Concord, Middlesex co, MA History Chapter XIV ************************************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ transcribed by Janice Farnsworth Farns10th@aol.com History of Concord, Mass., by Lemuel Shattuck, 1835 CHAPTER XIV. STATISTICAL HISTORY p.210 POPULATION Concord possesses few of those advantages of water-power, peculiar to many manufacturing towns, which favor a rapid growth. It is dependent on the industry of its inhabitants, its improvements in agriculture and the mechanic arts, and the general advancement of the surrounding country, for its increase in wealth and population. The incorporation of other towns, principally within it original limits, has, at various times, reduced its population and resources, and renders it difficult to estimate its growth with accuracy. In 1706 the polls were 230, nearly half as many as they now are; but they were scattered throughout six now incorporated towns. In 1753, just before the incorporation of Lincoln, p.211 the polls were 442, grater than at any other period in our history prior to 1820; and it is probable the population and wealth of the town was proportionably great. The population in 1764, including part of Carlisle, then belonging to Concord, was 1,584, of whom 736 were white males, 821 white females and 27 negroes. There were 6 slaves in 1725; 21 in 1741; and 19 in 1754. September 1, 1783, three years after the town was reduced to its present territorial limits, it contained 1,321 inhabitants of whom 15 were blacks. In 1790, there were 1,590. The following table give the number at three different periods since: 1800 1810 1820 Male Female Male Female Male Female Under 10 years 202 195 207 195 210 207 From 10 to 16 121 126 115 101 117 138 From 16 to 26 142 189 153 168 184 165 From 26 to 45 159 172 162 175 186 205 45 and upwards 158 177 150 179 150 192 Totals 782 859 787 818 847 907 Blacks 38 28 34 Totals 1,679 1,633 1,788 In 1820 there were 9 foreigners not naturalized, 262 engaged in agriculture, 16 in commerce, and 140 in manufactures. From the above statement and a subsequent one on the valuation, it will appear that the town from 1800 to the close of the war in 1815, remained nearly stationary. Since that time it has had a slow but gradual increase. The proportion of births to the deaths is estimated at about 3 to 1, producing a large redundant population, which is scattered in every state in the union. The associations with "Old Concord," are dear to many in distant lands, who owe their ancestral origin to its inhabitants. The following is the census taken by authority of the United States, June 1, 1830: Male Female Total Male Female Total Under 5 years 151 126 277 Of 40 & under 50 80 82 162 Of 5 & under 10 119 116 235 Of 50 & under 60 48 63 111 Of 10 & under 15 104 115 219 Of 60 & under 70 30 46 76 Of 15 & under 20 116 89 205 Of 70 & under 80 26 27 53 Of 20 & under 30 192 195 387 Of 80 & under 90 11 11 22 Of 30 & under 40 124 120 244 Of 90 & under 100 0 2 2 Totals 1,001 992 + 1,993 Free persons of Color of whom 15 are males and 13 females 28 Total 2,021 p.212 VALUATION From the returns of the assessors in the offices of the secretary of the Commonwealth and the town clerk, I have compiled the following tables, which will afford interesting information, illustrative of the wealth of the town at different periods. The only articles mentioned in the valuations of personal property, taken under the province charter, were horses, oxen, cows, sheep, swine, slaves and faculty. The total valuation of personal and real estate in 1706, as reduced to our present currency nearly according to the received tables of depreciation, was $9,898. and for several subsequent periods was as follows: Year Polls Horses Oxen Cows Sheep Swine Total Value. 1719 310 272 454 704 814 422 $12,695. 1725 375 326 562 975 1371 551 12,071. 1740 359 278 474 866 __ 550 7,623. 1753 442 298 542 1024 1166 510 50,002. 1760 335 268 301 813 627 418 44,306. 