Mr. Richard Leader, the agent for the Iron Works, was arraigned by the Court, on the seventh of May, for reproaching Governor Endicott, the Court, and the church at Lynn.  In their first excitement, the Court fined him two hundred pounds, which was afterward reduced to fifty.  [The offence would be more exactly stated by employing the words of the record: "This Courte... doe finde that, contrary to the lawe of God and the lawes heere eastablished he hath threatened, and in a high degree reproached and slaundered the Courts, magistrates, and gouernment of this comon weale, and defamed the toune and church of Lynne, also afronted and reproached the counstable in the execution of his office."  He was likewise bound in the sum of 1001. for the payment of the fine, and for his good behavior "toward the gouernment and people of this jurisdiccon whiles he remajnes in this collonje, till the next sessions of this Courte."  And at the next general session, in October, 1651, the whole thing came to an end.  It appeared that the obnoxious words were "spoken in the midst of the sea, going hence to England."]  After this, Mr. John Gifford appears as agent of the Iron Works.  He married the widow Margaret Temple, and had a son Philip.  [He probably came from the Braintree works.  See deposition of Henry Leonard, page 207.  And for some years he seems to have been in a sea of trouble, arising, most likely, from pecuniary embarrassment.  He was subjected to long and troublesome litigation regarding a bond given while in England.  In a petition to the Court, in 1684, he states that he "hath now been a prisoner upon execution fower yeares and seuen moneths," and without relief from the Court, will "inevitably perish in prison for want of meet suppljes for his releife."  So rigid were the old laws touching imprisonment for debt.  It may have been suspected, however, that he had property fraudulently secreted, for he declares in his petition that it had not been shown that he had any estate concealed, by which he might relieve himself.  The Court "having weighed the necessitous and perishing condition of the prisoner," ordered that under certain conditions, and unless the, opposing parties came forward and performed what was required of them, he should be released in ten days.]
     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 20th 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 rebaptized 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.  [And the Court also passed the following: "Whereas it is observed there are many abuses and disorders by dancing in ordinaries, whether mixt or unmixt, vppon marriage of some persons, This Court doth order that henceforward there shall be no dancing vppon such occasion or at other tjmes in ordinaries, vppon the pajne or penaltje of five shillings for every person that shall so daunce in ordinarjes."]
     "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 withold 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 Ihon 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 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.
     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.  [John Hathorne having succeeded Joseph Armitage "in the ordinary at Lin, and so standing bound to perform his engagement in respect of what he was to pay for drawinge of wine, desiring a remittment of what is due for the last halfe yeare past, received this answer: that he should only pay after the rate of fifty shillings per butt for what he hath drawne to this time."  This appears to have been the same John Hathorne who was proceeded against, about this time, for forgery, and confessed himself guilty.  Having petitioned, in May, 1653, for remission or mitigation of the penalty, the General Court ordered that in lieu of the prescribed punishment he should "pay double damages, which is twenty pounds, to the party wronged and ten pounds to the common wealth, to be forthwith levied; and to be disfranchised.  If he doth not submitt to the sentence, then the law that pvides against fforgery is to take place in euery particular."]
     At the Quarterly Court, on the 29th 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 overflowed; for which he agreed to give sixteen 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.
     [The coinage was continued for many years, the mint not having been closed till about 1686, according to Mr. Felt, or before 1706, according to others.  But the dies were not altered, at least for some years; and perhaps the date never was, for reasons patent to our shrewd fathers.  And hence a large portion of the pine-tree coins now in the cabinets of the curious, do not bear sure evidence of the precise date at which they were struck.  It is certain that the date 1652 was retained as late as 1685.  This coinage would, under most circumstances, have subjected those engaged in it to heavy punishment, for it infringed a prerogative usually guarded with the utmost jealousy by the sovereign.  But it will be observed that it was commenced during the Puritanical Interregnum, and affords additional evidence that at that period almost perfect independence was assumed by the colonists.  It is stated by Randolph, 1676, that Massachusetts established this mint, in 1652, to commemorate her independence; and adds that the adjacent colonies were subject to her.  Hugh Peters was a fast friend of Massachusetts; and having much influence with Cromwell, it was probably in a great measure through his exertions that she came so near being declared an independent commonwealth.  When Charles II. came to the throne he was greatly offended at the high-handed proceedings.  Sir Thomas Temple, who knew the necessities of the colonists, and was friendly to them, stated to the king that money was extremely scarce in New England, and during the civil wars but little could be obtained from the mother country.  And he exhibited pieces of the pine-tree money. "What is that?" asked the king, pointing to the pine-tree that adorned one side of the coin. "That," answered Temple, with more shrewdness than honesty, " is the royal oak that sheltered your majesty."  This well-timed insinuation regarding the loyalty of the colonists so pleased the monarch that he gleefully exclaimed, "Honest dogs! " and let the matter pass for the time.  Events that took place soon after, however, indicated that he had reached a temper to use the noun without the adjective. 
     [The pine-tree shilling, as assayed at the United States mint proved to be 926-1000 fine, and to weigh almost exactly sixty-six grains; its value, therefore, would be just about seventeen cents of our present money.
     [A comet appeared in Orion, 9 December, and remained an object of wonder for about a fortnight, or "till Mr. Cotton died."
     [It was this year required that negroes and Indians should perform military duty.]

1653.

     On the 17th of March, the boundary line between Lynn and Reading was established.
     Samuel Bennet, carpenter, sold his corn mill to Thomas Wheeler, 1 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 14th 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.
     [The Court ordered, 18 May, that Lynn be allowed ten pounds per annum, "so long as the Iron Works shall be continued, with a qualification relating to a former grant.]

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 28th of December, a grant was made to 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.  [Mr. Lewis makes a mistake in locating this privilege at Water Hill. The grant was for a tide mill, which of course could not have been where he states.  It was where Chase's mill was afterward built, at the point where Summer street crosses the stream, a little above Needham's Landing.  Mr. John Raddin now (1864) owns the mill there.  
     [Mr. Whiting and Mr. Cobbet, " elders of Lyn," were appointed overseers of Harvard College.]

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.  [Nehemiah Berry purchased the property a number of years since, and continues the mill in successful operation.  It long ago, however, ceased to be a mere grist-mill.  But Mr. Farrington did not build his mill here.  His was a tide mill, and stood where Chase's was afterward built.  See under date 1654.  See also page 128.]
     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 27th of February and signed by John Becx, William Greenhill, Thomas Foley, and Phebe Frost.
     On the 23d of May, the General Court granted to Mr. Joseph Jenks a patent for an improved sythe, "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 sythe.  Before this, the old English blade was short and thick, like a bush sythe.
     [The Court, 23 May, "considering the urgent occasions of the country respecting the bridg at Lyn," ordered that Edmund Batter, George Gettings, Joseph Jewett, and Thomas Laighton, be a committee to see that the bridge be completed forthwith.  And the next county court was directed to apportion the charge to the towns in the county, according to the law made at that session.]

1656.

     This year the Rev. Thomas Cobbet relinquished his connection 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 nineteen years, and twenty-nine at Ipswich.  In 1666, he preached the election sermon, from II. Chronicles, xv. 2.  He died on Thursday, 5 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 Magistrates' 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, [nor any account of the disaster.]
     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."  [Mr. Lewis makes a singular mistake here.  It was not Mr. Cobbet who made these pedestrian excursions, but a pious layman of Ipswich, one of Mr. Norton's old parishioners.  Mr. Norton had been minister at Ipswich fourteen years, leaving there in 1652.]
     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 quere, whether there were not answers to 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 to 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, by 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.  [I am afraid that much exaggeration was formerly dealt in with respect to the ages of old people.  It is quite certain that Mr. Rednap, for instance, died at about the age of 90; see notice of him on page 127.]  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.
     [Robert Keayne, the wealthy merchant of Boston, before alluded to, died this year.  He appears to have had a high regard for many of the Lynn people, arising, perhaps, from associations pertaining to his only son, Benjamin, who resided here for a time.  In his will appear the following bequests: "To mr Whiting, one of the Teaching Eldrs at Lyn, fforty shillings."  " To mr Cobit, the other Teaching Elder at Lyn, forty shillings."  In a codicil, dated 28 Dec. 1653, he adds: "I have forgott one Loveing Couple more that came not to my minde till I was shutting vp; that is Capt Bridges & wife, [of Lynn,] to whom I give forty shillings."  Also, "To Robert Rand, of Lyn, Sometime my Servant, forty shillings."]

1657.

     Having purchased Nahant of the Indian Sagamore, for a suit of clothes, Thomas Dexter was not disposed to sit down in unconcern, when the town made known their intention of dividing it into lots for the benefit of all the people.  At a town meeting, held 24 February, 1657, the following order was taken: "It was voted that Nahant should be laid out in planting lotts, and every householder should have equal in the dividing of it, noe man more than another; and every person to clear his lot of wood in six years, and he or they that do not clear their lotts of the wood, shall pay fifty shillings for the towne's use.  Alsoe every householder is to have his and their lotts for seaven years, and it is to be laid down for a pasture for the towne; and in the seventh, every one that hath improved his lott by planting, shall then, that is, in the seventh year, sow their lott with English come; and in every acre of land as they improve, they shall, with their English come, sow one bushel of English hay seed, and soe proportionable to all the land that is improved, a bushel of hay seed to one acre of land, and it is to be remembered, that no person is to raise any kind of building at all; and for laying out this land there is chosen Francis Ingals, Henry Collins, James Axee, Adam Hawckes, Lieut. Thomas Marshall, John Hathorne, Andrew Mansfield."  (Mass. Archives.)
     This record is valuable, as it exhibits several interesting particulars.  It shows that the purchase of Nahant, by Mr. Dexter, was not considered valid - it exhibits the most impartial specimen of practical democracy in this country, the lots being apportioned to each householder equally, "noe man more than another "- it furnishes an explanation of the cause and manner of Nahant being so entirely cleared of the beautiful wood which once grew upon it - and it shows that Nahant was early planted with English corn, that is, with wheat.  On the passing of this order, Mr. Dexter commenced a suit against the town for occupyiig it.  The people held a town meeting, in which they appointed Thomas Laighton, George Keysar, Robert Coats, and Joseph Armitage, a committee to defend their right.  At the Salem Court, which began on the third of June, the following depositions were given:

     1. "Edward Ireson, aged 57 yeares or there abouts, sworne, saith, that liveing with Mr. Thomas Dexter, I carried the fencing stuffe which master Dexter sett up to fence in Nahant, his part with the rest of the Inhabitants, and being and living with mr. Dexter, I never heard him say a word of his buying of Nahant, but only his interest in Nahant for his fencing with the rest of the inhabitants; this was about 25 yeares since; and after this fence was sett up at nahant, all the new comers were to give two shillings sixpence a head or a piece vnto the setters up of the fence or inhabitants, and some of Salem brought Cattell alsoe to nahant, which were to give soe."
     2. "The Testimony of Samuel Whiting. senior, of the Towne of Linne, Saith, that Mr. Humphries did desire that mr. Eaton and his company wight: not only buy Nahant, but the whole Towne of Linne, and that mr. Cobbet and he and others of the Towne went to mr. Eaton to offer both to him, and to commit themselves to the providence of God; and at that time there was none that laid claim to or pleaded any interest in nahant, Save the town, aid at that time farmer Dexter lived in the Towne of Linne." 

     The person to whom Lynn was thus offered for sale, was Theophilus Eaton, afterward governor of Connecticut.  He came to Boston, 26 June, 1637, and went to New Haven, in August, of the same year.

     3. "The Deposition of Daniel Salmon, aged about 45 yeares, saith, that he being master Humphreyes servant, and about 23 yeares agon, there being, wolves in nahant, commanded that the whole traine band goe to drive theim out, because it did belong to the whole towne, and farmer Dexter's men being: then at training, went with the rest."
     4. "This I, Joseph Armitage, aged 57: or there abouts, doe testifie, that; about fifteen or sixteen yeares agoe, wee had a generall towne meeting in Lin; at that meeting there was much discourse about nahant; the men that did first fence at nahant and by an act of generall court did apprehend by fencing that nahant was theires, myself by purchase haveing a part therein, after much, agitation in the meeting, and by persuasion of mr. Cobbit, they that then did plead a right by fencing, did yield up all their right freely to the Inhabitants, of the Towne, of which Thomas Dexter, senior, was one." 
    5. "We, George Sagomore and the Sagomore of Agawam, doe testify that: Duke William, so called, did sell all Nahant unto ffarmer Dexter for a suite of Cloathes, which cloathes ffarmer Dexter had again, and gave vnto Duke William, so called, 2 or 3, coates for it again."  [Signed by the marks of the two sagamores.]
     6. "This I, Christopher Linsie, doe testifie, that Thomas Dexter bought; Nahant of Blacke Will, or Duke William, and employed me to fence part of it when I lived with Thomas Dexter."
     7. "I, John Legg, aged 47 years or thereabouts, doe testifie, that when I was Mr. Humphreys servant, there came unto my master's house one Blacke Will, as wee call him, an Indian, with a compleate Suit on his backe; I asked him where he had that suit; he said he had it of ffarmer Dexter, and he had sould him Nahant for it."
    
     Depositions were also given by Richard Walker, Edward Holyoke, George Farr, William Dixey, William Witter, John Ramsdell, John Hedge, William Harcher, and others.  [And it is fair to give Mr. Dexter's own statement of his case, on the appeal.  It was evidently drawn up by one skilled in legal proceedings:

     1. The Plaintiff pleadeth his right therein and thereto by purchase of the Indians, above 26 years now past, who were then the lawful owners thereof, as by the testimony off Jno. Legg, Wm. Witter, George Sagamore, Sagamore of Aguwame.  2. The Plt. pleadeth his possession yroff by fencing and other improvement, as by the testimony of Wm. Witter and John Legg, Capt. Traske and Mrs. Whiteing.  3. The Plaintiff humbly comendeth to the consideration of the Honoured Court,  (1.) That the purchase was by no law then prohibited or made voyd, but hath since, by act of the General Court, Octo. 19, 1652, written lawes, ben confirmed as being according to God's word; ......also divers examples that might be instanced of sundry persons yt do injoy those lands, which, in the infancy of these plantacons, they came by their possessions in like manner.  (2.) That as yet no act or instrument made or signed by the Plaintiff hath appeared to manifest any alienacon thereof to the defendants.  (3.) That they are parties which testify against the Plaintiff, and that for and in their owne behalfe, and many of them such as have in a disorderly manner ingaged themselves in a special manner, against the Plaintiff and his right; as may appear by the testimony of Ri. Woodey; their combinacon of assaulting his person, &c.  (4.) That if there be no remedy but what they will swear must passe as truth, (although the Plaintiff conceives it to be very false,) yet nevertheless the Plaintiff conceiveth himself to be wronged in that he had no part found for him, whenas, by yr owne oath and confession, as he was an Inhabitant of Lin, so he had a share with them, the which as yet they have not sworne, as he conceiveth, that he either gave it them or any other, and therefore seeing he sued but for his interest therein, whether more or less, he marvelleth yt such a verdict should be brought against him, and humbly entreateth releif therefrom by this Honored Court.
     24 (6) 57.  [24 Aug. 1657.]                                                                                                                 THOMAS DEXTER.]

     Mr. Dexter was afterward granted liberty to tap the pitch pine trees on Nahant, as he had done before, for the purpose of making tar. 
     A vessel owned by Captain Thomas Wiggin, of Portsmouth, was wrecked on the Long Beach, and the sails, masts, anchor, &c. purchased by Thomas Wheeler, on the third of June. 
     Sagamore Wenepoykin petitioned the General Court, on the twenty-first of May, that he might possess some land, formerly owned by his brother, called Powder Horn Hill, in Chelsea.  He was referred to the county court.
     [John Aldeman, of Salem, by will dated 3 July, bequteaths one cow to Mr. Whiting, of Lynn, and one to Mr. Cobbet.  He also gives "one cow and one cave to ye Indians yt Mr. Eliot doth preach vnto."']

1658.

