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PIMNTEO IN U.S.A.

HISTORY

OF THE

TOWN OF CARVER

MASSACHUSETTS

Historical Review

1637 TO 1910

HENRY S. GRIFFITH

NEW BEDFORD, MASS,

E, ANTHONY & SONS, Inc., Printers

1913

PREFACE

In the course of a conversation about three years ago I was urged to write the history of Carver. It was pointed out that the character of our population is rapidly changing, that among the new residents there are no ties reaching back to Old Colony ancestors, and that should any one undertake to write the story a few years hence there would be no sentiment among the people that would insure its publication. At the present time, too, there are descendants of Carver scat- tered between the two oceans and these might appreciate such a memento of their New England ancestors. And acting upon the above suggestion much of the data had been gathered when at the annual town meeting in 1912, Frank E. Barrows, Donald McFarlin and myself were delegated to arrange for its publication.

One engaged in historical research appreciates the importance of comprehensive records. Our earliest society records are not complete. Many of them were first kept on loose leaves which later were copied in books, while our ancestors have scarcely left a mark concerning the incidents which so strongly appeal to our fancy. The earlier records were unsigned, in the case of churches they were kept by the ministers, and the 19th cen- tury was well under way when the practice of

ill

iv PREFACE

making clerk signed records came into vogue. In some of the records double dating was not in- variably practiced, and where I have used single dates during that period the Julian calendar date is to be understood.

Our town records are in a good state of pres- ervation, the older volumes having been preserved by the Emory process. The first books contain vital records copied from the records of Plymp- ton, but generally speaking our vital records be- gin with the year of the town's incorporation. We have duplicates of the first two volumes of the town records made by Ira Murdoch.

The Precinct records in the custody of the Con- gregationalist Church are not in good condition, and these with the records of the Proprietors of the South Meeting House and the first volume of the Baptist Society records, in consideration of their historical value, should be carefully pre- served. Unfortunately the church records of Eeverends Campbell and Rowland of the first church are missing, and this removes from view the baptisms from 1732 to 1804 (the period of their greatest value) and doubtless other facts that would be of interest. The records of the Proprietors of the Congregationalist Church (1823) and of the Baptist Church (1824)' are also missing with whatever of interest they may have contained.

As there was no attempt at a systematic record of vital statistics previous to 1842, the gravestone inscriptions are important and the date of death of some who were not thus honored is lost. The

PREFACE V

i\^riter, assisted by young friends, copied these inscriptions in 1900, and these transcribed in a book, form a valued record now in the possession of the town. A few mistakes were made in the process of copying, but in view of the fact that the inscriptions are fast becoming indecipherable on some of the older stones, this record will pre- serve some dates that otherwise might be lost.

The compulsory return of vital statistics was not required until 1850, and to make up for the ■deficiency the State officials have entered upon a policy that will ultimately put the State Library in possession of copies of the older records and also insure their publication. The writer fur- nished the State with a copy of the vital records of Carver, and this copy, with additions from the cemetery record above referred to and from pri- vate records, has been published, thus relieving this work of anything in the line of genealogy.

In a work of this kind mistakes are easy to make. To take the imperfect records and evolve a complete story without an omission, a repetition or a contradiction requires a mind more proficient in the art of deduction, and with more patience than the writer happens to possess. The his- torian of a community rich in traditional legends who in the course of his researches becomes ac- quainted with the social and industrial past, and who is thus in a position to compare the painted picture with the barren field of history, must feel a sense of dissatisfaction with his work. Espe- cially is this true when we attempt to picture the social conditions of the first settlers. We know

vi PREFACE

their experiences as pioneers were replete with dangers and romances, the simple narration of which would make a thrilling story, but when we ask of departed time a revelation of her secrets our question re-echoes across a barren waste.

I fancy I see the smiles of satisfaction — if not of vanity — on the faces of the residents of the first half of the eighteenth century as they review the progress they had made not only in material things, but in the realm of civil and religious lib- erty. And if we compare that record with that of some of their European contemporaries we may concede their right to boast over their achieve- ments. And when I review the progress made in the Colony from the ascension of William and Mary to the middle of the succeeding century I am forced to hold the opinion that we gained more in the cause of liberty by the English than we did by the American Revolution.

Unfortunately local records are silent regard- ing the personnel of the Revolutionary Army and the only glimpse we get of the individual records of our patriotic sires is in the more or less con- flicting rolls on file in the Archive Department at the State House. These rolls have been classi- fied, indexed and published, and anyone seeking the record of an ancestor is referred to these vol- umes. In this story I have only sought to give a general idea of what our mother town did in the cause of national independence. My list is so unsatisfactory that I feel like apologizing for it, and the danger of doing an injustice to some enthusiastic patriot impels me to refer to the pub-

PREFACE vii

iication mentioned above as an appeal from my efforts. There was no dividing line between the two Precincts so far as the Eevolution is con- cerned, and it would be an endless genealogical task to make a separate list of the soldiers who resided in the South Precinct, so I have made a list of all who served to the credit of the town of Plympton. In the enthusiastic march to dislodge the enemy from the town of Marshfield, fruitless except as an indication of the unanimous senti- ment of the town, those militia men who served under Captains William Atwood and Nathaniel Shaw were mainly from the South Precinct. I suspect the soldier who appears on the rolls as Swanzea Murdock may have been a negro known locally as Swanzea. He was employed by Bartlett Murdock, and with only one name of his own his posterity will excuse him for borrowing that of his employer in such a patriotic cause. The vari- ous ways of spelling names as they appear on the rolls is a handicap, and I have followed the mod- ern way of spelling.

At the time this is written there appears no way of obtaining a reliable list of the soldiers who served in the second war with Great Britain, in consequence of which those veterans are denied their place in this story. The State has begun the task of rescuing these names from their tomb in the War Department at Washington, and while the Adjutant General of the State has completed his part the publication will not be made before this work is published.

viii PREFACE

In my list of volunteers of the Civil War I have included two names who, while residents of the town, did not fill a quota of Carver. Albert T. Shurtleff, the first to enlist, joined a Ehode Island regiment, and Ezra Pearsons enlisted to the credit of the State of Maine.

I express gratitude to the memory of the late Lewis Pratt, who gave me so much from a good memory relating to the old time furnaces; also to the late William T. Davis, an authority on Old Colony history. In my story of the natural con- ditions of the town I give credit to Miss Helena McFarlin, who furnished me with a list of the birds and wild flowers.

H. S. G.

South Carver, June 19, 1913.

CONTENTS

Page

Natural Conditions 1

Indians 13

The First Speculators 19

A Few Early Laws 31

The First Separation 43

Early Settlers 51

The South Precinct of Plympton .... 65

Plympton in the Revolution 91

The Congregationalist Church .... Ill

The South Meeting House 121

The Second Separation . 135

The Temperance Movement 155

The Baptist Church 163

The Methodist Church 175

The Advent Christian Church .... 181

The Union Society ......... 185

Furnaces and Foundries 191

The Cranberry Industry 217

Military History 223

Carver in the Rebellion 231

War of 1812-14 ... 241

ix

X HISTORY OF CARVER

Page

Post Offices 243

Small Pox 244

Cemeteries 245

Population , . 250

Miscellaneous Industries 251

Chronological Events 257

Landmarks 265

Biographical Sketches 271

Precinct Officers 293

Parish Officers 302

Church Members 305

State and County Officers 326 '

Toivn Officers 328

Index of Names 341

ILLUSTRATIONS

Facing Page

The South Meeting House . Frontispiece

A View of Sampsons Pond viii

A View of East Head Woods .... 8

Barretts Pond 16

A Corner on HemlocJc Island .... 24

The Shurtleff Homestead 26

The Sturtevant House . . . . . . . 30

Residence of Finney Brothers 32

The Griffith Homestead 40

The TVaterman House 48

The Carver Primary Schoolhouse . . . 50

The Wenham Schoolhouse ...... 54

The Popes Point Schoolhouse .... 58

The Bates Pond Schoolhouse ... .62

The South Carver Schoolhouse .... 72

Benjamin W. Bobbins 80

The Second Church 88

The Congregational Church 96

Hon, Benjamin Ellis 106

Huit McFarlin 110

Henry Sherman 112

xi

xii HISTORY OF CARVER

Facing Page

The Town Ball 120

The North Carver Schoolhouse . . . ,. 122

,The High School Building 126

Thomas Hammond, Jr 136

The Baptist Church 144

The Hammond Homestead 152

The Methodist Church . 160

The Methodist Chapel 168

The Advent Christian Church .... 176

The Union Church 178

Lewis Pratt, Jr 182

The Charlotte Furnace Building .... 186

Hon. Peleg McFarlin 190

Hon. Jesse Murdoch . . . . . . . 200

Eben D. Shaw 208

Federal Screen House 210

Section of Federal Village 214

A Section of the Wankinco Bog .... 218

Albert T. Shurtleff 222

Capt. William S. McFarlin 224

Maj. Thomas B. Griffith 232

The Soldiers Monument 234

Thomas Southworth 238

Lakenham Cemetery 248

ILLUSTRATIONS xiii

Facing Page

Harrison G. Cole 256

George P. Bowers 264

Horatio A. Lucas . . ... . . . 272

A Section of East Head Game Preserve . 274

Andrew Griffith 278

William Savery 280

Mrs. Rosa A. Cole 288

Dea. Thomas Cohh 296

John Maxim, Jr 304

Mrs. Priscilla Jane Barrows 312

Ellis H. Cornish, M. D. . . . . . . .320

History of Carver

HISTORY OF CARVER

NATUEAL CONDITIONS

The town of Carver, comprising about twenty- four thousand acres, is located midway between tidewater in Plymouth and tidewater in Ware- ham. The centre of the town would fall near 41 degrees 52 minutes north latitude while a meridian 70% degrees west from Greenwich would intersect the parallel near the centre of the town. The Weweantic river separates a short section in the southwest from Middleboro, the Wankinco about the same distance of the southeastern border from Plymouth, otherwise the town has no natural boundaries. Generally speaking the town is bounded on the north by Plympton, on the east by Kingston and Plymouth, on the south by Ply- mouth and Wareham, and on the west by Ware- ham and Middleboro.

The northern and southern sections are rolling interspersed with ponds and swamps with the central section mainly level. Several thousand acres in the southeastern section is made up of barren hills, sterile except for scattering scrub oaks and pines and occasional fertile spots. The

1

2 HISTORY OF CARVER

conditions surrounding the swamps are peculiarly- adapted to cranberry culture, and the upland, worthless in a commercial sense, is noted for its scenic beauty. The most desirable land for agri- cultural purposes is in the north section where the earliest settlements were made.

While the town is generally noted for its sandy soil, there are marks of a glacial drift and occa- sional spots of rich deposits. Stretching across the central section in a southeasterly course a windrow of boulders separates the better soil of the north from the sandy soil of the south. The widest deviation in this windrow is in the terri- tory from Sampson's pond to Cedar brook, which is made up of bowlders. One extension which has acquired the sobriquet of The Ridge protrudes from the main drift in a southerly direction and separates the pond from the large cedar swamp which appears to be in the same depression. Tillson's brook, which unites the cedar swamp with the pond, makes its connection around the southerly end of the ridge.

Three streams, dignified in local history by the name of rivers, form the basis of the town's drainage system, viz. : The Winatuxet, the Wewe- antic and the Wankinquoah. Lakenham brook, running northerly from its source in Lakenham pond, in its junction with Mahutchett brook, gives rise to the Winatuxet. This river is also fed by Annasnapet brook, which flows westerly across the north end of the town. In turn this brook is swelled by two smaller streams, Huntinghouse brook and another to the east, both running north-

NATURAL CONDITIONS 3

erly and emptying their contents into Annasnapet brook.

The Weweantic rising at Swan Hold and flowing across the town in a southwesterly course, with its great tributary, the Crane brook, drains the larger half of the town. Wenham brook, which flows from Wenham pond southerly; Horseneck brook, flowing from the Centre swamp easterly; Causeway brook, flowing from a swamp on the Wenham road southerly ; Beaver Dam brook, flow- ing from Beaver Dam pond westerly ; Cedar brook, running westerly from the cedar swamp; two brooks flowing out of New Meadows westerly; a blind brook flowing westerly from No-Bottom pond, and Atwood brook, flowing southwesterly from Bates' pond, all add to the majesty of the Weweantic.

With the exception of East Head, West Head and the swamps on the Wareham-Carver town line, the Crane brook drains the territory south of the cedar swamp, including the southerly sec- tion of the swamp itself. This stream flows from Federal ponds southwesterly, pouring its accu- mulated waters into the Weweantic just before it leaves the town. Dunham's pond sends its sur- plus water down the Crane brook either directly through a short brook that connects its easterly shore, or indirectly through Tillson's brook, which flows from the cedar swamp southwesterly into Sampson's pond. This pond also receives water from the New Meadows country through a brook that crosses Rochester road east of Union church, and sends its surplus to the Crane brook through its southerly outlet, Sampson's brook.

4 HISTORY OF CAR\T:R

Cedar pond and Clear pond are closely related and connect with Crane brook through the west- erly outlet, more or less blind, that makes through the swamp southwesterly. Indian brook, rising in Indian swamp and running southerly, fed itself by a brook running from near the southwesterly point of Sampson's pond, adds to the waters of the Crane brook.

East Head brook, running from East Head and West Head brook, running from White springs, give rise to the Wankinquoah, which drains the swamps in that region and empties its waters in Tihonet pond. The swamps in the ex- treme southerly section of the town also drain into Tihonet pond through Mosquito brook. Rose brook has its source in these swamps, but drains but a small part of them.

Cooper's, John's, Triangle, Gould's Bottom and Barrett's ponds have no outlets.

The large area of the town, sparsely populated, with numerous ponds, streams and jungles, unite to make the territory a favored breeding ground of the fish, animals and birds that thrive in this latitude.

Fish formed a staple article of food for the earlier settlers and in the days of the first resi- dents the industry developed three fish weirs. Sampson's and Doty's ponds were breeding places for herrings until their egress and ingress was closed by the development of manufacturing along tlie Weweantic river. These ponds were also stocked with white perch, a valued food fish until the species became land locked, since which it has

NATURAL CONDITIONS 5

so far degenerated as to become nearly worthless. During the latter half of the 19th century some of the ponds were stocked with black bass and that species has become the most valuable for food. The list of fresh water fish that have always thrived would include pickerel, red perch, shiners, white fish, roaches, hornpouts and brook trout.

Deer, the largest of our wild animals, find fa- vorable conditions. Through persistent hunting they were exterminated in the latter half of the 19th century but under the protection of the law they regained a foot hold and the opening days of the 20th century found them so numerous as to be actually depredations.

The first settlers found beavers and wolves in abundance. The former were highly prized for commercial reasons and quickly exterminated while war was declared on the latter also for well known reasons and they too disappeared. Foxes and skunks have ever been regarded with suspic- ion and while they have never had the protection of the law they still thrive. Being valued for their furs there is a double motive for destroying them and the persistency in which they hold their own is creditable to their cunning. Other animals which are valued for their furs, but which ap- pear to be disappearing are otters, minks, rac- coons, muskrats and weasels.

The woods once teemed with hare and rabbits, but these are liable to be extinct. The destruction of their breeding places in the process of cran- berry bog construction is the main cause of the extermination of this game, with increasing popu-

6 HISTORY OF CARVER

lation, forest fires and persistent hunting as con- tributing factors. Gray squirrels, red squirrels, and chipmunks are undiminished.

The first settlers declared war on crows, crow blackbirds and red birds (brown thrashers) in the interests of their corn fields, but in spite of these inconveniences the birds are with us yet and as we get better acquainted with them we rejoice that thev have not been exterminated.

Following is a list of the birds of the town

Land American cross bills Blue birds Blue jays Bobolinks Brown creepers Brown thrashers Cat birds Cedar waxwings Chats Chebecs

Chewinks (tohee) Chickadees Chimney swifts Cow birds Crows Cuckoos Doves Gold finches (yellow

birds) Golden crowned kinglets Grackles (purple and

bronze)

Birds Hawks

Humming birds Indigo birds Juneos King birds King fishers Martins

Maryland yellowthroat Meadow larks Night Hawks Nut hatches (red breasted

and white breasted) Orioles Ospreys Ovenbirds Owls Pewees Phebe birds Purple finches (linnets) Quails Rails Red winged blackbirds

NATURAL CONDITIONS

Redstarts		Swallows
Robins		Thrushes
Rose breasted grosbecks	Vieros
Ruffed grouse		Warblers (myrtle, chest
Sand pipers		nut sided, etc.)
Scarlet tanagers		Whip-poor-wills
Shrikes (butcher birds)	Woodpeckers
Snow buntings		Wrens
Sparrows
	Waders
Bitterns		Snipe
Plovers		Yellow legs
Blue herons
	Water Birds
Black ducks		Mallard ducks
Grebes		Wood ducks
Loons

Being located on the line between Labrador and the South, and having ample resting and feeding places in the lakes, we are annually visited by migrating birds. When a storm is approaching from the northeast myriads of gulls retreat in- land and our lakes are made lively by these play- ful habitants of the deep. The list of birds which we can claim only as transient visitors in addition to gulls and terns, would include :

Mergansers

Pintail

Red head ducks

Blue wing teal

Brant

Coots

Cormorants (shags)

Gadwalls (gray duck)

Geese

Golden eye (whistlers)

Green wing teal

Shelldrakes South Southerlys

Squaws) Spoonbills Widgeon

(Old

8 HISTORY OF CAEVER

Crows, blue jays, juncos, meadow larks, quails, ruffed grouse, chickadees, woodpeckers, bald eagles, tree sparrows and occasional robins are year around birds.

The town is noted for its growth of lumber, soft pine, cedar and oak being staple products down to the 20th century, and it is evident this growth must have been gigantic before its settle- ment. In digging ditches in the process of bog construction charcoal has been found imbedded three feet below the surface, indicating the growth of timber and also the prevalence of forest fires in pre-historic times. In point of commercial value the oak takes third place being preceded only by white pine and cedar. South Meadow cedar swamp comprising about one thousand acres; Doty's swamp. New Meadows swamp and other smaller patches were dense with a virgin growth in memory of those now living, while many acres of original growth of white pine has been cut in the memory of the present generation. The early records mention large whitewood trees, but this species, if it has prevailed in the past, has become extinct. The following species have been and are now thriving:

White pine, cedar, oaks, pitch pine, maples, hem- lock, white birch, black birch, hornbeam, poplar, cherry, locust, sassafras, elm, willow and beech.

The attractions of nature are perpetual. No snow so deep that the pines and cedars do not wave their green branches above it; no winter so bleak as to hide the beauties of the holly, the laurels and winterberries. The scrub-oak hills of

NATURAL CONDITIONS

sand are famous for trailing arbutus that appears even before the snow has left the valleys, and in no clime or soil do the water lilies, sabbatias, goldenrods and asters reach a more perfect state of development. In the season the swamps are fragrant with the blossoms of the honeysuckle and sweet pepper bush, and the variegated autumn leaves clothe the driveways and hills with in- describable beauty.

