Concord, Middlesex co, MA History Chapter V ************************************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ transcribed by Janice Farnsworth Farns10th@aol.com Chapter V. p.64 The events just detailed reduced the number of the Indians and prepared the way for the more safe and peaceable settlement of remote towns. Most of the temporary residents in Concord removed to other places but some became permanent settlers here and the populations increased. The Prescotts, Lees, Minotts, Whittemores, Wilsons, etc., who settled here between 1675 and 1700 were subsequently distinguished in the town. The year 1684 was a time of great distress in the colony. The people were told that the titles to their lands were forfeited with their charter, and now belonged to the King. Under this pretence they were called upon to take out new patents for their lands subject to such fines as should be imposed; and writs of ejection were brought against such as refused to put them out of their possession. This was tyranny with a witness (see Murray, vol. i p.144.) Under these circumstances the depositions and deeds from the Indians already given were obtained (see p. 7, 8, 41 & 42) p.65 Some difficulties having arisen between the town of Concord and Robert Blood, Sr., respecting the payment of civil and ecclesiastical dues, an agreement was made on the 17th of March, 1685, between him and the Hon. Peter Bulkeley, Henry Woodhouse, and John Smeadly, Sr. in behalf of the town, by which Bloods' Farms, now comprising a large part of the present town of Carlisle, were annexed to Concord. This agree- ment an extract of which is given below, was assented to by Robert Blood, Jr. and Simon Blood, sons of Robert Blood. It specifies: "1. That the said Robert Blood, his heirs and assignes, living within any peculiar, shall be from time to time freed and exempted from all town offices, and also from town taxes, (except what concerns the repairing of the meeting-house or building upon that account) provided said Robert, his heirs and assignes, have no benefit or profit accruing to them from the said town rates. "2. That in rates for the ministry the said Robert Blood, his heirs and assignes, living within any particular (as aforesaid) shall bee exempted from the duty laid on waste land, and that in other respects the said Robert his heirs and assignes shall pay to the ministry according to the rule and custom of the said town. "3. That the said Robert Blood, his heirs and assignes shall have meet places assigned to them in the meeting house of the said town." These proceedings distinguish the period from 1684 to 1686 as very important in the history of the tow. From this time its jurisdiction extended over a large territory, including the original purchase, the "Village, or, New Grant," part of Littleton, and Bloods' and Willard's farms; which was continued till the incorpora- tion of other towns in which parts of this territory were included. During the fifty subsequent years few import events mark the history of the town. The generation who first emigrated from England had nearly all departed, and others taken their places; but with habits and education somewhat different from their fathers and peculiar to their own period. Compelled to labor hard to supply their own necessities, parents had little time or abilility to educate their children and the people generally were, in consequence, less enlightened than the first settlers. More signed legal in- struments by their marks at this than at any other period. Their history (and such is the history of the country generally) exhibits this as the dark age of New England. Superstition and supposed witchcraft now prevailed. Concord, however, was not a bewitched town; it never took a part in that horrible delusion. The increase in numbers, wealth and intellectual improvement of the people, was subsequently slow but progressive. p.66 The government was under the direction of the arbitrary Sir Edmund Andros from 1687 to 1689. He became so un- popular, however, that the people, assembling in Boston in April 1689, seized and confined him. A company went from Concord under Lieut. John Heald. In this state of affairs, the wishes of the people, in relation to the government, were solicited and Concord voted, May 22, "for the old authority chosen and sworn in the year 1686 with the deputies then chosen and sent to the Court - to resume their places." The new province charter was soon after