel and Lucy (Green) Haskell.
Peter, September 5, 1772. Abigail, September 4, 1774.
Children of Samuel and Ruth (Safford) Haskell.
Samuel, January 16, 1772. Eunice, May 17, 1786.
SybU, November 17, 1773. Ward Safford, May 5, 1788.
John, December 4, 1775. Betsy, September 2, 1790.
Martha, February 15, 1780. Sarah, April 17, I7g3.
Ruth and Susanna, January 5, 1782. George, March 23, I7gg.
Mercy, May .11, 1784.
Children of Oliver and Mary (Atherton) Haskell.
Betsy, September 2g, i78g. Sally, December 27, I7g4.
Polly, May 30, I7g2. Seba, June 21, I7g7.
Children of Jonathan and Hannah (Robbins) Haskell.
Nancy, January 9, 1786. Abigail, March 12, 1801.
Hannah, September 2, 1788. Almira, December 23, 1803, at Rutland.
Susanna, April 4, 1791. John, September 21, 1812, do.
Mary, April 30, 1794.
Ephraim, son of William and Mercy Haskell, September 23, 1797.
Children of Jacob and Sally (Boynton) Haskell.
Calvin, December 27, i7gi. Eliza, August 18, I7g9.
Levi, November 4, I7g4. Mary, April 3, 1802.
Sally Boynton, September 18, I7g6. Jacob, June 7, 1804.
Charlotte, daughter of John and Lucy Haskell, December 30, 1798.
Children of James, Jr., and Sarah (Pollard) Haskell.
Erastus, June 13, 1797. Thaddeus Pollard, May i, 1806.
Sarah, May 19, 1798. Laurinda, July 25, 1807.
Nahum, July 29, i7gg. Lucretia, August 31, 1810.'
Eliza, September 8, 1801. Charlotte, January 8, 1812.
HASTINGS. Moses Bennett son Of Nathaniel and Jemima (Bennett) Sep
tember 2, 1770.
HAYDEN. Children of Lewis and Mary.
Levi, March 23, I7g3, Concord. Mary, February 16, 1805.
WilUam, Feby. 6, I7g5, " Warren, May 12, 1807.
Hannah, May 6, I7g7, " Jefferson, April 2g, 1809.
Nelson, Jany. 22, 1800, Winchendon. Lydia, October 12, 1812.
Washington, March 31, 1802,. Emery, May 13, 1815.
HAZELTINE. Children of Nathaniel and Patience (Whitcomb).
Sarah, April 22, 1759. Hannah, May 29, 1770.
HILDRETH. Children of Sampson and Lydia.
Ephraim, AprU 12, 1755. Lydia, May 24, I75g.
Abel, March 18, 1757. Sarah, May 25, 1763.
HILL. Children of Samuel and Sarah.
Samuel, March 4, 1761. Levi, August 26, 1768.
Lois, March g, 1763. Ohver, September 17, 1771.
Sarah, March ig, 1766. Polly, September 3, 1775.
Children of Samuel, Jr., and Olive Hill.
Samuel, February g, I7g4. Olive, December 18, I7g6.
John, son of John and Sarah (Davis) Hill, October 25, 1785.

BIRTHS.

553

Children of Oliver and Molly (Goldsmith) Hill.
Sherman Goldsmith, Jany. i6, I7gg. Augustus Granville.August 15,1803.
Alonzo, June 20, 1800.
Amos, son of Stephen and Abigail HiU, May 4, I7gg.
Children of Levi and Sabra (Barnard) Hill.
Emery, February 6, I7g8. Barnard, March 21, 1804.
Levi, March 10, 1800. Perez and Phny, April 2, 1807.
Charles. AprU 5. 1802.
HOLDEN. Children of Justinian and Ruth (Sawyer).
Isaac, February 12. 1742/3. Ruth, May 2, 1748.
Jeremiah, May 16, 1746. Lucy, September 25. 1751.
Children of Richard and Dorothy (Adams) Holden.
Richard, September i. 1758. Timothy, July 12, 1760.
HOLLAND. Children of Robert and Experience (Atherton).
John, February 14, 1746/7. Mary, January 30, 1755.
Ann, January 29, 1750.
HOLT. Children of Uriah, Jr., and Annis (Willard).
Joshua, June 23, 1753. Annis, September i, 1757.
Uriah, May 10, 1755. Jacob, June 23, 1759.
HOUGHTON. [The children of James and Mary Houghton were: James,
Ralph, John, Thomas, Edward, Ephraim, Hannah and Experience.]
[The children of John and Mehitable Houghton were: Mary. January 2,
1718/19; Ralph, May 19, 1722; Phinehas, AprU 10. 1725; John, June 7,
1727; David, March 14, i72g/30.] •
Children of Thomas and Moriah (Moore) Houghtou.
[Hannah, December 16, 1728/g.] Moriah, September 5, 1736.
[Thomas, October 9, 1731.] Elijah, June 2. 1739.
Children of Stephen and Abigail Houghton.
[Abigail. January 14. 1726/7.] Mary. June ig. 1735.
Ebenezer, July 4. 1728.] Stephen. May g, 1739.
Children of Henry and Elizabeth (Rand) Houghton.
'Asa, January 28, 1726/7.] Abigail, April 3, 1733.
'Joseph. April 22. 1728.] Sarah. March 8. 1734/5.
Aretas. July 17. 1729.] John. June 14. 1738.
Elizabeth. April 20. 1731.]
Children of Simeon and Jerusha (Taylor) Houghton.
Lydia. May 6. 1739. Esther. April 13. 1745.
Jotham. December 19. 1740. Simeon. June 23. 1747.
Thaddeus. January 31. 1742/3. Israel. February 26. 1748/g.
Children of Asa and Elizabeth (Rand) Houghton.
Jonathan, October 10. 1750. Deborah. April 24. I75g.
Olivea. February 28. 1752. OUvea, August 14, 1761.
Abigail, February 26, 1754- Betty. November 3, 1763.
Asa. August 6[i]. I755[6]. Phinehas. January 10. 1766.
Asa, February 14, I757[8]. Dorcas, August 10, 1767.
Children of Aretas and Anna {Rand) Houghton.
SUas, May 10. 1753. Lucy. September 2, 1757.
Lydia. November 24. 1755.

554

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Children of Joseph and Amy {Haskell) Houghton.
Oliver, June 20, 1753. Joseph, March 3, 1766.
Lucy July 18, 1755.
Children of John and Esther {Tarbell) Houghton.
Jonathan, February 28, 1761. Abel, September 5, 1766.
Peter, January 27, 1763. Cyrus, January 24, 1768.
Eunice, December 16, 1765. Elizabeth, August 2. 1770.
Children of Elijah and Mercy { Whitney) Houghton.
Thomas. January 11. 1767. Elizabeth, December 3, i77g.
Elijah, October 23, 1769. Hannah, September 7, 1781.
Abraham, January 23, 1771. Ahce, February 22, 1784.
Moriah, November 7, 1772. Hannah, April 22, 1786.
Mercy, September 27, 1774. Sally. September 20. 1788.
Abraham. April 26. 1777. " Anna a Black Servant. October
8, 1765-
Children of John and Submit Houghton.
Hannah Sanderson. Feby. 11, 1762. James, November 21. 1768.
Submit. April 18. 1764. Sarah. March 2, 1770.
Beulah. September 18. 1766.
Children of Elisha and Moriah {Peirce) Houghton.
Elisha. January 15. 1775. Moriah, May 2, 1777.
Children of Asa, Jr., and Dorcas {Moore) Houghton.
Levi. March 14. 1780. Jabez. November 4. 1790.
Jacob. January 21, 1782. ^ Thirsa. September 10. I7g3.
Reuben, September 10, 1784. Obed, July 30, I7g5.
Asa, February 4, 1787. Oliver. December 25, r7g7.
Children of Phineas and Sarah {Knight) Houghton.
Sally, December 7, 1787. Sophia, August 26, I7g7.
Daniel, August 31. 1790. Jesse Knight, March 28, I7gg.
Phineas, August 17, I7g4.
Children of Thomas and Betsy { White) Houghton.
Thomas, May 21, 1786. Stedman, August 2g, I7gg.
Cephas, January 27, 1788. Betsy White and Sally White,
Amory. November 20. 1789. July i, 1801.
Cephas, February 11, 1793. Sophia.  .
Levi. February 28, 1794. Mercy. January 20. 1802.
John Priest October i, 1795. Sophia Beaman, Decem. 19. 1805.
Elijah. July 18. 1797. Edward. May 15. 1708.
Children of Peter and Mercy { Whitney) Houghton.
Sally. November 5. 1782. Betsy June 15. I7g2.
Polly, June. 15. 1784. Mercy, June 13. I7g4.
Lucy. September 26. 1785. Benjamin. October 22. I7g6.
John. August II. I78g. Abel. July 20, 1798.
Cyrus, April 22, 1790.
Children of Elijah, Jr., and Lucy {Haskell) Houghton.
Elijah, April 22, 1794. Elijah, June 12, 1800.
James. February g, I7g6. Lydia. June 29. 1802.
Betsy, December 26, 1797. Mary. February 7, 1804.
America, son of Cyrus and Sarah (Gates) Houghton. July 14 1799.

BIRTHS. 555
HUDSON. Children of William and Litcy .
BarzUlai, May i6, 1774. [WUliam, April ig, 1781, in Lan-
Matilda, November 8, 1777. caster.]
HUSE. Children of John Denison and Rebecca {Parker).
Denison, April 6, I7g6. Charlotte, October 16, I7g9.
John, November 14, 1797.
HUTCHINS. Children of Joseph and Sarah.
Lois. January 22. 1737/8. Daniel, May 12, 1746.
John, November 27, 1739. Meribah, October 1, 1748.
Sarah, November 14, 1741. Sarah, July 2g, 1750.
Holis, March 3, 1744. Ann, June 13, 1752.
Children of Gordon and Dorothy {Stone) Hutchins.
Ephraim. January 16, 1758. Bethiah. August 2g. 1765.
Levi. August 16. 1761. Ezra, May 26, 1770.
Abel, March 16, 1763.
Children of William and Jerusha Hutchins.
Molly, January 4, 1761. John, August 4, 1765.
Sarah, October 20, 1763.
Simon, son of Benjamin and Lucy (Davis) Hutchins, February 11, 1761.
Children of William, and Hepzibah Hutchins.
Jonathan, January 26, 1760. Basmath, September 7, i76g.
Esther, September 10, 1761. Elinor, November 26, 1771.
David, November 11, 1763.
JOCK. Children of Lynn and Hannah {colored).
Rebecca, September 30, 1763. Sarah, Octo. r6, 1768, in Lancaster.
Rachel, June 25, 1766, in Lancaster. John, April 24, 1771, "
JOHNSON. Children of Dole and Hannah.
Hannah, November 2, 1739. Dole, July 4, 1745.
Simeon, February 13, 1742/3.
Children of Rev. Daniel and Betsy {Lee) Johnson.
Nabby Lee, March 15, 1771. Joanna, August 15, 1774.
Daniel, November 4, 1772.
JONES. Moses, son of Joseph and Ruth, August 27, 1776.
KEEP. Children of Jabez and Phebe.
Jabez, September 8, 1769. Rebecca, March 26, 1782.
Mehitabel, November 8, 1773.
Children of Jabez and Lydia {Parkhurst) Keep.
Sally, February 26. 1786. Phebe. April i. 1789.
SUva, daughter of Jonathan and Hannah Keep, June 21, 1777.
KENT, Children of Josiah and Sarah.
Abigail, August 2, 1744. Mary, AprU 22, 1741.
[Ruth and Sarah,  .]
KEYES. Children of William and Mary.
William, June 17, 1752. Ehzabeth, September 13, 1749.
Children of Leonard and Ruth Keyes.
Leonard, May 7, 1767. Sarah, May 31, 1770.
36

556 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
KIMBALL, Children of Benjamin and Nancy { Wilder).
Nancy, October 25. 1781. Nabby, August 2, 1785.
George, May 18, 1783.
KNEELAND. Children of Timothy and Moriah {Stone).
Moriah, February g, 1762. John, August 12, 1766.
Oliver, AprU 21, 1764.
Joseph, son of Joseph and Miriam Kneeland, November 22, 1752.
KNIGHT. Children of Daniel and Elizabeth {Houghton).
Asa, April I, 1765. John, August 8. 1768.
Joseph. November 22. 1766.
Children of Ebenezer and Prudence {Church) Knight.
Prudence, May 3, I75g, at Lancaster. Salmon, March 29, 1766, at L.
Vashti, December 23, 1760, do. Phebe, March 2, 1768, do.
Abel Brown, December 16, 1763. Ruth, March 26. 1770.
Children of Nathan and Susannah {Putnam) Knight.
Susy. November 12. 1770. Rachel. October 22. 1772.
Children of Joseph, Jr., and Sarah Knight.
Abigail. May 10, 1776. Abidan. January 18, 1782.
Heman. Decemt)er 13. 1780.
Betsy and Lydia, twin daughters of John and Elizabeth (Davis) Knight,
April 8, 1774.
Hannah Bryant, daughter of William and L> dia (Cleverly) Knight, Octo
ber 4, 1786.
Henry, son of Ehsha and Lydia (Farnsworth) Knight. March ;. 1792.
LAUGHTON. Children of Jeremiah and Rachel.
Daniel, July I, 1750. Hannah, May i, 1763.
John, July 11, 1755. Jeremiah, August 7, 1765.
Sarah, May 8, 1758. Olivea. Apr'l 27, 1768.
Rachel, August 7, 1760.
Children of Daniel and Lucy {Dutton) Laughton.
John, AprU 14, 1778. Ephraim, November 12, 1789.
Thomas, October 6, 1779. George, April 17, 1792.
Daniel, December 7, 1781. Hannibal, IVIarch 3. I7g4.
Stephen, December 2, 1783. Lucy, June 6, i7g6.
Artemas, October 2g, 1785. Emily, July 4, I7g8.
Oliver, August 24, 1787.
John, son of John and Patty (Pollard) Laughton, May 12, l7go.
LAWRENCE. Children of Amos and Sarah { Wetherbee).
Amos, March g, 1773. Nabby, May 14, 1774.
Henry, son of Stephen and Lucy (Stone) Lawrence. July 10, i7go, et. cet.
LONGLEY. Children of Nathaniel and Keziah {Fairbank).
Betsy, June 18, 1782. Polly, July 30, 1786.
Nathaniel, April 24, 1784. Henry, November 28, 1788.
MARTYN. Michael, son of John and Mary, July 21, 1737.
Children of Dr. Nathaniel and Anna {Townsend) Martyn.
Michael, September 18, 1766. Pamela, August 24, 1767.
m'lean. Children of Edward and Sarah {Parker).
Sarah, September 18, 1784. Eunice, April 18, 1786.
John, September 2, i7go.

BIRTHS. 557
MEAD. Children of Samuel and Dinah.
Hannah, April lo, 1729, at Littleton. Samuel, June 18, 1732.
Rebecca. Decem. — , 1730, " Beulah, March 24, 1733/4.
Children of Samuel and Hannah { Willard) Mead.
John, June 29, 1749. Lucy, January 15, 1756.
Oliver, September 2, 1751. Lydia, January 9, 1759.
Hannah, August 13, 1753. Samuel, May 30, 1761.
Mercy, February 15, i76g.
Children of Samuel, Jr., and Amy Mead.
Asa, March 8, 1761. Francis, October 28, 1765.
Jason. February g, 1764. Reuben, November 23, I76g.
Children of John atid Sarah { Whitney) Mead.
Jonathan, December 11, 1771. John, November g, 1775.
Sarah, December 25, 1773.
Children of William and Sarah Mead.
Phebe Merriam, March 30, 1778. Asenath, May 21, 1780.
Children of Samuel, Jr., and Hepsibeth Mead.
Onesimus, January 22, I78g. Mary, July 20, 1793.
Nancy, January 2. 1791. Samuel. November 10. 1797.
Children of Samuel, Jr., and Patience Mead.
Amy. July 22. 1781. Reuben, January 31, I782[3?]
Children of Jason and Silence {Atherton) Mead.
Bethiah, April 2, 1788. Emily, January 8, 1796.
Charlotte, December 22, 1791. Jason, March 16, 1803.
Albegence, December — , I7g3.
MUNROE. Children of John and Lucy {White).
Tilly Wilder, May i, 1784. Abel, July 8, 1785.
Children of Dr. Ephraim and Mercy {Atherton) Munroe.
Tilly Merrick, October 8, 1778. John Holland, March 22, 1782.
WUliam, April 22, 1780. Atherton, October 2g, 1784.
Rebecca, March 27, 1787.
Lydia, daughter of Abraham and Lydia (Hapgood) Munroe, Dec. 22, 1776.
NICHOLS. Children of Samuel and Lydia {Willard).
Bethiah, June 2g, 1760. Hezekiah, February ig, 1762.
Abigail, daughter of John and Mary Nichols, March 5, 1733.
NURSE. Children of Joshua and Mary {Sampson).
Mary, February 15, 1741. Sarah, September g, 1744.
Joshua, May 16, 1743.
Children of David and Lois {Brown) Nurse.
James Richardson, Oct 10, I7g5. John. April 27, 1807.
David, December 22, I7g8, Harvey, November 5, i8og.
StUlman, AprU 7, 1801. Mary Ann, February 2, 1814.
Brown, January 24, 1804.
Francis, son of Francis and Nabby (Puffier) Nurse, April 27. i7gg.
OAK. Calvin, son of Seth and Ehzabeth. September 12. 1758.
Sarah, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Oak. January 12. 1752.

558

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

PARK. Children of John and Jane.
John, April 12, 1742. Andrew, February 25, 1753.
Margaret, August 20, 1744. Andrew, May ig, 1757.
Wilham, March 4, 1750.
Children of William, Jr., and Eunice {Stone) Park.
John, August 22, 1782. Moody, September 25, l7go.
Nancy, December 13, 1785. Sally, January 25, 1800.
Polly, July 21, I78g.
John, son of Thomas and Rosanna (Conn) Park, April 24, 1786.
PARKER. Mary, daughter of Samuel Stillman and Rebecca (Thomas)
Parker, February II, I7g9.
PARKHURST. Children of Jonathan and Mary.
George, Aug. 10, 1752, at Nichewog. Lucy January 3, 1756
Samuel, March 13, 1754, Winchester. Nathan, November 13, 1757.
PATTERSON, Children of Lemuel and Susannah.
Lemuel, September g, 1783. John, September 14, i7go.
James, April 23, 1785. Exion, January 15, I7g8.
Asa, May 2g, 1788. Samuel, November 5, 1800.
Children of Nicholas and Anna Patterson.
Svbil, January 31. 1774. Betsy. July 31. 1776.
Children of Nicholas and Abigail Patterson.
Nabby. July 22. 1779. Anna Willard, March 5, 1785,
Artemas, July 7, 1781. Alexander, May 15, 1787.
Lucinda, February 25, 1783. Nabby Willard, June 13, 1790.
PEiRpE. Children of Joseph and Deborah.
Dinah, April 22, 1741. Joseph, August 26. 1748.
Deborah, December 24, 1742. Timothy, May 22, 1750.
Ruth, November 25, 1745. Thomas, December 27, 1752.
Hannah, September 15, 1755.
Children of Daniel, Jr., and Sarah {Buck) Peirce.
Daniel, October 3, 1742. Samuel, May 21, i.74g.
Abigail, November 5, 1744. Jacob, August 2, 1751.
Reuben, March 17. 1747.
Abigail and Sarah, twins of Jonas and Sarah Peirce, January 18, 1754.
Matthew, son of Jonas and Sarah Peirce, September 6, 1755.
Moriah, daughter of John and Hannah (Stone) Peirce, October ig, 1748.
Gad, son of WUliam and Mary Peirce, June ig, 1741.
Children of Jonathan and Sarah Peirce.
Jonathan, October 26, 1758. Sarah, March 23, 1765.
Cliarles, September 24, 1760. Elijah, August 8, 1767.
Lucy, February 13, 1763. Mary, January 23, 1769.
Eliza Peirce, daughter of John and Dinah (Sawyer) Peirce, April 17, 1800.
PERRY. Children of James and Hepsibah.
James, November 22, 1766. Mercy, December 22, 1769.
PHELPS. John, son of Timothy and Sarah, March 8, 1769.
POLLARD. Children of David and Patty.
Lucy, November I, 1773. Calley, December 5, 1780.
SUva, January II. 1777. David. July 20. 1784.

BIRTHS. 559
Children of Jonathan and Mary Pollard.
John. January 20. 1774. Levi. April 7, 1778.
Betsy, February 24, 1775.
Children of Thaddeus and Submit Pollard.
Zilpah, April II, 1767. Sarah, April 20, 1778.
Eusebia, December 8, 1768. Luther, March 25, 1780.
Amory, September 8, 1770. Nathan, March 16, 1782.
Thaddeus, June 3, 1772. Mille, April 11, 1784.
Luke, February 19, 1774. Abel, February 22, 1786.
Abner. June i, 1776. Nabby. July 29, 1788.
Nathan, son of Thaddeus and Elizabeth Pollard, April ig, I7g3.
Children of Thaddeus, Jr., and Mary {Fairbank) Pollard.
Nabby, July 21, 1782. Jacob, October 28, i78g.
Mercy, February 20, 1784. Walter, February 12, I7g3.
Nancy, January i, 1786. Thomas, November 25, I7g4.
Hannah, November 15, 1787.
Children of Ephraim and Mary Pollard.
George and Charles, Sept. 21, I7g6. Josiah HartweU, July 15, I7g8.
POTTER. Maria, daughter of Jacob and Lucy, May 22, I7g7.
POWERS. Children of Edward and Mary {Nurse).
Edward, December 2, 1748. Edward, September 10, 1754.
Mary, December 21, I74g. Oliver, December 15, 1756.
Sarah, October 17, 1752.
Children of Robert and Atma Powers.
Henry, April 13, 1753. Miriam, May 26, 1756.
John, January 10, 1755.
Levi, son of Timothy and Martha (Sampson) Powers, March 26, 1765.
PRATT. Children of Joseph and Elizabeth {Sawyer).
Joseph, March 21, 1784. John, June g, 1786.
Children of Benjamin and Abigail Pratt.
Thomas, June 8. 1753. Elizabeth. December ig. 1756.
Children of John and Mary {Hall )^Pratt.
Sarah. April 27, 1756. John. February 7. 1760.
PRIEST. [The children of John and Rachel (Garfield) Priest were; Eliz
abeth. i67g, John, 1681. Daniel. 1686. brought from Woburn; Gabriel.
Joseph. Mary and Hannah, born at Bare Hill. An inventory of the
father's estate is dated December 21. 1704.]
[The children of John Jr. and Anna (Houghton) Priest baptized in Lan
caster: Annah. Mary and Abigail. 1708; Damaris. 1710; Rachel. 1713;
Hepsibah, 1716; Jonathan, 1718; Mariah, 1721. The father died in
Bolton, aet 75. September 2g. 1756.]
[The children of Gabriel and Abigail Priest, born in Lancaster: John,
November 21. 1717; Gabriel. June 17, 1720; Jeremiah, April 30, 1722.]
[The children of Daniel and EUzabeth Priest baptized in Lancaster:
John, Daniel, Eunice, Hasadiah, Betty and Silence. The father died
October g. 1723.] Children of Joseph and Mary Priest.
[Joseph, November 28. 1717.] [Tabitha. November 5. 1728.]
[Benjamin. February 17. i7ig/20.] [Bathsheba. May r. 1731.]
[Mary. March 23. 1720/21.] Dorothy. October 11. 1733.]
[Susanna. March 22. 1723/4.] Betty. April 24. 1736. -;
[Eleazar. August 23. 1726.] John, January 13. 1737/8, "

560

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Children of Joseph, fr., and Elizabeth Priest.
Benjamin, December 12, 1738. Abigail, February 7, 1742/3.
Susanna, October 8, 1740.
Children of Jeremiah and Mary Priest.
Sarah, October 10, 1744. Job, March 27, 1756.
Jeremiah, January 10, 1746. Aaron, March 2, 1758.
Nathan, October 22, 1747. Elijah, June 21, 1760.
John, September 22, 1749. Abigail, April 12, 1762.
Mary, March 28, 1752. Mary, February g, 1765.
Daniel, July 6, 1754.
Children of John and Mary {Fairbank) Priest.
[A son, July ig, I74g.] Abel, -April [March] 20, 1760.
John, August 22, 1750. [Calvin, September 14, 1762.]
Philemon, February 18, 1753. Jabez, January 23, 1764.
Mary, August 23, 1755. [Mary, February g, 1765.]
Jacob, August 15, 1757. Relief, November 13. 1767.
Sarah. February 10, 1771.
Children of John, Jr., and Hannah {Stow) Priest.
Mary. December 25, 1772. Lucy, February g, 1776.
Mercy, May 25, 1774.
Jonathan, son of Gabriel and Sarah Priest, July 7, 1743.
Children of John and Anna Priest.
Sarah, July r8, 1776. Eunice, March 4, I77g.
Children of Philemon and Lois {Hartwell ) Priest.
Betsy, July 21, 1777. Benjamin, June 12, 1782.
Sarah. October 5, 1778. Philemon, June 30, 1785.
Nancy, August 18, 1780. Jabez, August 10, 1788.
Children of Jacob and Mary {Stone) Priest.
Lydia. March 2g, 1783. OUver, November 1. I7gi.
Jacob. June 12, 1785.
Charles, son of Jacob and Rhoda (W.nrner) Priest December i, I7g3.
Zimri, " " " " " January 20, 1801.
Children of Abel and Zerviah {Whitcomb) Priest.
John, June 8, 1788. Arad, February 21, I7g7.
Abel, AprU 4, I7g2. Jasper, June 17, 1805.
Asa, March 16, 1795.
Daniel, son of Job and Martha (Butler) Priest, January 25. 1778.
Mary, daughter of Nathan and Mary (Bacon) Priest April 25, 1781.
Solomon, son of Nathan and Mary (Bacon) Priest August 2g, 1786.
PROCTER. Amos, son of Jonathan and Ehzabeth. January 22. I73g.
PUFFER Children of Jonathan and Abigail {Fairbank).
Polly, December 16, 1775. Polly, December 30, 1781.
Nabby, February 13, 1777. Sally, March 3, 1784.
Jonathan, December 26, i77g.
PUTNAM. Children of Miles and Rachel.
Mary, June ig, 1761. Sarah, April 20, 1765.
Daniel, June 12, 1763. John, December 16, 1768.
PUTNEY. Children of Henry and Martha.
Mary, May I, 1745. John, August 25, 1747.

BIRTHS. 561
RAMSDELL. Children of Nehemiah and Polly.
Betsy, October 30, I7g3, at Groton. Zoa, December 13. 1807.
Mary. October 16. I7g5. " Eri. November 14. 1809.
Nehemiah. Julv 8. 1797. " Nehemiah. May 14. 1812.
Ezekiel, March 4, i79g, " Zoa, March 28, 1814.
Sarah, February 22, 1801, Harvard. Alice, November 30, 1816.
Nancy. June 17, 1803. Joseph, March 22, i8ig.
Lois. October 2, 1805.
RAND. Children of Jonathan and Abigail { Whitney).
Aaron, May 3, 1733. Silas, June 2, I73g.
Abigail, November 14, 1736.
Molly, daughter of Jonathan and Mary Rand, July 10, I75g.
Children of Aaron and Elizabeth {Randal) Rand.
Betty, October 4, 1757. Daniel, May 5, 1761.
Children of Silas and Sarah {Farwell ) Rand.
Sarah, November 28. 1763. Jonathan. January 28. 1767.
Children of Jonathan and Mercy { Taylor) Rand.
Silas, July 16, I78g. Jonathan, March i, 1801.
Thomas, April 24, I7g2. Asenath, October 28, 1804.
Annis, April 25. I7g4. Joseph. Mai-ch 22, 1807.
Mercy, May 28, I7g6. Mary, March 22, 1810.
Rachel, March 16. I7g8. Nancy, June 28, 1812.
Esther, July 28, I7gg. Sarah, February 4, 1813.
Children of Silas, Jr., and Betsy {Farnsworth) Rand.
Clarissa, December 17, I7g8. Martin, December 26, 1801.
RANDALL. Children of Stephen and Sarah {Fairbank).
Sarah, March 7, 1773. Sarah, December 28, 1778.
Lydia. October 2. 1775.
REED. Children of Israel and Anne.
Thomas Park, August 27, I7g5. Anne, January 15, 1801.
Israel, March 28. I7g7. Sally. January 30. 1803.
Henry. January ig. I7g9.
Children of Jonathan and Lois { Conant) Reed.
Sarah. June 6, 1790. Louis July 25, 1801.
Levi, September 10, I7g2. Betsy, June 12, 1803.
Nancy, AprU 16, 1794. Maria, August 25, 1805.
Lucy, September 24, 1796. Sophia, October 2, 1808.
Mary, February i, 1798. Harriet October i, 1812.
RICHARDS. Children of Moses and Ruth { Willard).
Lurana, May 26, I76g. Anna Willard, February 7. 1771.
ROBBINS. Children of Eleazar and Ruth { Wheeler).
[Jedediah, 1709; George. 1712; Eleazar. 1714; Ruth. 1716; Epraim, 1718.]
John, son of George and Thankful, October 31, 1735.
Children of Ephraim and Hannah {Blanchard) Robbins.
Hannah. November 5, 1744. Ephraim. May 13. 1748.
Sarah. May 23. 1746.
Eleazar. son of Eleazar and Lydia (Powers) Robbins, August, — ¦, 1742,

562 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Children of Jacob and Afina. Robbins.
Anna, February 13, 1764. Susanna, December 7, 1772.-
Hannah, June 24, 1766. Ephraim Whitcomb, Feb. 18, 1775.
Lydia, October 29, 1768. John, December 15, 1776.
Peter, March 20, 1771.
Children of Benjamin and Lydia {Haild) Robbins.
Solomon, January 17, 1775. Lydia, March 2, 1777.
Children of James, Jr., and Anna ( Warner) Robbins.
James, July 3, 1777. Betty, June 6, 1784.
Lucy, March 14, i77g. Charles, October 20, 1785.
Anna, March 5, 1781. Caleb, September 15, 1787.
Benjamin, August 12, 1782.
Children of Daniel and Elizabeth {Townsend) Robbins.
Ephraim, June 17, 1784. Daniel, June i, 1786.
Children of Ephraim and Thankful Robbins.
Louisa, February 11, i77g. Silvanus, March 6, 1786.
Ephraim, June 2, 1780. Moses, August 20, 1788.
Samuel Ball, August 13, 1784.
Children of Jacob and Olive Robbins.
Onesiohorus. August ig. I7g2. Jacob and Olive, October 24, I7g8.
Nabby, January 28, 1796. Augustus, October 17, 1805.
ROGERS. Children of Samuel and Sarah {Houghton).
Samuel, July 30, 1735. Sarah, September 4, 1737.
ROSS. Children of James and Rosanna.
John, July 5, 1776. WiUiam, July g, 1779.
RUGG. Children of Abraham and Abigail { Warner).
Mary, August 7, 1737. Prudence, September 26, 1742.
John, March 6, 1739/40. Relief, October 16, 1745.
RUSSELL. Children of Jason and Elizabeth.
Sybil, December 31, 1737. Hannah, August 22, 1749.
Parker, June 21, 1741. Elizabeth and Mary, Sept. 20, 1752.
Parker, May 16, 1746. Lucy, AprU 13, 1755.
Children of Samuel and Eunice Russell.
Ezekiel, March 24, 1759, at Bolton. Stephen, August 21, 1767.
Samuel, May 17, 1761, do. Rhoda, November 22, 1770.
Molly, January 22, 1764. Solomon, November 27, 1774.
SAFFORD. Sarah, daughter of William and Sarah (Scollay), April 17, 1781.
Children of John and Mehitable {Farnsworth) Safford.
John, August 12, 1765. Mehitable, June 18, 1769.
Martha, March 11, 1767.
SAMPSON. Children of John and Abigail.
David, June 28, 1736. Solomon, July 7, 1738.
Children of John, Jr., and Martha {Sawyer) Sampson.
'Vbner, February 27, 1744/5. Sarah. March 31, 1753.
Aaron, January 4, 1746/7. Abigail, February 18, 1755.
Lois, February 8, 1748/g. Joel, December ig, 1757.
Ruth, March 10, 1751. Mary, June 7, 1760.
[John, January 4, 1744/5.]?