1771 371 216 422 951 706 375 44,940. Since the Revolution new state-valuations have been taken, once in then years and that after the taking of the census. In p.213 these valuations various articles of personal property are required to be enumerated and de- scribed, not however uniformly alike. In the following table some of the principal only are mentioned. Article of Property 1781 1791 1801 1811 1821 1831 Polls 326 340 390 390 435 489 Dwelling houses 193 188 227 224 235 253 Barns 174 142 184 183 203 225 Other buildings 64 79 265 125 Acres of tillage land 1188 1063 1112 1156 1137 1098 Acres English Mowing 753 721 840 992 1205 1279 Acres Meadow 2089 1827 2236 2131 2153 2111 Acres Pasturing 3099 4398 3800 2982 3852 4059 Acres Woodland 3878 4436 3635 3386 3262 2048 Acres Unimproved 1282 1732 1392 2833 Acres Unimprovable 384 395 612 Acres used for roads 348 286 Acres of Water 515 695 Barrels of Cider 882 799 1376 1767 1079 Tons of English Hay 731 838 880 836 Tons of Meadow Hay 1434 1453 1270 1370 Bushels of Rye 4738 2942 3183 2327 Bushels of corn 10505 10052 11375 11424 Bushels of Oats 1388 1463 2372 4129 Horses 137 146 182 179 145 177 Oxen 324 288 374 326 337 418 Cows 916 775 934 831 743 725 Swine 137 308 290 269 294 408 The total valuation in 1801 was $20,322; in 1811, $24,554; in 1821, $25,860 and in 1831, $36,681.29. FINANCES. In the early ages of the town, several lots of land were reserved for the "public good," and donations were made by individuals for the same purpose. Most of them, however, were disposed of without producing much permanent benefit, or accomplishing the wishes of the donor. footnote: Capt. Timothy Wheeler died July 10, 1687 aged 86. He came to Concord in 1638 and, as tradi- tion says, from Wales. Besides holding at different times, most of the important trusts in various town affairs, he was captain of a military company and represented the town 18 years in the General Court, between 1653 and 1672. At his death he was possessed of a very respectable estate. His Will, which is recorded in the Suffolk Probate Records was dated the 1st of March next before his death. His 2nd wife was Mary, dau. of Capt. Thomas Brooks They had no male issue. One of his daughters, Elizabeth, m. Ebenezer Prout, some time clerk of the House of Representatives; and another, Rebecca, m. James Minott, Esq., and was the ancestor of many distinguished individuals. Captain Timothy Wheeler in 1687, bequeathed to the Rev. Edward Bulkeley and the Rev. Joseph Estabrook, 20 shillings apiece; p.214 who were then the ministers of the town; and to the town about three acres of land with a house standing on the same, to be improved, all but half an acre (which was "laid out to the training place" at the northwesterly end of the public common), "for the furtherance of learning and the support of a school in the said town." This lot was that on which the grammar school-house now stands, and then embraced nearly all which would be included in a line drawn from the north side of the house recently built by Ephraim Merriam, to the brook and by the brook round to the Middlesex Hotel and the common. These premises were several years leased and the rents applied according to the wishes of the donor; but piece after piece was unfortunately sold; till the school-house lot was contracted to its present highly inconvenient dimensions. Captain Wheeler also bequeathed to the town 40 acres of woodland, "to be improved from time to time for the use and benefit of the ministers of the said town." This was the present ministerial lot; and the poeple were long accustomed to hold a "bee", when a sufficient quantity of wood for the minister's annual consumption was drawn from this lot to his door. The town directed, April 1, 1811, that the wood on this lot, and on one in Carlisle, should be cut off and sold; and that pews should be erected on some vacant floor in the meeting- house, and also sold; and that the proceeds should be vested in the hands of trustees, as a ministerial fund. Their first report was made November 7, 1814 and shows the following re- sults: Proceeds of sales of wood on the ministerial wood-lot $2,566.13 Proceeds of sales of wood on a lot in Carlisle 364.27 Proceeds of sales of pews in the meeting house 1,365.55 Total on interest from Jan. 1, 1814 $4,295.95 The first trustees were John White, Francis Jarvis and John L. Tuttle; and they and their successors were incorporated by an act passed February 27, 1813, as "The Trustees of the Congregational Ministerial Fund in Concord." This fund has since been accumulating p.215 and it received the additional legacy of Humphrey Barrett in 1829 of $500. No appropriations wer made from it until 1830 and on the first of January, 1831 it amounted to $11,431.45. footnote: Humphrey Barrett was the son of Lieut. Humphrey Barrett, and died without issue March 13, 1827 aged 75. Abel B. Heywood inherited, and lived on his real estate. In 1732, a committee was appointed, consisting of the