obtained. A large number of men from Concord took a part in the wars of William and Mary and of Queen Anne, and in the various expeditions against the Indians from 1688 to 1740, and many died. But our printed and manuscript histories of those times are so imperfect, that I am unable to state the extent of the services they rendered, or the names of many of the sufferers. Capt. Joseph Bulkeley with a company of 51 soldiers, chiefly from Concord, was engaged at Groton, Lancaster and other frontier towns in 1704. Penhallow remarks that "Captains Prescott, Bulkeley and Willard, with their companies, were so vigorous in pursuing the enemy that they put them all to flight." The account of provisions furnished to this company mentions among others the names of "Mr. Choat, Dr. Simon Davis," and several Indians. Dunstable, Groton, Lancaster and other frontier towns, were often attacked by the Indians from 1694 to 1712, and many of the inhabitants were killed or carried into captivity. Sometimes they extended their incursions to Chelmsford and Sudbury. Major Tyng was wounded by them in 1711 between Groton and Concord, and came to the latter town, where he died. p.67 It was necessary at all times to maintain scouts, garrison-houses and forts to protect the inhabitants. Some of the citizens of Concord were constantly employed in this manner. Nothing, however, is known to have occurred of much interest to the inhabitants until 1725. One of the most fierce and obstinate battles in the annals of Indian warfare was fought May 8, 1725 at Pigwacket, near Fryeburg on Saco River. The Indians in that vicinity had become troublesome; and rewards were offered for their scalps. Capt. Lovewell with a company of men had killed 10 of them, and received at Boston £100 each for their scalps. Encouraged by this success he organized another company of 47 men to attack the villages of Pigwacket. They marched from Dunstable April 16th, 1725. After proceeding to Ossippee pond, they built a fort. Benjamin Kidder being taken sick, was left there, and also William Ayer, surgeon of the company, Nathaniel Woods, Zachariah Parker, John Goffe, Isaac Whitney, Obadiah Asten, and some others, and were not in the battle. Thirty-three proceeded on; and when they arrived near a point of land extending into Saco Pond, they were attacked, and during a most desperate battle 15 of them were killed, or mortally wounded; nine others were wounded, but were able to march. Paugus, the bold Indian chief, was killed by John Chamberlain under cir- cumstances of bravery, which have consigned their names to the lasting remembrance of posterity. The following are the names of this company. From Dunstable Capt. John Lovewell - killed. Lieut. Josiah Farwell - wounded, lost on the way. Lieut. Jonathan Robbins - killed. Ensign John Harwood - killed. Serg. Noah Johnson - wounded. Serg. Robert Usher - killed. Serg. Samuel Whiting - wounded. From Andover Jonathan Frye, Chaplain - wounded, lost on the way. From Weston Serg. Jacob Fullam - killed. From Nutfield Corp. Edward Lynnfield. From Woburn Ensign Seth Wyman. Thomas Richardson. Timothy Richardson - wounded. Ichabod Johnson - killed. Josiah Johnson - wounded. From Concord Eleazer Davis - wounded. Josiah Davis - killed. Josiah Jones - wounded. David Melvin. Eleazer Melvin. Jacob Farrar - killed. Joseph Farrar. From Billerica Jonathan Kittridge - killed. Solomon Kies - wounded. From Groton John Jefts - killed. Daniel Woods - killed. Thomas Woods - killed. John Chamberlain - wounded. Elias Barron. Isaac Lakin - wounded. Joseph Gilsom. From Haverhill Ebenezer Ayer. Abiel Asten. p.68 A remnant of the company returned by the fort and arrived in Dunstable May 15th, 1725. Four others, Davis, Jones, Fry, and Farwell were left behind to endure the most excruciating suffering. After waiting several days, expecting that some one would return to their assistance, they proceeded on, though their wounds had become putrid and offensive, and they themselves nearly exhausted by hunger. After traveling several miles Fry was left and lost. Farwell was also lost a few miles from the fort. Eleazer Davis, after being out 14 days, came in to Berwick. He was wounded in the abdomen and the ball lodged in his body. He also had his right hand shot off. A tradition says that arriving at a pond with Lieut. Farwell, Davis pulled off one of his moccasins, cut it in strings on which he fastened a hook, caught some fish, fried and ate them. They refreshed