BIRTHS, 563
Children of Solomon and Rebecca {Blood) Sampson.
Rebecca, February 15, 1764. Benjamin, July 11, I76g.
Abigail, April 14, 1766. Solomon, May 17, 1772.
Jonathan, son of Jonathan and Mary (Oak) Sampson, May 7, I75g.
Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Sampson, Oct 13, 1752.
Children of David and Lucy { Warner) Sampson.
Phinehas, October 31, 1762. Lydia, October 2, 1773.
Samuel, July 24, 1766. Willis, September 23, 1776.
Lucy, January 18, 1771. Hannah Warner, May 22, 1788.
Children of Samuel and Mary {Farnsworth) Sampson.
Polly, September 28, 1785. Amory, October 30, I7gi.
Sally, July 2, 1787.
SANDERSON. Children of John and Submit.
Jemima, February 8, 1757. Beulah, September 8, 1766.
Jemima, September 3, 1760. James, November 21, 1768.
Hannah. February 11. 1762. Sarah. March 2. 1770.
Submit, April 18, 1764.
Jonathan, son of Jonathan and Mary Sanderson. May 7. I75g.
Children of Oliver and Elizabeth {Wentworth) Sanderson.
Oliver. April 13. 1771. Theophilas, March 2g, 1773.
SAVIL. Children of Edward and Alethea.
Ann, January 8, 1785. Elisha, February 24, I78g.
Edward, February 16. 1787.
SAWYER. [The children of Caleb and Sarah (Houghton) Sawyer (mar
ried December 28. 1687) were : Hepsibah. Abigail and Seth. baptized
at Lancaster in 1708. and John and Jonathan, the last being the eld
est son.]
[The children of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Wheelock) Sawyer, baptized
at Lancaster, were: Jonathan, 1716 ; Elizabeth, 1717 ; Caleb, 1720;
Lois, 1724; OUve, 1726; Sarah, 1727; Manasseh, 1729; Lois, 1732.]
[The children of John and Ruth Sawyer were : Damaris, born April I,
1725, and Dinah, February 16, 1727/8.]
Children of Joseph and Abigail {Foskett) Sawyer.
John, February 17, 1733/4. Joseph, January 14, 1740.
Abigail, October 3, 1735. Lemuel and Mary, May 15, 1745.
Oliver, May i, 1738. Sarah, November 17, 1748.
Children of Seth and Hepsibah { Whitney) Sawyer.
[By his first wife, Dinah Farrar, married January ii, 1727, there was no
issue.]
John,  . Betty, November 15, 1741.
Caleb.'  . Phinehas. July 25. 1746.
Dinah, April 11, i73g.
Caleb, son of Caleb and Lydia Sawyer, January 13, 1740 /i.
Children of Caleb and Relief {Fairbank) Sawyer.
Seth, August 22, 1761. Caleb, March 23, 1764.
Children of Caleb and Sarah {Patch) Sawyer,
Phinehas, May 23, 1768. Jonathan, July 28, 1771.
Children of John and Elizabeth {Gates) Sawyer.
Hepsibah, April 2, 1763. Seth, September 22, i76g.
Rehef, September 5, 1765. Dinah, November 15, 1771.
EUzabeth, November 6, 1767. Hannah, November 2, 1776.

564 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Children of Oliver and Abigail Sawyer.
Abigail, September 30, 1764. Relief, February 3, 1771.
Oliver, April 25, 1766. Lucy, September 24, 1772.
Oliver November 15, 1767. Ezra, November 8, 1779.
Joshua, June 16, 1769.
Children of Manasseh and Lydia {Fairbank) Sawyer.
Jonathan, March 9. 1758. Abijah, August 12, 1766.
Jabez, December 24, I75g. Manasseh, September 6, 1768.
Lydia, November 30, 1761. Joseph, April 4, 1771.
Rhoda, March 30, 1764. Luther, April 18, 1773.
Children of Phinehas and Hannah { Whitcomb) Sawyer.
Abel, December 28, 1771. [Also Lydia and Seth, b. 1780.]
Children of Phineas and Hannah { Whitney) Sawyer.
Hannah, March 18, 1792. [Also born elsewhere : Arethusa,
Eusebia, October g, I7g3. Eliza, Mary, Zenas, Edmund,
Sarah, February 6, I7g5. Alfred, Francis, Jonathan and
Sophia, June ig, I7g7. Wesley.]
Ira, October 6, I7gg.
Children of Manasseh, Jr., and Mercy {Mead) Sawyer.
Jonathan, July 26, i78g. Nathaniel, December 10, I7g5.
Manasseh, July 28, I7gi. Mercy, December 26, 1798.
Rebecca. November 14. 1793. Josiah. December g. 1802.
C/iildren of Abel and Molly {Cutting) Sawyer.
James, July i, I7g3. Abel, January 3, I7g7.
[Phineas.  ?]
Children of Jonathan and Mary {Priest ) Sawyer.
Jonathan, February 12, I7g6. Wesley, October 5, 1807.
Caleb, April 13, 1798. Luke, October 18, i8og.
Mary. February 14. 1800. Mercy, June 6, 1812.
Lucy, May 2. 1805. Augustus Jonathan, April 14, 1816.
Children of Luther aud Achsah Sawyer.
Luke, December 7, I7g8. Arad, July 15, 1808.
Achsah, July 5, 1800. Cephas, March 10, 1810.
Luther, January 18, 1802. Lydia, December 4, 1811.
Sophia, December 27, 1803. Abner, October g, 1813.
Nahum, June i. 1805. Permilley, December 2. 1815.
Mary. June 13. 1806. Jabez, January 4, 1819.
SCOLLAY. Children of Grover and Lois {Atherton).
John, August rg, 1753. Lydia, December 13, 1768.
Ann, AprU 17, 1756. Betsy, August 27, 1771.
Sarah, February, 22, I75g. Lucy, October 5, 1774.
John, April 2, 1763. Grover, August 28, 1777.
Lois, January 27, 1766.
Samuel, son of Grover and Rebecca Scollay, January 21, 1781.
SECCOMB. Children of Rev. John and Mercy { Williams).
Hannah, March 2, 1738. l\Iercy, February 3, 1743/4.
John, AprU 27, 1740. Thomas, March 16, 1757.
Willis, March 3. 1741/2.
SMITH. Children of Samuel and Mary.
Jonathan, Sept 19, 1748. Braintree. Elizabeth. June 25. 1751, Braintree.

BIRTHS. 565
SNOW. Children of Peter and Eunice ( Godfrey).
Judith, December 7, 1755. Peter, September 9, 1759.
SPRAGUE. Children of Ebenezer and Eunice.
Nathan. May 21, 1732. Mary, December 28, 1739.
Eunice, November 16, 1733. Jemima, October 20. 1742.
Anna, September 21, 1735. Jemima, October 10, 1744.
Elizabeth, August 4, 1737.
STACY. Children of John and Hannah.
John, May 24. 1790. Artemas. May 3. I7g4.
STEARNS. Children of Timothy and Dinah.
Timothy. December ig, 1742. Isaac, July i, I74g, at Lancaster.
Samuel, June, 4, 1745, at Lancaster. Ehzabeth, Nov. 7, 1751, do
Jonathan, son of WiUiam and EUzabeth Stearns, September 26, 1762.
STICKNEY. Peter, son of Moses and SybU (Farnsworth), April 7, 1761.
STONE. Children of Simon and Sarah {Farnsworth).
[Simon, September 10, 1714.] [Hannah, April 18, 1726.]
[Ephraim, January 2, 1715/6.] [Elias, April 2. 1728.]
[Oliver, January 20. i7ig/2o.] [Amos. September g. i72g.]
[Sarah. January 27, 1721/2.] Solomon, September 3, 1732.
[Isaac. February 17. 1723/4.] Micah. April 10. 1735.
Children of Simon, Jr., and Eunice Stone.
Eunice, April 13, 1740. Moses, November 26, 1748.
Simon, December 22, 1741. Tabitha, April 24, 1751.
Lydia, October 15, 1743. Abner, August 26. 1753.
Aaron. November 22. 1745.
Children of Oliver and Moriah {Priest) Stone.
Anna. May 7. 1741. Ohver. July 25. 1748.
Maria. July 12. 1743. John. July 6. 1751.
Sarah. June 4. 1746. Anna. April 28. 1754.
Children of Oliver and Mary Stone.
Mary, May 18, 1758. Oliver. April 27, 1761.
Silas. August 28. i75g.
Children of Isaac and Keziah {Peirce) Stone.
Ephraim. January 22, \7\stb. Jacob, July 25, 1756.
Isaac. January 26. i7A6f7. Keziah, April, 6. 1760.
Dinah, August 3, i74g. Sarah, March 30, 1762.
Daniel, July 10, 1754. AbigaU. February ig. 1765.
Children of Amos a7td Adna {Hale) Stone.
Hannah, February 5, 1755. Amos. September 28, 1759.
Ambrose, AprU 29. 1757. Hannah. February 26. 1762.
Children of Elias and Sarah Stone.
Solomon. January 18. 1756. Ehas. October 3, 1757.
Children of James and Deborah Stone.
Mary, September 27. 1755. Lucy, October 16, 1765.
Deborah, August 16. 1757. Hannah. September 28. 1767.
WilUam. AprU 23. i7Sg. Phineas. April 22. i76g.
David. October 20, 1761. Josiah. Apnl i. 1771.
Annis. March 24. 1763.

566

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Children of Oliver and Lucy {Willard) Stone.
Ohver. January 28 1764. Lucy. February 3, 1766.
Children of Micah and Mary { Whitney) Stone.
Solomon, March 22, 1761. Micah, August 13, 1764.
Mary, August 7, 1762.
Children of Micah and Elizabeth {Lawrence) Stone.
Benjamin, July 2g, 1767. Simon, September i, 1776.
Elizabeth, March i, 1770. Nabby, January 2, I77g.
Sarah, January 23, 1772. Reuben, January 31, 1781.
Annah, November, 22, 1773. Amos, August 22, 1784.
Oliver, October 4, 1775.
Children of Joel and Eunice Stone.
Wilham. December 16. 1767. MiUe. June 2p. 1773.
Mille. May 25, 1770. Eunice, OctolDer 12, 1778.
Children of Silas and Eunice {Fairbank) Stone.
Lucy March 3, 1768, at Templeton. Betsy. April 24, 1777, Templeton.
Eunice, January 16, 1770, " Hannah, August 27, 177g, Harvard.
Sarah, October 17, 1771, " Jasper, September 8, 1781, "
Silas, August 27, 1773. " Joseph. December 17, 1783. "
Phinehas. July 3, 1775, " Lois, August 6, 1786, "
Children of Josiah and Sarah {Daby) Stone.
Josiah, December 27, 1797. Ezra, December 8, 1801,, Shirley.
Levi, September 5, I79g, Shirley.
Molly, daughter of Isaac and Lucy Stone, January 16, 1800.
Children of Phineas and Sally {Mead) Stone.
Henry, April 5, I7g5. Sally, January 27, 1800.
John, July 12, I7g7. Nancy, January 26, 1802.
Polly, daughter of Mary Stone, March 28, 1783.
Joseph, son of Lemuel and Martha (Fullam) Stone, January 23, 1783.
Children of David and Lucy {Sampson) Stone.
Susanna, June 6, 1789. Rebecca, August 24, 1796.
Joseph, November 29, 1791. David Sampson, February 10, I7g9.
James, June 20, 1794.
STOW. Children of Benjamin aud Dorcas {Stone).
Dorcas, June 27, 1752. Benjamin. March 17. 1758.
Mary. March 13. 1754. Dorcas. September 24. I75g.
Manasseh. August 25. 1756.
Children of Benjamin and Abigail {Atherton) Stow.
Abigail. May 22. 1784. Sally. October 20. 1785.
SYMONDS. Children of Jonathan and Judith {Cole).
Lydia. December 16. 1753. Molly, March 2, 1759.
Jonathan, August 7, 1755.
Children of Jonathan and Hannah Symonds.
Silvester, May 12, 1780. Jonathan Bowman, March 20, 1701
Hannah, July 10, 1788.
TAYLOR. Children of Israel and Rachel { Wheeler).
Mary. March 12. 1732/3. Charies. October 6. 1742.
Children of John and Mary {Bowker) Taylor.
Betty. June 8. 1757. John. August 31. 1761.

BIRTHS. 567
Children of Charles and Mercy (Stearns) Taylor.
Esther, August 18. 1765. Ephraim, December 5, 1776.
Israel, April g, i76g. William, Februarv 10, 1778.
Mercy, March 12, 1771. Sally, July 18, 178*1
Joseph, December g, 1774,
William Taylor, December 30. i7gg. son of Hannah Rand.
TURNER. Children of Prince and Rebecca {Keep.
Luther, March 30, 1775. James, August 16, 1784.
Nabby, December 28, 1777. Sally, October 11, 1786.
Lucindy, July ig, 1780. Rebecca, March 7, I78g.
Bethiah, August 28, 1782. George, November 24, i7go.
Children of Simeon and Lucy { Cox) Turner.
Rachel, May ig, 1783. Caleb, October 27, 1788.
Dwelly, October 13, 1786.
WARNER. [The chUdren of John and Sarah Warner were: Samuel, 1680,
John, 1684, Sarah, 1686, brought from Woburn; Ebenezer, Elizabeth,
Mehitable and Rebecca, i6g8, born at Bare Hill. The father died in
1722.]
[The children of John, Jr., and Rebecca Warner, baptized in Lancaster,
were : David, John and Mary, 1716; Elizabeth, 1718; Nathaniel, 1722;
Moses, 1726. The father died in 1758.]
[The children of Samuel and Hannah Warner, baptized in Lancaster,
were : Nathan and Hannah, 1713; Abigail, 1715; Joshua, 1719; Aaron,
1722. Another dsLVighter, SsLTnh, wa.s non compos mentis. The father
died in 1744.]
[The children of Ebenezer and Mercy Warner, baptized in Lancaster,
were : Annah, 1716; Mercy or Mary, 1717; Rebeccah, 1718; Sam
uel, 1719; Ebenezer, 1721. The father died October 3, 1723.]
Children of Nathan and Dorothy {Goodenough) Warner.
Tamer, December 3, 1738. Abigail, February 7, 1746/7.
Phinehas, July 27, 1740. Rachel, March g, 1748/g.
Lucy, November i, 1742. Aaron, June 30, 1751.
Samuel, May ig, 1745.
Children of Joshua and Dorothy Warner.
Ephraim, January 16. 1743/4. Dorothy. July 7. 1751.
Levi, March 22, 174&/9. Charles, February 5, 1754.
Children of David and Anna Warner.
Jonathan. August 11, 1745- Lydia. April 15. 1750.
Mary. January 13. 1747/8. .
Children of Nathaniel and Rachel {Sampson) Warner.
Lydia. February 8. 1750/1. AbigaU. July 15, 1753.
Children of John and Phebe { Whitney) Warner.
Abigail. Julv 4. 1750. Nabby. July 16. I75g.
Sarah. June 7. 1753. John. March 16. 1762.
Phebe. February 18. 1754. David. November 3, 1766.
Persis. March ig. 1757.
Children of Ebenezer, Jr., and Abigail {Sampson) Warner.
Lois. February 22. 1750/1. Benjamin. May 21, 1757.
Anna, August 24, 1752. Benjamin, January 2g, 1761.
Ebenezer. September 2. 1754. Calvin. September 7. 1763.

568 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Children of PJiinehas and Lydia { WJiitney) Warner.
Rebecca, December 24, 1769. Lydia, October 19, 1775.
Israel, November 17, 1771. Aaron, October 2, 1780.
Ephraim, April 16, 1774.
Lucy, daughter of Aaron and Mary (Stow) Warner, December 7, 1776.
Children of Abijah and E ley {Fuller) Warner.
Nathaniel. January 3. 1777. Elcy. September 13. 1778.
Children of Ebenezer, Jr., and Deborah {Ball) Warner.
Abigail. June 8. 1777. Lucy. March 11, 1781.
Nathan Ball. March 22, 1779. Ize. April 20. 1782.
Children of Calvin and Anna {Houghton) Warner.
Calvin. December 26. 1788. Luke. October 28. 1795.
Anna, October 18. 1790. Zerviah. November 5, I7g7.
Betsy, September 28, I7g2. Noah, February 15, 1800.
Children of Elias and Abigail {Priest ) Warner.
John, August 23, 1789. Elias, October 7, 1795.
Abigail, August 10, 1793.
Children of Ephraim and Mercy {Houghton) Warner.
Lydia, December 15, 1796. Franklin, March 12, 181 1.
Ezra, April 12, i7gg. Elizabeth, September 11, 1812.
Ephraim, June 17, 1804.
WETHERBEE. Children of John and Elizabeth.
[Jonathan, August 17, 1725.] [Catharine, November i, 1730.]
[Aaron, February 17, 1727/8.] Jonathan, December 26, 1733/4.
Children of John and Anna (Houghton) Wetherbee .
[Katharine,  ] Anna, September 25, 1741.
Ehzabeth, October 17, 1737. Ehzabeth, September 3, 1743.
Mary, May 24, 1739. Micah, June 21, 1745.
Children of John and Sarah (Brown) Wetherbee.
EUzabeth, April 15, 1748. Eunice, May 27, 1755.
Sarah, August 13, 1750. Ruth, AprU 29, 1757.
John, November 10, 1751. Micah, May 22, 1758.
Elizabeth, April g, 1753.
Joseph, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Wetherbee, May 22, 175 1.
Children of John and Martha (Harris) Wetherbee.
Martha, February 21, 1761. Anna, August 3, 1763.
Children of Jonathan and Abigail (Farwell) Wetherbee.
Polly, September 14, 1772. Melinda, July 28, I7g3.
Children of Josiah and Lucy (Haskell) Wetherbee.
Betty, April 24, 1776. Josiah, June 28, 1783.
Sally, August 14. 1778. Asa. June 24. 1785.
Polly. September 20. 1780. Sukey. January 15, 1788.
WHEELER. Children of Thomas and Elizabeth.
Thomas. January 30. 1723. Sarah, August 23, 1733.
Ehzabeth, February 15, 1727. Deliverance, July g, 1737.
Mary, September ig, 1730.
Children of Thomas, Jr., and Mary (Daby) Wheeler.
Deliverance, March 18, 1745. Ephraim, September 21, 1747.

BIRTHS. 569
Children of Rev. Joseph and Mary (Greenleaf) Wheeler.
Elizabeth December 31, 1761. Daniel Greenleaf, March 14, 1768.
Mary, April 7, 1763. John, May 17, 1770.
Theophilus, December 25, 1765. Moses, AJDril 4, 1772.
Joseph, August 27, 1766. Clarissa, February i, 1774.
Abigail, February 26, 1776.
WHITCOMB. Children of James and Hannah.
[Mary, March 4, I72g.] James, July 4, 1741.
[Lois, May 13, 1731.] Abel, June 23, 1744.
Peter, July 23, 1733. Hannah, May 26, 1747.
Lydia, October 27, 1736. Luther, June 23, 1753.
Patience, April 3, i73g.
Children of William and Hannah (Daby) Whitcomb.
Lydia, January 16, 1744/5. Persis, September 17. 1754.
Lois. January ig, 1748/g. Lucy, November 2g, 1756.
Oliver, July 2, I74g. Elias, January 26, 1760.
Hannah, AprU 24, 1752.
Children of Abraham, and Sarah Whitcomb.
Sally, September 23, I7g5. Abraham, August 11, I7g7.
John Priest Whitcomb, son of Reuben and Mercy Priest June 16, 1796.
Joanna, daughter of Chapman and Rhoda Whitcomb, April 6, I7g3.
[Phineas WUlard, son of Chapman and Rhoda Whitcomb, July 7, I7g8,
at Lancaster.] Children of James, Jr.. and Lucy Whitcomb.
Sarah, October 2, i76g. Molly, May 31, 1773.
Children of Phineas and Abigail (Withington) Whitcomb.
Phineas, February 15, 1790. Lucy, March 21, 1786.
Phineas, June 24, 1792. William, April 19, I7gg.
WHITNEY. Children of Jonathan and Alice (Willard ) .
[Phineas, Sept. 5, 1727, Caleb, Oct 4, i72g, and Oliver, July 22, 1731, in
Lancaster records.]
Alice, April 2, 1733. Ruhamah, June ig, 1737.
Hezekiah, April 14, 1735. Sarah, June i, 1740.
Children of Isaiah and Elizabeth Whitney.
Betty, January 3. 1733/4. Isaiah. November 28. 1735.
Children of John and Rebecca (Whitney) Whitney.
John. March 20, 1725. Ezra. August 24. 1731.
Sarah, February 5, 1727. Abner, January 21, 1734.
Beulah, January 23, 1730.
Children of Jonas and Margaret Whitney.
Moses, October 17, 1733. [Ephraim, September ig, 1728.]
Reuben, Septembers, 1736. [Timothy, February i, 1730.]
Aaron, June 2, i74o.(?) [Margaret October 22, 1731.]
[Jonas, July 2, 1727.] [Ruth, September 8, 1740.]
Hannah, daughter of Daniel and Dorothy [Goss] Whitney, April 2g, 1746.
Children of Abraham and Sarah (Whitney) Whitney.
Elizabeth, March 22, I73g. Abraham, December 20, 1748.
Sarah, May 16, 1740. Isaiah, October 6, 1751.
Elizabeth, April 25. 1742. Elijah, February 15, 1754.
Mary, September 16, 1744. Ann, May 2, 1760.
John, October 3, 1746.

570

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Children of Jonathan, Jr.. and Sarah (Holt) Whitney.
Phinehas, July 3, 1747. ReUef, November 13, 1758.
Jonathan, July i, I74g. Annis, February 26, 1761.
Sarah, August 5, 1751. Oliver and Abigail, Jan. 29, 1763.
ReUef, May 21, 1754. Amos, March 30, 1765.
Hannah, March 24, 1756. Rachel, September 19, 1767.
Children of Simon and Olive Whitney.
Wetherbee, May 3, 1746. Judah, May 17, 1757.
Rachel, January 5, 1748. Lois, March 30, I75g.
Sarah, February 5, i74g/5o. Judah, June 16, 1761.
Silas, October 16, 1751. Lucy, October 7, 1765.
Lois, July 28. 1753. Simon. January 17, 1767.
Alice, May 26, 1755.
Children of Jonas, Jr., and Zebudah (Davis) Whitney.
Levi, June 12, 1751. Lydia, October 17, 1757.
Miriam, August 8. 1752. Salmon. February 16. 1760.
Ephraim. April 2. 1754. Joel. October 15. 1762.
Jonas. March 3. 1756. Israel. January 16. 1767.
Peter, August 17, 1772.
Children of Elijah and Rebecca Whitney.
Mary, June 26, 1738. Israel, December 2g, 1748.
Silas, June 11, 1740. Israel, June 22, 1751.
Rebecca. May 25, 1743. Elijah, July 8, 1755.
Lydia. May 7. 1746.
Children of Richard and Mary Whitney.
Jacob. March 24. 1748/9. James. May 29. 1760.
Richard. February 2, 1752. Hannah, October 17, 1763.
Mary, July 3, 1755. Sarah, February g, 1767.
Reuben, February 21, 1758.
Children of Caleb and Annis (Church) Whitney.
Ehzabeth, June 27, 1751. Caleb, June 33. 1758.
Joshua, February 18, 1754. Joseph, July g, 1760.
Annis, May g, 1756.
Children of Josiah and Sarah Whitney.
Josiah, February 25, 1753. Stephen, May i, 1757.
Elizabeth, May 7, 1757.
Children of (Col.) Josiah and Sarah (Dwelly) Whitney.
Sarah, April 11, 1775. Lemuel, September ig, 1784.
Oliver, January g, 1777. Daniel, October 25, 1786.
Artemas Ward, November 17, 1778. John Hancock, December 13, 1788.
Susanna, October 2, 1780. Moses GiU, February 4, i7gi.
Dwelly, August 21, 1782. •
Children of Timothy and Alice (Whitney) Whitney.
Abel, September 19, 1752. Simon, June 28, 1756.
Oliver, March 10, 1754. ReUef, February 2, 1758.
Children of Moses and Betty (Hutchins) Whitney.
Betty, December 9. 1756. Lucy. October 10, i75g.
Bethiah, January 22, 1757/8. Moses, March 18, 1761.
Children of David and Sarah (Hill) Whitney
Enoch. September 25, 1756. Isaac, November 27, 1761.

BIRTHS. ¦ 571
Children of Isaiah and Persis Whitney.
Josiah, June ig, 1758. Amos, December 27, 1768.
Dorcas, April 20, 1760. Cyrus, August 17, 1771.
Isaiah. December 13. 1764.
Children of Aaron and Anna (Lawrence) Whitney.
Anna. November 18. 1766. Moses. May 3. 1772.
Sarah, May 23, I76g.
Mary, daughter of Phineas and Keziah (Farnsworth) Whitney, May 15,
1766.
Simon, son of Simon and Patience (Hazeltine) Whitney, March 17, 1770.
Children of Israel and Hannah (Mead) Whitney.
Hannah, April 23, 1773. Betsy, May 24. 1782.
Israel, April 18, 1775. Arethusa, December 12, 1783.
Rebecca, April 13, 1777. Oliver, May 16, 1786.
Lydia, May 25, I77g.
Children of Aaron and Sarah (Pollard) Whitney.
Moses, October 5, 1775. Aaron, November 7. 1777.
[Abel. February 17, 1786.]
Children of Hezekiah and Lucy (Pollard) Whitney.
Jonathan, March 4, 1775. Jonathan, May 20, 1782.
Lucy, June 30, 1778. Levi, August 30, 1786.
Alice. July 2g. 1780.
Artemas. son of Wetherbee and Abigail (Warner) Whitney, June 8, 1775.
Children of Isaiah, Jr., and Mary Whitney.
Mary Hayward, March g, 1777. Ruth, April 17, 1786.
Francis Wheeler, Novem. 30, 1778. George, December 16, 1788.
Isaiah, September 8, 1781. Amos, March g, I7g5.
Rebecca, February 15, 1784. Daniel. April 12. I7g7.
Children of Richard and Mercy (Willard) Whitney.
Betsy Willard, June 5, 1774. Levi, April 26, 1781.
Polly, March 16, 1777. Polly, February 15, i78g.
Nancy, daughter of Josiah, Jr.. and Anna (Scollay) Whitney. April 12.
1777. Children of Jacob and Lois (Hapgood) Whitney.
Hannah. December 14, 1772. Lois, August i, I77g.
Mercy, February 20. 1774. Emory. October i, i7gi.
Jacob, October 16, 1776.
Children of Jacob and Mercy Whitney.
Eli, May 7, 1783. Nancy, August 7. 1785.
Children of James and Rachel (Laughton) Whitney.
Richard. March 30. 1784. Jeremiah Laughton. Aug. 13. 1788.
Rachel. July 21. I7gi. John. July 20. I7g6.
Children of Abraham and Rebecca Whitney.
Abraham, March 3. 1777. Simeon. March 20, 1787.
Abraham, November 2g, I77g. Rebecca, October 13, I78g.
Josiah, August 18, 1781. Sarah, February 11, I7g7.
John. July 31. 1783. Mary. January 17. 1800.
Samuel. May 28. 1785.
37

572 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
Children of Reuben and Lucy (Fairbank) Whitney.
Lucy, January 24, 1782. Mercy Fairbank, July 25, 1786.
Reuben, August 11, 1783. Zimri, May 2g, I7g5.
Children of Isaac and Lucy (Mead) Whitney.
Polly, December 13, i77g. Asa WUlard, April 24, 1787.
Moses, February 14, 1782. Clarissa, October 28, I7g5.
Susy. March 26, 1785.
PoUy. daughter of Reuben Jr. and Mary Whitney. December 13, I77g.
Children of Salmon and Hepsibeth Whitney.
Salmon, January 31, 1788. Persis, August 12, I7g6.
Ephraim, January 12, I7gl. Justin, July 24, 1801.
Nathan, August I, I7g3. John, September i, 1803.
Israel, son of Israel and Susanna (Geary) Whitney, May 36. i7go. at Lit
tleton. Children of Moses and Patty Whitney.
SaUy, August 12, I7g8. Eliza, May 13, 1806.
Lucy, September 28, 1800. Maria, December 11, 1808.
Elbridge, November 23, 1802.
Children of Enoch and Hannah Whitney.
Sally, February 21, 1780. Lydia, July 27, I7g2.
William, February 27, 1785.
Children of Israel and Abigail {Puffer) Wliitney.
Luther, February 5, i7go. Naomi, April 28, I7g7.
Luke. February 8. I7g3.
Children of Cyrus and Asena {Harris) Whitney.
Clarinda. October 24. I7g7. Asena. March 18. i8ao.
WHITTEMORE. Children of Nathaniel and Martha {Farnsworth).
Joseph. February i, 1771. Nathaniel, February 18, 1774.
Benjamin, August 30, 1772. Calvin March 5, 1776.
Children of Nathaniel and Lydia {Stone) Whittemore.
Lydia, November 28, 1778. Asa Dunbar, August 21, 1784.
Martha, August g, 1780. Prescott July 28. 1787.
Dorcas. May 17. 1782.
WILDER. David Jennison, son of John and Mary (Holland), Aug. 21, I7g5.
Martha White, daughter of " " " July i, I7g8.
WILLARD. [The children of Henry and Mary (Lakin) Willard, married
July 18, 1674, were: Henry, born April 11, 1675; Simon, October 8,
1678; John, September 3, 1682; Mary; Hezekiah; Joseph, 1685; Sarah.
The children of Henry and Dorcas (Cutler) Willard, married in 1689,
were: Samuel, May 31, i6go; James; Josiah; Abigail; Jonathan; Su
sanna and Tabitha. Perhaps all children by the first marriage were
born at Nonacoicus, and all by the second, were born at StUl River.
The father died in 1701.]
[The children of Henry Jr. and Abigail (Temple) Willard, married July
21, i6g8, at Concord, were: Abraham, Henry, Mary, Simon, baptized
April 24, i7og. The chUdren of Henry Jr. and Sarah (Nutting) Wil
lard, were baptized at Lancaster: James, March 2, 171 1; William,
May 24, 1713; Abigail, August 7, 1715; Daniel, June 30, 1717; Sarah,
May 31, i7ig; Benjamin, April 30, 1721; Lydia, June 21, 1724; Ruth,
born May 22. 1726.]

BIRTHS. 573
[The children of Simon and Mary (Whitcomb) Willard, married in 1700,
were: Aaron, Moses, Eunice, Alice and Miriam. Aaron lived in
Lancaster, Moses in Lunenburg; Eunice married Joseph Daby, and
Alice, Jonathan Whitney. Simon died in 1706.]
[John and Anne (Hill) WUlard had one son, John, baptized at Lancaster,
September 8, 1717.]
[The children of Hezekiah and Anna (Wilder) Willard, married 1712,
were: Thomas, 1713; Phineas, born October 22, 1714; Hezekiah, bap
tized May 26, 1717; Anna, baptized April 3, 1720; Mary, baptized De
cember 22, 1722; Ephraim, born October 13, 1726; EUzabeth, born
January 28, 1730/1.]
[The children of Joseph and Elizabeth (Tarbel) WUlard, married 1712,
were: WiUiam, baptized May 24, 1713; Sarah, baptized May 22, 171 5;
Elizabeth, baptized November 3, 1717; Tarbel, baptized November 2,
i7ig; SybU, baptized February 19, 1723; Lemuel, born July 28, 1725;
Joseph, born May 17, 1728; Amee, born December 25, 1730; Charles.
born August 30. 1734.]
[The children of Samuel and EUzabeth (Phelps) Willard. married Aug.
ig. 1717). were; Samuel, November 12, 1718; Abijah, July 8, 1720;
Nahum, May 28, 1722; Abijah, July 27, 1724; Levi, April ig, 1727;
Joshua, January 24, I72g. Abel. January 12, 1731/2: all but the last
three born at Still River.]
[The children of James and Hannah (Houghton) Willard. were: Isaac.
baptized September 27. i7ig; Asa, baptized June 25, 1721; Hannah,
baptized May 17, 1724; Abigail, born April 17, 1726; Experience,
February 2, 1728; Susanna, July 13, 1730.]
[The chUdren of Josiah and Hannah (Wilder) Willard, were: Josiah, Abi
gail and Susanna, baptized at Lancaster, August 6, 1721; Lois, bap
tized atL. February 3, 1723; and Oliver, 1730; Sampson, 1732; Wilder.
1735; Prudence, born after removal from Still River.]
[The children of Jonathan and Keziah Willard were: Keziah. October 15.
I7ig; Jonathan, February 26. 1720/1; Adonijah, June i, 1724; Pethula,
June 18, 1726; Barzillai, June 5, 1728: Caleb, February 2, 1730/1.]
[The children of Abraham and Mary (Sawyer) Willard, married Febru
ary 27, 1723/4, were: Abraham, baptized June 5, 1726; David, born
December 20, 1727.]
Children of Henry and Abigail {Fairbank) Willard.
[Henry, May 11, 1727.] John, July 26, I73g.
AbigaU, September 6, 1728. Oliver, October 13, 1741.
Annis, June 20, 1730. Simeon, October 25, 1743.
Thomas, May 11, 1732. Mary, February 18. 1745.
Jacob. July 20. 1734. Timothy, August 8, 1748.
Silas, January 25, 1737.
Phebe, daughter of Henry Jr. and Phebe (Atherton) WUlard, July ig, 1753.
Children of Tarbell and Rachel {Haskell) Willard.
Lucy, September 13, 1740. Josiah, November 9, 1749.
Lucy, August 26, 1743. Amy. November 28. 1.75 1.
Rachel. November 27. 1745. Sybil. December 5, 1754.
Jacob, Novembre 5, 1747.
Children of Hezekiah and Lydia {Haskell) Willard.
Lydia, August 3, 1741. Anna, May 6, 1754.
Hezekiah, July 18, 1743. Mary, June i, 1756.
Ruth, June 22, 1746. Peter, July 9, 1758.
Samuel, AprU 22, 1749. EUzabeth, November 27, 1760.
Amos. March 27. 1751.

574

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Children of Thomas and Sarah {Gibson) Willard..

