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About Google Book Search Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web at |http: //books .google .com/I us /3D/3.Z.7 ?|artmrbJMfrge IMatp i-^r^^ f- • . ; BRIGHT LEGACY Oae half tke lacooM AroB thit L^aqr, which vat ra- cehred la iMo aader the will of JONATHAN BROWN BRIGHT of Waltham, MaatachoMttt. it to be expeaded for booka for the College Llbraiy. The other half of the iaeooM it devoted to teholanhipt ia Harrard Uaivertitf for the beaeit of dceceadaatt or HINRY BRIGHT, JR., who died at Watertowa, Mattachatettt, ia i6t6i. Ia the aheeace of each deecaadaatt, other pertoat are eilflble to the teholanhipt. The will reqnirat that thit aaaoaaco- Beat thall be Bade la ererjr book added to the Ubrafj aader itt pioHtloaa. CAPE COD THE RIGHT ARM OF MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL I^ARRATIVE Bv CHARLES F. SWIFT, AUTHOR OF "a HI8TORT OF OLD YARMOUTH." «•< Cape Cod is the bared aud bended arm of Massachusetts; the shoulder is at Buzzard** Bay; the elbow or crazy boue at Cape Mallebarre; the wrist at Truro; aud the saudy fist at Provineetown — behind which the state stands ou her guard.**— Hekrt D. Tborkau. YARMOUTH: REOISTER PUBLISHING COMPANY 1897. *-«^Vj 'y?'^*<^WWffWPi^fWW»y^ jtMw «w ii i ii j ii it i|,itjpipiMPii B w . I ■ mw u N . 1 ^. '" •- / ^. US 13073. 2.<^ ' * L 2-- :< I*- Copyright, 1807, By CHARLES P. SWIFT. IllustratioDs by JOSEPH E. BAKEK. ■ V P.'IJWS'J ".IV* P . THE AUTHOR TO THE READER. m^ ^ HAT Cape Cod is the Right Arm of Massa- ;, chusetts, was Dot said with reference alone its physical characteristics. Regard, '^.'&\''.--'j^ undoubtedly, was had to the important and 7j.%'§^ beneficent transactions which had been '^enacted in its borders and participated in by its people. No part uf the country has had s more intimate relation to the great events on this continent during the last two and a half centuries than Cape Cod and its inhabitants. It is with the purpose of bringing within the limits of a single volume a full and continuous record of the histoid of this people, and making our fellow-citizeiis better acquainted with the details of that varied and interesting story, that the author has gathered, from many sources, the scattered threads of this narrative. It begins with the signing of the Compact on board the Mayfiower in Cape Cod harbor ; shows the exalted character of the men who settled here ; how its fisheries were taxed to lay the foandation of our common school (e Cod ought to carry with it sufficient endorsement, without the added lineage to which many of her people arc entitled, of belonging to old families of the fatherland. A considerable number, however, of those who have been conspicuous for what they have done or endured, will be commemorated in biographical notices, as occasion may seem to render it appropriate. By no means all, nor the greater proportion, of those who are natives of the Cape now live on the peninsula of their birthplace. They are found in large numbers in all the cities of the east, in the west and on the Pacilic slope. And wherever they are, they have can-ied with them the old-time traits, and their affection for, and loj'alty to, the old home by the sea. ! CONTENTS. I • « CHAPTER I. TO?OORAPHT AWD NATURAL FXATURn, 1-T w^ I CHAPTER n. Thx Fibst £zpix>axR8, B-18' CHAPTER in. TJlE MATrU)W£B*8 COXPAKT AND THEIR EZPIX>RATIONt, 19-86. CHAPTER rV. ^-Thr First SETTLRafRxrs, 117-61^ CHAPTER V. Charactrrutiob of thr First Comrrs, 6S^-74 CHAPTER VI. Eyrnts Foixowiko thr Srttlexrxts, 75-89 CHAPTER Vn. Thr Barurst Quakrrs, 90-106 I CHAPTER Vm. ^oro Phixjp*8 War, 107-190 CHAPTER IX. From Phiup*8 War to thr Uxiox with Maksachusrtts, 121-199 CHAPTER X. Thr Capr in thr Old Frrvch Wars, 139-169* CHAPTER XI. Oathrrdto of thr Storm, 168-191 CHAPTER XII. Thr Rrtolutiokart War, 199-919' CHAPTER Xm. From thr Pracr of 1788 to the War of 1819-16, 2U-984 f CHAPTER XIV. War of 1819-16, 986-989 • k ---ci^^-- L v«»»r«>'»h.