Rev. Mr. Whiting, James Minott, Jr., John Fox, and Samuel Heywood, to make sale of the common and ministerial land in the town, and vest the proceeds in other real estate. A "ministerial pasture and plow land," was accordingly bought westof the almshuse and some time u sed as a "perquisite" lot. During the Rev. Mr. Emerson's ministry, it was sold for £75 or $250 and the annual interest $15. applied for the benefit of the minister. In consequence of losses sustained during the Revolution, it became reduced to $100 nearly. In 1819, the town voted that the minister should receive $15, the orginal perguisite and the balance of $9 has been annually raised by a tax. Mr. Hugh Cargill bequesthed to the town the "Stratton Farm," so called, which was valued in 1800 at $1,360. "to be improved as a poor-house, and the land to be improved by and for the benefit of the poor, and to be under the special directin of the town of Concord, for the time being, for the purpose aforesaid forever." footnote: Mr. Cargill's history is better described in the subjoined epitaph on his grave- stone, than by any other source of information I possess. He came to this country in connexion with the British army; but acquired his estate as a trader in Boston. "Here lyes interred the remains of Mr. Hugh Cargill, late of Boston, who died in Concord January 12, 1799 in the 60th year of his age. Mr. Cargill was born in Bellyshannon in Ireland, came to this country in the year 1774, destitute of the comforts of life; but by his industry and good economy he acquired a good estate; and, having no children, he at his death devised his estate to his wife, Mrs. Rebecca Cargill, and to a number of his friends and relations by marriage, and especially a large and generous donation to the Town of Concord for benevolent and charitable purposes. "How strange, O God, who reigns on high, That I should come so far to die; And leave my friends, where I was bred, To lay my bones with strangers dead. But I have hopes when I arise To dwell with thee in yonder skies." p.216 This is now used for the pauper establishment. Mr. Cargill also gave several other parcels of real estate, valued at $372, the income of which, "to be soley applied for the support of the poor." Another class of donations has been made to the town for the relief of the silent poor, those individuals who are needy, but do not wish to throw themselves on the town for support. The donors are as follows: Peter Wright $277.42 Peter Wright was a weaver, son of Capt. Edward Wright and died Jan. 15, 1718 aged 53. He bequeathed all his real estate after the death of his wife and cousin, Elizabeth Hartwell, to the poor of Concord to be under the direction of the Selectmen, and of the minister, who is "to have a double vote to any of the Selectman." What belonged to the town was sold in 1731 for £500 currency. John Cuming $833.33 John Cuming - see notice in the Biographical History in the sequel. Abel Barrett $500.00 Abel Barrett was brother to Humphrey Barrett just mentioned. He commenced the mercantile business in Concord, but afterwards removed to Boston. He died in Liverpool, England, January 12, 1803. Jonathan Wheeler $500. Jonathan Wheeler was the son of Ephraim Wheeler and was successively a merchant in Concord, Boston, Baltimore and England. He died September 4, 1811 in the city of New York, ten days after his arrival there from Europe. The town of Concord has also a fund of $833.33 given by John Cuming, Esq., for the benefit of the "private schools," in the language of his Will, which has been distributed in all the districts but the centre one. Another donatation now amounting to $744.92 was given by John Beaton, Esq., for the support of schools and the poor. John Beaton, Esq., was a native of Scotland, and emigrated to this town, where he acquired a respectable estate as a merchant. He was remarkable for his honesty, integrity, and Christian virtues, and had the unlimited confidence of his fellow citizens. "As honest as John Beaton," was long a current saying, expressive of the character of a strictly honest man. He was Town Treasurer 17 years from 1754 and appointed Justice of the Peace by the Crown, June 6, 1765. He died without issue, June 9, 1776 aged 47 years. p.217 These donations being for specific objects, do not essentially affect the general expenses of the town. In consequence of having to maintain eight bridges, and the liberal appropriations for schools and other objects, the taxes in Concord are supposed to be higher in proportion to its wealth, than in many towns, amounting to about $3 on every inhabitant. In 1803, the roads and bridges, independent of a highway tax of $1,000. cost $1,244; in 1805 $967; in 1807, $1,290; and on an average, for the last 40 years, about one eighth of all the town expenses. The following table will exhibit the appropriations for several periods since. Year State Tax County Tax Minister Incidental Total 1785 £711.6s.4d. £25.3s.3d. £100.10s.9d £748.8s.1d. £1,585.8s.5d. 1790 128,9s.4d. 32.16s.6d. 113.19s.6d. 596.12.11d. 871.18s.3d. 1795 $613.33 $233.16 $646.66 $2,327.15 $3,820.31. 