Historical Annual of Dedham, from its settlement in 1635 to 1847

Introduction

. Dedham is one of the oldest towns in New Eng land. The Indians of this neighborhood had been nearly all carried off by the small pox in 1633. A portion of the lands comprised within the original limits of the town was purchased of the Indians for a fair consideration, and deeded to the Colony by Chikataubot, their Chief, about the year 1630. The original deed being lost it was renewed in 1685, by Josias Wampatuk, grandson of Chikataubot, which latter deed is still in existence. The more southerly portions were purchased of the celebrated King Philip, chief of the Wampanoags, and due payment made. The town derived its name from Dedham in England, from which place some of its first settlers emigrated in 1629. In collecting materials for the Chronological de partment of this work, the compiler has availed him self of the facilities afforded by the Town Records, which include also the records of the original Propri etors, commencing with the first settlement and con tinued in an unbroken series to the present day ;

INTRODUCTION.

. Worthington's history, published in 1827; S. F. Ha ven's address, delivered at the second centennial an niversary in 1 836, which gives a general view of the political and social character of the inhabitants from the earliest times ; and to Rev. Dr. Lamson's centennial discourses in 1838, which latter details more par ticularly the occurrences connected with its ecclesias tical history. These are works of great ability, and evince much labor and patient research in the authors. Other historical addresses delivered before the citi zens and published from time to time, have essential ly aided in elucidating the early history of the town, and rendered a more detailed account of less impor tance at this time, as it would be but a repetition of what has already been given to the public. Numer ous other authentic documents have been consulted, and with the above named are the principal sources from which is derived the matter contained in these pages.

In a portion of the original town records the dates are entered according to the ancient mode of reckon ing time, when March was accounted the first month in the year. For the sake of uniformity in these pages, all dates are made to correspond with the present method. Should some of the events here recorded appear as trivial at the present day, it must be remembered that they are only comparatively so, and were considered of some consequence at the time they occurred. They serve as connecting links in the continuous chain which unites one period of time with another, and could not well be omitted here without weaken-

INTRODUCTION.

. V ing that chain. A penetrating mind will readily dis cover their use and accord to them their due influence. Other occurrences that may be considered of more consequence are necessarily but briefly alluded to, as a more extended notice would be utterly incon sistent in a work of this kind. Ample materials are at hand to furnish an interest ing volume of any desirable extent, in the records of the first settlers of Dedham and their successors, and also for tracing events which mark the different epochs of time, and delineating the combined and individual character of the actors. The hope is confidently cherished that a work will yet be presented to the public, by some one possessing the requisite talent and sufficient leisure for the task, that will combine a more complete history with a genealogical account of the first settlers, and portray with deserved eulogy the energy and virtues so conspicuously displayed by many of the founders and natives of the town, and others who have come among us and become its ben efactors.

It may perhaps be thought by some that another work in addition to those before enumerated, treating of the same subject, and starting like our own from the same point with them, ending also in a similar manner, must needs be superfluous. But we opine that it will be found something like a railroad, which, although sometimes moving along side by side with the old beaten track, sometimes crossing it, yet like the railroad too it in the main traverses different fields, opening new prospects to the view, and by pursuing a straight forward course reaches its destination by a VI

INTRODUCTION.

. way peculiarly its own, possessing the charm of nov ty at least to recommend it. The leading object of the compiler has been to present to his fellow townsmen, and others who may feel interested in the prosperity of Dedham, a work which might serve to some extent as an index to the history of the town, and supply a vacuum which appeared to exist, as well as to facilitate the labors of some future historian. The locality of numerous pla ces alluded to in the early records, before the con struction of roads to any great extent in the town, have in many instances become lost to the present generation. These have been sought out and briefly stated ; by which it will appear that although it looks formidable on paper, the journey is but short from " Wigwam pond," along the " Ridge hill," through " Wigwam swamp," across the " country road" near the "wolf pit," thence over "Ragged plain" to "Green Lodge" or "Purgatory," and has often been travelled and may be again with perfect safety.

In the following annals but little scope has been given to fancy, or regard paid to traditionary legends, unless accompanied by corroborating circumstances which leave no doubt of their correctness. The de sign being confined principally to the relation of facts, in as concise a manner as appeared consistent with a full understanding of the subject, and to give the date of their occurrence with as much minuteness as their importance demanded. In the multiplicity of papers among which information has been sought, some of them being much mu tilated or defaced by age and difficult to decypher,

INTRODUCTION.