*4a^a^>i - ooN'raa?T& CHAFTEB XT. Fbom Was or 1S12-1S to Bodtrhut Rkbeixioit, ohapteb xti. Oapb Cod ik tkc Rxbsujom, CHAFTEB XVn. Fkom Wab op thx BKBKi.Lioir TO OcR Own Times, CHAFTEB XVUI. The Fibheries and Wbauku, CHAFTEB XIX. Thi Native Indiaot, chafteb xx. Cafe AmHOBa and Newspapers, CHAFTEB XXI. PopuiATtoK, Civn. IiisTs, Societies, etc, fTMSl 282^0 SSMO' To my fdhw-members of tfie CAPE COB HISTORICAL SOCIETY, who have labored with me to do Justice to the memory of the fathers and mothers of Cape Cod, (his recital of the history of our native county is fraternally inscribed, by THE A UTHOB. ipiiiii»^i|Laip ■ • CAPE COD. CHAPTER I. TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL FEATURES. Cape Cod ami Barnstable County PyBony mown— Incorporation of the several towns — General Foi-mation — Soil, Forests and Flora — Native Animals, Fish and Shell lisli—DlfTerence in Northerly and Southerly Waters— Statistics and Characteristics of Population. HE name CAPE COD was originally intended to apply to the extreme end of the County of Rim^table. In its more extended designation, it includes the entire County, with its fifteen J^^^iJ^ towuHy viz. : Banistable, Sandwich, Yarmouth, ^1^ inc. 1G39; Eastlumi, 1646; Fahuouth, 1686 "^'- K^' Harwich, 1694; Truro, 1709 ; Chatham, 1712 Provmcetown, 1727; Wellfleet, 1763; Dennis, 1798 Orleans, 1797; Brewster, 1803; Mashpee, 1870; Bourne, 1884. It is situated between 42^ 3' and 41^ 31' N. latitude and 69° 57' and 70° 41' ^y. from Greenwich, England. It is a peninsula of somewhat irregular outline, about sixty-five miles in length on the north shore, and eighty miles on the south and east, and irom three to twenty miles in breadth. Its average width is about six miles. In the interior, the land rises to tlie height of some two hundred feet above the sea. Scargo Hill, in Dennis, the highest point in the county, is about three hundred feet al)Ove the sea level. According to Pi-ofessor Hitchcock, former state geologist, the region is com}X)sed entirely of sand, even to the depth of three hundred feet in some places, though there is proljably 2 CAPB COD. a concealed core of rock a little beneath the surface ; and it b of diluvian origin, excepting a small portion at the extremity and elsewhere along the shores, which is alluviaL For the first half of the Cape largo blocks of stone are found, here and there, mixed with the sand, but for the last ttiirty miles boulders, or even gravel, are rarely met with. Above the sand, if the surface is subjected to agricultural tests, there is found to be a layer of soil of considerable thickness in the upper portion of the county, gradually diminishing from Barnstable to Truro, when it almost ceases ; ^but there are many holes and rents in this weather-beaten garment, not likely to be stitched in time, which reveal the naked flesh of the Cape, and its extremity is completely bare."* The land was originally covered with wood, except in the few fields or planting grounds of the Indians, which comprised only an inconsiderable region. Archer, who wrote an account of Gosnold's voyage, in 1602, spoke of Cape Cod, which Gosnold named, as having "wooded hills;" and Captain John Smith, who was here twelve years after- wards, described it as "a headland of high hills, overgrown with shrubby pines." To the Pilgrims of the Mayflower, just from the dunes and marshes of Holland, the bay seemed "compassed about to the very sea, with oaks, pines, juniper, sassafras and other sweet wood." Of the trees that are indigenous in the coimty are the pitch pine and the white, in the upper towns ; oak, white, red, black and sciaib, sassafras, red cedar, birch, white and black, holly, somewhat scarce, ash, beach, maple, walnut, locust, in some localities. The red cedar, or savin, called by "Mourt" and other writers, "juniper," was once plentiful, but is not now so productive. Gosnold and Smith ciilled it "cypress," but the real cjincss has a different fonn. Wild giupe vines, green briar, ^Hitchcock's Report. TOPOGRAPHY AlTD KATURAL FEATUBES. S Virginia creeper and ivy are shrubs found in aU the region of the Cape. The blackberry 9 