Timothy, December g, 1733. Reuben. November 14, 1755.
Rebecca, February 24, 1737. By sd wife, Sarah {Fletcher).
Stephen. January 3. 1739. Stephen, October 17, 1768.
Solomon, August 29, 1740. Sarah. September i, 1770.
Samuel. July 5. 1742. Rebecca, May g, 1773.
Thomas, April 13, 1749. Hannah, March i, 1775.
Gibson. October 13, 1750. Sybil. November 15. 1778.
Children of William and Ellen {Davis) Willard.
Elizabeth. May 22, 1739. BarzUlai. December 13. 1750.
Dinah. February 21. 1742. WilUam. February 13. 1754.
Ellen. January 22. 1744/5. Catherine, May 7, 1758.
Philemon and Sarah, March 2, 1748.
Children of Phinehas and Mary {Sawyer, widow of Abraham Willard)
Willard.
Phinehas, October i, 1736. [Cornehus, August 23, 1743, in Lancaster.]
[Elijah, August 19, 1740, in Lancaster.]
Children of Phinehas, Jr., and Rebeeca ( Willard) Willard.
Solomon, September 8, 1758. Sarah, July i, 1765.
Rhoda, April 10, 1760. Relief, September 24, 1768.
Abel and Ezra, November 28, 1761. Caleb, March 12, 1779.
Mercy, June 15, 1764.
Sarah, daughter of Charles and Sarah (Scollay) Willard, March 26, 1764.
Children of Joseph and Elizabeth {Hapgood) Willard.
Shadrach, December 13, 1753. Elizabeth, November 20, 1764.
Mercy, February 16, 1755. Oliver, May I, I76g.
Ehzabeth, June 18, 1758. Levi, August 15, 1775.
Joseph, September 4, 1760.
Children of Lemuel and Hannah {Haskell) Willard.
Esther, September 6, 1748. Moses, May 7, 1758.
Lemuel, October ig. 1751. Moses. September ig. 1760
Hannah, November 5. 1753. Abel. December 4, 1763.
Ehas, January 6, 1756. Joel, AprU 25, 1765.
Children of Abraham and Mary {Haskell) Willard.
Mary, April 25, 1747. Elijah, March 12, 1750/ 1.
Abraham, December 12, 1748.
Children of Isaac and Hannah {Farnsworth) Willard.
Hannah, January g, 1748/g. Jeremiah. November 2g. 1753.
Sarah, November 26, 1751.
Children of Simon and Elizabeth {Willard) Willard.
EUzabeth, July 30. 1759. [Amasa. March i, 1772.]
Ezra, March ig, 1761. [Sarah, January 7, 1775.]
Mary, December 4, 1762. [Martha, September 20, i77g.]
Amy, July 11, 1765. [Betsy, March 28, 1784.]
[Darby, November 16, 1786.]
Children of Peter and Mary {Stone) Willard.
Joel. December 17. 1763. Betty. January 30. 1764.

BIRTHS. 575
Children of Josiah and Eunice {Famsworth) WiUard..
Josiah, September 17, 1771. - Levi, November 4, 1780.
Eunice, June 12, 1774. Rachel, July 4, 1783[5?]
Rachel, November 16, 1777. Tarbel, July 23, 1787.
Josiah, February 28, i77g.
Susanna, daughter of Jeremiah and Bethiah Willard, October 18, 1781.
Children of Elijah and Mary Willard.
Elijah, February 7, 1776. Rachel, May i, 1780.
Polly, December 7, 1777. Martyn, March 4, 1782.
Children of Timothy and Elizabeth {Farnsworth) Willard.
Timothy, July 8, 1780. Betty, August 20, 1782.
Children of William, Jr„ and Patience Willard.
William, January 4, 1782. Artemas, October 6. i7go.
Twins. March 16. 1784. Orsimus. Augusti7. I7g2.
John, November 29, 1785. Charles, August 2, 1797.
Nathaniel, October 6. 1788.
Children of Barzillai and Silva {Kingman) Willard.
Lewis. March 16. 1782. Fanny. February 21. 1788.
Kate, May 2. 1784. Chloe, March 25, 1790.
Ira, May 24. 1785. William. September 7. I7g2.
Children of Joseph, Jr., and Susy {Kingman) Willard.
Joseph, April 14, 1784. Charles, November 21. I7g5.
George, January 4, 1787. Robert August 22, I7g8.
Ebenezer, March 17, I7gi. Elbridge, Marfh i, 1801.
Ithamar. September 7, 1793. Ephraim Stone, January 30, 1803.
Children of Joel and Polly {Haskell) Willard.
Polly, October 15, I7gi. Abel, May 13, I7g3.
Hannah, March 31. I7g5. Nancy. March 21. I7g7.
Levi. December 26, I7gg.
Children of Daniel, Jr., and Lucy {Bachelor ) Willard.
[Sally, April 16, i7go.] Hosea, July 16, 1800.
[Lovey, January 27. 1792.] Rowland. July 21. 1802.
Nathan, December 14, I7g3. Lucy Bachelor, Nov. 27, 1804.
Nehemiah Bachelor, May 14. I7g6. Daniel. December 21. 1806.
Daniel, March 16. I7g8.
WOOD. Children of Eliphalet and Abigail.
Jonathan. April 13. 1753. Jesse. July 28, 1766.
Betty, AprU 19, 1755. Lucy, June 24, 1768.
Joseph, October 12, 1757. Patty, March 22, 1772.
Abigail, April 20, 1760. Jabez. April 22. 1775.
Molly, June ig, 1763.
Lydia, daughter of Eliphalet and Mary Wood, March g, 1788.
Children of Jabez and Nabby {Stone) Wood.
Benjamin. August 22. 1799. Nabby. August 23, 1810.
Mary, June 10, 1801. Lj'dia, November 12, 1812.
Emery. July 28. 1803. Jonathan. October 2. 1815.
Lucy. July 27, 1805. Jabez. June 10, 1818.
Flavel. December 28, 1807.

576 HISTORY OF HARVARD.
WORSTER. Children of Jonathan and Rebecca.
Rebecca. February — . 1733/4. Rebecca. July 16. i744-
Mary. June 8. 1735. Lois, December 12, 1747.
Jonathan, March 24, 1736/7. Ebenezer, July 5, I74g.
Moses, January 10, I73g. John, August ig, 1751.
John, March 8, 1741. Lemuel, June 25, 1753.
Jonathan, December 5, 1742.
Children of Ebenezer, Jr., and Mary {Crouch) Worster.
Samuel, October ig, 1743. Susannah, October 12, 1750.
Abijah, July 2, 1745. Gilead, April 8. 1753.
Molly, AprU 12. 1747.
Children of Ebenezer and Elizabeth Worster.
Rebecca. December 30. 1772. Betty. September 12. 1774.
WRIGHT. Children of Thomas and Abigail {Sawyer).
Thomas. May 18, 1730. Caleb, June 23, 1738.
Abigail, February 15, 1731. Sarah, May g, 1743.
Caleb, February 3, 1733/4. Abel, July 23, 1747.
Sawyer, May 12, 1736.
Children of Thomas and Moriah {Houg/zton) Wright.
Sybil, March 2, 1756. Oliver, June 2, 1760.
Sarah, April 2, 1758.

INDEX.

L-SUBJECTS AND PLACES.

ACADEMY, the StiU River, 379.
'^ Acadian expedition, 35, 292.
Acton, 121, 212, 224, 241, 259, 360, 457, 503,
. 505, 509.
Agawam. 244.
Aged persons, 91, 233, 317, 404-6.
Agriculture, early, 76, 100, 398, 404, 472-3,
Agricultural machinery, 457-S.
Agricultural societies, 169, 176, 388.
Alarm list 1775, 313, 318-g.
Albany, N.Y., 258, 271, 293, 298, 346, 357, 364,
427.
Aldie, Va., 364.
Alexandria, Va., 357, 364.
Alexandria, N. H., 428.
Almanac, Harvard, 472-3.
Alms-house, 126-g.
Alstead, N. H.,429, 466.
Amesbury, 429, 466.
Amherst, 430, 432.
Amherst, N. H., 429.
Ammunition, town supply, 116, 311, 314.
Andover, 82, 246, 431, 433, 467, 504, 506.
Anville's, D', expedition, 280.
Apple culture, loi, 400, 409.
Appleton, Wis., 432.
Aqueduct, 451-2.
Architecture, early, 80, 83, 85,87, 93, 187, 207.
Arlington, 382.
Arlington, Va., 358.
Artillery company, 152.
Ashburnham, 115, 119. 153, 313, 317, 320, 427,
432, 5°9.
Ashby, 114, 239, 321, 346, 506, 548.
Assessors, list of, 420.
Athol, 424, 427.
Atkinson, N. H., 232.
Attleborough, 224, 506.
Attorneys, list of, 424-;.
Auction 01 paupers, T27.
" of pews, 203, 216,
Augusta, Me., 429.
Authors, Harvard, 462-75.
Awakening, the great, i88-g, 255.
Axe makers, 456.
Ayer, 19, 63, 167, 224, 237, 269, 317, 364, 425,
428.
DAND, cornet, 155, 176.
^ Baptisms, 107.
Baptist church, 120, 221-31, 478.
Bare Hill, i6, 27, 28, 29, 32, 42. 43, 47, 48, 67, 75.
Bare Hill pond. 14, 64, 75, 146, 187.
Barnstable, 431.
Barre, 230, 424.
Barrington, K. I., 230, 321.
Bass-viol, 215-6, 240.

Baton Rouge, La., 350.
Bay Road, 42, 55, 316.
Bay of Fundy, tide of, 293.
Bay psalm-book, 107.
Bears, 68, 74.
Beaver dams, 74.
Bedford, 142, 509, 510.
Belknap's psalmody, 239.
Bellevue cemetery, 479.
BeUingham, 226.
Bellows'-hole, 32.
Bells, church, 216, 226, 235,240.
Bennett's rock, 65.
Bennington alarm, 32S, 335.
Bequests to churches, 226, 228, 230,
241-245, 246.
" to towns, 374, 379, 288, 390,
„ ,. 394, 477, 479. 481.
Ber in, 55, 115, 153, 219, 239, 361, 363,
Bibliography of Harvard, 462-75.
Billerica, 45, 509.
Birds, 73, 75.
Birth records, 497, 498, 537.
Bloomfield, Me., 406.
Bolton, 35, 44, 55 56, 63, 80, 92, 108,
'47, 153, 100, 167, 1S6, 195, 198, 201,
225, 226, 232, 236, 262, 299, 313, 314,
323, 332, 333, 334, 335, 340, 343, 416,
430, 461, 503, 504, 505, 500, 507, 508
512, 562.
Boston, II, 12, 27, 50, 93, 132, 147,
234, 235, 244, 286, 307, 308, 319, 320,
343, 348, 364, 380, 382, 412, 417, 432,
„ 456, 457, 459, 466, 478.
Boston mail stage, 412.
" massacre, 303.
" poor, aid to, 311.
" port-bill, 303, 310.
" siege of, 319-24.
Bounty to soldiers, 148-52, 326, 327,
,. ¦ 344-5.
upon cloth, 315.
" upon crows' heads, 144.
" upon wild beasts, 08, 144.
" upon scalps, 49.
Boxborough, 61, 63, 115, 120-2, i,,
212. 219, 246, 251, 427, 460, 467, 504,
509,511.
Boxford, 431, 507.
Boylston, 416, 511.
Bradford, 35.
Braintree, 426, 564.
Brick-making, 453.
Bridges, 117 144.%.
Bridgewater, 26, 201, 222, 228.
Bridle paths, 12, 41, 85.
Brighton, 245.

231. 236,
391, 392,
416, 509.

115,

141,

216,

224,

31b

322,

426, 427,

, 509-11,

170,

^t

321

433,434,

328, 339,

207, 210,
50s, 506,

578

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Brimfleld, 218.
Bristol, R. I;, 425.
Bristol, N. H., 428, 429.
Broad meadow, 73.
Bromfield house, 132-5, 173, 186-7, 475.
school, 233, 379-83.
Brookfield, 23, 24, 93, 242, 244, 332, 424, 427.
Brookline, 363.
Brooklyn, N.Y., 427, 431.
Brooks named, 26, 59, 63, 98, 167, 453-4, 461.
Brookside cemetery, 478-9.
Brunswick, Me., 4.25, 430.
Bunker Hill, battle of, 198, 322, 323, 346.
BurUngton, Vt., 228, 432.
Burning the woods, 67.
Burying grounds, 130-1, 179, 477-81.
Butt's Hill, R. L, 335.
pALAIS, Me 2.14.
^^ Calvinistic Cong. Society, 238-46.
Cambridge, 12, 34, 60, 147, 185, 198, 201, 226,
245, 316. 319, 322, 323, 327, 339, 346, 380, 382,
489, 511.
Campbell's Station, Tenn., 361.
Canaan, N.Y., 431.
Canada, conquest of. 119.
Canal, survey for, 166-7.
Canton, 227.
Carriages, etc., 98, 99.
Carver, 229.
Catamount, 68, 74.
Catechism, 103, 192.
Cattle running at large, 77, 147.
Cavendish, Vt. , 223, 427.
Cemeteries, 477-81.
Census of 1765, 398.
" ot 1776, etc., 403.
" of 1885, 404, 407-9.
Centennial sermons, 229, 240, 469.
Chantilly, Va., 357, 364.
Charlestown, 12, 25, 45, 219, 235, 237, 255, 258,
„, 321, 322, 380, 391, 392, 403, 475.
Charlestown, N. H., 542.
Charlotte, Va., 246.
Chatham, 228.
Chelmsford, 24, 26, 36, 45, 97, 114. 235, 246,
428, 460.
Chelsea, 235, 357.
Cheltenham, Eng., 230.
Chester, N. S., 194.
Chester, Ga., 246.
Chestnut trees, 75.
Chicopee, 227.
Chimneys, colonial, 80, 83, 87.
Chocksett, ng.
Choral Union, 155.
Church history. Baptist, 221-31.
" Evangelical, 238-46.
" Methodist, 250-2.
" Unitarian, 231-7.
" Universalist, 247-50.
covenant, first, 183.
Cider, 33, loi, 162, 204, 400, 452.
Clapboards, 81.
Claremont, N. H., 228.
Classing for a draft, 344.
Claverack, N.Y., 336.
Clergymen, colonial, 106, 179.
Clerks, list of, 419.
Cleveland, Ohio, 359, 429.
Clinton, 45, 224, 230, 389, 416, 457, 476.
Clock, the town, 176-7, 236, 352.
Clothiers, 457.
Clothing, home-made, 99, 102, 314, 322, 329.
Cobblers, 400.
Cockades, 314.
Cohasset, 245.
Cohoes, N.Y., 230.

Cold Harbor, Va., 358, 359.
Cold-water Army, 166.
College graduates, list of, 429-33.
College Park. Cal., 432.
Committee of Correspondence, 303, 304, 30S
^ 1 1., 324.
to fix pnces, 325.
school, 370^, 375, 378.
" library. 393.
Common, the town'^s, 130-2, 179.
Concord, 15, 28, 33, 147, 212, 319, 362, 412, 415,
426, 439, 459, 476, 481, 503, 505, 511, 525. 572.
Concord, N. H., 288, 406, 425, 430.
Conquest of Canada, 119, 301.
Constables, 43, 44, 112-3, 310.
Constantinople, 246.
Constitution, State, discussed, 122-5.
Continental Congress, 311-2, 328, 333.
" soldiers, 333, 336, 337, 339-45.
Contract, Prescott's, 17.
Conventions, 114, 139, 140, 304, 313, 330, 417,
^ 443. ,. . .
County division, 114-5.
" officers, 417.
Covenant of First Church, 183.
" Shabikin, 116.
Crown Point expeditions, 288-91, 294-300.
Crows, boiinty upon, 144.
DANVERS, 429, 466.
Danville, Vt.,244.
Dark day, the, 337.
Deacons, 107, 185, 196-7, 209, 212, 217, 237,
239,243,2,9,250.
Death records, 497, 498, 515.
Dedham, 343, 455, 511.
Deerfield, 412, 428.
Deer-reeves, 74, 417.
Delegates to conventions, 114, 140, 304, 310,
315, 33o,,4i6-i7.
Denver, Col., 382.
Depreciated currency, 116, 324, 330, 339, 340,
341, 409.
Dignifying seats m meeting-house, 51, 107,
188, 192, 199, 204.
Divining rod, 71, 104.
Dobb's Ferry, 332.
Doctors, list oi, 425-9.
Dog law, 170.
Domestic life, colonial, 33, 76-82, 98-110, 162.
Dorchester, 12, 34, 323, 327, 332.
Dorchester Canada, 95, ng.
Dover, Me., 244, 508.
Dress, old-time, 9g, 102, 106, 210, 314, 400.
Drewry's Bluff, Va., 364.
Drought, the great, 118, ig6.
Dubuque, la., 430.
Dudley, 426.
Dunstable, 114, 115, 5og.
EARTHQUAKE, n8.
^ East Bethel, Vt., 228.
Eastport, Me, 227.
Easton, 234.
Ecclesiastical history, 178-252.
Eclipse, total, 146.
Education, 46-8, i6g, 366-96.
Elder's seat, 208.
Elk. 74.
Embargo, the, 148-50, 445.
Enfield, 260, 427, 429.
Epidemics, 116, ng, 481.
Epitaphs, 201, 211, 481,-97.
Equalizing bounties, 326.
Evangelical Church, 238-46.
Excise, ^33.
Expenditures, town, 409-11.

INDEX.

579

pAMILIES, size of, 372, 397.
* Farmers' clubs, etc., 169, 176, 388-g.
Farmington, Me., 246, 362.
Fasts, 178, 196, 217, 445.
Father Abbey's Will, 185, 463-5.
Fauna and flora of H., 73-5.
Fay Light Guard, 352.
Financial records of H., 409-11.
Fires in Harvard, 94, 171-4, 235, 3S1, 413, 436,
443, 456, 45S. 460,461.
Fireside, the colonial, 79, 99, 187.
Fish. 12, 62, 64, 65.
Fishkill, N.Y., 336.
Fitchburg, 114, I53, 224, 239, 313, 320, 321, 357,
360, 428, 430, 432, 458, 476, 505, 506, 508, 539.
Fitzwilham, ,\. H., 227.
Flag-staff, 132.
Flax culture, 102; 399.
Floods, 144-5.
Florence, b. C 364.
Forges. 401, 45I. 454-5.
Fort Beau Sejour, 292.
" Edward, 290, 2g4, 328.
" Wilham Henry, 294-5.
Foxcroft, Me., 244, 429.
Foxes, 73, 75.
Framingham, 201, 428, 511.
Fraternities, 253-84.
French and Indian wars, 287-301, 333.
French Neutrals, 293.
Frosts, unseasonable, 143, 161.
Fruit culture, loi, 400, 409.
Fruitlands community, 272, 275-S4, 475.
Fulling-mills, 399, 450, 456-7.
Funeral customs, 37, 128, 498.
Furniture, colonial, 78, gg, 187.
GARDNER, 228, 230, 430, 432, 467.
Garrison houses, 28, 38, 83, 87, go, 91.
Geography of Harvard, 62-73.
Geology of Harvard, 70.
Gettysburg, Pa., 362.
Ghost story, 105.
Gloucester, 82, 92, 228.
Glue manufacture. 455-6.
Governors, votes for, 447-9.
Graduates, college, etc., 429-33.
Grafton, 211, 212, 465.
Grammar school, 40.
Grange, 176, 389.
Grass in intervales, 12, 13.
Grave-stones, 70, 450-1, 480.
Great Awakening, the, 188-g.
Great Gale, the, 161.
Grist-mills, 16, 17, x8, 30, g4, 453-61.
Groton, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, ig, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28,
29, 30, 34, 35, 44, 52 9, 61, 63, 97, "4, "5,
116, 117, ng, 120, 148, 167, 178, 216, 243, 29g,
301, 322, 357, 361, 365, 405, 425, +26. 428, 430,
431, 454, 459, 475, 5o3, 504, 5o8, 511-12, 5i3,
516, 545, 561.
HADLEY, 141.
Halifax, N. S., 194, 301, 462. 463.
HaUowell, Me., 234.
Hancock, 273, 505.
Hard winter, the, 337.
Harlem, N.Y., 431.
Hatfield, 26,321.
Haverhill, 
Hearse, the first, 477.
Hedge-hogs, 75.
Hell Pond, 63, 65, 66, 72, 117.
Henniker, N.iH., 244, 505.
Herb-packing, 269-70, 455.
High-school, 374-5.
Highways, early, 13. 39-43, 85.
Highway appropriations, 115, 409-n.

Hills named, 27, 47, 64, 67-71, 121.
Hillsborough, N. H., 244.
Hingham, 82, 468.
Hog-reeves, 147, 417.
H og street, 6g.
Holden, 228, 427, 432.
Home manufactures, 77-g, 99, 315, 399.
Hopkinton, 379, 430, 512.
Horse-power machinery, 457-8.
Hospitality, 102, 183, 187.
Hotels and landlords, 3'!, 98, 105, 162-5, I73,
412,433-7.
Houlton, Me., 234.
Houses, described, 80-98, 187.
Hudson, 428.
Hull, 330, 331.
Huskings, etc., 102.
Hyannis, 432.
I NCORPORATING act, 58-g.
*¦ Indian planting-field, 20.
Indian raids, 24, 26, 31, 35, 36, 4g, go.
Indians, Nashaway, 11, 12, 13, 20-2, 27.
Innholders, 33, g8, 105, 162-5, I73, 412, 433-7.
Instructions to delegates, 123, i3g, 141, 307,
Intervales, the, 12.
Intervale way, the 13, 14.
Ipswich, 89.
Ipswich, Canada, 507.
Iron Works, 401, 451, 454-5.
TACKSONVILLE, Fla., 364, 432.
^ Jaffrey, N. H., 237.
Jamaica Plam, 431.
Johnstown, Vt., 244.
Justices, list of, 423-4.
I<'EENE, N. H., 228.
t^ Killingly, Ct., 225, 379.
Kinderhook, N.Y., 2gi.
King's Ferry, 531.
King George's war, 285.
" Philip's war, 22.
" William's war, 31.
Kingston, 431.
Kip's Bay, retreat at, 331.
[ AKE George, battle at, 289-90.
*-^ Lancaster and Groton road, 13, 14, 41.
Lancaster regiment, 153 7, 313-4.
" troop, 154, 316,
Latitude and longitude of H., 62.
Lawrence, 359.
Lawyers, list of, 424-5.
Leather-board factory, 460.
Lebanon, N.Y., 257.
Lectures, 163-4, 394-6.
Leicester, 140, 221, 427.
Leominster, 114, 115, 126, 147, 153, 223, 224,
313, 314, 320, 321, 360, 361, 364, 504, 505, 500,
507, 510, 513.
Lexington, 201, 431, 507.
Lexington alarm, 143, 154, 198, 316-g.
Liberty-poles, 132, 303, 446.
Libraries, 215, 355, 384^3, 475.
Licensed retailers, 162-3, 437-43.
Life and Manners in fl ., 33, 76-82, 98-110,
125-8, 133, 136, 143, 153, i5g, 160, 162, 208-
10, 264-7, 3gg-403.
Light-infantry company, 156.
Lime and limestone, 80.
Lincoln, 507.
Linen manufacture, 102, 315, 3gg.
Littleton, 15, 103, 115, iig-20, 167, i6g, 178,
ig5, 207, 212, 2ig, 224, 225, 230, 254, 261, 266,
268-g, 2g4, 332, 402, 42g, 460, 504, 506, 508,
5og, 511, 512, 544, 550, 557, 572.

58o

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Longevity in Harvard, 317, 404-6.
Looms, IOI, 102, 270, 3gg.
Loudon, N. H., 42g.
Louisbourg, siege of, 285-6.
Lovewell's war, 48, 49, 95. 96, 97.
Lowell, 226, 413, 425, 427, 429, 456, 459, 460.
Loyalists, 267, 34S.
Lunenburg, 15, 33, 61, 73, 114, 117, 234, 260,
298, 301, 313, 320, 349, 361, 412, 416, 426, 431,
^ 505, 507, 508, 513, 573.
Lunenburg, Vt., 246.
Lunenburg, N. S., 462.
Lyceums, 394.
Lyndeborough, N. H., 237.
Lyndon, Vt., 428.
Lynn, 227, 321, 425, 430.
MADISON, N.Y., 389.
"^ Makamacheckamuck's Hill, 14, 29, 6g, 75.
Maiden, 434.
Maiden, III., 244.
Manchester, 201.
Manners and customs, 33, 76-82, g8-iio, 125-
8, 133, 136, 143, 153, i5g, 160, 162, 208-10,
264-7,399-403.
Mansfield, 227.
Maps of Harvard, 474.
Marble working, 450-1, 455.
Marlborough, 15, 23, 26, 32,.44, 47, 55, 91, igo.

322, 424, 42S, 430, 503, 511.
iilb , »T .-

Mailborough, N. H.,
Marriage fees, 4g8.
" records, 4g7-
Mason Village, 432.
Massacre of 1675. 24-6.
May training, 152.
Meadows named, 14, 16, 40, 63, 73.
Mechanics, 81, 84, 85, gi, g4, (,9.
Medfield, 26, 227, 244.
Medford, 174, 185-6, 194, 431.
Medway, 240, 406.
Meeting-houses, 36, 50, 106-7, 120, 188, 201-10,
235, 245, 248, 250, 251.
Memorial monument, 354.
" tablets, 355.
Methodist church, 250-2.
Middleborough, 362
Middlefield, 242.
Milford, 359.
Military companies, 37, 152-60, 301, 310, 311,
316.
Milk, 409.
Mills and factories, 16, 17, 18, 26, 94, 407,
453-61.
Milton, 28, 126, 234, 428, 537.
Mine, silver, 71.
Mineralogy of Harvard, 70, 71.
Ministers, 106, 178-252.
Minneapolis, Minn., 390, 432.
Minute-men, 313, 317.
Mobtown, 43g.
Mob law in Harvard, 260-3.
Moderators, the, 418.
Mohawks, 22, 23.
Monadnock, 70.
Money, depreciated, etc., 115, n6, 324, 330,
„, 339, 340, .341, ,409.
Morus multicaulis, 168.
Mountains named, 70.
Muster-fields, 152-60.
[MAILS, wrought, 81, 270.
^ ~ Nantasket, 230, 327.
Narragansett No. 6, 507.
Nashaway Indians, 11, 12, 13, 20, 23, 27, 31.
" Plantation, 12, 20, 28, 34.
" River, 62.
Nashoba, 15, 31.

Natick, 232, 357.
Natural history of Harvard, 61-75.
Negro slavery, 87, 198, 240, 321, 401-3.
Neponset, 244.
New Berne, N. C, .360, 363, 364.
New Braintree, 242, 244, 507.
Newbury, 80.
Newburyport, 350, 440, 460, 512.
New Fane, 508.
New Hampton, N. H., 228.
New Ipswich, 504. 513.
New Lebanon, 271, 273.
Newmarket, N. H., 428.
New Orleans, La., 358.
News-carriers, 412-
Newton, 233, 234, 431.
Newtonville, 432.
New York, 245, 327, 330, 331, 432, 436.
Nichewog, 544, 558.
Nicknames, 160-1.
Niskayuna, 259.
Nonacoicus, ig, 25, 30, 5g, 66, 72, 145, 572.
Nonacoicus BrooK, 16, 18, 63, 117, 399, 453-4-
Pond, 66.
Non-consumption agreement, 312.
Non-intercourse act, 130, 303.
Norfolk, 229, 428.
Northborough, 188, 219.
Northampton, 26, 412.
Norton, 431.
OAK Hill, 64,67,71, 106.
'-' Odd Fellows, i6g, 38g.
Officers, British prisoners, 86.
" town lists of. 112, 378. 3g3, 4ig-23.
Old Mill, 16, 26, 30, g7, 98, 453-6.
Omaha, Neb., 229.
Orchards, loi. 400, 409.
Ordinations, 182, 195, 239.
Oregon mill, 456, 458, 459.
Organs, church, 229, 235, 240, 242.
Oshkosh, Wis., 432.
Otter, 75.
Oxford, 230.
DAISLEY, Scotland, 229,
' Paper mill, 451, 456, 458, 459.
Pasturage, common. 137.
Paterson, N. J., 229.
Pawtucket, 230.
Paxton, 140, 212.
Peabody, 428.
Pelham, 328.
Pembroke. 98.
Pencil manufacture, 459.
Penecook river, 12, 13, 14, 62.
Penobscot, Me., 242.
Pepperell, 89, 115, 239, 428. 434, 507, 513.
Pequawket fight, 95-7.
Peterborough, N. H., 237.
Petersburg, Va., 359, 360.
Petersham, 141, 235 260, 429, 457, 507, 513.
Pews, auction of, 188, 203, 216.
Physicians, list of, 425-9.
Pigeons, wild, 73.
Pin Hill, 67, 70, 169, 450.
Pitch-pipe, 107, 155.
Pittsfield, 424, 425.
Plum-tree meadows, 13, 16, 29, 45, 63, 69, 73
147.
Plymouth, 235, 455
Pock hospitals, 129.
Polls, 4H.
Political statistics, 443-9. '
Pomfret, Ct., 211, 426.
Pomposeticut, 15,72.
Ponds named, 53, 64^, 117.
Poor, care of, 125-9.

INDEX.

581

Population of H., 44, 76, 185, ig2, 3g7, 3g8,
403, 404.
Port Hudson, La., 358.
Post 48, G. A. R., 355.
Postmasters, list of, 413.
Potash manufacture, 137, 288, 452.
Potatoes, 100.
Pottsville, Pa., 234.
Poughkeepsie, 258.
Pound, 113, 23g.
Powder-house, 116, 314.
Pownal, Me., 246.
Presentment by jury, 40, 45.
Presidential votes. 44g.
Prices of commodities' 33, 182, 325-6, 330,
" of labor, 115, 326, 346.
Princeton, 115, 153, 2ig, 333-
Printing-press in H., 216, 223, 472-3.
Prisoners qf war in H., 86, 348-g.
Prospect Hill, 6g.
Providence, R. I., 22g, 230, 245, 328.
Provincial Congresses, 310, 315, 3ig.
Prudential committees, 370, 372.
Psalm-tunes, early, 107.
QUAKERS, 108.
Quakers' Hill, battle of, 333.
Quanapohit's warning, 24.
Quasaponikin, 72.
Quebec, 300.
Quotas of H. in Rebellion, 365.
" " in Revolution, 331-6, 33g, 444.
RACCOON, 75.
Railroads, 166-7.
Raisings, 81. 182, 204,
Raymond, N. H., 246.
Reading, Sg, 42S, 548.
RebeUion 01 slave states, 351-65.
Regulating prices, 324-6.
Rehoboth, 26.
Rendezvous tree, 34. 41.
Representatives, list of, 414-16.
Revere, 235.
Revival, the great, igo-i.
Revolutionary war, 302-50,
Rhode Island service, 333-5-
Rifle company, 155-6.
Rindge, 455- , ,
Rivers named, 62, 117, 107.
Roads, early, 13, 39-43, 85, 115, 169.
Roanoke Island, 360, 361.
Robbins' Pond, 19, 63. 66.
Rochester, N.V., 234.
Rocking-stones, 64, 65.
Rockford, IU., 431.
Rope walk, 456.
Rowlandson narrative, 23, 26.
Roxbury, 327, 366,
Royalston, 228.
Rum-selling, 21, 162, 433-43.
Rutland, 322, 339, 4", 432, 513.
CABBATH breaking, 108, 196.
'-' Saint Francis, 299.
Saint Louis, Mo., 437.
Salem, 29, 30, 226, 246, 258, 274, 426, 429.
Salem, N.H., 246.
Salisbury, 229.
Sandwich, 322.
Saundersville, 244.
Savannah, Ga., 361.
Saw-mills. 16, 94, 454 -61.
Scalps, bounty on, 49.
Schenectady, N.Y., 432.
Schodack, N.Y., 246.
School committee, 370, 37i, 372, 375, 378.