. VII it is very possible that some errors may have crept in. But the reader may be assured that every pre caution has been taken to guard against them. — Where there has been any doubt of the facts intended to be recorded, they have been either satisfactorily ascertained or entirely omitted. These pages have been extended to a number considerably beyond what was at first intended, and it has been found more difficult to comprise the subject matter within a limited compass than it would have been to spread it over a much larger volume. The Statistical tables have been compiled with the greatest care, from correct sources of information, and particular attention has been paid in the arrange ment of the whole, with a view of rendering the work more useful to the public as a book for reference.

The list of natives of Dedham who have graduated at colleges was furnished by Dr. D. P. Wight, one of their number, who has spared no pains to have it cor rect ; also, the complete lists of town clerks and se lectmen since the incorporation of the town. Other gentlemen have kindly assisted in facilitating this work ; particularly is the writer indebted to Rev. Dr. Lamson for his valuable assistance in examining and correcting a portion of the proof sheets before publication ; to all of whom the compiler would respectful ly tender his grateful acknowledgments. Having now placed ourselves in the precise position in which the good man of Uz wished his adver sary had placed himself, as we read in the oldest record extant, (see Job xxxi. 35,) we must trust the magnanimity of critics to treat our humble production

INTRODUCTION.

. with such leniency as the public good will justify them in doing. The information here presented being lo cal in its nature and confined to a limited territory, is not calculated to interest a widely spread population, or be extensively circulated. Should it chance to meet the approbation of those who are more im mediately interested in its contents, it will fulfil our highest expectations, and to them it is respectfully offered. Dedham, May 20, 1847.

Part I Chronological History

1635. The original founders of Dedham came here from Watertown and Roxbury, and commenced the settlement this year. A Covenant was entered into for the government of them selves, and all those who were afterwards admitted into the set tlement were required to subscribe thereto. The first recorded birth is on the 21st of June this year, precisely six years and four days from the morning when Winthrop and his associates entered Boston harbor, " to find a place for sitting down." A free grant for a plantation was allowed to the company of settlers on the 2d of the 7th month, (September 12) by the general court, then holding a session at Newtowne. 1636. In rebinding the town records in 1839, some of the leaves in the first volume appear out of place. The first and sixth leaves do not belong there.

The second leaf contains the petition for incorporation and the order of court thereon. The third leaf has no date and it is not certain that it belongs there. The two next leaves contain the Covenant, with one hundred and twenty-four names attached. The Town Records commence on the seventh leaf, as follows : " The 15th August, being the 6tli month, 1636, Assembled whose names are underwritten." This assemblage consisted of eighteen persons, and is the first recorded meeting of the inhabitants in this town. Preliminary meetings of the settlers were probably holden in the towns from which they came, where the requisite arrangements for the settlement were agreed upon. Another meeting was held on the 29th of August, when the same number of persons were again assembled, but not all of them the same individuals as before.

The next recorded meeting was held on the 6th of September following, when nineteen persons assembled, all of whom signed the petition to the general court, as did also three others after the meeting was dissolved, being all who had at that time subscribed to the Covenant. The second grant of lands by the general court, ratifying the previous grant and extending its limits conformably to the petition, bears date September 10, old style. The place had heretofore been called " Contentment," but by this act of the general court the name was changed to " Dedham," and the company of settlers first legally organized. The original limits com prised the present towns of Dedham, Medfield, Walpole, Wrent ham, Franklin, Bellingham, Needham, Dover, Natick, and a part of Sherburne. All settlers, if married man, are allowed a home lot of twelve acres each ; unmarried men, eight acres.

All the waters in town are declared free to all the inhabitants for fishing. 1637. The inhabitants consisted of about thirty families. Measures are taken for laying out and establishing highways. In all divisions or grants of land, a reservation is carefully made that the town shall have a right to lay out a way through any man's lot, whenever the public good may require it ; full compen sation for lands so taken to be made by a grant of some other land in lieu thereof. All highways laid out are " to be well marked and dooled, and the bounds severally recorded." Ab sence from town meeting punished by fine, one shilling for the first half hour, and two shillings and sixpence for the whole meeting. The roll of townsmen to be called " half an hour after the time of meeting is come." A foot bridge is built across Charles river, at a place called the Key, near Bullard's landin" place. 163S. April, the present burial place in the first parish was taken from the south end of the house lots of Nicholas Phillips and Joseph Kingsbury, in exchange for other lands, and set apart " for the use of a public burial place for the town forever."