     At the Court of Assistants, on the 13th of May, the towns of Lynn, Reading, and Chelsea, received permission to raise a troop of horse, [and choose their own officers " provided. they be not fferry free, nor have five shillings yeerly allowed them from the country, as other troopers have."]
     At the Quarterly Court, on the 29th of June, Lieutenant Thomas Marshall was authorized to perform the ceremony of marriage, and to take testimony in civil cases. [Mr. Lewis seems to have taken this Lieut. Marshall to have been Capt. Marshall, of Lynn; but I think he was another person and resided elsewhere.  There were several of the name of Thomas Marshall, in the colony.  Capt. Marshall, of Lynn, the jolly landlord of the "Blew Anchor" tavern, was, indeed empowered to perform the nuptial ceremony, but not till the next year.  See second paragraph under date 1659.  And it appears pretty certain that at the time of his appointment there could have been, no other in Lynn authorized to join in marriage, for the appointment is prefaced by the declaration that there are "seuerall tounes wthin this jurisdiction who are not only remote from any magistrate, but also destitute of any person impowered to solemnize marriage, the want whereof is an occasion of sometjmes disappointment."  And herein we have certain evidence that the early ministers had no power to marry; perhaps because the authorities chose to look upon marriage as a mere civil contract; swerving to the opposite of those high churchmen who were charged with regarding it in the light of a sacrament.]
     This year there was a great earthquake in New England, connected with which is the following story:
     Some time previous, on a pleasant evening, a little after sunset a small vessel was seen to anchor near the mouth of Saugus river.  A boat was presently lowered from her side, into which four men descended, and moved up the river a considerable distance, when they landed, and proceeded directly into the woods.  They had been noticed by only a few individuals; but in those early times, when the people were surrounded by danger, and easily susceptible of alarm, such an incident was well calculated to awaken suspicion, and in the course of the evening the intelligence was conveyed to many houses.  In the morning, the people naturally directed their eyes towards the shore, in search of the strange vessel - but she was gone, and no trace could be found either of her or her singular crew.  It was afterward ascertained that, on that morning, one of the men at the Iron Works, on going into the foundry, discovered a paper, on which was written, that if a quantity of shackles, handcuffs, hatchets, and other articles of iron manufacture, were made and deposited, with secresy, in a certain place in tne woods, which was particularly designated, an amount of silver, to their full value, would be found in their place.  The articles were made in a few days, and placed in conformity with the directions.  On the next morning they were gone, and the money was found according to the promise; but though a watch had been kept, no vessel was seen.  Some months afterward, the four men returned, and selected one of the most secluded and romantic spots in the woods of Saugus, for their abode.  The place of their retreat was a deep, narrow valley, shut in on two sides by high hills and craggy, precipitous rocks, and shrouded on the others by thick pines, hemlocks, and cedars, between which there was only one small spot to which the rays of the sun, at noon, could penetrate.  On climbing up the rude and almost perpendicular steps of the rock on the eastern side, the eye could command a full view of the bay on the south, and a prospect of a considerable portion of the surrounding country.  The place of their retreat has ever since been called the Pirates' Glen, and they could not have selected a spot on the coast, for many miles, more favorable for the purposes both of concealment and observation.  Even at this day, when the neighborhood has become thickly peopled, it is still a lonely and desolate place, and probably not one in a hundred of the inhabitants has ever descended into its silent and gloomy recess.  There the pirates built a small hut, made a garden, and dug a well, the appearance of which is still visible.  It has been supposed that they buried money; but though people have dug there, and in several other places, none has ever been found.  After residing there some time, their retreat became known, and one of the king's cruisers appeared on the coast.  They were traced to the glen, and three of them were taken and carried to England, where it is probable they were executed.  The other, whose name was THOMAS VEAL, escaped to a rock in the woods, about two miles to the north, in which was a spacious cavern, where the pirates had previously deposited some of their plunder.  There the fugitive fixed his residence, and practised the trade of a shoemaker, occasionally coming down to the village to obtain articles of sustenance.  He continued his residence till the great earthquake this year, when the top of the rock was loosened, and crushed down into the mouth of the cavern, enclosing the unfortunate inmate, in its unyielding prison.  It has ever since been called the Pirate's Dungeon.
     [By his romantic labor in thus gathering together detached and dim traditions, and giving them a connected form and local habitation, Mr. Lewis has succeeded in exciting a lively interest in many minds where a love of the marvellous could hardly have been supposed to exist.  Without any desire to obliterate the glowing impressions which a fond credulity loves to cherish, it seems a duty to inquire as to the foundation on which these stories rest.  No recorded evidence has been discovered respecting the persons and transactions so circumstantially brought to view.  Among the records of the various courts, which abound in allusions, at least, to matters of even the most trivial significance, nothing is found.  And none of the gossiping old writers who delighted especially to dwell upon whatever partook of the wonderful and mysterious make any mention of these things.  The alleged abode of the pirates was almost within a stone's throw of the Iron Works, which were in operation at the time; and yet we find no evidence that any about the Works even suspected the neighborhood of the outlaws.  I once directly questioned Mr. Lewis as to whence he obtained the information; but he declined answering.  It has, however, been understood that he simply claimed the authority of tradition; and is said to have remarked that his inquiries on the subject were induced by the same sort of evidence that induced his inquiries concerning the Iron Works.  But however the researches may have commenced, they must have been pursued under very different circumstances.  A glance at the colony records, would at once have assured any one of the existence of the Iron Works.  And in recorded deeds they are again and again mentioned, as well as in the filed depositions of individuals connected with them.  They were about as important in their day, as is the mint of the United States in this.  And besides, at this very hour may be seen the heaps of scoria which were ejected from their sooty portals.  Mr. Hiram Marble, who is now engaged in excavating Dungeon Rock, probably has much more faith in the supposed spiritual revelations that day by day are vouchsafed him, than he could have in any traditions.  And if he should, under the, spiritual guidance, discover hidden treasure, and traces of a piratical abode within the rock, then it will be deemed a triumph of spiritualism entirely eclipsing the few obscure, discordant traditions that float up from an age of mysteries.
     [It was in 1852, that Mr. Marble purchased from the City of Lynn the lot of woodland in which the Dungeon Rock is situated.  He came hither, a stranger, enticed by alleged clairvoyant revelations, and immediately commenced the laborious task of excavation.  And he has continued to ply the ponderous drills and rending blasts for these twelve years with a courage and faith almost sublime.  His faith surely has not been without works nor his courage barren of results.  And centuries hence, if his name and identity should be lost, the strange labor may be referred to some recluse cyclops who had strayed hither from mystic lands.  The rock is of very hard porphyry, and the work has been so extremely uncomfortable and hazardous, that very few would have persisted in it.  The course of the excavation is irregular, and such as a sensible mortal might avoid, as involving great waste of labor.  But it is declared to be pursued under spiritual direction, the unseen superintendents - the redoubtable.  Veal among the rest - being constantly at hand to direct where a blast should be made.  As it can readily be believed that no mortal would give such apparently erratic directions, spiritual interposition may as well be referred to for an explanation.
     [Mr. Marble is a man by no means deficient in intelligence; and he is an energetic and persevering enthusiast - just such a person as often accomplishes great things, either directly or indirectly.  He is of medium size, has a bright, quick eye, and wears a flowing beard, of sandy hue, which does not always bear evidence of having immediately been under the restraining discipline of a comb.  He is communicative, and in his conversation there runs a pleasant vein of jocularity.  He is now verging upon old age, and his health has become somewhat impaired, probably through the severity of his labors in that damp, dark cavern.  He is ready to converse on his plans, fears, and hopes; and with great good nature, and some times with an apparently keen relish, alludes to the jeers and taunts of those who seem disposed to rank him with lunatics. It is refreshing to observe his faith and perseverance, and impossible not to conclude that he derives real satisfaction and enjoyment from his undertaking.  He informs me that the spirit of Mr. Lewis has appeared, and through a writing medium endeavored to cheer him by words of approval and promise.  That being the case, Mr. Lewis must surely have changed his sentiments since he left this world, for he was greatly incensed against those who laid their destroying hands upon the interesting objects of nature within our borders.  And the reader, by referring to the first paragraph under date 1834, will see how indignantly he has expressed himself in regard to former attempts on the integrity of this very rock.  The hope of finding hidden treasure has been the incentive to labors here, on a small scale, in former years; and it is presumed that Mr. Marble would not disclaim a kindred motive in his extraordinary application; secondary, perhaps, to a due anxiety "to establish a great truth.'
     [At the close of the year 1863 the passage excavated had reached a hundred and thirty-five feet, and was of the average height and width of seven feet.  Mr. Marble -who, by the way is a native of Charlton, in Worcester county, and was born in 1803 - when he undertook the labor had about fifteen hundred dollars which he devoted to the enterprise; and that fund being exhausted, he has for the last eight years received his support and been enabled to continue his work, by the donations of visitors.  He is accustomed, whenever in doubt as to the course he should pursue, to apply for spiritual direction, and seldom or never conceives his application to be in vain.  The following may be given as a fair specimen of his singular correspondence, the originals being at hand while we write.  And that he has perfect confidence in them as genuine communications from disembodied spirits is beyond question.  The manner in which he conducts his unique correspondence, may be illustrated by explaining the way in which the communication from Veal was obtained.  He states that he wrote the request in this form:

     "I wish Veal or Harris would tell what move to make next."

     He wrote it in a room, while entirely alone, and folded the paper in such a manner that the writing was covered by fifteen thicknesses.  The medium was then called, and merely feeling of the exterior of the folded paper, took a pencil and wrote what the spirit of Veal gave, through him as the response.  The one called Captain Harris is supposed to have been the leader of the piratical band.
     RESPONSE OF VEAL:  "My dear charge: You solicit me or Captain Harris to advise you as to what to next do.  Well, as Harris says he has always the heft of the load on his shoulders, I will try and respond myself, and let Harris rest.  Ha! ha!  Well, Marble, we must joke a bit; did we not, we should have the blues, as do you, some of those rainy days, when you see no living person at the rock save your own dear ones.  Not a sound do you hear save the woodpecker and that little gray bird, [a domesticated canary,] that sings all the day long, more especially wet days, tittry, tittry, tittry, all day long.  But, Marble, as Long [a deceased friend of Mr. Marble, spoken of below,] says, don't be discouraged.  We are doing as fast as we can.  As to the course, you are in the right direction, at present.  You have one more curve to make, before you take the course that leads to the cave.  We have a reason for keeping you from entering the cave at once.  Moses was by the Lord kept forty years in his circuitous route, ere he had sight of that land which flowed with milk and honey.  God had his purpose in so doing, notwithstanding he might have led Moses into the promise in a very few days from the start.  But no; God wanted to develop a truth, and no faster than the minds of the people were prepared to receive it.  Cheer up, Marble; we are with you, and doing all we can.                           Your guide,                           TOM VEAL ."

     [It seems proper to present another illustration of this singular phase of human credulity; and we give one that purports to come from the spirit of the Mr. Long, who is alluded to in the response of Veal, and who died in 1851.  He was a man of good character, and a steadfast friend of Mr. Marble.  One of the most suspicious things, in our view, concerning him is, that going out of this world with an untarnished reputation, and with the seal of good orthodox churchmembership, he should so soon be found concerting with pirates to allure his old friend into labors so severe and unfruitful.  The rhetorical flourish about millions of years, near the close, would be thought weakening; did it come from a mortal.  The Edwin alluded to is Mr. Marble's son, who has faithfully borne a heavy share in the operations, and is, if possible, a more confirmed spiritualist than his father.

     REQUEST OF MR. MARBLE:  "Friend Long, I want you to advise me what to do."
     RESPONSE OF LONG:  "My dear Marble, I have nothing to advise above what Captain Veal and Harris, have already advised.  We act in concert in every thing given you.  I am aware you feel not discouraged; but you feel that after ten years hard labor, you should have had more encouragement than you have seemingly had.  But, dear one, we have done the most we could for you, and though we may be slow to advise you in reference to that which your highest ambition seems to be - the establishment of a TRUTH which but few comparatively now credit, or cannot believe, from the grossness of their minds.  But, Marble, you have done a work that will tell, when you shall be as I am.  The names of Hiram and Edwin Marble will live when millions of years shall from this time have passed, and when even kings and statesmen shall have been forgotten.  The names of Hiram Marble and Dungeon Rock shall be fresh on the memories of the inhabitants that then exist.  What shall you do? seems to be the question.  Follow your own calculations or impressions, for they are right. 
                                                                                                       Yours as ever,                                                             C. B. LONG."

     [These curious communications are introduced for more than one purpose.  They show something of the kind of encouragement Mr. Marble receives in his arduous labors.  And they likewise show something of modern spiritualism, which now prevails to some extent throughout the civilized world.  Lynn has had a good share of believers, some of whom were among the intelligent and refined.  It will be observed that the orthography and mode of expression in the response of Veal, who, if he were ever in this world, was here in 1658, are in the style of the present day.  This might give rise, in a critical mind, to a strong suspicion.  Indeed it is not easily explained excepting on the supposition that the medium, after all, acts himself, in partand if so, in how great a part?- or the supposition that the spirits of the departed are enabled to continue on in the progressive learning of this sphere; or by taking a bolder sweep and at once awarding to the spirits the attribute of omniscience.  There are difficulties in the way of reasoning in such matters, because they lie in that mystic province into which no human vision can penetrate - where the vagrant imagination so often revels undisturbed.  And then again, the allusion to sacred things, in Veal's response, does not seem in exact accordance with the character of an abandoned outlaw.
     [Spiritualism, however, in the case of Mr. Marble, seems to have been productive of good.  He states that he was formerly an unmitigated infidel, having no sort of belief in man's immortality.  Even for some time after he commenced his labors at Dungeon Rock, he clung to his frigid principles.  And it was not till after repeated exhibitions of what he was forced to receive as spiritual manifestations, around him, that his old opinions began to loosen.  To minds constituted essentially like that of Mr. Marble, and there are a great many, the doctrines of spiritualism must commend themselves as fond realities; and they bringing consolation and trust.  And they are doctrines which, under different names and forms have existed ever since the world began.  It must be a strong incentive that could induce a man to quit the ordinary pursuits of life, and take up his abode in a lonely forest, as Mr. Marble has done, there devoting years to the severest toil, and undergoing so many and great privations.
     [In a late conversation, Mr. Marble expressed a desire that the facts regarding his enterprise might be stated in this history, to the end that the people of future generations might have some data by which to judge concerning the pretensions of the spiritualists of this period; saying that if he should discover, somewhere in the interior of that hill of rock, a cave containing treasure, and evidences of ancient occupancy, all according to the lavish assurances he has been daily receiving from the spirit host, the truths of spiritualism will be considered most strongly fortified, if not established.  There is wisdom and fairness in this.  And on the other hand, failure will teach a useful lesson, a lesson that will remain before the eyes of men so long as the rock itself endures.  In either event, the Dungeon Rock is destined to be forever famous; to remain a monument of irrational credulity or triumphant faith.
     [A few words should be added regarding the Pirates' Glen.  This remarkable locality, though exactly the opposite of the Dungeon Rock in some of its principal features, being a deep ravine instead of a commanding elevation, still possesses rare attractions, notwithstanding its fame has become so eclipsed.  During the last score of years, a great portion of the wood in the vicinity has been swept off.  The axe is the most unsentimental of instruments, and by its ravages much of the former grandeur and beauty of the scene has been extinguished.  Quite enough remains, however, to abundantly compensate the visitor who enjoys nature in her more untamed aspect.  On a recent visit I took particular notice of the old well from which the pirates are supposed to have drawn their supplies.  It was certainly excavated by human hands and if the fact were once established, that pirates dwelt there, it might be fair to refer the work to them.  But the reasoning which claims the existence of the well as proof of the residence of the pirates, is no more conclusive than that which claims the fact that the Dungeon Rock was riven by an earthquake and a portion projected forward, as proof that a cave was thereby closed up and a pirate entombed alive, with his treasure.  The well may have been dug for the convenience of those employed in the woods.  Being in a swampy place, and hence requiring but little depth, a few hours were sufficient for the labor of excavation.  The water ordinarily stands almost at the surface.  The Glen would have furnished a most apt place for the jolly iron workers and their sweethearts to retire to, on a summer holiday, to pursue their sports and drink their punch.  And the convenience of a well would have been to them worth the small labor of the digging.  It may be remarked in passing, that the evidence of the splitting of Dungeon Rock, by the earthquake of this year, is not the most satisfactory.  But it is not an agreeable task to reason against what a doting imagination has long held in keeping.  And, moreover, it becomes one to be wary in making aggressive suggestions on these mysterious topics, lest Mr. Marble's future success should turn the laugh upon him.]

1659.