That this town has its share of the decorations that give inspiration to country scenery, the fol- lowing list, still incomplete, may testify :

White

Alder (smooth)

Arrowhead (sagittaria)

Arrow woods

Asters

Baneberry

Bay berry

Bearberry (mountain cranberry)

Beech plum

Black alder (winterberry)

Blackberry

Black huckleberry

Blueberry

Bunchberry

Button bush

Cat brier

Checkerberry (winter- green)

Choke berry

Cinquefoil

Clover

Creeping snowberry Dangleberry Dodder Elderberry Evening lychris False Solomon's seal False spikenard Floating heart Gall of the earth Gold thread Goldenrod Holly

Indian pipe Inkberry Lady's tobacco Lady's tresses '

Leather leaf Mayweed Meadow rue Meadow sweet Mountain holly

10

HISTORY OF CARVER

Mountain laurel

Night flowering catch fly

Ox-eyed daisy

Partridge vine

Pearl everlasting

Plantain

Queen Anne 's lace

Rattlesnake plantain

Rattlesnake root

Shad bush (wild pear)

Shinleaf

Snapwood

Spotted wintergreen

Star flower

Swamp honeysuckle

(azalia) Swamp huckleberry Sweet everlasting Sweet fern

Sweet gale

Sweet pepper bush

Thoroughwort

Trillium (painted)

Turtle head

Viburnum

Virgin's bower

Water cress

Water lily

White fringed orchis

White violet

Wild lily of the valley

Wild sarsaparilla

Wild strawberry

Wind flower (anemone)

Wintergreen (pipsissiwa)

Withwood

Yarrow

Yellow

Bellwort

Black eyed Susan Butter and Eggs Buttercup Cinquefoil

Common St. John's wort Cynthia (dwarf dande- lion) Dandelion Fall Dandelion Evening primrose Gerardia Golden aster Golden ragwort Goldenrod

Hawk weed

Hedge hyssop

Horned bladderwort

Indian cueumberroot

Jewel weed

Loose strife

Marsh marigold

Moth mullein

Mullein

Mustard

Poverty grass

Purslane

Stick tight

Sundrop

Tansv

NATUEAL CONDITIONS

11

Toad flax Wild indigo "Wild parsnip Wild sunflower Wild yellow wood sorrel (oxalis)

Witch hazel Yellow clover Yellow eyed grass Yellow pond lily Yellow Star grass

Pink

Amphibeoiis knot weed

Arbutus

Arethusia

Bouncing Bet

Burdock

Bush clover

Calopogon

Clover

Common milkweed

Cranberry

Dogbane

Fireweed

Hog peanut

Joe-pye-weed

Eoiotweed (polyganella)

Lions heart

Marsh St. Johnswort

Meadow Beauty

Milkwort

Moccasin flower

^Motherwort

Musk Mallow

Coreopsis

Fleabane

Pogonia

Purple geradia

Rhodora

Round leaved mallow

Sabbatia (sea pink)

Sheep laurel

Steeple bush

Sundew

Sweet briar rose

Swamp loose strife

Tick trefoil

Wild rose

Yarrow

Aster

Bird-foot violet

Blue curls

Blue eyed grass

Bluets

Blue flag (Iris)

Blue or Purple

Blue toad flax

Blue Vervain (verbena)

Catnip

Common speedwell

Cow vetch

Common violet

12

HISTORY OF CARVER

Gill-over-the-ground Indian tobacco Iron weed Lobelia (water) Lupine

Mad dog's skull cap Meadow violet Pennyroyal

Cardinal flower Pitcher plant

Peppermint

Pickerel weed

Robin's plantain

Self heal

Sheep's bit

Spiderwort

Thistle

Venus' looking glass

Red

Wood lily

Green or Greenish White

Cow wheat

Dock

Grape (wild)

Horse radish

Poison sumach

Weeds :

Carpet weed Chick weed Ground cherry Goosefoot Pig weed Pin weed

Poison ivy Staghorn Virginia creeper

bine)

Pipewort

Sandwort

Trumble weed

Velvet weed Wild pepper grass

( wood-

Butterfly weed Cypress spurge Cat-tail Ground nut Hoary pea Jack-in-the-pulpit Lousewort

Miscellaneous

Liveforever

Rabbits foot clover

Scouring rush

Sweet flag

Skunk cabbage

South Sea water bubble

Trumpet honeysuckle

INDIANS

Unfortunately our main source of knowledge of our predecessors on this soil is founded on tra- dition, which is often a libelous story, for the human mind is not apt to minimize an event that struck terror to its infant conceptions. No voice of the Pawtuxets comes down to us in litera- ture, none of their architecture stands as a monu- ment to their art, yet we have many silent re- minders of their handiwork. A walk around the shores of our lakes, or across some newly plowed field, is frequently rewarded by some arrow head, pestle or war club upturned from its resting place. Thousands of these mementos are scattered through our homes and too often perhaps not fully appreciated for these are the only tokens that link our civilization with the lives of the children of nature that once inhabited this region.

And when we read of the cruelties of the Indians it is well to remember that this is the white man 's story. The red man is silent. And lest we be unduly impressed with our own case we may recall that in 1698 the white man placed a bounty of fifty pounds on the scalp of an adult Indian and ten pounds on the scalp of a child under ten. Five years later the sport of hunting and scalp- ing children was abolished, while the practice of capturing them alive and selling them as slaves

13

14 HISTORY OF CARVER

was substituted. Thus was the process of ex- terminating an inferior race turned to a source of profit to its superiors.

There were no Indians permanently located in the limits of the future town of Carver in 1620 or thereafter although roving bands strolled through the region occasionally. This rendered settlements hazardous and one Ephraim Tinkham who had squatted near Lakenham in 1650 was warned that unless he returned within the danger line he could expect no protection from the Colony.

After the close of King Philip's war Indians who settled here, with certain exceptions, enjoyed the rights conferred upon the whites, and their rights were looked after by Commissioners ap- pointed by the Governor. In 1702-03 the town of Plymouth voted a grant of land to Samuel Sonnett, an Indian, and his wife, Dorothy. This land, forming the basis of the Indian lands in Carver, was located on the southerly side of Sampson's pond, and bounds and measurements not being definite, it must have included consid- erably more than the area named, for it took in all the land between the Casey swamp and the pond, and extended from the Indian lot, so-called, to Sampson's brook. The bounds were more definitely established two years later by Surveyor William Shurtleff. The only incumbrance was the general law providing that land of Indians should not be sold without a permit from the General Court. Under the conditions of the vote the grantee and his heirs were guaranteed the

INDIANS 15

right to fish in the ponds and streams and to gather tar and turpentine on the common lands. The Seipets appear in town a few years later, possibly marrying into the Sonnett family. Bartlett Murdock, who had inherited the farm on the east side of the pond, employed one of these Seipet boys, who seems to have been endowed with the traditional cunning of his race. Among the anecdotes that illustrate the character of the boy is one that concerns the time when the South Meet- ing house was erected. The building had been framed and raised, when Murdock was horrified one early morning on beholding his Indian boy climbing carelessly over the skeleton. Ascending to the plate by the ladder, he walked up one of the outside rafters, thence the entire length of the ridge-pole, and down another rafter to the plate, from which he skipped nimbly to the ground. On another occasion young Seipet was sent out on an early morning to bring in a yoke of oxen for the day's work. His return was not expected promptly, for cattle ran at large and often strayed a long ways from the clearing ; but not returning late in the afternoon, Murdock be- came alarmed and started out on horseback to learn the fate of his trusted employee. After covering a long distance he met Seipet returning with his cattle and with a good excuse for his tardiness. He had traced the oxen as far as Cranebrook pond, a distance of five miles, and as the ground was crossed and counter-crossed by cattle tracks, the master asked how he had fol- lowed the track, for in Murdock 's eve there was

16 HISTORY OF CARVER

no difference between the tracks of his own oxen and those of his neighbors. Seipet expressed sur- prise at the ignorance of his employer, as he replied: **You think Seipet not know his own ox tracks?"

In 1780 this land was owned solely by the Seipets, and the Plymouth County Commissioners were authorized to sell as much of it as was necessary to pay the debts and give a comfortable support to Desire Seipet in her old age. The sale, effected in 1783, transferred a large part of the tract, and that on which the village of South Carver now stands, to Lieut. Thomas Drew. In 1810 Launa Seipet, also an aged woman, resided on the reservation. By special act of the General Court she was placed in the care of the Selectmen of Carver, and for her support another section of the Son- nett land was sold to Benjamin Ellis. This sale included what was left of the Indian land north of Bodfish Bridge road. It would appear that she was the last survivor of the family, and re- siding with her were two daughters, Betsey and Hannah. Betsey married, but died childless. Hannah married Augustus Casey, with whom she lived on the old clearing, where were born and reared Frank, Thomas, William, John, Joseph Young, Augustus Green, Hannah (married Turner), Betsey (married Phillips), and Sarah (married Jackson). Joseph and Thomas en- listed and saw service in the na^^ in the Civil war.

For the aid of some of the Casey heirs other tracts have been sold from the Sonnett land, until

INDIANS 17

about forty acres remain, and that now known as ''The Casey Place."

On the name our predecessors gave this region we can only speculate, for students and inter- preters of Indian language differ. By one it is given as Warkinguag; by another as Mahootset.

While we have a few Indian monuments in the way of landmarks, their meaning is veiled in mystery, and our efforts towards an interpreta- tion of them leaves us still unrewarded regarding the individual experiences of the red men who tilled these grounds before us. Weweantic is in- terpreted as a wandering stream; Winatuxett, the new found meadows; Quitiquas, the island place; Annasnapet, the small shell brook; Swan Hold, possibly a corruption of Sowhanohke, meaning the South land; Polypody, a place of brakes ; Mahutchett, the place on the trail.

There are also many other names suggestive of history or mythology. King Philip's spring comes down to us with a bloody pedigree; the Pokanet field sings the fame of Pokanet, who prospered as the slave of the Shurtleffs, and whose camp was near the river in the field that now bears his name; Wigwam swamp; Indian burying ground; Indian brook, and Sampson's pond are suggestive names.

THE FIRST SPECULATORS

To comprehend the ground work of our present structure it is necessary to go back to the begin- ning and note through what various processes our ancestors came into possession of their land. The authority of the body that granted it is not in question, and who owned it previous to the white man's assumption has no place in the calculation. And so in our own language our history begins in the year 1620.

The first land system of the Colonists consisted in parceling out the land at the opening of the season, but this method so soon gave rise to dis- satisfaction that in 1624 permanent grants began to be made, and as the Colony grew the home- seekers began to branch out into the wilderness. While the town of Plymouth was never formally incorporated, its corporate life dates from 1636, and the region now within the limits of the town of Carver, being in the jurisdiction of the Pil- grim town, all land grants of this territory were made by the town of Plymouth.

Connecting the Indian village of Pawtuxet with Agawam and Nemasket were the two trails, Aga- wam path and Nemasket path. The former lead- ing over barren hills offered no attractions to the home-seekers, but the latter leading through fertile valleys, over running brooks and waving

19

20 HISTORY OF CARVER

meadows, early caught the eye of the hardy souls that were crowded out of the settlement. Begin- ning in 1637 and ending with the incorporation of the town of Plympton, all of the land now in Plympton and Carver was granted by the mother town.

The marsh meadows were the chief attraction, and many of the grants were of the meadows alone, the grantees holding their residences in Plymouth. These grants were located at South Meadows,* Doty's meadows, Six-Mile brook, Mahutchett, Swan Hold, Beaver Dam brook, and Crane brook. By the end of the period sev- eral settlements had been made.

The first to take the Nemasket path was John Derby, who in 1637 took up a claim of sixty acres at Mounts hill, near the little lake that later be- came known as Derby pond. The following year he was joined by Thurston Clark, Edward Doty and George Moore, while Stephen Hopkins went still further into the woods and took a grant at Six-Mile brook. It is probable that this grant of Doty's was the first grant of land within the municipal limits of Carver, although the grant of one hundred and fifty acres in 1637-38 to John Jenney on either side of the brook was the germ of this town in the woods. By the terms of this

*The term South Meadows originally included all of the meadow land on the Weweantic river from Swan Holt to Rochester, the lower meadows being referred to as the Lower SoutH Meadows. The name was afterwards applied to the village of Centre Carver, which was known by no other name up to the time of the Civil war.

THE FIRST SPECULATORS 21

grant it was constituted a farm within the juris- diction of Plymouth and to be known as Laken- ham.

The bounds of Plymouth were not definitely located until after the end of this period. A court order of 1640 adjusting the bounds between Plymouth and Sandwich provided that "the bounds should extend so far up into the woodland -as to include the South Meadows towards Agawam, lately discovered, and the convenient upland thereto." For many years the western bounds were in dispute, and various conferences with the Proprietors of South Purchase were necessary before the dividing line was definitely established.

Nor were the individual grants definitely lo- cated and described. The records are evidence of the fact that many of the grants included a much larger area than their terms would indicate, and also of the frequent disputes among individ- ual grantees over ranges. In the latter part of the period town surveyors were annually elected, who were kept busy making surveys of earlier grants and placing their surveys on record.

It would be difficult to resurvey some of these grants from the recorded descriptions. The heap of stones and the red oak tree have long since passed from the stage, but out of these humble beginnings has grown our more exact method, and petty disputes, though not unknown, are not as frequent as of old.

The main grants before the year 1640, in addi- tion to those previously mentioned, were to John

22 HISTORY OF CARVER

Pratt, at Wenham; Bridget Fuller, at Doty's; Jolm Barnes, at Six-Mile brook (including up- land) ; John Dunham, at Swan Hold (including upland) ; Eichard Sparrow and John Atwood, at Lakenham ; and Goodman Watson, George Bonum and Andrew Ring, at South Meadows.

During the succeeding forty years grants of various dimensions were made along the South Meadow river to Andrew Ring, Abraham Jack- son, Jonathan Shaw, William Nelson, George Bonum, Ephraim Tinkham, Lieut. Morton, William Harlow, Nathaniel Morton, Hugh Cole, Joseph Bartlett, John Cole, Daniel Dunham, Jolin Fflallowel, Samuel Doty, John Lucas, John Jourdan, John Waterman, John Barrows, Na- thaniel Wood, William Ring, Jonathan Barnes, Benony Lucas, Samuel Harlow, Richard Cooper, Ephraim Tillson, Thomas Pope and George Wat- son; at Lakenham to John Rickard, James Cole, Jonathan Shaw, Robert Ransom, George Watson^ Daniel Ramsden and Benejah Pratt; at Doty's to Thomas Lettuce, John Rickard, Gyles Rickard, Jr., and John Pratt; at Mahutchett to Ephraim Tillson, William Haskins and Peter Risse; at John's pond to Samuel Savery; at Beaver Dam brook to George Watson ; and at Wenham to John Dunham.

By the dawn of the 18th century the pioneers had a well established system of farms; grants were enlarged to take in nearly all of the upland, and the tide of population set in.

Before 1705 grants at Swan Hold were made to Joseph Dunham, John Pratt, Nathaniel Dun-

THE FIRST SPECULATORS 23

ham, Micager Dunham, Benejah Pratt, Jeduthen Eobbins, Eleazer Pratt, Joseph Pratt, Joseph Dunham, Sr., and Abial Shurtleff. These grantees were also given authority to construct a dam for flowing their meadows. Small tracts were granted at Popes Point to Joseph Churchill, George Morton and Edmund Tillson, while land formerly of George Watson was better described for the benefit of his grandson, Jonathan Shaw. Land that had been granted to Abraham Jackson, William Harlow and George Morton in New Meadows in 1698 was also more definitely de- scribed.

As these years mark the end of the individual grants by the town of Plymouth, and the grantees had reached the point where they would break away from the parent town of the Old Colony, it is well to note how their destinies were swayed by two important events of the first century. The first settlers of Plymouth were kept within a lim- ited area on account of marauding bands of In- dians, but after the spirit of the natives had been broken by the disastrous ending of King Philip 's war, the drawback from that source was ended. And a few years later when the dethronement of James II. disposed of their twin enemy, Sir Edmond Andros, the Colonists rapidly increased under their new charter, meeting-houses sprung up in the forests, and New England entered en- thusiastically upon its remarkable career. It is also well to remember in considering these twin enemies of the early colonists, that the white man and the red man broke even.

24 HISTORY OF CARVER

The indivadual grants, mostly of which have been named, with two general grants made before Plympton was incorporated, left the new town without any common land in its jurisdiction. The proprietors of the cedar swamp, as also the pro- prietors of the rest of the common land, hence- forth had jurisdiction in the division of these lands. A large portion of this common tract was located in the future town of Carver, consisting of the cedar swamp and the land south of it as far west as the easterly shore of Sampson's pond. It included about one-fourth of the modern town 's area.

At a town meeting in Plymouth in 1701-02 an ordinance was passed dividing the cedar swamp,* and Jacob Thompson was chosen surveyor to make the division with John Bradford and Samuel Sturtevant as assistants. Under the provisions of the ordinance every freeholder was to have a share; every male child born in the town who had reached the age of twenty-one and who re- sided in town one-half of a share; any resident who succeeded an original proprietor, one share, unless said proprietor left a son; children to in- herit a share if the father was entitled to one; but under no conditions should anyone hold more than one share. Non-residents, except children as above noted, were prohibited from holding

*This vote included all of the cedar swamp in the town of Plymouth, which at that time embraced the future towns of Plympton, Halifax and Carver. Only the South Meadow and Doty swamps were in the future Carver, which accounts for the omission of Great Lots 19, 20 and 21 in this story.

A COENER ON HEMLOCK ISLAND

THE FIRST SPECULATORS 25

shares unless being tlie owner of at least one hun- dred acres of tillage land occupied by a tenant.

As this tract had so long been utilized as common property, this vote to end the custom provoked a contest that could not be avoided by a town vote. Committees were named to watch poachers ; any proprietor convicted of cutting cedars pending the division for- feited his claim; and any poacher not being a proprietor "was to pay a fine of twenty shillings for each tree. While the plan looked well on paper, the surveyor was in a sea of con- stant commotion. Some lots were better located than others ; some had a superior growth ; every proprietor had a choice ; and it was several years before the division was made among the proprie- tors, while the disputes had not ended two cen- turies later.

Under the Thompson plan the swamp was di- vided into eighteen Great Lots, and these Great Lots subdivided in the process of division among the proprietors. Great Lots were intended to contain forty acres each, but they were not symmetrical in shape. Some began at a common point and extended in long triangles across the swamp; some were generally rectangular, and others cannot be described in geometrical terms. It would seem to a modern engineer that the swamp could have been divided with more regu- larity, but the ragged general form of the tract without including upland presented a problem that taxed the civil engineering of the times.

26 HISTORY OF CARVER

There was still a greater disparity in the shape and size of the subdivisions. It is apparent that the surveyor placed a broad interpretation on the terms of his instructions and undertook to equalize the disparity in values by varying the size and form of the lots.

In 1828 Sylvanus Bourne resurveyed the swamp and pointed out inconsistencies in the Thompson plan, and filed a plan of his own. Modern sur- veyors consult both plans as a basis of surveys.

Doty's Cedar Swamp, situate in the Northerly section of the town, also came under the general grant, although independent of the large swamp. This was known as Great Lot No. 22 in the di- vision. The original owners were John Gray, John Holmes, Samuel Eickard and Josiah Rickard.

At a town meeting in Plymouth, February 9, 1701-02, the following ordinance was adopted :

^'That every freeliolder That hath ben soe for six years last past That hath not had 30 ackers of land Granted to them by the Inhabitants of the Town within 20 years last past shall have 30 acrees of land laid forth to them out of the Com- mons belonging to sd Town (by the persons here- after Named that are the Towns Committy or Trustees to act in ye Affare) or soe much land as to Make it up 30 acrees with what they have al- ready had Granted to them sience sd Tirme of years & its further voted That all Town born Children now Inhabitants in sd Town that have been Rated towards defray publick Charg in sd Town for 14 years last past shall have 30 acres

THE FIRST SPECULATORS 27

apece of land laid out to them out of sd Town Comons as abovesd & that None shall Take up aney Meadow ground or sedor swamps by vertue of this Grant and it further voted that every man May take up his share abovesd as ner to his own land as may be: and noe man shall take up sd land agnst an other mans Land until the owner of sd land doth Eefuseth it & if two men doe pitch on one pece of land the Committy have hereby power to determine whose it shall be."

The Committee chosen at the meeting to effect the division was composed of Capt. John Brad- ford, Capt. James Warren, Left. Shurtlef, Left. Nath; Southworth, Insign: Nath: Morton and Samuel Sturtivant.

Before the town committee had progressed far with the division, the town of Plympton was in- corporated and the common lands located in the two towns passed to the control of the Proprie- tors, two hundred and one, who organized by the choice of a clerk and adopted the style of The Proprietors of Plymouth and Plympton Com- mons. Thomas Faunce was the first clerk, and those who served in that position before the Pro- prietors' work was finished in 1790 were Samuel Bartlett, John Cotton and Eossiter Cotton.

At a general meeting of the proprietors, Capt. Warren, Benjamin Warren, Lieut. Shurtleff and Samuel Lucas were chosen as surveyors to make the division. The tract was located in the Eastern section of the present town of Carver and the Southern section of Plymouth. Under the plan of operations as devised by the surveyors it was

28 HISTORY OF CARVER

first divided into ten Great Lots, and these sub- divided. The first Great Lot was cut up into 21 small parcels, the second into 22, the third into 22, the fourth into 21, the fifth into 20, the sixth into 20, the seventh into 19, the eighth into 18, the ninth into 18, and the tenth into 20. These total 201 parcels to be divided among the proprietors.

The next step in the division was to assign the freeholders to the several Great Lots. This was no small task, as each proprietor had a choice of position. And after the Great Lots had been as- signed to the individual owners the question of alloting the parcels to the individuals was taken up for solution, and another perplexing problem faced the surveyors. The proprietors of each Great Lot held meetings by themselves to draw for their parcels. The subdivisions were num- bered and each proprietor drew a number which in theory was to be the number of his lot. The drawings were not altogether satisfactory, and time was extended for the proprietors to trade, and it was upwards of eighty years before the work of the proprietors was finished.

The first Great line was described as follows: ** Beginning at two pine trees marked numbered 1-2 standing at ye going over between ye Great West pond and a little pond at ye head of it rainging East South East 180 rods from two pine trees marked with a heap of stones between them at Cobb hill by South Meadow path and from the trees first mentioned the line extendeth South 15 Westerly by a rainge of trees to a maple tree marked numbered 1-2 standing at Pratts meadow

THE FIRST SPECULATORS 29

and from thence the same course to ye town line thence beginning at the trees first nmnbered the line extends North 15 Easterly so far as to take in all the common land belonging to the Proprie- tors and all ye common lands lying to the west- ward of sd line to belong to ye first lot there being twenty one shares in the lot."