School districts, 366-70.
" libraries, 387.
" masters, 46-8, 366-8.
" statistics, 47-8, 375-8.
Scituate, 26, 211, 230, 430, 431.
Scouting parties, 37, 49, 50.
Scythe makers, 456.
Seabrook, N. H., 244.
Seating the meeting-nouse, 188, 192, igg, 204.
Selectmen, list of, 421-3.
September gale, the, 161.
Shabikin. 15, 72, 116, 145, 317, 374.
Shaker fraternity, 145, 220, 257-75. 348,369,
370, 373, 435, 453, 455, 465-6, 468. 474.
burial ground, 26g, 478, 497.
" elders, list of, 273-4.
Shays' insurrection, 115, 138-42, 346-8.
bheep-raising, 170, 398.
" washing. 399.
Sheffield, 298.
Shelburn, 508.
Sherborn, 34.
Sheriffs of H., 417.
Shirley, 61, 114, 118, 146, 167, 216, 249,262,
266, 267, 412, 434, 505, 506, 507, 514, 549, 566.
Shrewsbury, 211, 243, 320, 424, 505, 514.
Shutesbury, 229.
Siege of Boston, 319-24.
'' of Louisbourg, 285-6.
Silk-worm raising, 168.
Silver mine, 71.
Singing in church. T07, 207, 214, 215.
Sioux City, 396, 432.
Sip's hole, 403.
Slate quarry, 70, 450-1.
Slavery in H., 87, igS, 240, 321, 401-3.
Small-pox, 126, 478.
Smithfield, Va., 430.
Snow out of season, 116, 161, 337.
Social library, 384-7.
Soldiers' monument, 132, 354.
Somerville, 234, 380.
Sounding-board, 208.
South Hadley, 432.
Spinning and weaving, 7g, gg, 102. 270, 315,
c ¦ 399- ,.
Spiritualism, 275.
Springfield, 216, 296, 357, 360.
Square House, the, 255-8. '
StHge coaches, 412-413.
Stamp Act, the, 302.
Statistics, industrial, 397.
financial, 409.
" political, 443-9.
" of schools, 377-8.
" of library, 393.
Sterhng, 115, ng, 153, 364, 416, 424, 429, 504,

505. 513.
iin

Still River, 13, 15, 27, 47, 62, 63.
Still River academy, 379.
StiU River farm, 15, 16, 28, 32, 41, 82, 86, 185.
Stillwater campaign, 328.
Stocks, 76, 94, 113.
Stoneham, 364, 506, 514.
Stonington, Ct., 429.
Store-keepers, Mst of, 437-43-
Stores, country, igS, 401, 437.
Stoughton, 226, 320.
Stow, 15, 44, 45, 52-g, 61, g3, 117, iig-20, 178,
195, 201, 207, 322, 346, 362, 364, 407, 428, 503,
506, 507, 508, 510, 514., , „
Stow Leg, 15, 41,45, 57, 61, 93, "6, 178.
Sturbridge, 457.
Striped pig, i5g.
Sudbury, 15, ig, 26, 2g, 34, g3, 126, 212, 428.
Suffield, Ct., 228.
Superstitions, 103.
Sutton, 508.

582

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Swan swamp, 14, 63.
TALCOTTVILLE, Ct., 244.
^ Tanneries, 270, 4po, 453.
Tarrytown, N.Y., 332.
Tate and Brady, 107, 215.
Taunton, 245, 271, 432.
Tavern-keepers, 33, g8, 1051 162, 165, 412, 433-7.
Taxation, 112-3, 115, 4og-n.
Tax levy of 1723, 44.
Tea, 203, 308-9.
Teachers, 46-48.
Temperance societies, 161-6.
Templeton, 424, 504, 507, 566.
Thanksgiving, 102.
Ticonderoga, 297-g, 327. 336.
Tisbury, 225.
Tithingmen, 106, 208, 417.
Tobacco, IOI.
Todd's Tavern, Va., 364.
Topography of Harvard, 61-72.
Tories, 267, 348.
Town clerks, Ust of, 419.
" common, 130-2, 179.
" house, I26r7, 174-6.
" meeting, the first, in.
" officers, 417-23.
" treasurers, list of, 4ig.
" well, 127-
Townsend, 5g, 114, 224, 243, 321, 361, 514.
Training band, 313.
" field, i7g.
Transcendentalism in H., 276, 475.
Trees, notable, 75.
Trenton, N. J., 234.
Trip-hammer, 450.
Tunbridge, Vt., 228.
Turkey HiUs, 73.
TyngsDorough, 5og.
1 INCANOONUCKS, 70-
^ Union turnpike, 146-7, 412, 434.
Unitarian society, 173, 177, 231-7.
Universalist society, 219, 247-50.
Utensils, colonial, gg, 187.
Uxbridge, 544.
VACCINATION, 126.
' Valuation of Harvard, 411.
Vinegar manufacture, 452.
Vital statistics, 477-576.
Voting with pebbles, i7g, 203.
\A/ACHUSETT, 11, 22, 23, 27, 7o.
"V Wading place. 13.
Wages of labor, 115, 341.
" of soldiers, 315-16, 32g, 340, 344, 345.
Waldoborough, Me., 242.
Walpole, N. H-, 234, 429, 466.
Waltham, 428, 431
Wamesit, 13.
Wampanoags, 22.
War, King George's, 285.
" King Philip's, 22.

War, King WiUiam's, 31.
" Lovewell's, 48, 49, g5, g6, g7.
" of 1812, 148-52, 217-18, 445.
" of Rebellion, 351-65.
" of Revolution, 302-50.
Ware, 23g.
Warner Lecture fund, 3g4.
Warner, N. H., 24g, 424, 428.
Warning out of town, 125-6.
Warwick, 234.
Washacum, n, 13, 20, 23, 47.
Washington, D. C, 227, 360, 431, 451.
Wataquodock, n, 20, 26, 27, 55, 70, loi, 167.
Watatic, 70.
Waterford, Me., 136-8, 431, 504.
Watertown, 11, 12, 315, 316, 3ig, 323, 357, 382,
432.
Watervliet, N.Y., 257, 263.
Weaving by hand loom, 102, 270.'
Weld, Me., 246.
Wellfleet, 427.
Well, the town, 127.
Wendell, 246.
Westborough, 188, 321.
West Boylston, 224, 228, 416, 424.
Westfield, 4g.
Westford, 115, 137, 223, 246, 426, 431, 454, 514,
544-
Westminster, 45, 115, 216, 313, 314, 320, 424,
507.
West Newton, 380.
Weston, 186, 195, 197, 380, 504, 514.
West Point, 337.
West Randolph, Vt., 246.
Weymouth, 26, 228, 231, 232, 235, 428.
Whipping-post, g4,
Whitehall, N.Y., 228.
Wigwam meadow, 30, 73.
Wild beasts, 68, 73, 74.
Wilderness, Va., 360, 362, 363.
Willard Row, 6g.
Wilmington, 514.
Wilton, N. H., 234.
Winchendon, 115, 228, 321, 412, 424, 552.
Windows, colonial, 80, 83, 87.
Winter, the hard, 337.
Winter's work, colonial, 76-7.
Witchcraft, 29, 40,
Witch rod, 71, 104.
Woburn, 68, 73, 75, 559, 567.
Wooden ware, 78.
Woodstock, Vt., 428.
Woodstock, Ct., 229.
Worcester, 62, 139, 141, 157, igS, 265, 313, 347,
349, 350, 352. 3&1, 363. 412, 413, 424, 429, 431,
441, 468, 510.
Worcester county formed, 51.
Work-house, 127.
Wrentham, 230, 23g, 240.
YANKEE traits, 208-10.
200L0GY of Harvard, 73-75.

ABBOTT, Asel B., 8
¦^ Ephraim, 378, 424.
ADAMS, Alice, 508.
Amy, 228.
C. W. S., 460.
Dorcas, 504.
Dorothy, 507, 553.
George, 11.
John, II.

II.-INDEX OF PERSONS.
Jonathan, 319, 321.
Moses, 212, 259, 509.
Nancy W., 249.
Rachel, 4g7, 535.
Sarah, 512.
Submit, 502.
WiUiam, 455.
Zabdiel, 260.
ALBERT, Daniel, 4g9, 500.

ALCOTT, Amos B., 276,
284, 467.
Louisa M., 277, 475.
AGNEW, Henry, 356.
ALDRICH, Amasa, 248
ALLEN, Daniel, 295, 296.
Edward M., 355, 356.
Nathaniel, 504.
AMES, Clara P., 382.

INDEX.

583

AMSDEN, Adam, 336.
ANDERSON, Abraham,i84

Bethshua, 53
John, 57, 35,
ANNIS, AiS., 237.

Mercy, 427, 5i3, 538, 557-
MoUy, 504-
Moses, 537-
Nathaniel, '
Oliver, 28,

ATH'ERt"6^, Abigail, 537,
Abby M.; 433-
Achsa, 505-
Alfred, 433- „
Amos, 57, 118, 537.
Amy, 506.
Anna, 538.
Arethusa, 535.
Azuba, 499, 537.
Benjamin, 42, 44, 52, 57, 56,
292, 504, 537, 538.
Betty, 507, 525, 538.
Charles, 183, 423, 53S.
Charles H., 475.
Charles P., 357, 424, 443-
David, 85, 369, 504, 521, 537,

O^r'a.

205, 429.
, 515, 516
,553-

Eben, 538-
Edward H., 433-„
EliaJdm, 314, 538-
EUza, 534- „ ,
Elizabeth, 86, 427, 481, 5",
537- „
Emily, 538- „
Esther, 504, 538-
Eunice, 53.
Experience, »5,
429, 435, 481, 49;
517, 529, 537, 53
Ezra, 502, 538.
Fanny, 538-
Frank A., 357- „,
Galen P-, 28, 86, 352, 357,
435- „
George, 538.
George R., 357-
Hannah, 34, 86, 499, 5o3, 5I7,
523, 537, 538-
Humphrey, 34, 5o».
Israei, 85, 129, 426, 429, 538-
James, 28, 32, 34, 44, 57, »4,
go, g2, 179, 367, 537-
TamesH-,85, 348,378-
James 0., 357-
fe^4l;f7 85,89,ig2,200,
206. 2g6, 318, 337, 33g, 343,
367; 420, 434, 507, 521, 523,
530, 532, 537, 538.
Jonathan, 320, 505, 508, 516,
518, 537, 538. , „
Joseph, 31, 44, 52, 57, 86, 87,
112, 124, 157, 184, 189, 199,
206, 207, 3", 313, 317, 319,
-132, 419, 421, 422, 40I, 502,
507; 515. 516, 521, 532, 537,
Jo¥hia, 28, 32, 34, 40. f 5, 86,
¦' 348, 429, 475, 521, 537, 538-
Keziah, 5i5, 538-
Lois, 500, 538, 564-
Louisa, 538-
Lydte, 508, 538, 551-
Martha, 504, 538, 539-
Martin, 538-
Marv 44, 85, 06, 4gg, b^S:
Sog'! 513, 516, 521, 537, 538.
552.

202, 203, 205,
401, 506, 538.
.435-
Patience, 86, 504, 537, 545-
Peter, 57, 74, 85, 108, in,
112, 113, 141, 184, 189, 301,
401, 414, 415. 417, 418, 419,
420, 421, 423, 429, 435, 401,
504, 505, 506, 507, 515, 516,
517, 518, 519, 520, 525, 532,
533, 537, 538.
Phebe, 8g, 500, 504, 5o7, 538,
Philemon, 378, 41 5, 420, 422,
538.
Prudence, 537-
Rachel, 506, 512. 538-
RosweU, 357-
Ruth, 510, 537, 544-
Sabra, 538-
SaUy, 538, „
Samuel, 2g8, 332, 342, 344,
345, 5ig, 532, 538.
Sarah, 507, 5io, 5I7, 52i, 537,

538-
Silence, 504, 538, 557-
Simon, 52, 57, 26g, 537-
Sophia, 538.
Stephen, 100, 524, 537-
Submit, 4gg. 537.^
Thomas, 503, 538.
WiUiam, 528, 538-
William H., 357- , „, ,
ATKINSON, Elizabeth, 511
attleton, Joseph C, 357
AUSTIN, Samuel, 2ig.
BABBITT, Betty, 274.
Eliza, 274.
Isaac, 271.
Mary, 274.
Sarah, 270.
Seth, 26g, 270, 36g, 37o.
Tabitha, 270.
BABCOCK, William G.,
BAC'^'^&ER, John, 459.
Lucy, 575- „
BACON, George, 248.
Jeremiah, 508.

Joseph A., 357.

294,

Willard, 174, 243, 4o7, 423,
+5,4-
Lydia, 509, 540-
Mary, 5io, 560-
Samuel, 164, 421, 423-
Samuel A., 357-
Sarah F., 364.
Sophia, 245.
BAGLEY, Jonathan,
298.
PhiUp, 440. . . .^
BAILEY, Benjamin, 287.
Charles, 501.
Frank G., 453-
John, 341-
Kiah, 504.
BAIRD, Jonathan. 350.
BAKER, Edward, 5og.
Ezra, 503.
Henry A. 357-
Reuben, 505.
Samuel, 444-
Susanna, 505. .
BALDWIN, David, 338.

Loammi, 167.
Nahum, 288.
William, 459- .
BALL, Benjamin, 24g, 250,
430, 459-
BenjaminW., 431,471.
Deborah, 510, 568.
Lois, 500.
Mary, 24g.
Thomas, 287. ,
BALLARD. John, 23g.
Joseph, 506.
BARBER, Henry A., 234,
BA&EEtJ^'ibigail, 53g-
Chloe, 53g-^ ,
Daneil, 506, 536-
David, 53g.
Eunice, 506.
Hannah, 53g.
Stillman, 248.
Thomas, 535,, 53g. ,„ „
BARKER, Edmund P., 378-
BARNARD, Abigail, 53g-
Abner, 237, 357, 4i6, 419-
Amory, 539. „
Benjamin, 88, ig3, ig9, 200,
205, 206, 251, 2g6, 313, 317,
40 1, 422' 425, 429, 482, 507,
520, 522, 525, 530, 535, 538,
539.
Benjamin K., 378-
Betsy, 539-
Calvin, 539- ,
Daniel, 482, 536, 538, 539-
David, 506, 522, 53b.
EUsha, 538-
EUzabeth, 538, 539-
Emory, i55, i63, 249, 393,
417, 419, 421, 423, 539-
Ephraim, 206, 317, 481, 5o2,
529, 530, 535, 538, 539-
Esther, 539- „
Francis. 506, 538, 539-
George, 539-
Hannah, 482, 530, 539-
Harriet, 539-
Jacob, 53g- „
Jeremiah, 248, 352, 539-
Jesse, 538, 539-
Joab, 539-
Joel, 539-
John, 452, 53g.
Jonathan, 522, 538, 539. , <,
Jotham, 206, 311, 318, 528,
538, 539-

Levi, 53g. „
Lucy, 429, 482, 520, 522, 530,
539.
Luther, 539.
Martha, 539.
Mary, 525, 538.
Mary H., 539.
Moses, 320, 425, 429, 529,
538, 539-
Nancy, 53g.
Oliver, 504, 438, 539.
Phebe. 538.
Phinehas, 505, 539-
PoUy, 539.
Sabra, 506, 539,„553. ,,.
Samuel, I57, 482, 503, 538,
Sarah, 539.
Sarah M., 539.
Stephen, 538-
Submit, 529, 539-
Susan G., 250.

584

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Susanna, 53g.
WiUiam M., 52g.
BARNETT, Reuben, 248.
BARRILL, Joha, 53g.
Judith, 539.
Nabby, 539
BARRETT, Ehas, 539.
i onathan, 511, 539.
•vdia, 53g.
Moses, 53g.
Phebe, 53g.
Rebecca, 53g.
Samuel, 267, 343, 5o3, 53o-
Susanna, 510.
BARRON, Abiel, 516.
Edward, 34g.
EUis, 17, 18.
Nathan, 516.
BARSTO, William F.,37g.
BARTLETT, Persis, 537.
BARTOL, George M., 3S3.
BARTON, Michael H., 473-
BATEMAN, Charles, 158.
EUzabeth, 482, 536.
Frederick W., 3g3.
Harriet, 53g.
John, 53g.
Jonas, 163, 165, 385, 442, 482,
Louisa H., 37g, 413.
Lydia, 53g.
Po ly, 53g.
Rebecca, 539.
William P., 385, 413.
BEAMAN, Deborah, 196.
Jabez, 341.
John, 56, 57.
Jonathan, ig6, 499.
BEAN, Malabar, 255.
BEARD, Ezra K., 246, 422.
Henry B. , 459.
Jonathan, 218, 219, 354, 415,
422.
BELCHER, Jonathan, 53,
59j 60, in, 185, 462, 463.
BELKNAP, Ezekiel, 233.
Jeremy, 215, 239.
Mary, 233.
BELL, William, 250.
BELLOWS, Benjamin, 29,
^32, 44, 45, 433-
Dorcas, 32, 82.
Henry W. 32.
John, 32.
BEMIS, Sarah, 497, 534.
Stephen, 151, 216,-18, 220,
BEN&ET't', David, 539.
Semima, 508, 552.
oanna, 525, 539.
lary, 509.
Moses, 524, 539.
Patience, 501.
William, 318, 321, 499.
BERRY, John, 357.
BIGELOW, Abigail, 501.
Abijah, 539.
Arthur S., 460.
Betsy 539.
Dame!, 539.
Elizabeth, 539.
Emory, 539.
Jason, 442, 53g.
Jonathan, 108, 118, ig3.
Joseph, 539.
Joseph H., 355, 357.
Louise, 382. -*
Lucy, 539.

Mary, 500.
Mindwell, 500,
Molly, 508.
Roger, 539,
Thomas, 131, 539.
Thomas A., 87, 372.
Timothy Col., 343, 405, 430,
BINNEY, Moses, 457.
BLACKDEN, Joseph F.,
c,539. ,
Sarah, 53g
William, 53g.
BLANCHARD, Abel, g8,
438, 441, 53g, 540-
Betty and Betsy, 539, 540.
Calvin D., 378.
Elizabeth, 536, 540.
Esther, 540.
Francis G.,393.
Fred G., 378.
Grove B., 274.
Hannah, 499, 561.
IraH. T., 231,378.
Jemima, 221.
John, 173, 248, 250, 339, 423,
508, 539. ^ „
Joseph, igg, 206, 318, 3ig,
, 321, 324, 332. 509, 539.
Joshua, 290.
Lucy, 540.
Lydia, 406.
Lysias, 336, 438, 441, 455,
512.
Margaret B., 236, 374, 379,
383.
Phebe, 540.
Pliny, 269.
PoUy, 539.
Simon, 290, 297, 340, 369,

„,4.73, 508, 539, 540.
WllTlam B., 455.
BLODGET, Mary, 501.
BLOOD, Ebenezer, 540.
James, 460.
Joseph, 126, 127, 316, 499,
516, 517, 529, 540.
Levi, 540.
Lyman R., 357.
Mary, 430, 540.
Mercy, 540.
Mrs., 205.
Rebecca, 501. 516, 517, 530,
,, 540, 563.
Samuel, 540.
Sarah, 540.
BOLAND, James, 459.
BOND, Joseph, 118.
BONNEY, Isaac, 252, 378.
Boh'F&I^t, Sarah, 407.
BOWDOIN, James, 347, 433.
Michael, 357.
BOWEN, Amasa W., 357.
BOWER, John, 358.
B0WER,^,Cepiia5, 84.
Charles, 27g.
Charles M., 230.
Elizabeth, 5og, 547.
James, 503.
Joel, 158, 422, 461, 540.
John, 320.
Joshua, 317, 321, 508, 535,
540. ¦" —
Mary, 505, 540, 545-
Molly, 540.
PoUy, 540.
Reverend  , 5og.

Sarah, 511, 526.
Sally, 540.
Timothy, 300.
BOWKER, Mary, 426, 5og,
BOWLES, Anna, 482.
Eleanor, 506,
EUzabeth, 482.
John, 482.
Josiah, 466, 482.
Mary, 482, 537-
Nathaniel, 482.
Sarah, 482, 537.
Stephen. 482,
WilUam, 482, 537.
BOWLEY, Joseph P., 358.
BOYNTON, Hannah, 506.
Rhoda, 513.
Sally, 513, 552.
BRABROOK, William, 28g.
BRACKETT, Anna C, 3g2.
BRADFORDjWinslow,45i.
BRANNON, John W.,358.
BRAY, Daniel, 524.
Nathaniel, 2gg.
BREWER, Moses, 320.
BREWSTER, Wm. H., 460.
BRIDGE, Amy, 540.
Anes, 483, 540.
Anna, 503, 540.
Benjamin, 160, 2go, 2g4, 332,
336, 337, 500, 540.
Ebenezer. 105, 131, 413, 438,
442,483, 503, 533, 540.
George W., 540.
Hannah, 274.
James S.. 540.
Jeremiah, 317, 332, 342. 507,
, 525, 530, 540.
John A.. 540.
Joseph, 511, 540.
Josiah, 212.
Lucy, 540.
Lydia, 524, 540.
Mary, 540.
Matthew, 201.
Nancy, 505.
Polly, 483, 533.
Sarah, 525, 540.
BRIGHAM, Levi E., 352.
BRINSMEAD, Wm., gi.
BROGAN, Charles H., 355,
358.
BROMFIELD, Edward, 132
Henry, 6g, 71, 132, 135, 147,
igg, 206, 213, 216, 347, 379,
383, 402, 423.
.Margaret, 132, 232, 374, 379.
John 379 383.
Sarah. 136, 504.
BROOKS, Amos, 193, 509,
540.
Betsy, 483.
EUzabeth, 535.
I ames, 200. 526.
oel, 517.
oseph, 540.
osiah, 506.
.ydia, 540.
Nathan, 193, igg, 367, 500,
„,52p, 525, 540.
Phebe, 503.
Samuel, 483.
Shattuck, 44.
Susanna, 520, 540.
BROUGHTON, Edward, 47
BROWN, Aaron, 513.
A. J., 406.

INDEX.

585

A. P., 84, 258.
Benjamin, 342.
Caleb, 193, 4S3, 523, 54o.
Clark, 500, 540.
David, 298, 299.
Ebenezer, 51S.
EUzabeth, 483.
Frederick W., 358.
F. G., 228.
Hannah, 118, 500, 542.
Hepsibeth, 483, 526.
'abez, 296.
ohn, 358, 540.
onas, 296.
oseph, 118.
oshua, 343.
osiah, 2go, 2gi.
.ois, 5ii, 557.
Lucy D., 540.
Mary, go, 4gg, 503, 540, 543,
Maxmilian, 519.
OUver, 194.
Phineas, 193, 368, 499, 540.
Reuben, 159.
Samuel, 318.
Sarah, 499, 568.
Thaddeus, 138, 141, 335, 337.
508,532.
BRUCE, Daniel, 287.
Samuel. 287.
BRYANT, Richard, 138, 141,
512.
BUCK. Sarah, 514, 558.
BUFFUM, Joseph, 505.
BULL, Trumbull, 169, 393,
419, 421, 424, 442, 443-
BULLARD, Deborah, 34.
BURB'ANK, Calvin, 453.
Isaac, 335.
Mehitable, 531.
BURGES, Adeline, 541.
Anna, 527, 540:
Anne, 541.
Asa, 540.
Baldwin B^ 541. ,
Benjamin F.. 541.
Charles H., 352, 358.
Charles W., 541,
Daniel, 540-
Dwelly W.. 541.
Ebenezer, go, igj, igg, 205,
3ig, 483, 501, 508, 527, 540.
Emory, 541.
Ephraim, 174.
Hannah, 483, 502, 524, 540,
541.
I ames L., 358.
ohn, 503, 540.
onathan, 540.
osiah, 540, 541.
,evi, 527, 540.
Loammi, 540, 541-
Marrett, 540-
Mary, 540, 541.
Miranda, 541.
Nancv, 540.
Nathaniel, 541-
Rachel, 540, 541-
Sarah, 514, 540, 54i-
Solomon. 320, 540.
Susanna, 541.
Thomas, 332, 342, 54o.
WilUam, 483, 5io, 518, 54o,
541.
BURKE, John, gS.
Stephen, 358.

William, 358.
BURNEl^T, George, 358.
BURNHAM, Achsah, 505.
John, 343.
Samuel, 510.
Thomas, 343.
Zadock, 343, 512.
BURNS, George J.. 67.
John 483.
Martha, 483.
BURR. Rushton D., 237.
BURRELL, Ebenezer, 58.
BURT, Barbara, 205.
Beulah, 523, 541.
Daniel, 320, 342, 541.
David, 541.
Dinah, 541.
Dorothy, 512.
EUzabeth, 511, 541.
Florence H., 364.
George E.. 243, 407,416, 450,
T '^56-8.
James, 200, 206, 301, 311,
314, 318, 320, 322, 332, 334,
, 335, 336, 500, 523, 524, 541.
John, 57, 98, ig2, 193, 199,
294, 295, 298, 2gg, 301, 522,
523, 524, 527, 541.
Mary, 547.
Molly, 550.
Oliver, 541.
Rebecca, g8, 523, 543.
Sarah, 541.
Widow, 52g.
WiUiam, 200, 205, 296, 300,
318, 332, 422, 438, 441, 500,
529, 541.
BUSH, Hannah, 29.
John, 28, 29.
Sarah, 2g.
BUTLER, Abigail, 537, 541.
Caleb, 30.
John, 541.
Lemuel, 537.
Martha, 510, 560. '
Nathaniel, 504.
Smith, 541.
BUTTERFIELD, Abigail,
Eliza, 541.
Henry, 170.
iohn, 541.
osiah, 4g9.
lartha. 541.
BUTTRICK, Amos, 267.
EUzabeth, 507, 515, 517, 518,
541.
Ezra, 515, 541.
Toseph, 517, 541.
Levi, 506, 541.
Mary, 518. 541.
Nancy, 541.
Reljecca, 541.
Sally, 541.
Sarah, 507, 540, 541-
Sukey, 541.
Thomas, 515, 541*
WiUiam, 112, 165, 193, igg.

205, 426, 515, 517. 5ii
BYAM. Elizabeth, 507.
BYNNER, Edwin L., 471.
pABOT, Henry B., 383.
^^ CjEsAr, 401, 402-
CAMPBELL, WiUiam. 345.
CANONCHET, 27.
CARLTON, Abraham, 508.
Eunice, 505, 506.
CARROLL, Huldah, 508.

CARTER, James, 450.
John, 37.
Joseph, 248, 416, 423.
Josiah, 314.
Prudence, 507.
Thomas, 154.
CATE, Shad;rach M., 429.
CATO, 402, 517.
CEARY, Michael, 321.
CH ACEand CHASE, - 531
Charles, 225, 453.
Elizabeth W., 230.
Nathan, 402.
CHAFFIN, Betsy, 541.
Elias, 534.
Ephraim, 504. 541.
Eunice, 541.
Gladwin, 506, 541.
Harriet, 541.
James, 541.
John F., 535, 541.
Josepli, 541.
Lucy, 503.
Nancy, 541.
Sally, 541.
Sarah, 541.
WiUiam F., 541.
CHAMBERLAIN, Anna,
541.
Hepsibah, 541.
Jonathan, 521.
Josiah, 521, 541.
Samuel, 44, 45.
Sarah, 500.
Thomas, 318, 321, 342, 503,
541-
Wilder, 336.
CHANDLER, Hannah, 4gg.
John, 5og.
Joseph. 503.
Samuel, 56.
Seth, 474.
CHAPLIN, Daniel, 216, 512.
CHAPMAN, Adam, 536.
CHATMAN, Lucy, 541.
Ohver, 541.
Relief, 541.
CHELLIS, John T.. 355,
358.
CHENEY, Edward, 317.
CHICKERING, Jabez, 511.
Mr., 413.
Samuel, 248, 250.
CHURCH, Anes, 4gg. 541,
570-
Caleb, 501, 525, 541.
Huldah, 541.
Isaac, 412.
Jonathan, 541.
Joseph, 2g5, 541.
Joshua, 52, 57, 86, I7g, 2g5,
.«54i-Mary, 541.
Mercy, 541.
Prudence, 507, 541, 556.
Silas, 541.
Tamer, 525.
Vashti, 541.
CHURCHILL, i6g, 443.
CHURHAM John, 358.
CLAPP Brothers, 174, 460.
CLARK, Alvan, 383.
Annie M L., 471.
EUzabeth, 542.
Eunice, 483, 516, 541.
Hannah, 133, 483, 516, 541.
John, 358, 425.
Jonathan, 124, 200, 205, 3ig,

586

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

, 320, 335, 507, 541.
Judah. ig3, igg, 28g,2go, 2g7,
2g8, 401, 421, 483, 516, 528,
541.
Matthew. 542.
Mercy, 541.
Molly, 527.
Richard, 133.
Samuel G., 378, 393, 424, 425.
Sybil, 508.
Thomas H., 542.
CLELAND, SamuelrSoi.
CLEVERLY, Hannah, 529.
John, 3ig, 426, 43g, 440, 530,
53,1, 542.
Lydia, 504, 556.
Nancy, 542.
Rachel, 542.
SaUy, 542.
Stephen, 141, 438, 43g, 440,
CLOUTMAN, John, 274.
COBLEIGH, Elizabeth,5o7.
John, 2g7.
Nathaniel, 2go.
CODY, John, 358.
COFFEE, Michael, 173.
COGNEY, Thomas, 322.
COLBURN and COBURN
Abigail, 542.
EUzabeth, 542.
John, 513.
M. M., 243.
Peggy, 505.
Titus, 343, 502.
WiUiam, 542.
COLE, Abijah, 200, 2g4, 296,
301, 337, 507, 524, 526, 542.
Anna, 542.
Asa, 455,504, 542.
Edith, 542.
Hannah, 507, 538.
Jedediah, 483, 518.
John, 298, 299.
Jonathan, 193, 199, 483, 499,
500, 518, 542.
Judith, 483, 500, 518. 542,
566.
Lois, 542
Martha, 483, 518.
Mary, 483, 518.
Sarah, 502, 524, 542.
COLEWORTHY, Gilbert,
COLLiNS. Mary, 513-
COLTON, Charles, 341.
COMSTOCK, William, 453.
CONANT, Abel, 542.
Abigail, 542.
Benjamin, 542.
Ehza D., 542.
George W., 542.
Henry W., 542.
Huldah, 483, 531.
Jonathan, 296, 298.
Levi, 509, 542.
Lois. 505, 561.
Lucinda, 542.
Lucy, 506.
Lydia, 536, 542.
Mary, 510, 542.
Peter, 156, 514.
Peter D., 423.
Rebecca. 542.
Reuben, 332, 342, 503, 542.
Sarah, 483, 531.

Sarah, 483, 5
SewaU, 5^2.
Shubael, 513.

Simeon, 141, 337, 338.
WilUam, 206, 483, 531, 542.
CONN, Abigail T., 542.
Almira J.. 542.
Anna, 500, 542.
Emory, 542.,
George. 200, 205, 206, 318,
369, 483, 532, 535, 542.
Jefferson, 542.
John, no, 2g8, 299, 300, 501,
504, 508, 525, 542.
Lucy, 542.
Lydia, 535.
Margaret, 502.
Mary, 483, 502.
Rosanna, 501, 558.
Thomas, 528, 542.
CONVERSE, James, 332.
COOK, Aaron, 248.
Horatio N., 248.
Jonathan, 542.
Lydia, 542.
Rachel, 542.
COOLEDGE, EUsha, 507.
Hannah W., 388, 389.
Philip. 5og.
COOPER, Abigail, 539.
John, 532.
Jonathan, 255' 533.
Nabby, 506.
NeUy, 534.
Rhoda, 502.
Samuel, 200, 205, 206, 255,
324, 502, 533.
Simon, 206, 311, 318, 332,
368.
COHELAND, Frederick,455
CORA, Charles F.. 358.
CORAM, Joseph A., 358.
COREY, Bridget, 521, 542.
Dinah, 502, 542.
Jane, 542.
Martha, 522, 542.
Phillip, 542.
Samuel, 289, 295, 298, 2gg,
500, 520, 522, 526, 542.
Sarah, 520, 521, 322, 542.
Silas, 301-
Stephen, 542.
CORLEY, Ruth, 508.
COUGHLIN, Patrick, 358.
COWDALL, John, n.
COX, Ezekiel, 317. 342, 531.
Lucy, 503, 567.
CRAGIN, Silas, gi, 131, 173,
238.
CRAIG, Margaret, 511.
CRANE. Col. John, 343.
CRANSON, Abner, 322.
CREASY, Jonathan, 2g2,
2g8
CROOKER, Captain, 532.
Elizabeth, 506.
Nancy, 514.
Peleg, 420.
CROSBY, Joseph, 532.
CROSIER, John, 248.
CROSFIELD, James, 297,
Rebecca. 542.
CROUCH, Amos, 542.
Ann, 542.
Betty, 537, 542, 543.
Caleb, 526. 543.
Daniel, 543.
David, 193, 200, 206, 267,
4g7, 4gg. 503, 522, 523, 526,
534, 543-

Dorothy, 543. >
Ehzabeth, 523, 542. 543.
Ephraim. 543.
Eunice, 523, 528, 542-
George, 250.
Hannah, 537, 542-
HenryE.,358.
Isaac, 335, 543- , .
John, 206, 500, 506, 522. 52S,
, 530, ,542-
Jonathan, 43, 44, 52, 57, 92,
173, 184, 189, ig4, igg, 206,
267, 318, 336, 4g9, 502, 503,
514, 518. 523, 531, 542, 543.
Levi, 543.
Levi S., 248.
Lois, 510,^42.
Lucinda E., 249.
Lucy, 530, 542.
Mary, 4gg, 522, 523, 527, 543,
,,576.Mercy, 542.
Molly, 506, 543.
Moses, 543.
Oliver, 542.
Patience, 543.
Sarah, 542, 543.
Susanna, 543.
Thirza, 543.
Timothy, 206, 318, 528, 542,
Cuffi'EN, Walter, 44g.
CULLIVER, Samuel, 543.
Seth, 543.
Thankful, 543.
CUMMING-i, Charles H.,
243, 378, 3g3, 442, 443-
Jonathan, 321.
Mehitabel, 250.
Thomas, 24g, 421, 423.
CURTIS, Ephraim, 23.
Hannah, 483.
Joseph, 131, 434, 435.
Lydia, 536.
Moses, 227, 378.
Timothy H., 483.
CUSHING, Caleli, 231.
Job, 335.
Theophilus, 82, 433.
CUTLER, Benjamin, 200,
31?, 527, 530.
Dolly, 527.
Dorcas, 28, 32, 572.
EUzabeth, 530.
CUTTER. Benjamin, 507.
CUTTING, Hannah, 505,
Joel, 506.
Molly, 564.
PoUy, 511.
CYPRIAN, negro, 403, 532.
PjABY, Amos, 543.
L-* Anna, 513.
Asa, 130, 157, 173, 177, 416,
419, 423, 505, 543.
Benjamin, 543.
Calvin. 528, 543.
Daniel, 508, 543.
Deliverance, 543.
EUzabeth, 483, 526, 543.
Elnathan, 343.
Esther, 527, 543.
Ethan, 543:
Eunice, 543.
Hannah, 483, 4gg, 501, 510,
„5i7,.543, 548, 56g.
Hepsibah, 527, 543.
Joanna, 534.