     A road was laid out from Lynn to Marblehead, over the Swampscot beaches, on the fifth of July.  In reference to the part between Ocean street and King's Beach, the committe say, "it has been a country highway thirty and odd years, to the knowledge of many of us."  [Captain Marshall, of Lynn, was empowered by the General Court, 18 October, to join in marriage such persons in Lynn as might desire his services in that interesting connection, they "being published according to lawe."]  At the Quarterly Court, on the 29th of November, "Thomas Marshall, of Lynn, is alowed by this court, to sell stronge water to trauillers, and also other meet provisions."  The General Court had passed some very severe laws against the people called Friends or Quakers, forbidding any even to admit them into their houses, under a penalty of forty shillings an hour.  Mr. Zacheus Gould had offended against this order, for which he was arraigned by the Court.  On the 25th of Novembbr, "the deputies having heard of what Zacheus Gould hath alleged in Court, in reference to his entertainment of Quakers, do think it meet that the rigor of the law in that case provided, be exercised upon him, but considering his ingenious confession, and profession of his ignorance of the law; and he also having long attended the Court, do judge that he shall only be admonished for his offence by the governor, and so be dismissed the court, and all with reference to the consent of our honored magistrates hereto."  This decision of the deputies was sent to the magistrates, and returned with this endorsement: "The magistrates consent not thereto."  So it is probable that Mr. Gould was compelled to pay his fine.  [The Court ordered that Mr. Gould pay a fine of three pounds.  But the fine was remitted, 31 May, 1660, in consideration of the great loss, by fire, which he had recently sustained.]  The Court this year enacted that the festival of Christmas should not be observed, under a penalty of five shillings.

1660.

     Mr. Adam Hawkes commenced a suit, in June, against Oliver Purchis, agent for the Iron Company, for damage by overflowing his land.  The following papers relating to this subject, were found in the files of the Quarterly Court.  

     The deposition of Joseph Jenks, senior, saith, that having conference with adam hawkes about the great dam at the Iron works at Lin, he complayned that he suffered great damage by the water flowing his ground.  I answered him, I thought you had satisfaction for all from the old companie; he said he had from the OLD company, and further saith not. 
     This I, Charles Phillopes do testifie, that I, keepeing of the watter at the Irone Workes, since Mr. Porchas came there, Mr. Porchas did att all times charge me to keepe the watter Lowe, that it might not damage Mr. Hawkes, which I did, and had much ill will of the workmen for the same. 

     Others testified that the lands had been much overflowed.  Francis Hutchinson said, that the water had been raised so high, that the bridge before Mr. Hawkes's house had several times been broken up, and "the peces of tember raised up and Made Sweme."  John Knight and Thomas Wellman were appointed to ascertain the damage.  They stated that the corn had been "Much Spoilled," and the wells "sometimes ffloted; that the English grass had been much damaged, and the tobacco lands much injured, "in laying them so Coulld."  They judged the damage to be the "ualloation of ten pounds a yeere." 
     [This year Charles II. took possession of the throne of England.  Joseph Jenks, Jr., who worked with his father at the Iron Works, and who seems not to have been very strongly attached to the monarch, was accused of treason, having, probably during some free and easy discussion with the other workmen, or perhaps in a political dispute with the dignitaries assembled at the tavern, after the labors of the day, made divers careless remarks that did not favorably strike the loyal minds.  He was brought before the Court on the first of the next April, and several depositions were made against him.  Nicholas Pinion deposed that he "did heere Joseph Jinks, jun. say that if he hade the king heir, he wold cutte of his head and make a football of it."  Thomas Tower testified that when the king's name was mentioned Mr. Jenks said, "I should rather that his head were as his father's, rather than he should come to England to set up popery there."  Several others testified to similar speeches.  He was imprisoned while the case remained undetermined, the punctilious authorities probably taking a strict view of the unbailable character of treason.  While in durance, Mr. Jenks wrote a long letter to the Court; and they finally decided that the words proved against him, "were all too weak to prove him guilty of treason."]

1661.

     "At a Generall Towne Meetinge, the 30th of December, 1661, vpon the request of Daniell Salmon for some land, in regard he was a soldier att the Pequid warrs, and it was ordered by vote that Ensign John ffuller, Allen Breed, senior, and Richard Johnson, should vew the land adjoyninge to his house lott, and to giue report of it vnto the next towne meetinge."  
     ["The canker worm," says John Hull, writing this year, "hath for fower years devoured most of the apples in Boston."  And he adds that the apple trees, in June, look as if it were November.  So those pests are not especially a modern infliction, in this vicinity, as some have supposed.]

1662.

     Mr. William Longley prosecuted the town, for not laying out to him forty acres of land, according to the division of 1638.  The case was defended by John Hathorne and Henry Collins.  In March, the Court decided that he should have the forty acres of land or forty pounds in money.  [For some curious facts connected with this matter, see page 175.] 
     On 13 May, the boundary line between Lynn and Boston was marked.  It ran "from the middle of Bride's brooke, where the foot path now goeth."  This line has since become the boundary between Saugus and Chelsea.  
     [This year, the price of oak wood was one shilling and sixpence a cord. 
     [It was customary, at this period, for Indians to bring chesnuts hither, for sale.  They usually sold them at a shilling a bushel.]  
     For the first time since the organization of the general government, in 1634, the town of Lynn sent no representative,

1663.

     On the evening of 26 January, there was an earthquake.  [It took place about twilight, and proved quite severe; chimneys fell and in many instances people were forced to seize upon supports to prevent falling.  On the evening of the fifth of the next month another earthquake occurred; in some places doors opened and shut, walls split, bells rang, and floors fell.  And between that time and July, some thirty shocks took place.  In most cases the earth seemed to undulate, as if upon stupendous waves, rolling from the northwest.  In some instances ponds were dried up, the courses of streams changed, trees torn up, and hills riven.] 
     Mr. John Hathorne complained to the church at Lynn, that Andrew Mansfield and William Longley had given false testimony in the recent land case, for which they were censured.  They appealed to the county court, accusing Mr. Hathorne of slander, of which he was found guilty, and sentenced to pay a fine of t10, and make a public acknowledgment in the meetinghouse at Lynn; or else to pay L20 and costs.  [See notice of Richard Longly, page 175.]  On the fourth of April, the court directed the following letter to the church at Lynn. 

     Reverend and loving Friends and Brethren: We understand that John Hathorne hath accused Andrew Mansfield and William Longley in the church of Lynn, for giving a false testimony against himself and Henry Collins, at the court of Ipswich, in March this was 12 month, and for which the said Mansfield and Longley stand convicted in the church, and finding themselves aggrieved thereat, hath brought their complaint against the said Hathorne in several actions of slander, which hath had a full and impartial hearing, and due examination, and by the verdict of the jury the said Hathorne is found guilty.  Now because it is much to be desired that contrary judgments in one and the same case may be prevented, if possibly it may be attained, and one power strive not to clash against the other, we thought it expedient, before we give judgment in the case, to commend the same to the serious consideration and further examination of the church.  We doubt not but that there hath been even more than a few both in the words and carriage of all the parties concerned, (though not the crime alleged), which if it may please God to put into their hearts to see and own so as may give the church opportunity and cause to change their mind and reverse their censures, so far as concerns the particular case in question, we hope it will be acceptable to God, satisfactory to ourselves and others, and the beginning of their own peace and quiet, the disturbance whereof hitherto we are very sensible of, and shall at all times be ready to afford them our best relief, as we may have opportunity or cognizance thereof.  Had you been pleased, before your final conclusion, to have given us the grounds of your offence, we should kindly have resented such a request, and probably much of your trouble might have been prevented.  We have deferred giving judgment in this case till the next session of this Court to see what effect this our motion may have with them.  Now the God of peace aid wisdom give them understanding in all things, and guide them to such conclusions, in this and all other causes of concernment, as may be agreeable to his will, and conducing to your peace and welfare.  So pray your friends and brethren.                                       By order of the County Court, at Ipswich.                                ROBERT LORD, Clerk. 

     To this letter Mr. Whiting made the following reply, on the fourth of May:

     Honored and beloved in the God of love: We have received your letter, which you have been pleased to send to us, wherein we perceive how tender you are of our peace, and how wisely careful you declare yourselves to be in preventing any clash that might arise between the civil and ecclesiastical powers, for which we desire to return thanks from our hearts to God and unto you concerning the matter you signify to us; what your pleasure is that we should attend unto, we in all humility of mind and desirous of peace, have been willing to prove the parties concerned, to see what errors they would see and own; and for his part that complained to us, he doth acknowledge his uncomely speeches and carriage both unto the marshal, he being the court's officer, and also to brethren in the church,in the agitation of the matter, and doth condemn himself for sin in i-; but for the other parties that stand convicted, they either do not see or will not acknowledge any error concerning their testimony, which we judge they ought.  Wherefore we humbly present you with these few lines, not doubting but they will be pleasing to God and acceptable to you, whatever hath been suggested to yourselves by others that bear not good will to the peace of our church; we are sure of this, and our consciences bear us witness, that we have done nothing in opposition to you, or to cast any reflection upon your court proceedings, but have justified you all along in what you have done, Secundum Allegata et probata, [according as they were alleged and proved] in all our church agitations, which our adversaries can tell, if they would witness; but by reason of this, that some, of our brethren did swear contrary oaths, we thought it our duty upon complaint made to us to search who they were that swore truly and who did falsify their oath, and after much debate and dispute on Sunday days - [this must be an error; sundry days is no doubt intended.  Besides the awkwardness of the phrase in the mouth of such a man as Mr. Whiting, it is a familiar fact that the Puritans did not use the name Sunday, but called the first day of the week Lord's-day, or Sabbath, and occasionally First-day.] - about this matter, we did judge those two men faulty, which in conscience we dare not go back from, they continuing as they do to this day.  Could we discern any token of these men's repentance, for this that they are, especially one of them, censured in the church for, we should cheerfully take off the censures; but inasmuch as they justify themselves, and tell us if it were to do again they would do it, and lift up their crests in high language and come to such animosities from the jury's verdict, we desire the honored court would not count us transgressors if we do not recede from what we have done; especially considering what disturbers they have been to us; especially one of them, for these several years.  Now, therefore, honored and dear sirs, seeing by what we have done we have gone in our own way as a church in the search after sin, we hope the court will be tender of us and of him that comnplained to us on that account, and if we humbly crave that it be not grievous to you that we humbly tell you that in our judgment the discipline of these churches must fall; and if so, of what sad consequence it will be, we leave it to those that are wiser than ourselves to judge, for this case being new and never acted before in this country, doth not only reflecton our church but on all the churches in the country; for if delinquents that are censured in churches, shall be countenanced by authority, against the church in their acting in a just way, we humbly put it to the consideration of the court, whether there will not be a wide door opened to Erastianisme, (Thomas Erastus, in 1647 during the civil wars in England, contended that the church had no power to censure or decree, This opinion was termed Erastianism.) which we hope all of us do abhor from our hearts.  Now the God of peace himself give the country, courts and church peace always by all means; grace be with you all in Christ Jesus.  Amen. 
     Dated the 4th, 3d, 1663, with the consent and vote of the church. 
                                                                                                                          SAMUEL WHITING. 

     On the next day, the Court replied as follows:

     Reverend and beloved: We are very sorry our endeavors have not produced that effect we hoped and desired, but seem to have been interpreted contrary
to our intentions, (and, we conceive, our words,) as an encroachment and destructive to the right and power of the churches.  We have been taught, and do verily believe, the civil and ecclesiastical power may very well consist, and that no cause is so purely ecclesiastical, but the civil power may in its way deal therein.  We are far from thinking the churches have no power but what is derived from the christian magistrates, or that the civil magistrate hath ecclesiastical powers, yet may, and ought, the matter so requiring, take cognizance and give judgment in solving a case, not in a church but civil way.  We suppose we have kept much within these bounds in the case that hath been before us, and that our opinion and practice herein hath been as clear from Erastianisme, as some men's assertions have been from the opposite error, and the declared judgments of our congregational divines.  In that point, we own and desire so to regulate our proceedings accordingly.  The God of order guide all our ministrations to his glory, and the peace and edification of his people.  
     By order and unanimous consent of the County Court, sitting at Ipswich, May 5th, 1663, p. me.                              - ROBERT LORD, Clerk. 
     [For a year or two, difficulties seem to have existed regarding the organization and disposition of the "Lynn troopers."  The Court, in June, judged it meet to declare, "that Capt. Hutchinsons comission doeth bind him to comand the troopers residing in Lynne, that are listed wth him, as formerly."  And in October the Court say, in answer to a petition of the Lynn troopers, that "henceforth the troopers inhabitting in Lynne, shall apperteine unto and joyne wth Salem troope,... excepting only such as shall rather choose to continue wth the Three County Troope, and shall certify theire desire soe to doe, under theire hands, at the next meeting of Salem troope." 
     [There was a great eclipse of the sun, 22 August, the light becoming "almost like eventyde," as a writer of the time observes.]

1664.

     On the 28th of June, Theophilus Bayley was licensed to keep a public house.  (Q. C. Files.)  
     This year the wheat is first mentioned to have been blasted.  (Hubbard.) Little has been raised on the sea coast of New England since. 
     A public fast was appointed on account of dissensions and, troubles.  
     In November, a comet appeared, and continued visible till February.  [In Bradstreet's journal this comet is noticed in a manner that aptly illustrates the popular opinion regarding the influence of such celestial visitants.  "Novem.  A great blazing star appeared in the S: west wch continued some monthes.  The effects appeared much in England, in a great and dreadful plague that followed the next sumer; in a dreadfull warr by sea wth the dutch; and the burning of London the 2d year following."  By Josselyn this is called "the great and dreadful comet."]

1665.

     On the 27th of June, Thomas Laighton, Oliver Purchis, and John Fuller, were appointed commissioners to try small causes. 
     [A fast was held, in June, on account of the caterpillars and palmer worms.  John Hull makes this note: "This summer multitudes of flying caterpillars arose out of the ground, and from roots of corn, making such a noyse in the aire, that travellers must speak lowd to hear one another; yet they only seazed upon the trees of the wilderness."  Could these "flying caterpillars" have been locusts?] 
     On the 29th of November, Mr. Joseph Jenks was admonished by the Salem court, for not attending public worship.
     [The Court, in the absence of newspapers through which to promulgate their orders, were obliged, on many occasions, to resort to the primitive way of proclaiming by herald.  They order, this year, that a declaration be " published by Mr Oliuer Purchis on horse backe, by sound of trumpet, and that Thomas Bligh, the trumpeter, and Marshall Richard Wajte accompany him, and yt in the close he say, wth an audible vojce,'God saue the king."'  It can hardly be imagined that Mr. Purchis uttered the closing ejaculation with any great heartiness, as he is understood to have been a decided anti-royalist.]

1666.

     Mr. Andrew Mansfield was chosen town recorder.  On the 7th of December, the General Court assembled for religious consultation and prayer, in which Mr. Whiting and Mr. Cobbet sustained a part.
     [This year was marked - by several conspicuous events.  The small-pox prevailed extensively, and a great many died of it.  An unusual destruction of life by lightning, also took place; an almanac memorandum says, "Divers were this year slain by lightning."  Grasshoppers and caterpillars did great mischief during the growing season.
     [Nathaniel Bishop and Hope Allen, curriers, petitioned the Court to forbid tanners and shoemakers exercising the trade of curriers.  But the Court judged "it not meete to grant ye peticoners request."]

1667.

     [The spring was so forward that apple trees began to blossom by the 18th of April.]
     At the Quarterly Court, on the 26th of June, Nathaniel Kertland, John Witt, and Ephraim Hall, were presented, "for prophaining the Lord's Day, By Going to William Craft's house, in time of publike exercise, (they both being at meeting,) and Drinkeing of his sider, and Rosteing his Aples, without eyther the consent or knowledge of him or his wife."
     Mr. Joseph Jenks presented a petition to the General Court for aid to commence a wire manufactory, but did not receive sufficient encouragement.
     [Bradstreet notes that "toward the end of February, there was a mighty long beam appeared in the S: West, and was seen four or five nights; it appeared like the tail of a comet, but no starre was to bee seen, nor had it any, vnlesse it was depressed vnder ye Horizon."  This, taken in connection with the description given in Morton's Memorial has led some to suppose that an unsually brilliant display of the zodiacal light then took place.  But I do not see how it could have been that.  Most likely it was a comet with the head below the horizon, or without a head of any density.  But whatever it was, it created considerable alarm and numerous disasters were ascribed to its agency.  The next year, Rev. Mr. Shepard of Rowley, Rev. Mr. Flint of Braintree, and Rev. Mr. Mitchell, of Cambridge, died.  And the apprehensive Bradstreet observes, "Possibly the death of these precious Servants of Christ might not bee the least thing signefyed by that Blaze or Beam."
     [The winter of this year "was exceedingly mild above N. English winters," says Bradstreet.  There was not much snow and but little depth of frost.]