him but were injurious to Farwell who died soon after. Josiah Jones, another of the four was wounded with a ball, which lodged in his body. After being out 14 days, in hourly expectation of perishing, he arrived at Saco, "emaciated and almost dead from the loss of blood, the putrefaction of his wounds and the want of food. He had subsisted on the spontaneous vegetables of the forest. This is said to be the case of Davis. He re- covered, but was a cripple. Davis, Jones, Johnson and several others of the unfortunate sufferers in this company, and their widows, were pensioners of the Province many years; and the Journals of the General Court show that they were treated with liberality. The township of Pembroke, N.H., originally Suncook, was granted them for their services, on the petition of David Melvin and 30 others, in 1729. The Cuban Expedition - 1740 p.68 War was declared by Great Britain against Spain Oct 23, 1739, and the next year the expedition against Cuba was undertaken. The inhabitants of the colonies were invited to embark in it. In presenting the subject to the General Court, and urging preparations to be made for 1,000 men, Governor Belcher said, "it would open a more extensive, rich, and beneficial trade for ourselves in the West Indies than we have yet enjoyed." This, and the promise of booty and lands in Cuba, as bounties to individual soldiers and expectations of be- ing settled there, were the most plausible reasons for engaging in this most unfortunate enterprise. Though the General Court treated the wishes of the gov- ernor rather coolly, yet five companies of 100 men each were raised and put under the command of Capt. John Prescott of Concord, Capt. David Goffe, Capt. Thomas Phillips, Capt. George Stuart and Capt. John Winslow. The Governor himself paid the expenses of one company and Winslow paid that of his own. They embarked Sept. 23, 1740. Hon. Henry Cope, Lieutenant Colonel; William Blakeley, Adj. General. General Thomas Wentworth com- manded the land forces at Cuba; and Admiral Edward Vernon commanded the fleet. [Mount Vernon, Washington's residence, was named for him.] The whole expedition was under Lord Cathcart. Arriving at Cuba, several unsuccessful attempts to accomplish the objects of the expedition were made. Many of the Americans were taken sick and died. They were placed on board Vernon's fleet and received such treat- ment as called forth complaints. They were separated into different vessels and compelled to sail among the West India islands; 468 were on board July 6, 1742. It was not long before the remnant, who had not fallen a sacrifice to the climate and other hardships, returned to this country, without accomplishing any of their original intentions. They were paid off and dismissed October 24, 1742. The expedition cost the province £37,500 currency, equal to £7,000 sterling. Of the 500 men from Massachusetts, 50 only returned. Fifteen, beside Capt. Prescott, went from Concord - three only returned: Jonthan Heywood Ebenezer Lampson Henry Yours Tradition says that Thomas Barnes, Zachariah Blood, Nathaniel Monroe, Sergeant Benjamin Pollard, Aaron Lyon, and Darius Wheeler, were among those who died there. Read the entire history of the Cuba Expedition - NEHGS http://www.newenglandancestors.org/research/database/colonial_wars/1723-43NEW.asp p.70 The period from 1744 to 1760 was remarkable for the large drafts of men and money from the town to carry on that series of wars which then took place between the Indians and French on one part and the English and the Americans on the other. Colonel John Flint had commanded the regiment of militia in which Concord was included; and was succeeded by Col. Buckminster of Framingham about 1735. The Hon. James Minott was Lieut. Colonel and succeeded to the command in 1756. Most of the orders for men passed through his hands. There were three foot companies and a troop in Concord; and all the able-bodied men from 16 to 60 years of age were enrolled. They, as well as their arms, were pressed into the service when required. Sometimes whole companies were called upon to perform actual service at once; and few escaped the call at some time, either to go themselves, or furnish a substitute in those troublesome wars. What precise amount of service was rendered by Concord, it is impossible now to ascertain; and the insulated facts about to be given present a very imperfect view of the subject. Massachusetts furnished 3,250 men in 1745 for the re- duction of Louisburg. David Melvin of Concord commanded a company there and received a wound, of which he died Nov. 18, 1745, in his 57th year, after his return home. p.71 Benjamin Prescott son of Dr. Jonathan Prescott, was killed there in the previous May. Amos Row was also killed and Samuel Wood was sick and became disabled. Eleazer Melvin, brother of the above, was a lieutenant and engaged as captain in several subsequent campaigns. During a year from Oct. 1746, he was out, and marched on an "intended expedition to Cana- da," with a considerable number of soldiers from Concord. Joseph Buttrick was clerk of the company. After one of their marches, called the long march, in which he went to Canada, he returneed and with 25 men went to Lunenburg for the protection of that town; some persons having been taken by the Indians there a short time be- fore. From March to September, 1747, he was stationed at Northfield. Humphrey Hobbs was his lieutenant and Thomas Fletcher of Concord, ensign; Benjamin Hoar, Ben- jamin Kidder and Alexander Heald, sergeants. Capt. Melvin with a party of 26 men, went out through the woods in May as far as Crown Point, where he killed several Indians; and on his return home, at the head of West river, about 35 miles from Northfield, he was sur- prised and attacked by a party of Indians who killed six of his men - John Hayward, John Dodd, Daniel Mann, Isaac Taylor, Joseph Petty and Samuel Severance. [Doolittle's Narrative, p.17 - Journal of the General Court.] The others escaped. John Hoar was captured in an engagement at Fort Dummer July 14, 1748 and remained with the Indians three months. Mark Perkins was also carried into captivity. Mr. Melvin died October 18, 1754 aged 52. He was son of John Melvin, who died 1724 aged 74. Grandchildren of his are now (1835) living. On the 23d of September, 1746, a company of 50 men were detached and marched to Boston on an alarm, on account of an expected attack from the French fleet under the Duke D'Anville. They returned in ten days. Joseph Hubbard was captain; Joshua Brooks, lieutenant; Jonathan Billings, ensign; Stephen Wesson, Amos Heald, Hezekiah Stratten and Stephen Hosmer, sergeants; John Miles and Ebenezer Meriam, clerks; Nathaniel Colburn, Jonas Hey- wood, Henry Gould and Nathan Miles, corporals. The following names of individuals from Concord, in the expedition to Nova Scotia in May, 1755 appear in Winslow's Army records: p.72 Charles Bulkeley and Timothy Wheeler, 1st & 2nd lieuten- ants in Capt. Osgood's company; and James Fletcher, Samuel Brown, Thomas Brown, William Wilson, William Stephens, Joseph Blanchard, John Knowlton, Nathaniel Carter, William Barker, Jonathan Conant, Nicholas Brown, and William Corey, privates. Ephraim Jones then commanded a company of 92 men. Jacob Melvin, Nathan Melvin and Ezekiel brown were sergeants; Samuel Chandler, corporal; and Deliverance Davis, drummer. Nine privates besides in this company were from Concord. Peter Prescott also commanded a company there. Daniel Brooks was taken captive near the Bay of Fundy, April 26, 1756. Capt. Stephen Hosmer commanded a company at Fort Edward. He left Concord in September, and returned in December, 1755. Jonathan Hoar, one of the native graduates, was a major in this expedition. Col. James Minot was also there. The Rev. Mr. Bowes, who had been minister of Bedford, was chaplain of the regiment. The journal of Capt. Hosmer is before me. While at Fort Edward, he says, "Nov. 1st. Sat in a court of enquiry on the com- plaint of Major Hoar against Colonel Gilbert." "Nov. 9, Sabbath, Rev. Mr. Bowes preached." "Nov. 23d Col. Minott and the rest of the commissioners arrived." "Nov. 27th Major Richardson died at evening." A company from Acton under Capt. Gershom Davis was mustered with one of the Concord companies in this town, September 1755 and soon after marched for Fort Edward. p.72 Jonathan Hoar was lieutenant-colonel in the expedition to Crown Point in 1756, and aid to Major General Winslow. Capt. Peter Prescott was there and was left at Lake George to take care of the sick. [see p.50 & 64 of Prescott Memorial]. Capt. Jonathan Brooks, with 30 men from Concord, marched on alarm for the relief of Fort William Henry, August 17, 1757. They went only to Palmer and returned in ten days. Oliver Miles was out there three months, being wounded, taken prisoner, stripped naked and treated in a very cruel manner. Robert Estabrook, Jonathan Harris Jr., Joseph Wheeler, and several