The first church was gathered November S, (corresponding to the ISth November, present style,) and Mr. John Allin appointed Teacher; on the 24th April following, he was ordained as Pastor. Mr. Allin was born in England in 1596, he died August 26, 1671. The first meeting-house is erected this year; it was built upon the site now occupied by Rev. Dr. Lamson's church. Another location near this spot was originally intended for this house; but, as the record expresses it, " it is condescended for loving satisfaction to some neighbors on the East side of the little River that the meeting-house shall stand upon the end of Joseph Kings bury's lot, notwithstanding the order made the last meeting." It was determined that the size of the house should be " in length thirty-six feet, and twenty in width, and between the top of the sill and the eaves 12 feet, the same to be girded," and covered with thatch.

The worshippers were for several years called to gether on the sabbath by beat of drum, for performing which ser vice Ralph Day was, in 1646, allowed twenty shillings, to be paid in cedar boards. The second meeting house was built in 1673, and furnished with a bell. The present meeting-house was erected on the same spot in 1763. The Bible now used in the pulpit, was presented to the parish in 1785, by Mrs. Catharine Barnard, on condition that the reading of a portion of it should forever hereafter, be made a part of the religious exercises of the day, which had not hitherto been the custom. 1639. It is ordered, that every householder shall provide a ladder for his house, under a penalty of five shillings. A Canal, about three fourths of a mile in length, was made this year for conducting a portion of the water from Charles river to the source of East Brook, which empties into Neponset river, by which means a supply was obtained for several valuable mill sites.

Abraham Shaw having made some preparations for erecting a corn mill in the town, leave is given him so to do, anc! eighty acres of land are granted to him and his associates for that pur pose, provided the same be a water mill. Other facilities are of fered for forwarding the work. A reservation is made in the grant, that in case said Shaw should sell or Otherwise alienate this property, the town shall have the first refusal of it, '■ at such a price as another man would really give for any such aliena- CHRONOLOGICAL H1STORV. tion." Nathaniel Whiting and Ezra Morse soon after this time became possessed of the principal mill seats in the town, and they have been held by their descendants to the present day. 1641. The number of persons taxed is forty-two. In July, a leading way to the water mill is laid out. 1643.

Two hundred acres of land south of High-street were made a common tillage field ; each proprietor's share was marked out and set off to him by a committee chosen for that purpose. Number of persons taxed is sixty-one. 1644. A Free School is established by the unanimous con currence of the inhabitants, and 201. per annum and certain lands appropriated until 1650, for its support. May 27, two acres of land on the westerly end of the training ground is granted to the military company and their successors forever ; the land to be laid out by said company. November 8, a road from the training ground to Cart bridge just built across Charles river is established, " three rods broad." 1645. Three hundred and seventy-five acres of wood land are set off and apportioned among the proprietors. 1647. May 27, a parcel of land is given by Daniel Fisher for a town Pound, he reserving to himself and heirs the right to cut the trees growing thereon.

The number of freemen admitted in to Dedham up to this time is fifty ; the number of non-freemen who have become inhabitants is nearly the same. The freemen only are permitted to take part in town affairs. 164S. The first school house erected near the meeting-house, with a tower on the top to serve for a watch house. The school master's salary until 1695 was 201. per annum, it was then raised to 25?. September 20, the land previously granted to the military company is confirmed to them, to be improved as a training ground, and for no other purpose, without the consent of the selectmen. To make any other disposition of the land requires the joint consent of the military company and the officers thereof, and the selectmen. 1649. Eleazer Lusher is deputed by the town to assist in laying out the farm granted to Edward Alleyn, at a place near Bo gastow, now the town of Medfield.

A grant for an additional tract of land at that place for the purpose of forming a settlement there having been made by the general court, active measures are adopted for that object and the settlement is commenced. This grant of the general court bears date " the 22d of the 8th month," corresponding to the first day of November, new style. 1650. Hemy Chickering and Nathan Aldis were chosen the first deacons in this town. The Dedham church was the four teenth organized in the Massachusetts colony. The deeds and Tecords relating to Medfield are transferred to the authorities of that town. Three acres of land are granted to Thomas Ban croft, to be laid out near the place called the Old Mill. 1652. Some preparations are made for building a second bridge across Charles river, but the design is abandoned for the present. 1653.