1800 611.33 161.56 567.26 2,763.52 4,103.78. 1810 662.14 398.92 633.05 3,010.47 4,704.58. 1820 568.94 331.13 794.17 4,243.92 5,938.16. 1830 222.00 417.17 709.00 4,072.01 4,781.01. The amount of debts due from the town, in 1825 was $3,284.04 and in 1831, $5,288.65. EMPLOYMENT Agriculture is the greatest source of wealth to the town. Manufactures are next in rank. Three farmers in the town own about 1000 sheep, the value of whose wool was estimated in 1831 at $1,500. Thee were raised 884,000 teasles. The oldest cotton mill now in this state was commenced in this town in 1805, and the manufacture of cotton soon after began by Messrs. Hartwell and Brown, and has since been carried on by Ephraim H. Bellows through the various fluctuations of the business. The proprietors were incorporated in 1832. The mill contained 1,100 spindles, 20 looms, employs 9 men, 3 boys and 30 girls, works 50,000 lbs of cotton and makes 188,000 yards of cloth annually, valued at $17,900. David Loring commenced the manufacture of lead pipes in 1819, and of sheet lead in 1831. He employs 6 men, and upwards of 300,000 lbs of lead are annually wrought, valued, when ready for sale at about $20,000. In the p.218 extensive establishments for the manufacture of chaises, harness and carriages, owned by Colonel William Whiting and the Messrs. Robbins, the value of the articles manufactured last year was estimated at $14,000. The smithery, where the iron work was made, used upwards of 100,000 lbs of iron, and 4,000 of steel in 1831. Henry H. Merrill, the proprietor, erected in 1832, a steam-engine, and has otherwise enlarged his works. Elijah Wood commenced the manufacture of boots and shoes in 1812 and makes, anually about $6,000 worth. Nehemiah Ball began the same business in 1832. From 3,000 to 6,000 gross black lead pencils and points are annually made in town. William Monroe commenced the manufacture of these in 1812; and his method of making them he regards as his own invention, having, he informs me, had no instruction from anyone in relation to the subject. "The lead for the first pencil was ground with the head of a hammer, was mixed in a common spoon, and the pencil sold to Benjamin Adams in Boston." In 1814 he made 1,212 gross, which he sold for $5,946. He has since made about 35,000 gross; in some yers 4,000 gross of pencils and 1,000 of points. John Thoreau and others in the town have also carried on the business extensively, but the profits are now very much reduced. Mr. Thoreau also makes red lead pencils and glass paper. There were also made, in 1831, 50 brass time-pieces, 1,300 hats, 562 dozen bellows, 100 guns, 300,000 bricks, 500 barrels, 20,000 lbs bar soap, 5,000 nail-kegs, and cabinet ware, the value of which was estimated at $14,860. This is what is generally termed wholesale business, and includes vey little custom work; the articles manufactured being principally sold abroad. There are 6 warehouses and stores; one bookstore and bindery; two saw-mills, two grist-mills - at which it was estimated that 12,000 bushels of grain were ground the last year. The manufacturing and mechanical business of the town is increasing, and promises to be a great source of wealth. MAINTENANCE OF THE POOR. This has long been an important item in the expenses of the town. From the earliest town records it appears that they were supported by subscription, or by several individuals voluntarily agreeing to keep them in rotation. The first poor-rate £10, was raised in 1721. About 1753, a small alms-house was built, principally by subscription where Dr. Bartlett p.219 now lives and where part of the poor were kept for nearly 50 years. Five years prior to 1800 they were let out collectively by contract. They cost £185 in 1791, $936.50 in 1796, and $900 in 1801. In 1800, the selectmen were directed to put them out to the lowest bidder "either altogether, in lots, or singly." This auction usually took place immediately after the town meeting in May. This practice continued till 1821, when a contract was made to keep the poor together for $1,450; in 1824, for $1,200; and in 1827 for $1,150. Since then they have been supported in the pauper establishment belonging to the town. The rent of the Cargill farm, after it came into possession of the town, was vested as a fund for the erection of an alms-house. In 1816, this fund amounted to $2,359 and the town raised the additioal sum of $650 and commenced the erection of the proposed building. Just before it was completed, October 28, 1817 it was burnt. In 1827, the buildings on the farm were enlarged and repaired in their present form. For all genuine objects of charity, the people of Concord have ever been ready to bestow their aid with generosity. In 1819 the town gave $200 and individuals $110 more, to the Lunatic Asylum, in connexion with the Massachusetts General Hospital. This is one of many similar acts of benevolence which might be mentioned. EDUCATION Many of the original inhabitants of Concord were well educated in their native country; and, "to the end that learning be not buried in the graves of the forefathers," schools were provided at an early period for the instruction of their children. In 1647, towns of 50 families were required to have p.220 a common school, and of 100 families, a grammar school. Concord had the latter before 1680. An orde was sent to this town, requiring "a list of the names of those young persons within the bounds of the town, and adjacent farms, who live from under family government, who do not serve their parents or masters, as children, apprentices, hired servants, or journeymen ought to do, and usually did in our native country"; agreeably to a law, that "all children and outh, under family government, be taught to read perfectly the English tongue, have knowledge in the capital laws, and be taught some orthodox catechism and that they be brught up to some honest employment." On the back of this order is this return: "I have made dillygent inquiry according to this warrant and find no defects to return. Simon Davis, Constable. March 31, 1680." During the 30 years subsequent to this period, which I have denominated the dark age in Massachusetts, few towns escaped a fine for neglecting the wholesome laws for the promotion of education. Though it does not appear that Concord was fined, a committee was appointed in 1692, to petition the General Court, "to ease us in the law relating to the grammar school-master," or to procure one "with prudence for the benefit of learning, and saving the town from fine." From that time, however, this school was constantly maintained. For several years subsequent to 1700, no appropriations were made to any other school. In 1701, grammar scholars paid 4 pence and reading scholars 2 pence per week towards its support; and from that time to 1712, from £20 to £30 were annually raised. In 1715, it was kept one quarter in different parts of the town, for £40. The next year £50 were raised for the centre and £5 for each of the other three divisions. In 1722, Timothy Minott agreed to keep the school for ten years at £45 per year. In 1732, £50 were raised for the centre and £30 for the "out-schools"; and each schoolmaster was obliged to teach the scholars to read, write and cipher - all to be free. In 1740, £40 for the centre and £80 for the others. These grants were in the currency of the times. In 1754, £40 lawful money were granted, £25 of which were for the centre. Teachers in the out-schools usually received 1 shilling per day for their services. The grammar-school was substituted for all others in 1767, and kept 12 weeks in the centre and 6 weeks each, in 6 other parts, or "school societies" of the town. p.221 There were then 6 schoolhouses, two of which were in the present limits of Carlisle, and the others near where Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 6 now stand. This system of a moving school, as it was termed, was not, however, continued many years. In 1774 the school money was first divided in proportion to the polls and estates. The districts were regulated, in 1781, nearly as they now are. The town raised £120 in 1784 for the support of schools, and voted, that "one sixteenth part of the money the several societies in the out-parts of the town pay towards this sum, should