This was the line between the first and second Great Lots, the first lot comprising all of the com- mon land west of the line. The western line of the first great lot was naturally irregular ac- cording to the ranges of former grants. The pre- vious grants bordering the first lot on the west were those at South Meadows, George Barrows, Sampson's pond, and the land of Samuel Sonnett. The final owners of the first division of the first great lot were Samuel Lucas, Caleb Loring, Elisha Bradford, Thomas Holmes, William Harlow, John Andros, Benj. Eaton, Sr., Mr. John Eickard, Eleazer Pratt, Nathaniel Harlow, Nathaniel Jackson, John Pratt, Mecager Dunham, John Jackson, Nathaniel Dunham, Joshua Ransom, Elkaneth Cushman, John Carnes, John Bryant, Left. William Shurtleff and Mr. John Murdock.

The second lot fell to (?), Isaac King, Joseph King, Ephraim Cole, Ebenezer Eaton, Samuel Bryant, John Sturtevant, Samuel Rickard, Jo- seph Bradford, Nathaniel Howland, Joshua Pratt's children, Giles Rickard, John Curtice, Elisha Cobb, John Doty, Richard Everson, Adam Write, John Wood, James Cole, Daniel Dunham, George Barrows and Samuel Wing.

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A FEW EARLY LAWS

It is not the purpose of this work to deal in general history, but there are some timbers in the general structure so closely related to local development that a brief review is justifiable.

Our starting point in civil government was in the compact signed on board of the Mayflower in Provincetown harbor. Li the wave of en- thusiasm in which the Pilgrims left their native country they made no calculation on the cost of the venture, but before landing they adjudged it prudent to make an agreement as a safeguard against a clashing of authority that might jeop- ardize the peace of the Colony, and on the wisdom of such a course their posterity has recorded the verdict ''they builded better than they knew." And in our own day these words may be accepted as the basis of all just governments : *'In ye name of God amen. We whose names are under-writ- ten, the loyall subjects of our dread soveraigne Lord, King James, by ye grace of God, of Great Britaine, Franc, Ireland king, defender of ye faith, &c., haveing undertaken, for ye glorie of God and advancemente of ye Christian faith, and honor of our king and countrie, a voyage to plant ye first colonie in ye Northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these presents solemnly and mutualy in ye presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves togeather into a civill body

31

32 HISTORY OF CARVER

politick, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of ye ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equall laws, ordinances, acts, constitu- tions, and officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete and convenient for ye generall good of ye colonie, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience." Such was the con- stitution of the Plymouth Colony, and on this basis was made the laws that governed our ances- tors until the union of the 'colonies in 1690. The leading town officers under the compact were selectmen or townsmen, a town clerk, constables, raters, jurjTnen, tithingmen and surveyors.

Much of the land of the future towns of Plymp- ton and Carver was granted under the Old Colony although but little of it was occupied. A few scattering farms dotted the tract, and respectable clusters of residences appear at Colchester, Lakenham and Wenham, but the residents were all freeholders of the old town whence they journeyed on town meeting days, holidays, court days and sabbaths. It is not probable that any thought of establishing a new town had its incep- tion before the union.

The charter of William and Mary was granted as a basis for the government of the united New England colonies, and as this charter was the foundation for all laws preceding the constitution of the United States, it is a document worthy of consideration.

In considering the charter no comparison should be made with modern theories, but in comparison

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A FEW EARLY LAWS 38

with contemporary governments it will be found to be liberal. And when we notice that liberty of conscience was guaranteed to all sects except Papists, we may compare it with the chronological edicts of Louis XIV. ; and perhaps our judgment would be tempered by recalling that the charter was granted by a king and queen who had just ascended the throne through a revolution and the passions engendered had not abated. Even at that moment the exiled Stuart was intriguing to worm his way back to the throne from which he had been ejected by the uprising of his subjects.

Under this instrument, the executive authority was vested in a Governor and a Lieutenant Governor appointed by the crown, advised and assisted by twenty-eight councillors or assistants.

The law making power was vested in the Gov- ernor and Council, and two representatives from each town elected by the property holding free- holders. To this legislative body was given the name of the Great and General Court, and after its organization it was vested with authority for the annual election of the twenty-eight council- lors, also of regulating the number of repre- sentatives to which each County, Town or place should be entitled.

Sheriffs, provost marshals. Justices of the Peace, Judges of Oyer and Terminer, were ap- pointed by the Governor by and with the consent of the Council; probate matters, including the appointment of executors and administrators, were left with the Governor and Council. The acts of incorporation of towns and parishes under

34 HISTORY OF CARVER

preceding governments, with certain limitations, were confirmed, and the adoption of laws govern- ing local affairs rested with the General Court.

Appeals could be had from the judgments of the courts, and also from the decrees of the Governor, to the crown. The Governor held the power of proroguing the General Court at any time, and the Court could not legally adjourn for more than two days at a time, without his consent. The crown held the veto power over both the Governor and the General Court.

The authority of the Governor to prorogue the General Court, and the veto power held by the crown, were the cause of no little clashing of authority in after years, but under the charter the colonies developed rapidly, both in numbers and prerogatives, and when they reached 'the point of abolishing the veto power the tie that held them to the mother country was represented by a brittle cord. And even after the rebellious colonies had won the right to legislate for them- selves, unhampered by any veto power from across the sea, they founded their liberties in the forms, regulations and theories that had grown up under the charter.

The democratic theory of permitting each locality to control its domestic affairs was recog- nized by the charter and the adoption of laws regulating local affairs was the subject of the constant consideration of the General Court. The recognition of this theory eventually led to the Eevolution, for as each colony added to its prerogatives it became jealous of outside interfer-

A FEW EARLY LAWS 35

ence, and bound together by this theory, they combated for the principle in war.

In November, 1692, before providing for town governments, the General Court made provision for ministers and school masters, making it com- pulsory upon towns to provide themselves with ''an able, learned orthodox minister of good con- versation to dispense the word of God to them," also a school master to ''teach children and youth to read and write," both to be supported by a town tax. 'The same month the New England town meeting was confirmed, each town being re- quired to hold an annual town meeting in the month of March for the election of town officers and the transaction of town atfairs. The neces- sary officers consisted of a board of three, five, seven or nine selectmen or townsmen, a town clerk, constables, surveyors of highways, tithing- men, fence viewers, clerk of the market, and a sealer of leather. The Selectmen served as over- seers of the poor unless a separate board was chosen, also as assessors. Their warrant was committed to a constable and required him to col- lect and pay to the Selectmen or their agent.

In order to be eligible for a place on the Board of Selectmen the candidate must "be able and discreet, of good conversation," and a freeholder must have property to the amount of twenty pounds to entitle him to vote. The duty of a clerk of the market required him to visit, at least once a week, the bakeshops to guard against the selling of short weight loaves. The price of wheat was regulated by the Selectmen, and the size of

36 HISTORY OF CARVER

the loaf accordingly. The sealer or searcher of leather was a busy officer under compulsion to in- spect and seal all leather tanned in his jurisdic- tion.

Towns were authorized to make by-laws regu- lating their affairs and subject to the approval of the court in quarter sessions ; they must perambu- late their town lines once in three years ; Select- men must see that there were no loafers in town, and if any child or other person was found mis- spending his time he must be sent to the House of Correction there to receive ten lashes on the bare back; the Selectmen were vested with authority to "bind out" minors; and anyone enjoying the hospitality of the town three months unquestioned, obtained a settlement. In the case of an undesirable citizen the constable ordered the person out of town, and in the event of a refusal to move, the person was taken by force to the place of last abode.

Every male resident between the age of sixteen and sixty, with certain exceptions was forced into the militia, and under statute compulsion to attend all musters and exercises of his company. All persons liable were subject to being called to duty in times of danger and they were expected to have their equipment ready at all times. The equip- ment which every one liable to military duty was under compulsion to provide for himself, con- sisted of a firelock musket with the barrel not less than three and one-half feet in length, a snapsack, a colar with twelve bandeleers or cartouch box, one pound of good powder, twenty bullets, twelve

A FEW EARLY LAWS 37

flints, a sword or cutlass and a worm and prim- ing wire.

Regimental musters were required once in three years, and company musters four days in each year, while the Captain of a company must can- vass twice a year to see that the regulations were complied with. Towns must keep their military stores based upon one barrel of powder, two hun- dred pounds of bullets and three hundred flints for each sixteen persons in town subject to military duty.

A system of alarm for calling out the militia in times of sudden danger: three guns called out the militia and a penalty awaited anyone who neglected to report promptly at the training green when the alarm was sounded. As a safeguard against oppression no Captain should quarter a soldier or seaman on a private resident without the resident's consent under penalty; and the militia could not be sent out of the Colony with- out their consent, or the consent of the Greneral Court.

The lower court was called the Court of Com- mon Pleas, and made up of at least three of the Justice of the Peace for the County. The next higher court consisting of all of the Justices of the Peace for the County, was known as the Court of Quarter Sessions, or Sessions of the Peace. Appeals from these courts were to the Superior Court of Judicature with jurisdiction over all the province and made up of one Chief Justice and four associate Justices appointed by the Governor and Council.

38 HISTORY OF CARVER

The reckless method of granting and staking out land — perhaps mainly through the unscientific method of surveys — called for legislation. The first act for the quieting of possessions provided that the possession dating previous to October 19, 1652, and not questioned before May 20, 1662, should be sufficient title; while three years un- questioned possession from October 1, 1692, should constitute a sufficient warranty. An exception clause gave infants, persons non compos mentis, and those in prison or captivity three years extra in which to prove a claim ; while persons beyond the seas had seven years of grace. The privy council objected to this act for the reasons that the rights of the crown were not protected and further that the time of three years was insuf- ficient. To meet these objections, the act was amended saving the rights of the crown and requiring unquestioned possession from October 1, 1692, to October 1, 1704, necessary to guarantee possession to the holder or those claiming under him.

Statutes were enacted in 1692 and 1693.

Establishing and guaranteeing trial by jury.

Establishing weights and measures.

Eequiring intentions of marriage to be posted in some conspicuous place at least two weeks before the event.

Establishing habeas corpus proceedings.

Establishing 6 per cent, as the legal rate, con- tracts calling for a larger rate to be void.

Establishing post office rules.

Establishing systems of highway improvements.

A FEW EARLY LAWS 39

Thanksgiving custom reaffirmed.

Hogs running at large to be yoked from April 1st to October 15tli, and ringed all the year.

Sheep not to run at large unaccompanied by a shepherd.

No strong liquor to be sold or given an Indian.

Idiots and lunatics must be cared for by the Selectmen.

In these same years :

There were thirteen crimes punishable by death.

Laws against witchcraft were adopted.

The exportation of raw hides was forbidden.

The cord of marketable wood must be cut in four feet lengths, and when piled must be eight feet long and four feet high. If a delivery did not come up to these regulations, the injured party must sue, and in case of conviction the wood was forfeited, one-half to the complainant and one-half for the use of the town's poor.

The penalty for one offence compelled the con- victed party to sit upon the gallows with a rope tied around the neck and the other end thrown over the gallows. On the march from the gallows to the jail, he should be given not less than forty lashes, and forever after he must wear the letter A two inches in length cut from cloth of a different color than the clothing either on an arm, the back or some conspicuous place about the person. Con- viction of a neglect in wearing the letter was punishable with fifteen lashes.

Inn holders were licensed, and regulations governing them adopted :

Lodgings and a supply of refreshments must be constantly on hand.

40 HISTORY OF CARVER

An apprentice, servant or negro should not be entertained without an order from his master.

No one should be permitted to remain in the inn above one hour, except travellers.

No one should be permitted to drink to excess.

No one admitted Sundays except travellers.

For any conviction, one-half of the fine went to the informant, and one-half to the use of the Town's poor.

Inn holders were required to furnish bonds with sureties for the keeping of the regulations.

And as a further guarantee Selectmen were burdened with the duty of seeing that Tythingmen were annually elected and qualified. The duty of the Tythingman was to inspect the taverns and inform on all violations of the laws ; also to inform on all idlers, disorderly persons, profane swearers, Sabbath breakers and law breakers in general. The legal badge adopted for the Tythingman was a black staff two feet in length with a three inch brass tip on one end.

Anyone convicted of receiving stolen goods from an Indian, was to restore the goods to the rightful owner with an equal amount in value of specie, or if the goods had been disposed of, double the value in specie.

This brief resume covers only the starting of legislation under the charter, and from these beginnings was built up and perfected, by repeals, amendments and additions, the social system that was in vogue when the Colonies banded themselves together for the purpose of moving the veto power from London to some point on the American con-

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A FEW EAELY LAWS 41

tinent. If some of these statutes seem miaccount- able to us, perhaps if we compare these laws of the pioneers, with some of the legislation which we propose to meet modern conditions, and with two centuries of experience and education to our debit, the comparison, after all may not be very damaging to the first dreamers in the world of civil liberty. James I. was on the throne of Great Britain when the Pilgrims sailed and the following monarchs reigned during our colonial life, the year named being the time they ascended the throne :

1625 Charles I.

1648 The Commonwealth, or Oliver Cromwell.

1660 Charles II.

1685 James II.

1689 William and Mary.

1694 William III.

1702 Anne.

1714 George I.

1727 George II.

1760 George III.

THE FIEST SEPARATION

Isaac Cushman, grand son of Robert the Pilgrim, was Plympton's god-father. Thomas, son of Robert and father of Isaac, had long been the noted Ruling Elder of the Pilgrim church when he died in 1691, and Isaac was slated as his successor.

To be a Ruling Elder in the Plymouth church was only the second ambition of Isaac Cushman — perhaps the third — *and he kicked over the slate. Residing in the west end of the town where two groups of settlements had begun to flourish, Col- chester and Lakenham, Cushman 's heart was with his neighbors and eight miles from the old church had begotten notions in their heads that the proper step under the circumstances would be to have a church of their own and to have their neighbor and friend for a minister. Such was the dream that laid the foundation for the "upper society. ' '

But there were obstacles to overcome before the new society could legally have the minister of its choice: there were dead branches to lop off

*In addition to the call of Isaac Cushman to settle over the new church, he was wanted as successor to Eev. Mr. Fuller of the First Church of Middleboro. But the bond of sympathy between him and the residents of the new society could not be broken by the more tempting offers from the larger parishes.

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44 HISTORY OF CARVER

before the tree would relinquish the sprig. Chief among these was the church rule, that a man must serve the church as Euling Elder before he could be ordained as a minister. Isaac had never served in such a capacity, but he declined the offer and began his ministry over the new society without an ordination. Of course this meant three years of agitation in church circles, but Cushman con- tinued to preach until the church receded and gave him the regular ordination in October, 1698. The Precinct was incorporated in November, 1695. The fact that Cushman continued in that capacity as long as his health would permit, and that he was pensioned by his grateful people in his last days, is sufficient evidence of his head and heart.

Thus called together in the duties and services of the church, the fellow workers in the woods soon conceived the idea of a separate town and in less than twelve years the town of Plympton was born. The new Precinct included Lakenham, but not South Meadows, but when Plympton was in- corporated the new town extended over all of the territory covered by the future town of Carver.

The following comprise the voters of Plympton for 1708-09:

Group A* Isaac Cushman Ensign Elkanah Cushman

Thomas Cushman Frances Cook

Dea. John "Waterman Lieut. John Bryant

* Group A includes the residents of Plympton, and group B those of the future town of Carver. The division may not be strictly accurate, but it is fairly correct.

THE FIRST SEPARATION

45

Jonathan Bryant John Everson Richardson Everson Benjamin Eaton John Bryant John Bryant James Bryant Peter West Samuel Bryant Joseph Phinney James Bearce Samuel Sturtevant Robert Waterman

Benjamin Curtice David Bosworth Nehemiah Sturtevant Samuel Sturtevant, Jr. Ebenezer Standish William Sturtevant Joseph King Peter Thompson Job Simmons Isaac King William Churchill Isaac Cushman, Jr. George Sampson

Group B

Lieut. William Shurtleff Edmund Weston Joseph King, Jr. John Wright Adam Wright Isaac Sampson Benjamin Soule Nathaniel Harlow Samuel Fuller Dea. John Rickard Eleazur Rickard Josiah Rickard John Pratt Jeduthen Robbins Jabez Eddy Henry Rickard Edmund Tillson

John Doten Robert Ransom Samuel Waterman Ephraim Tillson John Tillson Jonathan Shaw Benoni Shaw John Cole John Carver George Bonum Benoni Lucas John Barrows Dea. Nathaniel Wood Eleazer King Thomas Shurtleff Abial Shurtleff Caleb Loring

46 HISTORY OF CARVER

Eegardless of the provisions of its charter, the new town stepped immediately into the enjoyment of the immunities and the sufferance of the re- sponsibilities of a pioneer settlement. Expecting to eke their subsistence from the soil, they imme- diately declared war on crows and blackbirds, and every householder must either produce two of the former or six of the latter between March 15th and June 15th under penalty of having two shillings added to their tax bills. There was hustling among the householders to get the quota of ebony birds, for coy as the crow is, he was easier to get in those early days than two shilling bits.

Hogs enjoyed the freedom of the town, provided they were ringed and yoked according to law, and hogreaves were annually chosen to see that the law was complied with.

To guarantee the abstinence from work and play on the Sabbath, tythingmen were also chosen and sworn to the faithful discharge of their duties. The Sunday morning beats of these officials, armed with the badge of their authority, rendered it injudicious for anyone to trifle with the law. The tythingman was not a popular officer, and the position not generally desired. The records show that these officers seldom succeeded themselves.

Not the least of the town 's perplexing problems concerned wildcats, deer, and undesirable citizens. The former, because so depredations between 1720 and 1740 that the war against them was en- couraged by a town bounty. Sportsmen spurred on perhaps by the necessities of the table, were such destroyers of deer that the question was

THE FIRST SEPARATION 47

taken up by the town and the law invoked for their protection.

Undesirable citizens were warned out of town according to law. In 1711 the Selectmen exercised their jurisdiction for the first time, when the board issued its warrant to Jolin Coal, requiring him to warn Marcy Donham to depart said town. The nature of Marcy 's offence does not appear, but she evidently did not meet with the approval of the town fathers.

The town in compliance with the statutes, started its school system in 1708 through an ordnance instructing the Selectmen to employ a school master. This was the limit of the town's duties in the matter, and after the master had been employed, the place for holding the school was left with its patrons. Many of the young obtained their education in their own homes from books provided by themselves, while the master was present as a guide and guest.

Human nature was the same in those days as we find it in the dawn of the twentieth century, but methods of controlling it have changed. Young people were obliged to attend church Sundays under penalty of a poke from the tythingman, but once in the Meeting House they were young folks still and the town occasionally found it necessary to choose a committee to occupy seats among them in church and watch their conduct, to insure the minister an undisturbed opportunity.

But, the question that furnished the voters with their constant agitation, was the continual efforts to divide the town. The town of Plympton was

48 HISTORY OF CARVER

not well established as a municipality when an unrest manifested itself, and the new town may be said to have been ushered into existence with a sectional line as a birth mark. The Meeting House was the heart of the town, and at the outset there were freeholders with so remote a residence that they never felt the pulse. From the Plympton meeting house to the Wareham line, is upwards of twelve miles, and with the travelling facilities of the times even the South Precinct found it advisable at times to exempt the residents of the Tihonet region from the rates on condition that the exempted pay their taxes to the Wareham authorities.

Lakenham, and more especially South Meadows, early started an agitation for the division of the town, that was not ended until the division came three-quarters of a century later. These move- ments were resisted at first and when they could no longer be held back, a compromise was effected by the incorporation of the South Precinct. Still the agitation continued, and time after time, the town voted against ''setting the Precinct off as a separate town." In the spirit of compromise many town rights were conferred upon the rebel- lious Precinct, and when the town was born it stepped among its sisters well trained in its duties.

There appears no striking evil over which the Precinct complained, and it is probable that the residents of Lakenham stood with the old town against division. But the South Precinct em- braced the larger part of the territory of Plymp- ton and naturally, the South Precinct enjoyed the

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THE FIRST SEPARATION 49

larger per cent of the increase in population. And as every new settler was in the remote section, every new settler added one to the forces of dis- content, hence the inevitable could only be post- poned.