blaeberry and wortleberry are abundant in their season. ' The wild gmpe is found in the swamps and forests. The wild strawberry grows by the border of highways and in open fields. The checkerbeny, sometimes known' as boxbenj', wintei^i-een or partridge beny. is abundant in the open woods. The flora of the Cape is profuse and embraces the golden aster, golden rod, crowberry, pimpernel, violet, smilax, azalia, and the tiiayflower, the welcome harbinger of spring, hiding its bright blossoms and odorous breath under the covering of rough leaves. The bearbeiTy, or hog cranberry, with evergreen leaves and bright crimson berries, covers acres on the borders of the forests with a thick carpet of foKage and fruit. Extensive salt marshes skirt the northern and northwesterly shores of th^ Cape, and these were a great inducement to the early settlers, in seeking for a place of settlement. Wha;t is known as salt hay, was formerly much used by our farmers, but of late years is not so well esteemed. Within the last half century an extensive system of dyking ha» converted many acres into valuable fresh meadow land. The surface of the county is dotted with hundreds of fresh water ponds, some of them containing an area of hundreds of acres. The aggregate of our fresh water acreage amounts to a fifth of that of the whole State, viz : Barnstable 8,140; Brewster 1,400; Chatham 5,960 ; Dennis 979; Eastham 880; Falmouth 4,838; Harwich 1,974; Mashpee, 1,420; Orleans 2,748; Frovincetown 320; Sand- wich (including Bourne,) 1,600; Tniro 1,265; Wellfleet 4,868 ; Yarmouth 3,100. Total 39,492 acres.* ^lutenial Fishery Commission Report. 4 CAPE COD. ■ . The shores and hays of the count}" abound with shellfish in srrcat varietv. Ovstei's vrcre iniliircnous here, but by the wholesale taking of them the native variety lias become scarce ; v;hen brought from abi-oad and transplanted, espe- cially in I'Ciiion."? havin«f a flow of alternate sidt and fresh water, they grow with great rapidity and of fine flavor. The viya remiria^ soft-shell clam, is the most productive of the eonehiferoiis family. Capt. Jolm Smith wrote, in 161G, "You shall scarce find any Imy or sliallow shore or cove of sand, where you may not take many clampes or lobsters, or lx)th, at j'our pleasure." Says an old writer, "The most j^roductive land in the State is the clam flats. They cost nothing for fencing or top dressing; they are self-planting and self-supiKU-ting, and the more the soil is tuiTied, the faster the crop matures, and the greater its aliilndance." Some towns annually dig and ship several thousands of bushels, besides what are consumed bv the inhabitants. The mactiXL solidissimay or sea clam, sometimes called the sea hen, grows in the soft sand near tlie shore, or on the bars, and is causrht bv rakins: at low tides. Thcv are much used bv the winter bank fishenncn, for bait. The mesodesma alcfata is a snudl clam of the giant si>ecies, which is sometimes washed ashore on the ( •ai>c. The (|ualiiuig is a round, thick-shelled clam, tight as an 03'ster, with hard, firm flesh, greatly esteemed by epicures. The scallop, peclrenconcentncnSy is washed ashore in abundance after severe storms, or leaked from the shoal water. The eve onlv is eaten, and is higlily esteemed. The nmsscl, mutUnn ednli^^ is abundant, Imt not eaten on the Cape, though hi France and other countnes it is largely cultivated for food. The razor-fish (solcn) is named from its I'esemblance iii size and shape to the haft of a Rizor. It is said to force itself, not only upwards and downwards, Imt diagonally. It is TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL FEATURES. 