1668.

     The ministers of the several towns assembled in Boston, on the 15th of April, to hold a public disputation with the Baptists.  Mr. Whiting and Mr. Cobbet were among the principal. 
     On the 13th of June, Robert Page, of Boston, was presented for "setinge saille from Nahant, in his boate, being Loaden with wood, thereby Profaining the Lord's daye."
     Land on the north side the Common was this year sold for L4 an acre; and good salt marsh, L1.10.

1669.

     On the 29th of April, the boundary line between Lynn and Salem was defined.  It ran from the west end of Brown's pond, in Danvers, "'to a noated Spring," now called Mineral Spring; thence to "Chip Bridge," on the little brook which runs out near the house of John Phillips, to the sea shore.
     [The Dolphin, a vessel belonging to Charlestown, lost a topsail and some other rigging in Ipswich Bay, and these were taken up at Lynn, by Mr. King - Daniel King, it is probable, who lived at Swampscot - and he, for some reason that does not appear, refused to give them up, notwithstanding recompense had "been tendered for all his paynes and charge in securing the same.  Uppon application for redress, by the master, Major Hathorne was empowered by the Court to heare and determine the case according to lawe, to allow what recompense he shall judge meet, and cause said sayle and rigging to be delivered to the sajd master."
     [A difference existing between the county treasurer and the constable of Lynn, "about the prosecution of hues en cry," and on some other accounts, the Court, 19 May, gave to a committee power to " inspect the sajd differences, and together with the treasurer, to put issue thereto."]

1670.

     The Court ordered, that the lands of deceased persons might be sold for the payment of debts.  Before this, if a person died in debt, his land was secure.  The method of conveyance was by "turfe and twig;" that is, the seller gave a turf from the ground and a twig from a tree, into the hands of the buyer, as a token of relinquishment.  [This is a mistake.  The earlier practice of the courts here, even went to the extent of treating real estate the same as chattels; in administration, allowing sales to be made regardless of heirship.  The old English mode of conveying, by turf and twig, was never adopted here.  It was about this time, however, that the distinguishing features of real estate law began to be recogized; and petitions for leave to sell were occasionally presented.
     [Capt Marshall, who had been empowered to perform the marriage ceremony, at Lynn, as stated under date 1659, was discharged by the Court, 31 May, "from officyating in that imployment."  He seems to have been "abused by the misinformation of some," and by his oune ouermuch credulity," and to have exceeded his commission, by marrying parties from other places, and such as had not been legally published.  Some of his grievous offences are stated on the colony records.  It is presumed that he inconsiderately performed the ceremony in the following case.  "Hope Allin and John Pease,... appeared in Court, and ye sajd John Pease acknouledged, that notwithstanding the counsell of the major general, who had declined ye marrying of Mr Deacon to Hope Allins daughter, he did accompany them to Lynn, to Capt. Marshall, &c. and Hope Allin declared he did give his consent yt ye sajd Mr Deacon should have his daughter, and told Capt. Marshall yt he hoped they might be legally published before yt time, &c.; the Court judged it meet to censure the sajd Hope Allin to pay ten pounds as a fine to the country for his irregular proceedure and John Pease forty shillings."  And so it appears that Mr. Allen had to pay rather dearly for manifesting a little anxiety to get his daughter off his hands.]

1671.

     On the 18th of January, there was a great snow storm, in which there was much thunder and lightning.
     The following memorandum is copied from the leaf of a Bible.  May 22. "A very awful thunder, and a very great storm of wind and hail, especially at Dorchester town, so that it broke many glass windows at the meeting-bouse."
     Mr. Samuel Bennet sued Mr. John Gifford, the former agent of the Iron Works, and attached property to the amount of L400, for labor performed for the company. On the 27th of June, the following testimony was given: "John Paule aged about forty-five years, sworne, saith, that living with Mr. Samuel Bennett, upon or about the time that the Iron Works were seased by Capt. Savage, in the year 53 as I take it, for I lived ther several years, and my constant imployment was to repaire carts, coale carts, mine carts, and other working materials for his teemes, for he keept 4 or 5 teemes, and sometimes 6 teemes, and he had the most teemes the last yeare of the Iron Works, when they were seased, and my master Bennet did yearly yearne a vast sum from the said Iron Works, for he commonly yearned forty or fifty shillings a daye for the former time, and the year 53, as aforesaid, for he had five or six teemes goeing generally every faire day."  (Salem Q. C. files.)
     The Iron Works for several years were carried on with vigor, and furnished most of the iron used in the colony.  But the want of ready money on the part of the purchasers, and the great freedom with which the company construed the liberal privileges of the Court, caused their failure.  The owners of the lands which had been injured, commenced several suits against them, and at last hired a person to cut away the flood gates and destroy the works.  This was done in the night, when the pond was full.  The dam was high, and just below it, on the left, stood the house of Mac Callum More Downing.  The water rushed out and flowed into the house, without disturbing the inhabitants, who were asleep in a chamber.  In the morning, Mrs. Downing found a fine live fish flouncing in her oven.  The works were much injured, and the depredator fled to Penobscot.  The suits against the Iron Works were protracted for more than twenty years.  Mr. Hubbard says that "instead of drawing out bars of iron for the country's use, there was hammered out nothing but contention and law suits."  The works were continued, though on a smaller scale, for more than one hundred years from their establishment.  But they have long been discontinued, and nothing now is to be seen of them, except the heaps of scoria, called the " Cinder Banks."
     [Jonathan Leonard, in a letter published in the N. E. Historical and Genealogical Register, Oct. 1857, mentions a tradition handed down from his ancestors, one of whom was employed at the Lynn works, in their very infancy, to the effect that after these works had done considerable business, the people became alarmed through the apprehension that the quantity of charcoal used, would occasion a scarcity of wood; and, urged on by their fears, threw so many obstacles in the way of the company that the business was broken up.  It is quite certain that they were constantly beset by difficulties, and the singular apprehension alluded to may have laid the foundation for some at least.
     [As evidence of the desire to diffuse education among the people, it may be remarked that at this time the law required every town, consisting of as many as one hundred families, to establish a grammar school, with a master able to fit the youth for college.  And every town neglecting the requisition was liable to a penalty of ten pounds a year.
     [That a disposition towards independence was early entertained by the people of New England, is evidenced by a note in Evelyn's journal, under date of this year.  He says, "There was a fear of their breaking from all dependence on this nation."  Evelyn was a member of the board of trade and plantations.]

1672.

     Mr. Daniel Salmon attached the property of the town, to the value of forty pounds, for not laying out the land granted to him in 1661.  On the 27th of June, the Quarterly Court required the town to give him about six acres, near his house.
     [On the first of April there was a violent snow storm.  Drifts were left six feet in height.  And the rains that followed did much damage.  It rained fourteen days during the month.
     [The whole General Court resolved to keep the twenty-second of May as a day of fasting and humiliation, and to meet at the court house, where Rev. Messrs. Whiting, Cobbet, John Eliot, Increase Mather, and others, were appointed "to carry on the worke of that day, by prayer and preaching."  The solemnities were held on account of the disturbances and distresses in Europe, and to supplicate for freedom from like afflictions here.
     [Joseph Jenks, senior, made proposals to coin the money.  But the Court judged it "meet not to grant his request."
     [The first dancing school in the colony was commenced this year.  It was soon, however, suppressed by the strong arm of the law.  And up to this time there were no professed musicians in the colony.
     [The sun was eclipsed, 12 August, "total or very near."
     [There was a great easterly storm, 10 November.  It brought in "so great a tyde as hath not bene this 36 years."]

1673.

     On the 18th of June, a new road was laid out from Lynn to Marblehead, on the north of the former road.  It is now called Essex street.
     The second inhabitant of Nahant, of whom we find any mention, was Robert Coats.  He probably lived there as a fisherman and shepherd, and left before he married Mary Hodgkin, which was 29 December, 1682.  He had six sons and three daughters.  After he left, there appears no inhabitant until 1690.

1674.

     [John Tarbox, one of the first farmers in Lynn, died 26 May.  He had seven acres of upland on Water Hill, an orchard, three cows and nine sheep, at the time of his decease.  His will says, "I bequeath my house and housing, with orchard and all my land and meddow, with a greene Rugg, and a great Iron kettell, and a round Joynd table, to my son John Tarbox."  He was a small proprietor in the Iron Works.  This was the same John Tarbox, for the winning of the affections of whose daughter, Matthew Stanley was fined L5, in 1649.  See page 225.]
     Some of the inhabitants of Salem attempted to form a new church, and engaged Mr. Charles Nicholet for their minister; but their design being opposed, they came to Lynn to complete it.  Mr. Rogers, minister of Ipswich, wrote a letter to Mr. Phillips, minister of Rowley, requesting him to assist in preventing the accomplishment.  This letter was handed to Major Dennison, who subjoined the following approbation: "Sir, Though I know nothing of what is above written, I cannot but approve the same in all respects."  On Sunday, the 11th of December, the delegates from the churches of Boston, Woburn, Malden, and Lynn, with the governor, John Leverett, assembled at Lynn, and formed a council.  They chose the Rev. John Oxenbridge, of Boston, moderator, and agreed that the new church should be formed.  Afterward, the delegates of the churches of Salem, Ipswich, and Rowley, arrived, when the vote of the council was reconsidered, and decided in the negative.  In the curious church records of Rowley, it is said that "This work was begun without a sermon, which is not usuall.  There was also a breaking out into laughter, by a great part of the congregation, at a speech of Mr. Batters, that he did not approve of what Major Hathorne had spoken.  Such carriage was never known on a first day, that I know of." After the frustration of this design, Mr. Nicholet went to England.  [Nicholas Root was active in this design.
     [This year closed with gloomy apprehensions touching the impending storm of savage retribution.] 

1675.

     This year we find mention made, in the records of the Society of Friends, of the sufferings of that people, in consequence of their refusal to pay parish taxes.  In reference to George Oaks, who appears to be one of the first who embraced the doctrines of George Fox, in Lynn, is the following record: "Taken away for the priest, Samuel Whiting, one cow, valued at L3."  Others afterward suffered for refusing to perform military duty, or to pay church rates, by having their cattle, corn, hay, and domestic furniture taken away.
     On the 29th of August, there was "a very great wind and rain, that blew down and twisted many trees."  (Bible leaf.)
     The year 1675 is memorable for the commencement of the great war of Pometacom, called king Philip, sachem of the Wampanoag Indians, in Plymouth county and Rhode Island, just one hundred years before the war of the independence of the United States.  Pometacom was a son of Massasoit, but was more warlike than his father.  Perhaps he had more cause to be so.  As we have received the history of this war only from the pens of white men, it is probable that some incidents that might serve to illustrate its origin, have been passed unnoticed.  It commenced in June, and some of the eastern tribes united with the Wampanoags.  One of the causes of their offence, was an outrage offered by some sailors to the wife and child of Squando, sagamore of Saco.  Meeting them in a canoe, and having heard that young Indians could swim naturally, they overturned the frail bark.  The insulted mother dived and brought up her child, but it died soon after.
     [Considerable alarm was felt, even in this quarter, so powerful and determined did the Indians appear, in this, their last great struggle.]  The military company in Lynn, at this time, was commanded by Capt. Thomas Marshall, Lieut. Oliver Purchis, and Ensign John Fuller.  The troops from Massachusetts, which went against the Indians, were commanded by Major Samuel Appleton.  [The following answer of the Court, despatched in October, to a letter of the Major General, will give a glimpse of the existing state of feeling. "Sr: Wee received your letter dated at Lynn, 23th instant, and haue perused the particculs inclosed, wch still present us wth sad tjdings (the Lord haue mercy on us) toucheing the performance of yor promise to Major Pike in your designe to rajse what force you can to resist the enemys head quarters at Ausebee.  Wee approove of it; only wee presume your intelligence that the enemy is there is vpon good grounde.  Wee cannot give yow particular orders, but leaue the management of this affayre to yor prudenc and assistance of Almighty God, not doubting yor care in leaving sufficient strength to secure the frontjer tounes of Norfolke and Essex, least the enemy should visit them when the fforces are abooard.  Wthout doubt, if their squawes and pappooses, &c. be at Assabee, and God be pleased to deliver them into our hands, it would be much for our interest.  As for your personall marching, it will be acceptable, if God inable to psecute it."
     [Solomon Alley and Benjamin Farnell, of Lynn, were among the slain at Bloody Brook, having been in Lathrop's command.]
     Fifteen men were impressed at Lynn, by order of the Court, on the 13th of November, in addition to those who had been previously detached.  Their names were Thomas Baker, Robert Driver, Job Farrington, Samuel Graves, Isaac Hart, Nicholas Hitchens, Daniel Hitchens, John Lindsey, Jonathan Locke, Charles Phillips, Samuel Rhodes, Henry Stacey, Samuel Tarbox, Andrew Townsend, and Isaac Wellman.
     On the 19th of December, says the Bible leaf, there was "a dreadful fight with the Indians."  This was the great swamp fight, at South Kingston, R. I., when eighty white men, and more than three hundred Indians, were killed.  Mr. Ephraim Newhall, of Lynn, was one of the slain.  [The following affidavit was signed by Thomas Baker, and sworn to, at Lynn, 8 June, 1730, before Theophilus Burrill, justice of the peace, and is recorded in Middlesex Registry.  "The deposition of Thomas Baker, of Lyn, in the county of Essex, aged about 77 years, Testifieth and saith, That I, being well acquainted with one Andrew Townsend of Lyn aforesaid, for more than 55 years since, and do certainly know and very well Remember that the sd Andrew Townsend was a soldier in the Expedition to the Narragansett under ye Command of Capt. Gardner, and that he was in ye sd Narragansett fite and in sd fite Rec'd a wound, in or about the year 1675."]
     Wenepoykin, the sagamore of Lynn, who had never been in deep friendship with the whites, went and united with Pometacom.  He probably had some causes of offence which have been left unrecorded.  Indeed, the thousand little insults, which the men of his race have ever been in the habit of receiving from white men, and which must have been felt by his proud mind, might have been sufficient cause for his conduct.  As a poetess has well said:

          Small slights, contempt, neglect, unmixed with hate,
          Make up in number what they want in weight.

     Two of the descendants of Nanapashemet, whose names were Quanapaug and Quanapohit, living on Deer Island, had become Christians by the names of James and Thomas.  These united with the whites, and became spies for them, for which they were to have L5 each; for which cause the Wampanoag sachem offered a reward for their death, but they survived the war.  Several anecdotes of their cunning are preserved by Mr. Drake.  At one time, when they were taking him to Pometacom Quanapaug escaped by his skill.  Quanapohit, also, came accidentally upon six of his armed enemies, whom he put to flight, and plundered their wigwam, by turning round, and beckoning, as if he were calling his company.

1676.

     The war with the Indians was prosecuted by both parties with the most determined vigor and cruelty.  Many towns were burnt and many of the inhabitants put to death. Great numbers of the Indians also were killed, and those who were taken prisoners were most cruelly sold for slaves to the West Indies, against the earnest entreaties of some of the principal officers.  At last, Philip was pursued to a swamp, near his residence, at Mount Hope, and killed, on the morning of Saturday, the 12th of August. After his death Annawon, Tispaquin, and others of his chiefs and warriors, submitted themselves, on the promise that their lives would be spared; but they were unmercifully put to death.  From the expressions of some of them, it is probable that they did not wish to survive the destruction of their nation. 
     Thus fell Philip, the last great king of the Wampanoags - the last formidable enemy of the English.  Like Sassacus, he foresaw the destruction of his nation; but he was at first friendly to the white people, and wept when he heard that some of them had been killed.  The pen of the historian will do justice to his patriotism, and the harp of the poet will eulogize him in strains of immortality.

          Tradition, legend, tune, and song,
          Shall many an age that wail prolong;
          Still from the sire the son shall hear
          Of that stern strife and carnage drear.