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It is easy to see, why the struggling farmers of Plymouth placed such a high valuation on the fresh meadows, in the days before the cultivation of fine top, clover and timothy; equally as plain why the luxurious meadows found in the limits of the future town of Carver, should receive the name of the South Meadows. In the earliest coloniza- tion of this region, the grants of land were made and the first settlers located in relation to these meadows. Thus, in our earliest history, we find our pioneers at South Meadows, Lakenham (adjacent to Winatuxett Meadows), Mahutchett Meadows, Cranebrook Meadows, Doty's Meadows, Fresh Meadows and New Meadows.

There were large landowners — promoters in the true sense — among the early settlers. The Shaws, Ransoms, Watsons and Coles at Lakenham; the Cobbs at Mahutchett; the Rickards and Water- mans at Snappit; the Dunhams and Pratts at Wenham; the Shurtleffs, Lucases and Tillsons at South Meadows; the Barrows and Murdocks around Sampson's pond, and the Atwoods at Fresh Meadows.

The dangers and privations that always follow the pioneers of a new country, gave romance to the lives of our first settlers. The unsanitary state of the country made up of hills and un-

51

52 HISTORY OF CARVER

drained swamps, and the exposures on account of insufficient housing, rendered them susceptible to disease, while their distance from the doctors of the settlements left them to battle for themselves.

The first houses were located in the valleys, with the barns from one hundred to three hundred yards away according to drainage. The houses were thus located, in order to be near water and for a protection against the elements during the Winter months.

These houses were built under disadvantages and consequently of the simplest design. While lumber was in abundance, the means of turning it to boards were lacking. Furniture, cooking utensils, farm implements and wearing apparel must be mostly of the home made order, while communication with the settlement at Plymouth and with neighbors, was carried on through Indian trails, which in later years were adopted as the highways and improved. And when we consider the situation of even the most favored ones, we must admire the faith and hardihood of a race that suffered and braved so much to make the world what it is.

In the struggle to sustain themselves from the land, they faced natural enemies that baffled their wits and developed their sporting instincts. Crows, blackbirds and red birds dug their corn after it had been planted, while wolves, foxes, wild cats and other carnivorous animals skulked after their fowl. For more than a century, bounties were paid for the heads of crows, blackbirds and red birds, while wolves and wild cats were ex-

EARLY SETTLERS 53

terminated in this manner. Beaver were plentiful in the earliest days, but they were exterminated on account of the value of their furs. But while birds and animals diminished the means of sub- sistence, there were counter advantages of no little consideration. The ponds teemed with fish, Samp- son's, Doty's and probably Clear being breeding- grounds for herring, and this was a large item on their bill of fare. The woods were full of deer, rabbits and edible birds and this went far towards supplying the farmers with meat. The only species that diminished under free hunting and trapping were deer, and laws to protect them were early enacted. Such in brief were the conditions that confronted the farmer settlers in the year 1700.

But a wonderful advance was on the slate for the new century, little foreseen by the lonely farmers who witnessed its dawn and, perhaps, not fully appreciated by their descendants who, having won their independence, battled with its vexatious problems in the century's closing twilight. Still wonderful as we now behold it was the century that transformed our community from a few scat- tered farmers, living upon their crops and warring on blackbirds, to a town of social and industrial enthusiasm. Saw mills and grist mills, two meet- ing houses, three iron manufactories, forges, acres of tillage lands, taverns, school houses, stage lines, a new precinct and a new town, were the local achievements, while in the larger field, we were transformed from a group of struggling colonies sleeping on their arms in constant fear of Indian

54 HISTORY OF CAEVER

massacres and trembling for the next move of the monarch three thousand miles away, to a nation of independent people with full faith in their ability to sustain their rights. And while we contemplate the glory of their achievements, it is inspiring to review the pleasures and hardships of those lives devoted to the cause of human progress.

Essential to the building of better homes, and to the wants of a people who must live from their land, were saw mills and grist mills, and to the establishment of these the early settlers devoted their energies.

These mills might seem slow in the eyes of the fast operators of today, but like their builders, they did their work. Their construction was simple. A dam to hold a pond for the power was the first essential. A low building open on one side, with a long, low extension into which pro- jected the long log as the saw worked its way through, was located on declining ground in order for the better handling of the heavy logs. Most of the machinery was of wood, and the long saw shot up and down at every revolution of the water wheel, hence the name — The Up and Down mill. Most of these mills were company enterprises, the owners dividing the time when each should" operate it in lieu of the modern method of divid- ing the profits. Grist mills were located on the same dam, and forges for doing iron work became a necessity in every community and they, too, were located near the mills.

In the winter months, these mills became the centres of activity and society for the male

EARLY SETTLERS 55

population. Even the millers were not rushed, and many stories could be told while the saw was plowing its way slowly but surely along and the manufacture of boards was a pleasure and a process that often entertained the farmer's wife and children.

On a Winter day when the snow precluded any other duty, the farmer shouldered his bag of grain and started for the mill. He carried no orders to hurry back, for his wife attended to the milking, while the boys had been trained to do their part. There appeared to be no reason why he could not properly loaf around the mills and forge all day, picking up bits of news and gossip for the amuse- ment of his family when he returned. And many were the debates around the mills on questions that related to their farms, their church, their neighborhood, or their rights so nobly conferred upon them by the charter of good King William. Practical jokes had their place in the exercises of the day, and whenever an extra large log must be rolled down upon the carriage, there were plenty of spare hands to give a lift just for the fun of it. And when night ended the fun around the mill, the farmer could shoulder his bag of flour — minus the toll — and wade home through the snow in the light of the rising moon. If the mill happened to be too far away, the horse could be utilized as a means of transportation.

Think you, after such a vigorous day with little or no food, did the supper steaming on the crane or simmering in the coals, tempt the farmer to exclaim that he lived in the best days the world

56 HISTORY OF CARVER

ever knew f Yet a few years later what an advance in the facilities that catered to the wants of the people, for in this better day the housewife could burn a roaring fire for an hour in a large brick oven, rake out the ashes, insert her pot of beans, rye bread, pumpkin pies and fowl, and then while her cooking was going on she could go about her other work, stopping occasionally we may be sure to take a peek through the little aperture in the oven, to see her pies and beans gradually assum- ing their famous brown.

The girls made their own dolls and doll 's cloth- ing, and no little pleasure was found in learning to do the duties that fell to the lot of women. The boys were free to hunt and trap the game. They made their own boats and fishing poles, their cross bows, carts, sleds and cornstalk fiddles, and they told stories at night in the light of the open fire, while their older brothers and sisters gathered in the larger houses and taverns for social events, where the village fiddler sawed into immortal song the old ''kitchen spree."

Another item of hallowed memory in the society of the times clustered around the swing. Every hamlet had its village swing located in some clump of gigantic trees, where on holidays and in the long summer twilights, the young gathered for social joys and there has always been a suspicion that Cupid had a perch in the branches of the same old trees.

Of course there were disadvantages in those days, little inconveniences that in souls of fun and courage, only served to develop a rugged char-

EARLY SETTLERS 57

acter. To get out of bed in an old farm house when the thermometer outside hovered around zero, go shivering down to the kitchen to find that the high wind had completely extinguished the fire, called into action no little sand and self- reliance, for an extinct fire could not easily be re- kindled. While the others remained in bed, one of the older boys must don his boots, still stiff and cold from the baptism of the preceding day, and in the face of the biting wind wade across the fields through snow that buried the fences, to borrow fire from a neighbor. And then to get the coals back through the gale with life enough in them to start a blaze, was no small test on the boy's in- genuity. Such in part was the training of the boys who left their beds in darkness to dig the trenches at Bunker Hill.

While Edward Doty*, the hot tempered passen- ger of the Mayflower, may have been the first to till the soil of Carver, there is not satisfactory evidence that he resided on his possessions, and to Jonathan Shaw falls the honor of being the first permanent resident of the territory embraced in the present municipal limits of the town. Shaw had a house at Lakenham as early as 1660, and John Pratt, who had a residence south of Doty's pond in 1675, was a close second. The exact site of these houses may not go unquestioned, but there

*E(lward Doty's farm was the land now owned and occupied hj Finney Brothers. Thus the names was given to Doty's cedar swamp and Doty's pond, which later acquired the name of Wenham pond.

58 HISTORY OF CARVER

are reasons for stating that Shaw's house stood on the site of the present Sturtevant house south of the Green. The present house was built as early as 1750 (possibly earlier), and a tradition says it was the third house built on that site. The Pratt house probably stood on the site of the pres- ent residence of Allerton L. Shurtleif.

Early neighbors of Shaw and Pratt were John Dunham at Wenham, Benony Lucas at South Meadows and John Benson at Fresh Meadows. At that time the main traveled road from Ply- mouth to Middleboro, led through Annasnapet and Parting Ways, this road being referred to by old residents as ^'the old way" as late as the last of the last century. The road through Darby was in use, however, at the same time. Shaw's residence stood about midway between Plymouth and Middleboro, Mahutchett was a mile to the south- west. Popes Point two miles to the south and South Meadows three miles to the southeast.

Among those who joined the Lakenham settle- ment by the year 1700 or soon after were the Bonums, "Watsons, Kings, Bobbins, Watermans, Eickards, Wrights and Ransoms. There was a boom in the settlement of this region at the time through the division of the common lands. The Shaws and Watsons held possessions in the west section where their descendants settled. Watson held land on Rocky Meadow brook, and Thomas Pope owning a grant at the junction of this brook with South Meadow river, gave the name of Popes Point to the land, which later became the local name of the village that grew up around the furnace.

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EARLY SETTLERS 59

The Rickards and Watermans located at Anna- snapet; the Ransoms owned the large tract be- tween the Doty farm and Lakenham brook; and the Pratts and Crookers the tract between Ply- mouth street and Wenham road.

While the earlier settlers of Lakenham patron- ized the mills at Plympton, the settlers of this region soon had such facilities of their own and mills were in operation at Lakenham, South Meadows and probably Wenham. The industrial activities of the people were confined to agricul- tural pursuits until the decade 1730-40, when the Popes Point furnace was established and a re- markable impetus given to the social and indus- trial life of this region. The building of the first iron furnace, the first meeting house and the establishment of the first three school districts, marks this decade as a memorable one in the development of the settlement.

The Shermans joined the Precinct before the Revolution, purchasing a large tract from the Ransoms. John Sherman conducted a tavern on the site of the residence of James S. McKay*.

Fresh Meadows was a thriving village before the Revolution. Fifty years after Plymouth Rock, there was a bridge across the river near where the wide bridge is now located known as Benson's bridge. The Benson property must

*The business of the tavern was moved in 1815 to the John Shaw house, near the Green, now owned by Mrs. Horace C. Robbins. In this tavern was located Sherman hall ; where public meetings, balls, etc., were held. It was a lively center, especially on muster days, when the militia made it its headquarters.

60 HISTORY OF CARVER

have included much of the land between the Ware- ham road and the river, the original homestead being a short distance back from the N. S. Gush- ing farm, where the spot is now located by straggling remnants of apple trees. The burying ground was on a hill easterly from the Gushing house, which is now marked by a lone headstone, the rest having been carried away by boys.

The first saw mill was established early in the 18th century, about one-half mile above the pres- ent mill and where the rudiments of the dam may still be seen. A few years afterwards, the old mill was deserted and the dam built upon its present site.

Joshua Benson was a thrifty inn keeper, whose tavern stood on the hill opposite the old mill. From the eminent position of the tavern, one could look over the mill and up the Plymouth road and the enterprising proprietor who may be presumed to have had a stock of Jamaica rum on hand, must have looked up this road with a busi- ness eye, as the well-to-do merchants journeyed between Plymouth and New Bedford. On a dusty day in summer, how refreshing to man and beast must have been a halt at the gay old tavern ; and when the cold blasts of winter chilled the travel- lers through and through, how inviting must have been the red logs that burned on the hearth and the stock in trade of the genial proprietor.

On the dam beyond the mill looking from the tavern, was located the grist mill and the forge. With these thriving industries and with a gay and contented population. Fresh Meadows is a pleas-

EARLY SETTLERS 61

ant dream. The swamps in that region were prolific with huckleberries which the residents turned to good account, the men, women and chil- dren gathering them for the markets of Plymouth and New Bedford. Coming to meet the stage from all directions, the point where they gathered at the junction of the Charlotte Furnace road with Rochester road, came to be known as Huckle- berry Corner. Nathaniel Atwood occupied his old homestead later known as the Bates Place on the west side of Bates* pond; Eli Thomas and Ephraim Griffith tilled their farms up the Popes Point road; Joel Shurtleff and Caleb Atwood farmed their clearings up the Rochester road; William Washburn lived on his farm opposite the M. E. Church of later times. Deacon Asaph Wash- burn established his home beyond the river near Benson's bridge.

Reckoned from the standpoint of continued in- fluence, George Barrows and John Murdock were the pioneers of South Carver. Through marital connections Caleb Cushman, (whose wife was a daughter of George Barrows), established the Cushman farm about 1740 ; and later the Saverys were settled in the village through the Barrows girls. The Barrows property skirted the west shore of the pond and John Murdock held the claim to the land on the east side. The pond itself was lightly regarded, except for the fish it yielded and the grassy coves for their hay giving and pasturage qualities. Grassy Island was also used

*Bates' pond was called Atwood 's pond at that time.

62 HISTORY OF CARVER

as a pasture, being approached through a slough from the west shore. The old Barrows' home- stead stood at the junction of Mayflower road with Eochester road; the Murdock homestead was the farm on the east side of the pond, later known as the Israel Thomas farm; the Tillson farm was located about midway between Rochester road and Meadows road, in what is now known as New Meadows; and it is probable that the main high- way at that time passed the Tillson house, the Silas Shaw house, the Barrows house and the Murdock house and so on to the fishery at the outlet of the pond. Rochester road as we travel it, was laid out in 1698, but it is probable that the main travel south was on the east side of the pond, and the old roads leading to Halfway ponds and Agawam, show signs of having once been main travelled roads.

The success of Popes Point furnace, had fired the heart of Bartlett Murdock and through his agitation, operations towards the establishment of Charlotte Furnace were begun in 1760. The meadows south of the pond were dyked creating Furnace pond and flowing the coves and Grassy Island, for which annual damages were paid.

There were but few residents south of the pond at that time. The Seipets living on the Indian farm, hunted and tilled the land on which the village of South Carver stands ; Bartlett Murdock moved further south and laid the foundation for the Island Farm ; David Shurtleff lived on his farm which proved to be his monument, going there- after by the name of The David Place ; the Cush-

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EARLY SETTLERS 63

mans were clearing their land ; the Dunhams were farming up the Plymouth road and laying the foundation for Dunhamtown; the Bumpusses, Maxims and possibly others were scattered be- tween the pond and Tihonet. At the same time the Barrows family was settling the north side of the pond, and Martin Grady* was located in the woods in the direction of Wankinco. But the establishment of Charlotte Furnace laid the foundation for the village of South Carver, which went merrily on after the Revolution.

*Martm Grady's house and farm was the one later owned by Thomas Shaw, near Half-way house so called. Grady's pond thua acquired its name.

THE SOUTH PRECINCT OF PLYMPTON

The western precinct of Plymouth, incorporated in 1698, included the hamlets of Colchester and Lakenham. The main settlements were clustered around Colchester brook and even Lakenham was only two miles away, South Meadows not being covered by the new society. But when Plympton was incorporated a few years later, it embraced all of the territory now included in the Town of Carver.

When the Plympton meeting house was built, it was located fairly in the centre of its supporters. When the settlers spread out over the South lands clearing farms in that large tract stretching towards Agawam and Rochester the meet- ing house was left far to one side, and in less than forty years from the incorporation of the New So- ciety an agitation for still another meeting house began to manifest itself based upon the same logic that induced the Western society to withdraw from the* Plymouth church.

As this territory to the South grew in numbers and influence various compromises were offered to discourage the new meeting house proposition. In 1716 one fourth of the schoolmaster's time was spent at Lakenham and one fourth at South Meadows ; and in 1731 the South was granted 20 pounds towards preaching in that vicinity the

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66 HISTORY OF CARVER

ensuing Winter. But the agitation grew — natural conditions favored it — while the breach between the old society and the embryo society gradually widened. Nothing stood in the way of an outbreak but the opportunity and this came when the town of Plympton voted salaries to two ministers. The venerable Cushman had worked his way into the affections of his people and no hints of dismissal are visible. But he was too old for active service. To control the situation the town voted him a small salary while the regular salary was voted Rev. Jonathan Parker recently ordained. And this furnished the mutineers with their opportunity.

At a special town meeting in May 1730, a pro- test against voting salaries to two ministers in one meeting house signed by 49 of the Southrons was filed with the moderator. Again at a meeting in November a stronger protest with 54 signatures was entered but the old society refused to yield. This protest shows a trace of the prevailing feel- ing: ''We have done our duty in times past in

supporting the minister here settled

we look upon the circumstances of the case of Mr. Parker's call not agreeable to Scripture rule or the practice of Churches. ' ' The protest concludes with the statement that several of the subscribers have petitioned the Selectmen for a town meeting to "set us off either as a town or precinct."

The first impulse of the Southrons was for either a town or a precinct but the contest de- veloped a bitterness that rendered a compromise improbable. The old society was rigidly opposed

SOUTH PRECINCT OF PLYMPTON 67

to either at first, but as the breach between the sections widened, the North found it advisable to look with favor upon a separate precinct with a view to prevent the division of the town. The General Court accepted the petition which was promptly committeed and the old society went to work. At a special town meeting in June, 1732, a committee consisting of David Bosworth, Samuel Bradford and Joseph Thomas was instructed to establish the line setting off the proposed South Precinct; and a committee composed of Capt. Caleb Loring, Samuel Sturtevant and Joseph Thomas was sent to the General Court then in session to answer the petition of the South end people.

In September the committee to whom had been referred the petition visited Plympton, perambu- lated the proposed dividing line, and heard all interested parties. The committeemen un- doubtedly took a judicial view of the situation and their judgment was tempered with mercy. They decided upon a separate precinct and as the new precinct would take away one third of the ratable estates it should pay one third of Mr. Cushman's salary while he lived. Upon their own request the families of Edmund Tillson, Isaac Nye, Elisha Witton, Eleazer Cushman, Eleazer Rickard and Ephraim Tillson were to remain with the old so- ciety. The division line was practically the Plympton-Carver town line although several un- important changes have been made. The act in- corporating the Precinct passed its' final stage November 16, 1732.

68 HISTORY OF CARVER

Six of the freeholders of the new precinct im- mediately petitioned John Murdock of Plymouth, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace, for a precinct meeting and the warrant addressed to Barnabas Shurtleff one of the petitioners sum- moned the new society in legal meeting Monday, December 18, 1732. At this meeting Barnabas Shurtleff was chosen Moderator, Joseph Lucas Clerk, and Capt. Barnabas Shurtleff, Richard Dwelly and Samuel Lucas, Precinct committee. At an adjourned meeting January 8, 1732, Capt. Shurtleff, John Murdock and Joseph Lucas were chosen Assessors, and Jabez Nye, Collector. Eighty pounds were raised for the support of the minister and Mrs. Mary Shaw was authorized to entertain the ministerial candidates at the ex- pense of the Precinct.

The bitterness engendered by the conflict be- tween the old and new precincts manifested itself for several years after the separation. At this first legal meeting of the new society it was voted not to pay the assessment against them for the salary of ''Mr. Jonathan Parker." It was held by the debaters that they had agreed to pay one third of Mr. Cushman's salary but not that of Mr. Parker. The old society had the legal end of the argument as the assessment was due before the South Precinct was incorporated but there was a chip on the shoulder of the young society. Plympton appealed to the courts while the South Precinct voted to stand by their constable in re- sisting the assessment and Capt. Barnabas Shurt- leff was chosen to assist in the defence.

SOUTH PRECINCT OF PLYMPTON 69

The precinct was unfortunate in its first min- istry. Not only was there constant turmoil with the common town but the relations between pastor and people were not pleasant. Which party was in the right does not appear at this day but it is probable that there was a lack of compromise on both sides that always leads to misunderstanding. The first salary was to be 80 pounds with an honorable support ever after so long as the min- ister remained with the society. In the first candi- date's answer to the call he said ''an honorable support for myself and family should God give me one. ' ' This was indefinite and the freeholders debated. Should they bind themselves to support the minister's family as long as it lived? The candidate explained that he meant to be under- stood as saying as long as he remained their pastor and with this explanation the doubters were satisfied. They did not stop to consider what a world of varied construction was wrapped up in that innocent clause ' ' an honorable support ' ' and before they could get a separation from the first minister this question must be sifted by the courts.

At the adjourned meeting Benoni Shaw, John Witton and Samuel Jackson were constituted a committee to procure preachers until the Precinct was ready to give a call. In less than a month — February 15th — the voters were ready and the first call was given Rev. Othniel Campbell.

The ordination of a minister was an event of great import in that generation and the cere- monies attending the ordination of Rev. Mr.