5 excellent eating. Cockles are al:$o found in .several varieties. Of Crustacea are the lobster, crab, horscfoot or king-crab, with which the Indians taught our fathers to enrich their corn at planting, by placing a piece ui the hill, as they souictimoe did fish. There is a diffei'ence m the product of the northerly and southerly waters of the Cape. Prof. Fallow, of the U. S. Fish Commission, makes Cape Cod the dividhig line between the Anitic and the Adriatic flow. Hei-e the Gulf Stream loses its force and stiikes toward the European coast. Above this line marine vegetation is of an Arctic flora, distinct in many features fi'om tliat of Long Island. The difference l>etwcen the flora of Massachu;>etts and Biizzanis Baj's is greater thim between Massachusetts Bay and the Baj' of Fundy, or Xantucket and Norfolk. Of the fishes which are found in the waters of Cav>e Cod, the foUowin:? list was made in 1855 bv the eminent native ichthyologist, Capt. Nathaniel E. Atwood. The names by which they are known to fishennen is used, as l^etter adapted to the comprehension of the general reader tlian the dcsign^^ tions employed ])y scientific writers : Stri^xid bass, fl^'ing sculpin, deep water soulpin, 'Wej'mouth or JIar!)Iehcad eel, stickleback, scapaug, common mackerel, striped l3onito, horse mackerel, si)ottod mackerel (rare), yellow mackerel (rare), bluefish, skipjack, silversido, spotted gunnel, snake-shaped bleniry (new), motella (rare), goosefish, tautog, cornier, bro(>k minnow, gasse tiy, bill fish, smelt, hcnnng, blue-back herring (new), alewife, Avhito shad, hickory shad, menhaden, cod, torn cod, haddock, pollock, American hake, whiting, flounder, deepwater flounder, halibut, American turbot, tom-spotted flounder (new), sand dob, eel, sand ec!, Peck's \n\)0 ri?^h, sun fi-jh, cat fish, sivingle tailed shark, mackerel shark, man-eater shark 6 CAPE COD. (rare), more shark, hammerhead shark (rare), blue shark, dog fish shark, skate, cramp fish or torpedo (rare), American lamprey, blueish lamprey. The ponds abound with pickerel, perch, black bass, and in the streams are trout and salmon trout (rare). ' Of the wild beasts that were found in the forests of the Cape the wolf alone has been exterminated. In the early settlement of the county the people were greatly annoyed and injured by the depredations of these animals, which came by night to prey upon their cattle. Wolf traps were maintained by public charge throughout the county, and the bounties offered for their heads by the authorities at last had the effect to lead to their extennination. Red deer were also quite numerous, and owing to the protection afforded by the state, these beautiful animals are now found ranging our forests in the woods of Sandwich, Falmouth, Bounie and in some portions of Banistable and Yannouth. The red fox is found all over the county, and, though persistently pursued by hunters, is still apparently undiminished in numbers. The mink and the muskrat are numerous on the borders of ponds and streams ; the woodcock and polecat in the fields ; the striped and grey squirrel, rabbit and chipmunk in the forests. The raccoon is not so often seen, and the flj^ng squirrel and feiTct but occasionally. Of birds, there are the fish-hawk, red-tailed hawk, the red, snow and cat-OAvl, which are the most common birds of prey; eagles are occasionally seen scaling the air; the oniniverous birds, like the crow, bluejay, cliickadcc, nicadow- lark, Baltimore oriole, red-winged crow, crow-blackbird, bobolink, cedar-bird, arc abundant; of insectivorous birds, are the robin, pewit, l>laebird. In-own thrush, wood-thrush and house-wren ; various specimens of the pa>sarine species ; the woodpecker and swallow of several varieties ; the night- TOPOGEAPHT AITO NATUBAI. FEATURESl hawk, ffae whippooraill, the hanurnDg-bird. The heath-hen was formerly found here, bat is now extinct, so far as this region is concerned. Quail and partridge are found ia ahnost every forest. Woodcock and snipe are also found, and plover, curlew, heron, sand-piper, duck, brant and other water birds, are hunted on oar beaches and shores. llie county contained, according to the State census of 1895, a population of 27,654 inhabitants. The females out-nombered the males by 963. The hazardous business porsuits of tiie people accounts in a great measure, tiiougb not wholly, for this disparity in the numbers of the sexes. Nearly 90 per cent, of the population are of native birth, and are of purer descent from