     Wenepoykin, who had joined with the Wampanoags, was taken prisoner, and sold as a slave to Barbadoes.  He returned in 1684, at the end of eight years, and died at the house of his relative, James Muminquash, at the age of 68 years.  The testimony of Tokowampate and Waban, given 7 October, 1686, and preserved in Essex Registry of Deeds, declares, that "Sagamore George, when he came from Barbadoes, lived some time, and died at the house of James Rumneymarsh."  The old chief, who had ruled in freedom over more than half the state of Massachusetts, returned from his slavery, sad and broken-hearted, to die in a lone wigwam, in the forest of Natick, in the presence of his sister Yawata.
     A law had been passed, prohibiting the friendly Indians from going more than one mile from their own wigwams.  On the 25th of October, the Court agreed that they might go out to gather "chesnuts and other nuts in the wilderness," if two white men went with each company, whose charges were to be paid by the Indians.
     The injuries which the Indians received in the early history of our country, cannot now be repaired; but the opportunity is afforded for our national government to manifest its high sense of magnanimity and justice, and to evince to the world that republics are not unmindful of honor and right, by redressing any wrongs which the existing red men have received, and by providing for their welfare, in a manner becoming a great and powerful nation, which has received its extensive domains from a, people who are now wandering as fugitives in the land of their fathers.  Such conduct, it may reasonably be expected, will receive the approbation of heaven; and it cannot be supposed, that He who watches the fall of the sparrow, will regard its neglect with indifference.
     [John Flint, of Salem, shot a hostile Indian at the end of Spring pond, in Lynn, as appears by the record of an examination before William Hathorne, 9 October.  The next year, for causing the death of a white man, he was convicted of manslaughter.  He was a soldier in Philip's war.]
     The leaf of the Bible says, there was "a great sickness this year."

1677.

     [Lynn gave L4.13, for the relief of captives from Hatfield; Salem, L4.7.
     [In the Salem court files is the following: "An inventory of ye estate of Teague alias Thaddeas Braun, who was impressed a soldier of Lynn for thee Countreys service and was sent from Lynn ye 22nd June, 1677, and was slayne in the fight at Blackpoint, as we are informed, on ye 29th of June, 1677."]
     The following letter was addressed by Mr. Whiting to Increase Mather, 1 October, 1677.

     "Reverend and Dear Cousin:  I acknowledge myself much engaged, as to God for all his mercies, so to yourself for your indefatigable labors, both in our church here, and in your writings, which of your love you have sent to me from time to time; and especially for your late book which you sent to me, wherein you have outdone any that I have seen upon that subject.  Go on, dear cousin, and the Lord prosper your endeavors for the glory of his great name, and the good of many souls.  And let me beg one request of you, that you would set pen to paper in writing an history of New England, since the coming of our chief men hither; which you may do, by conferring with Mr. Higginson, and some of the first planters in Salem, and in other places; which I hope you may easily accomplish, having, by your diligence and search found out so much history concerning the Pequot war.  And the rather let me entreat this favor of you, because it hath not been hitherto done by any in a polite and scholar like way; which, if it were so done, would glad the heatts of the Lord's people, and turn to your great account in the last and great day of the Lord Jesus.  Thus commending my love to you and your loving consort, with thanks to you for your kindness to me and my son, when we were last with you at your house, beseeching the Lord to bless you and all yours: not knowing how shortly I must put off this earthly tabernacle, I rest,
                                                                                                                                                       SAMUEL WHITING.

     [The General Court order, 10 October, that "10 barrels of cranberries, 2 hhds. of special good samp, and 3000 cod fish," be sent as a present to the king.]
     At this time there was but one post office in Massachusetts, which was at Boston.  On the 3d of December, the Court of Assistants appointed John Hayward postmaster for the whole colony.
     On Thanksgiving day, the 4th of December, happened one of the greatest storms ever known in New England.  It blew down many houses and many trees.

1678.

     This year, Samuel Appleton, Jr., took possession of the Iron Works, by a grant in the will of William Payne, of Boston.  On the 9th of June, Thomas Savage sued an old mortgage which he held on the property, and Samuel Waite testifies, "There is land, rated at Three Thousand acres of Iron Mill land."  In 1679, Mr. Appleton had possession of three fourths of the Iron Works, valued at L1500.  The law suits respecting the Iron Works were protracted to a tedious length, and papers enough are preserved in the Massachusetts archives, respecting them, to form a volume. 
     The Selectmen, or, as they were called, "the Seven Prudential men," this year, were Thomas Laighton, Richard Walker, Andrew Mansfield, William Bassett, Nathaniel Kertland, John Burrill, and Ralph King. 
     The price of corn was two shillings a bushel.
     [Thomas Purchis, senior, died 11 May, aged a hundred and one years, as stated by his widow and son in a petition to the Salem court.  He had not long resided in Lynn, having been among the Maine settlers.  It seems hardly possible that he can have been the same individual mentioned by Mr. Lewis under date 1640, though he may have been here for a brief period, about that time.  Somewhere between 1625 and 1629 he located in Maine, and engaged in the fur trade.  He had lands on the Androscoggin, and sold to Massachusetts, 22 July, 1639, a portion of the territory on which Brunswick now stands, of which place he was the first settler.  In 1635, he was one of Gorges's Council; subsequently he held the office of sole Assistant to the Colony Commissioners; and was a Justice under Archdale, in 1664.  In 1675, his house was attacked by hostile Indians, and pillaged.  He then removed to Lynn.  I have seen it suggested that he may have been a brother of Oliver Purchis who was so long an active and conspicuous man here.  But I think it could not have been so.  About seven months after his decease, his widow married John Blaney.
     [Thomas Laighton was empowered by the Court to join such persons in marriage as had been duly published, provided one at least resided in Lynn.]  
     The first meeting-house of the Society of Friends, says an old record of one of their members, "was raised on Wolf Hill."  [This site was on Broad street, nearly opposite Nahant. The first Friends' meeting, in this vicinity, is supposed to have been held, this year, in a house that stood - on Boston street, a little west of Brown's pond.]
     The people of Reading petitioned the General Court, on the 3d of October, that the alewives might be permitted to come up to Reading pond, as before; that they might find no obstruction at the Iron Works, but "come up freely into our ponds, where they have their natural breeding place;" which was granted.
     Thomas Dexter, Jr., and Captain James Oliver, administrators of the estate of Thomas Dexter, prosecuted the town of Lynn, on the 26th of November, at Boston, for the recovery of Nahant.  The jury decided in favor of the town.  This was a review of the case decided 1 September, 1657, against Mr. Dexter.

1679.

     In the number of the early ministers of New England, there were few who deserved a higher celebrity, for the purity of their character, and the fervor of their piety, than the Rev. Samuel Whiting.  His name has been frequently overlooked by biographers, and little known and estimated even in his own parish.  He has no stone erected to his memory, and the very place where he was buried is known only to a few.  
 
          Dust long outlasts the storied stone,
          But thou - thy very dust is gone.

     [Since Mr. Lewis wrote the above, William Whiting, Esq., the eminent lawyer, who is a descendant, has erected a fitting monument to his memory.  It is a simple granite shaft, inscribed with his name, and the dates of his birth and decease.  It is on the westerly side of the path leading from the front gate-way, in the Old Burying Ground, near the western end of Lynn Common.]
     This is another instance of the truth of the observation, that men are indebted to the poet and the historian for their remembrance to after ages.  An honorable memorial of the deserving dead is one of the rewards of goodness, and the very desire of remembrance is itself a virtue.  We naturally love the idea that we are remembered by others, and that our names will be known beyond the circle of those with whom we shared the endearments of friendship.  It is sweet to think that we have not altogether lived in vain; to persuade ourselves that we have conferred some slight benefit on the world, and that posterity will repay the pleasing debt by mentioning our names with expressions of regard.  It is not vanity, it is not ambition; it is a pure love of mankind, an exalting sense of right, that twines itself around every virtuous and noble mind, raising it above the enjoyment of worldliness, and making us wish to prolong our existence in the memory of the good.
     Rev. Samuel Whiting was born at Boston, in Lincolnshire, England, on the 20th of November, 1597.  His father, Mr. John Whiting was mayor of the city, in 1600; and his brother John obtained the same office, in 1625.  Having completed his studies in the school of his birthplace, young Samuel entered the university at Cambridge, where he had for his classmate, his cousin, Anthony Tuckney, afterward Master of St. John's College, with whom he commenced a friendship, which was not quenched by the waters of the Atlantic.  He received impressions of piety at an early age, and loved to indulge his meditations in the retired walks of Emanuel College.  He entered college in 1613, took his first degree in 1616, and his second in 1620.  Having received orders in the Church of England, he became chaplain in a family consisting of five ladies and two knights, Sir Nathaniel Bacon and Sir Roger Townsend, with whom he resided three years.  He then went to old Lynn, where he spent three years more, a colleague with Mr. Price.  While at that place, complaints were made to the Bishop of Norwich, of his nonconformity in administering the services of the church, on which he removed to Skirbick, one mile from old Boston.  There the complaints were renewed, on which he determined to sell his possessions and embark for America. He remarked, "I am going into the wilderness, to sacrifice unto the Lord, and I will not leave a hoof behind me."  The beauty, piety, and harmony of the church, in our own time, induce us to wonder why a pious man should have objected to her services.  But the church, at that period, demanded more than is now required; and the dissenters, by their repugnance to those ceremonies and requisitions which were excessive, were driven to revolt against those forms which were really judicious. 
     Mr. Whiting sailed from England in the beginning of April, 1636, and arrived in Boston on the twenty-sixth of May.  He was very sick on his passage, during which he preached but one sermon.  He observed that he would "much rather have undergone six weeks imprisonment for a good cause, than six weeks of such terrible sea sickness."  He came to Lynn in June, and was installed on the eighth of November, at the age of thirty-nine.  He was admitted to the privileges of a freeman on the seventeenth of December.  His residence was nearly opposite the meeting-house, in Shepard street.  He had a walk in his orchard, in which he used to indulge his habit of meditation; and some who frequently saw him walking there, remarked, "There does our dear pastor walk with God every day."  An anecdote related of him, will serve to illustrate his character.  In one of his excursions to a neighboring town, he stopped at a tavern, where a company were revelling.  As he passed their door, he thus addressed them: "Friends, if you are sure that your sins are pardoned, you may be wisely merry."  He is reputed to have been a man of good learning, and an excellent Hebrew scholar.  In 1649, he delivered a Latin oration at Cambridge, a copy of which is preserved in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society.  He employed much of his leisure in reading history; and he could scarcely have chosen a study more indicative of the seriousness and solidity of his mind.  He possessed great command over his passions, was extremely mild and affable in his deportment, and his countenance was generally illumined by a smile.  He was chosen moderator in several ecclesiastical councils, and appears to have been generally respected.  In his preaching, he was ardent and devoted; but he was less disposed to frighten his hearers by wild and boisterous efforts, than to win them to virtue by mild and persuasive eloquence. 
     In the latter part of his life, Mr. Whiting was afflicted by a complication of disorders, and endured many hours of most excruciating pain.  But his patience was inexhaustible, and his strength enabled him to continue the performance of the public services till a very advanced age, in which he was assisted by his youngest son, Joseph.  A short time before his death, he presented to the General Court a claim for five hundred acres of land, which he had by deed of gift from his brother-in-law, Mr. Richard Westland, an alderman of Boston, in England, who had loaned money to the colony of Massachusetts.  As the claim had been some time due, the Court allowed him six hundred acres.  [As this petition recounts several interesting facts, and withal so faithfully exhibits the meek and pious spirit of the venerable man, we insert it entire.  The signature is a fac-simile, as carefully traced from the original, which is still in good preservation in the state archives.  The tremulous hand indicates age and infirmity; and he lived but a few months after the petition was drawn.  
     The humble petition of Samuel Whiting, senr, of Lyn, sheweth, that whereas your petitioner upon my comeing to New England, which is now about forty three years since, had per deed of gift of my kinde brother in law, Mr. Richard Westland, of Boston, in England, alderman, in consideration of his disbursement of fifty pounds of lawful money of England, in way of loan to this colony, then low, and in its beginning, which sum the said Mr. Westland did deliver and pay unto some of ye chief agents of this patent then, which was some years before I left England, they promising him a compensation with a farme of five hundred acres of upland and meadow, convenient and nigh within the Bay; I say, the wholl interest in the premises by fair deed and gift, by the gentleman himself freely given to myself and wife and our heires forever, as without fallacie I doe averr and testify before God and your honoured selves, being a dyeing man, and goeing out of this world, and shortly to appear before the Lord Jesus, ye Judge of all. 
     My humble request, and the last petition I shall ever make application of to this honorable assembly is, that haveing been so long in the country, and as long in ye work of the Lord, and God haveing "given me issue, whom I am shortly to leave, haveing little, of a considerable estate I brought, left for them,that your honors would pleas to grant to myself and my heirs, that wh. per ye free gift of my brother is our right, viz, five or six hundred acres of land and meadow, wh. hath been my due about this forty years, although never motioned but once to this assembly, nor should have now been insisted on, could I in conscience of God's command and duty to mine as a father, be silent, and soe they lose their right in what belongs to them; or if I could die with serenity of soule upon consideration of the premises, should I neglect to use this meanes of an humble remonstrance. 
     I doe therefore humbly reitterat my request, wherein I mention nothing of use or for forbearance so long time past, dues and donations, only the 5 or six hundred acres, that my children may inherit what is righteously their owne, and yours to grant, and which I hope will not be denyed, beeing of itselfe so just to be requested, and so most equitable and just to be granted. 
     Thus begging the Lord's presence to be amongst you, and his face to shine on this your court, the country, and churches, that we may be saved, and that ye choice blessing, divine wisdom, councell and conduct, may preside in all things, I leave the whole matter to your honored selves, and yourselves with the Lord.
     Your humble petitioner, friend ever, and servant for Christ's sake, though ready to depart dieing.'  
 
     this 23 of April ann. 1679.
     Witnesses -
                        Henry Rhodes, 
                        Samuel Cobbet.]  
     Mr. Whiting made his will on the 25th of February, 1679.  He commences thus: "After my committing of my dear flock unto the tender care of that great and good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ."  He gave his son Samuel, at Billerica, his house and four hundred acres of land at Dunstable, valued at L362, and fourteen acres of marsh, at Lynn; and his son Joseph, his dwelling-house, orchard, and eight acres of marsh, at Lynn.  And he remembered his other children.  His money and plate amounted to L77.2.; and his whole estate to L570.15.6.  He died on the 11th of December, 1679, at the age of 82; having preached at Lynn, forty-three years.
     The death of Mr. Whiting called forth the following elegy from the pen of Mr. Benjamin Thompson, a schoolmaster, born at Braintree, and the first native American poet.  

     UPON THE VERY LEARNED SAMUEL WHITING.  
    
        Mount, FAME, the glorious chariot of the sun!
     Through the world's cirque, all you, her heralds, run,
     And let this great saint's merits be revealed,
     Which during life he studiously concealed.
     Cite all the Levites, fetch the sons of art,
     In these our dolors to sustain a part;
     Warn all that value worth, and every one
     Within their eyes to bring a Helicon;
     For in this single person we have lost
     More riches than an India has engrost.

        When Wilson, that plerophory of love,
     Did from our banks up to his centre move,
     Rare Whiting quotes Columbus on this coast,
     Producing gems of which a king might boast.  
     More splendid far than ever Aaron wore,
     Within his breast this sacred father bore,
     Sound doctrine, Urim, in his holy cell,
     And all perfections, Thurmim, there did dwell.
     His holy vesture was his innocence;
     His speech, embroideries of curious sense.
     Such awful gravity this doctor used,
     As if an angel every word infused;
     No turgent style, but Asiatic lore;
     Conduits were almost full, seldom run o'er
     The banks of time - come visit when you will,
     The streams of nectar were descending still.
     Much like semtemfluous Nilus, rising so,
     He watered Christians round, and made them grow.
     His modest whispers, could the conscience reach,
     As well as whirlwinds, which some others preach.
     No Boanerges, yet could touch the heart,
     And clench his doctrine with the meekest art.
     His learning and his language might become
     A province not inferior to Rome.
     Glorious was Europe's heaven, when such as these,
     Stars of his size, shone in each diocese.

     Who writ'st the fathers' lives, either make room,
     Or with his name begin your second tome.
     Aged Polycarp, deep Origen, and such,
     Whose worth your quills, your wits not.then enrich;
     Lactantius, Cyprian, Basil, too, the great,   
    Quaint Jerome Austin, of the foremost seat,
     With Ambrose, and more of the highest class
     In Christ's great school, with honor I let pass,
     And humbly pay my debt to Whiting's ghost,
     Of whom both Englands may with reason boast.
     Nations for men of lesser worth have strove
     To have the fame, and in transports of love
     Built temples, or fixed statues of pure gold,
     And their vast worth to after ages told.
     His modesty forbade so fair a tomb,
     Who in ten thousand hearts obtained a room.

