The history of Concord, Massachusetts

Front matter

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£2^

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Preface

The town of Concord is probably as attractive in historical features as any in this country.

Its early connection with the American Revolution ; its association with the life and works of Emerson, Hawthorne, Thoreau and other distinguished authors ; and its having formerly been the County Seat of old Middlesex all contribute to make the place notable.

It is thronged annually with thousands of visitors, some mere sightseers, some seeking inspiration from the shrines visited, some to say they have been to Concord.

The History of Concord written by Lemuel Shattuck and published in 1835, '^ ^^^ ^°^ easily obtainable. Only a few copies, if any, of the work of Charles H. Walcott, Esq., remain unsold ; and the historical sketches of Rev. Grindall Reynolds, D. D., and the Hon. John S. Keyes were written for the Histories of Middlesex County, which are too bulky and expensive for common use. Besides these standard works, nothing that we are aware of has been published of the town's consecutive annals, except occasional pamphlets and addresses. Because of these things we believe an available History may be desirable, and by the preparation of these pages we have sought to supply it.

The work is designed to be in two volumes ; the first entitled Colonial Concord: the second. Provincial Concord.

Volume I includes the annals of the town from its origin in 1635, untill 1692, at which time the Massachusetts Bay Colony became a Province, together with brief biographical sketches of the original grantees.

Volume II. will include the annals from 1692 through the Provincial period to the close of the Revolutionary war.

Volume I is divided into two parts. The first contains the story of the settlement setting forth the leading facts in the town's history, so far as known, to the year 1655.

In this portion of the work the writer has employed both fact and fiction ; but in such a manner as to enable the reader easily to distinguish the one from the other. This

Preface \\

method has been adopted because many of the early records were lost, and it is designed to supply the deficiency, as relates to manners and customs, by conjecture based on analogy as these were known to exist in other towns at the same time.

The second part is pure history. The facts are mainly given in chronological order and to a large extent set forth by copies of original records and ancient papers with references to the places where they are found.

A work on local history to be in the highest degree instructive should be more than a mere compilation of dates, statistics, and isolated facts, valuable only to antiquaries and genealogists. It should have such a background or setting of general history as will give the reader an intelligent understanding of the causes and results of the local events described.

For this reason, in instances where an occurrence is prominently connected with events in the country at large, the latter have been sufficiently described to show the relationship of one to the other.

No claim is made to great original research. The field of Concord history has been too carefully harvested in the past, to leave much opportunity for the gleaner to gather new sheaves, or to find much rich aftermath. We have collected our material from every available source whether of records, manuscript, publication or tradition. We have avoided dogmatic assertion and have intended to state hypothetically whatever is doubtful or unsettled.

Prominent among the writers of local history from whom we have quoted are those of Lemuel Shattuck, Charles E. Walcott, Esq. Rev. Grindall Reynolds, D. D. Hon John S. Keyes, and Albert E. Wood. We have also received valuable suggestions from the late Alfred Hosmer, and are also indebted to the historian. Rev. G. M. Bodge, to the Littleton Historical Society, and others whose services have been kindly proffered and gratefully received.

Preface iii

That the work is free from errors it would be presumption to assert. No prudent writer of local history would make pretence to this. Neither do any who are charitably disposed and have had experience in the difficult work of the local annalist presume to judge the work of another from the standpoint of perfect accuracy. There are many subjects which will always be matters of doubt and controversy. Evidence considered admissible by some might be rejected by others ; and cases may occur when the evidence is considered about equal on either side.

This work has been written from the position of one who has great reverence for the religious faith of the fathers, and who recognizes in this faith a strong factor in whatever of greatness has accrued to us, as a Nation. And if bringing out the facts, many of which are too little known, shall lead to a higher appreciation of the fathers and of the faith that made them what they were, one great object of the author will be accomplished.

A. S. H.

Contents

Page CHAPTER I.

A Traveler's Visit to an Early Homestead at Concord, Massachusetts. Scene at a Settler's Fireside. Company Expected. Strange Sounds and Sights Talked about. Town Meeting Topics Discussed. Description of Concord in the Present. Objects of Historic Interest. The North Bridge. Houses of the Revolutionary Period. The Wright Tavern. First Parish Meeting House. Antiquarian House. Meriam's Corner. i

Chapter II

Places of Classic Interest. The "Old Manse." Home of Ralph Waldo Emerson. The "Orchard House." The "Wayside." Walden Pond. Thoreau's House. The Home of Frank B. Sanborn. Old Burying Grounds. Sleepy Hollow. Natural Objects. 9

Chapter III

Origin of Settlement. Early Results. Erection of "Corn Mill." Meeting House. Parsonage. Resumption of Traveler's Narrative. Coming from Watertown. First Conference with the Concord Colonists. Visit to the Home of William Hartwell. Indian Mission Service at Nashawtuc. 20

Chapter IV

Tahatawan's Wigwam. Supper Served by Squaws. Rev. John Eliot Preaching by Candlewood Light. Tribal Relations of the Musketequids. Stone Relics and Sites of Indian Villages. Spread of Christianity among the Concord Aborigines. Nashoba. Exile of Christian Indians to Deer Island. Humane Efforts of John Hoar in their Behalf. 27

Scene by the V\^ayside. Home of Timothy Wheeler. Evening Talk by the Fireplace. Statements of John Scotchford. Cause of the Settlement of Concord.

Chapter VIII

Continued Account of Colonial Child Life. Synopsis of Events the First Year at the Musketequid Settlement. Purchase of Territory from the Indians. Plan of the Township. Names of the Original Grantees. Description of the Journey from Watertown to Concord. 60

CHAPTER XI.

Character of the First Houses. Food, Clothing, Occupation. Preparations for Cold Weather. The Setting in of Winter. Trials and Amusements. The Coming of Spring. Scenes along the Musketequid.

Visit to the Home of Goodman George Heywood. Talk with Miller William Buss. Ramble about the Mill Pond. Flint's Pond. History of the Bulkeley Grist Mill. Succession of Millers. Stroll about Concord Center. Description of the Mill Pond. 151

Chapter XVIII

Description of Village at Concord Center in Early Times. Streets. House Lots. Robert Meriam's Store. Street Scene. Tavern. Landlord William Buss. Rules and Regulations of Ordinaries. Old Time Taverns at Concord. 163

CHAPTER XIXo The New England Village. Its Origin and Equipment. The Village Doctor. His Medicines and Charges. Early Physicians of Concord : Read, Prescott, Minot, Heywood. The Village Magistrate. Condition of Colonial Jurisprudence. First Lawyer at Concord. History of John Hoar. 175

Chapter XX

Goodman Baker's Husking Party. Colonial Corn Fields. Invitations, Culinary Preparations. Red Ears. Social Sports. Fireside Talk of the Old Folks. Sign seen by Betsey Billings. Origin of New England Witchcraft. Recital of Strange Event by Simeon Slowgo. Story of Tilly Temple. The Surprise. Early Judicial Attitude toward Witchcraft. Efforts of the Clergy for its Abolition. 188 xii Contents

Page CHAPTER XXI.

Return to the East Quarter. Forest Ride. Game Birds. Goodwife Hartwell's Kitchen. Cooking by the Fireplace. Evening Talk of the Farm Folks. Laws Relative to Domestic Animals. Historic Sketch of Hartwell Family. Visit at Home of Constable Thomas Brooks. His Official Duties. Rules Relative to Colonial Dress. Homestead of Goodman William Hunt. Early Military Matters. History of the Hunt Family. 200

Chapter XXII

Visit at Goodman William Buttrick's. His History. Situation of his House. Reflections upon a Prospective Wedding. Historic Sketch of Thomas Brooks. Curious Laws and Customs relative to Marriage. Bachelors, Match Making, Widowers. Wedding Gifts. Attendance on "Lecture day" Service. Its Nature and Importance. Religious Character of the Colonists. Care of the Poor. Visit at the Home of Goodman Richard Rice. 213

Chapter XXIII

A Wedding at the House of Goodman John Miles. Description of Bride's and Bridegroom's Dress. The Marriage Ceremony. Throwing the Garter. Situation of the Miles' Homestead. Historic Sketch of John Miles. Visit at the home of Thomas Flint Esquire ; His Official Duties. As Assistant. As Commissioner. Early Colonial Law Books. Primitive Courts and Court Practices. Talk Relative to Servants. 222

Chapter XXIV

Funeral at the House of a Cottager. Absence «f Floral Tributes and Artificial Adornments. Sad and Simple Services. The Burial. The Procession to the Grave. Talk with the "Saxton" in the Burying Ground. Early Colonial Funeral Customs. The Bearers, Mort Cloth, Mourning Gloves, Scarfs and Rings. Grave Stones and Epitaphs. Start for the Flint Homestead. Evening Adventure by the Way. The Strange Surprise. A Pleasant Discovery. Entertained by Nantatucket and Tissansquaw. 235

Chapter XXV

Arrival at the Flint Farm. Sunday Morning in a Home of Colonial Concord. Start for Meeting. Gathering of the Worshipers. Neighborly Inquiries. The Church Service. The Sermon. Singing. The Noon Intermission. Catechistical Exercise. Afternoon Service. Colonial Church Customs. Sacred Music. Succession of Singing Books. "Lining off". Triple Time. "Fuging." Pitch Pipes.

Contents xiii

Page Introduction of Musical Instruments. Talk with Goodman James Hosmer. Conversation Relating to the Installation of Rev. Peter Bulkeley. Facts of History Concerning this Subject. 245

Chapter XXVI

Visit at the home of Goodman James Hosmer. Reflections upon the Settler's Fireplace. Invitation to Humphrey Barrett's Log Rolling. Situation of the Hosmer Farm. Outline of Hosmer History. The Old House Site. Scenes at the Log Rolling. Early Forestry. Care of Concord's Poor. Process of Clearing New Lands. Facts Relative to the Barrett Family. 25?

Chapter XXVII

Invitation to visit the "Blood Farms." Homestead of a "Borderer" or "Outdweller". Pastoral Visitation with Parson Bulkeley and Deacon Griffin. Religious Exercise at the house of Goodman Thomas Dakin. Use of Ardent Spirit. Possible Mistakes about Ministerial Drinking Habits. Social Standing of the Clergy. Safeguards against abusing Clergymen. Installation Dinners. Relation of Pastor to his Parish. The Dakin Family. Legend of Hidden Treasure. 263 CHAPTER XXVIII.

Early Record Relating to the Concord Plantation. Permission to Purchase Territory. Land Sale. Indian Deed. Depositions Confirmatory of Title to the Township. Original Boundary. Additional Land Grants. Petitions to the General Court. 273

Chapter XXIX

Land Allotments and Divisions. Early Records Relating to Real Estate. Public Reservations. Undivided Territory. Location of Land Tracts. Amount of Acreage. The grant of Thirty-one Acres to Rev. Peter Bulkeley. 282

CHAPTER XXX Successive Ownership of Land Grants. Historic Sketch of the Major Simon WiHard Farm at Nashawtuc. Change of Occupants of Old Estates. 292

Chapter XXXI

Old Houses. The Elisha Jones House. The Block House. Hunt House. Abel Hosmer House. Wheeler House. Joseph Hosmer House. Woods House. Buttrick House. Barrett House. Old Manse. Wright Tavern. The Colonial. The Meriam, Tuttle, Fox, Brown, Heywood, Beal, Bull, and Alcott Houses. Ancient

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House Sites. Site of the Rev. Peter Bulkeley Parsonage. Site of the Major Simon WiliarJ House. Deserted Districts and their Suggestiveness. ,qq

Chapter XXXII

Development of the Settlement. Indications of Progress. Various Hindrances. Discouraging Report. Unsatisfactory Condition of the River Meadows. Measures taken for a Betterment of the Meadows. Unproductive Uplands. Emigration to Connecticut. The Town's Recuperative Energy. Condition in 1654. 316

Chapter XXXIII

Death of Mr. Thomas Flint and the Rev. Peter Bulkeley. Departure from Concord of Major Simon Willard. Walcott's description of the Nature and Value of Major Willard's Public Services. Biographical Sketches of Thomas Flint Esquire and the Rev. Peter Bulkeley. 321