INDEX.

587

John, 43, 45,57.93,94,113,
177, 180, 184, 188, i8g, 200.
298, 2g9, 311, 317, 334, 336,
367, 421, 454, 483, 501, 517,
5ig, 526, 527, 530, 531, 536,
T 543.,
Jonathan, 543.
Joseph, g4, ig3, 454, 4g9, 543,
Joshua, 543.
Judith. 458, 528, 543.
Levi, 533, 534, 535-
Lucy, 543.
Mary, 4g9, 543, 568.
Mercy, 501, 517, 543.
Molly, 543.
Nahum, 184, 193, 200, 508,
„527, 543.,
Nathan, 367.
Phebe, 505, 543.
Sally, 505.
Salmon, 543.
Sarah, 504, 543, 566.
Simon, 124, 130, 193, igg,
200, 201, 207, 208, 306, 316,
367, 420, 422, 458, 502, 504,
^ 5og, 517, 519, 527, 528, 543.
Susanna, 206, 543.
Thomas, 301, 501, 543.
WilUam, 543.
DADM AN, James F., 358.
DAILY, Jolin, 358-
DALTON, Michael, 359-
DANA, Samuel, 511, 512.
DANFORTH, Samuel, 132,
DANIELS, James, 512.
DARBY, and DERBY,
EUzabeth, 501.
Elnathan, 503.
John, zoo, 205, 212, 317, 324,
422, 501, 511, 528, 530.
Olive, 427.
Rebecca, 505.
Robert, 524.
Susanna, 528,
DAVIDSON, John, 296, 298.
DAVIS, Aaron, 98, 139, 206,
297, 319, 484, 506, 52g, 543,
Ab3| 200, 206, 2g6, 501, 523,
. 526, 543, 544,
Abigail, 484, 509, 525. 542,

Alic

ilice, 544,
Amos, ig3. 544-
Barnabas, 2g7.
Betty, 502, 508, 544, 551-
Caleb, 544.
Daniel, 484. 527, 537, 544.
DeUverance, 2g6, 500, 544.
Dinah, 506, 5ig, 544.
Ebenezer, 102, 194, 199, 287,
317, 321, 367. 402, 420, 421.
479, 484, 503, 508, 515, 519,
520, 525, 526, 532, 534, 535,
^544,545-Edith, 500, 542, 544.
Eleazar, 52, 56, g5, g6, g7,
112, 113, 367, 420,421,434,
435, 484, 5og, 515. 5ig, 526,
Elizabeth, 200, 206, 502, 532.
544, 545, 556.
Ellen, 499, 573- ,
Ephraim, 157, 206. 259, 311,
318. 332, 420, 422, 438, 441,
501, 525, 527, 52g, 543, 544-
Esther, 529, 544,
38

Ezra, 516, 543.
Fhnt, 147, 420, 453, 484.
Hamhn, 545.
Hannah, 206, 533. 544.
H. F., 243, 421.
Hepsibeth, 545.
Hezekiah, 544.
Isaiali, 422, 504, 535, 544,
I ^'^\ ,
J acob, 200, 317, 321, 323, 342,
510, 545.
Jane, 432.
Joel, 544.
John. 35, 57, 98, 137, 184,
193, 194, igg. 2S7, 367, 484,
500, 515, 516, 526, 535, 543,
544.
John H., 423.
Jonas, ig2, 300, 343, 345,
483, 508, 525, 532, 544.
Jonathan, 200, 314, 317, 321,
324, 348. 434, 505, 508, 525,
544,545.,
Toseph, 2g8, 521.
Josiah, ig2, 200, 205, 287,
2go, 2g8, 317, 322, 500, 5og,
, 533, 544,
Joshua, 504.
Levi, 544.
Lois, 544.
Lucy, 500, 506, 540, 544, 555-
Lydia, 4g9, 5o5, 529, 544.
Martha, 25S, 544.
Mary, 431, 544, 545.
Mercy, 544.
Micah, 290, 334.
Miriam, 515, 543.
Molly, 533, 544-
Moses, 544.
OUver, 509, 515, 543, 544,
Patty C., 545.
Peter, 544.
Phebe, 500, 544.
Phineas, 128, 544.
Rachel, 544.
Rebecca, 205, 543.
ReUef, 544.
Reuben, 544.
Ruhamah, 526, 544.
Ruth, 484, 501, 544, 545.
Sally, 535, 545-
Sally C., 545.
Samuel, 335, 544.
Sarah, 484, 49g, 500, 509,
512, 515, 519, 543, 544, 547,
552-
S2th, 544.
Silence, 519, 544,
Simon, 477, 5ig, 544.
Sophronia, 545,
Stowell W., 409, 423.
Submit, 527, 544.
Thomas, 336, 505, 536, 544,
^545. ,
Timothy, 519, 544-
Widow, 536,
WiUiam, 519.
Zadock, 200, 290, 527, 544.
Zebudah, 500, 543, 570.
Zimri, 545.
DAY, Isaac, 292, 2g4, 295.
John B., 443.
DAYTON, Morris C, 358.
DENNY, Austin, 424.
Samuel, 336.
DEVER, Edward, 355, 358.
DEXTER. Samuel, 115.
DICK, John W., 229.

DICKENSON, Amos, 545.
Daniel, 545.
Daniel H., 352, 358,
David, 301, 503, 545,
Dorcas, 545.
Francis, 484, 505, 508, 535,
^545,George, 119, 193, 522, 545.
Jeremiah, 2g4, 522, 545.
John W,, 352, 35g.
j, G., 37^.
Lois W.,250.
Mary, 484, 535, 545.
Samuel, 350, 4S3.
Sarah, 522, 545.
DINSMORiE,Abraham,5o3,DICKSON, Philip 0.. 388,
DldoiA'^,' foL, 537.
DINSDALE, George, 359.
DIVOLL, Manasseh, 118.
OUver, 503.
DIX, Samuel, 514.
DIZER, Francis, 322.
DOBSON, EUzabeth, 503.
DODGE, Beniamin, 241.
Elizabeth, 484.
Hannah, 508.
Isaac, 484, 532.
John, 241. 242, 245, 378, 3g3.
John M., 505.
Relihen, 320, 342, 43g, 530.
Thomas, 336.
WiUiam, 513.
DOLAN, Michael, 35g.
DOLBEAR, Benjamin, 321.
DONAHOE, Daniel, 35g.
DOUGLAS, James, 35g-
DOW. John O., 428.
DRAPER, Alonzo, 155.
Elijah H., 155.
Harriet L., 245.
Simon W., 455.
DRURY, John, 336, 338.
DUDLEY, Abigail, 521, 523,
r-,y+v545,.Elizabeth, 545.
Emily 545.
Francis, 545.
Guilford, 545.
Hannah, 545.
fason, 545.
ohn, 248, 333, 345, 5", 545.
.ouisa, 545.
Lucy, 545.
Lydia, 545.
Major, 154.
Mary, 534, 545.
Mercy, 531, 545.
Molly, 545.
Oliver, 526, 545.
Parker R., 545.
Patience, 545,
Peter, 200, 205, 521, 523, 526,
528,545.
Prudy, 503, 545.
SaUy A., 545.
Samuel, 87, 248, 504, 523, 545
Sarah, 521, 545-
Silas, 84.
Solomon, 545.
Sybil, 545.
Widow, 531.
Zaccheus, 207, 368, 510, 545.
DUNHAM, Thomas, 457-
DUNN, Andrew, 228,
William A., 355, 359,
DUNSMOOR, John D.,425.

588

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

WilUam, 320.
DUNbTER, Henry, 221.
Mary, 221.
DUSTIN, Alexander, 384,
423, 424.
Hannah, 424.
DUTTON, Lucy, 510, 556.
DWELLY. Sarah, 502, 57o-
DWINELLS, Benjamin J.,
248.
Dexter, 545.
Edwin, 35g.
Elijah, 384, 505, 545.
Hannah, 545.
Harriet, 545,
Louisa, 3g6, 545.
Mary, 545.
Mehitabel, 505.
Pliny. 545.
EAGER,  ,502.
¦-¦ EATON, Alma T., 42g.
Jacob S., 243, 378, 428, 42g.
Jeremiah, 2g8.
John, 428.
Mary, 428.
William. 23g.
EDES, Huldah, 221.
Mr.  , 403.
Peter l2oo, 501.
EDGARTON, Joseph, 173,
438.
Leonard, 248, 420, 47g.
Warren P., 35g.
EDWARDS, John, g6.
Justin, 163.
Oliver, 334,
ELDRIDGE. Olney, 457.
ELLIOTT, John, 20.
Joseph, 335.
ELLIS, Joseph S., 251, 252.
ELSTON, IVIary O., 274.
EMERSON, Abigail, 501.
Daniel, 534.
Ephraim, 224.
George B., 231.
Hannah, 536.
Jacob, 2g8, 2g9.
Joseph, 213, 513.
Lucy, 505.
Phebe R., 545.
Polly, 506.
Ralph W., 213, 279, 281, 394.
Ruth, 213, 545-
Sally, 536.
Warren, 252.
William, 212-16, 218, 384,
ETlfliri1bgl,^¥h^tl-32i.EUSTIS, William S., 359.
EVANS, WiUiam H„ 230.
EVELETH. Joseph, 296.
EVEONDEN, Abijah, 320.
CAIRBANK, Abel, 519, 546
'¦ Abigail, 484, 508, 522, 536,
546, 560, 573.
Achsah, 546.
Amos, 200, 212, 215, 296, 311,
317, 324, 384, 422, 434, 484,
485, 500, 504, 524, 526, 531,
. 532, 545, 546.
Andrew, go, 237, 4og, 4ig,
423, 461.
Anna, 508, 540, 545.
Artemas, 248, 24g, 546.
Betty, 546.
Charles F., 35g.
Clark, 546, 547.
Cyrus, 317, 322, 485, 510, 515,

518, 545, 545.^
Daniel, 531, 546.
Daniel H., 237,, 3ig.
Eliza, 546.
Ehzabeth, gz, 485, 5i4,
5ig, 545, 546.
Emory, 546.
Ephraim, 157, 484, 503,
522, 546, ¦ ^
Esther, 503, 546.
Eunice, 501, 546, 566.
Hannah, 502, 53g, 546.
Horace, 546.
Jabez, 15, 40, 4g, go, 485,
526, 528, 545, 546. „
Jacob, 155, 215, 23g, 338,
5og, 546, 547.
Joel W., 547.
John, 155, 156, 546.
Jonas, 74, 192.
Jonathan, go, 94. 158,
420, 422, 514, 546.
Joseph, 43, 44, 57, go,
185, 188, 196, 198, 200,
238, 301, 306, 312, 314,
316, 318, 319, 324, 384,
419, 420, 421, 422, 484,
49g, 5", 515, 519, 522,
T..532, 536. ^
Keziah, 556.
Levi, 317, 332, 546, 547.
Lucy, 484, 485, 524, 526,
t5?2.Luke, 547.
Lurenia, 547.
Lydia, 250, 484, 5oo, 532,
546, 547, 564.
Manasseh, 485.
Mary, 484, 405, 49g, 5o8,
515. 5ig, 545, 546, 547,
560.
Mercy, 532, 545, 546.
Nabby, 546.
Nahum, 156.
Nancy, 546.
Noah, 157, 546.
Phineas, go, 124, ig3,
ig7, 199, 203, 208, 212,
2g6, 301, 304, 306, 307,
317, 318, 324, 325, 348,
420, 421, 484, 499, 518,
„525, 536, 545,546-
Polly, 546.
Rachel, 249-
ReUef, 500, 504, 545, 546,
Rebecca, 546.
Rhoda, 505, 531,546.
SaUy, 93, 246, 546.
Samuel, 546.
Sarah, 484, 485, 501, 504,
546, 561.
Silas, 509.
Sophia, 547.
Thomas, 484, 514, 522,
'arren H., 378, 383,
!93, 419, 421, 423, 424.
..idow  , 534.
Zilpah, 546.
FALE3. John, 5og.
FANE, William, 35g.
FARMER, Emory, 22g.
James, 320, 508, 547.
John, 547.
Nahum H., 35g.
Ruth, 547.
Simon, 330, 547.
Simeon, 138.

^^l

515, 5og,

5og,
33g, 246, 184,
205,
315, 414.485, 528,546,545.

510,55g,

ig6,
260, 309,419,5ig,

563- 518,546,
38g,

Timothy, 547-
William, 118, 287, 2g6, 4gg,
FArVhAM, Asa, 535-
FARNSWORTH, Abel, 200
206, 2g6, 301, 318, 501, 527,
528, 547, 548.
Amos, 517, 547.
Amy, 548.
Asa, 317, 547.
Asa D., 424.
Azubah, 205, 503, 521, 547.
Benjamin, 30, 547.
Benjamin S., 423, 443.
Betty and Betsy, 500, 508,
514,547,548,561.
Daniel, 56, 97, 517, 547.
David, S47.
Deborah, 4gg, 547-
Dinah. 520. 547.
Dorcas, 547*
Ebenezer, 512, 533-
Elias, 516, 547, 548.
EUzabeth, 503, 523, 547, 548,
, 575- .
Ephraim, 50, 52, 56, g7, 112,
184, 515, 547-
Esther, 522, 547.
Eunice, 485, 501, 517, 520,
„536, 547, 548, 575.
Hannah, 236, 4gg, 502, 506,
538, 547. 548, 574-
Hannah B., 548.
Harbour, 336, 508.
Hepsibeth, 548.
Jacob, 548.
Jeremiah, 52, 56, g7
Jerome, 359.
Jesse, 548.
J ohn, 30, 52, 97, 193, 205, 206,
292, 317, 499, 502, 520, 522,
, 523,,547, 54S-
Jonathan, 26, 56, 97, 98, 112,
184, 192, 194, igg, 205, 318,
332, 342, 421, 454, 4gg, 5",
515, 519, 524, 526, 52g, 547,
548.
Joseph, 422, 500, 547, 548.
Joshua, 521, 52g, 547.
Keziah, 501, 547, 571.
Lemuel, 200, 206, 301, 317,
^ 501, 533, 547, 548-
Levi, 343, 548.
Lucy, 502, 504, 524, 528, 547,
548.
Lydia, 506, 529, 548, 556.
Lydia W., 532.
Manasseh, 332, 343, 524, 547.
Mark A., 222, 229, 230, 423,
424.
Martha, 501, 521, 522, 547.
Mary, 504, 514, 515, 516, 526,
,527, 547, 548, 563.
Matthias, 14, 30, 97, 206,
501, 503, 512, 548, 572
Mehitabel, 501, 547, 562.
Mercy, 548.
Nabby, 506.
Nathaniel, 193, igg, 204, 317,
513, 517, 520.

422, 454
532, 547, 54i
Patience, 524
Phineas, 118
261, 262, 2gl
415, 422, 43.
„532, 547, 54I
PoUy, 512.
Rachel, 501, 540, 547.

547. ig3, 200, 260,
301,313,318,
435, 520. 529,

INDEX.

589

ReUef, 547.
Reuben, 50, 56, g7, 184.
Richard, 30.
Ruth, g7, 547.
Sally, 548.
Samuel, 30, 248, 317, 343,
^ 522, 547, 548.
Sarah. 501, 508, 5^2, 517, 520,
522, 524. 526, 544, 547, 248,
Silas, ig3, 300, 507, 523, 547.
Simeon, iiS, ig3, igg, 205,
322, 4g9, 521. 522, 524, 526,
^5,47..
Submit, 522, 547.
Susanna, 500,
Sybil, 500, 547, 565.
Tnomas,j547.Thomas T., 548.
Zaccheus, 547.
FARR, Abigail, 532, 548.
Abigail H., 548.
Anna G., 548.
Asa, 548.
Cynthia, 548.
Daniel, 287.
Ephraim, 507.
Francis, 130, 142, 157, 317,
321, 334, 384, 419, 420, 422,
423, 430, 503, 508, 531, 532,
536,548.
Hannah, 548.
Jonathan, 165, 378, 430, 467,
548- „
Levi, 548.
Lucy, 548.
Lydia, 548.
Samuel, 296.
Sarah, 430, 54S.
Thomas, 548.
WiUard, 548.
WiUiam, 336, 512, 531, 532,
548-
FARRAR, Stephen, 506.
FARRINGTON, Betty,5o6.
John, 257.
Thomas. 301.
FARWELL, Abel, 510.
Abigail, 511, 568.
Andrew, 423.
Daniel, 548.
David, 146, 318,335, 336, 502,
^530, 548.
Edmund, 502.
EUzabeth, 522.
Eunice, 506, 526, 541, 548.
Hannah, 511. 535, 548.
John, 117, 155, 156, 158, ig3,
200, 313, 401, 421, 422, 423,
434, 502, 507, 511, 514, 517,
519, 520, 521, 523, 524, 526,
528, 548-
John Sawtell, 320, 530, 548-
Jonathan, 507, 523.
Joseph, 249.
Leonard, 147.
Luther, 238, 246, 421, 422,
450, 458, 548.
Lydia, 512, 528.
Mary R., 378,™.
Molly, 503, 50S
Oliver, 54S.
Polly, 504.
Richard, 430.
Sally, 548.
Sarah, 501, Sig, 521, 523, 524,
548, 561-
Sewall, 548.

518,

S. E. H., 3g3-
Stedman, 548.
Sybil, 501, 548.
Thomas, 500.
Triphena, 523.
WilUam, 57, 501, 535, 548.
FAY, Warren, 21S, 2ig, 231,
378.
FAYERWEATHER, Mar
garet, 132.
FELLOWS, Eunice,
, 523, 549-
John, 331, 549.
Joseph, 518, 54g.
Maiy, 523, 549.
Samuel, g5, 119, 193, 297,
298, 301, 421, 434, 435, 501,
^518,523,548-
Sarah, 518' 549.
Solomon, 549.
Thomas, 54g.
WiUiam, 54g.
Willis, 54g.
FELT, Jedediah, 322.
FINNEY, see Phinney.
FISHER, George, 165, 218,
23g, 241, 245, 372, 376, 378,
431, 460, 475.
George E., 431,470.
Henry M., 35g.
Mary H., 432.
Nathan, 334.
FISK, Elisha, 23g, 240.
FITCH, John, 531.
Samuel, 257.
FLaGG. Ebenezei, 48, 321,
FLEEMAN. David, 158.
FLETCHER, Daniel, 291.
Edward E., 460.
George, 173.
George H ., 380, 423, 460.
Hannah, 514-
Paul, 501.
Ruth, 506.
Sarah, 505, 574-
Sherman, 421, 460,
Susanna, 503.
Zachariah, 206.
FLOOD, Samuel, 118.
WiUiam, 508.
FLINT, Hannah, 500, 548.
FOLLANSBl.E, N., 248.
FOLSOM, JolmL., 451.
FORBUSH, Aaron. W., 549
Daniel, 206, 317, 504.
David, 530, 549.
Eunice, 485, 518, 54g.
Hannah, 500.
James, 335.
Jerusha, 530-
John, 35, 83, ig3, igg, 402,
485, 516, 518, 529, 54g-
Jonathan,485, 518, 530, 54g-
Lucy, 549.
Manasseh S.,54g.
Mary, 54g-
Molly, 54g.
Rachel, 54g.
Ruth, 504.
Samuel, 318, 321, 510, 518,
^ 54g,.
S&rah, 54g.
Widow, 533.
FORD, James 91.
FORRAIT, Abigail, 293.
Mary. 2g3.
Margaret, 2g3.

Theal, 293.
FOSGATEand Foskett, Ab
igail, S12, 563.
Robert, 45, 52, 57.
Susanna, 510.
FOSTER, Abraham, 248.
Daniel, ig3, 520.
David, 506.
Edmund. 210, 212, 2ig, 384,
385, 438, 442, 509, 512.
Isaac, 194, 420.
Jacob, 392.
Jeremiah, 89, 119, 193, 549.
Judith, 549.
Maria, 274.
Martha, 551.
PoUy, 506.
Rebecca, 54g.
Sarah, 54g.
WiUiam L., 413. 438, 442.
FOWLER, Abigail, 54g.
Dinah, 500, 542.
PhiUp, 426, 518, 549.
Sarah, 502.
FOX, Jabez, 48.
Jefferson M., 234, 393.
Peter. 297.
FREEMAN, E,W.,226.
Hollis, 457.
FRIZZELL, Earl, 536.
FROST, Abijah, 118, 507,
Hannah, 29.
fames, 29.
ohn, 500.
oseph, 269, 36g. 370.
.ilia N., 382.
Sarah, 549.
Scripture, 248, 506, 549.
Thomas S.. 549.
FROTHINGHAM, Benja
min, 343.
FRYE, Joseph, 294, 295, 320,
330, 332, 334, 342-
FULLAM, Ehsha, 193, 261,
262, 263, 314, 317, 321, 334,
369, 39g, 434, 485, 503, 508,
529, .549-
Francis, 108.
Jacob, 317, 321, 54g.
Martha, 508, 566.
Phineas, 336.
Sarah, 485, 549.
FULLER, Alden, 457.
Alfred N.. 432.
Elizabeth, 536.
Elsea, 513, 568.
Jane, 432.
Lemuel, 428.
Mary, 42S.
Newell, 385, 432.
Robert, 441.
f~LAGER, Jeremiah, 320.
"-J GALE, Absalom B.. 89,

435.

, 413, 443, 460.

Henry H., 3S8, 4I3, 44
GALLUP, Benj. K., 459.
GAMAGE, Ellen, 174, 393.
GARDNER, Achsa, 232.
Andrew, 136, 155, 156, 423.
Henry, 514,
Jerome, 158, 163, 417, 419,
420, 423, 43g, 45g.
John, 182, ig5, 201.
Stephen, 251.
Stephen P., 232,
GARFIELD, Jonathan, 549
Levi, 549.

590

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Lydia, 54g.
Mary, 504.
Nathan, 335.
Rachel. 559.
Reuben, 317, 322, 336, 503,
^54g, ,
Samuel, 502. 54g.
GATES, Abraham, 485.
Anna, g4.
Betty, 516, 54g.
Dinah, 525, 54g.
Ehsha, 287, 2g6.
Elizabeth, g4, 221, 485, 500,
503, 510, 516, 517, 518, 521,
^523, 54g, 563. „
Ephraim, 200, 287.
Eunice, 517.
Hannah, 500, 516, 54g.
Henry, 54g.
Isaac, 94, 173, 200, 205, 289,
237, 311, 314, 317, 318, 324,
386, 401, 420, 422, 425, 430,
486, 501, 535, 54g.
Jacob, 50, 57. 74, g4, 112,
178, 1S9, 421, 430, 485, 513,
517, 522, 525, 527, 54g.
Jonn, 516, 549.
Jonathan, 119, ig3, 200, 299,
421, 485, 500. 516, 517, 518,
. 523,, 527, 528, 54g.
Josiah, 206, 287, 317, 321,
528, 5,4g.
Lemuel, 54g.
Lois, 508.
Lucy, 500, 546, 54g.
Mary, 94, 501, 505, 545, 549,
,,551.Mercy, 523.
Nabby, 549.
Nathaniel, 2g6, 54g.
OUve, 518.
Oliver, 503.
Rachel, 549.
Sarah, 501, 505. 525, 549,
Stephen, 94, 221, 298, 300,
301, 367, 507, 516, 525, 537,
^ 5,4g. .
Submit, 430, 54g.
Susanna, 549.
Thomas, 316.
Widow, 534.
Zaccheus, 549.
GEARY, Abigail, 505.
Charlotte, 535.
John, 504.
Nathaniel, 434, 486, 508. 534.
Susanna, 504. 572.
GEORGE, John, 531.
GERRY, Caleb S., 250, 383,
4ig, 423, 424.
George, 156, 416, 420, 423,
550.
Elbridge, 444, 447.
Fanny, 550.
John, 248, 250, 550.
Peter, 138.
Rebecca, 250.
Sally, 550.
Ward, S., 550.
GIBSON. Elizabeth, 513,
Isaac, 502.
John, 506.
Sarah. 574.
GIFFORD, Robert. 355, 359.
GILBERT, John G'., 233.
Washington, 159, 165, 232.

.233,4j7^^x,4t

GLEASC

or Leason.

David, 506.
George, 317, 322, 335, 336,
376, 502,531, 532, 533.
Nabby, 534, 536.
GODDARD, Eber, 141.
DanielF.,235, 378, 3g3-
GODFRE\\ Abel M., i55,
158.
Abigail, 507.
Andrew, 550.
Daniel, 550.
Eunice, 506.
Hannah, 499, 550.
James, 513, 550.
Mary, 512.
Rachel, 506, 538.
Salmon, 550.
GOFFE, Ebenezer, 321.
GOLDSMITH, Anna, 504,
542, 550. „
Francis, 248.
'. G„ 248.
ohn, 486. 506, 550.
ohnson, 536.
riaria, 550.
MoUy 431, 505, 550, 553.
Moriah, 550.
Richard, 205, 348, 422, 486,
536, 550.
Sarah, 486, 509, 536, 546, 550.
Sherman, 486, 550.
Theodore. 422, 505, 550.
Thomas, 550.
GOODALE, David, 321.
GOODHUE, Abigail, 504.
goodenough; Dorothy
499, 567.
GOODRIDGE, Albert, 453.
Benjamin, A. 237.
Daniel, 321,
John, 500.
GOOKIN, Daniel, 24.
GOSS, Dorothy, 56g.
John, 45.
Thomas, 195, 196, 201, 5og,
GOULD, Seth, 3g9, 457, 511.
Thomas, 507.
GRAVES, Widow  , 528.
WiUiam, 460.
GREATON, John, 341.
GREEN, Abigail 426.
Christopher, 279.
Ezra, 368.
Joseph C., 457.
Lucy. 513. 552.
Martha, 481, 486, 527.
Peter, 426, 441, 486, 527.
Samuel Abbott, 66, 475.
Thomas, 221, 427.
GREENLEAF, Anna, 550.
Daniel, 198, 426, 550.
Mary, 198, 509, 569.
Prudence, 537.
Silence, 550.
William, 134.
GRIDLEY, Richard, 321.
GRIFFIN, John, 359.
Michael, 174.
GROSVENOR, Augustus,
269. 274.
Daniel, 211, 465.
Ebenezer, 211, 430, 465, 486,

^'-''^^

Elizabeth, 213, 430,
Lorenzo, D., 469.
Lucy, 486, 535.
Mary, 505.

Maney, 486, 533.
Roxilana, 274.
GROVER. Charles W., 158.
GULT TVER, Mary, 537.
GURNEY, John H., 244.
GURNSEY, Thomas, 35g-
HABERLY, George, 455.
WiUiam, 455.
HADDICK, James, 434.
HADLEY, Amos, 24g.
Lucy, 512, 54g.
HAGER, Abraham, 320.
Gustavus D., 35g.
HAILD and HEALD, Isaac
511, 5ig, 524, 526, 528, 550.
Jonathan, 367, 527.
Lucy, 508.
Lydia, 503, 550 562.
Martha, 512, 550.
Samual, 200.
Susanna, 200.
Tamar, 519, 526, 550.
Timothy, 507.
WiUiam, 5ig, 55o.
HALE, Abigail, 500.
Adna, 500, 565.
Ambrose, igg, 206, 299, 501,
521, 522, 523, 526, 550.
Benjamin, 138, 200, 297, 327,
345, 486, 507, 527, 550-
David, 550.
Esher, 550.
Gershom, 294.
Hannah, 501. 514, 546, 550.
Huldah, 523, 550.
Isaac, 193, 200, 319, 519, 550.
Israel, 138, 298, 335, 338, 342,
508, 550.
Jacob, 550.
Joanna, 5og, 55o.
John, 334.
Jonathan, ig3, igg, 526.
Lydia, 550.
Martha, 526, 550.
Mary, 206, 486, 550.
Mercy, 510, 546, 550.
Moses, 207, 251, 318, 503-
OUver, 138, 335- 550-
Rachel, 503, 550.
Robert, 96.
Sarah, 508, 514, 550.
Tamar, 519, 550.
WilUam, 519, 550.
HALL, Anna, 550.
Eleanor, 550.
Henry M., 35g.
John, 486, 487, 502, 530,
, 53i,,55o.
Jonathan, g5.
Mary 507, 508, 532, 550, 55g.
Martha 499, 547.
Richard, 118, 192.
Sally, 487, 550.
Sarah, 486, 487.
Timothy, 118, ig3, 486, 520,

\ra°E

lard, 514.
WiUiam, 486, 550.
WilUam. H., 355, 359.
HALLETT, Enoch, 335.
HAMILTON, Henry H.,
244.
Ricnard, 359.
HAMLIN, Abigail, 550.
Adams G., 550.
Africa, 137-8, 158, 512, 550.
AUce, 137, 503.
America, 137-8, 336, 337, 338

INDEX

591

503.
Asia, 137, 487.
Betty, 137.
Cyrus, 137-8.
Dorcas, 137, 550.
Eleazar, g8, 114, 137, 138,
141, 324, 330, 4ig, 422, 434,
435, 452, 487, 48g, 514, 531,
^533.Europe, 137, 141, 336, 455,
504, 550-
George, 137.
Green, 137.
Hannah, 550.
Hannibal 137-8.
Isaac, 137.
iames, 550.
oash, 550.
.ydia, I37,48g, 5i3.
Molly, 137.
Sally, 137, 504, 545-
Sarah, 137. 487.
HAMMOND, Betty, 550.
David, 248. 550.
EUzabeth, 535,
Joseph, 255, 274.
Sarah, 506, 539.
Thomas, 434, 505, 506, 535,
550-
HANCOCK, Samuel, 300,
513-
HAND, Samuel, 193-
HAPGOOD, Asa, 487, 5i7,
550-
Betty and Betsy, 506. 550.
Charles W., 359.
EUzabeth, 93, 405, 487, 500,
517, 520, 550, 574-
Henry, 248, 455,-
Israel, 517, 55o-
iabez, 423- 550-
oel, g3, 471. 550-
ohn, 219, 239, 240. 248, 421,
422, 505, 550.
Jonathan V., 65, 93-
Lois. 502, 550, 571-
Lucy, 550.
Lydia, 503, 550, 557-
Mercy, 505, 507, 54i, 55o.
Nathaniel, 42, 43, 44, g3,
Oliver, 520, 550.
Phineas, 515.
SaUy F., 471.
.^arah, 501, 505, 543, 550 -
Shadrach, 15, 57, g2, 93, 178,
ig3, igg, 205, 206, 248, 316,
324, 420, 421, 422, 487, 502,
515, 517, 520, 532, 550-
Warren, I, 65, 91, 93, 177,
236, 390, 392, 471.
HARDY, Albert E., 360.
Charles O., 360.
George H., 352, 360.
Henry H., 360.
HARLOW, Charles E., 355,
360.
Charles, 551-
Edward O., 360.
Ellis, 218, 416, 420, 423, 424,

455, 551-
Hold

..olden, 237.
Lemuel, 252.
Sarah, 551.
Phineas H , 250, 423.
WilUam, 443, 55i.
HARPER, Andrew, 193, 367
516, 521, 551.
.\nne, 502, 551.

Daniel, 292.
Jane, 551.
John, 301, 551.
Martha, 55i.
Mary, 516.
Samuel, 74, 192. 287, 500.
\\'ilUam, 194, 2S7.
HARRIMAN, Walter, 248,
HAlililNGTON, Hannah,
537.
Mr.  , 413.
Timothy, 23, 90, 195, 201,
211, 404, 429, 512, 513.
HARRIS, Anna, 520, 551.
Asa, 499.
Asenath, 505, 551, 572.
George, 430.
Harrison G., 424, 551.
Jacob, 2gg, 301.
Joel, 37S, 385, 423, 424, 430,
551.
John, 430, 522, 551.
Joshua, 500.
Lucy, 506,
Lydia. 8g, 430, 530, 55i.
Mary B., 430.
Martha, 500, 520, 522, 531,
551. 568.
Nathaniel, 120, 551.
Phebe, 535.
Rebecca, 430, 55i.
Richard, 8g, ig3, igg, 202,
205, 208, 215, 306, 311, 419,
420, 422, 430, 507, 508, 520,
522, 52g. 530, 532, 536, 551.
SaUy, 551.
Silas, 126.
Thomas, 320.
WiUiam, 318, 321, 342, 55i.
HARROD, A. M., 388, 3g3.
Henry, 173, 247.
James, 57.
William K., 156, 421, 423.
HART, Samuel B., 360.
HARTWELL, Daniel, 423-
Daniel G., 360.
Edward, 513.
John, 332.
Jonathan, ig2.
Josiah, 248, 503.
Lois, 503.
Mary, 205, 487, 48g. 536.
Nathan, 487, 48g, 526.
SaUy, 236.
Sarah, 519.
Simon, 506, 512.
Thomas, 294.
HARWOOD, Joseph, 438.
Nahumj 460.
HASKELL, Abel, 523, 551-
Abigail, 487, 5o8, 548, 55i,

K^:-

Abraham, 368, 551.
Adolphus, 95.
Almira, 552,
Amy, 506, 551, 551-
Andrew, 322, 330.
Anna, 487. 501, 523, 55i.
Ann, 500, 540. 557.
Asa. 158, 487. 530, 551.
Benjamin, 430.
Betty and Btcsy, 551, 552.
Caleb, 551.
Calvin, 163, 164, 372, 378,
415, 416, 420, 422, 438, 552.
Charles H., 183, 229, 230,
3g3, 421.