        What sweet composure in his angel face!
     What soft affections! melting gleams of grace!
     How mildly pleasant! by his closed lips
     Rhetoric's bright body suffers an eclipse.
     Should half his sentences be fairly numbered,
     And weighed in wisdom's scales,'twould spoil a Lombard,
     And churches' homilies but homily be,
     If, venerable Whiting, set by thee.
     Profoundest judgment, with a meekness rare,
     Preferred him to the moderator's chair,
     Where, like truth's champion, with his piercing eye,
     He silenced errors, and bade Hectors fly.
     Soft answers quell hot passions, ne'er too soft,
     Where solid judgment is enthroned aloft.
     Church doctors are my witnesses, that here
     Affections always keep their proper sphere
     Without those wilder eccentricities,
     Which spot the fairest fields of men most wise.
     In pleasant places fall that people's line,
     Who have but shadows of men thus divine;
     Much more their presence, and heaven-piercing prayers,
     Thus many years to mind our soul affairs.

     The poorest soil oft has the richest mine!
     This weighty ore, poor Lynn, was lately thine.
     O, wondrous mercy! but this glorious light
     Hath left thee in the terrors of the night.
     New England, didst thou know this mighty one,
     His weight and worth, thou'dst think thyself undone.
     One of thy golden chariots, which among
     The clergy rendered thee a thousand strong;
     One who for learning, wisdom, grace, and years,
     Among the Levites, hath not many peers;
     One, yet with God, a kind of heavenly band,
     Who did whole regiments of woes withstand;
     One that prevailed with heaven; one greatly mist
     On earth, he gained of Christ whate'er he list;
     One of a world, who was both born and bred
     At wisdom's feet, hard by the fountain's head.
     The loss of such a one would fetch a tear
     From Niobe herself, if she were here.
     What qualifies our grief, centres in this;
     Be our loss ne'er so great, the gain is his.

     The following epitaph has been applied to him by Mr. Mather.  

     In Christo vixi morior, vivoque, Whitingus;
     Do sordes morti, cetera, O Christe, tibi, do.

     In Christ I lived and died, and yet I live;
     My dust to earth, my soul to Christ, I give.

     Mr. Whiting published the following pamphlets and books.
     1. A Latin Oration, delivered at Cambridge, on Commencement day, 1649.
     2. A Sermon preached before the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, at Boston, 1660.
     3. A Discourse of the Last Judgment, or Short Notes upon Matthew 25, from verse 31 to the end of the chapter, concerning the Judgment to come, and our preparation to stand before the great Judge of quick and dead; which are of sweetest comfort to the elect sheep, and a most dreadful amazement and terror to reprobate goats. (Cambridge, 1664, 12mo. 160 pages.)
     4. Abraham's Humble Intercession for Sodom, and the Lord's Gracious Answer in Concession thereto. (Cambridge, 1666, 12mo. 349 pages.)  From this work the following extracts are taken. 

     What is it to draw nigh to God in prayer?  It is not to come with loud expressions, when we pray before Him.  Loud crying in the ears of God, is not to draw near to God.  They are nearer to God, that silently whisper in His ears and tell Him what they want, and what they would have of Him.  They have the King's ear, not that call loudest, but those that speak softly to him, as those of the council and bed chamber.  So they are nearest God, and have His ear most that speak softly to Him in prayer.
     In what manner are we to draw nigh to God in prayer?  In sincerity, with a true heart.  Truth is the Christian soldier's girdle.  We must be true at all times; much more, when we fall upon our knees and pray before the Lord. 
     We, in this country, have left our near relations, brothers, sisters, fathers' houses, nearest and dearest friends; but if we can get nearer to God here, He will be instead of all, more than all to us.  He hath the fulness of all the sweetest relations bound up in Him.  We may take that out of God, that we forsook in father, mother, brother, sister, and friend, that hath been as near and dear as our own soul.  
     Even among the most wicked sinners, there may be found some righteous; some corn among the chaff - some jewels among the sands - some pearls among a multitude of shells. 
     Who hath made England to differ from other nations, that more jewels are found there than elsewhere?  or what hath that Island that it hath not received?  The East and West Indies yield their gold, and pearl, and sweet spices; but I know where the golden, spicy, fragrant Christians be - England hath yielded these.  Yet not England, but the grace of God, that hath been ever with them.  We see what hope we may have concerning New England; though we do not deserve to be named the same day with our dear mother. 
   
     In enumerating the evils with which the people of New England were obliged to contend, he says, it is cause "for humiliation, that our sins have exposed us to live among such wicked sinners," with whom he ranks "Atheists and Quakers." 
     Mr. Whiting married two wives in England.  By his first wife he had three children.  Two of them were sons, who, with their mother, died in England.  The other was a daughter, who came with her father to America, and married Mr. Thomas Weld, of Roxbury. 
     His second wife was Elizabeth St. John of Bedfordshire, to whom he was married in 1630.  She was a daughter of Oliver St. John, Chief Justice of England in the time of Oliver Cromwell.  She came to Lynn with her husband, and died on the third of March, 1677, aged 72 years.  She was a woman of uncommon piety, seriousness, and discretion; and not only assisted her husband in writing his sermons, but by her care and prudence relieved him from all attention to temporal concerns.  
     [Mrs. Whiting was a sister, not a daughter, of Chief Justice St. John.  Her pedigree, as given by Clifford Stanley Simms, of Philadelphia, may be found in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, v. 14, p. 61.  It is there stated that Elizabeth St. John Whiting was sixth cousin to King Henry VII.  Through the Beauchamps, she descended from the Earls of Warren and Surrey; from the Earls of Warwick, from William the Conqueror, and from King Henry I of France. Indeed her pedigree is traced to William the Norman, in two distinct lines; and in her were united the lineage of ten of the sovereigns of Europe, a confluence of noble blood not often witnessed.  And yet she appears to have passed her days here at Lynn, undisturbed by ambitious yearnings, cleaving lovingly to her worthy husband, and sedulously performing the duties of a laborious pastor's wife.  Surely here is an example of humility for some of the worldlings who now traverse our streets, swelling with pride if they can trace their lineage to an ancestor who bore, however ignobly, some small title, or who happened to possess, however unworthily, a few more acres or a few more dollars than the multitude around him.]
     By his second wife, Mr. Whiting had six children; four sons and two daughters.  One daughter married the Rev. Jeremiah Hobart of Topsfield; and one son and one daughter died at Lynn.  The other three sons received an education at Cambridge. 
     1. Rev. Samuel Whiting, Jr., was born in England, 1633.  He studied with his father, at Lynn, and graduated at Cambridge, in 1653.  He was ordained minister of Billerica, 11 November, 1663; preached the Artillery Election Sermon, in 1682; and died 28 February, 1713, aged 79 years.  The name of his wife was Dorcas, and he had ten children. 1. Elizabeth. 2. Samuel. 3. Rev. John, minister at Lancaster; where he was killed by the Indians, 11 September, 1697, at the age of 33. 4. Oliver. 5. Dorothy. 6. Joseph. 7. James. 8. Eunice. 9. Benjamin. 10. Benjamin, again.
     2. Rev. John Whiting, graduated at Cambridge, in 1653.  He returned to England, became a minister of the Church, and died at Leverton, in Lincolnshire, 11 October, 1689, very extensively respected.
     3. Rev. Joseph Whiting, graduated in 1661.  He was ordained at Lynn, 6 October, 1680, and soon after removed to Southampton, on Long Island.  He married Sarah Danforth, of Cambridge, daughter of Thomas Danforth, Deputy Governor.  He had six children, born at Lynn. 1. Samuel, born 3 July, 1674. 2. Joseph, b. 22 Nov. 1675, 3. Joseph, again, b. 8 May, 1677. 4. Thomas, b. 20 May, 1678. 5. Joseph, again, b. 14 Jan. 1680. 6. John, b. 20 Jan. 1681.  All except the first and sixth, died - within a few weeks of their birth. 
     Of the descendants of Mr. Whiting, now [1844] living, are the Rev. Samuel Whiting, minister at Billerica; and Henry Whiting, an officer in the service of the United States, and author of a beautiful little Indian tale, entitled Ontwa, or the Son of the Forest.
     [Caroline Lee Hentz, one of the most esteemed of American prose writers, descended from this venerable minister of the Lynn church.  She was a daughter of Gen. John Whiting, who did good service in the Revolution, and died at Washington, in 1810.  And Gen. Henry Whiting, of the United States army, quite distinguished also for his literary attainments, was a brother of hers.  She was born at Lancaster, Mass., in 1800, and was married in 1825, at Northampton, to Mr. N. M. Hentz, a French gentleman of education and talents, who was at that time, in connection with George Bancroft, the historian, conducting a seminary at, Northampton.  Soon after marriage, they removed to North Carolina, where Mr. Hentz became a professor in the college at Chapel Hill.  They afterward lived at Covington, Ky.; then at Cincinnati; and then at Florence, Ala., where they established a flourishing seminary.  In 1843, they removed their school to Tuscaloosa, Florida; and afterward they resided at Columbus, Ga.  Mrs. Hentz died at the residence of her son, Dr. Charles A. Hentz, at Mariana, Florida, in 1856.  And within a year afterward, her accomplished husband died at the same place.   Hon. Jeremiah Mason, the distinguished lawyer and United States Senator, from New Hampshire, who died at Boston, 4 October, 1848, aged 80, was a descendant from Mr. Whiting; and the late Rev. Dr. Charles Mason, rector of Grace Church, Boston, son of Jeremiah, was conspicuous for his talents and piety. 
     [In May, of this year, a new troop was formed at Lynn, consisting of forty-eight men, who petitioned the General Court that Capt. Richard Walker might be appointed commander.  The magistrates named Walker, for captain; Ralph King, lieutenant; John Lewis, cornet; and William Bassett, quarter-master.]

1680.

     [On the 9th of June, the town of Groton voted to give Thomas Beall, of Lynn, tanner, ten acres of land, provided he would go and live there, " and be not alienating or selling it."  Probably he did not accept the offer, for on the 14th of August, 1691, the town of Lynn voted, "that Thomas Beall should live in the watch house."
     [Joseph Armitage died this year.  In the administration account, filed in July, occur these items: "For coffin, vaile, and digging the grave, 14s.  In wine and Sider, for his buriall, L2."]
     On the 6th of October, Mr. Jeremiah Shepard was ordained pastor, and Mr. Joseph Whiting teacher, of the church at Lynn.
     On the 18th of November, a very remarkable comet made its appearance, and continued about two months.  The train was thirty degrees in length, very broad and bright, and nearly attained the zenith.  A memorandum on a Bible leaf, thus remarks: "A blazing star, at its greatest height, to my apprehension, terrible to behold."  It was regarded by most people with fear, as the sign of some great calamity.  This was the comet on which Sir Isaac Newton made his interesting observations.  While the party, who were predominent in religious affairs, were noting every misfortune which befell those of a different opinion, as the judgments of God; they, on the other hand, regarded the earthquakes, the comets, and the blighting of the wheat, as manifestations of his displeasure against their persecutors.  [Judge Sewall remarks, in an interleaved almanac, about the time the comet disappeared, "And thus is this prodigious spectacle removed, leaving the world in a fearful expectation of what may follow. Sure it is that these things are not sent for nothing, though man cannot say particularly for what.  They are by most thought to be forerunners of evil coming upon the world, though some think otherwise."  So, it appears, there were some above the common superstitions of the time.  The period of this comet being five hundred and seventy-five years, it will not again appear till the year 2255.  And how inconceivable must be the distance that it journeys into space, moving as it does in the known portions of its orbit, with startling rapidity.  Increase Mather, in his introduction to a lecture, remarks, "As for the blazing star which hath occasioned this discourse, it was a terrible sight indeed, especially about the middle of December last."]
     Dr. Philip Read, of Lynn, complained to the court, at Salem, of Mrs. Margaret Gifford, as being a witch.  She was a respectable woman, and wife of Mr. John Gifford, formerly agent for the Iron Works.  The complainant said, "he verily believed that she was a witch, for there were some things which could not be accounted for by natural causes.  "Mrs. Gifford gave no regard to her summons, and the Court very prudently suspended their inquiries. 
     "We present the wife of John Davis, of Lynn, for breaking her husband's head with a quart pot."  (Essex Court Rec.)

1681.

     [Samuel Worcester a representive to the General Court, from Bradford, died in the road, on the night of 20 February, in what is now Saugus, on his way to Boston, to attend an adjourned session.  He was a son of Rev. William Worcester, and was a man distinguished for his piety and enterprise.  He had walked from Bradford, and, much wearied, gained the tavern at Saugus.  Being unable to obtain accommodation there, he endeavored to reach the house of a friend.  In the morning, he was found dead, in the middle of the road, in a kneeling posture.  He was of the family from which Rev. Dr. Worcester, the congregational minister who for some time supplied the pulpit at Swampscot, descended.]
     In town meeting, on the 2d of March, the people voted that Mr. Shepard should be allowed eighty pounds, lawful money, a year, for his salary; one third of which was to be paid in money, and the other two thirds in articles of domestic production, at stipulated prices.  Besides the salary, a contribution was kept open.
     [A great drought prevailed during the summer months.  The growing crops were injured to the amount of many thousand pounds.  "Yet God hath gratiously left vs enough for a meat and drink offering," piously adds Bradstreet, in his journal.
     [The Court passed an order that Lynn might have two licensed public houses.]

1682.

     The Meeting House was this year removed from Shepard street to the centre of the Common and rebuilt.  It was fifty feet long, and forty-four wide.  It had folding doors on three sides, without porches.  The top of each door was formed into two semicircular arches.  The windows consisted of small diamond panes set in sashes of lead.  The floor was at first supplied with seats; and pews were afterward separately set up by individuals, as they obtained permission of the town.  By this means the interior came at length to present a singular appearance.  Some of the pews were large, and some small; some square, and some oblong; some with seats on three sides, and some with a seat on one side; some with small oak panels, and some with large pine ones; and most of them were surmounted by alittle balustrade, with small columns, of various patterns, according to the taste of the proprietors.  Most of the square pews had a chair in the centre, for the comfort of the old lady or gentleman, the master or mistress of the family, by whom it was occupied.  One pew, occupied by black people, was elevated above the stairs in one corner, near to the ceiling.  [Meeting-house pews are considered to have been a New England invention.]  The galleries were extended on three sides, supported by six oak columns, and guarded by a turned balustrade.  They were ascended by two flights of stairs, one in each corner, on the south side.  The pulpit was on the north side, and sufficiently large to contain ten persons.  The top of the room was unceiled for many years, and exhibited enormous beams of oak, traversing the roof in all directions.  The light from the diamond windows in the gables shining down upon the great oak beams, presented quite a picturesque appearance.  The roof presented four pediments; and was surmounted by a cupola, with a roof in the form of an inverted tunnel.  It had a small bell, which was rung by a rope descending in the centre of the room.  The town meetings continued to be held in this house till 1806.  [For divers facts, traditions and legends, connected with this interesting edifice, see " Lin: or, Jewels of the Third Plantation."  It was universally known as the Old Tunnel Meeting House, and remained on the Common till 1827.  It stood opposite Whiting street.  
     [Noadiah Russell, tutor at Harvard College, in a journal kept by him, under date 26 March, gives an account of a remarkable thunder storm which took place in the latter part of the afternoon, it being Sunday.  There was a high wind and much hail, and the stones being large, many panes of glass were broken.  And he adds these remarkable details, which he says were sent in a letter from Rev. Mr. Shepard, of Lynn, to Mrs. Margaret Mitchell, of Cambridge, dated 3 April, 1682: "Moreover, at Lyn, after sun down, as it began to be darkish, an honest old man, Mr. Handford, went out to look for a new moon, thinking the moon had changed, when in the west he espied a strange black cloud, in which, after some space, he saw a man in arms complete, standing with his legs straddling, and having a pike in his hands, which he held across his breast; which sight ye man, with his wife, saw, and many others.  After a while ye man vanished, in whose room appeared a spacious ship, seeming under sail, though she kept the same station.  They saw it, they said, as apparently as ever they saw a ship in the harbour w'h was to their imagination the handsomest of ever they saw, with a lofty stem, the head to the south, hull black, the sails bright.  A long and resplendent streamer came from ye top of ye mast - this was seen for a great space, both by these and other of ye same town.  After this they went in, where, tarrying but a while, and looking out again, all was gone, and ye sky as clear as ever."  
     [This was, no doubt, an instance of the mirage produced by atmospheric refraction.  Several remarkable instances are recorded in early New England history, of which the phantom ship at New Haven, furnishes an example.  Similar occurrences are often witnessed at this day, in this vicinity; but being easily accounted for, attract little attention.  Our forefathers, not having made themselves acquainted with the natural causes of such appearances, and withal being fond of viewing themselves as objects of special notice with the powers above, awarded them supernatural honors.  And their fears being excited, their imaginations had assistance in filling up what was, perhaps, a very dim outline, and in rendering vivid what would otherwise have appeared very dull.  And in like manner, it is probable that some things which to us appear wonderful and inexplicable, will to people of future years appear plain and natural.  Mr. Lewis gives the following sketches, which aptly illustrate atmospheric phenomena occasionally seen hereabout. 
     [In another entry made by Mr. Russell, under date 16 August, occurs this passage: "The next day, being Fryday, I went to wait on some company to Lynspring, where, for company's sake, drinking too much cold water, I set myself in an ague wch came on again on Sabbath and on Tuesday."  Does he refer to the Lynn Mineral Spring?  The romantic grounds adjacent were visited by little pleasure parties at an early period.]