others were taken at Fort Edward. The Journal of the General Court gives the following names of "sick and wounded soldiers" in the Crown Point expediton from Concord, who received aid from the government: Amos Parlin Daniel Brown, drummer. Stephen Hosmer William Richardson John Barker Samuel Brewer Samuel Wheeler Samuel Buttrick Jonathan Buttrick Amos Hosmer Thomas Billings Ephraim Brooks Ephraim Stow Samuel Estabrook John Robbins Boaz Brown Daniel Brewer Solomon Whitney Peter Prescott Timothy Barrett Consider Soper William Pool John Savage. p.73 Dr. John Cuming, a lieutenant-colonel in the northern expedition in 1758 was wounded and taken prisoner. Daniel Fletcher, a captain from Acton, was also treated in like manner. Capt. Samuel Dakin, grandfather to Deacon Dakin of Sudbury was killed near Halfway Brook, July 20, 1758. James Hosmer, brother to the late Elijah Hosmer, was killed at Fort Miller. Phineas Wheeler of Acton, son of Samuel Wheeler, Boaz Brown and Timothy Heald of Concord were killed in Major Robert Rogers fight, 1758. The Battle Fought on Snowshoes http://www.usgennet.org/usa/topic/colonial/rogers/snowshoes.html Abel Farrar died Nov. 4, 1758 at Lake George. He had been taken prisoner at Fort Miller, April 9th. Abel Marshal died at Albany, Sept 20, 1758. The following "sick and wounded soldiers," says the Journal of the General Court, received aid from the gov- ernment: Danforth Howard John Barker James Dudley Zachariah Davis Reuben Hosmer Francis Wheeler John Barnes John Darby John Cragin William Eaton. Jonathan Harris died at Crown Point, Nov. 8, 1761. Thomas Brown and John Flagg died in the public service in 1762. John Savage died abroad of the small-pox. Jonathan Hoar was lieutenant-colonel in the expedition to Nova Scotia in 1760. He sailed for that place from Boston May 10, 1762 as Colonel, with 500 men, 16 of whom were from Concord. Insert Subject: Peter Prescott Source: Prescott Memorial by William Prescott, 1870 John Prescott/Mary Platts Line - Founders of Lancaster, Massachusetts. p.50 Peter Prescott b. April 17, 1709, son of Dr. Jonathan Prescott and his wife, Rebecca Bulkley of Concord, Mass. Peter Prescott grad. at Harvard College 1730; studied law and resided at Concord and Boston. He Dealt extensively in the wild lands and in Peterborough, New Hampshire derived its name from him. He was out in the service of his country several times during the French War, and commanded a company at Crown Point in 1758. He removed to Annapolis, Nova Scotia, previous to the Revolution, where he was appointed clerk of one of the courts, and where he died in 1784, aged 75. He m. Nov. 13, 1735 Elizabeth Bulkley who d. Feb 14, 1804. (see p. 64) p.64 Prescott Memorial Peter Prescott and his wife Elizabeth Bulkley had issue: 1. Elizabeth Prescott b. 1742 died of influenza, Mar 29, 1815 aged 73. 2. John Prescott b. July 13, 1748 died Oct 9, 1806. 3. Oliver Prescott b. March 27, 1751. 4. Thomas Prescott b. June 2, 1754. 5. Mary Prescott b. 1758 d. of consumption Jan 13, 1819 Aged 61. End, Inserted material Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth Migration to other towns and states. p.73 During the period under review in this chapter several divisions were made in the town. Littleton, Bedford, Acton, and Lincoln were incorporated. The proceedings in relation to several of these towns will be given in their respective histories. Some facts, however, may be properly stated here. Littleton, about half of which had belonged to Concord, was incorporated December 3, 1715, sixty years after it was first granted to the Indians and to the English. The first minister was ordained, Dec. 25, 1717, when it is probable the church was organized. March 4, 1717, "four families living on the farms called Nashobah, namely, Walter Powers, John Powers, David Russell and John Merriam, were dismissed from the minister's rates in Concord for three years ensuing." In May 1720, they were freed [from rates] seven years longer. p.74 Twenty-two of the inhabitants of Concord and Chelmsford petitioned the General Court, May, 1721, to be annexed to Littleton. A similar petition was made in 1725, and granted, so far as relates to Concord; the six families belonging to Chelmsford to continue in the west parish of that town. When a new town was proposed to be erected, it was customary first to obtain liberty of the town from which it was to be taken, and afterwards of the General Court. When leave could not be thus obtained, a petition was presented directly to the Court. Bedford was incorporated Sept. 23, 1729 and Acton, July 3, 1735, after having belonged to Concord about 100 years, without opposition from the mother town. Thirty-one persons petitioned, Feb 6, 1738, to have all the land lying northwesterly of the North river set off as a separate township. Fifteen remonstrated but the petition was not granted. It was renewed in March, "there being 80 families north of the river, and able to build a meeting house;" but it again met with a like fate. After repeatedly petitioning the town and the General Court, the southeasterly part became a precinct in 1746, and a town, called Lincoln, April 19, 1754. The north part of the town was incorporated in 1754 as the District of Carlisle; but the inhabitants not being able to agree where to place the meeting house it was set back again after three years. Several of the opposers of the Rev. Mr. Bliss lived in the southwest part of the town, and a petition was presented, Jan 4, 1750, for liberty to set up public worship among themselves, but it was not granted. The ostensible reason of those who had endeavoured to be separated from the main society, was their remoteness from public worship. This was true in some cases, but not always. The cause is rather to be found in the internal divisions, which will be more particularly described in the Ecclesiastical history. Another peculiar feature of the period under review is seen in the spirit of emigration which was excited. The discoveries made by those, who had been engaged in the public military service, as was the case in the revolutionary and in the last war, induced many to seek places other than their native soil, to obtain subsistence and wealth. Hence we find that an unusual number of new towns were settled about this time. Many of the worthy sons of Concord left their native homes; and many towns in Worcestor County and other places westerly in Massachusetts, in New Hampshire and in Vermont, and in Maine, now give evidence that they and their descendants were a hardy and industrious race of men. p.75 June, 1723. Thomas Howe and 64 others of Marlborough, Stow and Concord, petitioned for a township of land west of Rutland. The August succeeding, Gershom Rice and 65 others, part of whom were from Concord, petitioned for land between "Turkey Hills and Rutland, including Wachusett." In the same year James Watson, Samuel Hill, Zerubabel Eager and 32 others, inhabitants of Concord, Sudbury, Marlborough and Stow, petitioned for liberty to purchase land of the Indians at Hassanamisco (Grafton) see footnote 1 footnote 1 Christopher C. Baldwin has kindly furnished me (author) with a list of the proprietors of Grafton in 1728; of whom the following were from Concord: John Flint, Benjamin Barrett, Ebenezer Wheeler, Joseph Barrett, Eleazer Flagg, Joseph Meriam, Jacob Taylor, Samuel Chandler, John Hunt and Joseph Taylor. ~~~~ Samuel Chandler of Concord renewed the petition, June 3, 1726. Turkey Hills, now comprising part of Townsend, Ashby, Fitchburg, and Lunenburg, were granted principally to the Concord petitioners. Narragansett township No. 6, lyng west of Pembroke, N.H., was granted in 1733 to Concord and 13 other towns, for services rendered in King Philip's war in 1676. Dec. 3, 1735, a township of land "on the east side of Connecticut river below the great falls," was granted to John Flint and others of Concord, Groton, and Littleton. This might have been Keene, since the proprietors of that town held several early meetings in Concord, and Samuel Heywood of Concord was proprietor's clerk. Ephraim Jones and Daniel Adams of Concord in 1737, cut out a road from Townsend to Ashuelot river, and asked the General Court to pay for it. Refused. Dec. 6, 1737, a township, "eastward of Monadnock hills on the southern branch of Contoocook river," was granted to Samuel Heywood, Joseph Wheeler, Joseph Barrett and sundry other inhabitants of Concord. Jonathan Prescott one of the grantees, called the first meeting. This township might have been Peterborough, which was afterwards principally owned, and was named by Peter Prescott of Concord. Dr. John Cuming, Charles Prescott and Joseph Hayward had township No. 5, now including Cummington and Plainfield, granted them in 1762. These are a few of many instances in which the enter- prising citizens of Concord were interested in the grants and settlements of new townships in the then re- mote wilderness. End Chapter V.