A ditch or creek is dug from river to river, through the Broad meadows, on the northwesterly side of Dedham Island. 1656. A general division of the common lands, including all woods and waste lands, was made by the town among the propri etors. This act is rendered necessary in order to ascertain what proportion each proprietor shall be assessed, towards defraying the town expenses. In this division a lot was expressly reserved for the use of the ch«rch. 1657. The town having declared " that the meeting-house should be lathed upon the inside, and so daubed, and whited over workmanlike," the inhabitants turned out in a body, and the thing was done at once. The number of families in town is one hundred and sixty-six. 165S. It is ordered, that the two thousand acres granted to the Indians at Natick, shall be laid out at the westerly bounds of the town, on the north side of Charles river. 1659.

Eight shares out of the five hundred and twenty-two into which the Dedham common lands were divided in 1656, were awarded to the church, for the support of a "teaching church officer in the town." The remaining five hundred and fourteen shares were apportioned among the proprietors, by the arbitrators mutually chosen for that purpose by the town on the one part, and ensign Henry Phillips on the other part, the latter having with a few others complained of some infringement of their rights in the general division of the common lands. This award of the arbitrators settled existing difficulties, and was acquiesced in by all the parties. Nine persons were appointed to define the limits of the Indian town at Natick. These Indians were at this time under the instruction of reverend John Eliot. It appearing to the town that the 2000 acres granted to the Indians at that place did not take in the saw mill already begun by them, a further extension was made so as to include said mill and adjacent lands.

October 6, the inhabitants " being generally assembled after training," to discuss the question of the lands about Natick exclusive of the grant to the Indians, it is decided that they shall be searched out and viewed, and what lands may be found fit to be divided shall be laid out to the inhabitants of the town, according to the rules of proportion formerly agreed upon. A saw mill is erected in the southern part of the present town. 4- highway from the town to the Cedar swamp, near the saw mill, is laid out. Robert Onion is allowed to have his highway work set off from year to year, for his services in ringing the bell forenoons and afternoons on the days appointed for working on the high wavs. m 1660. A committee was deputed to treat with the natives that claim right at Wolomonopog, (now the town of Wrentham,) and clear that place from Indian title. 1661.

A vote was passed, that sergeant Ellis and those who are engaged in killing wolves shall be paid for their time while so engaged, at the same rate as others are paid while employed in town work. 1662. The Indian title to Wolomonopog was purchased of king Philip, for the sum of 2il. 10s. The tract purchased was six miles square, or a quantity of land equal to it. 1663. The town is presented for want of a school. 1664. A new cum mill is built this year by Ezra Morse and Daniel Pond, a short distance above the one previously erected on Mother Brook,. Eight thousand acres of land at Deer field, (called Pocumptuck in the records,) is selected by the agents of Dedham for a settlement, by permission of the general court, in lieu of the two thousand acres granted to the Natick Indians. The number of houses in Dedham at this lime is ninety-five, all small, situated near each other, in the vicinity of the spot now occupied by the court house ; the greater part of them east from that place and near Dwight's bridge.

A row of houses stood on the north side of High-street, as that road was then called which leads from the bridge over the Little river westwardly by the court house. The greater number of these houses were worth from three to four pounds each ; four only were valued at twenty pounds. To the compactness of their situation and the vigilant watchfulness of the inhabitants against surprise, may doubtless be ascribed their escape from the attacks of the Indians, who soon after this period laid waste so many of the more defenceless vil lages of New England. 1665. January 12, a way from the meeting-house to the Burial place, one rod broad, is laid out on the west side of the church lot, " for the use of a Bear way." The selectmen are required to " take care that the burial place may be sufficiently cleared from grass and well fenced in, and the aforesaid way also be cleared from grass, and all be done at the public charge."

The persons chosen this year as fence viewers, are instructed to see that the order of the town requiring a ladder to be placed against each dwelling house, is duly complied With. 1666. The number of legal voters in the town is eighty-three. 1667. Sheep were first introduced into the town. 1668. Regulations were adopted respecting the water flowing through the Mill creek. 1669. August 3, there being a great scarcity of grass this year, whereby the procuring of hay for wintering cattle is like to become difficult from the usual sources, measures are adopted by the town to get a supply from the meadow lands not yet appro priated at Wolomonopog and beyond, within the bounds of the town. A letter is received from sagamore Philip of Mount Hope, tendering sale of his rights in the lands in the town which lay beyond Wolomonopog, and desiring 51. in advance on that account, which is paid him accordingly.