be taken and added to the pay of the middle society for the support of the grammar-school; and the out-parts to have the remainder to be spent in schools only." This method of dividing the school-money was continued till 1817, when the town voted, that it should be distributed to each district including the centre, according to its proportion of the town taxes. The appropriations for schools from 1781 to 1783, was £100 - from 1784 to 1792, £125; 1793, £145; 1794 and 1795, £200; 1796 to 1801, £250; 1802 to 1806 $1,000; 1807 to 1810, $1,300; 1811, $1,600; 1812 to 1816, $1,300; 1817 and since $1,400. There are 7 districts, among which the money, including the Cuming's donation, has been divided, at different periods as follows. The last column contains the new division as permanently fixed in 1831. The town then determined the amount that should be paid annually to each district, in the following proportions. The whole school-money being divided into 100 parts, district No. 1 is to have 52-1/2 of those parts; or $761.25 out of $1,550; district No. 2 - 7-5/8 parts; district No. 3, 8-1/4 parts; district No. 4, 8-5/8 parts; district No. 5, 8-1/4 parts; district No. 6, 7-1/8 parts; district No. 7, 7-1/6 parts and to individuals who pay their money in Lincoln and Acton, 1/2 a part. District - Old Names 1801 1811 1821 1830 1832 No. 1. Central $382.92 $791.48 $646.15 $789.18 $761.25 No. 2. East 95.28 155.45 160.26 109.69 110.56-1/4 No. 3. Corner 68.49 135.48 142.48 117.00 119.62-1/2 No. 4. Darby 70.53 130.69 123.10 138.23 125.06-1/4 No. 5. Barrett 107.29 163.51 145.89 125.11 119.62-1/4 No. 6. Groton Road 64.63 105.41 93.55 79.16 103.31-1/4 No. 7. Buttrick 67.64 126.68 114.16 84.77 103.31-1/4 Individuals 22.22 41.30 24.41 6.86 7.25 Totals $884.00 1,650.00 1,450.00 1,450.00 1,450.00. p.222 At the erection of new school-houses in 1799, the first school committee was chosen, consisting of the Rev. Ezra Ripley, Abiel Heywood, Esq., Deacon John White, Dr. Joseph Hunt and Deacon George Minott. On their recommendation the town adopted a uniform system of school regulations, which are distinguished for enlightened views of education, and which, by being generally followed since, under some modification, have rendered our schools among our greatest blessings. The amount paid for private schools, including the Academy was estimated in 1830 at $600., making the annual expenditure for education $2,050. Few towns provide more ample means for acquiring a cheap and competent education. I have subjoined the names of the teachers of the grammar-school since the Revolution, the year usually beginning in September. CONCORD TEACHERS Nathaniel Bridge 1785 9 months Joseph Hunt 1786 2-1/2 years William A. Barron 1788 3 years Amos Bancroft 1791 1 year Heber Chase 1792 1 year William Jones 1793 1 year Samuel Thatcher 1794 1 year James Temple 1795 2 years Thomas O. Selfridge 1797 1 year Thomas Whiting 1798 4 years Levi Frisbie 1802 1 year Silas Warren 1803 4 years Wyman Richardson 1807 1 year Ralph Sanger 1808 1 year Benjamin Willard 1809 1 year Elijah F. Paige 1810 1 year Simeon Putnam 1811 1 year Isaac Warren 1812 1 year John Brown 1813 1 year Oliver Patten 1814 1 year Stevens Everett 1815 9 months Silas Holman 1815 3 months George F. Farley 1816 1 year James Howe 1817 1 year Samuel Barrett 1818 1 year Benjamin Barrett 1819 1 year Abner Forbes 1820 2 years Othniel Dinsmore 1822 3 years James Furbish 1825 1 year Edward Jarvis 1826 1 year Horatio Wood 1827 1 year David J. Merrill 1828 1 year John Graham 1829 1 year John Brown 1831. The Concord Academy was established in 1822 by several gentlemen who were desirous of providing means for educating their own children and others more thoroughly than they could be at the grammar-school (attended, as it usually is, by a large number of scholars) or by sending them abroad. A neat, commodious building was erected, in a pleasant part of the town, by the proprietors, consisting of the Hon. Samuel Hoar Hon. Abiel Heywood Mr. Josiah Davis - who own a quarter each and Hon. Nathan Brooks Colonel William Whiting, who own an eighth each. Their intention has always been to make the school equal to any other similar one. It was opened in September, 1823 under the instruction of Mr. George Folsom who kept it two years. He was succeeded by Mr. Josiah Barnes and Mr. Richard Hildreth, each, one year. Mr. Phineas Allen, son of Mr. Phineas Allen of Medfield who was born October 15, 1801 and graduated at Harvard