70 HISTORY OF CARVER

Campbell gave birth to the first general holiday of the South Precinct, June 2, 1733. Committees were appointed to entertain the ministers and other invited guests while ministers from Roches- ter, Plymouth, Kingston, Middleboro, Taunton, Raynham and Plympton lent the dignity of their presence. Samuel Shaw entertained the min- isters and their horses at the expense of the Pre- cinct.

Mr. Campbell's first salary was 80 pounds and this was gradually increased until in 1741 it had reached the highest limit — 160 pounds. In ad- dition to the salary he was sometimes granted extra remuneration whenever any unusual event occurred. In 1742 the salary was dropped to 40 pounds lawful money with an additional gift of five pounds ' ' in consideration of the rise in things the past year." This sudden fall in the salary has no bearing on the relations between pastor and people but is entirely due to the general financial disarrangements of the Province.

March 1, 1742-43 the Precinct voted to postpone action on the minister's salary and the following September 40 pounds were raised for ' ' supplying the pulpit. ' ' There was trouble between preacher and people and this was the outcome. At a church meeting December 6, Rev. Mr. Campbell was dis- missed. A Precinct meeting was summoned December 26 to see if the Precinct would concur in the action of the church. Each faction pulled the political string with an artistic hand; great excitement prevailed throughout the Precinct; and expectations of a sensation filled the meeting house on the day of the public meeting.

SOUTH PRECINCT OF PLYMPTON 71

Capt. Barnabas Shurtleff was chosen moderator and in calling the meeting to order he enquired to know if anyone had anything to say against the warrant. There being no response to this chal- lenge he added: ''Here is a paper put in by James Shaw and others directed to no person, no meeting nor no date and therefore the moderator will take no notice of it. ' '

The main question was then put, that is to see if the Precinct would concur in the action of the church in dismissing Rev. Mr. Campbell. In the eagerness of both factions to win many voted who were not legally entitled to that privilege and the moderator refused to count the hands. In this predicament he ordered the house divided, those favoring concurrence in the women's seats and those opposed in the men's seats, and the women's seats containing the majority of the freeholders he declared for concurrence. Joseph Bridgham, Elisha Lucas, Abel Crocker, John Shaw, Samuel Shaw and Samuel Jackson were named as a com- mittee to procure a new minister.

In the passions of the contest the Precinct voted not to pay the charges of the Council of Churches but wisely reconsidered the action the following January when the necessary appropri- ation was made and Ensign NathanielAtwood in- structed to act with the treasurer in adjusting the dispute with Rev. Mr. Campbell. But the breach between Mr. Campbell and the Precinct authori- ties was too wide to be bridged by local hands and the minister appealed to the courts. Capt. Barnabas Shurtleff and Joseph Bridgham were selected to

72 HISTORY OF CARVER

.represent the Precinct at the May session of the ''Peace" ''or at any other court he may rest his case." Mr. Campbell lost his case in the lower court and appealed to the Superior Court of As- sizes which entered his appeal and continued it much to the chagrin of the anti-Campbell faction.

The case was thoroughly discussed in the Pre- cinct and the antis expressed their minds freely over what appeared to them the injustice in the assumption of jurisdiction by the Superior Court. A. special Precinct meeting was called when At- wood and Bridgham were instructed to appeal to the Great and General Court for "help and relief from the burden and difficulty we labor under ' ' as a result of allowing this case to go beyond the general sessions of the peace. Mr. Campbell won a judgment but the Precinct refused to submit and the matter was continued until 1748 when a second appeal was made to the General Court for assist- ance in settling with Mr. Campbell and "to com- pel him to give up the church records." Nothing resulted from this move and in 1751 the committee had reached an agreement with their ex-minister by allowing him 10 pounds in addition to the court's allowance. This agreement was subse- quently ratified by the Precinct and the matter was closed.

After the dismissal of Rev. Mr. Campbell there was no settled minister in the Precinct until the ordination of John Howland. In April, 1745, the church voted a call to Lemuel Briant to which the Precinct concurred the following month with a salary of 46 pounds and 5s. A committee was

g,r4^»

SOUTH PRECINCT OF PLYMPTON 73

named to acquaint Mr. Briant of the proceedings and the meeting adjourned one month. At the adjourned meeting a settlement was voted Mr. Briant and there he drops from the records. The following January John Howland was called by the church, the Precinct concurred February 8th with a salary of £46 Is the first year and an "honorable support thereafter." Perhaps we can see in Mr. Rowland's answer something of the character of this truly remarkable man.

To ye Chh. and Congregation in ye South part of Plympton, Gentlemen — In as much as God in his Providence has been pleased to Prosper My Poore Labors among you as to Incline your Souls to Give Me a Call to ye Worke of ye Gospel Min- istry among you and after Given Thanks to God

for ye hearts of ye People Towards men and

having maturely Considered on ye Proposition I Do Accept of your Call Expecting such a Main- tenance as ye Gospel allows to Those that Waite att ye Alter, that Accepting of ye Salery as Voted with your finding of me my Wood Praying that

the Grate Sherard wold the little Vine which

he hath Planted and be Mindful of his Little Flock and build you up into Spiritual House and Eestore

unto it its former Peace and Unity, that

brotherly love may not only continue but increase, that all strife envy and evil worke may be put away, that we may be so Blessed and Prospered that he that soweth and he that Reapeth may be one. Desiring a remembrance in your prayer that I may make full proof of my Ministry and so take

74 HISTORY OF CARVER

Heed to myself and doctrine so that after I have Preached to others I myself may not be cast away. I rest yours in all sincere Love and Respect.

PljTnpton, June 21, 1746.

John Rowland.

Mr. Rowland had preached to the people at in- tervals since the retirement of Eev. Mr. Campbell but his salary did not begin until July 14. 1746, and that date may be properly named as the be- ginning of his ministry.

There was a wide variation in his salary during his ministry owing to the financial fluctuations of the country. The second year it was increased to £185; the third year to £286; the fourth year dropped to £200; and in 1750 it was dropped to £40, one half of which was to be in supplies. From that period to the Revolutionary disturbances it ranged around £65. In 1778 he was voted £64, but at a special Precinct meeting he was voted an ad- ditional £128. In 1779 his salary was £400 and the year following it jumped to the princely figure of £1800. In 1781 it dropped to £75 in silver. In this varying credit of the country the Precinct became bewildered to such an extent that in 1782 it voted to petition the General Court for instruc- tions and advice respecting the support of the minister. The same year the Precinct voted in despair to give the Collector one silver dollar "in the room of thirty paper ones."

This alarming inflation of prices was not the only obstacle in the path of the peace of the Pre-

SOUTH PRECINCT OF PLYMPTON 75

cinct. The Baptists were on tlie increase and with their increasing strength swelled the mur- murs of discontent with the rates; while the South Meadow people who had built a meeting house in the Southern part of the Precinct were in a con- stant state of rebellion. There had been so much friction with these malcontents that the Precinct voted to petition the General Court for authority to let the people south of the South Meadow river decide for themselves whether they would belong to the old church.

Eev. John Rowland saw the Precinct develop to its zenith and enter its decline. He saw his coun- try pass through trying ordeals; the government overthrown by revolution ; the powers of the Pre- cinct melting away one by one ; yet through all of these vicissitudes he seems never to have lost his supreme faith.

In 1794 John Bennett of Eochester, dissatisfied with the doctrine preached in his church, peti- tioned to become a member of the South Precinct of Plympton by virtue of a small tract of marsh meadow owned by him within the limits of the Precinct. In 1799 John Samson, Isaac Shaw, Isaac Mann, Jr., John Bryant, Joshua Perkins and Elkanah Shaw, petitioned the General Court to set them within the jurisdiction of the First Precinct of Middleboro. These mutineers resided in the Rocky Meadow district and their petition was opposed. The committee authorized to act for the Precinct was instructed to settle with the petitioners, provided it could come to an agree- ment by sacrificing Samson and Shaw.

76 HISTORY OF CAEVER

During tlie last quarter of the eighteenth cen- tury, opposition to the rates developed strength rapidly. The Revolution, the Constitution and the incorporation of the town of Carver gave strength to newer methods of church government and the old regime, recognizing the strength of the opposition, made frequent abatements. While the Precinct was not legally dead until 1833, the dawn of the 19th century saw its surrender to public sentiment for its power had waned, its Assessors powerless and its rate bills optional with the tax payer. Annual remittances of the taxes against the Baptists and the South Meadow people were made and amounts raised to cover the deficiency. Not infrequently the Precinct voted to assess those who would volunteer to pay the assessment and so the custom of supporting the minister by voluntary subscriptions came in robed in the raiment of the old order. In 1806 for the first time, the Precinct voted to pass the contribution box after services every Sunday evening.

Through all of these vicissitudes is stamped the greatness of Rev. John Rowland. When his people were blessed with abundance he shared m their blessings; when they were pinched by poverty or shaken by financial disturbances he shared in their misfortunes. To carry his people through hard years, he volunteered to take a re- duced salary or to accept a part of it in ''corn, rye, or any other provisions which he might want and which his people could spare." Thus for sixty years he stood as a bulwark of faith in prosperity

SOUTH PRECINCT OF PLYMPTON 77

and in adversity, and in the dissensions among his people his voice seems to have been for peace and his sincerity never questioned. Perhaps it was one of his rewards to give up his life before the actual dismemberment of his church.

And now arose the question of selecting a suc- cessor to the venerable Howland. Calls were voted Lothrop Thompson, Daniel Thomas and Gaines Conant but they all ended in failure. In January, 1807, Rev. John Shaw accepted a call and became the third settled minister of the Precinct. He was ordained October 7 by the fol- lowing Council : Rev. Samuel Niles and Deacon Jacob Pool, Abington; Rev. Joseph Barker and Deacon Perez Thomas, Middleboro; Rev. Noble Everett and Capt. Jeremiah Bumpus, Wareham; Rev. Adoniram Judson and Maj. Benjamin War- ren, PljTuouth ; Rev. Jonathan Strong and Deacon "William Linfield, Randolph; Rev. James Kendall and Benjamin Whiting, Pl^nnouth; Rev. Abel Richmond and Deacon Jacob Thompson, Halifax ; Rev. Asa Mead and Deacon David Edson, Bridge- water.

With the ministry of Shaw began the dissolu- tion of the Precinct, although attempts were periodically made to prolong its life. At regular and special meetings the question of holding por- tions of the services in the South Meeting house, and later in the Central Meeting house furnished a bone of contention for half a century. While the troubles of the Precinct were carried into town meetings the town as a whole remained impartial and the last days of the Precinct and the first days

78 HISTORY OF CARVER

of the Parish were marked by a succession of struggles, compromises and defeats for those who heroically strove to maintain the old regime.

In 1808 the minister was instructed to preach one-third of the time in the South Meeting house, and a committee named to see where the centre of the town would fall. Such attempts to establish one church in town were moves of the insurgents and opposed by the old guard. The year follow- ing the mutineers stayed at home on election day, while the Precinct without opposition voted that every ratable man be taxed and the collector was instructed to *'try and see what he can collect." At this meeting it was voted to put out the collec- tion of taxes in the South part of the Precinct to the lowest bidder, but there was no bid. The next move was to elect Jesse Murdock collector at a commission of 20 cents per pound, but Murdock declined the offer, and another committee was named to find someone who would serve the Precinct as Collector. This committee reported its inability of finding anyone who would accept the position and the meeting adjourned. At a meeting in November following Maj. Nehemiah Cobb, an uncompromising leader of the old church, volunteered to collect the taxes against these rebellious Southrons, but he was not successful and the following January the rates against forty- eight men who had paid towards the support of the Baptist minister were remitted by a margin of five votes and against a written protest signed by 28 of the old guard.

SOUTH PRECINCT OF PLYMPTON 79

In 1811 James Vaughan and Thomas Ham- mond, a committee to consult in matters pertain- ing to taxation and to make proposals to the Baptists, reported that they were unable to find a committee of the new society that was willing to confer, and the following year the Precinct voted to circulate a subscription paper to see how much could be pledged for the salary of the minister. Rev. Mr. Shaw having consented to re- main another year for what volunteer subscrip- tions could be obtained. In 1813 the birth of the donation party occurred, when by vote the day after Thanksgiving was set apart as a day when anyone so disposed could meet at the residence of the minister with their own choice by way of contribution.

In 1816 the standing committee was instructed to meet a committee of the Southern society to apportion the money raised for preaching and also to ''persuade those of the Baptist denomina- tion to take proper measures to be set off or to be taxed by the Precinct. ' '

In 1824 the Centre meeting house having been erected, the Precinct voted that all persons south of the Plains have preaching in their own meeting house in proportion to what they subscribed for the support of the minister. Undaunted by numberless defeats, a new committee was chosen to circulate a paper for the purpose of seeing how many would volunteer to pay their taxes. But revolutions do not run backwards, and the old method of supporting the pulpit by com- pulsory taxation was dead forever. Recognizing

80 HISTORY OF CARVER

finally in 1825 that further efforts to revive the ancient regime were useless, a special meeting was called in July, which voted to pass subscrip- tion papers for the support of preaching in the North and Central churches. This plan worked so satisfactorily that the next year the South was taken into the plan, andJabez Sherman for the North, Capt. Lothrop Barrows for the Centre, and Deacon Asaph Washburn for the South were named as a soliciting committee to raise funds for the support of preaching in their respective churches. The annual meeting for 1827 was held in the Central building, and the two societies united for that year.

As it is true that the Precinct was dead long before it was abolished by legislative enactment, it is also true that the Parish was in existence before it was formally adopted as a custom. The old died and the new was born in a common twilight, when the ideal of the fathers blended in the ideal of the sons. The last Precinct meeting was held October 18, 1830, and the first Parish meeting March 28, 1831.

There were radicals and conservatives in that conflict. The conservatives held relentlessly to the old way, the radicals as stoutly for a change. Be- tween these extremes there appears a strong faction whose purpose was to hold the Precinct together in one strong compact and in whose minds sectarianism held a secondary place. This faction fought and compromised against a di- vision of the church, but the Fates were against them.

BENJAMIN W. ROBBINS

From a Photograiih taken in ]882

SOUTH PRECINCT OF PLYMPTON 81

At a period corresponding with tlie demise of the Precinct the South disappeared as a disturb- ing factor. Methodism had its birth in that end of the town about 1828, and those unconverted to the doctrine of Wesley were left to shift for themselves. This faction controlled the South Meeting house, but it lacked the soul to give it life, and save occasional efforts there was no organized church work until the Union society was organized in 1853.

But for another quarter century after the passing of the Precinct the union under the Parish between the North and Central societies continued. Both societies had the use of church buildings, both were positive forces in the com- munity, both were ambitious to keep their houses open for public worship, but each was too poor financially to stand alone.

This policy of union, desirable as it seemed to many, in the development of sectarian matters at that age, was unnatural. The tendency of the age was against it, and gradually we see the societies drifting apart.

No language can present this cleavage in a more eloquent manner than that presented by the Parish votes. With a few notable exceptions the Parish meetings were held in the North meeting house, and the old society leaders disliked to yield to the extent of holding any of the services in the Central building, however much policy may have pointed out the wisdom of such a course. And yielding to this demand for a while one-third of the services were held at the Centre; then

82 HISTORY OF CARVER

one-third during nine months of the year; then one-third for six months of the year; then one meeting in every seventh ; then one-third for five months of the year. In 1853 nine services were held in the Central building, and in 1854, the year that witnessed the end of the union it was voted to hold one-sixth of the services in the Centre church provided that society would pay for them. Thus ended the union of the two societies and long before the Parish was abolished it had relinquished all claims to the outlying districts, confining its jurisdiction to the northern end of the town with a section of Middleboro, and came to be known as the church and society of North Carver.

There were practical reasons why the Parish should remain intact and when the societies parted the question of supporting a minister be- came a serious problem for both. At times there was no settled minister over the old society and its meeting house had become so poor that it was the main fact that led to the resignation of Rev. Stillman Pratt. From this time to the end of the career of the Parish its annual meetings were stereotyped affairs — simply the election of offi- cers and a vote to leave the affairs of the Parish In the hands of the Standing Committee. There were years when no Parish meetings were held the management of its former duties having been assumed by the church. Thus the Parish, like its predecessor the Precinct, yielded by force of cir- cumstances to newer methods of church govern- ment. From 1896 to 1903 there was no Parish

SOUTH PRECINCT OF PLYMPTON 83

meeting, and in 1903 a meeting was called for the purpose of deeding the church building, Parish meadow and woodlot to the church, and in 1907 the final act — a vote to abolish the Parish.

The material body of the Precinct was similar to that of our modern town. A moderator was chosen to preside at the meeting and its adjourn- ments, and the annual meeting was held in March. At the beginning of the meeting an auditing com- mittee was chosen to examine the account of the treasurer, and as the account was brief the audi- tors finished their duty and reported before a new treasurer was chosen.

A standing committee, annually elected, was the executive arm of the Precinct, bearing the relation to its affairs that a board of Selectmen holds in the affairs of a town.

Assessors were annually chosen who assessed the poles and estates for the support of the church. The Baptist church was the first to attack the work of the assessors holding it unfair to tax one for the support of a doctrine foreign to his belief. In the latter days of the Precinct it was voted to apply to the courts for authority for the assessors to enforce their decrees, an authority they already held but which had become obsolete through public sentiment.

The position of a collector was an undesirable one and not until 1764 did one of these publicans succeed himself. So unpopular was this official as sentiments changed, that frequent special meet- ings were necessary to fill the vacancy caused by the declination of the elected officer, and twice at

84 HISTORY OF CARVER

least the Precinct voted to prosecute its collector for declining to qualify. Consider Chase seems to have been imbued with peculiar taste or quali- fications for this position, and he was several times accepted after endeavoring to fasten the duties on some other candidate.

The years 1743 and 1744, no assessments having been made, there was no work for a collector, and this situation occurred frequently in later years. Sometimes as a matter of precedent, or law, a collector was chosen and the Precinct voted that in the event of any work falling to him he ' ' should be honorably rewarded." The compensation of this official varied. Sometimes he was agreed with for a stated amount ; sometimes he was voted a commission ; sometimes the collections were put up at auction; and once at least the Collector volunteered to do the work for what he could col- lect from people who resided outside of the Pre- cinct and once also he was paid by subscription among the wealthier residents of the Precinct.

The most serious situation confronting a Col- lector arose in consequence of the inflation attend- ing the Revolutionary finances. The Collector was held responsible for his collections, and after making his collections to find that his money was almost worthless he was in a sea of trouble. To help him out of this dilemma the Precinct voted to fix the ratio with which he could exchange his paper for silver. One Collector who found his receipts heavily loaded with counterfeits, was re- leased on the ground that he ' ' took it ignorantly. ' '

SOUTH PRECINCT OF PLYMPTON 85

Frequently, beginning in 1781 when the au- thority of the Precinct had begun to wane through the persistent mutiny of the South Meadow peo- ple, two Collectors were chosen, one for the North and one for the South. To fill the latter position was a difficult undertaking, for that section of the Precinct was solidly opposed to the rates, and it was necessary at times to vote to sustain the Col- lector in the event of a law-suit following his at- tempt, before any one would accept.

Beginning with 1734-35 an agent was annually chosen '^to keep the key to the meeting house and see that it was swept." In 1765 this agent was called the sexton, but the 19th century was well under way before this official became permanently known under that designation.

The critic of the twentieth century does not appreciate the importance of the Meeting house of the seventeenth century. The residents were scattered farmers without newspapers, telephones or railroads, and with no communication through the mails. Even horses and carriages were not in common use, roads were rustic and blind, and the travelling was necessarily slow. The custom of meeting at the taverns had not developed and the family really lived in a world by itself unmindful of the wishes or circumstances of its neighbors. It can readily be understood how, under such con- ditions, the Meeting house should be regarded as the first essential of civil government, the centre where the isolated people could meet to learn of each others sorrows and joys, and to transact business of a common concern. And the ser-

86 HISTORY OF CARVER

mon, for there was no reading matter available and few could read even if they had the books, and thus to the common people the Bible and the sermon furnished the only message between peo- ple and people. Hence the erection of a Meeting house was essential before a community could be robed in the rights, immunities and powers of a civil body.

In the early days of the 18th century the resi- dents of the South section of the town of Plympton felt the necessity of one of these Meeting houses and in 1731 the initial papers were drawn. The building was to be located on the hill north of the burying ground and the subscriptions, one third in money and two thirds in specie, were payable to Eichard Dwelley and Isaac Waterman. The temple was erected according to plan between October, 1731, and December, 1732.

The location of the Meeting house was a bone of contention from the start. While there appears to have been no dissatisfaction over the original site the rapid growth of the Southern section of the new Precinct early gave rise to discontent which became the subject of agitation for upwards of a century. In 1767 a serious attempt was made to move the building to a lot near the Cross Paths, the South Meadow people contending that the Meeting house should be near the centre of population, and as their polling strength ap- proached that of the defenders of the old site they proved a factor to be reckoned with. The ques- tion came to an issue at a Precinct meeting in the year above mentioned when a motion to move the

SOUTH PRECINCT OP PLYMPTON 87

building was defeated, but by such a narrow mar- gin that it did not end the agitation. At the same meeting it was voted to enlarge the building and plans were adopted to carry the ordinance into effect.

The South Meadow people refused to abide by this verdict and they caused a special meeting to be called to act upon reconsideration. Some went so far as to demand a division of the Pre- cinct. While they lacked the strength to force a reconsideration they alarmed the old guard who, fearing a weak committee rescinded all previous orders and voted with a sweep ''to take affairs in their own hands," and in this drastic manner the old building was enlarged, but against the loud protests of the Southrons.

The South Meadow people were so persistent in the matter that the friends of the Precinct de- cided it the part of wisdom to bring some pressure to bear that would end the agitation. Accord- ingly at a meeting in 1769 it was voted to leave the whole question to a disinterested committee composed of Capt. Josiah Snell of Bridgewater, Col. John Thomas of Kingston and Thomas May- hew, Esq., of Plymouth. The Arbitration Board thus constituted visited the Precinct, viewed the situation, heard all persons interested, and in September rendered its report. The report coun- selled unity but decided that the Cross Paths was not a proper place for a Meeting house. This report silenced the agitation for a while but it did not remove the cause and the same question came up two generations later in its old virile form.

88 HISTORY OF CAEVER

This temple stood for nearly a century and un- til it became in a condition unfit for public uses, while the financial condition of the Precinct coupled with the old dissatisfaction over the ques- tion of a location interposed serious barriers in the way of the erection of a new building.

The extreme South enders had erected a build- ing of their own, but as the Precinct had refused to use it according to the wishes of the Proprie- tors, these residents added their strength to that of the South Meadow people in the fight for the location of a new Precinct Meeting house.

Eev. John Shaw may be considered as the last of the ministers of the old regime and after he surrendered his charge the Precinct rapidly de- cayed. A serious attempt beginning in 1816 and ending in 1821, was made to get the fragments to- gether but to no purpose. The line of cleavage between the two societies was too marked and to add to the perplexities of the situation the Congre- gationalists were hopelessly divided on the ques- tion of location.

In 1816 the Precinct voted to demolish the old structure and build anew on the same site. This was the olive branch held out by the old guard who really favored a site near the Green, but by way of a compromise this plan was suggested only to be rejected by the South Meadow people. Two weeks later all previous orders were reconsidered and a committee consisting of Ensign Barnabas Lucas, Capt. Joshua Cole and Nathan Cobb named to make an estimate of a new building. In Janu- ary following all votes were again reconsidered

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SOUTH PRECINCT OF PLYMPTON 89

and the Precinct began anew by voting an assess- ment of one hundred and fifty dollars on the pew holders for the purpose of repairing the building. This action did not meet with success as the as- sessment was not collectable in those degenerate days of the Precinct. The friends of the Precinct gave up the struggle at this point and rested until 1819 when they voted to build a new Meeting house near the Green provided some one would con- tribute the lot, and in 1820 they voted uncon- ditionally to build a new Meeting house in the North end of the Precinct. While the vote ap- pears on the Precinct records it was not strictly speaking a Precinct move, and no serious effort was made to hold the Precinct to the contract. The South and Centre had retired from the com- pact forever and when the building was built it was financed by the Proprietors of the North Meeting house. The question of a location was not settled and no sooner had the plan started than the Congregationalists of the Centre united with the Baptists to build the Central Meeting house. This union between the two sects for the erection of the temple resulted in its common use for nearly fifty years or until the plan of its con- struction died a natural death through the death or neglect of the Proprietors.

PLYMPTON IN THE REVOLUTION

In common with other Old Colony towns with one notable exception Plympton entered seriously into the problems that led to the Revolution. Not the least of the obstacles in the way of the execution of its work was the financial straits in which the town found itself, and how- ever heartily she may have desired to play her part in the great struggle she was hampered by circumstances beyond her control. But hers was no isolated case for it is a well known fact that the problem of financing the country through a seven years' destructive war transcended every other problem. The soldiers were ready but the means were lacking.

However, unless the cause went by default, the town must assist in caring for her soldiers, caring for their families, and providing its quota of beef and other necessities called for by orders of the Continental Congress. No sooner did the storm break than the country's money and credit vanished. Attempts to supply the deficiency by issuing paper met the fate expected for there was no permanent government and the fiat of the Con- tinental Congress died when the congress ad- journed. What wonder that the continental cur- rency, with its cable cut, soared away into a body- less myth? And how natural for people to use

91

92 HISTORY OF CARVER

the term in measuring items of no conceivable value. So far did the currency soar that in one year the town of PljTnpton voted seventy-eight thousand pounds for war purposes, and for all practical purposes the appropriation may as well have been seventy-eight millions, for however easily the appropriation may have been made and the paper collected it was forever worthless. Committees were appointed to fix the ratio be- tween the new and old ^'emitions" and hard money. Sixty to one was easily written and pro- posed— not so easily sustained when one of the quantities compared was in hiding and the other uncontrollable. The Committees might as well have attempted to fix a ratio of velocity between Plymouth Rock and the East wind, and we may smile as we speculate on the feverish debates in town meeting upon the question of accepting the Committee's report, with a vote of non concur- rence. And so while we appreciate the sacrifices of the soldiers at the front we should not forget the sacrifices of those who stayed at home.

The townspeople shared the sentiment against the Stamp Act and assisted in the agitation for its repeal. Its representative in the General Court for 1765 was instructed to act with the rep- resentatives from Boston, believing that what Boston desired, Plympton should desire, and hav- ing full faith in the patriotism and judgment of the Boston leaders. The town voted promptly against paying anything from the Pro^dnce treas- ury for damages sustained in the disturbances against the Stamp Act, while the matter of erect-

PLYMPTON IN THE REVOLUTION 93

ing a monument in honor of the services of Pitt in securing the repeal of the obnoxious law it was content to leave at the discretion of the General Court.

Following the repeal of that law tariff taxes became the storm centre of the town's revo- lutionary spirit. Here again the Boston leaders were entrusted when it was voted unanimously to concur with the representatives from the town of Boston in the matter of boycotting certain im- ports and of promoting manufacturing in the Colony. In 1768 Capt. John Bradford was chosen as the town's representative to a convention in Faneuil hall **to take under consideration the dangerous situation we apprehend this Province is in." Gov. Bernard had dissolved the General Court at a time when the Colonists were appre- hensive of an attack from the French, and fearful of the loss, through British usurpation, of their civil and religious liberties.

In July, 1774, Capt. George Bryant, William Ripley, Dea. Samuel Lucas, Capt. Seth Cushing, Dea. Thomas Savery, Benjamin Shurtleff and Joseph Perkins were named as a committee to consider the alarming state of public affairs and report at a later meeting. This report indicates the seriousness with which the committee viewed the situation and their resolution to meet it firmly. The report says :

"In the first place we recommend unto all to be deeply humble before God under a deep sense of the many aggravated sins which abound in the land in this day of our calamity which is the

94 HISTORY OF CARVER

fundamental cause of all the calamities that we feel or fear and repent and turn to God with our whole hearts. Then we may humbly hope that God will graciously be pleased to return unto us and appear for our deliverance and save us from the distress we are now laboring under and pre- vent larger calamities coming upon us.

"We also recommend that the town by no means to be concerned in purchasing or consuming any goods imported from Great Britain after the first day of October next and until our grievances are removed, and with regard to entering into any combination respecting purchasing goods im- ported from Great Briton we humbly conceive it would be very improper to act anything of that nature until the result of Congress shall be made public and upon the report thereof we advise the town to be very active in pursuing the most regu- lar method in order to promote the good of the public and the flourishing state of the same. ' '

The above committee with the addition of David Megone, James Harlow, John Bridgham, John Shaw, Isaiah Cushman and Isaac Churchill were continued to act upon the report of the Contin- ental Congress.

The struggle was on in earnest now and there shall be no turning back until we are freed from British power. Seriously and carefully but firmly the town stood by the provisions of the Congress and the proposals of the patriot leaders for furthering these ends. Families and friends must be separated, brothers may strike at each other from opposing sides in the bloody conflict,

PLYMPTON IN THE REVOLUTION 95

for in the dark hour of war more emphatically than at any other time is fulfilled the saying of the prophets : "Ye cannot serve God and mammon. ' ' The out and out Tories departed and their lands were seized and rented for the benefit of the town treasury.

Another considerable faction with Tory learn- ings that could not go to the extent of forsaking property and associations whose voice was always on the side of regularity and who constantly scanned the cloudy horizon for the star of peace that would compromise the differences between crown and subject. When in 1775 the town voted to pay the Province tax to Henry Gardner of Stow instead of to the Province Treasurer these con- servatives called a special town meeting to act upon reconsideration. It is admitted that these conservatives had regularity on their side but the town had cast its lot in the vortex of revolution where precedent and regularity are abolished and by a large majority it refused to reconsider its revolutionary action.

In that tempestuous year of 1774, Plympton's representative in the General Court was in- structed to ''do nothing that is inconsistent with our charter rights and privileges," but in case the Governor should adjourn the Court to Boston said representative must refuse to attend, unless the Governor would first remove the British soldiers from the town. Deacon Samuel Lucas was chosen as the town's representative to a Provincial con- gress at Concord.

96 HISTORY OF CAHVER

Early in 1776 a committee of six was named to solicit for the poor of Boston and Cliarlestown, and Capt. Seth Gushing was chosen representative to the General Court to be holden in Watertown. The following Committee of Safety, Correspond- ence and Kefraction was chosen by the town: Thomas Savery, Thomas Loring, Jr., Isaiah Cush- man, Eleazer Crocker, Joshua Perkins and Ben- jamin Ward. And in these stirring pre-revolu- tionary days, the town of Plympton discounted the Continental Congress by forty-two days, de- claring for independence at a town meeting May 23d when, according to the records of the town clerk, * ' voted unanimously independence of Great Briton," and caused the Selectmen to take a spe- cial oath to take a full account of the number of the inhabitants of this town agreeable to the order of the Continental Congress.

In the last years of the war the town had to exert itself to fill its quotas, and the calls were provided in town meetings. Years of hardships, financial discouragements and uncertainties, had made enlisting hazardous, but the town found a way to hold its own and its quotas were always provided for. It is fair to state that the total enlistments, including re-enlistments from the town during the war equalled one-third of the population. The olive branch was never held out to the Tories. In 1783 it was voted ''not to re- ceive any of the Kefugees which had fled to the enemy for protection into this town," and to em- phasize the vote it was voted to hire out their lands and turn the rentals into the town treasury.

w

PLYMPTON IN THE REVOLUTION 97

The town sent two representatives to the con- vention that framed the Constitution of 1780. The representatives made their report, bnt the records are silent as to any final action. It is probable that there was difference of opinion as to the merits of the instrument which was compromised by delay. In 1780 the following committees were chosen to report at a subsequent town meeting, work and places of service of the various soldiers who had served in the revolutionary army from Plympton :

For Capt. Sampson's company: Isaiah Cush- man, Isaac Churchill, Sylvanus Bartlett.

For Capt. Harlow's company: Timothy Ripley, Dr. Dean, Benjamin Cushman.

For Capt. Shaw's company: Nehemiah Cobb, Eleazer Crocker, Deacon Lucas.

For Capt. Hammond's company: Joseph Bar- rows, Benjamin Ward.

It is known that these committees performed the work assigned them and made a full report to the town. The report was not recorded nor does it appear that it was formally adopted. Such a paper would have been of great assistance in the matter of securing pensions for the veterans, and from the historical standpoint the loss is irre- parable. Wliy the paper was not recorded may be a matter of conjecture, but upon this point Lewis Bradford* speaks plainly, using the word "embezzled" to express his indignation.

*Lewis Bradford was town clerk of Plympton from 1812 to 1851. His records are replete with historical sketches, genealogical items, and explanations, making the town records of Plympton unique and instructive from the historical standpoint.

98 HISTORY OF CARVER

Marslifield was the one point in the Old Colony where Tory sentiment predominated, and had the fortunes of war elected that the initial battle of the Revolution should be fought among these hills, it is evident the Red Coats would have met with a reception even more vehement than they experi- enced on Lexington green. When the report that a detachment had been sent from Boston to rein- force the Crown sympathizers in the neighboring town spread, the military spirit of the Old Colony awoke and there was consequently much excite- ment in this region, and on the very day that the patriots of Concord and Lexington were ''firing the shot heard 'round the world, ' ' nearly two hun- dred fellow patriots of Plympton were hurrying across the country to fire a similar shot in Marsh- field. So large a force marching out of so sparsely settled a community reads more like a crusade than a military uprising, and in so unanimous a cause the farmer's wives and daugh- ters must have watched the proceedings with in- tense interest.

There are obstacles in the way of obtaining a complete and reliable list of the soldiers that fought in that war for the credit of Plympton and a more or less indefinite list must necessarily fol- low. The town records are silent in the matter, and there is danger of mistakes from both sides of the reckoning in making up the list from the pay rolls on file. The fact that a roll was sworn to in Plympton, may not be prima facie evidence that the soldiers were invariably PljTnpton sol-

PLYMPTON IN THE REVOLUTION 99

diers, and on the contrary the town may have had soldiers whose names are lost in the unsystematic methods of recording. Often a name appears on the rolls many times and it is not always easy to determine whether it is a repetition of the same person, or a record of two or more soldiers by the same name.

Companies were raised in Plymouth County and it is fair to assume, that these embraced Plympton soldiers. In justification of this, many names appear on these unidentified rolls — names that sound familiar — but with nothing to identify them they must be omitted from the list.

There were Plympton* men in at least five military companies at the breaking out of hostili- ties, and these companies after the march to Marshfield, were reorganized and continued in the militia during the war. The army was often recruited from the ranks of the militia, detach- ments, and sometimes the whole company'' being detached to reinforce the Continental army

*Deborah Sampson, while not in the service to the credit of her native town for well-known reasons, has earned a place in Plympton 's story of the Eevolution. She was born Dee. 17, 1760, a descendant of Governor Bradford, Myles Standish and John Alden. In the latter years of the war, dressed in male attire, she enlisted at Bellingham for the credit of the town of Uxbridge under the name of Eobert Shurtleff. She was severely wounded, in 1782, but succeeded in hiding her identity; but, being stricken the following year with a fever, she was sent to a hospital in Philadelphia, where her physician discovered her sex and caused her discharge. By a special provision her name was added to the i^ension list, and after her death the pension went to her husband, Benjamin Gannett, as a "soldier's widow." She was specially honored by the state and nation.

100 HISTORY OF CARVER

temporarily, to be returned to the ranks of tlie militia after the crisis had passed.

The following commissioned officers were in the service at various times during the Eevolutionary conflict :

Capt. William Atwood: Marched with his company to Marshfield.

Capt. John Bradford: Marched with his com- pany to Marshfield; continued in the militia as Captain in 1775 and 1776, serving as Continental agent.

Capt. John Bridgham : Marched with his com- pany to Marshfield ; Captain in the militia in 1775, and in Capt. Cotton's company in Rhode Island in 1778.

Capt. George Hammond: Private in Capt. Shaw's company at Marshfield; commissioned as Captain of the militia in 1776 and serving until 1778.

Capt. Thomas Samson: Sergt. in Capt. Brad- ford's company at Marshfield; ensign in the militia in 1775; Captain of a company of militia 1776; marched with his company to Bristol, R. I., on an alarm December, 1776 ; went on a secret ex- pedition against Newport, R. I., September- October, 1777; Captain in the militia 1778; in command of a company in Rhode Island in 1781 three days.

Capt. Nathaniel Shaw : Marched with his com- pany to Marshfield ; in the militia 1776 ; marched with his company to Bristol, R. I., on an alarm December, 1776 ; also Captain in the militia 1778.

PLYMPTON IN THE REVOLUTION 101

Lieut. Elijah Bisbee, Jr. : Sergt. in Capt. Lor- ing's company at Marshfield; Lieutenant in Capt. Ebenezer Washburn's company in Rhode Island 1776; in command of Capt. James Harlow's com- pany at Bristol, E. I., 1777 ; at Castle Island 1778.

Lieut. Nehemiah Cobb: Lieutenant in Capt. Bridgham's company at Marshfield; Lieutenant in militia 1775 to 1780; in detachment to rein- force Continental army in Rhode Island in 1780 three months.

Lieut. Joseph Cole: Private in Capt. Shaw's company at Marshfield ; commissioned Lieutenant 1776; Second Lieutenant with Lieut. Frances Shurtleff at Bristol; in Capt. Sampson's company secret expedition against Newport; Second Lieu- tenant, Capt. Ebenezer Washburn's company 1778.

Lieut. Joshua Loring: Sergeant and ensign 1776-77-78; commissioned Lieutenant May 1779; in Capt. Jacob Haskins' company 1779-80.

Lieut. Joshua Perkins : Sergeant in Capt. Shaw's company at Marshfield; commissioned Lieutenant 1776, Capt. George Hammond's com- pany ; in command of a detachment from the com- pany that was sent to Bristol, R. I. on an alarm in March 1777; Lieutenant in Capt. Hammond's company in 1778; also in Capt. Calvin Partridge's company stationed at Dorchester Heights 1^78.

Lieut. Zephaniah Perkins : Lieutenant in Capt. Thomas Samson's company in 1776; also Lieu- tenant in same company at Bristol, 1776 and 1778.

Lieut. John Shaw: Sergeant in Capt. At- wood's company at Marshfield; Second Lieuten-

102 HISTORY OF CARVER

ant in Capt. George Hammond's company 1776; Second Lieutenant in Capt. Shaw's comjjany at Bristol 1776, and in Capt. Hammond's company 1778.

Lieut. Frances Sliurtleff: Lieutenant in Capt. Shaw's company 1776; in command of a detach- ment that was sent to Bristol, R. I. on an alarm, December, 1776 ; Lieutenant in Capt. Shaw 's com- pany 1778.

Lieut. Silas Sturtevant : Second Lieutenant in Capt. Thomas Samson's company, commissioned 1778; Lieutenant in Capt. Samson's company in Rhode Island 1781.

Lieut. Job Weston: Sergeant, Capt. Loring's company Marshfield; Second Lieutenant, Capt. James Harlow's company 1776; commissioned 1776, Second Lieutenant of Capt. James Harlow's company commanded by Lieut. Elijah Bisbee, Jr., Bristol 1776; Third Lieutenant, Capt. Samson's company secret expedition against Newport; Second Lieutenant, Capt. James Harlow's com- pany 1778; Lieutenant, Capt. Jesse Sturtevant 's company detached from militia to reinforce Con- tinental army three months in Rhode Island 1780.

Those whose service was limited to the march to Marshfield:

Capt. William Atwood Salathiel Biimpus

Sergt. Joseph Atwood Rowland Hammond

Nathaniel Atwood Bartlett Murdoek

2nd Lieut. Joseph Barrows Thomas IMuxam

Corp. Simmons Barrows Gideon Perkins

Jonathan Barrows Robert Sturtevant Benjamin Benson

PLYMPTON IN THE REVOLUTION

103

Capt. Thomas Loring Ensign Ignatius Loring Sergt. James Churchill James Bishop, Jr. Nathaniel Bonney, Jr. Ebenezer Bonney Noah Bosworth Winslow Bradford Ephraim Bryant Joseph Bryant Joshua Bryant Isaac Churchill, Jr. Isaac Churchill, 3d John Churchill Nathaniel Churchill Elkanah Cushman, Jr. Isaiah Cushman, Jr. Samuel Cushman Thomas Cushman

Abner Hall Thomas Harlow Job Holmes Job Holmes, Jr. Joshua Loring Josiah Perkins, Jr. Luke Perkins Nathaniel Pratt, Jr. Jonathan Rickard Nathaniel Rider Joseph Ripley Josiah Ripley Timothy Ripley, Jr. Henry Samson Noah Sturtevant Zadok Weston Elisha "Whitten, Jr. Adam Wright Benjamin Wright

(In Capt. Bradford's company). Corp. Issacher Bisbee Heman Crocker

Sylvanus Bartlett Isaac Cushman

Nathaniel Churchill Joel Ellis

Stephen Churchill

(In Capt. Bridgham's company). Sergt. Bartlett Murdock Daniel Pratt

Ephraim Griffith Eleazer Robbins

Simeon Holmes John Shaw

Joseph Lucas David Wood

(In Capt. Shaw's company). Sergt. Eleazer Crocker Caleb Atwood

Sergt. Elisha Lucas John Atwood

Corp. Eleazer Rickard. Jr. James Doten Drummer Isaiah Tillson Sylvanus Dunham

104 HISTORY OF CARVER

Daniel Faunce John Shurtleff

Nehemiah Lucas Edward Stevens, Jr.

