Subject: A Watertown Scandal
Source:  Groton Historical Series by Dr. Samuel A. Green, Vol IV 1899 
         New England Historical and Genealogical Register (L.I. 68, 69) for Jan., 1897.

p.357-368

A Local Scandal by Hon. Samural A. Green, L.L.D., of Boston, Mass.

The two following papers are found among the Shattuck manuscripts belong to the New England
Historic Genealogical Society, and refer probably to some local gossip or scandal at Water-
town.  Al the person therein mentioned had previously lived there, but at the date of the
writing, Lawrence, Ong, Shattuck and Whitney were residents of Groton, and among the earli-
est settlers of the town.  

Jonathan Phillips was the son of the first minister of Watertown and John Sherman was the
third minister of the same town.

                             First Paper

p. 368

"we whose names are underwriten doe testyfy that wharas John shadwick [Shattuck] hath 
reported that Jacob Ong did see & could testyfy that Jonathan Phillips hath acted unsively
[uncivily] with Mary Davis - we discorsing with him the sayd Jacob Ong consarning it - he
sayd he could say nothing [that] could hurt the sayd Jonathan [Phillips] nor never saw any
unsivel caridg by him the sayd Jonathan.
witnes our hand this 1 October 1666
 from groten
Nathannil Lawranc
Joshua Whitney
Mary Whitneys X marke"

                           Second Paper

"Honoured Sir
Mr. Danforth
The bearer hereof desiring it with such importunity as her present exercize hath pressed 
her to ye use of, I am contreyned to signify yt (that) Jo [John] Shathock (as I have been
by knowing psons (persons) & of credit informed) carryed it soe at Groton in ye short time 
of his abode there, that, if ye character given of him be true - little credit is to be
given to any thing which hath noe other & better evidence then his testimony.

Sir I am yor humble Servant
Joh Sherman"

The New England Historical and Genealogical Register (LI 68, 69) for January 1897.

Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth