Iron ore was discovered in Lynn at a very early period, but no attempt was made to work it until the year 1643.  It is of the kind called Bog Iron, and was found in large quantities in various places within a mile or two from the meeting-house, where it still exists.  The great want in the country of iron tools and iron ware, induced several enterprising gentlemen to attempt the establishment of a Forge.  Among the principal of these were Thomas Dexter and Robert Bridges.  Mr. Dexter was a very active and energetic man, foremost in every public enterprise; and his greatest fault appears to have consisted in speaking somewhat too freely of the government, because they did not keep up with his plans of improvement.  The character of Hon. Robert Bridges has been given by Johnson, in a few words: 'he was endued with able parts, and forward to improve them to the glory of God and his people's good.'      This year Mr. Bridges took some specimens of the Iron ore from the mines in Saugus, and went to London, where he succeeded in forming a company, called the 'Company of Undertakers for the Iron Works,' consisting of the following wealthy and enterprising gentlemen:      Lionel Copley, Esquire, of York County, England.      Nicholas Bond, Esquire, of Westminster.       Thomas Pury, Esquire, of Westminster.       John Becx, London, Merchant.      William Beauchamp, London, Merchant.      Thomas Foley, London, Gentleman.      William Greenhill, Stepney, Middlesex County.      Thomas Weld, Minister, Gateshead, Durham County.      John Pococke, Merchant Tailor, London.      William Becke, Merchant Tailor, London.      William Hicocke, London, Citizen.      This company advanced one thousand pounds for commencing the work.  Land was purchased of Thomas Hudson, and a Foundry erected on the western bank of Saugus river, where large heaps of scoria are still to be seen.  John Winthrop, Jr., also engaged in the enterprise; and Mr. Endecott, of Salem, in a letter to Governor Winthrop, dated December 1, says, 'I want much to hear from your son's iron and steel.'  The village at the Iron Works was called Hammersmith, from some of the principal workmen who came from a place of that name in England.  This Iron Foundry at Lynn, was the first which was established in America.      Several persons came from England this year to engage in the Iron Works, either as superintendents or workmen, among whom were the following:      Richard Leader was General Agent for the Company of the Undertakers for the Iron Works, and is mentioned as a man of superior ability.      Henry Leonard was a workman at the Iron Foundry.  The family of the Leonards have been extensively engaged in the manufacture of Iron, in various places, ever since their ancestor assisted to make the first castings at Lynn.      Henry Styche lived at the Iron Works.  It appears by a deposition given by him, at the Salem Court, in 1653, that he was then 103 years of age.       Arsbell Anderson came from Scotland, and was a workman at the Iron Foundry.  He died in 1661.       MacCallum More Downing came from Scotland.  He worked at the Forge, and died in 1683.       Joseph Jenks came from Hammersmith, in England.  He was a Machinist, at the Iron Foundry, and was a man of great genius, of which abundant evidence will be found in this history.  He made the dies for coining the first money, built the first fire-engine, and took out several patents for improvements in mills and iron tools.  He is said to have descended from an ancient family in Wales.  He came over a widower, leaving two sons in England, and married Elizabeth -, by whom he had one son and two daughters.  He died in March, 1683, and his wife Elizabeth died in July, 1679.  His children were: 1. Joseph, born in England, resided some time in Lynn, where he married Esther, daughter of William Ballard.  He then removed to Pawtucket, where he built a forge, which was destroyed in the Wampanoag war in 1675.  In 1681, he was an Assistant in the government of Rhode Island; he had a son, Joseph Jenks, who was governor of that State from 1727 to 1732.  2. George, went to Virginia.  3. Sara, married John Chilson.  4. Samuel, like his father, was a workman in Iron, and married Elizabeth Darling.  5. Deborah.  6. John, married Sarah Merriam.  7. Daniel, went to Rhode Island, where he built several mills.  The descendants of Joseph Jenks, throughout New England, are numerous, and several of them have been eminent; among whom is the Rev. William Jenks, D. D., of Boston.      Joseph Jenks, the founder of the family, deserves to be held in perpetual remembrance in American History, as being the first founder, 'who worked in Brass and Iron,' on the western continent.  By his hands the first models were made, and the first castings taken of many domestic implements and iron tools.  The first article said to have been cast, was a small iron pot, capable of containing about one quart.  Thomas Hudson, of the same family with the celebrated Hendric Hudson, and the lineal ancestor of my mother, was the first proprietor of the lands on Saugus river, where the Iron Foundry stood.  When the forge was established, he procured the first casting, which was this famous old iron pot, which he preserved as a curiosity.  It has been handed down in the family ever since, and is now, in the possession of my mother, who, I suppose, would not exchange it for a silver one.      1643.    Much difficulty was occasioned for several years, by an opinion which some of the people entertained, that the baptism of infants was sinful.  Mr. William Witter was presented at the Salem Court for his conduct in this respect, and on the twenty-eighth of February, the following record was made: 'William Witter - Now comeing in, answered humbly, and confessed his Ignorance, and his willingness to see Light, and, (upon Mr. Norris our Elder his speech,) seemed to be stagered, Inasmuch as that he came in court meltinglie.  Sentence - Have called our ordenonce of God, a badge of the whore on some Lecture day, the next 5th day being a public fast.  To acknowledge his falt, And to ask Mr. Cobbett forgiveness, in saying he spok against his conscience.  And enjoined to be heare next court att Salem.'      At the same court, Roger Scott was presented, 'for common sleeping at the public exercise upon the Lord's day, and for striking him that waked him.'  In December following, not having amended his conduct, he was sentenced by the court, 'to be severely whipped.'  It was the custom at this time, during the public service, for a person to go about the meeting to wake the sleepers.  He bore a long wand, on one end of which was a ball, and on the other a fox tail.  When he observed the men asleep, he rapped them on the head with the knob; and roused the slumbering sensibilities of the ladies by drawing the brush lightly across their faces.      On Sunday morning, March 5, there was an earthquake.      A controversy was in agitation respecting the right of the assistants to a negative vote upon the resolves of the representatives.  Mr. Cobbet wrote a treatise, in which he advocated the right of the assistants, and the question was finally decided in their favor.      On the fifth of June, says Governor Winthrop, 'there arose a sudden gust at NW. so violent for half an hour as it blew down multitudes of trees.  It lifted up their meeting-house at Newbury, the people being in it.  It darkened the air with dust, yet through God's great mercy it did no hurt, but only killed one Indian.  It was straight between Linne and Hampton.'       In June, Mr. Edward Tomlins was appointed by the Court, a commissioner to treat with the Indians.  He was also appointed Clerk of the Writs instead of Mr. Richard Sadler.      Mr. Joseph Armitage, who kept the Tavern on the west of Saugus river, having become involved in pecuniary difficulty, in consequence of certain speculations beyond his means, his wife Jane presented a petition to the General Court, in June, that they would 'reconfirme the custody of the said ordinary to the petitioness.'  It was signed by the two ministers, and by thirty-two other principal inhabitants, and was granted on the twenty-sixth of October.  'Joseph Armitage is allowed to keep the ordinary, but not to draw wine.'      It was probably on account of the refusal of the Court to allow Mr. Armitage to sell spirit, that he procured the warrant mentioned in the Salem court files, December 27th, when Joseph Armitage was presented, 'for procuring a warrant for seaventy persons to appeare forthwithe before the Governor, which we conceave may be of dangerous consequence.'      1644.    The Company of Undertakers for the Iron Works, on the seventh of March, laid before the Court ten propositions for the advancement of their designs; the most important of which were granted.  They were allowed permission to make use of six places, three miles square in each place, wherever they might choose, without interfering with previous grants.  Their privileges were to continue twenty-one years; with exemption of themselves, their workmen, and stock, from all public taxes, for ten years.      On the twentieth of May, the Court allowed the town 'thirty sacre shot' for their two great guns, of which Captain Robert Bridges had the care.  At the same court, the name of Lynn Village was altered to Reading.       At the Quarterly Court, on the twenty-seventh of August, the following persons were presented: 'Wm. Hewes and John his son, for deriding such as Sing in the Congregation, tearming them fooles; also William Hewes for saying Mr. Whiting preaches confusedly; also John Hewes for charging Mr. Cobbitt with falsehood in his doctrine.  Wm. Hewes and John his son, shall pay 50s. a peece for a fine, and that it be Injoyned they shall make an humble confession at Lynn, at a publick meeting, which according to it the Court will consider of their fines."      On the thirteenth of November, the Iron Company presented to the court seven more propositions; in reply to which, the court, in addition to their former grants, allowed them three years 'for the perfecting of their worke, and furnishing of the country with all sorts of barr iron.'  They gave any of the inhabitants liberty to share in the work, by 'bringing in within one year, no less than 100L a person, with allowance to the adventurers, &c., for 1000L already disbursed;' if they would complete the finery and forge, as well as the furnace, which 'is already set up."  They gave them liberty, in all waste places, 'to make use of all yron ston, or yron oare,' to cut wood, and to make ponds and highways.  They likewise granted them immunities, civil and religious, equal with any in the jurisdiction; and recommended them to provide religious instruction for the families of their workmen, who were to be free from all watchings against the Indians, and from all trainings.      1645.   The establishment of the Iron Foundry was highly approved by the Court, who passed the following order on the fourteenth of May.       'Whereas it is now found by sufficient purpose that the iron work is very successful, both in the richness of the ore and the goodness of the iron, and like to be of great benefit to the whole country, especially if the inhabitants here should be interested therein, in some good proportion, one half at the least, and whereas the time limited for adventurers to come in will be expired in the ninth month next:  This Court, taking the same into serious consideration, and being careful that such an opportunity, for so great advantage to the Commonwealth might not be let slip, have taken order, that speedy notice thereof should be given to every town within this jurisdiction, expecting that all such persons, as are of sufficient ability, and intend their own benefit, with the common good will forthwith appear to come in to share in the work, according to their abilities, and for their better instruction, and direction herein, they are hereby to understand that there is already disbursed between L1200 and L1500, with which the furnace is built, with that which belongeth to it, and good quantity of mine, coal, and wood provided, and some tons of sow iron cast, and some other things, in readiness, for the forge, &c.; they are also to know that no adventurer is to put in less than L100; but divers may join together to make up that sum: so it come all under one name, there will be need of some L1500 to finish the forge, &c., which will be accepted in money, beaver, wheat, coals, or any such commodities, as will satisfy the workmen; and these are to be paid in to Mr. Henry Webb, of Boston, by such direction as they may receive from the undertakers, Mr. John Winthrop, jun., Major Sedgwick, Mr. Henry Webb, aforesaid, and Mr. Joshua Hewes; the new adventurers are also to know, that they must bear their part, in such loss, as is befallen the first stock, by forbearance, or otherwise, to the time of the new adventurers paying in their adventures, and all such, as will adventure are desired to hasten their resolutions that the work may go on speedily.'      A question has arisen, whether the first forge might not have been established at Braintree.  It certainly was not.  The first purchase of land for the iron works at Braintree, which has been discovered, was not till some months after this time, namely, on the twenty-ninth of September, 1645, when George Ruggles sold to Richard Leader twenty acres.  The grant of '2860 acres,' made for the iron works 'to be set up' at Braintree, was not laid out till the eleventh of January, 1648.  It is certain that an Iron Foundry was in successful operation at Lynn, as early as 1643, and as mention is only made by the court of one forge, it follows of course that it must have been this.  In 1691, iron ore, called 'Rock mine,' was taken from the ledges at Nahant for the forge at Braintree.       The Court ordered, that youth, from ten to sixteen years of age, should be exercised, on training days, in the use of small guns, half pikes, and bows and arrows.  They also ordered, that any person who should make or publish a false report, should be fined ten shillings, or set in the stocks.      Mr. Edward Burcham was chosen 'Clarke of the Writts, and to record deaths, births, and marriages for the Towne.'      'Thomas Layton hath Liberty granted him by the house of deputies, to drawe wine for the town for one yeare.'       'Thomas Layghton, Edward Burcham, and Thomas Puttnam are chosen by the house of deputies to end small controversies."      The number of inhabitants having been considerably diminished by the removal of so many families to Reading, Long Island, and other places, a petition was presented to the court for an abatement of taxes.  The original paper, very much torn and trampled by the mob, which dilapidated Governor Hutchinson's house and papers in 1765, is still in existence.  It commences with 'humbly shewing, that whereas the overrulinge Providence of God hath much weakened our hands, which yet were never of like strength with others about us, to bear such a share in the Publique disbursements and debts of the country as formerly, we therefore make bold truly to Informe this honoured Court of our Infeebled estate with which we have more Immediate cause to be best acquainted.  Those fewe able persons which were with and of us, Its not unknowne how many of them have deserted us; as my lady Moody, whose share in a former rate of this town, at 80L was above 4L and her estate, left now in a life rate, pays not 1L 10s.  Mr. Howell, 6L.  Mr. Willis, 5L.  Mr. Keayne, 2L.  Mr. Edward Tomlins, neare 3L.  John Poole, 1L 15s.  Mr. Sadler, 1L 10s.  Nic. Browne, as much.  Lieftenant Walker, 1L.  Wm. Halsey, 1L.  John Cowper, 1L.  Mr. Wade, 12s.  James Hubbard, 12s.  Wm. Cowdrey, Wm. Blott, Wm. Martin, Thomas Marshall, Zachary ffitch, 10s., each of them, besides above 20 more, whose share in such a rate was, some 8, some 7,' &c.  The petitioners state, that between 'two and three hundred acres of the deserted farms is soe overrun with Sorrel that it is scarce quittinge cost to such whose necessities is such as with us force them to improve the same.  We would not envy our neighbor townes, which are of the risinge hand by tradinge or otherwayes; we rather wish theyr prosperity; but for ourselves, we are neither fitted for or inured to any such course of trade, but must awayte God's blessinge alone upon our Lands and Cattel; our Earnest Request therefore is, that this honoured Court, in which is the Confluence of the wisdom, fidelity, and Equity of the Country, would please seriously to weigh the premises touching our present estate, and proportion out such share of Publique Charges, according not to our supposed but real Abilities which the Lord hath left us; and we shall cheerfully put too our shoulders and continue our joynt prayers for you and yours.  Resting yours to serve and obey in the Lord.'  This petition was signed by Thomas Putnam, Francis Lightfoot, Henry Collins, William Longley, and Thomas Laighton, Selectmen.  The court, in their reply, say: 'We conceive the estate of lin should be considered;' and when they lay the tax, which was L616.15, they required only L25 from Lynn.      Some of the inhabitants of Lynn and Salem petitioned the Court for liberty to form an independent company.  The Court gave permission, and a band was formed, called 'The Military Company of Lynn and Salem.'      At the Quarterly Court, on the fifth of July, Samuel Bennet was presented, "'or saying, in a scornful manner, he neither cared for the Towne, nor any order the Towne could make.'      Captain Robert Bridges was appointed by the court, a commissioner to negotiate between Lord De La Tour and Monsieur D'Aulney, the governors of the French provinces on the north of New England.  He was accompanied by Richard Walker and Thomas Marshall.  For their 'good service' in this embassy, Captain Bridges was allowed ten pounds, Lieutenant Walker four pounds, and Sergeant Marshall forty shillings.      On the fourteenth of October, the Company of Undertakers for the Iron Works presented a petition to the court, which was granted.  As the answer of the court comprises some interesting information respecting the Iron Works, it is transcribed.      '1.  It was granted and by this court ordered, that the undertakers, their agents and assigns, are hereby granted the sole privilege and benefit of making Iron and managing of all Iron mines and works that now are, or shall be discovered and found out, or hereafter shall be in this jurisdiction, for the term of twenty-one years from the former grant: Provided that the said adventurers, their agents or assigns, do within three years from the former date, use their best endeavors to their utmost skill to perfect so many of the said works, that the inhabitants of this jurisdiction be furnished with bar iron of all sorts for their use, not exceeding twenty pounds per ton.  Provided also, that it shall be in the liberty of any within this jurisdiction to be adventurers with the undertakers, that by the last day of this October they bring in their adventures, not less in one man's name than fifty pounds, with allowance to the adventurers, for the stock of one thousand pounds, by them already disbursed.      '2.  The Court doth hereby further grant to the said undertakers, their agents and assigns, in all places of waste and lands not appropriated to any town or person, that the said undertakers, their agents or assigns, at all times during the said term of twenty-one years, shall and may fieely and at their own discretion have and take all manner of wood and timber, to be converted into coals, or any other uses for the service of the undertakers, as also all manner of earth, stones, turf, clay, and other materials for buildings and reparation of their works, forges, mills, or houses built, or to be built, or for making or moulding any manner of guns, pots, and all other cast-iron ware, and for converting wood into charcoal, and also to get, dig, and carry away of all manner of stone iron ore and wood of all sorts; and any other material, or things of use for their works, and it is hereby also granted to the said undertakers, their agents, or assigns, that they shall have free liberty to make all convenient ways and passages, as also all manner of dams, watercourses, sluices, ponds for water, in all waste grounds, or other conveyances, to, from, and for the service of the said works built or to be built not appropriated to any town or person, during such time as the said works shall continue, Provided, if by any pond, sluice, dam, or any other work (though in land appropriated) they should spoil, or any ways prejudice the land appropriated to any town or person the said undertakers shall make due and just satisfaction.      '3.  Also the Court doth hereby further grant to the said adventurers, their agents, or assigns, in all the grounds that are or shall be appropriated, that the said adventurers, their agents, or assigns, shall have free liberty at all times during the term to dig, get, carry away all manner of stone, or iron ore, and to make and use all convenient ways and sluices, water-courses, pools, dams, ponds for water, and other conveniences, to, from, and for the service of the said works through all the said grounds, that are or hereafter shall be appropriated, (except houses, orchards, not exceeding three acres and yards) giving such due and full recompense for the same to the owners thereof, for the time being, as three indifferent men shall adjudge, whereof one to be appointed by the said court at the next general meeting after the undertakers, their agents, or assigns, shall make or use any of the said ways, or water-courses, or other particulars therein mentioned for the services aforesaid, and one other by the owner of the land for the time being, and the third by the undertakers or adventurers.      '4.  The Court hereby do further grant unto the said adventurers and to their heirs and assigns forever, so much land now or hereafter to be in this jurisdiction, as aforesaid, as shall contain in six places three miles square in each place, or so much in quantity as containeth three miles square not exceeding four miles in length to be set out in such places and parcels, as the said undertakers or their agents shall make choice of, not being already appropriated as aforesaid, upon which said land the said adventurers shall have free liberty and hereby do undertake that within the said term of [twenty-one] years, to search, set out, and find convenient places within the said compass of land; for the building and setting up of six forges, or furnaces, and not bloomaries only, or so many more as they shall have occasion for, for the making of iron as aforesaid, which they shall, (the iron stone and other materials appearing proper and fit for the making of iron as aforesaid,) build and set up within the term aforesaid, Provided that the Court may grant a plantation in any place where the Court doth think meet, the undertakers or their agents there residing having first notice thereof, and not making choice of the same for part of the land to be set out and granted to them, for the design of planting the said iron works and making iron as aforesaid.      '5.  And it is further granted and ordered that what quantity of iron of all sorts and qualities the said adventurers, their agents or assigns, shall make more than the inhabitants shall have need or use of for their service to be bought and paid for by the said inhabitants as aforesaid, they shall have free liberty to transport the same by shipping to other ports or places of the world, and to make sale thereof, in what way and place the said adventurers shall please, for their best advantage, Provided they sell it not to any person or state in actual hostility with us.      '6.  It is further granted and ordered that the said undertakers and agents, and servants, shall, from the date of their presents, have and enjoy all liberties and immunities whatsoever, present or to come, equal with any in this jurisdiction, according to the laws and orders thereof, for the time being, and according to the rights and privileges of the churches.      '7.  It is also granted that the undertakers and adventurers, together with their agents, servants, and assigns, shall be and are hereby free from all taxes, assessments, contributions and other public charges whatsoever, for so much of their stock or goods as shall be employed in and about the said iron works for and during the term of [twenty-one] years yet to come from their presents.      '8.  It is also hereby further granted and ordered that all such clerks and workmen as miners, founders, finers, hammer-men and colliers, necessarily employed, or to be employed in and about the said works, built or to be built, for any the services thereof, shall from time to time during the term of [twenty-one] years, be and hereby are absolutely freed and discharged of and from all ordinary trainings, watchings, etc., but that every person at all times be furnished with arms, powder, shot, etc., according to order of court.      '9.  Lastly.  It is ordered by the Court, that in all places where any iron work is set up, remote from a church or congregation, unto which they cannot conveniently come, that the undertakers shall provide some good means whereby their families may be instructed in the knowledge of God, by such as the court or standing council shall approve of.'      On the twenty-second of December, 'Thomas Hudson of Linne, granted unto Thos. Hutchinson of Linne, sixty acres of ground amongst the ffurnaces, adjoyning to Goodman Townsend's ffarme.'      A book was written this year, by Rev. Nathaniel Ward, of Ipswich, which attracted much attention.  It is entitled, 'The Simple Cobler of Aggawam, willing to help mend his Native Country, lamentably tattered, both in Upper Leather and Sole, with all the honest Stitches he can take.'  It abounds in pungent wit and satire, interspersed with much good sense.  He is particularly severe on those who cause innovations in religion, and deny the rite of infant baptism.  He says, 'The removing of some one iota in scripture, may draw out all the life, and traverse all the truths of the Bible.  To authorize an untruth by a toleration of state, is to build a sconce against the walls of heaven, to batter God out of'his chair!'  His book concludes with the following stanza:           And farewell, Simple World,              If thou 'It thy cranium mend,           There is my Last and Awl,              And a Shoemaker's End!'      1646.    The proprietors of the Iron Works, in the beginning of this year, made an agreement with Thomas Dexter, for opening a new water-course, and enlarging the pond.  They purchased 'all that parcell of land neere adjacent to the Grantor's house, which shall necessarily be overflowed by reason of a pond of water, there included, to be stopped to the height agreed on betwixt them; and sufficient for a water-course intended to be erected, together with the land lyinge betweene the ould water-course and the new one, And also five acres and halfe in the cornfield next the Grantor's house;' for which they allowed L40.  They agreed to make a fence 'toward Captain Bridges's house,' with 'a sufficient cart bridge over the said water-course,' and 'to allow sufficient water in the ould river for the Alewives to come to the wyres before the Grantor's house.'  This extension of the pond caused it to overflow three acres of land belonging to Mr. Adam Hawkes.  The whole amount purchased was forty-five acres.      Thomas Dexter's house stood at some distance above the Iron Works on the left.  The present road to the northward runs through the bed of the old pond.  This year the dam was moved further up the river, and a little canal was dug from the pond, and brought along on the high ground, until it reached the Foundry.  This canal was the 'new water-course' mentioned in the preceding agreement.      On the eighteenth of February, Mr. William Witter was presented at the Quarterly Court 'ffor saying that they who stayed while a Childe is baptized, doe worshipp the dyvill; also Henry Collens and Mathew West, deling with him about the former speeche, he speaks to them after this manner, That they who stayed at the baptising of a Childe, did take the name of the Father, Sonn, and holly ghost in vain and broke the Saboth, and confesseth and justifieth his former speech.  Sentence of Court is, an Iniunction next Lord's day being faire, that he make a publique confession to Satisfaction, in the open congregation at Lyn, or else to answer it at the next General Court. And concerning his opinion, the court hath yet patience toward him, till they see if he be obstinate, and only admonish him.'      By permission of the court, Mr. Leader purchased some of the country's Gunnes,' to melt over at the Iron Foundry.      On the tenth of June, Mr. Joseph Jenks presented a petition that the Court would patronise his improvements in mills, and the manufacture of sythes.  "In Answer to a petition of Joseph Jencks for liberty to make experience of his abillityes and Inventions for the making of engines for mills, to goe with water, for the more speedy despatch of worke than formerly, and mills for the making of sithes and other edge tooles, with a new Invented sawemill, that things may be afforded cheaper than formerly, and that for fourteen yeeres without disturbance by any other's setting up the like Invention, that so his study and costs may not be in vayne or lost, this peticon was graunted, so as power is still left to restrayne the exportation of such manufactures, and to moderate the prizes thereof, if occacon so require.'       Mr. Daniel King complained to the Court that his goods had been taken, to the amount of fifty shillings, by 'the captain of ye trayned band of Lin, for supposed neglect of trayning, he being lame, and willing to find a sufficient man.'  The Court ordered him to pay the fifty shillings for the past, and ten shillings, annually, for the future.           Much damage was done to the corn, wheat, and barley, this summer, by a species of large black caterpillar.      On the fourth of August, Mr. Thomas Dexter was presented at the Quarterly Court 'for a common sleeper,' in meetings for public worship, and fined.      The proprietors of the Iron Works addressed a letter to the court in May, which was answered in September.  In their reply, the court say, 'We acknowledge with you that such a staple comodity as Iron is a great meanes to enrich the place where it is, both by furnishing this place with that comodity at reasonable rates, and by bringing in other necessary comoditys in exchange of Iron exported, but as we use to say, if a man lives where an axe is worth but 12d., yet it is never the cheaper to him who cannot get 12d. to buy one.  So if your Iron may not be had heere without ready mony, what advantage will that be to us if wee have no money to purchase it.  Itt is true some men have here Spanish mony sometimes, but little comes to our Smiths hands, especially those of inland tounes.  What monyes our Smithes cann gett you may be sure to have it before any other; if we must want iron so often as our mony failes, you may easily Judge if it were not better for us to Procure it from other places by our corne and pipe staves, &c. then to depend on the comming in of mony which is never so plentifull as to supply for the occacon.'      In October, Captain Robert Bridges was chosen Speaker of the House of Representatives.      On the night of the fourth of November, began 'a most dreadful tempest at northeast, with wind and rain.'  The roof of Lady Moody's house, at Salem, was blown off. Winthrop.       At the court, in this month, 'on the motion of the deputies of the towne of Linne: It is ordered that there shal be once a weeke a market kept there on every third day of the weeke, being their lecture day.'      1647.    On the twentieth of January, Richard Leader sold to Joseph Jenks, the privilege to build a forge at the Iron Works, for the manufacture of sythes.        On the twenty-sixth of May, Captain Robert Bridges was chosen an Assistant.      In June, an epidemic sickness prevailed through the whole country, supposed to have been the influenza.      In October, the court ordered, that every town containing fifty families, should have a school for reading and writing; and that all towns containing one hundred families, should maintain a grammar school.      An order was passed, that if any young man should address a young woman, without the consent of her parents, or in their absence, of the county court, he should be fined five pounds.      The court fixed the prices of grain to be received for taxes; Indian corn at 3s., rye and peas at 3s. 6d., barley at 4s., and wheat at 4s. 6d. a bushel.      Among the presentments at the Quarterly Court, was the following.  December 14.  'The town of Lynn, for want of a staff for the constable.'      December 29.  'John Turner, living at the Iron Workes at Lin, being convicted before the court for stabbing Sara Turner, his daughter-in-law - the sentence of court is, that he shall be severely whipped.'      1648.    Mr. Edmund Ingalls, the first white inhabitant of Lynn, was drowned, in March, in crossing Saugus river.  Soon after, 'Robert Ingalls, with the rest of his brethren and sisters, being eight in number,' petitioned the General Court, 'That whereas their father hath been deprived of life by the insufficiency of Lynn Bridge, that according to the law in such cases, there shall be an hundred pounds forfeited to the next heir.'  This was granted.  It was in conformity with an old British law, established by Howell the Good, King of Wales, by which the value of each person's life was nominally fixed, and so much money paid, in case of his being killed.      On the twenty-third of March, the court allowed the town twenty pounds, toward repairing the 'great bridge' over Saugus river.  On the eighteenth of October, thirty shillings were granted annually for the same purpose.      On the twenty-seventh of April, Captain Robert Bridges's house, near the Iron Works, was burnt.  Winthrop.      In June, Margaret Jones, of Charlestown, was executed at Boston, for a witch.  This was the first execution for this offence in New England, and should have been the last.      In a letter to his son, dated August 4, Mr. Winthrop remarks: 'The iron work goeth on with more hope.  It yields now about 7 tons per week, but it is most out of that brown earth which lies under the bog mine.  They tried another mine, and after 24 hours they had a sum of about 500, which when they brake, they conceived to be a 5th part silver.  There is a grave man of good fashion come now over to see how things stand here.  He is one who hath been exercised in iron works.'  In another letter,  September 30, he says, 'The furnace runs 8 tons per week, and their bar iron is as good as Spanish.  The adventurers in England sent over one Mr. Dawes to oversee Mr. Leader, but he is far short of Mr. Leader.  They could not agree, so he is returned by Teneriffe.'        1649.    The Rev. Thomas Cobbet preached the Election Sermon before the court, on the third of May.       On the tenth, the Governor and Assistants, among whom was Captain Robert Bridges, signed a protestation against the prevailing custom of wearing long hair, 'after the manner of ruffians and barbarous Indians.'      On the seventh of September, Nicholas Pinion was presented at the Quarterly court, for swearing.  'The deposition of Quinten Pray.  This deponent saith, that meeting with Nicholas Pinion the last Lord's day, cominge out of his corne, hee-heard the said Pinion sware all his pumpkins were turned to squashes.'  The court, as a comment upon Mr. Johnson's text,  (p. 33, old edition,)  'let no man make a jest at pumpkins,' fined him.      On the eleventh, Matthew Stanley was tried for winning the affections of John Tarbox's daughter, without the consent of her parents.  He was fined L 5, with 2s. 6d. fees.  The parents of the young woman were allowed six shillings for their attendance three days.      1650.    In the preceding pages, I have given the names of every man whom I found in Lynn before the year 1650, excepting those who staid but a short time, and left to settle in other places.  I shall here give a list of a few more names, which I find before the year 1690, and after that time they become too numerous to be continued.       Samuel Appleton, Jr., was here from 1677 to 1688, in connexion with the Iron Works, which he owned at that time.  He was a descendant of John Appulton, who died at Great Waldingford, in 1436.  The following record of his family is from the old volume of Lynn Records, which was discovered by me, after it had been lost for many years.  'Mr. Samuell Apleton, Junior, and Mis Elizabeth Whittingham, the Daughter of Mr. William Whittingham, Marchant, in Boston, was married the 19th of June, 1682.  Mary, the Daughter of Mr. Samuell Appleton and of Elizabeth his wiffe, was born into this world the 30 of March, 1683.  Hannah ther Daughter was born the first of November, 1684.  Elizabeth their daughter was Born the 10th of July, 1687.'  He removed to Boston in 1688; and was the ancestor of the very respectable family of Appletons in that city.       Thomas Berry married Elizabeth, and had two sons; Thomas, born March 14, 1695; and Samuel, born June 25, 1697.  His descendants remain.      John Blaney married Elizabeth Purchis in November, 1678.  He had a son Joseph , whose descendants live at Swampscot.      Samuel Bly married Lois Ivory, December 19, 1678, and died December 31, 1693.  He had two sons, Theophilus and Samuel .      Thomas Brewer married Elizabeth Graves, December 4, 1682, and had six children; Mary, Rebecca, Mary, Crispus, Thomas, and John .      William Barber married Elizabeth Kirk, May 4, 1673.  He had two children; Elizabeth, born November 1, 1673; William, born January 8, 1674.      John Henry Burchsted, a native of Silesia, married Mary, widow of Nathaniel Kertland, April 24, 1690.  Henry, his son, was born October 3, 1690.  They were both eminent physicians, and lived on the hill in front of High Rock, where Dr. Richard Haseltine's house stands.  Dr. John Henry Burchsted died September 20, 1721, aged 64 years.  The following is his epitaph:           Silesia to New England sent this man,           To do their all that any healer can,           But he who conquered all diseases must           Find one who throws him down into the dust.           A chemist near to an adeptist come,           Leaves here, thrown by, his caput mortuum.           Reader, physicians die as others do;           Prepare, for thou to this art hastening too.      Thomas Beal had two sons.  William married widow Mary Hart, March 5, 1684.  Samuel married Patience Lovell , March 28, 1682.      Thomas Burrage married Elizabeth, 1687, and had six children; Elizabeth, John, Thomas, Mary, Bethiah, and Ruth .      John Coats married Mary Witherdin, were married April 14, 1681, and had two children, Mary and John .      Philip Gifford married Mary Davis, June 30, 1684.  He had two children, Philip and Mary .      Zaccheus Gould had a son Daniel, born about 1650, who married Elizabeth .  She died August 3, 1691.      John Gowing married Joanna, 1682, and had seven children; John, Thomas, Elizabeth, Samuel, Joanna, Lois, and Timothy .      Samuel Hart married Mary Witteridge, January 29, 1673, and had two children; John and William.      Thomas Ivory had two sons, Thomas and John .  He died 18 July, 1690.       Daniel King married widow Elizabeth Corwen, of Salem.  He died May 27, 1672.  His widow, Elizabeth, died February 27, 1677.  He lived at Swampscot, and bought a large portion of Mr. Humfrey's farm.  He had two sons; Daniel married Tabitha Walker, March 11, 1662.  Ralph married Elizabeth Walker, March 2, 1663.       Thomas Laighton married Sarah -, and had two sons, 1. Thomas, who married Sarah Rednap, December 28, 1670; and 2. Samuel, who married Sarah Graves, February 14, 1680.      John Lyscom married Abigail -, and had a son, Samuel , born September 16, 1693.       Ezekiel Needham married Sarah King, October 27, 1669, and had five children; Edmund, Sarah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Ralph.       Daniel Needham married Ruth -, 1673, and had five children; Elizabeth, Edmund, Daniel, Ruth, and Mary .      Thomas Norwood and Mary Brown were married August 24, 1685, and had six children; Francis, Ebenezer, Mary, Thomas, Mary, and Jonathan .      George Oaks married Jennet -, and had five children; John, born July 31, 1664, Mary, Richard, Sarah, Elizabeth, and George .       John Perkins and Anna Hutchinson were married August 29, 1695, and had five children; Anna, John, Elizabeth, Mary, and William .      John  Person married Tabitha -, and had eleven children; James, born November 28, 1680, Tabitha, John, Rebecca, Kendall, Susanna, Mary, Thomas, Ebenezer, Sarah, and Abigail .       Samuel Penfield married Mary Lewis, November 30, 1675, and had two children, Samuel and Mary .      John Phillips married Hannah -, and had two children; John, born December 3, 1689; Hannah , born June 6, 1694.  He died September 29, 1694.  He lived at Swampscot.       William Robinson had three sons; William, born October 7, 1683, Aquila, John .      Henry Silsbe had three sons; Jonathan married Bethia Marsh, January 1, 1673; Samuel married Mary Bistow, July 4, 1676; Henry married Grace Eaton , November 18, 1680.      Henry Stacy married Hannah, and had five children; William, born January 3, 1674; Henry, born April 1, 1677; Sarah, born January 3, 1678; Ebenezer, born January 4,. 1680; John , born October 30, 1682.      Joshua Wait and Elizabeth Mansfield were married January 10, 1675, and had two children, Moses and Mary .      Abraham Wellman married Elizabeth -, and had a son born, May 3, 1676.      Domingo Wight, a black man, had three children; Mary, born August 31, 1675; Joseph, born May 23, 1678; Hannah, born September 5, 1679.      1651.    Mr. Richard Leader , the agent for the Iron Works, was arraigned by the Court, on the seventh of May, for reproaching Governor Endecott, the court, and the church at Lynn.  In their first excitement, the court fined him two hundred pounds, which were afterward reduced to fifty.  Mr. Leader made an acknowledgment, and the fine was finely remitted.  After this, Mr. John Gifford appears as agent.  He married the widow Margaret Temple, and had a son Philip.      On taking the management of the Iron Works, Mr. Gifford raised the dam, which caused the water to overflow six acres of 'plowland' belonging to Mr. Adam Hawkes.  For this, on the twentieth of June, an agreement was made, in which Mr. Hawkes was allowed L8 for damages.      On Sunday, the twentieth of July, three men of the Baptist persuasion, whose names were John Clarke, John Crandall, and Obadiah Holmes, came from Newport, and went to the house of William Witter, at Swampscot, where Mr. Clark preached, administered the sacrament, and re-baptized Mr. Witter.  This being reported to the authorities, two constables went down to Swampscot to apprehend them as disturbers of the peace.  They carried a warrant, which had been granted by Hon. Robert Bridges.  'By virtue hereof, you are required to go to the house of William Witter, and so to search from house to house for certain erroneous persons, being strangers, and them to apprehend, and in safe custody to keep, and tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock, to bring before me.'  Mr. Clark says, 'while I was yet speaking, there comes into the house where we were, two constables, who with their clamorous tongues make an interruption, and more uncivilly disturbed us than the pursuivants of the old English bishops were wont to do.'  In the afternoon, they were taken to Mr. Whiting's meeting, where they refused to uncover their heads.  Mr. Bridges ordered a constable to take off their hats, when one of them attempted to speak, but was prevented.      At the close of the meeting, one of them made some remarks, after which they were taken to the Anchor Tavern, and guarded through the night.  In the morning, they were sent to Boston and imprisoned.  On the thirty-first, the Court of Assistants sentenced Mr. Holmes to pay a fine of thirty pounds, Mr. Clark of twenty, and Mr. Crandall of five.  The fines of Clark and Crandall were paid; but Mr. Holmes refused to pay his, or suffer it to be paid, and was retained in prison till September, when he was publicly whipped.  When brought to the place of execution, he requested liberty to speak to the people, but the presiding officer, one Flint, rightly named, refused, and ordered him to be stripped.  His friends brought some wine, which they requested him to drink, but he declined it, lest the spectators should attribute his fortitude to drink.  The whip was made of three cords, and the executioner spat three times in his own hands, that he might not fail to honor justice.  In a manuscript left by Governor Joseph Jenks, it is written that 'Mr. Holmes was whipped 30 stripes, and in such an unmerciful manner, that for many days, if not some weeks, he could not take rest, but as he lay upon his knees and elbows, not being able to suffer any part of the body to touch the bed.'  As the man began to lay on the stripes, Holmes said, 'though my flesh should fail, yet my God will not fail.'  He then prayed, 'Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.'  When he was released, two spectators, John Shaw and John Hasel, went up and took hold of his hand to sympathize with him, for which they were fined forty shillings each.  Such is the bitterness of religious persecution.  Dr. John Clark was one of the most respectable physicians in Rhode Island, and wrote a book entitled 'Ill News from New England,' with a full account of this persecution.       Mr. Witter was presented at the Salem court, on the twenty-seventh of November, for neglecting discourses and being rebaptized.      On the fourteenth of October, the court made an order against 'the intolerable excess and bravery' of dress.  They ordered that no person whose estate did not exceed L200 should wear any great boots, gold or silver lace or buttons, or silk hoods, ribbons or scarfs, under a penalty of ten shillings.       'In answer to the petition of George Indian of Lynn, This Court refers him to bring his action in some inferiour court, against any that ungenerously withhold any land from him.'      The following description of Lynn is from 'The Wonder Working Providence,' a work published this year, by Mr. Edward Johnson of Woburn:      'Her scituation is neere to a River, whose strong freshet at breaking up of Winter filleth all her Bankes, and with a furious Torrent ventes itself into the Sea.  This Towne is furnished with Mineralls of divers kinds, especially Iron and Lead, the forme of it is almost square, onely it takes too large a run into the Land-ward, (as most townes do.)  It is filled with about one Hundred Houses for dwelling.  There is also an Iron Mill in constant use, but as for Lead, they have tried but little yet.  Their meeting house being on a Levell Land undefended from the cold North west wind, and therefore made with steps descending into the earth; their streets are straite and comly, yet but thin of Houses; the people mostly inclining to Husbandry, have built many Farmes Remote.  There Cattell exceedingly multiplied.  Goates which were in great esteeme at their first coinming, are now almost quite banished, and now Horse, kine and Sheep are most in request with them.'      In his remarks on manufactures, Mr. Johnson says, 'All other trades have fallen into their ranks and places, to their great advantage, especially Coopers and Shoemakers, who had either of them a corporation granted, inriching themselves by their trades very much.  As for Tanners and Shoemakers it being naturalized into their occupations to have a higher reach in managing these manifactures then other men in New England are, having not changed their nature in this, between them both they have kept men to their stand hitherto, almost doubling the price of their commodities, according to the rate they were sold for in England, and yet the plenty of Leather is beyond what they had there, counting the number of the people, but the transportation of Boots and Shoes into forraign parts hath vented all, however.'      The manufacture of shoes had not, at this time, become a principal business at Lynn.  A few persons practised the employment regularly; but they traded with merchants at Boston, and did not export fof themselves.  The shoes which they made were principally of calf skin, for Morocco had not been introduced.  Cloth was worn only by the most wealthy; and if a lady in the more common ranks of life obtained a pair of stuff shoes, to grace the nuptial ceremony, they were afterward laid aside, and carefully preserved through life, as something too delicate for ordinary use.      1652.    Wenepoykin, the Lynn Sagamore, on the first of April, mortgaged 'all that Tract or Neck of Land commonly called Nahant,' to Nicholas Davison of Charlestown, 'for twenty pounds sterling dew many yeer.'  The deed was signed with his mark, which has somewhat the form of a capital H in writing.      At the Quarterly Court, on the twenty-ninth of June, the following presentments were made.  'We present Ester, the wife of Joseph Jynkes Junior ffor wearing silver lace;' and 'Robert Burges for bad corne grinding.'  Other persons were presented for wearing great boots and silk hoods.      Mr. Gifford this year increased the height of the dam at the Iron Works, by which ten acres of Mr. Hawkes's land were flowed; for which he agreed to give 16 loads of hay yearly, and 200 cords of wood.  Afterward he agreed to give him L7, 'which ends all, except that 10s. is to be given him yearly.'  By this agreement the water was to be so kept 'that it may not ascend the top of the upper floodgates in the pond higher than within a foot and a halfe of the top of the great Rock that lies in the middle of the pond before the gates.'      This year a mint was established at Boston for coining silver.  The pieces had the word Massachusetts, with a pine tree on one side; and the letters N. E. Anno 1652, and III. VI. or XII., denoting the number of pence, on the other.  The dies for this coinage were made by Joseph Jenks, at the Iron Works.         1653.    On the seventh of March, the boundary line between Lynn and Reading was established.      Samuel Bennet, carpenter, sold his corn mill to Thomas Wheeler, on the first of April, for L220.      This year, Mr. Thomas Savage, of Boston, attached the Iron Works, at Lynn, for the amount owed to him and Henry Webb.  On the fourteenth of September a special court convened at Boston, for the trial.  Mr. Savage obtained for himself L894 2s. and for Henry Webb, L1351 6s. 9d.  The total account of Mr. John Gifford, agent for the Company, was L16,284 7s. 4d.       1654.    The selectmen of Boston agreed with Mr. Joseph Jenks 'for an Ingine to carry water in case of fire.'  This was the first fire engine made in America.      In August, the court fixed the prices of grain; Indian corn at,3s., rye and peas at 4s., and wheat and barley at 5s. a bushel.      At a town meeting, on the twenty-eighth of December, a grant was made to Mr. Edmund Farrington, allowing him the privilege to build a grist-mill, in Water Hill street, on condition that grain should be seasonably and faithfully ground; otherwise the privilege was to revert to the town.       1655.    This year Edmund Farrington built his mill on Water Hill.  A pond was dug by hand, and the water brought from the old brook, by a little canal about half a mile in length.  This mill was for many years the property of Benjamin Phillips, and in 1836 was purchased by Henry A. Breed, who dug out a new pond of more than an acre, for a reservoir.        Mr. John Gifford, agent of the Iron Company, having been imprisoned on account of the pecuniary affairs of that establishment, a petition was sent from London to the General Court, for his release.  It was dated on the twenty-seventh of February, .and signed by John Becx, William Greenhill, Thomas Foley, and Phebe Frost.       On the twenty-third of May, the General Court granted to Mr. Joseph Jenks a patent for an improved scythe, 'for the more speedy cutting of grasse, for seven years.'  This improvement consisted in lengthening the blade, making it thinner, and welding a square bar on the back to strengthen it, as in the modern scythe.  Before this the old English blade was short and thick, like a bush scythe.      1656.    This year the Rev. Thomas Cobbet relinquished his connexion with the church at Lynn, and removed to Ipswich.  He was born at Newbury, in England, 1608.  Though his father was poor, he found means to gain admission at the University of Oxford, which he left during the great sickness in 1625, and became a pupil of Dr. Twiss, in his native town.  He was afterward a minister of the established Church.  He came to Lynn in 1637, and was welcomed by Mr. Whiting, with whom he had commenced a friendship in England.  Mr. Mather says, 'they were almost every day together, and thought it a long day if they were not so; the one rarely travelling abroad without the other.'  Mr. Cobbet preached at Lynn 19 years, and 29 at Ipswich.  In 1666, he preached the election sermon, from II. Chronicles, 15, 2.  He died on Thursday, 5th November, 1685, and was buried on the next Monday.  At his funeral were expended, one barrel of wine, L6 8s.; two barrels of cider, 11s.; 82 pounds of sugar, L2 1s.; half a cord of wood, 4s.; four dozen pairs of gloves, 'for men and women,' L5 4s.; with 'some spice and ginger for the cider.'  It was the custom at funerals to treat all the company with cider, which in cold weather was heated and spiced.  In the year 1711, the town of Lynn paid for 'half a barrel of cider for the widow Dispaw's funeral.'  Wine was distributed when it could be afforded.  Gloves were commonly given to the bearers and the principal mourners, and by the more wealthy, rings were sometimes added.  Mr. Cobbet appears to have been much esteemed.  The following epitaph to his memory is one of the best of Mr. Mather's productions:                      Sta viator; thesaurus hic jacet;            THOMAS COBBETUS;           Cujus, nosti preces potentissimas, ac mores probatissimos,           Si es Nov-Anglus.           Mirare, si pietatem colas;           Sequere, si felicitatem optes.'           Stop, traveler, a treasure's buried here;            Our Thomas Cobbet claims the tribute tear.           His prayers were powerful, his manners pure,           As thou, if of New England's sons, art sure.           If thou reverest piety, admire;           And imitate, if bliss be thy desire.      Mr. Cobbet possessed good learning and abilities, and wrote more books than any one of the early ministers of New England.  Among his works, were the following:           1. A Treatise Asserting the Right of the Magistrates to a Negative Vote on the Resolves of the Representatives.  1643.           2. A Defence of Infant Baptism.  1645.  This is said to have been an admirable summary of the principal arguments for and against the subject, and an able exposition of the error of those who deny the validity of this important rite.      3. The Civil Magistrate's Power in Matters of Religion, Modestly Debated, with a Brief Answer to a certain slanderous pamphlet, called Ill News from New England; containing six pages of grievous dedication to Oliver Cromwell.  1653.      4. A Practical Discourse on Prayer.  1654.  Mr. Mather remarks that, 'of all the books written by Mr. Cobbet, none deserves more to be read by the world, or to live till the general burning of the world, than that of Prayer.'      5. A Fruitful and Useful Discourse, touching the Honor due from Children to their Parents, and the Duty of Parents toward their Children.  London, 1656.      6. A Treatise on Ecclesiastical Order and Discipline.      7. A Treatise on the First, Second, and Fifth Commandments.  The following beautiful picture of the enduring affection of a mother is from the discourse on the duties of children:       'Despise not thy mother when she is old.  When she was young, yea, when she was middle aged, thou prisedst, and respectedst, and did reverence and obey her; do it as well when she is old; hold on doing of it to the last.  Age may wear and waste a mother's beauty, strength, parts, limbs, senses, and estate; but her relation of a mother is as the sun when he goeth forth in his might, for the ever of this life, that is, always in its meridian, and knoweth no evening.  The person may be gray-headed, but her motherly relation is ever in its flourish.  It may be autumn, yea, winter, with the woman; but with the mother, as a mother, it is always spring.'      In descanting on the duties of children, he says: 'How tender were your parents of their dealings with men, to discharge a good conscience therein; of their very outward garb, what they ware, and of what fashion, and the like; but you their children regard not what you do, nor how you deal with others, nor what you wear, nor of what fashion, so the newest.  Did ever your good father or grandfather wear such ruffianly hair upon their heads?  or did your godly parents frisk from one new fangled fashion to another, as you do?'       The following anecdote is related by Mr. Mather.  'The ungrateful inhabitants of Lynn one year passed a town vote, that they could not allow their ministers above thirty pounds apiece that year, for their salary; and behold, the God who will not be mocked, immediately caused the town to lose three hundred pounds in that one specie of their cattle, by one disaster.'  With his characteristic carelessness, Mr. Mather does not give any date to this fact.      Mr. Cobbet was much respected for his piety and the fervency of his prayers.  One of the soldiers in Philip's war, whose name was Luke Perkins, says that when he was detached, in 1675, to go against the Indians, he went to request the prayers of Mr. Cobbet, who prayed that the company might be preserved, and they all returned in safety.       Some women of his neighborhood were one day attempting some trick of witchery, when their minister appeared.  'There,' said one of them, 'we can do no more; there is old crooked back Cobbet a coming.'      For a considerable time, he was in the practice of walking from Ipswich to Boston, once in two weeks, to attend Mr. Norton's lecture, and to see his old friend, Mr. Whiting.  He used to remark that it was worth a journey to Boston, 'to hear one of Mr. Norton's good prayers.'      The parents of Mr. Cobbet came over some time after his arrival.  The name of his wife was Elizabeth, and he had four sons; Samuel, who graduated in 1663; Thomas, John, and Eliezer.      Thomas Cobbet, Jr., who was a seaman at Portsmouth, was taken prisoner by the Indians in 1676, and carried to Penobscot.  After an absence of several weeks, he was released by Madockawando, the sachem, who received a red coat as a present.  On this subject, Mr. Cobbet thus writes, in his letter to Increase Mather: 'As to what you querie, whether there were not answers of prayer respecting my captured son, Surely I may truly say his wonderfull preservations in all that 9 weeks time after he was taken, and deliverance at the last, they will be put on that account as answers of prayer; for he was constantly pleaded for by Mr. Moody in his congregation for that end, from his being first taken (of which they first heard) till his redemption.  So was he in like sort pleaded for by Mr. Shepard in his congregation at Charlestowne, and by my desire signified that way, by Mr. Phillips, Mr. Higginson, Mr. Buckley, in theyr congregations, and I doubt not by yourself, Mr. Thatcher, Mr. Allin, in the 3 Boston churches, besides the prayers going constantly that way for him in the families and closets of godly ones, which heard of his captivity and hazard.  He was constantly, as there was cause, remembered in our congregation for that end, and which I may not omit to mention:  When Mr. Moody, by a post sent hither, sent me the first news of his taking by the Indians, and their further rage in those parts, calling out for further prayers - I presently caused one of our Deacons to call to my house that very day, as many godly men and theyr wives as were near us, to spend some hours in prayer about the same: about 30 met; several of them prayed, Capt. Lord was with them in it, and with me also, who began and ended that service; and having beg'd some amends of our wasted son Eliezer at home as a pledge of the desired mercies to our captived son abroad as granted, my heart I must acknowledge to the Lord's praise, was sweetly guided in the course of that service, and I was even persuaded that the Lord had heard our prayers in that respect, and could not but express as much to some of our godly friends; so was one of our sisters (as since she informed my wife,) as confidently persuaded that she should ere long see him returned, and that in comfortable plight, as if he were already come.'  He says that his son Eliezer began to amend, 'insomuch that he who before could not walk up and down the town without stagering, could yet walk up that high hill (which you know of,) that is by Mr. Norton's, now our house.'      The great age to which many of the early settlers lived, is a subject worthy of notice.  Boniface Burton died in 1669, at the great age of 113 years; an age to which no person in Lynn, since his time, has attained.  Joseph Rednap lived till he was 110 years of age, in the full possession of his faculties.  In the year 1635, when he was in his 80th year, we find a vote of the town granting him lands at Nahant, for the purpose of pursuing the trade of fishing; and he seems as enterprising at that age as if he were just beginning active life.  Henry Styche was an efficient workman at the iron foundry in the year 1653, and was then 103 years of age.  How many years longer he lived, history has not informed us.  Christopher Hussey was pursuing his active and useful life, in 1685, when he was shipwrecked on the coast of Florida, at the age of 87 years.  This great longevity and good health of the early settlers, may probably be referred to the regularity of their habits, and the simplicity of their diet.  They seldom ate meat, and they generally retired to rest soon after sunset.  A pitch pine torch in the chimney corner, served to illuminate the common room, until the family prayer was said; and then the boys and girls retired to their respective chambers to undress in the dark.  Nor did they steam themselves to death over hot iron.  Cook stoves were unknown, and no fire was put into a meeting house, except the Quaker, until 1820.

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