John Rickard John Stevens

Benjamin Shaw Daniel Vaughan, Jr.

Benjamin Shaw, Jr. Joseph Vaughan

Jonathan Shaw David "Wood

Those whose service was limited to the detach- ment imder Lieut. Frances Shurtleff to Bristol, E. L, in December, 1776 : Sergt. Consider Chase Nehemiah Cobb

Sergt. Timothy Cobb David Ransom, Jr.

Those whose service was limited to Capt. Thomas Samson's company that marched to Bris- tol, E. L, in 1776 :

Drum. Shadraeh Standish Isaac Loring John Bradford James Magoon

John Churchill Asaph Soule

Those whose service was limited to the march to Bristol, E. I., under Lieut. Elijah Bisbee, Jr., in 1777 :

Sergt. Joel Ellis, Jr. EHsha Whitton

Joshua Loring Joseph Wright

Corp. Nathaniel Sherman Samuel Wright, 2nd

Those whose service was limited to the detach- ment under Lieut. Joshua Perkins, which went to Bristol, E. L, in 1777 : Sergt. Joseph Barrows Ellis Griffith

Corp. Simeon Barrows Bartlett Murdock

Those whose services was limited to Capt. Sam- son 's secret expedition against Newport in 1777 : Isaac Bisbee Samuel Bradford

Jonathan Barrows Benjamin Ransom

PLYMPTON IN THE EEVOLUTION

105

Those whose service was limited to Capt. Sam- son's three days expedition to Rhode Island in 1781:

Levi Atwood WiUiam Cobb Edmund Cole, Jr. Benjamin Bos worth Consider Briant Caleb Churchill Samuel Fuller Ichabod Hatch William Harlow

Those at Marshfield militia : Caleb Atwood Abner Barrows William Barrows Abner Bisbee, Corp. George Bisbee, Corp. Issacher Bisbee, Corp. John Bisbee Noah Bisbee James Bishop Samuel Bonney Simeon Bonney Perez Bradford Gideon Bradford, Jr. John Bridgham, Jr., Sergt, Benjamin Bryant, Corp. Levi Bryant, Fifer Zenas Bryant, Drummer Benjamin Cobb, Corp. Jonathan Cobb Nathan Cobb

Joshua Palmer Josiah Parrish Calvin Perkins Ebenezer Ransom, Jr. Frances Ripley Asa Soule Zephaniah Soule Caleb Sturtevant Eliphalet Waterman

and other services in the

Samuel Cobb John Chamberlain, Corp. Daniel Churchill, Jr. Ebenezer Churchill Elias Churchill John Churchill Joshua Churchill William Churchill Joseph Crocker, Corp. Benjamin Cushman Jacob Cushman Josiah Cushman Zachariah Cushman Amaziah Doten John Dunham Silas Dunham Freeman Ellis, Sergt. Stephen Ellis Nathaniel Fuller John Fuller

106

HISTORY OF CARVER

Barnabas Harlow, Corp. Nathaniel Harlow Ebenezer Lobdell, Corp. Caleb Loring

Ignatius Loring, Jr., Fifer Ezekiel Loring, 2nd Lieut. Elijah Lucas Samuel Lucas John Muxani Joseph Perkins Josiah Perkins Ebenezer Ransom Elijah Ransom Joseph Ransom Isaac Rickard Lemuel Rickard Theodore Rickard Isaiah Ripley Samuel Ripley, Corp. Peleg Samson

Zabdial Samson

Ambrose Shaw

Caesar Smith

Ebenezer Soule, Corp.

Zachariah Standish

Lemuel Stevens

William Stevens

Cornelius Sturtevant, Ser.

Frances Sturtevant, Corp.

Isaiah Thomas

Ichabod Tillson, Drummer

John Tillson

Benj. "Ward, 2nd Lieut.

Jabez Weston

Isaac Wright

Joseph Wright

Joseph Wright

Levi Wright

Samuel Wright

Those who served at Marshfield and later in the

Continental army: William Cobb Ebenezer Dunham Simeon Dunham Issacher Fuller Lazarus Harlow Barnabas Lucas Elijah McFarlin

Daniel Soule Silas Sturtevant William Sturtevant Peter Thayer Benjamin Tubbs John Washburn

Those who served at Marshfield and in Capt. Samson's secret expedition against Newport: Josiah Chandler Edward Stevens

Ebenezer Cushman Jacob Wright

Gideon Samson

J ION. BENJAMIN ELLIS

PLYMPTON IN THE REVOLUTION

107

Those who served at Marshfield and with Lieut. Joshua Perkins at Bristol :

Andrew Barrows Peleg Barrows, Corp. James Murdock, Lieut. Jabez Muxam

Abial Shurtleff Joshua Totman William Washburn,

Sergt.

Those who served at Marshfield and with Lieut. Frances Shurtleff at Bristol :

Hezekiah Cole Isaac Shaw Lucas John Lucas Eleazer Robbins

Thomas Savery Benjamin Shurtleff, Jr. Daniel Vaughan Samuel Vaughan, Sergt.

Those who served in the militia and later in the Continental army:

Asa Barrows Barnabas Cobb Roland Cobb Ephraim Cole* Joseph Chamberlain Joshua Churchill Stephen Churchill Thomas Doten Thomas Doty Noah Fuller Benjamin Fuller

Eleazer Holmes

Jonathan Holmes

George Harlow

John King

Isaac Lucas

Ezra Perry

Ephraim Pratt

Ebenezer Standish, Corp.

Moses Standish

Asa Sturtevant

Isaac Tinkham

*Ephraim Cole, Joseph Chamberlain, Thomas Boty, John King, Barnabas Lucas, Benjamin Lucas, Elijah Eickard, William Sturte- vant and William Whiting are known to have been in camp at Valley Forge. Cole, and possibly others, died there.

108

HISTORY OF CARVER

Those who served in the militia for varying periods; some probably served in detachments that reinforced the Continental army at critical times :

Ichabod Atwood Stephen Atwood Ephraim Barrows Malaehi Barrows Carver Barrows Moses Barrows John Bartlett Jephtha Benson Calvin Bradford William Bradford Daniel Bumpus David Bumpus Setli Bump

Benjamin Briant, Corp. Joshua Briant Nathan Briant Samuel Bridgham Gersham Cole Zebedee Chandler David Churchill Ebenezer Churchill Elias Churchill Joseph Churchill John Churchill, Sergt. Timothy Churchill Benjamin Crocker Isaiah Cushman "William Cushman Seth Doten

Asa Dunham Israel Dunham Robert Harlow Ezekiel Johnson Seth Johnson Isaac Lobdel Simeon Loring Abijah Lucas Asahel Lyon Joseph McFarlin William Morrison Ephraim Morse Steven Raymond Elijah Richards, Corp. Abner Rickard Eleazer Rickard Eleazer Ripley David Slmrtleff Gideon Shurtleff Ephraim Soule James Soule Sylvanus Stevens Nehemiah Sturtevant Ephraim Tinkham Joseph Wliitten Joseph Wright Joshua Wright Zadok Wright

PLYMPTON IN THE REVOLUTION

109

Those who served at Marshfield, in the militia, and in the Continental army : John Barnes Abner Harlow

Benjamin Blossom Asa Hooper

Jacob Bryant Samuel Lucas, 3d

Caleb Cushman Noah Pratt

Elijah Dunham "William Ripley

Those whose service was limited to the Con- tinental army who served for periods of various lengths :

John Appling Benjamin Barrows Malachi Barrows John Bates Elnathan Benson Reuben Bisbee Isaac Bonney James Bonney Oliver Bradford Sylvanus Brimhall Ford Bryant Luther Bryant Luther Bryant Patrick Bryant, Sergt. Samuel Bryant Joseph Chamberlain Stephen Churchill Andrew Cushman Isaiah Cushman Thomas Cushman, Jr., Corp. Zebedee Cushman James Dunham, Jr.

Noah Eaton

William Gardner

Ellis Griffith

Ferdinand Hall, Drum

major Elijah Harlow (died) James Harlow William Harlow Eleazer Holmes Jonathan Holmes, Corp. Barnabas Jackson Jacob Loring Benjamin Lucas Consider Lucas Elisha Lucas Ephraim Lucas Zebedee Lyon David McFarlin (died) Elijah McFarlin John Morris (died) Elisha Morton Pero Murder* (negro)

^Discharged by General Washington for meritorious service.

110

HISTORY OF CARVER

Edward Murdock Jesse Murdock Swaii2;ey Murdock Prince Newport (negro) Ebenezer Perkins John Perkins Josiah Perkins Consider Pratt Benjamin Pratt Nathaniel Pratt Elijah Rickard Frances Ripley Jacob Loring Ruggles "William Sampson Ichabod Shurtleff Peleg Standish

Caleb Stetson David Sturtevant Frances Sturtevant, Jr. John Taylor (died) Isaac Thayer Joseph Tinkham Robert Waterman Samuel West William Whiting Isaac Whitten William Whitten Ebenezer Wright Edmund Wright Joseph Wright Joseph Wright Nathan Wright

IiriT McFARLIN

THE CONGREGATIONALIST CHURCH

The history of this societj^ to the close of the ministry of Rev. John Howland, is identical with the history of the Precinct. The last years of the Howland ministry marked the beginning of the dissolution of the Precinct and from that period societies and sects began to multiply.

After the death of that remarkable man who had watched over the society from 1744 to 1805, the church faced the problem of choosing his suc- cessor and that at a time when it was weakened by dissensions. After trying in vain to reach a settlement with Lothrop Thompson and Gaines Conant, John Shaw was ordained October 7, 1807, and became the third ordained minister of the church. The new pastor was destined to pass through a trying ordeal which should tax his re- sources, involve him in debt, and at the same time bring out the tact and compromising spirit that mark him as a worthy successor to John Howland. Financial troubles at length compelled him to re- sign and at a Council in 1815, he was formally dis- missed. There was still a tender feeling between pastor and people and he left the charge with a hearty recommendation from the church.

Doctrinal disputes had appeared with the incep- tion of baptism in the Precinct a quarter century previous to the ministry of Shaw. For a time

111

112 HISTORY OF CARVER

the dominating spirits of the churcli kept a ruling hand on the situation, but as the devotees of the new faith increased in numbers, the cleavage be- came more marked, and only the diplomatic powers of Howland kept up the semblance of union. And these disputes came as a legacy to Howland 's successor, and to break out anew and to ultimately divide the Precinct after Shaw left the ministry.

There was a desire on the part of the majority to see the union continued, and this desire was shared by the Baptists. But there were doctrinal reasons which stood in the way of a lasting union. An early attempt was made to avert disintegration by the abrogation of the 12th article of faith* whenever a Baptist was admitted to the church membership. An amendment reserving the right to convince the new member of the error of his ways by argument pacified the radicals, and prob- ably a more effective way of keeping alive the embers of discord could not have been devised. This article was the rock on which the societies split. Benjamin Shurtleff, a leading member of the old society, petitioned his church to expunge the article from its creed, but after a long hearing the petition was turned down and Shurtleff had no alternative but to withdraw and join the Baptist society.

For twelve years after Shaw left the ministry of the old society, and Cummings the ministry of the new society, there was no ordained pastor over

*The 12th Article of faith related to infant baptism.

HENRY SIIEKMAN

CONGREGATIONALIST CHURCH 113

either. Church meetings were regularly held and each society manoeuvred for itself, but the meet- ings were so lightly attended that the leaders be- came alarmed and their united efforts fanned the memorable revival of 1823. Rev. Luther Wright was stationed over the societies and September 14th was set apart as a day when all of the com- municants should go forward and acknowledge their sins. Accordingly at the appointed time, the church was filled and when the invitation was given all left their seats and standing in the aisles, assented to a long confession read by the minister.

This signal for an awakening was followed through the following winter by protracted meet- ings, at which numerous ministers lent their as- sistance and many conversions were made. At least two days of fasting, humiliation and prayer were observed, Christmas, 1823, and February 5th, 1824. A committee was appointed to look after delinquents, with special instructions to learn why the residents of the South had habitually absented themselves from the house of worship. As a re- sult of this revival twenty-eight joined the church. And now arose the subject of apportioning the time of services between the two societies. At a meeting in the North school house. Deacon Thomas Hammond, whose residence was near the Central Temple and who was a Proprietor of that building, argued for services in both buildings, but no vote was taken.

At a subsequent meeting, it was decided to hold one-third of the services in the Central building, but the ultras rallied, reconsidered, and voted to

114 HISTORY OF CARVER

join with the Precinct and engage a minister to preach all of the time in the Temple near the Green and to petition the Domestic Missionary Society for assistance. But so weak was the old society financially, and so alarmingly were the signs of incohesiveness, that the conservatives appealed to outside ministers for advice. In response to this appeal a committee of ministers investigated the conditions and advised committees from the differ- ent sections of the town to get together, select a Board of Reconciliation, and pledge each other to stand by the decision. The old society, acting upon this advice, named a committee to confer with a like committee of the Baptist society. Un- der the proposed terms of reconciliation, the Coun- cil was to revise the articles of faith and establish plans and places of holding public services. The two committees went about their duties with en- thusiasm, but the Baptists were unyielding on one point, and that point happened to be the one obstacle in the way of union. They were willing to commit the matter of time and place for hold- ing public services, but on the question of infant baptism they had nothing to arbitrate. It is ap- parent that both societies were suspicious, for when the orthodox committee reported to its sponsors, naming the Council, its report was re- jected and a new committee appointed to name the personnel of the proposed Council.

The arbitration board as finally agreed upon, was composed of Rev. Abel Richmond of Halifax, Rev. Oliver Cobb of Rochester, Rev. Richard S. Storrs of Braintree, Rev. Sylvester Holmes of

CONGREGATIONALIST CHURCH 115

New Bedford and Rev. Frederick Freeman of Ply- month. The Council convened and gave the town its best efforts, but the cleavage over the 12th article could not be bridged and the dream of one church in town did not come true. Thus, while the societies could not formally unite, they travelled peacefully together for a while listening to the same discourse, worshipping in the same meeting house, while each proceeded to build stronger its sectarian walls.

The Baptists were not the only heretics the old society was called upon to combat. Methodism appeared about 1830 and two years later, Phebe Shurtleff asked for her dismissal in order to join the Reformed Methodist Society. A committee was chosen to convince her of the error of her ways, but the committee proved powerless. Miss Shurtleff was immovable, and there was no alter- native but to vote her dismissal.

Still another and more alarming epidemic broke out in 1835, when Louisa L. T. Chase was con- verted to the views of Emanuel Swedenborg. This was regarded as a serious matter, and Deacon Nathan Cobb, Ebenezer Cobb and Levi Vaughan were delegated to handle the case with power to call on ministers of other towns for ad- vice and assistance. After laboring in vain to convince Mrs. Chase of her mistake, the committee called Rev. Elijah Dexter of Plympton and Rev. Emerson Paine of Middleboro in consultation. A special church meeting was called and after con- sidering the case, the heretic was excommunicated.

116 HISTORY OF CARVER

In 1841, several members of the church entered the ranks of the Millerites and in consequence were excommunicated. Again in 1853, Thomas Cushman filed accusations against Mary Fuller, charging her with false and erroneous doctrines. After a hearing, at which it was shown that she had rejected one of the articles of faith and been converted to the doctrine of Universalism, she was expelled.

It will be noted, that the period extending from 1830 to 1850 was prolific with heresy and the re- sult was the final separation of the church in Carver. Methodism had gained a foothold in the South; Baptism held the Centre; Advents and Universalists had laid the foundation for a follow- ing and even Spiritualism had claimed its own. And worn out by seventy-five years of incessant fighting for unity, the old society relinquished its claims contemporaneously with the agitation for a new church building at the North end of the parish and under the ministry of Eev. Stillman Pratt, the First Church of Carver entered upon its modern career.

Following the custom of churches in the earlier days, this society kept a watchful eye over the moral welfare of its members. At times the com- mittee on discipline had a crowded docket and fre- quent meetings were necessary to relieve the docket. In most cases the defendant confessed and was immediately restored to good standing. Many were the chastisements for unchristian con- duct, but little of a serious nature appears to have been charged against the communicants. Petty

CONGREGATIONALIST CHURCH 117

cases which another generation would appeal to the courts were taken up by the church, and again and again small disputes were adjusted to the satisfaction of all parties without recourse to the civil tribunal.

John Maxim, Jr., proved a most stubborn de- fendant on doctrinal grounds. Complaint having been filed against him ''for disorderly walk inas- much as he had, as it appeared, rejected the lead- ing articles of faith to which he had assented when he became a member of the church, and had not attended public worship in the church, or com- muned with them for a number of years. ' ' Though a messenger was despatched to notify Maxim of the indictment, he refused to appear for trial and regarding the case as hopeless he was excom- municated.

The case of the eccentric but brilliant James Savery* was the most noted of the church trials of this society. Charged with "unchristian walk and conversation, particularly in absenting him- self from the house of worship, traveling here and there on the Lord's Day, unchristian feeling and conversation towards those of his brethren who had labored to redeem him," he became the topic for discussion throughout the Precinct.

Previous steps had been taken to redeem him, both on the part of the brethren and the church, when it was decided to take the third gospel step

*While a man of sterling character, James Savery was so eccentric as to antagonize the conventionality of common folks. With Albert Shurtleflf he shocked the thoughtless people of the town, by voting for abolition long before the rank and file could see anything objectional in chattel slavery.

118 HISTORY OF CARVER

and he was suspended until such time as he should make Christian satisfaction. After five years of rebellion he went forward, confessed his mis- demeanors and was restored to fellowship. Again he came before the disciplinarians when, in 1823, a committee was named to labor with him in re- gard to making a disturbance in the choir, and failing to come to an agreement, Nathan Cobb was detailed to call on him and respectfully request him not to sing in such a manner as to interrupt the singers. The following year he faced trial on an indictment of four counts as follows filed by Bennett Cobb:

Cutting wood on the Lord's Day.

Disturbing the choir by irregular manners.

Casting reflections upon the singers.

Disturbing the religious services of the young.

After a patient hearing during which the de- fendant was unyielding, Savery the eccentric, was excommunicated. Still belligerent he continued the contest, until his case went up on appeal to a Council of Ministers. In this Council he was over- ruled, the church proceedings covering the trial were adjudged regular, and in 1831 he made a full confession and was restored to fellowship in the church.

Eev. Stillman Pratt was the first installed min- ister over the society after Eev. Plummer Chase, and he was destined to make the most lasting im- pression of the pastors who followed Eev. John Shaw. During the larger part of the intervening time, ministers had been supplied by the com- mittees with no settled pastor much of the time.

CONGREGATIONALIST CHURCH 119

Chase seems to have been a strong character, whose influence was exerted on both the religious and civil affairs of the community. He was in- stalled in 1828 and remained with the society seven years. Reverends Luther "Wright, Paul Jewett and Jonathan King held brief sway.

Rev. Stillman Pratt was ordained August 2d, 1851, by the largest Council that met in the parish, presided over by the veteran, Israel W. Putnam of Middleboro. This ministry may be considered the dividing line between the two societies, al- though the friendly feeling continued, resulting in occasional joint services in the Central Temple. Pratt was engaged with the understanding that he should reside at the North end of the parish and devote all of his time to the society at the Green. Thus this ministry may be called the beginning of the local history of the Congregationalist Church Society.

The first year of the new ministry was eminently successful, although at the cost of the health of the pastor. One-third of his time was devoted to a Boston periodical, from which source he derived one-third of his income. But the in- convenience of getting to and from the city, com- pelled him to give up that part of his labor and his second year was devoted solely to the society. Mr. Pratt resigned in 1854.

His successor. Rev. Nathaniel Coggswell, re- mained over the society until 1857. The main fea- ture of this ministry, was the preliminary steps towards the erection of a new church edifice which, however, was not realized until two years later.

120

HISTORY OF CARVER

MINISTERS
Rev. Othniel Campbell (ord.)	1732—1744
Rev. John Howland (ord.)	1746-	-1805
Rev. John Shaw (ord.)	1806-	-1815
Rev. Luther "Wright	1823-	-1824
Rev. Nathaniel Barker	1825-	-1826
Rev. Seth Chapin		1827
Rev. Plummer Chase (ord.)	1828-	-1835
Rev. Paul Jewett	1836-	-1838
Rev. Jonathan King	1839-	-1841
Rev. E. W. Robinson		1846
Rev. E. Gay		1847
Rev. Stillman Pratt (ord.)	1851-	-1854
Rev. Nathaniel CoggsweU	1855-	-1857
Rev. W. C. Whitcomb		1858
Rev. Greenwood		1859
Rev. John Moore		1860
Rev. Henry L. Chase (ord.)	1864—1867
Rev, H. P. Leonard		1868
Rev. W. W. Livingston (ord.)	1873-	-1878
Rev. H, P. Leonard	1880-	-1881
Rev. Charles F. Goldsmith	1883-	-1884
Rev. Nehemiah Lincoln	1888-	-1891
Rev. Oscar F. Stetson (ord.)	1902-	-1909
Rev. James J. G. Tarr	1911-	-

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THE SOUTH MEETING HOUSE

The South Precinct of Plympton covered a much larger area than that embraced by the old society, with the principal settlements in the extreme North, and the new society was not destined long to travel without dissensions. As the farmers spread out over the Southlands, the cast-iron cus- tom of going to church soon led to discontent on the part of those who resided at a distance from the house of worship, and in less than forty years from the raising of the church building at Laken- ham, appeared an agitation for still another tem- ple in the Southern section of the Precinct.