Charlotte, 552.
Ehas, 200, 223, 288, 292, 299,
491, 438, 439, 505, 509, 530,
551.
Eliza, 552.
Elizabeth, 501, 551.
Ephraim, 552.
Erastus, 552.
Eunice, 487, 532, 551, 552.
Ezekiel, 297.
George, 431, 552-
Hannah, 499, 516, 552, 574.
Henry, 82, loi, 118, 332, 435,
487, 516, 519.
Huldah, 516, 551.
Jacob, 83, 157, 422, 423, 513,
, 552.
James, 95, 199, 200, 205,262,
2g8, 317, 324. 422, 487, SOI,
505, 526, SSI-
John, 343, 506,516,551,552.
Jonathan, 504, 552.
Joseph, 82, 83, 185, 192, ig6,
199, 295, 339, 421, 433, 434,
438, 487, 516, 517, 528, 534,
, 537,, 551. ^
Joseph E., 364.
Toseph F., 355, 360.
Josiah, %z, 157, 200, 205, 295,
311, 313, 317, 422, 438, 447,
487, SOI, 505, 526, 528, 551.
Laurinda, 552.
Lemuel, 205, 311, 318, 401,
421, 513, 551, 552.
Levi, 552.
Lucretia, 552,
Lucy, 501, 504, 508, 551, 552,
, 55,4, 568.
Lydia, 49g, 526, 551, 573.
Martha, 506, 552.
Mary, 487, 4gg, 5i6, 5i7, 55J,
552, 574-
Mercv, 552.
Molly, 505, 551.
Moses, 2g2, 487, 506, 523, 551
Nahum, 552.
Nancy, 552.
Nathan, 200,
Olive, 551.
OUver, 336, 337, 338, 509,
522, 551, 552.
Peter. 552.
Phineas, 551.
Polly, 506, 552, 575.
Rachel, 4gg, 573.
Rebecca, 551.
Ruth, IOI, 431, 487, 499, 519,
551. 552.
Sally, 552.
Sally B., 552.
Samuel, 87, 126, 193, 199,
206. 297, 335, 401, 431, 434,
435,438, 487, 4g9, 502, 522,
^527,551,552.^Sarah, 505, 528, 551, 552.
Seba, 552.
Solomon, 2g8, 300, 317, 321,
322, 551.
Stephen, 287, 551.
Susanna, 551, 552.
Sybil, 206, 487, 508, 522, 551,

552.

552-
Thaddeus P.,
Ward S., 552.
WiUiam, 224, 318, 320, 551,
Wilham B., 83, 434, 452.
HASKINS, John, 213.

592

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Ruth, 213, S09, 545.
HASTINGS, Benjamin, 2gg
322, 323.
Jemima, 552.
Moses B., 552.
Nathaniel, 508.
HATCH, Olive, 274, 552.
HATHAWAY, James B.,
360.
HATHORNE, Benjamin,
226, 378.
HAVEN, Asa, 206, 318.
Richard, 225, 226.
Sarah, 512.
HAWKES, Hannah, 506.
HAYDEN, Alfred P., 360.
Charles S., 432.
Emery, 552.
George A., 360.
Hannah, 552.
fames G., 432.
efferson, 552.
-evi, 350, 450, 552.
Lewis, g7, 552.
Lucretia, 432.
Lydia, 552.
Mary, 552.
Nelson, 552.
Polly, 512.
Warren, 156, 552.
Washington, 552.
William, 552.
HAYNES, Silas, 453.
Silas B., 231.
HAYWARD, George, 15.
John, 15.
btevens, 218, 378, 413, 415,
420, 422, 423, 438, 442.
HAZEN, Benjamin, 503.
Edward, 507.
Eunice, 507.
Samuel, 118,
Thomas, 514.
HAZELTINE, Hannah, 552
Mr.  , 45g.
Nathaniel, 192,335, 337,345,
507,524,525,552.
Patience, 200, 507, 552, 571.
Samuel, 192, 49g, 521.
Sarah, 508, 552.
HEALD, see Haild.
HECKER, Isaac T., 281-2,

Efh

HEFFRON, Michael, 360.
HEMMENWAY, Jonathan
e.537.
Simeon, 321.
HENEY, James, 360.
Joseph, 420.
HENRY, Robert, 117.
WilUam, 502.
HERSEY, Charles A., 413,
442.
Henry W., 360.
Mary, 3g2.
Thomas, 417, 438.
HEWINS, A C.,174.
HIBBARD, Samuel, 28g.
HIGGINS, S.C.,3g3.
HILDRETH, Abel, 552.
A. E., 245.
Edwin A., 378, 38g, 3g3, 407,
4*6, 424, 457, 458.
Emily E., 471.
Ephraim, 522, 552.
Hezekiah, 5cg.
Jonathan, 500.
Lydia, 522, 552.

Sampson, 200, 522, 552.
Sarah, 514, 552.
Stanly B., 3g3, 416,424,458.
HILEK, Stephen, 252.
HILL, Abigail, 503, 553.
Adams S., 383.
Alonzo, 201, 431, 468, 553.
Amos, 553.
Anna, 503.
Anne, 32.
Augustus G., 165, 170, 171,
353, 372, 378, 387, 393, 394,
419, 423, 553-
Barnard, 553.
Charles, 553.
Emory, 553.
James, 422, 506.
John, 332, 335, 417, 487, 512,
T l^5,i52.
John L., 360.
Levi, 506, 552, 553-
Lois, 508, 528, 552.
Mary, 170.
Molly, 431, 553.
OUve, 552.
Oliver, Sg, 127, 128, 158, 165,
170, 431, 505, 552, 553.
Paul, 451.
Perez, 553.
Pliny, 553.
Polly, 552.
Sabra, 553.
Samuel, 311, 317, 324, 332,
422, 438, 487, 534, 535, 552.
Sarah, 500, 504, 541, 552, 570.
Sherman G., 553.
Thomas. 320.
HINDS, Ephraim, 220,378,
424.
HOAR, Benjamin, 5og-
David, 255, 257, 258.
Samuel, 174.
HODGDON, N. C.,250.
HODGKINS, Aaron, 502.
HOLDEN, David, 295.
Dorothy, 553.
Elizabeth, 511.
Isaac, 206, 298, 29g, 317, 320,
508, 553.
Jeremiah, 553.
Joanna, 513.
Joshua, 502.
Justinian, ig3, 287, 2go, 2g4,
402, 426, 434, 499, 553.
Lucy, 520, 553.
Nathan, 243.
Richard, 2S8. 507, 553.
Ruth, 206, 553.
Thomas, 274.
Timothy, 553.
HOLDER, Joseph, 321.
HOLLAND, Ann, 553.
Experience, 435, 522, 553.
John, 553.
Mary, 504, 553, 572.
Robert, 89, 193, 434, 435, 49g,
520, 521. 553.
HOLMAN, Achsah, 428.
Amory, 248.
Edwin, 335, 360;
Eliakim A., 159, 163, 164,
^378, 3S5, 3g3, 419, 423, 427.
Elizabeth, 427.
Nathaniel, 2g7, 340.
Silas, 61, 131, 427, 474.
Silas H., 352, 360,
Silas W., 164, 419, 423, 442.
HOLMES, JacoL, 510.

HOLOWELL, Edward, 321
HOLT, Abner, 287.
Anes, 553.
Hannah, 508.
Jacob 553.
Jonathan, 526.
Joshua, 553.
Mary, 501, 543.
Sarah, 4gg, 506, 570.
Thomas, 502.
Uriah, 52, 86, 120, 2g4, 300,
301, 320, 500, 526, 553.
HOLYOKE, Edward, 136,
426.
Priscilla, 136.
HOOPER, William L., 378,
380, 3g3-
HOSMER, Charles M., 378,
3g3, 423- ,
Edward B., 360.
EU W., 378, 419.
Jonas, 504.
Jonathan, 385, 443.
Lucius S-, 360.
Sally B., 249.
Samuel, 250.
HOUGHTON, Abel, 504,
Abiathar, 320.
Abigail. 88, 500, 503, 515, 517
519, 553-
Abraham, 287, 290, 528, 554.
Alice, 554,
America, 554.
Amory, 554.
Amy, 554.
Anes, 206.
Anna, gi, 431, 4gg, 513, 553,
554, 55g,568.
Aretas, 2gS, 5oo, 553.
Asa, 122, 157, ig4, 200, 205,
260, 261, 262, 311, 324, 488,
500, 510, 520, 521, 522, 526,
„527, 53.6, 553, 554.
Benjamin, 554.
Betsy, 5og, 533, 554-
Betsy W., 554.
Betty 546, 553.
Beulah, 554.
Cephas, 88, 163, 238, 246, 416,
420, 422, 533, 554.
Cyrus, 157, 505, 554.
Darnel, 44, 58, 2go, 2gi, 2g7,
318, 506, 554-
Dayid, wg, 553.
Deborah, 553.
Dorcas, 526, 553, 554.
Ebenezer, 500, 515, 553.
Edward, 42, 44, 553, 554.
Edward Warren, 42, 87, 423
Elijah, 88, 199, 205, 319, 335,
402, 501, 504, 519, 52S, 532,
^553, 554-
Ehsha, 323, 343, 510' 530,
^?.5''-
Ell/.a, 505.
Elizabeth, 487, 488, 501, 520,
^522, 527,531, 543, 553, 556.
Ephraim, 42, 44, 57, 192, 199,
„2o5, 367, 507, 524.
Ephraim VV., 175, 361, 378,
421, 423.
Esther, 487, 5ig, 553, 554-
Eunice, 4S8,, 527, 554.
Experience, 553,
Hannah, 511, 532, 553, 554
573.

INDEX.

593

Hannah S., 554.
Henry, 42, 44, 52, 57. 58. 193,
igg, 205, 367, 530, 535, 553.
Israel, 461, 553.
Jabez, 554.
Jacob, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 55,
56, 57, 58, 118, 503, 511, 554.
James, 32, 34, 38, 44, 5o, 87,
, 88, 553, 554.
, ane, 88,
erusha, 517, 519, 553.
esse, 155.
.esse K., 554.
" ohn, 40, 44, 45, 46, 57, 68,
118, 200, 259, 296, 29g, 311,
317, 324, 422, 434. 487, 488,
511, 527, 553, 554.
Jonas, 40, 41, 43, 44, 54, 56,
57. 61.
Jonathan, 42, 43, 58, 8g, 92,
138, 261, 262, 336, 337, 488,
503, 520, 553, 554-
Jonathan P., 501,
Joseph, 121, 141. 200. 206,
289, 296, 298, 3ig, 335, 336,
, 506, 553, 554-
Tosiah, 44, 507.
Jotham, 507. 553.
Levi, gz, 158, 554.
Lucy, 511, 553, 554.
Lydia, 517, 553, 554.
Maria, 505.
Mary, 38, 553, 554.
Mehitable, 553.
Mercy, 505, 554, 568.
Moriah, 205, 488, 506, 507,
530, 534,,537, 553, 554, 576.
Nathaniel. 2g7.
Obed, 554.
OUve and Olivia, 488, 503,
522. 553.
OUver, 554.
Peter, 514, 554.
Phineas, 504, 510, 553, 554.
PoUy, 554.
Ralph, 16, 34, 45, 68, 88, 553.
Retiecca, 510.
Reuben, 158, 554.
Sally, 554.
SaUy W., 554-
Sarah, 34, gi, 499, 5i9, 524,

553, 554, 562, 563-
iila -

Silas. 510, 553-
Simon, 340, 517-
Simeon, 5ig, 553.
Sophia, 554.
Stedman, 155, 554,.
Stephen, 51, 57, 88, 515, 5i7,
„ 553- .
Submit, 554.
Thaddeus, 553.
Thirza, 554-
Thomas, 42, 44, 57, 88, xg2,
238, 2g7, 488, 513, 515, 525,
533, 534, 553, 554-
Wiliam, 248, 290, 297-
HOVEY, Joseph, 200.
Thomas. 320.
HOWARD, Hannah, 236.
Levi, 225, 427.
Martin, 424.
HOWE, Abigail, 511-
Buckley, 428-
, Francis A., 378.
George A., 2g7.
George M., 243, 3g3, 428,
433,
Harriet M., 428.

Sarah, 428.
Waldo v., 433.
HOWELL, Selah, 382, 3g2,
HO?'i\''M^dford H., 361.
HUDSON, AbigaU, 34,537.
Barzillai, 555.
Daniel, 43.
Lucretia, 504.
Lucv, 555.
Matilda, 555.
William, 313, 324, 456, 457,
HUnV, Ebenezer, 34.
Isaac, 34.
Isaac E., 361.
Mary, M, 5o7, 538.
Samuel, igg, 205, 434, 408,
507, 525, 52S.
T;ibitha, 488, 525.
HUSE, Charlotte, 555.
Dennison, 555.
Enoch, 206, 36g, 406.
John, 406, 555.
John D., 405, 406, 504, 555.
Rebecca. 174, 405, 406, 555.
HUSSEY, Charles A., 388,
393, 443-
Everett, 388, 393, 443.
HUTCHINS, AUel, 555.
.Abigail, 500.
Ann, 555.
Basmath, 555.
Benjamin, 94, ig2, 288, 28g,
2g4, 500, 555.,
Betty, 570.
Bethiah, 488, 523, 555.
Daniel, 5ig, 555.
David, 555.
Dorothy, 524, 555.
EUnor, 555.
Elizabeth, 35, 86, 500. 523.
Ephraim, 524, 555.
Esther, 555.
Ezra, 555.
Gordon, 126, 200, 288, 2go,
296, 298, 29g, 438, 452, 507,
524, 526, 555.
Hepsibah, 555.
Hitte, 527.
HoUis, 555.
Jacob, 336;
Jerusha, 555-
John,555, „
Jonathan, 2g8. 332. 342, 555.
Joseph, 32, 35, 40, 42, 44, 57,
86, 87, 118, 188, ig2, 194,
402, 421, 523, 555.
Levi, 555.
Lois, 555-
Lucy, 555-
Meribah, 555.
MoUy, 555-
Nicholas, 30.
Samuel, 338.
Sarah, 507, 5ig, 538, 555-
Simon, 555-
WilUam, 286. 2g5, 488, 523,
Hu¥&]^/nS0N, John, 47g.
HYLE, Anne, 502.
IDE, Jacob, 239, 240, 475.
1 INDIANS. Cauonchet, 27
iob Kattenanit, 24, 25.
latthew, 21.
Monoco alias One-eyed
John, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27.
Muttaump alias Maliompe

25,27.
Paugus, g6.
Philip, 22, 23.
Quanapohit alias James
"vViser, 24, 25.
Sholan alias Showanon, 12
20, 22.
Shoshanim alias Sam, 21,
22, 23, 25, 27.
INGERSON, David H., 361
Frederic A., 361.
WilUam W.. 352, 361.
IRELAND, Elizabeth, 255,
258.
Jonathan, 255, 258.
Margaret, 255.
Martha, 255.
Tabitha, 255.
Shadrach, 84, 253-7, 259.
IVES and Peck, 72.
I ACKSON, Elisha, 507-
J Col. Henry, 343.
Col. Michael, 342.
JACOBS, John, 334.
JEFT'^, L:^dia, 501.
JENKINS, Abbot A., 172,
413, 417 436.
Henry. 361.
JENNISON, Marguerita O.
C, 51, 54.
JEWELL, David, 296.
William, 296.
JEWETT, Aaron, 258, 261,
267, 268, 269, 369.
Abel, 255, 261, 267, 268, 405.
David, 287.
Mary, 534.
Maximilian, 300.
Moses, 52^.
JEXESS, negro, 402.
JOCK, Hannah, 555.
John, 555-
Lynn, 295, 531, 555.
Rachel, 555.
Rebecca, 555.

Sarah, 555.
"HNSON 526.

JOHNSON, Abraham, 206,

Anes, 57, 541.
Ann, 514.
Betsy, 529, 555.
Daniel, 130, 201-2, 315, 3ig,
327, 343, 442, 488, 501, 513,
^52g, 530, 555-
Dole, 301, 518, 555.
Hannah, 500, 544, 555.
James, 513-
Joanna, 555.
Jonathan, gi.
Joshua, 118.
Lucius, 457.
Mary, 526.
Nabby L., 555,
Rehef, 506.
Reuben, 526.
Simeon, 301, 555.
WiUiam, 288, 361.
JONES, Joseph, 343, 555.
J. N., 243.
Moses, 555.
Ruth, 555.
JOY, Hiram, 413.

John, 506.
JOY'-" "

j uYCE, Patrick. 174.
KATTENANIT, Job, 24,
1^ 25.
KEEP, EUsabeth, g3, 502,
535, 550-

594

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Experience, 205.
Hannah, 555.
Jabez, 200, 206, 28g, 300, 317,
318, 320, 331, 342, 345, 401,
422, 434, 454. 456, 488, 504.
528, 555.
Jemima, 502,
Jonathan, 555.
Lydia, 555.
Mary, 501.
Mehitabel, 273, 555.
Phebe, 533.
Rachel, 273-4.
Rebecca, 503, 553, 567.
Ruth, 4g7, 534.
Sally, 555.
Silva, 555.
KELLOGG, David, 511.
KELLY', John, 502, 534.
KENDALL, Asa, 204.
Daniel. 457.
David, 511.
Hannah, 273-4.
Joshua, 502.
Ralph, 117.
WilUam, 321.
KENNAN, George, 3g6.
KENT, Abigail, 555.
Eunice, 4g9, 528.
Josiah, 84, 92, 192, igg, 206,
, 526, 555.
Lois, 521.
Mary, 510, 555.
Ruth, 555,
Sarah, 507, 555.
Warren, 504.
KERLEY, Martin, 174.
KEYES, Amos H., 413.
EUzabeth, 555.
Elkanah, 200, 206, 28g, 507,
T 524. J
Leonard, 555.
Mary, 555.
Ruth, 555.
Sarah, 555.
V^^illiam, ig3, 4ig, 420, 555.
KIDDER, Sarah, 5og, 551.
KILBURN, Ruth, 221, 537,
Sarah, 221.
KIMBALL, Benjamin, 147,
213, 215, 217, 220, 371, 378,
415,419, 420, 422, 423, 430,
438, 441, 442, 444, 488, 513,
556.
George, 115, 430, 556.
Harriet B,, 42g.
Mary, 428.
Nabby, 556.
Nahum, 488, 536.
Nancy, 430, 488, 556.
KING, Caroline, 274.
Samuel, 342.
Thomas, 11.
KINGSLEY, Enos C, 45g.
KINGMAN, Content, 488.
Ebenezer, 205, 488, 533.
Marlboro', 138, 157, 317, 508.
Susan, 503, 575-
Sylva, 508, 575.
Widow, 534.
KIRKLAND, John T., 231.
KITTREDGE, Floyer G.,
361, 428.
Jacob, 427.
OUve, 427.
Paul, 427.
Rebecca, 427.
Thomas, 427.

KNEELAND, Edward, 530.
John, 556.
Joseph, 48g, 501, 525, 556.
Miriam, 48g, 525, 556.
Moriah, 556.
Oliver, 556.
Timothy, 200, 500, 556.
William, 511.
KNIGHT, Abel B., 556.
Abidan, 84, 158, 556.
Abigail, 513, 556.
Asa, 556.
Betsy, 556.
Carter, 332.
Daniel, 200, 345, 488, 503,
^527, 556.
Ebenezer, 507, 556.
Elisha, 506, 556.
Elizabeth, 206, 503, 535, 556.
Eloisa, 535.
Hannah B., 556.
Hannah E., 250.
Heman, 556.
Henrietta, 535.
Henry, 556.
John, 206, 556.
John C, 156,317.
Jonathan P., 250, 378.
Joseph, 205, 206, 317, 534,
r 55.6.,
Josiah, 515.
Lydia, 556.
Nabby, 248.
Nathan, 502, 556.
Phebe, 556.
Prudence, 556.
Rachel, 556.
Ruth, 556.
SaUy, 504.
Salmon, 556.
Sarah, 504, 554, 556.
Susanna, 556
Susy, 556.
Vashti, 556.
WiUiam, 504, 556.
KNOP, James, 14, 17. 18.
I AKIN, Mary, 28, 572.
L William, 18.
LANE. Charles, 278-g, 283,
284, 46S.
WiUiam, 278, 283.
LARNED. Samuel, 278.
LATHE, Eunice, 497, 534.
LATHROP, Joseph, 216,
LAUGHTON, Artemas, 556
Daniel, 157, 510, 556.
Emily, 556.
Ephraim, 556.
Hannah, 503, 539, 556.
Hannibal, 556.
George, 556.
Jeremiah, ig2, 196, 197, 200,
205, 290, 297, 301, 314, 319,
320, 321, 323, 420, 488, 509,
519, 520, 526, 529, 556.
John, 192, ig9, 332, 420, 421,
488, 509, 526, 534, 556,
Lucy, 556.
Martin, 248.
Patty, 505, 556.
Olive, 4S8. 526, 556.
OUver, 556.
Rachel, 488, 508, 556, 571.
Sarah, 488, 503, 507, 527, 548,
556.
Stephen, 556.
Thomas, 336, 556.

LAW, Dorothy, 502, 543.
LAWRENCE, Abel, 488,
489, 523.
Alfred G., 361.
Amos, 502, 556.
Anna, 501, 571.
Benjamin, 196, igg, 317, 322.
421, 48g, 526, 52g.
Edward, 235, 237, 380. 383,
391, 392, 475, 477-
Edward H., 361.
EUzabeth, 501, 566.
Frederick jr.. 361.
Henry, 556.
Jane, 205.
Jonathan W.,87, 158.
Katherine L., 471.
Lucv, 534, 556-
Nabby, 556.
Phebe, 488, 489, 523-
Sarah, 502, 556.
Stephen, 509, 556.
Submit, 430, 501, 54g.
Triphena, 4Sg, 523.
William, 299.
LAYTON, John. 501.
LAZELL, John E., 226, 378.
LEACH, William, 229.
LEASON, see Gleason.
LEAVITT, Sullivan, 361.
LEE. Ann, 84, 222, 257, 258,
260, 261-6.
Betsy 201, 513, 555.
Chandler, 413, 438.
Charles, 413, 438.
WilUam, 257, 262-3.
LEGATE, Thomas, 504.
LELAND. Margaret, 257.
LEONARD, WiUiam, 274,
LEi^NED, Henry, 438.
John H., 228-9.
LEWIS, Hannah, 537.
Rev. I. J., 396.
Jonathan, 505.
Sarah, 537.
WiUiam, 16, 248, 423.
LINCOLN, i3enjamin, 140,
r.335. , „
Daniel, 248.
Levi 444, 446, u7, 448.
LITCkFIELD, f>aul, 211.
LITTLE, John, '501.
LOCKE, lienjamin. 506.
Phebe, 510.
LOGAN, James, 361.
LOKER, Mary, ig.
LONDON, Edom, 320, 321.
LONGLEY, Betsy, 556.
EU, 508.
Henry, 556.
Israel, 506.
Ivory, 506.
Jemima, 512.
John, 118.
Joseph, 343.
Joshua, 514.
Keziah, 556.
Nathan, 36g.
Nathaniel, 122, 130, 42g, 510
556.
Polly, 556.
Robert, 322.
WiUiam, 514.
LOOMIS. Sally, 274.
LOVEJOY, Charles M.,361.

FrankUn, 378.

LOVE'kil^G,

INDEX.

595

James B., 361.
LOVEWELL, Capt. John,
49, gs.
LOUGEE, Abigail, 255.
LUND, Jesse, 343.
LYNCH, George R., 361.
IVt ACE, George, 361.
"* S,. E., 382.
McCOLLlbTER, Achsah,
428.
Jonn Q. A., 378, 424, 428.
Silas, 428.'
McCOY. John, 321, 331, 52g.
Mary, 525.
McDANIilL,  , 105.
McELWAlN, David, 137.
McFAKLlNG, Elizabeth,
425, 501, 548.
McGinn IS, james, 361.
McGUR.N, Mary, 174.
Mci^AUGHLlN, James, 457
MclEAN, Edward, 303, 533,
^556-
Eunice, 556.
John, 55b.
Sarah, 556.
McNIFJ?, 174.
MAGLATHLIN, Edward,
B-, 237.
MANNING, Benjamin, 226.
MARBLE, Benjamin, 287.
Nathaniel, 500.
MARRETT,  , 5og.
MARSHALL, Alice ivl.,382
Isaac H., 75.
Thomas, 330, 342.
MAKSl'ON, Daniel, 523.
MARTYN, Anna, 556-
John, 57, 74, 180, 188, 366,
402, 419, 420, 421, 423, 509,
517, 556-
Mary, 556.
Michael, 526, 556.
Nathaniel, 200, 426, 510, 526,
556-
Pamela, 556.
MATTHEW, Sagamore,2i.
MAY, Samuel J., 279-
MAYNARD, Betty, 505-
Charles, 164.
Charles C, 421.
J-,E-,378- John. 255.
, Josiah, 489, 508, 532, 537-
Mercy, 176-
MEAD, Albegence, 557.
AUce, 519,
Amy, 557.
Asa, 345, 557.
Asenath, 557.
Benjamin, 506.
Bethiah, 557-
Beulah, 500, 541, 557-
Charlotte, 557-
Dinah, 507, 516, 521, 54g,
• 557-
Emily, 557-,
Francis, 506, 557.
Hannah, 42g, 503, 516, 524,
, 557,.57i-
Hepsibeth, 557.
Jason, 345, 504, 557.
John, 206, 317, 321, 334, 502,
-. 557-,.
Jonathan, 557-
J oseph, 533.
Lois, 519.
Lucy, 502, 519, 557, 572.
39

i4, ig3, ig4
5, 206,

20&,

Lydia, 513, 557.
Mary, 557.
Mercy, 511, 520, 557, 564.
Nancy, 557.
Oliver, 122, 207, 317, 467,
^503, 557.
Onesimus, 557.
Patience, 557.
Phebe M., 557.
Rebecca, 500.
Reuben, 557.
Sally, 566.
Samuel, 57, g5.
igg, 200, 202, 205, _ , _ .
212, 253, 28g, 2g6, 2g8, 31;
3ig, 401, 422, 429, 441, 46b,
4g9, 516, 519, 520, 521, 530,
^ 531, 557-
Sarah, 504, 557.
Silas, 516, 518.
Silence, 557.
WilUam,^ 557.
MELLEN, Rev. John, ig6.
MERRIAM, John, 2g7.
Jonas, go, 131, 384, 385, 434,
442, 509.
Lucy. 505,.
Mr.  , 532.
Nathaniel, 206.
Patience, 503.
Phebe, 505,
Sally, 550,
Sarah, 504.
bimon, 510.
U iiliam,^ 506, 531.
MERRILL, Abraham D.,
252.
Joseph A., 252.
MESSIRE, William, 461.
METCALF, Joseph, 2g2.
MILES, William, 508.
MILO, negro, 523.
MINER, Alonzo A , 380, 383
391.
MINOT, WiUiam, 382.
MIRICK, James, 338.
MIXTER, EUzabeth, 4g7,
MOFFAT, Joseph, 507.
MONOCO, Sagamore John,
MONTGOMERY, James,
352, 361.
MONTGOVIN, Thos., 84-
MOORE, David, 334, 335.
Dorcas. 510, 554.
Frederick, 361.
John, 26, 33.
Joseph, 322.
Joshua, 4g9.
Judith, 33.
Maria, 88, 553.-
Rebecca, 336.
MORAN, Thomas, 361.
MORRILL, S.tephen S., 244
378, 393.
MORSE, Abel, 506.
Benjamin, 450.
Ebenezer, 514.
Edward S., 396.
MORTON, James F., 230.
MOSELEY, Samuel, 24.
MOUNTJOY, Rebecca, 514.
MULLETT, AhredE., 236.
MULLIKIN, WilUam, 361.
MULLOY, Patrick, 362.
MUNROE, Abel, 557.
Abraham, 317, 321, 342, 503,

N

, 5,30, 557,
Atherton, 557,
Colonel  ,294.
Edmund, 343.
Ephraim, 427, 489, 513, 533,
, 535, 557.
John, 139, 415, 420, 438, 439,
. 513, ,533, 557.
John l-L, 557.
Joseph, 248, 478.
Lucy, 557.
Lydia, 503, 505, 506, 557.
Mary, 533.
Mercy, 427,489, 557.
Tilly M., 557.
Tilly W., 557.
WiUiam, 138, 557.
MURDOCK, James, 2ig.
MURPHY, Robert, 45g.
MUTTAUMP, Sagamore,
25, 27.
MYCALL, John, 224, 423,
438, 43g, 440, 441.
MYkICK, Elijah, 273, 378.
Samuel, 274.
'ASH, Lorenzo, 274.
NASON, Seth, 238, 248,
419^.434, 438, 442, 443.
NEGROnb.  , 528.
Anna, 554,
Caisar, 402,
Cato, 402, 517.
Cyprian, 403, 532.
Hager, 402.
Jock. 531, 555.
Jexess, 402.
London, 320, 321.
Milo, 523,
Neptune, 87, 402.
Othello, 133, 135, 402.
Sampson, 520.
Sip, 403, 532.
Zilpah, 402'
NEELAND, see Kneeland.
NEWELL, E.F., 252.
Gustavus A. , 173.
Jonathan, 211, 428, 514.
Onesimus, 504,
Orsamus, 513.
NEWMAN, AbigaU, 481.
NEWTON, Augustus, 362.
Samuel, 248.
NICHOLS, Abby, 513.
Abigail, 557.
Bethiah, 557.
Ebenezer, 298.
Hezekiah, 557.
John, 44, 45, 51, 57, 84, go, gz,
112, 118, 500, 557.
Lydia, 557.
Mary, 557.
Samuel, 120, 507. 557.
WilUam, H., 362.
NICHOLSON, Capt. Fran-
NICKERSON, Asahel, 2g8,
2gg, 300.
NIXON, Thomas, 342.
NOBLE, Gideon C., 378, 416,
423, 428.
Hadassah, 428.
Matthew, 428.
NOURSE, Benjamin, 8g.
367. 437, 441, 499, 516.
Brown, 557.
David, S3, 332, 338, 340. 511,
557-
Elizabeth, 4gg, 516, 531. 543.

596

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Francis, 505, 557.
Harvey, 557.
Henry S., i, 475.
James R., 557.
John, 158, 557.
Joshua, 49g, 557.
Lois, 557.
Lucy, 503, 546
Mary, 513. 557, 559.
Mary Ann, 557.
Nabby, 557.
Sarah, 557.
Stillman, 557.
NOYES, Daniel, 512.
J. D 512.
NUTTING, Ebenezer, 501.
EUzabeth, 541.
Hannibal, 248.
Rachel, 4g9, 547.
Sarah, 572.
OAK, Calvin, 557.
Ehzabeth, 520, 524,557.
John, 337. 341.
Jonathan, 194, igg. 507, 5ig,
,,524,557. ^
Mary, 507, 563,
Sarah, 524, 557.
Seth, 301, 524, 557.
ORTHERMAN, Bartholo
mew, 252.
OSBORN, Thomas, 2g6.
OSGOOD, Hooker, 42, 43.
John, 118.
Nathan, 322.
OSMENT, John, 274,
Nancv, 274.
OTHELLO, 133-5, 4Sg.
OTIS, Erastus, 37!^.
OVERLOCK, Jolm, 508.
DAGE, Anna, 27g.
• Daniel, 117, 118, 338r4gg.
John, 17, 18.
Jonathan, 508.
Levi, 513.
Nathaniel, 504.
PALMER, Joseph, 279, 283,
PARK, AUce, 489.
Andrew, 321, 489, 528, 558.
Anna, 504.
Benjamin K., 420. 450, 457,
Eunice, 558.
Jane, 489, 558.
John, 193, 199, 238, 419, 420,
421, 451, 489, 502, 513, 526.
Joseph, 318, 321, 323, 489,
,503, 533.
Margaret, 501, 535, 558.
Moody, 558.
Molly, 502.
Nancy, 558.
Polly, 50b, 557.
Rhoda, 505.
Rosanna, 558.
SaUy, 55S.
Thomas, 415, 420, 421, 501,
558.
Widow, 536.
WiUiam, 206, 318, 335, 336,
401, 420, 422, 438, 450, 478,
512, 558.
PARKER, Aaron, 223, 426.
Betsy, 223.
Caleb, 141.
David, 343.
Dinah. 405, 406.
Ebenezer, 405.
Eleazer, 343, 405, 406.