1683.

     This year the heirs of Major Thomas Savage sold the six hundred acres, called Hammersmith, or the lands of the Iron Works, to Samuel Appleton, who thus became possessed of the whole property.  In 1688, he sold the whole to James Taylor, of Boston, who was the last proprietor of the Iron Works, of whom I have found any record.  They probably ceased operations about this time.  [I think Mr. Lewis's statement here, concerning the time of the discontinuance of the Iron Works is more correct than his statement under date 1671, where he makes them to have been in operation, to some extent, till about the middle of century 1700.]

1684.

     A letter written at Haverhill, this year, by N. Saltonstall, to the captain of a militia company, thus proceeds: "I have orders also to require you to provide a flight of colors for your foot company, the ground field or flight whereof is to be green, with a red cross in a white field in the angle, according to the ancient custom of our own English nation, and the English plantations in North America, and our own practice in our ships."  This was the American standard, till the stripes and stars of 1776.  
     [The English High Court of Chancery, at Trinity Term, gave judgment against the Massachusetts Government and Company, "that their letters patent and the enrolment thereof be cancelled."  This was the dissolution of the beloved old Charter, and a fresh impulse was given to those political agitations which surged on till the whole aspect of things was changed; indeed till the colonies became an independent nation.]

1685.

     The following singular deposition is transcribed from the files of the Quarterly Court, and is dated 1 July, 1685: "The deposition of Joseph Farr, and John Burrill, junior, testifieth and saith, that they being at the house of Francis Burrill, and there being some difference betwixt Francis Burrill and Benjamin Farr, and we abovesaid understanding that the said Benjamin Farr had been a suitor to Elizabeth Burrill, the daughter of Francis Burrill, and he was something troubled that Benjamin had been so long from his daughter, and the said Francis Burrill told the said Benjamin Farr that if he had more love to his marsh, or to any estate of his, than to his daughter, he should not go into his house; for he should be left to his liberty; he should not be engaged to any thing more than he was freely willing to give his daughter, if he had her; and this was about two days before they was married."
     [A fast was appointed, 14 July, on account of the prevailing drought.  Great ravages were committed by caterpillars.] 
     At a town meeting, on the first of December, the people voted, that no inhabitant should cut any green tree upon the common lands, which was less than one foot in diameter.  The following petition of some of the inhabitants of Lynn, for a remuneration of their services in the Wampanoag war, was presented this year. 

     To the Honoured Governor and Company, the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay, that is to be assembled the 27' May, 1685, the humble petition of several inhabitants of Lynn, who were sold, impressed, and sent forth for the service of the country, that was with the Indians in the long march in the Nipmugg country, and the fight at the fort in Narragansett, humbly showeth, That your petitioners did, in obedience unto the authority which God hath set over them, and love to their country, leave their deare relations, some of us our dear wives and children, which we would have gladly remained at home, and the bond of love and duty would have bound us to choose rather soe to have done considering the season and time of the year, when that hard service was to be performed.  But your petitioners left what was dear to them, and preferred the publique weal above the private enjoyments, and did cleave thereunto, and exposed ourselves to the difficulties and hardships of the winter, as well as the dangers of that cruel warr, with consideration to the enemy.  What our hardships and difficulties were is well known to some of your worships, being our honoured magistrates, as also what mercy it was from the Lord, who alone preserved us, and gave us our lives for a prey, by leading us through such imminent dangers, whereby the Lord gavel us to see many of our dear fiiends lose their blood and life, which might have been our case, but that God soe disposed toward us deliverance and strength to returne to our homes, which we desire to remember and acknowledge to his most glorious praise.  But yet, we take the boldnes to signifie to this honored Court, how that service was noe whitt to our particular outward advantage, but to the contrary, much to our disadvantage.  Had we had the liberty of staying at home, as our neighbors had, though we had paid double rates, it would have been to our advantage, as indeed we did pay our properties by our estates in the publick rates to the utmost bounds.  Notwithstanding all, yet we humbly conceive, that by the suppression of the enemy which God of his great mercy vouchsafed, wee poor soldiers and servants to the country were instruments to procure much land, which we doubt not shall and will be improved, by the prudence of this honored Court, unto people that need most especially.  And we, your poor petitioners, are divers of us in need of land, for want whereof some of us are forced upon considerations of departing this Colony and Government, to seek accommodations whereby the better to maintaine the charge in our families, with our wives and children, and to leave unto them, when the Lord shall take us away by death, which we must expect.  And divers of us have reason to fear our days may be much shortened by our hard service in the war, from the pains and aches of our bodies, that we feel in our bones and sinews, and lameness thereby taking hold of us much, especially at the spring and fall whereby we are hindered and disabled of that ability for our labour which we constantly had, through the mercy of God, before, that served in the warrs.  Now, your poore petitioners are hopeful this honored Court will be moved with consideration and some respect to the poor soldiery, and particularly to us, that make bold to prefer our petition, humbly to crave, that we, whose names are hereunto subscribed, may be so graciously considered by this honored Court as to grant us some good tracks of land in the Nipmugg country, where we may find a place for a township, that we, your petitioners, and our posterity may live in the same colony where our fathers did, and left us, and probably many of those who went fellow soldiers in the war may be provided for and their children also, in the portion of conquered lands their fathers fought for.  Your petitioners think it is but a very reasonable request, which will be no way offensive to this honored Court, which, if they shall please to grant unto your petitioners, it will not only be satisfaction to their spirits for their service already done, but be a future obligation to them and theirs after them for future service, and ever to pray. 

     This petition was signed by twenty-five inhabitants of Lynn, whose names were: William Bassett, John Farrington, Nathaniel Ballard, Timothy Breed, Jonathan Locke, Daniel Johnson, Widow Hatborne, Samuel Tarbox, Samuel Graves, John Edmunds, Samuel Johnson, Daniel Golt, Joseph Hawkes, Andrew Townsend, John Davis, Joseph Collins, Samuel Mower, Robert Potter, senior, Joseph Mansfield, Robert Driver, John Richards, John Lindsey, Philip Kertland, Joseph Breed, Henry Rhodes.  It was also signed by sixteen persons of other towns.  On the 3d of June, the Court granted them a tract of land in Worcester county, eight miles square, on condition that thirty families, with an orthodox minister, should settle there within four years.  
     [Oliver Purchis of Lynn, was appointed on a committee to revise the laws.  He was also elected Assistant; but the record adds, "he declined his oath."  He had not probably finished his days of vexation and mourning on account of the dissolution of the old Charter.]

1686.

     Mr. Oliver Purchis was chosen Town Clerk. 
      "A great and terrible drouth, mostly in the 4th month, [June] and continued in the 5th month, with but little rain; but the 18th, being the Sabbath, we had a sweet rain."
     James Quonopohit and David Kunkshamooshaw, descendants of Nanapashemet, sold a lot of land on the west side of the Iron Works pond, on the 28th of July, to Daniel Hitchings.  
     [This year, also, David Kunkshamooshaw, and divers of his kindred, heirs of old Sagamore George No-Nose alias Wenepoykin, gave a deed confirming the title of the town to the lands on which it stood.  For a copy of this deed, and remarks concerning it, see page 49, et seq.]

1687.

     At a town meeting on the 15th of February, "the town voted the Selectmen be a committee to look after encroached lands, or highways, from Francis Burrill's barn to the gate that is by Timothy Breed's, or parcels of land in places least prejudicial to the town, and make good sale of any of them on the Town's behalf, for money to pay the Indians at the time appointed, and the necessary charges of that affair."  
     On the 16th of February, Capt. Thomas Marshall exchanged with the town his right in Stone's meadow, in Lynnfield, for a right in Edwards's meadow; and the town, at the request of Mr. Shepard, made a grant of it to the ministry. 
     [Thomas Newhall, aged 57, the first white person born in Lynn, was buried in the Old Burying Ground, near the west end of Lynn Common, 1 April.] 
     Mr. Shepard kept the school several months this winter.  Education, with the children of the early settlers, was a matter of convenience rather than of accomplishment.  I have seen the signatures of several hundreds of the first settlers, and have facsimiles of many, and they are quite as good as an equal number of signatures taken at random at the present day.  But in clearing the forest, and obtaining a subsistence, they had little leisure for their children to spend in study; and a month or two in winter, under the care of the minister, was the principal opportunity which they had to obtain the little learning requisite for their future life.  The consequence was, that the generations succeeding the early settlers, from 1650 to 1790, were generally less learned than the first settlers, or than those who have lived since the Revolution.  
     [The statement of Mr. Lewis in the second sentence of the foregoing paragraph may rather confuse than enlighten.  The establishment of schools here, had a religious purpose.  Thus, the legislative enactment of 1647, commences,  "It being one chief proiect of yt ould deludor, Satan, to keepe men from the knowledge of ye Scriptures, as in former times by keeping them in an unknown tongue, so in these latter times, by persuading from ye use of tongues, yt so at least ye true sence and meaning of ye originall might be clouded by false glosses of saint seeming deceivers, yt learning may not be buried in ye grave of our fathers in ye church and commonwealth, ye Lord assisting our endeavors: It is therefore ordered yt every towneship in this jurisdiction after ye Lord hath increased them to ye number of 50 householders shall then forthwith appoint one within their towne to teach all such children as shall resort to him, to write and reade," &c... "And it is further ordered, yt where any towne shall increase to ye number of 100 families, or householders, they shall set up a grammar schoole, ye master thereof being able to instruct youth so farr as they may be fitted for ye university, provided yt if any towne neglect ye performance hereof above one yeare, then every such towne shall pay L5 to ye next schoole till they shall performe this order."  In 1654, the Court prohibited the teaching of schools by persons of "unsound doctrine."  Were such a prohibition in force now, we should see in a glaring light the result of the religious independency they held so dear.  Who would be authorized to determine what unsound doctrine is?  And is it not a melancholy fact, that in our day, either from an undefinable fear of meddling with some right of conscience, or from some other loose apprehension, the intellectual training in our schools is treated as altogether superior to the moral?  Nay has not the moral beer well-nigh thrust out of doors?  And yet, is it not, in sober truth, of quite as much importance that children should, day by day, be instructed in the principles that are to rule their destinies for all eternity, as in the principles that have relation only to the arts of money making or at best mere intellectual discipline?  It does not appear that the Bible was used, at least to much extent, as a school book, our discreet fathers probably having too much veneration for the sacred volume to devote it, intact, to so common a purpose.  But the Psalter, containing extracts from Solomon's Proverbs, selections from the Psalms of David, and, in some editions, selections from the Parables of the New Testament, was long in use.  And we are persuaded that no special evil would flow if a similar book were introduced into the schools which are the boast of this day.  Even portions of the Church Prayer Book were used for devotional purposes.]

1688.

     During the administration of Sir Edmund Andros, the people of Lynn had an opportunity of witnessing the tendency of arbitrary government.  Andros had been appointed by the British King, James II., Governor of all New England, and came over in 1686 to exercise that authority; and his administration, for two years, was characterized by many acts of arbitrary power.  He asserted that the people of Massachusetts had forfeited their charter, and that all the lands belonged to the King. Edward Randolph, his Secretary, looking round among these lands, to see where he might establish a little dukedom, fixed his attention upon the beautiful domain of Nahant, which he requested the Governor to give to him.  The following is a copy of his petition. 
 
     To his Excellency, Sir Edmund Andros, Knight, Governor, &c. &c. 
        The humble petition of Edward Randolph, that there is a certain tract of land nigh the Township of Lynn, in the County of Essex, in this His Majesty's territory and dominion, out of fence and undivided, containing about five hundred acres, commonly called Nahant neck, for which your petitioner humbly prays His Majesty's grant, and that your Excellence would please to issue a warrant to the Surveyor - General to admeasure the same, in order to passing a patent, he paying such moderate quitrent as your Excellence shall please to direct, &c.                                                              ED. RANDOLPH.  

     On the reception of this modest petition, the Council, on Friday, the third of February, directed the constables to "Give public notice in the said town of Lynn, that, if any person or persons have any claim or pretence to the said land, they appear before his Excellency, the Governor, in Council, on Wednesday, the seventh of March next, then and there to show forth the same, and why the said land may not be granted to the petitioner."  In pursuance of this order, the constable John Edmunds, notified a town meeting, which was held on the 5th of March, when a committee was chosen, who made the following representation. 

     To his Excellency, Sir Edmund Andros, Knight, and our Honorable Governor, with his Honorable Council to sit with him, on Wednesday, the seventh of this instant March, 1688. 
          Having received an order upon the second day of this instant March, that oriders our constables of Lynn, or either of them, to give public notice in the said town of Lynn, of a petition of Mr. Edward Randolph, Esq., read in a council held in Boston, on the third day of February, 1688, praying His Majesty's grant of a certain tract of land, therein called vacant land, lying nigh the town of Lynn, called Nahant, &c., as also, that, if any person or persons have any claim or pretence to the said lands, they appear before his Excellency, in council, on Wednesday, the seventh of this instant March, to show forth the same, and why the said land may not be granted to the petition, &c. 
     Wherefore, we, the proprietors of the pasture of Nahant, and inhabitants of Lynn, have, in obedience to our present Honorable Governor, and his Honorable Council, presented before them as followeth. 
     Imprimis: Our humble and most thankful acknowledgment of the favor showed unto us, in giving us notice of such an enterprise, as whereby, should it take effect, would so extremely indamage so many of His Majesty's good subjects at once; whereby we conclude His Excellency, our Honorable Governor, and his Honorable Council, are such as will search for and do justice, and maintain the cause of the innocent, weak, and poor, as we humbly and sincerely acknowledge ourselves to be; and yet being clearly satisfied of our just right in the tract of lands petitioned for, have good hope our honorable rulers will, of clemency and justice, adhere to, hear and weigh reasons herein presented, why we cannot comply with Edward Randolph's petition for the alienation of our Nahants; which, we humbly conceive, is groundlessly represented to be a parcel of vacant land, and therefore must apply ourselves to demonstrate to our Honorable Governor, and his Honorable Council the contrary.  And although the time is very short indeed for us to lay before your Honors to vindicate our just right to our Nahants, yet our endeavors shall be as effectual as we can in so short a time as we have to bethink ourselves, and show your Honors, that it is not vacant land, and that the proprietors have a true and just right thereunto, wherefore we present your honors as followeth. 
     That we have in our records, that in the year 1635, this tract of land, viz. our Nahants, was in the hands of the freemen of Lynn to dispose of; who did then grant unto several inhabitants to plant, and build upon, and possess; and, if they did not perform the conditions, they, to whom it was granted, forfeited the land to the town again, to dispose as shall be thought fit; and among those to whomithese lands were granted, that worthy and honorable gentleman, Mr. Humphreys, was one, who was a patentee and an assistant in the first government; therefore, sure it was the town's land then.  
     That these inhabitants that did build and dwell there, they were tributaries, or tenants, and paid their yearly rent to the town as long as they lived, or were removed by the town; as to instance, one Robert Coates yet living, to testify it.  
     There have been some that have laid claim to this land called Nahant, and commenced suit at law with the town for it, but were cast at law, the Court that then was gave the town the case, justified the town's right, and never denied it, nor blamed them about it. 
     This tract of land, it hath been divided into planting lots to the several proprietors by a vote of the town, as appears in our records, Anno, 1656, and the whole fenced as a common field, and the lots been improved by the proprietors, in planting, tilling, and manuring; and afterward, by the agreement of the proprietors, converted into a pasture; and so, ever since to this day improved; so we have by hard labor and industry subdued it, and brought it into so good a capacity as it is at this day, for the town's future benefit and no other.  
     We have honestly purchased said tract of land with our money, of the original proprietors of the soil, viz. the Natives, and have firm confirmation thereof, under their hands and seals, according to law. 
     We have possessed and improved the said tract of land upwards of fifty years, for so long since it hath been built upon, inhabited by tenants paying their acknowledgments year after year. 
     We hope arguments of this nature will be swaying with so rational a commonwealth's man as Mr. Randolph, who hath ever pretended great respect to His Majesty's subjects among us, and an earnest care and desire to promote their welfare and prosperity.  The premises considered, we believe a gentleman, under such circumstances, will not be injurious, by seeking a particular benefit, to impoverish and disadvantage so many of His Majesty's good subjects, by seeking the alienation of such a tract of land, so eminently useful and needful for those proprietors now in possession of it - it being a thing so consistent with His Majesty's pleasure, that his subjects should enjoy their properties and flourish under his government. 
     We are confident, therefore, that this Honorable Council will be solicitous for the promoting our welfare, as not to suffer us to be impoverished by the alienation of such a considerable tract of land, as this will do, if it should be alienated, - yea, we are bold to say again, extremely prejudicial, if not impoverish the body of the inhabitants of Lynn, who live not upon traffic and trading, as many seaport towns do, who have greater advantages, but upon husbandry, and raising such stocks of cattle and sheep as they are capable, and as their outlands will afford; for this, our Nahant is such a place for us as God and nature hath fitted and accommodated with herbage; and likewise, the only place about us for security for our creatures from the teeth of ravening wolves; which, this last summer, as well as formerly, have devoured very many that fed in other places about us, to the very great damage of sundry of our inhabitants accordingly.  Therefore, the said tract of land hath been improved by the proprietors as a grazing field with great benefit to the body of the whole town, which otherwise would be exposed to great hardships, inconveniences, and difficulties, to obtain a poor living; and, therefore, we cannot but be deeply sensible, that, if the said pasture be alienated from us, our poor families will be very great sufferers, and we shall be rendered very uncapable, either to provide for them, or to contribute such dues and duties to His Majesty's government set over us, which otherwise we might be capable of, and shall always readily and carefiully attend unto our utmost capacity. 
     And we humbly trust, our Honorable Governor and his Honorable Council will show us the favor, as in their wisdoms, to weigh and consider well our dutiful application to their order, to give in and show our reasons why we claim this said tract of land to be our right, as not to suffer any alienation of that which we do so much need for our great comfort and benefit; but rather grant us further confirmation thereof, if need require.  
     And thus we, the proprietors of the tract of land, even our Nahant, that is petitioned for, have taken notice of your Honors' order, and have, this first day of March, 1687-8, made choice of a committee, to consider what is meet to lay before your Honors, and of messengers, to appear and present tie same to your Excellency, our Honorable Governor, and the Honorable Council; which, if these things are not satisfactory, we then in humility crave the favor of His Excellency and his Honorable Council for such a trial and process as the law may admit of in such a case, wherein persons are in possession of lands, as we of this said tract, having tenants thereon; and further time and opportunity being granted, we doubt not but we shall produce such valid confirmations of our true and honest title to said tract of land, as shall be abundantly satisfactory to our honored rulers, and put a period to further debates about it.  So we rest and remain, His Majesty's most loyal subjects, and your Excellency's and Council's most humble servants, The Committee, in the name and behalf of the Proprietors of Nahant. 
THOMAS LAUGHTON
RALPH KING,
JOHN LEWIS,
OLIVER PURCHIS,
JOHN BURRILL,
EDWARD RICHARDS,
JOHN FULLER. 