A subscription paper was in circulation in 1772, and at a meeting of the subscribers that year Joshua Benson, John Shaw, Bartlett Murdock, Benjamin Ward, and Joseph Barrows were named as a building committee. The hill north of the residence of Peleg Barrows was selected as the site, and to guard against extortion the following prices for labor and materials were established by vote of the subscribers: Carpenters 3s, 3f per day; narrow axe men 2s, 4d, 3f ; teaming 6s, 8d; oak timber 4s, 4d, per ton; merchantable boards IL, 17s, 4d; one and one-fourth inch boards 21L^ 6s, 8d, per ton. The size of the building was to be

121

122 HISTORY OF CARVER

42 by 37 and Benjamin Ward* was authorized to raise it and finish the outside.

The following year, the subscribers assumed the style of Proprietors, and voted to build the build- ing by pews, the amount subscribed to be adjusted with the amount bid for the pew. Fifty men were appointed to raise the structure and by way of a guarantee, the Proprietors voted to purchase two barrels of rum and to furnish it in sufficient quantities to both workmen and spectators. By October, 1774, the building was so far completed that the first legal meeting was held within its walls, at which Jolm Shaw was chosen moderator and Joseph Bridgham vendue-master. Nearly all of the subscribers became Proprietors by virtue of bidding in a pew and they, with their successors, were the owners of the meeting house.

A two-story building of massive oak frame formed the material body of the Temple. The pulpit was on the east side with the main entrance from the west. The pews were of the style of the times, painted white with mahogany trimmings, while a huge sounding board assisted the minister in reaching the ears of the auditors.

As soon as the building was fitted for public meetings, began a half century struggle between the South Meadow folks and the rulers of the Precinct. In July, 1775, a special meeting was called to see if the Precinct would vote to instruct

*At this celebrated "raising" Benjamin Ward performed a feat that has been handed down in folklore. After the frame was raised, he startled the spectators by shouldering his broad axe and ascending the ladder he walked the plate from corner to corner.

SOUTH MEETING HOUSE 123

Eev, John Howland to hold a part of the weekly services in the Sonth meeting house. The proposition was defeated by a vote of 26 to 20, whereupon another meeting was called to act upon reconsideration and this also was defeated by the narrow margin of 21 to 20. So persistent were the agitators, that in October the minister was in- structed to preach one-fourth of the time in the new meeting house. This was only a temporary move and at the next March meeting, the Precinct voted to raise ten pounds by taxation "to help the sufferers at the South end to preaching." A similar grant was made the following three years, then came the Revolutionary period with sixty-two pounds in 1779 and two hundred sixty-two pounds in 1780.

About this time the war against the rates de- veloped and further appropriations may be re- garded in the nature of compromises, but as in numerous historic parallels they served only to fan the embers of discontent.

In 1785 no appropriation for preaching was granted, but in lieu of it ten pounds was raised for the purpose of abating the taxes of those who resided most remote from the regular meeting house, while it was further voted to indemnify the Collector should he be put to unnecessary expense in collecting the taxes south of the river. The year following, Barzilla Besse, Peter Shurtleff and Jabez Muxom, who resided towards Tihonet were exempted provided they paid taxes in Wareham, and the Precinct voted to support preaching in the new meeting house in proportion to taxes paid

124 HISTORY OF CARVER

into the treasury by residents south of the river.

In 1788 preaching one-fourth of the time was granted the South, but the spirit of another age was spreading and liberal as these concessions may appear, the Precinct had to redeem its promise to protect its Collector and before the year ended, it was flatly voted to have no preach- ing outside of the regular meeting house.

The mutineers stood firm and in 1792 the rates against the following were abated: John Shaw, Bartlett Murdock, Simeon Holmes, Roland Ham- mond, Capt. Ward, Joseph Atwood, Bartlett Mur- dock, Jr., John Shaw, Jr., Ichabod Tillson, Carver Barrows, Benjamin Wliite, Ebenezer Dunham, Crispus Shaw, Samuel Atwood, Gideon Perkins, John Atwood, Ephraim Griffith, Ephraim Griffith, Jr., George Hammond, Benjamin Tubbs, Frances Bent and Jonathan Shaw. This may be con- sidered the end of the serious attempt of the Precinct to tax the people south of the river. While the form continued nearly forty years, the assessments were optional with the tax-payer, the clause "provided it can be collected" was added to the assessments, while the amounts annually raised to replace the taxes that could not be col- lected, was an admission that the old regime had passed away. And before the dawn of the 19th century, the Precinct having given up the struggle, and the town voting a year later not to support the minister by a town tax, the Proprietors were left with a free hand. No theology appears to have disturbed their dreams, but their meeting house was there, and the congregation — let him

SOUTH MEETING HOUSE 125

preach who would. Thus the Baptists found a forum and still later when the church had been divided and sub-divided, bolder heretics found a hearing in this Temple. Aside from the problem of public services, the Proprietors passed through a stormy career — forever wrestling with the mat- ter of repairs. The first fifteen years saw the physical structure stand the test, while all efforts were centred in an attempt to consecrate the Temple to public worship, but as the builders passed and their work began to decay, the troubles of the sons multiplied. As a matter of fact, the building was never finished according to original plans for while agents were periodically appointed to collect arrearages and sell pews for the pur- pose of raising funds with which to finish the meeting house, the ledger accounts bear witness to the obstacles that beset the workers. To accom- plish this end, merchandise of any description was acceptable and iron ware was gladly hailed as legal tender.

In 1792 a rally was made, which continued through two decades. An heroic etfort was made to raise funds by placing new pews on the market, but there were already pews enough to meet the demand. Ichabod Benson and Nathaniel Atwood were persistent dunners, but they barely suc- ceeded in collecting enough from back assessments to make imperative repairs. Thus after a fruit- less effort to place their meeting house on a more satisfactory footing, the Proprietors lost heart and they were ready to listen to proposals that would have been spurned by their fathers.

126 HISTORY OF CARVER

In the preceding forty years momentous changes* had transpired, chief among them so far as this story is concerned the Colonies had de- yeloped into a nation and the Precinct into a town. The area of the new town was dotted with settlements, the church was divided, thrifty fur- naces were in operation at Popes Point, Federal and Charlotte around which clustered happy villages, and the theory that there should be a more united work on the part of the young town than could be expected with so many struggling societies gained ground. In 1820 a meeting of the Proprietors was called on petition of Benjamin Ellis et. al., to see if said Proprietors would vote to tear down their meeting house and build one in the centre of the town. The meeting assembled, the question debated with that seriousness its im- portance deserved, when it was decided by a vote of 10 to 7 to surrender the Temple and rebuild near the Centre provided the North would do the same. This was a safe proposition for the seven remonstrants, for the North was strongly orthodox, the Centre Baptist with no taste for imion meeting houses at that time, and so the dream of one church in town passed.

No alternative was left the Proprietors but to rally again. Ben Ellis, Jesse Murdock, Ira Mur- dock, John Savery, Nelson Barrows and Huit Mc- Farlin — men of nerve and muscle and finance — resided around the old meeting house and rather than see it go down in ruins, they would infuse new life into its creaking joints. A meeting was called, regular set of officers elected, assessment

SOUTH MEETING HOUSE 127

voted, the Collector patted on the back, and Jesse Murdock, John Bent and Eli Atwood named as the committee to put the building in good repair. The result was a complete remodeling of the in- side, necessary repairs on the outside, paint, door- steps, window springs, and on a wave of enthu- siasm the old Temple started on its last career and its decline, so far as that generation was con- cerned.

Thus passed two more decades and the mortal drift had shifted to 1840. Most of the bodies of the old Proprietors had been carried into their meeting house and from there tenderly through the valley to the Western hill, while their descend- ants faced the old problem of repairs.

On petition to John Savery, Esq., a meeting of the Proprietors was called to assume the time worn burden. The meeting assembled, Joseph Bar- rows, clerk, John Bent, second, Treasurer, John Savery, Israel Thomas and Ben Ellis repair com- mittee, and for lack of material said repair com- mittee was clothed with the authority of As- sessors, and the meeting adjourned. After two more adjournments a quorum was mustered, an assessment made, the Treasurer instructed to proceed with his duty with all possible speed and the meeting adjourned without day. It was a race with death and the Proprietors lost. The assess- ment was not made, the Treasurer did not report for — had they not adjourned without day?

But there was yet a career of glory for the old meeting house. Conditions had changed, men had moved, ideals had grown, there were rugged heirs

128 HISTORY OP CARVER

of the Patriarchs in the world and while night dropped its curtain on the old, the dawn of a new career broke upon the old Temple.

In 1854 a meeting was called and a committee composed of Benjamin F. Leonard, Salmon F. Jenkins, Eufus C. Freeman and John F. Shaw instructed to remodel the meeting house. No re- pairs this time, no setting of glass or patching of roof or building of '^ more seats under the woman's stairs," but a revolution. In place of the auditorium, a dance hall; in place of the pulpit, a Moderator's cage; in place of the forum of peace, a magazine of war. And so out of the centre of preachings and funerals grew the centre of mirth, of political gatherings and preparations for civil strife. Thus the meeting house of 1772 gave way to Bay State hall and town house of 1854.

While the outward form of the building was un- changed the inside was completely remodeled. The pulpit and gallery were removed and a second floor laid. On the upper floor a stairway, hallway and two spacious ante-rooms took up the north end, while a large hall occupied the remainder of the space. The large oak braces gave the room a lordly air, while the martial spirit was roused by a row of glittering muskets that stood in their racks across the south end of the hall.

About three-fourths of the lower floor on the south side was fitted as an auditorium for town and other public uses. On the east side a boarded enclosure about ten feet square, was set apart for the use of the Moderator and Town Clerk, with an

SOUTH MEETING HOUSE 129

aperture in front tlirough which was protruded the ballot box. If the Moderator happened to be of short statute, his head could barely be seen above the board fence, while the "heeler" who lurked around to see whether the voter who ap- proached to deposit his ballot in the protruding box, voted the white or the buff ballot was amply protected by that same oxide red. In the north- west corner was enclosed the Selectmen's office with its long old table, its library of public docu- ments and its cabinet holding the standard of weights and measures. In the northeast corner was located the powder house — a room set apart for muskets, canteens, uniforms and general muni- tions of war.

These halls, both upper and lower, were the center of many stirring meetings. Not infre- quently one political party would be using one for a rally meeting at the same time the other hall was being occupied by the opposing party de- votees. During the days of Civil war, these halls were the centre of activity. Here meetings were held to stir the patriotism of the young; here through many a stormy meeting the town voters wrestled with the knotty problems of war. Here the optimist and pessimist, the thoughtless and the serious, met to don the straps and start for the front, and here was the last meeting place of many of the boys, who went away with visions of glory and returned only in the memories of the friends at home.

For twenty-five years following the close of the Civil war, this building continued in its career of

130 HISTORY OF CARVER

mirth and glory. Town meetings, political meet- ings, dances, temperance societies and various public usages kept the old spirit alive.

Not alone the residents of Carver, but the young of surrounding towns availed themselves of its spacious rooms and far and near it came justly by the name of The Carver Light-House. And why not? For standing on the highest eminence between bay and bay the light streaming from its windows could be seen from every approach — and it stands too on the highest eminence between our fathers and us.

A meeting house built on the pew-holders plan, sooner or later drifts into the fog. While enthu- siasm lasts the owners are listed, but when en- thusiasm lags, proprietors die, and heirs lack in- terest to register their claims, and the responsi- bility of ownership falls into neglect.

This meeting house did not escape the common lot. For the first twenty years of its life, it was in appreciative hands, then came changes in ownership to be followed by a decade of uncer- tainty. Again in 1825 the legal heirs were hunted up and listed, but only for a brief reign, when they should again disintegrate to meet no more. A feeble attempt was made in 1840 to rouse the dying order, but only the final gasp, for rapidly after that effort the ownership and care drifted away together, leaving to unidentified descendants the reconstruction of the ancient edifice. Among the proprietors of the first forty years were many Baptists, who were prominently identified with the Carver society. Following is a list of the Pro-

SOUTH MEETING HOUSE 131

prietors, with the year in which they came into ownership :

Original : Peleg Barrows, John Mnxom, Joseph Barrows, Joshua Benson, Jr., Frances Sturtevant, John Shaw, Bartlett Murdock, Ephraim and Ben- jamin Ward, William Morison, Salathiel Bumpus and William Washburn, Ephraim Griffith and Joseph Atwood, Seth Barrows, James Murdock, Elkanah Lucas, John Bridgham, Bartlett Mur- dock, Bartlett Murdock, Jr., Obadiah Lyon, Joshua Benson, John Atwood and Simmons Bar- rows, Samuel Lucas and Huit McFarlin, Nathaniel Atwood, Jr., and Lieut. Caleb Atwood. (Pew No. 7 does not appear to have been sold, and pews numbers 25 and 26 were not sold until 1792, and No. 27 in 1825). In 1782, Thomas Muxom. In 1792, Lieut. Ichabod Benson, Benjamin White and Capt. Elisha Murdock, Robert Shurtleff , Ephraim Griffith and Joseph Atwood, and Samuel Atwood. In 1794, Ebenezer Shurtleff. In 1805, Benjamin Ellis, Ensign Gideon Shurtleff, Ichabod Tillson, and Rowland Hammond. In 1816, Thomas Shurt- leff, Eli and Jonathan Atwood, George and Thomas Barrows and Benjamin Ellis. In 1825, John Bent, 2nd.

Proprietors through gallery pews built in 1792. Original : Rowland Leonard and Co., Elezur Lewis, Peleg Barrows, Jr., Ebenezer Dunham, Jr., Eli Atwood, Capt. Benjamin Ward, Carver Barrows, and John Shaw. In 1793, Peter Shurtleff. In 1794, Lieut. Ichabod Benson, (2 pews), Samuel Dunham, John Bumpus, Benjamin Wrightington

132 HISTORY OF CARVER

and Elisha Murdock. In 1816, Zadock Wright and Elislia Murdock.

In 1825, Proprietors were listed as follows: Jolin Bent, 2nd, Peleg Barrows, Peleg Savery, Thomas Shurtleff, John Muxom, Jonathan At- wood, Benjamin Ellis, Alvan Shaw, Thomas Till- son, Capt. Samuel Shaw, Asaph Atwood, Ira Mur- dock, James Ellis, James Shurtleff, Asaph Wash- burn, Obed Griffith, Wilson Griffith, Ellis Griffith, Silvanus Griffith, Stephen Tillson, John Tillson, Luther Tillson, Capt. Elisha Murdock, Elisha Murdock, Jr., Lydia Hall, Israel Thomas, Nelson Barrows, Joseph Barrows, Luther Atwood, Jesse Murdock, Silvanus Shaw, Perez Shaw, Silas Shaw, John Bent, Joseph King, Jonathan King, Huit McFarlin, Nathaniel Shurtleff, 2nd, John Savery, Stephen Griffith, Capt. Eli Atwood, Stephen Cush- man, Zoath Wright, James Wright, John Bumpus and Benjamin Wrightington.

Proprietors previous to 1825, whose ownership is of uncertain dates : Thomas Hammond, Ben- jamin Hammond, Lot Shurtleff, Nathaniel Stand- ish. Gen. Ephraim Ward, Col. Benjamin Ward, Joseph Ellis, Joshua Atwood, Perez Washburn, Luther Atwood, Crispus Shaw, Ichabod Dunham and Joseph Bobbins.

There is record of twenty-eight pews on the ground floor and twenty in the gallery. Those on the ground floor were numbered up to 26, numbers 27 and 28 being designated as ''the seats where the east door entered" and built in 1825. Most of the gallery pews were built in 1792, although a few were added in later years.

SOUTH MEETING HOUSE 133

In 184:1 a legal auction was held to sell pews for the purpose of raising funds for making repairs. At that time pews, or fractions of pews, were sold to the following : Jesse Murdock, Thomas South- worth, Mary Ellis, Hannah Ellis, Ellis Griffith, Hiram Tillson, Zenas Tillson, Aaron Nott and Stephen Cushman.

THE SECOND SEPARATION

The incorporation of the South Precinct was a compromise to save the division of the town which the radicals declined to accept. In November, 1733 and again in March, 1733-34, the town voted down a petition of the new town advocates, where- upon they filed their petition with the General Court. The old town sent Joseph Thomas and Samuel Bradford to oppose the movement and nothing came of it. The following year a com- mittee was named in town meeting to treat with the disaffected element, and the temper of the advocates of division may be seen in the committee report which said: ''we cannot agree upon any- thing." In 1738 another petition was entered with the General Court, but the petitioners were given leave to withdraw and for a half century the question was hushed.

During this period the country was engaged with momentous issues, which held the old town together. It is evident that the advocates of division were residents of South Meadows, the Lakenham people standing with the opposition, and as the population to the South increased, the agitation increased in proportion. During the war days it was found advisable to compromise with the sentiment and one-third of the town meet- ings were held in ''Mr. Rowland's meeting house"

135

136 HISTORY OF CARVER

while the South Precinct had been granted some of the privileges that go with the full fledged town. But as usual, compromises are only post- ponements of the main issue and the agitation con- tinued.

In 1780, the question found its way into town meeting only to be voted down. Then followed our critical period in which questions of finance transcended all others — in fact the town may be said to be trembling on the verge of bankruptcy — but in January, 1788, the people had so far re- covered that the question again was forced to the front, only to be lost by the decisive vote of 40 to 7. As the petitioners had entered their petition again with the General Court, Deacon Thomas Savery, Thomas Gannett, Capt. John Bradford, John Chamberlain and Capt. Benjamin Crocker were delegated by the town to enter a remon- strance. In the following June another petition was voted down by the apparent decisive vote of 33 to 3, but the question would not stay settled. The insignificance of the size of the negative vote in these two cases only signifies that the advocates of division had put the question before the town, while they were saving their strength for the final issue. February 19, 1790 was a spirited day in PljTnpton, and the days preceding were rife with agitation as both factions marshalled their strength for the final battle. It is evident the advocates of division had carefully measured their strength, and that they had also placed the issue so clearly before the General Court, that they felt positive that their efforts were to be crowned by

THOMAS HAMMOND, JR.

THE SECOND SEPARATION 137

success tliis time, and when the question was put by the moderator on the day named above, the town of Carver* was ushered into existence by the vote of 97 to 76. Nothing remained but to secure the charter, settle the preliminaries, agree upon boundary lines, divide the poor, etc., and by June 10 their charter having passed its several stages, received the signature of Gov. John Hancock.

The first ''legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Carver" was held in "Mr. Rowland's meeting house" July fifth following the granting of its charter in which business was transacted according to the following report :

1

"At a meeting of the inhabitence of the Town of Carver Regularly assembled agreeable to the foregoing act of the general cort and held at the North meeting house in Said town on mon- day July the 5th 1790 the meeting w^as opend with Prayer By the Rev. John Howland after which Franecis Shurtleff Esq was chosen moderator in Said meeting.

2

Made choice of Capt Nehemiah Cobb Town Clark for the year insueing he was acordingly Sworn by Franecis Shurtleff Esq.

3 mad choice of Dea Thomas Savery, Capt Wil- liam Atwood and Samuel Lucas jun Select men for the year insuing.

*The town received its name in honor of John Carver the first Governor of Plymouth who died childless.

138 HISTORY OF CARVER

4

made choice of Benjamin White, Samuel Lucas Jun and Barnabus Cobb assessors for the year insuing they ware accordingly sworn.

5

made choice of Franecis Shurtleff Esq Treasurer for the year insuing he was accordingly sworn.

6

Voted to chuse two Collectors for the year insu- ing. 7

Voted to Devid the Town into two Destricks for Collections, to be Devided as it was Last year.

8

Made choice of Jonathan Tilson for the North

Destrick agreed with for 8d on the Pound and

was Sworn.

9

Made choice of Caleb Attwood for the South

Destrick the year insuing agreed with for 8d on

the Pound and was Sworn.

10 Made choice of Jonathan Tillson Constable for the North Destrick the year insuing.

11 Made choice of Caleb Attwood Constable for the South Destrick the year insuing.