Harold, 474.
Kenry, 505.
Isaiah, 157, 206, 221-4, 247,
319, 415, 426, 466, 472, 505,
528, 537,
James, 14, 17, 18, 23.
John, 338.
Leonard. H., 356.
Luther, 216, 466, 472, 473.
Margaret, 489, 520.
Mary, 520, 558.
Moses, 489, 520.
Rebecca, 405, 504, 555, 558.
Sally, 506.
Samuel, 5og.
Samuel S., 427,506, 558.
Sarah, 503, 556.
SewaU, 223, 466, 472, 473.
William, A., 440.
PARKHURST, Amy, 5og.
Catherine, 503.
George, 558.
Jonathan, 2gS, 523, 55g.
Lucinda, 504,
Lucy, 523, 558.
Lydia, 504, 555.
Mary, 632, 55S.
Nathan, 558.
Rachel, 5og, 52g.
Samuel, 558.
Sarah, 503.
Silas, Sg, 123, 130, 204, 324,
419, 420, 434, 438, 441, 504,
507, 52g, 533.
WiUiam. 218.
PARKMAN, Henry, 382.
PARSONS, Theophilus, 154
PARTINGTON, Mary, 257
PARTRIDGE, James H.,
362.
Ohver, 298.
PATCH, Andrew, 424.
John W., 456.
Mary, 512.
Samuel, 322.
Sarah, 563.
PATTERSON AbigaU, 558
Alexander, 558.
Anna, 558.
Anna W., 558.
Artemus, 55S.
Asa, 558
Betsy, 558.
Exion, 558.
James, 57, 558.
John, 362, 558-
Lemuei, 5 58.
Lucinda, 558.
Nabby, 558.
Nabby W., 558.
Nicholas, 206, 318, 438, 532,
558.
Samuel, 558.
Susanna, 558.
Sybil, 504. 558.
PEABODY, Andrew P., 380
383.
Ehzabeth P., 279.
Thomas, 335.
PEARSON, Edward, 136.
Eliphalit. 135, 232, 425, 467,
504.
Henry B., 136, 232. ,
Maigaret B., 136, 232.
PECKHAM, Horace L., 243
Samuel H . , 362.
William C, 362.
PEIRCE, Abigail, 518, 558,

Charles, 55S.
Daniel, 192, ig3, 221, 414,
415, 421, 514, 51S, 521, 55S.
David, 301.
Deborau, 558.
Dinah, 558.
Elijah, 526, 558.
Elizabeth, 500.
Ehza, 558.
Gad, 48g, 516, 55S.
George, 507.
Hanuan, 510, 518, 558.
Jacob, 55S.
John, iiS, ig3, 499, 505, 320,
558.
Jonas, 297, 558.
Jonatnan, 200, 294, 299, 489,
502, 524, 526, 527, 55S.
Joseph, 558.
Josiah, 193.
Joshua, 286, 514.
Keziah, 49g, 565.
Lucy, 558.
Maria, 510.
Mary, 558.
Matthew, 558.
Mercy, 48g, 516.
Moriah, 554, 558.
Reuben, 558.
Ruth, 558-
Samuei, 558.
barah, 48g, 4gg, 527, 558.
Thomas, 65, 558.
Timothy, 55S.
W ilham, 2!)g, 48g, 516, 558,
Zebulon, 29b.
PEiNAliuAN, Joseph, gS,
142.
PERHAM, Peter, 434.
PERKINS, Daniel, 201.
Ebenezer M., 429.
Enoch, 131, 235 6, 424, 438,
442,
George A., 246.
Juha Ann, 23b.
PERRY, Hepaibah, 558.
James, 193, 20b, 319, 558.
Mercy, 558.
Rachel, 513.
PHELPb, lilizabeth, 573.
George T. , 362.
Jacob, 503.
Joshua, 505.
Rachel, 504.
Timothy, 206, 318, 508.
PHILIP of Pokanoket, 22,
PHILLIPS, Ethan, 255.
Nehemiah, 501.
Wendell, 394.
PHIMNEY and Finney.
Joel, 316, 338, 320.
Samuel, 206, 2g7, 318, 320.
342, 502, 505.
PICKERING, George, 252.
PIERPONT, Jonatnan, 4b,
366.
PIN Kri AM, Andrew J., 362.
PIFER, M.iry, 504.
PITiVlAN, J. A., 378.
POLLARD, Aaron, 505.
Abel, 55g.
Abner, 158, 422, 55g.
.Amory, 504, 55g.
Andrew, 432.
Betsy, 559.
i-aily, 490, 558.
Charles, 559.

INDEX

597

Charles N., 382.
David, 174, 36S, 490, 532, 558.
Dorothy, 489, 534.
Elizabeth, 559.
Ephraim, 490, 504, 536, 559.
Eusebia, 490, 533, 559.
Geoige, 559.
Hannah, 559.
Israel, 4go, 533.
Jacob, 55g.
James, 206, 262, 4go, 532, 533
John, 559.
Jonathan, 206, 261, 317, 532,
55g.
Jossah H,, 559.
Levi, 559.
Lucy, 508, 559, 57i.
Luke, 217, 238, 23g, 240, 55g.
Mary, 55g.
Mercy, 505, 55g.
MiUe, 55g,
MoUy, 4go, 508.
Nabby, 4go, 533, 559.
Nancy, 559.
Nathan, 490, 533, 55g.
Patty, 4go, 5og, 550.
Rachel, 4go, 534.
Sally, 502.
Sarah, 430, 4go, 505, 5og, 552,
55g, 571.
Submit, 490, 534, 559.
Sylvia, 504, 558.
Thaddeus, 75, 84, 131, 157,
174, 317, 321, 335, 422, 490,
505, 510, 511, 533, 534, 559.
Thomas, 559.
Walter, 205, 335, 338, 33g,
48g, 533, 534, 55g-
William, 120.
Zilpah, 504, 55g.
POLLEY, Elnathan. 5og.
POMEROY, Seth, 286.
POND, Enoch. 23g.
POOL, Samuel S., 368.
POOR, Mary, 430.
POPKINS, John, 321.
PORTER, Eliphafet, 212.
E. G., 243-
A. Kendall, 443.
POTTER, Jabez, 200, 205.
Jacob, 55g.
Lucy, 55g.
Maria, 55g.
Martha, 501, 544.
 531. .
POWERS, Ann,a, 55g.
Edward, ig3, 513, 5ig, 55g.
Henry, 559.
Jacob, 192, 524.
Iphn, 559.
Joshua. 532.
Leland J., 396.
Levi, 55g.
Lydia, 4gg, 561.
Martha, 55g.
Mary, 5ig, 55g.
Miriam, 4g7, 55g.
Oliver, 55g.
Robert, 506, 526, 55g.
Sarah, 55g.
Timothy, 301, 501, 55g.
PRATT, Abigail, 525, 559.
Abijah, 287.
Benjamin, 55g.
Charles, 362.
Ebenezer, 222.
Elizabeth, 530, 55g.
George H., 243, 378, 3g3.

Hannah, 520.
John, 345, 505, 507,525, 55g.
Joseph, 138, 508, 55g.
Mary, 513, 55g.
Phineas, 287, 289.
Sarah, 559.
Thomas, 317,322, 559.
PRAY, Capt. John, 343.
PRENTICE, John, 36,182,
512.
Rebecca, 42g.
Thomas, 48, 513.
PRESCOTT, Benjamin, 53.
John, 14, 16, 17, 33, 46, go,
405, 453.
Jonas, 14, ig, 20, 26, 30, go,
^ g?,,. 453. 514.
Lydia, 90.
Mary, 33.
WilUam, 322,
PRESTON, John, 299, 300.
Mary, 548.
PRIEST, Aaron, 318, 321,
336, 560.
Abel, 50S, 533, 560.
Abigail, 508, 527, 559, 560,
568.
Andrew, 91.
Anna, 5^g, 560.
Arad, 560.
Asa, 560.
Bathsheba, 559.
Benjamin, 301, 516, 559, 560.
Benjamin J., 91.
Betsy and Betty, 559, 560.
Calvin, 491, 525, 560,
Charles, 238, 560.
Charles W., 362.
Damaris, 55g.
Daniel, 43, 4go, 515, 559, 560.
Dorothy, 507, 559.
Eleazar, 559.
Elijah, 262, 335, 508, 536, 560.
EUzabeth, 4go, 515, 55g, 560.
Eunice, 531, 537, 55g, 560.
Gabriel, 43, 44, 57, gi, 112,
ig2, 287, 421, 521, 527, 55g,
560.
Hannah, 528, 559, 560.
Hasadiah, 490, 559.
Hepsibeth, 506, 545, 559.
Hezekiah, 515.
Jabez, 91, 158, 163, 491, 533,
560.
Jacob, 317, 322, 334, 422, 490,
504, 514, 534, 560.
Jasper, 560.
Jeremiah, ig3, 200, 206, 3ig,
491, 510, 531, 559, 560.
Job, 322, 510, 534, 560.
John, 28, 29, 32, 35, 38, 44.
45, 51, 57, 83, go, gi, 121,
173, ig3, 206, 3ig, 422, 434,
461, 4go, 4gi, 4gg, 502, 5og,
517, 5ig, 522, 525, 526, 527,
528,i3i, S5g, 560.
John F.,362.
Jonathan, 200, 55g, 560.
Joseph, 44, 57, 83, 118, 336,
367, 515, 516, 55g, 560.
Josiah, 297.
Lois, 490, 536, 560.
Lucy, 505,536, 560.
Lydia, 560.
Maria, 512, 559, 565.
Martha, 560.
Mary, 45, 389, 490, 491, 504,
515, 522, 526, 528, 534, 559,

560, 564.
Mercy, 504, 560.
Nathan, 207, 510, 560.
OUver, 490, 534, 560.
Philemon, 157, 317, 332, 422,
490, 503, 560.
Rachel, 35, 91, 490, 515, 559.
Rehef, 491, 534, 560.
Rhoda, 560.
SaUy, 536.
Sarah, 490, 491, 501, 517, 527,
560.
Silence, 559.
Solomon, 560.
Susanna, 515, 536, 559, 560;
Sylvester, 91, 173.
Tabitha, 55g.
Zerviah, 560.
Zimri, 155, 560,
PROCTOR, Amos, 4gi, 519,
560.
Ehzabeth, 491, 515, 517, 518,
519, 520, 560.
Ephraim, 512, 518, 527.
George, 249.
Hannah. ^17.
Jacob, 518.
Job, 491, 520.
Jonathan, 192, 491, 515, 517,
518, 519, 520, 521, 560.
Toseph, 298.
Leonard, 501.
Ruth, 515.
Susanna M., 249.
WiUiam, 343, 528.
PUFFER, Abigail, 491, 505,
511,560,572.
George G., 362.
Jonatnan, 123, 130, 131, 205,
316, 332, 434, 491, 508, 529,
, 532, 533,560.
Josiah, 436.
Molly, 491. 529.
Nabby, 557, 560.
PoUy, 52g, 560.
Reuben, 219, 239, 511.
Sally, 560.
Widow, 533.
PUTNAM, Daniel, 560.
James, 429.
John, 30, 560.
John M., 23g.
Mary, 560.
Miles, 200, 560.
Rachel, 560.
Rufus, 342.
Sarah, 560.
Susanna, 502, 556.
PUTNEY, Henry, 560.
John, 560.
Joseph, 321.
Martha, 560.
Mary, 560.
QUANAPOHIT alias
James, 24, 25.
QUINCY, EUza S. M., 134,
475.
Edmund, 134.
Josiah, in.
Susan, 475.
RAMSDELL, AUce, 561.
r^ Betsy, 561.
Eri, 561.
Ezekiel, 561.
Freedom, 336.
loseph, 561.
Lois, 561.
Mary, 561.

598

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Nancy, 561.
Nehemiah, 334, 335, 434, 435,
512. 536, 561.
Polly, 561.
Sarah, 561,
Seth, 138.
Zoa, 561.
RAND, Aaron, 524, 561.
Abigail, 491, 507, 523, 561.
Adam, 500.
Anes, 561.
Anna, 553.
Asenath, 561.
Betsy and Betty, 561.
Clarissa, 561.
Daniel, 2g6, 561.
Eleazar, 273.
Elizabeth, 500, 553, 561.
Esther, 561.
Hannah, 567.
John. 314.
Jonathan, g5, 184, igz, 199,
205, 491, 505, 515, 523, 532,
T 535, 561.
Toseph, 322, 561.
Joseph A., 362-
Josiah I^., 362.
Martin, 561.
Mary, 535, 561.
Mercy, 561.
MoUy, 561.
Nancy, 561.
Rachel, 561 .
Sarah, 509, 561.
Silas, 200, 20b, 311, 318, 324,
491, 501, 514, 515, 532, 535,
561.
Thomas, 535, 561
RANDALL, IJavid, 491, 52g.
EUzabeth, 500, 561.
Ephraim, 131.
iohn, 287.
.ydia, 561.
Priscilla, 502, 536.
Rhoda, 514.
Samuel, 118.
Sarah, 491, 529, 561.
Stephen, 206, 319, 491, 501,
529, 536, 561.
RATHBUN, Valentine, 474.
RAWSON, Eunice, 405.
Wilson, 4gg.
RAY, Amos, 2g6.
Mark, 436.
REEBY, William H., 237,
REED and READ, Abigail,
518.
Abijah, 318-
Anne, 561.
Betsy, 5og, 561.
EUzabeth, 524.
Ephraim. 500.
Esther, 512.
Frederick A., 244-5, 47o.
Harriet, 561.
Henry, 561.
Israel, 478, 504, 561.
James, 200, 29S, 301, 500,
524, 526.
Jane M., 471.
John, 230.
Jonathan, 108, 118. 193, 194,
206, 297, 301, 319, 422, 500,
505, 512, 520, 524, 534, 561,
Levi, 561.
Lois, 561.
Louis, 561.
Lucy, 506, 561.

Maria, 561.
Mary, 561.
Nancy, 561.
Rachel, 513.
SaUy, 230, 561.
Sarah, 505, 561.
Sophia, 561.
Thomas, 509, 561.
Widow, 527.
WiUiam, 230. 471.
RICE, Asaph, 216.
Ebenezer, 301.
Horace, 457.
Merrick, '424.
RICHARDS, Anna W., 561.
Charles, 118.
John, 502.
Lurana, 561.
Michael, 505.
Moses, 206, 501, 561.
Ruth, 561.
RICHARDSON, Benj., 57.
Elizabeth, 510.
James, 505.
Jepthah, 513.
Jeremiah, 508.
WiUiam, 513.
RICHMOND, Jonathan, C.
416, 421, 423, 453.
Silvester, 438, 441-
RIDER, Hannah, 511.
RIMER, Henry, 321.
RIPLEY, Ezra,2i2, 509, 511.
ROBBINS. Anna, 427, 492,
562.
Asa, 500.
Augustus, 427, 431, 562.
Benjamin, 121, 157, 207, 317,
321, 335, 434, 4gi, 503, 514,
„ 534, 562.
Betsy, 505.
Betty, 512, 562.
Caleb, 562.
Charles, 562.
Daniel, 372, 378, 420, 423,
427, 511, 562.
Daniel M., 248.
David, 521.
Eleazar, 52, 56, 74, 97, 98,
i8g, ig3, 253, 402, 421, 434,
49g, 515, 517. 519, 520, 521,

523, 561- ¦
Lliz ¦ ¦¦

EUzabeth, 427, 562.
Ephraim, ig3, igg, 253, 254,
2g8, 2gg. 403, 4gg, 513, 561,
562.
Ephraim W., 4g2.
George, 97. 515, 561.
Hannah, 504, 552, 561, 562.
Jacob. 200, 218, 311, 318,
324, 334, 420, 422, 427, 431,
4g2, 52g, 531, 562.
James, 206, 207, 317, 322,
, 491, 503, 533, 535, 562,
Jedediah, 515, 561.
John, 121, 2g5, 515, 561, 562,
Jonathan, 97, 521.
Louisa, 506, 562.
Lucy, 562.
Lydia, 491, 517, 520, 561, 562.
Moses, 562.
Nabby, 562.
Olive, 427, 431.
Onesipnorus, 562.
Peter, 492, 562.
Philemon, 178, 180'
Ra(ihel, 521.
Ruth, 49g, 515, 524, 561.

SaUy, 492, 535.
Samuel B., 562.
Sarah, 561.
Silvanus, 562.
Solomon, 562,
Sukey, 492.
Susanna, 492, 562.
Tabitha, 258.
Thankful, 561, 562.
Thomas, 258.
ROBINSON, Asenath, 439.
Charles A., 362.
George, 222-225, 371, 378,
435.
RDC^WOSl^, 'Joseph M.,
228.
ROGERS, Daniel, 195-6.
Eunice, 510.
Hannah, 537.
Henry B., 37g, 383.
John, 513.
Lois, 507.
Robert, Major, g8, 2gg.
Samuel, 41, 44, 45, 52, 57,
86, 367, 4gg, 515, 562.
Sarah, 562.
ROLLINS, Esther, 250.
ROSS, Eliakim H., 406.
James, 562.
John, 562.
Rebecca, 406.
Rosanna, 537, 562.
William, 562.
ROWLANDSON, Joseph,
46, 94, IOI.
Mary, 23, 26.
ROUND, Daniel, 229, 378,
WilUam M. T., 471.
ROUNDY, George O., 456.
ROYAL, Herbert B., 8g, 424,
434.
RUGG, Abigail, 492, 518, 562.
Abraham, 193, 49g, 517, 562.
John, 2g8, 562.
Mary, 52.
Prudence, 562.
ReUef, 492, 518, 562.
RUGGLES, Timothy, 288,
289, 290, 298, 2g9, 300.
RUPP. John A., 320.
RUSSELL, Amos, 118, 193,
492, 514, 518.
Deborah, 4g2, 518.
Elizabeth, 4g2, 520, 521, 523,
.^535, 562.
Eunice, 562.
Ezekiel, 562.
Hannah, 507, 562.
Jason, ig3, 200, 301, 422, 434,
4g2, 520, 523, 535, 562.
John, g6, 248.
Jonathan, 206, 300, 530.
Joseph, 501.
Lucy, 562.
Mary^ 502.
Molly, 562,
Parker, 4g2, 517, 520, 562.
Rhoda, 562.
Samuel, 206, 335, 336, 529,
562.
Sarah, 501.
Solomon, 562.
Stephen, 562.
Sybil, 511, 545, 562.
Widow, 531
RYAN, Mark, 362.

INDEX.

599

CAFFORD, AbigaU, 501.
'-' Eleanor, 514.
Eunice, 502.
John, 199, 205, 501, 532, 562.
Martha, 562.
Mehitable, 562.
Ruth, 431, 502, 552.
Sarah, 562.
Ward, 206, 218, 3ig, 420, 422,
502.
Widow, 405.
WilUam, 130, 318, 320, 438,
441, 508, 531, 562.
SALMON, EUzabeth, 513.
Thomas, 520.
WilUam, 520.
SALUCE, Joseph, 362.
SAMPSON, negro, 520.
Aaron, 341, 562.
Abigail, 205, 500, 508, 562,

Jos Mi(

563, 567.
Abisha, 163, 225, 372, 378.
417, 431.
Abner, 341, 502, 562.
Amory, 563.
Benjamin, 118, 287, 504, 521,
563.
David, 200, 206, 2g8. 311,
334, 438, 452, 500- 562, 563-
EUzabeth, 563.
Esther, 533-
George W., 225, 22g, 431,
469.
Hannah W, 563.
Huldah, 502.
Joel, 562.
John, 84, 118, 193, 206, 367,
492, 509, 524, 529, 530, 562-
J onathan, 120, 296, 507, 562-
563.
Lois, 502, 562.
Lucy, 511, 563, 566.
Lydia, 563.
Martha, 501, 559, S62-
Mary, 499, 535, 557, 562, 563-
Mehetable, 431.
Phineas, 511, 563.
PoUy, 563. ,
Rachel, 500, 567-
Rebecca, 206, 528. 563-
Ruth, 562.
Sally, 560.
Samuel, 504, 563,,
Sarah, 521, 524, 562.
Solomon. 200, 501, 525, 528,
;62. 563.
idow, 532.
WilUs, 505, 563-
SANBORN, Tristam, 513.
SANDERSON, Betty, 502.
Beulah, 563.
Coleman, 206, 300, 318, 502,
528,531. „
David, 2g5, 298.
EUzabeth, 520, 563.
Gideon, 322, 508, 531.
Hannah, 563.
Isaac, 248, 321, 342.
James, 563.
Jemima, 563.
John, 200, 300, 563,
Jonathan, 563.
Lois, 427-
Mary, 563-
Oliver, 206. 368, 502.
Samuel, 2g8.
Sarah, 508, 563-
Silvanus, 332.

Wid

Submit, 563.
Theophilus, 563.
WilUam, ig3, igg, 205, 2g6,
299, 319, 334, 434, 435, 535.
SARGENT, Abraham, 250.
Joseph. 334.
SAUSSU1?E, Francis, 343.
SAVAGE, Charles T., 353.
WiUiam H., 198, 352, 362,
419, 424. 441.
SAVIL, Althea, 563.
Ann, 563.
Edward, 563.
Elisha, 563.
SAWTELL, James D.,355,
362.
John D., 362.
oseph, 504.
,Iicnael, 502.
Nathaniel, 53.
Sarah, 511, 548,
SAWYER, Abel, 511,564.
Abigail, 492, 5o8, 516, 563,
564.
Abijah, 564.
Abner, 564.
Achsah, 564.
Alfred, 564.
Alfred A., 421, 423.
Arad, gi, 251, 564.
Arethusa, 564.
Augustus J., 176, 375, 378,
386, 388, 38g, 393. 416, 419,
421, 423, 424, 564,
Betty, 510, 563.
Beulah, 4gg.
Caleb, 32, 33, 34, 38, 43, 44,
57, go, gi, 142, 200, 205, 250,
2g7, 311, 318, 324, 34g, 404,
405, 419, 421, 422, 492, 500,
,563,564.,
Cephas, 564.
Damaris, 563.
Dinah, 502, 505. 558, 563.
Edmund, 564.
EUas, 44, 118,
EUza. 564.
EUzabeth, 4gg, 508, 525, 563,
Ephraim, 320.
Eusebia, 564- /
Ezra, 564.
Francis, 564.
George L-, 174, 363, 423-
Hannah, 505, 563, 564-
Hannah, W. C., 388, 38g.
Hepsibah, 535, 563.
Ira, 564,
Jabez, 564.
tames, 248, 564.
Jane, 535.
John, 33, 41, 44, 51, 57, 200,
205, 28g, 297, 318, 4g2, 500,
516, 525, 527, 533, 535, 563.
Jonathan, 44, 57,91, 154, 17g,
317, 38g, 415, 4ig, 420, 421,
422, 435, 458, 4gg, 504. 518,
52g, 563, 564-
Joseph, 42, 112, 113, 184, ig3
200, 205, 206, 4g2, 512, 516,
528, 531, 561, 564-
Tosiah, 156, 564-
Joshua, 564.
Lemuel 563.
Lois, 518, 563-
Lucy, 504, 542, 564.
Luke, 251, 421, 423, 432, 471,
564-
Luther, gi, 248, 505, 564.

Lydia, 248, 503, 563, 564.
Manasseh, gi, 205, 319, 332,
334, 384, 500, 511, 529, 536,
563, 564.
Martha, 509, 562.
Mary, 4g2, 564, 573, 574.
Mercy, 536, 564.
Mercy B., 432.
MoUy, 564.
Moses, 4gg.
Nahum, 564.
Nathaniel, 564.
Olive, 506, 563.
OUver, 121, 200, 206,324, 530
563, 5,64, ,
PermiUy, 564.
Peter, 518.
Phineas, gi, 155, 203, 204,
206, 250, 311, 420, 422, 502,
530, 563, 564. ,
Rebecca, 536, 564.
ReUef, 492, 525, 563, 564.
Rhoda, 509, 564.
Ruth, 4gg, 553, 563.
Sarah, gi, 4g2, 5og, 520, 563.
r-564.
Seth, 57, 91, 193, 199, 421,
¦ 492, 512, 525, 526, 527, 563,
564.
Sophia, 564.
Thomas, 2g, 33, 45, 4o5, 5o7,
Wesley, 564.
Wesley C., 353, 363, 432, 471-
Wilbur F., gi, 250, 363, 378,

£g3, 4og.
iVillia

WilUam, 141.
Zenas, 564.
SCAMMELL, Lucius L.,
a 79. LLAY, Anna, 503, 530.
Anne, 564,
Betsy, 564.
Grover, 120, 200, 430, 500,
521, 530, 564-
John, 337, 33g, 345, 52i-
Lois, 521, 564.
Lucy, 564.
Lydia, 564.
Rebecca, 430, 564.
Samuel, 430, 564.
Sarah, 508, 514, 562, 543, 574-
SCOTT, Abraham, g2, 510,
528.
John, 2g2.
SCRIVENER, Wm. J., 4Sg.
SEARS, Edmund H., 380,
382.
SECCOMB, Hannah, 524.
John, 64, 80, 8g, g4, 130, 132,
173, 178, I7g to ig5, 254,
402, 435, 462, 500, 514, 515,
523.
Mercy, 523.
Peter, 186.
Thomas, 523.
WiUis, 207, 318, 503.
SHANNEHAN, Dennis,363
SHATTUCK, EUzabeth,
497, 536.
Ruth, 97.
Stephen, 368.
SHAYS, Daniel, ii5, 138. 346
SHED, Mary, 500, 549.
Sarah, 509, 514.
SHEPARD, James, 257, 261.
Mary, 428.
SHERMAN, F.E., 375-

6oo

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

SHERWIN. Thomas, 352.
SHEZZEREL, Antony, 32.
SHIRLEY, WiUiam, 285.
SHOLAN alias Showanon,
12, 20, 22.
SHOSHANIM alias Sam,
21, 22, 23, 05, 27.
SHORT, Frank, 363.
SIBLEY, Clark, 227, 378.
SKINNER, Elizabeth, 514,
J. 0.,'25o.
Thompson I., 444.
William, 287.
SLACK, Jesse, 320.
WiUiam, 320.
SLADE, Daniel D., 380, 475.
Denison R., 383.
SMART, Harris M., 413. 438
SMITH, Cornelia D., 382.
Deliverance, ig5, 210.
EUzabeth, 564.
George J., i6g.
Hannah, 35.
James, 32, 35.
Jonathan, 331.
Mary, 564.
Nahum, 514.
Peter, 363.
PoUy, J50
Samuel, 564.
Silvanus, 343.
William, 363.
SNOW, Abigail, 513.
Eunice, 507, 522, 548, 565.
Judith, 522, 565.
Lister, 537.
Peter, 300. 422, 565.
Timothy B., 436.
SOAMES, Keturah, 501.
SPARHAWK, Col. Nathan
338.
SPAULDING, Noah, g8.
Sampson, 5og.
SPENCE, E. A., 243.
SPRAGUE, Anna, 565.
Charles E., 363.
Ebenezer, 367, 434, 437, 5T7,
Elizabeth 382, 3g3, 565.
Eunice, 565.
Charles E., 435.
Jemima, 517, 565.
ohn, 134, 24g, 250, 347.
-owell, g8, 137.
Lvdia, 248, 24g.
Mary, 565.
Nathan, 248, 518, 565.
Samuel, 88, 248, 505, 536.
Sarah, 506, 54g.
SPROAT, Col. Ebenezer,
343.
STACY, Artemas, 565.
Edward W., 355, 363.
Hannah, 565.
John, 157, 350, 459, 565.
Jonathan. 457.
Nathaniel, 420, 458, 459.
STARK, Col. John, 288.
STEARNS, Abijah, 334.
Charles, 368.
Daniel, 513.
David, 318, 510.
Dinah, 565.
Eleazar, 205.
EUzabeth, 565.
Ephraim, 140, 336.
Isaac, 565.

Jonathan, 335, 336, 337, 342,
, 5^5.,,
Josiah, 501.
Luther, 505.
Mary, 313.
Mercy, 501, 567,
Molly, 502.
Samuel, 504, 565.
Sarah, 503, 510, 543.
Timothy, 565.
William, 154, 434, 438, 442,
311,525, 565.
STETsON, Caleb, 431.
Sarah A., 385.
Thomas, 431.
STEVENS, George, 242.
Joseph, 438, 442.
Luther, 336.
Mary, 524.
Rebecca, 429.
Thaddeus, 84,
WilUam, 330, 332.
Zaccheus, 200, 206, 254, 255,
257, 258; 260, 317, 324, 349.
STEWART, Benjamin, 478.
STICKNEY, Charles W.,
382.
Henrietta N., 382.
Moses, 500, 565.
Peter, 335, 505, 565.
SybU, 501, 565.
STILLMAN, Samuel, 222.
STINSON, Mr., 517.
STONE, Aaron, 565.
Abigail, 505, 565.
Abner, 565.
Ambrose, 565.
Amos, 194, 287, 298, 300, 500,
522, 565, 566.
Anes, 503, 540, 565.
Anna, 493, 5ig, 565, 566
Benjamin, 53,4, 566.
Betsy, 566.
Daniel, 565.
David, 335, 337, 338, 33g, 5 n,
565. 5bb.
David S., 566.
Deborah, 4g3, 50S, 565.
Dinah, 565.
Dolly, 507.
Dorcas, 500, 566.
Dorothy, 522, 555.
Edna, 522, 565.
Elias, 104, 296, 565.
EUsha D., 65, 22g, 421, 423,
433.
Elizabeth, 52g, 530, 566.
Ephraim, g8, 120, 'igg, 228,
300, 301, 378. 427, 506, 515,
522, 565.
Eunice, 492, 493, 512, 520,
531, 558, 565, 566.
Ezra, 566.
Hannah, 493, 522, 558, 565,
566.
Henry, 566.
Isaac, 193, 289, 2g6, 2g8,4gg,
523, 565. 566.
Isaac N., 240, 243, 416, 421,
, 450-1, 457, 520.
Jacob, 565.
James, 57, 200, 205, 4ig, 453,
493, 510, 528, 531, 533, 565,
Jasper, 251, 566.
Joel, 206, 311, 318, 492, 504,
, 527, 531, 566.
John, 30, 565, 566.

Jonathan, 206, 320, 504, 512.
Joseph, 120, 125, 140, i4g,
221, 222, 224, 415, 417, 4ig,
422, 423, 441, 444, 445, 566.
Josiah, 505, 565, 566.
Keziah, 523, 565.
Lemuel, 31S, 350, 508, 566.
Levi, 566.
Lois, 566.
Lucy, 5og, 556, 565, 566.
Lydia, 512, 565, 572.
Maria, 565.
Mary, 4g3, 501, 502, 514, 525,
526, 560, 565, 566, 574.
Martha, 566.
Micah, 200, 206, 212, 2(5,
2g6, 2gg, 324, 422, 4g3, 501,
507, 525, 52g, 530, 534, 565,
566.
Mille, 4g2, 527, 566.
Molly, 566.
Moriah, 4g3, 500, 5ig, 521,
524, 556, 565.
Moses, 512, 565.
Nabby, 566, 575.
Nahum, i5g.
Nancy, 566.
Nathaniel, 126.
Oliver, 120, ig3, 2g6, 421, 4g3,
507, 512, 5ig, 521, 524, 52g,
565, 566.
Phineas, 296, 504, 565, 566.
Polly, 566.
Rebecca, 566.
Reuben, 566.
Sally, 566.
Samuel F., 173, 178, 459.
Sarah, 493, 499, 515, 521,
530, 546, 565, 566.
Silas, 501, 565, 566.
Simon, 30, 52, 53, 54, 56, 98,
101, in, 112, 114, i7g, 180,
183-4-5, 189, 418, 421 427,
4g3, 515, 518, 519, 521, 526,
565, 560.
Solomon, 288, 521, 565.
Susanna, 5og, 512, 566.
Tabitha, 565,
Timothy, 512.
Tubal, 505.
William, 342, 427, 53i, 565,
566
STOW, Abigail, 4g3, 534, 566.
Benjamin, 83, ig3, igg, 301,
318, 332, 401, 493, 500, 505.
520, 525. 534, 566.
Dorcas, 504, 520, 550, 566.
Hannah, 502, 560.
Manasseh, 317, 322, 332, 334,
337, 512, 566.
Mary, 503, 566, 568.
SaUy, 566.
Samuel, 47.
STRATTON, Austin C.,g5
David, 206.
STREETER, RusseU, 248.
STUART, Silas H., 424.
SUMNER, Job, 342.
Joseph, 211.
Roger, 14.
SWAN, Charles F., 363.
SWATRIDGE, Joseph, 322,
343-
SWEENY, Michael, 84.
SYMONDS, Hannah, 566.
Henry, n.
Jane B., 250.
Jonathan, 200, 206, 218, 267,

INDEX.