September 29, an assess ment of 3s. id. is made upon the proprietors of every "cow com mon," for the payment to Capt. Pynchon of 96Z. 10s. for the purchase of the Indian rights at Pocumptuck. November 15, the town ordered seventeen pounds eight shillings to be assessed on the common lands to complete the payment for lands purchased of king Philip. A contract is made with Mr. Samuel Mann, to keep the school one year for 20Z. to be paid in corn at the current price. A foot way is laid out from near the bridge over Little river to the new corn mill on Mother Brook. 1670. January 11, Nathaniel Colburn represents to the town that " a great part of the Mill creek being digged within his land," for the purpose of supplying the corn mills with water, he is entitled to remuneration in some other land, which is granted to him.

An " artist" is employed to lay out the lots at Pocump tuck among the proprietors. A committee is also empowered to assist the artist in laying out the lots, and to " order the situation of the town for the most convenience, as in their discretion shall appear best ;" care being taken to lay out highways to the best advantage, and to select a suitable place for " the meeting house and church officers lot or lots." Not more than twenty cow common rights are to be located together in one place. The In dian church at Natick has two teachers and about fifty members. 1671. Apprehensions being entertained of trouble with the Indians, it is ordered, that " the great gun now in town with the carriage thereunto belonging, be set in repair fit for service." A tomb, with a suitable inscription, and a " monument of stone and lime mortar, and to be covered with timber," is ordered by the town to be erected over the grave of the reverend John Allin, their pastor, lately deceased. 1672.

The old meeting-house is taken down for the purpose of erecting a new one on its site. The new house is furnished with a bell. One Balch received ten shillings for one year's ser vice in beating the drum on the sabbath to collect the congrega tion. Every man who hitched his horse to the meeting-house ladder, forfeited sixpence to Robert Onion. A leading way is laid out from East-street to Nathaniel Whiting's mill. 1673. Wrentham. (including the present town of Franklin,) is set off and incorporated as a town. In September,, the se lectmen of Dedham received orders from the general court to put the town in a posture for war. Upon this, the soldiers were frequently trained, a barrel of gunpowder and Other ammu nition procured, the people built a garrison, and set a' watch. The fear excited by the Indians was very great, and many fled to Boston. 1674.

Thomas Clap gives a bond to the town,-pledging his saw mill and all his rights and privileges therein, that Henry Earle and Elizabeth Leonard, two visiters residing with his fam ily, or either of them, shall not be "any trouble. or damage to the town." The sum of eight shillings is allowed to Nathaniel Heaton, for keeping the dogs out of the meeting house and shut ting the door. 1675. Commenced the bloody Indian war known as King Philip's war. The first actual outrage is related to have been committed in Dedham. A man was found in the woods, shot through the body, and the murder traced directly to king Philip The first company engaged in the war, mustering twenty-one men, was raised here early in the year and placed under the com mand of captain Prentice. 1676. On the 25th July, Pumham, sachem of Shaomet, (now Warwick, R. I.) who had joined king Philip, and next to him was the most dreaded of the Indian warriors, having sought ref uge in Dedham woods, was attacked and slain and many of his band made prisoners by a party of Dedham and Medfield people, assisted by a few friendly Indians.

The following notice of the capture and death of this celebrated warrior is found in S. G. n Drake's Book of the Indians : " 'He was one of the stoutest and most valient sachems that belonged to the Narragansetts ; whose courage and strength was so great that, after he had been mortally wounded in the fight, so as himself could not stand, yet catching hold of an Englishman that by accident came near him, he had done him mischief,, if he had not been presently rescued by one of his fellows.' Pumham, with a few followers, had for some time secreted themselves in Dedham woods, where they were fallen upon by the English under captain Hunting, who killed fifteen arid took thirty-five without resistance. They found here con siderable plunder; 'besides kettles there was about half a bushel of wampumpeag, [Indian money] which the enemy lost, and twelve pounds of powder, which the captives say they had received from Albany but t#wo days before.' " The death of king Philip on the 12th August following, and the capture of Anna won the last of his chiefs eighteen days after, terminated this destructive war.

Dedham furnished thirty-five men against the Indians this year. The number of persons taxed in the town is ninety-five, — all from England with one exception, an Irish man. 1677. In November, a great black boar, eight feet in length, came into the town, and was shot at thirteen times before he could be killed. Almost the whole town was mustered before he could be mastered. One acre of the training ground is granted to Amos Fisher and his heirs forever, " according to a vote of the trained company." Liberty was also granted this year to Mr. Samuel Mann to improve one acre and an half of the east end of the training ground, provided the trained company concur therein. Sam. and Ben. Mills having taken two young Indians to reside in their families, are required by the selectmen to °-ive bonds in the penal sum of 801. to secure the town from damage by so doing ; they are also fined 5s. each for neglecting the order of the town and entertaining these papooses without liberty.