College in 1825 has been the precepter since September 1827. BILL OF MORTALITY Few subjects are more interesting than accurate bills of mortality. They are the most authentic evidence of the influence of climate and local circumstances on health and human life; and teach a lesson, admonishig us of the destiny that awaits all mankind, and warning us "to live prepared to die." These considerations will be a sufficient reason for the minuteness of the following details. The following table is compiled from a private record of the second town-clerk and will afford some interesting statistical information relative to the condition of the town at an early period. Date Marriages Births Deaths 1656 3 11 1657 3 11 3 1658 3 6 3 1659 2 10 4 1660 6 11 3 1661 2 12 6 1662 4 14 4 1663 5 14 4 1664 4 11 2 1665 7 13 6 1666 2 22 6 1667 8 15 6 1668 4 21 5 1669 4 24 5 1670 2 21 2 1671 6 22 7 1672 5 20 3 1673 6 29 6 1674 3 20 5 1675 5 21 11 1676 4 13 13 1677 11 22 6 The above table gives 99 marriages, 110 deaths and 363 births. Several died in 1675 and six in consequence of the Indian wars. The town has seldom been specially visited with disease. Thomas Brown, then a town clerk however recorded January 20, 1718, that "the hand of God has of late come forth agains the inhabitants of Concord in a very awful manner, in sending a very malignant and mortal distemper amongst us, whereby there hath been a considerable number of persons, men, women and children of all qualities, ages, and sects, attacked and hath been removed from amongst us by death, most of whom has been very sudden and unexpected, so that from the last of November last past unto the day of the date above written, hath been removed not less than 27 persons." A catalogue of their names is annexed to this record. What this disease was, I cannot learn. p.224 The small-pox prevailed in the town in 1703; but it does not appear that any died of the disease. In 1792, it was introduced by innoculation. A hospital was fitted up where Mr. Augustus Tuttle now lives; and 130 persons went there at several times to be inoculated under the care of the three physicians. It appeared at Amos Wright's (Deacon Jarvis's) at Cyrus Hosmer's, at Deacon Chandler's and at Ephraim Potter's. At the last place a new hospital was fitted up where the sick were taken, and near which a small burying ground and grave-stone now mark the melancholy ravages of this disease. Ten persons were its victims, two by innoculation and eight by contagion, and were buried by themselves; it being considered improper to inter them in the usual ground. Happily for mankind, the terrors which the appearance of this disease once inspired are much mitigated by kine-pock innoculation. It is impossible to specify the diseases which several persons died. As far as can be ascertained from the Rev. Dr. Ripley's records, it appears that about one seventh of the whole number died of consumption, one-fifth of fevers of various kinds, one twelfth of old age, one sixteenth of canker-rash, one nineteenth of the dropsy, one twenty-fifth of para- lytic affections, and near the same number each of dysentary and casualties. From 1779 to 1828 the whole number who died during these 50 years was 1,242; of whom 153 died under 1 yr. 137 of age one and under 5; 42 of age 5 and under 10; 70 of age 10 and under 20; 119 of age 20 and under 30; 101 of age 30 and under 40; 106 of age 40 and under 50; 106 of age 50 and under 80; 106 of age 80 and under 90; 28 of age 90 and under 100; and a native black of age 105. Of these 107 died in January; 111 died in February; 118 died in March; 103 died in April, 88 died in May, 81 died in June; 88 died in July; 95 died in August; 115 died in Sept.; 121 died in October and 121 died in November and 94 died in December. These proportions generally hold good in particular years, more deaths occuring in the spring and autumn than at other seasons of the year. Of thos who lived 80 years and over, 54 were males and 81 females; 90 and over, 8 were males and 21 females; 95 and over, 3 were males and 4 females. The year when the least number of deaths occurred was 1780 and when the greatest was in 1815. The yearly average is 25 nearly. the least average age was in 1817 and the greatest average in 1812. The aggregate amount of all the ages for 50 years is 49,192 deaths and the mean average age nearly 40. Estimating our population during this period at an average of 1,665, which is nearly correct. End Chapter XIV