60 1

268, 318, 330, 332, 334, 335,
415, 417, 420, 422, 423, 454,
, 45S, 4g3, 500, 527, 566.
Jonathan B., 566.
Joseph, 320.
Judith, 502, 543, 566.
Lydia, 503, 54g, 566.
Molly, 566.
Silvester, 566.
TALBOT, George, 248.
1 TARBEL, Abigail, 511,
546.
Deborah, 507.
Elizabeth, 573.
Esther, 5ii.
TAYLOR Almira, 24S.
Amos, 265, 465.
Anna, 505.
Bayard, 394.
Beulah, 507.
Betty, 566.
Charles, 96, 200, 206, 311,
313, 318, 368, 493, 501, 530,
566, 567.
David, 29g, 300.
Ebenezer, 4gg.
EUzabeth, 525.
Ephraim, 155, 4g3, 530, 567.
Esther, 507, 508, 567.
Hannah, 502, 548.
Isaac, 193.
Israel, 96, 112, 126. 158, 199,
205, 296, 304, 318. 415, 418,
419, 420, 423, 434, 435, 493,
, 507, 509, 531, 566, 567.
Jacob, 245.
Jerusha, 553.
John, 27, 95, 202, 295, 298,
300, 426, 4g3, 5og, 525, 566.
Joseph, 567.
Lydia, 502.
Mary, 4g3, 507, 525, 550, 566.
Mary W., 249-
Mercy, 493, 505, 561, 567.
Nathan, 514.
Oliver, 122, 147.
Phineas, 508.
Rachel, 536, 566.
SaUy, 567.
Solomon, 422.
WilUam, 96, 567.
Zophar, 96, 251, 378.
TEAT, George, 321.
TEMPLE, Abigail, 4gg, 572.
TENNEY, Oliver, 2go, 2g7.
THAYER, Nathaniel, 134,
p5, 143, 213, 468, 475.
THOMAS, Charles W-, 363.
Joseph, 363.
Joshua, 412.
Rebecca, 558.
THOMPSON, Rebecca, 506.
Samuel S., 363.
THOREAU, Henry D., 279,
281, 284.
THURSTON, John, 321.
Paul, 535.
TIBBEICtS, Henry W., 363
TIFFANY, Daniel, 273, 534.
TILDEN. WilUam P., 237.
TINGLEY, Timothy C, 228
TINKER, John, 15.
TODD, John. 336.
Minerva A., 379.
TOMLINSON, Russell, 235
TOPLIFF, Luther, 342.
TOPPAN, Benjamin, 513.
¦TORREY, Charles C, 246.

TOWNSEND, Anna, 426,
556, 510.
Elizabeth, 427, 511, 562.
John, 524.
TRACY, Alfred E., 244, 378,
393.
Leonard, 228.
TROWBRIDGE, Caleb,
182, 511.
TRUEWORTHY, Ephra
im W., 459.
TRUFANT, Amory, 248.
John, 248.
Joseph, 473.
TUFTS, Nathaniel. 321.
TURNER, Arthur H., 378.
Bethiah, 493, 504, 528, 567.
Caleb, 567.
Calvin, 535.
Consider, 330, 343.
Dwelly, 332, 532, 567.
n-dward O., 460.
Elisha, 456.
George, 567.
Hannah, 505.
James, 567.
Lucinda, 567.
Lucy, 567.
Luther, 456, 505, 567.
Luther G., 248.
Nabby, 567.
Nathan S., 248.
Nathaniel, 505.
Oliver W., 173, 460.
Prince, 157, 317, 344, 456,
503, 536, 567.
Rachel, 567.
Rebecca, 567.
Sally, 535, 567.
Simeon, 205, 4g3, 503, 528,
Solomon, 300.
TURRELL, Ebenezer, 182.
TUTTLE, Samuel, 2g7, 368.
Stephen, 2g7.
Titus, 345.
TYLER, Alma E., 42g.
Moses, 104, 350.
TYNG. WiUiam, 37.
I ISHER, Hezekiah, 30,.

R.,

VANGESEL, Joseph,
'' 363.
WADE, Col. Nathaniel,
WAICTT, Thomas, 530.
WALCOT and Wolcott.
Mr.  , 210.
Lydia, 514, 547.
William. 504.
WALES, Nathaniel, 2g.
WALKER, John, 438, 443,'
Samuel, 506.
Seth, 41, 44, 45, 52, 57.
WALLEY, John, 511.
WARD, Elizabeth, g3.
Samuel, 214.
WARES, Moses, 506.
WARNER, Aaron, 317, 4g3,
4g4- 5°3, 518, 52g 567. 568.
Abigail, 4g9. 502, 520, 523,
524,562,567, 568,571.
Abijah, 207, 317, 513, 567,
568.
A manda, 432.
Anna, 431, 503, 518, 520, 562,
567,5®. ,
Asa, 457, 536.

Benjamin, 332, 33S, 338, 345,
„ 524, 567.
Betsy, 56S.
Caleb, 150, 246.
Calvin, g2, 173, 334, 431, 451,
511 567, 56S.
Charles, 317. 321, 332, 5og,
^,5ig, 534, 535, 567.
Clark, 4g3.
Daniel, 517.
Daniel \V., 363.
David, ig4, 520, 526, 567.
Deborah, 568.
Dorothy, 494, 517, 519, 530,

Sbene

Ebenezer, y., 92, 193, igg,
205, 317, 321, 334, 3g6, 500,
510, 523, 524, 52g, 531, 533,
r-,5.^'''568.Ehas, 342, 345, 350, 508, 533,
568.
EUzabeth, 507, 517, 567, 568.
Elcy, 568.
Ephraim, 155, 158, 248, 300,
384, 420, 422, 505, 567, 568.
Esther, 512, 540.
Ezra, 24g, 568.
FrankUn, 568.
George F., 248.
Hannah, igg, 493, 494, 528,
567-
Henry L., 394, 396, 432, 479.
Israel, 568.
Izze, 568.
Job, 517
John, 28, 29, 35, 43, 45, 90,
gi, 92, 192, 194, 200, 205,
267, 273-4, 286, 337, 367,
369, 378, 396, 405, 421, 4gg,
504, 510, 520, 521, 523, 524,
526, 532, 567.
John G., 363.
Jonathan, 567.
Joshua, 194, 519, 522, 567.
Levi, 567.
Lois, 523.
Lucy, 500,505, 53T, 563, 568.
Luke, 92, 432, 568.
Luther, 396.
Lydia, 520, 567, 568.
Mary, 510, 520, 549, 567, 568.
Mehitable, 567.
Mercy, 205, 500, 531, 567,
568.
Moses, 194, 200, 506, 535,
567.
Nabby, 524. 567.
Nathan, 126, 193, igg, 204,
205, 2g6, 367. 401, 419, 421,
4g4, 4gg, 515, 517, 518, 530,
534, 567.
Nathan B., 568.
Nathaniel, ig4, 500, 521, 567,
568.
Noah, 173, 372,378,37g, 404,
431, 568.
Persis, 567.
Phebe, 511, 520, 524, 539,
567.
Philemon, 518.
Phineas, 206, 332, 334, 338,
422, 503, 310, 529, 532, 567,
568.
Rachel, 50c, 567.
Rebecca, 4g9, 509. 521, 524,
540.567,568.
Rhoda, 504, 560.
SaUy, 250, 535.

602

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

Samuel, 35, 40, 43, 44, 57, 92,
112, 113, 405, 420, 493, 494,
517, 518, 567.
Sarah, 494, 505, 514, 530, 536,
..,567.Tamar, 501, 567.
Washington, gi.
William, 330-
Zerviah, 568.
WATERFORD, John, 363.
WATERS, EUzabeth, 34.
Joseph, 32, 34.
WATSON, Walter S.. 460.
WEEDEN. WiUiam R-, 245-
WELCH, John, 508.
Polly, 506.
WENTWORTH, Edmund,
345.
Ehzabeth, 502, 563.
MindweU, 206, 503.
Moses, 300, 52S,
Phebe, 502.
WETHERBEE, Aaron, 568
Abel, 322, 334, 335, 504, 536.
Amos, 336.
Anna, 4g4, 506, 516, 518, 522,
568.
Anne, 504.
Arna, 455.
Asa, 568.
Betty, 503, 568.
Caleb, 322.
Catherine, 568.
Charles L., 437.
Daniel, g5, 502.
EUzabeth, g3. 503, 515, 516,
518, 5ig, 521: 550, 568.
Ethan, 158, 438, 442, 505.
Eunice, 523, 568.
Ezra Z., 156, 163, 384, 385,
^419,434, 435,437.
¦ Gardner, 380, 383, 437.
George C, 352, 443.
John, 45, 57, 184, i8g,ig3,402,
4g4, 4gg, 500, 515, 516, 518,
5ig, 522, 523, 56S.
Jonathan, 140, 157, 158, 415,
420, 422, 458, 511, 516, 532,
568.
Josiah, 205, 206, 4g4, 508,
. 533, 568.
Lucy, 568.
Martha, 568.
Mary, 516, 523.
MeUnda, 568.
Micah, 4g4, 522, '525, 568,
Oliver, 206, 3ig, 507.
Phineas, 4gg.
Polly, 568.
Reuben, 502.
Ruth, 568,
Sally, 250, 568.
Samuel, 2g8.
Sarah, 502, 5ig, 523, 524, 534
556, 568.
Silas, 287, 296, 461.
Sukey, 568.
Zophar, 155, 164-5, 378, 413,
WHEELER, Abigail,

A^'
Adam, 342.
Anna, 511.
Benjamin, 108.
Clarissa, 569.
Daniel G., 569.
DeUverance, 494, 516,

ig7.

5ig,

568.
EUzabeth, 516, 568, 569.
Ephraim, 568.
John, 569.
Jonatnan, 297, 438.
Joseph, 15, 123, 124, 130, 195,
-8, 204, 304, 306, 3og, 310,
312, 313, 314, 315, 318, 319,
3g8, 401, 415, 416, 417. 420,
423, 438, 441, 442, 465, 508,
,5og, 523, 531,509. ,
Marguerita, 0. C. J., ig8.
Mary, 4g4, 500, 511, 517, 56g.
Moses, 569.
Nathaniel, 507.
Rachel, 566.
Ruth, 561.
Sarah, 503, 515, 568.
Theophilus, 569.
Thomas, 23, 45. 52, 53, 54,
57, 74, 95, 112, ng, i8g, 287,
307, 402, 414, 4ig, 420,1421,
4g4, 4gg, si6, 517, 568.
Thomas B.. 413, 442.
WHEELOCK, Elizabeth,
WHIPPLE, Edwin P., 3g4.
John, 5ig.
Job, 342.
Nathan, 57.
WHIPPY, Samuel, 2gg, 300.
WHITCOMB, Abel, 122, 155
156, 206, 248, 24g, 318, 324,
423, 4g4, 502, 527, 528, 531,
56g.
Abigail, 569.
Abner, 206, 335.
Abraham, 13S, 528, 569.
Anna, 427.
Asa, 198, 290, 314, 315, 317,
318, 320, 323, 426.
Betsy, 223, 504.
Chapman, 569.
David, 40, 42, 44, 58.
EUas, 569.
Elizabeth, 541.
Ephraim, 322.
Granville, 461.
Hannah, 346, 494, 502, 521,
564,, 569.
Hezekiah, 42, 44, 58.
James, 52, 57, 92, 189, 205,
206, 311, 315, 318, 367, 421,
4g4, 501, 515, 516, 521, 526,
, 528, 531, ,532, 56g.
Joanna, 56g.
John, 45, go, 289, 314, 319,
346, 510.
John P., 155, 158, 163, 165,
166, 372, 378, 413, 4ig, 420,
423., 438, 443, 45g, 56g-
Jonathan, 48, 58.
Joseph, 156, 5S6, 2g8.
Josiah, 44, g2.
Jotham, 206, 332.
Leonard, 505.
Lois, 4g4, 516, 56g.
Lucinda, 427.
Lucy, 4g4, 56g.
Luther, 521, 56g.
Lydia, 4g4, 501, 516, 551, 569
Mary, 250, 494, 508, 515, 56g,
>,573. „
Mercy B., 432.
Molly, 4g4, 512, 56g.
Nelson, i5g.
Oliver, 200, 206, 3ig, 528, 569
Patience, 507, 552, 569.

Paul, 509.
Persis, 569.
Peter, 461, 4g4, 516, 569.
Phineas, 503, 569.
Phineas W., 569.
Rebecca, 45.
Reuben, 155, 163, 169, 217,
238, 23g, 240, 241, 242, 378,
385, 415, 419, 420, 422, 423,
424, 438, 442, 457, 461, 504,
Rhoda, 56g.
Robert. 2go, 2g7.
SaUy, 56g.
Samuel, 4g9.
Sarah, 494, 526, 528, 569.
Triphena, 508.
Widow, 58.
William, 120, 193, 49g, 521,
56g-
Zerviah, 508. 560.
WHITE, Betsy, 88, 513, 554-
Elizabeth, 508, 540-
Enoch, 335.
Hannah, 502.
John, 42, 4g, 144, 501, 537.
Jonathan, zgS, 2gg, 301.
Josiah, 14, 40, 41, 43,
Lucy, 513, 557.
Martha, 513.
Mary, 526.
Rachel, 511,
Samuel, 321.
Thomas. 2g8, 317.
Tilley, 501.
WHITEFIELD, George,
i8g, 191, 255.
WHITING, John, 28, 31.
Timothy, 513.
WHITELEY, John, 273,
WHftNEY, Aaron,is8, 164,
200, 205, 220, 318, 324, 419,
422, 423, 430, 495, 501, 502,
528, 56g, 571
Abel, 372, 378, 416, 423, 424,
430, 4g6. 570, 571.
Abigail, 4g5, 509, 529, 561,
570, 571, 572.
Abner, 56g.
Abraham, 84, 138, ig3, igg,
300, 306, 313, 324, 367, 36g,
420, 4g5, 4g6, 4g9, 514, 516,
. 521, 531, 532, 536, 569, 571.
Alice, 205, 495, 500, 508, 534,
. 569, 570, 571.
Amos, 534, 570, 571.
Anes, 4g5, 4g6, 5ig, 523, 526,
570-
Anna, 4g6, 503, 524, 528, 571.
Ann, 56g.
Arethusa, 571.
Artemas, 52g, 570, 571.
Asa W., 572.
Asenath, 495, 571, 572.
Asenath 11^^546.
Benjamin F., 385, 388, 393,
432, 442, 443.
Bethiah. 570.
Betsy and Betty, 499, 503,
^569, 570, 571-
Betsy W., 571.
Beulah, 569.
Caleb, 192, 290, 495, 4g6, 499,
^5ig,.523, 56g, 570-
Carohne W., 432.
Charles E., 363.
Clarinda, 572.

INDEX

603

Clarissa, 535, 572.
Cyrus, 417, 422, 438, 456,458,
^4g5., 505, 536. 571, 572.
Daniel, 287, 2g6, 56g, 570,
^571.,David, ig4, igg, 205, 25g,
317, 335, 500, 506, 536, 570.
Dorcas, 503, 571.
Dorothy, 56g.
Dwelly, 570.
Elbridge, 572.
Eleanor, 45.
Eli, 571.
EUas, 495, 521.
EUjah, 45, 57. S4. 1S4. 192,
200, 206, 367, 421, 494, 495,
510, 519, 521, 569. 570.
EUza, 572.
EUza W., 505.
Elizabeth, 516, 569, 570.
Emory, 571.
Enoch, 570, 572.
Ephraim, 338, 514, 569, 570,
^571, 572-
Eunice, 506.
Ezra, 569.
Flora, 509.
Francis W., 571.
George, 159, 571.
George H., 304.
George T.. 364.
Giles Hy, 424.
Hannah, 346, 495, 511, 522,
533, 364, 569, 570, 571, 572.
Hananiah, 339.
Harry M., 419, 421.
Hepsibah, 431, 512, 563, 572.
Hezekiah, 200, 205, 295, 311,
318, 347, 4g5, 508, 529, 569,
Hiiam, 393, 419, 423, 481.
Horatio T., 362.
Isaac, 212, 217, 263, 385, 419,
420, 422, 502, 503, 570, 572.
Isaiah, 44, 45, 52, 57, 184,
200, 205, 250, 261, 317, 319,
323, 324, 422, 423, 438, 515,
521,525,531,569,571.
Israel, 84, 157, 206, 215, 219,
318, 334, 422, 4g5, 502, 504,
5", 5ig, 533, 534, 57°, 57i,
572,.
Jacob, 150, 206, 317, 321, 336,
502, 512, 533, 571. „
James, 422, 508, 528, 533,
570, 571. „
iames L., 378, 423.
eremiah, 2g6.
eremiah L., 571.
Joel, 336. 337, 570-
John, 44, 45, 52, 57, 107, 112,
154, 158, 163, 178. 184, 332,
340, 343, 367, 415, 431, 432,
438, 440, 452, 457, 4g5, 503,
510, 514, 524, 533, 535, 56g,
571, 572.
John H., 570.
John M., 363, 416, 432.
Jonas, 45, 57, g5, "2, 121,
122, 131, 184, i8g, ig4, 200,
205, 324,334,335,402,421,
451, 4g5, 500, 524, 527, 531,
534,569,570.
Jonathan, 43, 44, 52. 53, 54,
57, 112, 179, 184-5, 188, ig2,
ig4, ig6, igg, 200, 287, 2go,
2g8, 337, 415, 418, 419, 420,
421, 495. 506, 522, 525, 526,
40

527, 528, 534, 56g, 570, 571,
Toseph, 4gg, 536, 570.
Joshua, 4g5, 501, 570.
Josiah, g5, 125, i3g, 140, 142,
157, 200, 207, 211, 28g, 2g6,
311, 313,314, 317,320, 329,
330, 331, 332, 334, 335, 338,
346, 347, 368, 415, 417, 419,
422, 423, 443, 502, 503, 508,
511, 524, 525,526, 528, 570,

J udat

Judah, 524, 570.
ustin, 425, 572.
Leziah, 571.
Lemuel, 443, 570.
Levi, 502, 534, 570, 571.
Lois, 522, 527, 534, 570, 571.
Louisa, 432. '
Lucy, 495, 570, 571, 572.
Luke, 84, 155, 237, 378, 421,
4g5, 535, 572.
Luther, 84, 572,
Lydia, 505, 510, 524, 534, 568,
570, 571, 572.
Margaret, g5, 205, 402, 528,
569.
Maria. 572.
MarshaU, 432.
Mary, 374,375. 495, 504,507,
508, 512, 540, 5og, 570, 571,
572- „
Mary C, 425.
Mary H., 505, 571.
Mercy, 88, 501, 514, 554, 571,
572.
Miriam, 495, 528, 570.
Moses, 158, 218, 290, 297,
4g5, 500, 521, 528, 56g, 570,
571, 572-
Moses G., 570,
Nabby, 405.
Nancy, 571.
Naomi, 572.
Nathan, 572.
Ohve, 520, 522, 526, 570.
OUver, 123, 124, ig6, ig7, igg,
202, 205, 208, 307, 312, 318,
325, 36g, 415, 417, 418, 420,
422, 434, 435, 441, 500, 525,
56g, 570, 571,
Patty, 572.
Persis, 571, 572-
Peter, 2ig, 474, 57o-
Phebe, 4gg, 567-
Phineas, 127, 138, 216, 322,
342, 345, 368, 501, 514, 56g,
570-
Polly, 571, 572-
Quincy, 250.
Rachel, 506, 526, 570, 571.
Rebecca, 495, 490, 509, 519,
531, 546. 569, 570, 571.
ReUef, 522, 570.
Reuben, 23g, 243, 334, 417,
422, 569, 570, 572.
Richard, 45, 57, 95, 193, 200,
205, 206, 238, 240, 243, 2g6,
319, 334, 335, 346, 384, 422,
495, 502.
Ruhamah, 56g.
Euth, 56g, 571.
Sally, 572.
Salmon, 219, 238, 298, 332,
334, 337, 364, 425, 431, 4g6,
570, 572.
Samuel, 571, 572.
Samuel F„ g5, 169, 173, 319,

409, 421, 424.
Sarah, 430, 432, 495. 4gg, 5o2,
504, 508, 509, 516, 518, 521,
522, 527, 528, 536, 557, 569,
.570, 571.
Silas, 570.
Simeon, 571.
Simon, 157, 193, 196, igg,
205, 318, 332, 422, 438, 506,
507,522,524,525,526,527,
.570,521.
Solon h ., 3g2, 432.
Stephen, 332, 338, 570.
Sullivan, 432.
Susanna, 570, 572.
Susy, 572.
Timotny, 500, 56g.
Wetherbee, 4g5, 502, 52g,
,„5.5'' 571.
Widow, 532.
WiUiam, 572.
William C., 3go, 432.
Zachariah, 503.
Zebudah, 4g5, 524, 52S, 570.
Zimri 421, 572.
WHITTAKER, James, 257,
260, 261, 262, 263,
John, 2g6,
WHITTEMORE, Abigail,
.531.
Asa D., 572.
Benjamin, 301, 524, 572.
Benjamin B., 250.
Calvin, 52g, 572.
Dorcas, 572.
EUzabeth, 505.
Joseph, 572.
Lydia, 572.
Martha, 572.
Mary, 507.
Nathaniel, igg, 2g5, 401, 421,
501, 512,527, 529, 572.
Peggy, 502.
Prescott, 572,
WHITTON, Benjamin, 248.
WHITWELL, William A.,
234, 352, 378.
WILDER, Anna, 513, 573.
Caleb, 452.
David J., 536, 572.
Ebenezer, 42, 43, 8g.
Elizabeth, 35.
Hannah, 573.
James, 55.
John, 40, 41, 44, 504, 572.
Jonas,-44, 2S7.
Joseph, 15, 40, 41, 42, 108,
218,452,513.
Tosiah, 44.
Luke, 336.
Martha W., 572.
Mary, 572.
Nancy, 430, 556.
Oliver, 296.
Samuel, 509.
Stephen, 510.
Thomas, 16, 35, 36, 37, 40,
4i,.45.
William, 222.
WILDE and Wilds, Elijah,
145, 262, 267, 273.
Eunice, 273.
Silent, 412.
WILLARD, Aaron, 40, 298,
,2g9, 573.
Abel, 45, 173, 378, 42g, 506,
573,574,575.
Abigail, 205, 501, 502, 506,

6o4

HISTORY OF HARVARD.

521, 522, 572, 573.
Abijah, 118, 286, 292, 299,
300, 426, 573.
Abraham, 44, 52, 57, 193,
207, 296, 2g8, 319, 336, 49g,
521, 572, 573, 574.
Adonijah, 573.
Alfred R., 388, 393.
AUce, 56g, 573.
Alonzo, 421, 433,
Amasa, 574.
Amos, 573.
Amy, 4gg 502, 573, 574.
Andrew J., 432.
Anes, 221, 500, 553, 573.
Arina, 499, 518, 520, 540, 573.
Ann, 496, 520, 573.
A, R., 443-
Artemas, 575,
Asa, 194, 296, 298, 573.
Barzillai, 138, 317, 508, 531,
532, 573, 574, 575.
Benjamin, 28. 31, 35, 86,
118, 206, 318, 320, 343, 499,
537. 572,
Benjamin W., 224-5.
Bethiah, 263, 575.
Betsy and Betty, 496, 504,
^574? 575.
Caleb, 150, 292, 513. 573, 574.
Catharine, 504, 574.
Charles, 158. 297, 514, 573,
„ 574, 575.
Charles M., 227-8, 37S.
Chloe, 575.
Christopher L., 159.
Cornelius, 574.
Daniel, 104, 118, 339.
^575-Darby, 574.
David, 573.
Dinah, 501, 574.
Dorcas, 82, 572.
Eleazer, 158, 173, 416,
575.
Ebenezer C, 173, 416, 443.
Edward C, 433.
Eleanor, 228.
Elias, 343, 345, 427, 574-
Elbridge, 575.
EUjah, 207, 317, 503, 574,

572,

423,

lUt-

Elizabeth, 88, 479, 4g6, 500,
503, 507, 512, 515, 520, 524,
^5,25, 531, 544, 573, 574, 575.
Ellen, 496, 521, 574.
Emma E., 3g3.
Ephraim, 499, 573.
Ephraim S., 421, 575.
Esther, 508, 574.
Eunice, 506, 508, 573, 575.
Everett C, 433.
Experience, 506, 573.
Ezra, 574.
Fanny, 575.
Frederick Augustus, 416,
421, 436, 443, 453.
George, 158. 575.
Gibson, 206, 317, 508, 518,
^529,574. ^
Hannah, 346, 432, 499, 503,
520, 521, 557, 573, 574, 575.
Henry, 28, 32, 34, 41, 44, 45,
50, 52, 57, 82, 83, 88, 118,
184, 192, ig4, igg, 421, 433,
500 521, 522, 528, 572, 573.
Hezekiah, 32, 38, 41, 44, 51,
57, 84, 112, 113, 120, 173,

184, 189, ig3, 206, 287, 421,
499. 514, 524, 529, 572, 573.
Hosea, 575.
Ira, 575-
Isaac, 194, 200. 205, 254, 255,
267, 2bS, 403, 506, 573, 574-
Israel, 321, 323.
Ithamar, 156, 158, 250, 575,
Jacob, 48, 120, 288, 514, 522,
, 527, 573.
James, 44, 57, 82, 192, igg,
367, 50b, 521, 527, 572, 573.
James M., 3b4.
Jeremiah, 263, 267, 268, 31b,
318, 320, 518, 574, 575.
Jesse, 506.
Joel, 506, 525, 574, 575.
John, 28. 29, 32, 40, 52, 57,
84, 86, 94, 112, 120, 184,
i8g, 421, 4g6, 520, 524, 572,

¦5^^'g^

378,

423,

John B.^ 88, 105, 170,
37g,,393, 431,453, 471
Jonathan, 28, 42, 44,
^ 505, 572, 573.
Joseph, 41, 44, 57, 88,
157, 159, 161, 182, !_., ^,
ig2, 200, 206, 219, 220, 319.
324, 384, 419, 420, 422, 475,
49b, 500, 503, 511, 515, 520,
524, 572, 573, 574, 575.
Joshua, 2g2, 573.
Josiah, 41, 44, 5g, 60, 82, in,
206, 221. 222, 317, 420, 422,
501, 530, 572, 573, 575.
Kate, 575.
Keziah, 573.
Lemuel, ig3, ig6, ig7, 200,
203, 207, 222, 306, 318, 319,
345, 401, 420, 422, 434, 438,
4g6, 499, 520, 524, 52g, 573,
574.
Levi, 158, 160, 286, 421, 423,
573, 574,„575.
Lewis, 138, 575.
Lois, 573.
Lovey, 575.
Lucy, 24g, 506, 507, 517, 566,
^ 573, 575.
Lucy B., 575.
Luther, 431.
Lydia, 507, 524, 557, 572, 573.
Mary, 34, 431, 499, 508, 515,
521, 532, 535, 572, 573, 574,
575.
Martha, 574.
Martyn, 575.
Melissa, 250.
Mercy, 502, 525, 571. 574.
Miriam, 573.
MoUy, 502.
Moses, 524, 573, 574.
Nabby, 496.
Nahum, 573.
Nancy, 575.
Nathan, 248, 420, 423, 575.
Nathaniel, 301. 501, 575.
Nehemiah B., 158, 432, 575.
Olive, 427.
Oliver, 120, 332, 501, 532,
^573, 574. ^
Orsamus, 436, 575.
Patience, 575.
Paul, 301, 506.
Peter, 2g7, 501, 524, 525, 573,
„57,4. ,
Pethula, 573.
Phebe, 573.

Philemon, 521, 574.
Phineas, 200, 205, 206, 2go,
2g7, 2g8, 3ig, 420, 472, 512,
515, 516, 525, 527. 528, 573,
Polly, 575-
Prudence, 573.
Rachel, 221, 507, 517, 537,
,573, 574, 575.
Rebecca, 506, 512, 525, 541,
574.
Relief, 574.
Reuben, 336, 503, 574.
Rhoda, 574.
Robert, 575.
Rowland, 248, 24g. 421, 575 .
Ruth, 4gg, 501, 547, 561, 572,
573.
Safty, 575-
Salmon, 506.
Sampson, 573.
Samuel, 18,29,32,41,42,44,
48, 50 51 55, 60, 82, 97,
154, 2S5, 286, 287, 288, 292,
401, 433, 502, 518, 572, 573,
^ 574.
Sarah, 45, 221, 502, 506, 507,
509, 517, 518, 523, 537, 543,
550, 572, 573, 574.
Sarah £., 433.
Shadrach, 520, 574.
Silas, 292, 506. 573.
Simeon, 206, 311, 317, 332,
4g6, 501, 573.
Simon, 15, 18, ig, 22, 23, 25,
28,2g,32, 35, 45,60, 86,221,
^ 433, 475, 512, 572, 573, 574.
Solomon, 523, 528, 574.
Stedman, 156, 159.
Stephen, 517, 574.
Susanna, 497, 513, 534, 572,
^ 573, 575-
Susy, 575.
Sybil, 223, 499, 551, 573, 574.
Sylva 575.
Tabitha, 572.
Tarbel, 193, igg, 205, 221,
422, 4g9, 517, 573, 575.
Theodore, 532.
Thomas, 184, 193, igg, 205,
206, 501, 517, 523, 531, 573,
-^574- ,_
Timothy, 120, 3ig, 4g6, 503,
,518, 531, 573, 574, 575.
Wilder, 573.
WilUam, 68, 72, 118, 138, ig3,
igo, 205, 221, 222, 248, 335.
365, 419, 420, 4^6, 478, 4g6,
4g7, 4g9, 507, 521, 532, 535,
537, 572, 573, 574, 575.
Wilham B., 227, 230, 420,
423, 424.
WILLIAMS, Hannah, 4g7,
536,
Israel, 288.
Lester. 228.
Mercy, 186, 514, 564.
Nathaniel, 506.
Thomas, 505.
WiUiam, 186, 514.
WILLIS, Ebenezer, 169 428.
George W., 352, 355, 364.
James, 318, 320, 342, 502,
508, 529.
John, 428.
Nancy, 428.
WILLISTON,^Mr.  , 457.
WILLOUGHBY, Joseph,

INDEX.

605

500.
WILSON, Charles H., 364.
James, 457.
John, 132.
Jeremiah, 44.
Phebe, 513.
Samuel, 44, 51 54-
WINCHESTER, Emory,
WInIlOW, Edward A.,
450,451,455,456, 457-
George,455-John, 2S8.
WITHINGTON, Abigail,
, 1°^' 5,^9- „
John, A., 461.
Stephen, 250, 407.
William, 296.
WITT, Sarah, 510.
WIZEL, Nancy, 502.
WOLCOTT, see Walcot.
WOOD, Abigail, 496, 575-
Abram, 278, 535.
Amariah, 453.
Asa, 252.
Azubali, 514.
Benjamin, 248, 575-
Benjamin L., 364.
Betty, 575-
Charles, 355, 364.
Dorothy, 500.
Ebenezer, 320,
EUjah, 512.
EUphalet, 200, 496, 531, 532,

.g^--

EUzabeth, 535.
Emory, 248, 575.
Ephraim, 511.
Ezra, 336.
Flavel, 575.
Harvey, 246.

Isaac, 513.
.abez, 505, S75-
..esse, 575.
. ohn, 317, 320, 4gg.
Jonathan, 514. 575.
Joseph, 317, 320, 575.
-ucy, 4g6, 536, 575.
Lydia, 575.
Mary, 575.
Mary E., 24g.
Molly, 575.
Nabby, 575.
Patty, 575-
Timothy, 505, 536.
WOODBURY, TBetty, 508.
WOODWARD, Lizzie J.,
-.382. ,
Samuel, 195.
WORSTER, Abijah, 84, 207,
254. 257, 262, 267, 301, 317,
322, 576.
Betty, 576.
Deliverance, 526.
Ebenezer, 184, 192, 193, 287,
^3.67,,499,52i, 525. 576.
Elizabeth, 499, 542, 576.
George H., 364.
Gideon, 522.
Gilead, 576.
John, 496, 497, 51S, 522, 576.
Jonathan, 184, ig3, 367, 4g6,
4g7, 505, 515, 516, 518, 521,
576.
Joseph, 512.
Lemuel, 4g7, 528, 576.
Levi, 504.
Lois, 501, 576.

Mary, 4g7, 515, 516, 522, 531,
534, 535, 576;
Molly, 576.

Moses, 51c, 576.

Nancy, 4g6, 4g7.
Rebecca, igg, 4gb, 497, 515,
516, 518, 522, 527, 576.
Sampson, 513.
Samuel, 206, 301, 318, 321,
343, 496, 497. 502, 506, 527,
529, 576.
Susanna, 508, 543, 576.
WRIGHT, Abel, 576.
Abigail, 515, 523, 576.
Caleb, 289, 2go, 515, 576.
Elizur, 162.
Experience, 537.
Francis, 502.
George, 457.
Henry G., 278, 27g, 283.
John, 57, 82, 126, 130, igi,
192, 367, 433, 501.
Monah. 576.
Nathaniel, 338.
Oliver, 576.
Peter, 512.
Phebe, 538.
Phineas, 216, 511.
Rachel, 126.
Samuel, 57.
Sarah, 523, 524, 57b.
Sawyer, 301, 576.
Sybil, 502, 576.
Thomas, 57, 118, 206, 2go,
• 2g7, 301, 507, 51S, 523, 524,
WYTER, Jamesl.,364.
WYETH, Elizabetli, 537.
WYMAN, Benjamin, 506.
Maverick, 279.
Sarah, 510.
VOUNG.Lois, 427.
' SamuelL378, 385, 427.
7WIER, Daniel, 502.
^ Zilpah, 402.

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