     It may appear strange to many, at this time, to notice the humble and almost abject demeanor of the committee, as evinced in the preceding address.  They doubtless thought, that nothing would be lost by soft words; but the spirit of freeman was at length roused, and ample vengeance was soon to be taken on the aggressors of arbitrary power.  Notwithstanding the representations of the committee, Mr. Randolph persisted in his demand, and renewed his claim as follows.  

To His Excellence, Sir Edmund Andros, Governor. 
     The humble representation of Edward Randolph, sheweth: That having, by his humble petition to your Excellence, prayed a grant of a certain tract of land lying in the, township of Lynn, in the county of Essex, called Nahant, your Excellence was pleased, by your order in Council, the third day of February last, to direct that the constables of the said town do give public notice to the said town, that, if any person or persons have any claim or pretence to the said land, they should appear before your Excellence in Council, on Wednesday, the seventh of this instant March; at which time several of the inhabitants of the said town of Lynn did appear, and presented your Excellence with a paper, containing their several objections to the said petition. 
     In answer whereunto is humbly offered as follows: That by their said prayer, it does not appear the lands petitioned for, or any part thereof, were disposed of to the inhabitants of Lynn, nor that the said town of Lynn was incorporated in the year 1635, nor at any time since, and so not endowed with a power of receiving or disposing such lands. 
     That the freemen of Lynn, mentioned in the first article of their said paper, were not freemen of the corporation of Lynn, (as they would insinuate) but inhabitants only in the township, and were admitted by the General Court to be freemen of the Colony, with power to elect magistrates, etc., and their town of Lynn is equal to a village in England, and no otherwise. 
     And in regard their whole paper contains nothing more material than what is expressed in their first article, the petitioner hath nothing further to offer, than to pray your Excellence's grant ascording to his petition.  All which is humbly submitted.  
                                                                                                                                                   ED. RANDOLPH.  

     On the reception of this petition, the people of Lynn held another meeting, and addressed the Governor as follows.

To His Excellency, Sir Edmund Andros, Knight, our Honorable Governor, Captain - General of His Majesty's Territory and Dominion in New England, the humble address of the inhabitants of Lynn is humbly offered. 
     We, whose names are subscribed, having, by the favor of your Excellency, good information of the endeavors of some to seek the alienation of a tract of land from us, called the Nahants, containing about four or five hundred acres, which will prove extremely prejudicial and injurious to the body of His Majesty's subjects among us; it being a tract of land honorably purchased of the natives, the original proprietors of the soil, and possessed by our predecessors and ourselves near upon sixty years, and to this day.  We have also renewed confirmations of the tract of land by firm deed from the successors of the ancient proprietors, the natives; having also been at great cost and charges, and hard labor for the subduing of the said land, to bring it into so good a capacity as it is in at this day; having also defended our right to this tract of land as well as others possessed by us, by blood and the loss of many lives, both formerly, and especially in the late engagments, with the barbarous pagans.  The said tract of land having been built upon, also, and inhabited upwards of fifty years.  It hath been ploughed, planted, tilled, and manured, and fenced in; the fence remaining to this very day, only wanting reparation; none ever, to this day, from the first settlement of our plantation - called formerly by the name of Saugus - dispossessing of us; but we have maintained our position and right, which hath been owned and defended by His Majesty's former government set over us.  The said tract of land being also eminently beneficial and needful for the support of our inhabitants; it being improved for a grazing field for our sheep, and such other useful creatures as can scarcely be preserved from the ravening wolves. 
     Therefore, we are sensible, that, by the alienation of such a tract of land from us, so circumstanced, many of His Majesty's good subjects - our honest, innocent neighbors - will be exposed to great sufferings and hardships, and we all rendered incapable to contribute such dues and duties to His Majesty's government set over us, as is our bounden duty, and which we shall always readily attend, knowing how consistent it is with His Majesty's pleasure, and how well pleasing to your Excellency, that we live and prosper under your government. 
     We request your Excellency, therefore, to condescend to cast a favorable aspect upon the premises, and that our mean and shattered condition may not induce your contempt, but rather obtain your pity and succor.  And, therefore, we confide in your Excellency's favor for our encouraging answer to this our petition, which is for the further and future enjoying of our Nahants. 
     By your Excellency's fatherly and compassionate grant of such a patent for further confirmation thereof unto ourselves and heirs forever, upon a moderate acknowledgment to be paid to His Royal Majesty, as may be consistent with your Excellency's prudence, and most conducive to our best behoof and benefit, and so that we may live and prosper under your government, that we may have tranquillity under the same fiom henceforth.  
     The second day of April, Anno Iomini, One Thousand Six Hundred Eighty and Eight.  Annoqui Regni Regis Jacobi Secundi Quarto.  

     The above, petition was signed by seventy-four inhabitants, and, with the preceding papers, are preserved in the Massachusetts archives.  Their interesting nature has induced me to give them entire.  I have only corrected the spelling. 
     The revenge which had been burning in the breasts of the eastern Indians for twelve years, for their friends killed and sold into slavery in 1676, this year broke out into open war.  Their animosity was increased by the instigation of Baron de St. Castine, a Frenchman, who married a daughter of Madockawando, the Penobscot chief.  His house had been plundered by Sir Edmund Andros, the Governor of Massachusetts, and this induced him to join with the Indians.  The French of Canada also united with them in their depredations, which were continued, with intervals, till 1698, under the appellation of Castine's war.  A company of soldiers from Lynn were impressed, by order of the Governor, and,sent out against the Indians in the depth of winter.  One of the soldiers from Lynn, Mr. Joseph Ramsdell, was killed by them at Casco Bay, in 1690.

1689.

     The assumptions of Andros and his lordly secretary, as may well be supposed, gave great offence to the people of Lynn, and there seems to have been no other general topic of conversation for several years.  At length the spirit of the people was roused to such a degree, that, on the 19th of April, the inhabitants of Boston rose in arms, wrested the power from Sir Edmund and confined him a prisoner on Fort Hill until he was sent back to England.
     The people of Lynn, who had not only been injured, but even insulted by Governor Andros, united with. some from other towns, and went up to Boston, under the command of Rev. Jeremiah Shepard, the minister of Lynn.  A writer who was present says: " April 19th, about 11 o'clock, the country came in, headed by one Shepard, teacher of Lynn, who were like so many wild bears; and the leader, mad with passion, more savage than any of his followers.  All the cry was for the Governor and Mr. Randolph."  The Lynn people were doubtless somewhat excited, but it may be noted, that the above account of their conduct was written by a friend of Governor Andros.  [Mr. Lewis states, in a note, that this interesting passage was copied from a manuscript Account of the Insurrection, among the papers of thd Archbishop of Canterbury, in the Lambeth Palace, at London, and that it was probably written by Randolph himself.]
     In the exigency of public affairs, town meetings were held, and a Committee of Safety for the county of Essex appointed, with directions to make a report of grievances, to be laid before the government.  The people of Lynn made the following representation.  

     At Lynn, the 24th of May, 1689, upon a signification from Captain Jonathan Corwin, of the Committee of the County of Essex, to make inquiry into the grievances suffered under the late government, that it is expressed, that this town, or any inhabitants therein, that have been aggrieved or burthened, do manifest the same under their hand, to the Committee aforesaid, or to Captain Jonathan Corwin to make known the same.  We the Committee chosen by the inhabitants of Lynn, on the 20th of May, 1689, to consider of the signification abovesaid, and to draw up what grievances and burdens we have sustained by the late government, &c., do declare, viz. that this poor town of Lynn have sustained great wrong and damage by the said late government; in that our orderly, honest, and just rights, in a tract of land within the bounds of Lynn, called Nahants, that hath been enjoyed, possessed, built upon, and improved, by fencing, planting, and pasturing, &c., by the township of Lynn, well onward to sixty years; and yet, by the injurious, unjust, and covetous humors of some very ill minded persons, upon petitions preferred - as Mr. Randolph first, and Mary Daffin, of Boston, in the second place, when Mr. Randolph could not make his petition true and valid, then he throweth in Mary Daffin her petition for the same lands, and as unjustly founded as Mr. Randolph's.  But on their two petitions and vain pretences, we, the poor people of Lynn, have been, by orders from the Governor and Council, called, summoned, and ordered to appear at Boston, and to show and make good title to said lands before Sir Edmund Andros, and his Council, at one sitting, and a second sitting, and so a third, and a fourth, to our great loss, and expense of time and moneys, and no advantage nor benefit to us, because of delays and procrastinations, to screw our moneys out of our hands, and to make us pay, with a vengeance, for such writings as we must be constrained to take forth.  And thus we have been grieved and oppressed, and put to loss, cost and damage, near one hundred pounds, and never the better, no justice done us, and at last put upon a threatened necessity of patenting our own old enjoyed properties, and a denial of our rights in any of our commons, always enjoyed, but now called King's lands, and we denied to be any town. Thus we have been perplexed, vexed, and oppressed, and impoverished; and except the Lord had wrought for us, whose name we bless, and give thanks to the worthy gentlemen, his instruments, we had been the worst of bondmen.  Furthermore, we were debarred, by the late government, of our constant liberty of town meetings but once in a year, whereby we could not meet to consult of defending our rights in the premises, because it should be charged with riot; and also of keeping a watch for our security from any dangers we had too just cause to fear, which was our great grief and burthen; and our abuses by the profane farmers of excise; and our sons, neighbors, and servants impressed and sent out so remote in the winter season, and constrained hereunto, and all sufferings, and we understand not upon what grounds. 
     Per order of, or in the name of the Town and Committee.
                                                                                                                                                OLIVER PURCHIS, Cleric.

     Jeremiah Shepard, aged forty-two years, and John Burrill, aged fifty-seven years, we, whose names are subscribed, being chosen by the inhabitants of Lynn, in the Massachusetts Colony, in New England, to maintain their right to their properties and lands, invaded by Sir Edmund Andros's government, we do testify, that, (besides Sir Edmund Andros his unreasonable demands of money, by way of taxation, and that without an assembly and deputies, sent from our towns, according to ancient custom, for the raising of money and levying of rates, ) our properties, our honest, and just, and true titles to our land were also invaded; and particularly a great and considerable tract of land, called by the name of the Nahants, the only secure place for the grazing of some thousands of our sheep, and without which our inhabitants could neither provide for their families, nor be capacitated to pay dues or duties for the maintenance of the public, but, if dispossessed of, the town must needs be impoverished, ruined, and rendered miserable.  Yet this very tract of land, being petitioned for by Edward Randolph, was threatened to be rent out of our hands, notwithstanding our honest and just pleas for our right to the said land, both by alienation of the said land to us by the original proprietors, the natives, to whom we paid our moneys by way of purchase, and notwithstanding near sixty years peaceable and quiet possession, and improvement, and also enclosure of the said land by a stone wall; in which tract of land, also, two of our patentees were interested in common with us, viz. Major Humfrey and Mr. Johnson; yet Edward Randolph petitioning for the said land, Sir Edmund, the Governor, did so far comply with his unreasonable motion, that we were put to great charges and expense for the vindication of our honest rights thereto.  And being often before the Governor, Sir Edmund, and his Council, for relief, yet could find no favor of our innocent cause by Sir Edmund; notwithstanding our pleas of purchase, ancient possession, enclosure, grant of General Court, and our necessitous condition; yet he told us that all these pleas were insignificant, and we could have no true title, until we could prove a patent from the king; neither had any person a right to one foot of land in New England, by virtue of purchase, possession, or grant of Court; but if we would have assurance of our lands, we must go to the king for it, and get patents of it.  Finding no relief, (and the Governor having prohibited town meetings,) we earnestly desired liberty for our town to meet to consult what to do in so difficult a case and exigency, but could not prevail; Sir Edmund angrily telling us, that there was no such thing as a town in the country; neither should we have liberty so to meet; neither were our ancient records, as he said, which we produced for our vindication of our title to the said lands, worth a rush.  Thus were we from time to time unreasonably treated, our properties, and civil liberties, and privileges invaded, our misery and ruin threatened and hastened, till such time as our country, groaning under the unreasonable heavy yoke of Sir Edmund's government, were constrained forcibly to recover our rights and privileges.
JEREMIAH SHEPARD,
JOHN BURRILL.

     [Robert Driver petitions the Court that his son Solomon, who had been impressed, may be released, as some others had been, "as the life of his wife Sarah is bound up in her son Solomon."  There is no record of the Court's answer.
     [Capt. Ralph King died this year.  He was a man of prominence and usefulness.  He left an estate quite considerable for the time, the appraisal showing in amount L2.365 4s.  Rev. Mr. Shepard, William Bassett, senior, and John Ballard were appraisers.]

1690.

     The third inhabitant of Nahant, and the first permanent one, was James Mills.  He had a small cottage, which stood in the field a few rods southeast from Whitney's hotel, wherein he resided twenty-six years.  He had three children; Sarah, born 27 February, 1675; James, b. 11 October, 1678; and  Dorothy, b. 21 April, 1681.  A bay on the south of Nahant having been her favorite bathing place, has received the name of Dorothy's cove. 
     The first Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends, in Lynn, was held at the house of Samuel Collins, on the 18th of July.  There were but five Lynn men present. 
     [The first paper money of Massachusetts was issued this year. There was an emission of 40.000 pounds, to defray the charges of the Canada expedition.]