the flrat English settlers than in any other portion of the State. With their lineage they have inherited the love of order and progress, and the attachment for free institutions, which diatinguished their ancestors, and which all the subsequent generations that followed, maintained and upheld with vigor and determina- tion. From these shores have gone forth thousands of her sons to populate and develop the communities in the West and on the Pacific slope, to which regions they have contributed some of the best elements of their progress and success ; so that, while Barnstable county is their home and the place of their origin the vihole countrj is a witness to the qunlities of mind and heart of the fiitlipr'^ and mothers of Cape Cod, whose achievements it l the purpose of the following pages to record and illustrate CHAPTER II. THE FIRST EXPLORERS. Probable visit of tlie Nortb men —Verm zziino. Alleroii^ce, Burtholo- mew Gosnold, Prhi;. Champlniu aud De Moulu, Oaiit. Jobn Smith, Ttaomas Dermer— PeHtUeuce Amoug tUu Kittive«. ISTOKIANS have been accustomed to a^ciilie to Bai-tholoiuew Go^iiold and his compiijiioiis, in 1602, the first discovery iikI landing ni)on the coast of Cape Cod. But it had several times lieforo hecn explored hy Europeans. The Icelandic . sa.riiii furnish OTei'wIieliuing evideiice tliat the Xort&men visited this con^t some five centiiiies before the English navigator eiubat kcd on his ndventui-oiis voyage to the Western contment The chronicles of these intrepid explorers, especially of Thortinn Ivarlscfue, contain retereucos to localities visited, whicli can apply to no othei' region of the North American coast l)ut Cape Cod. Setting foith in the year lOOU, in two ships, from Iceland to Greenland, and thence following along the coast of Labnidor and Sable Island, they "sailed some time soittlnvest with land to star- board, wlien tliej' reached Ivjalarnes, where were tniL-klcss and white sandy beaches, of such length as to obtain the name of Furdnrstrandir" (Marvellous Stmnds.) Continuing their conise tlic^' entered a ba)', off tiie mouth of which was an island, past which ran a strong current, evidently Nantm.-ket Riy and Vineyard 8ound, and also snilod further THE FIRST EXPLORERS. fl- op the bay, where they landed and spent the n'inter. One- of the ships then trailed northward, but after ])aii6iDg the coast of Kjlamea, was diiven to sea and landed on the coast of Iceland. The otbcr ship sailed southwrtt nnd explored the region known to the Scandinavians as Muland, which * the beat of authorities now unite in locating somewhere upon the coast of Mount Hope Bay. The description of this coast by the historians of thi» voyage is startling in its reality. An to the Furdurstrandir, or Marvellous Ejtrands, of the Northmen, they correspond so exactly with tlic coast of the Nausct peninsula, and the- Chatham and ^lonomoy bcachcii, thnt no description could be more accurate. Dr. nitt!n;cing in "42^ North latitude, well nigh a mile broad, and extending northeast by east, the sand by the shore somewhat deep and the ground full of peas, whortleberries, etc., then unrii>e,'' They cut firewood, consisting of ''cypress, birch, witch-hazel and l>eech." Gosnold anchored we^t of Long Point, and describes the shore as bold, and does not mention any lagoon with water between the Point and the site of the present village. His description indicates great changes in the configui*ation of the coast since that time. The next day he sailed east and south along the outer coast of the Cape, which, inland, was ''somewhat woody." This coast differed widely from the present line. Off ^'auset a point extended far out into the sea, surrounded by shoal water with breakers. This^ "beach" he called Tuckei^'s Terror, and the headland, Point Care, which was the easterly cape of Isle Nauset. Passing this headland, and bearing again to the land, he anchored in the night-time, in eight fathoms of water, east of what is now Pleasant Bay. Several canoes here came alongside of the ship, the Indians bringing tobacco pijTcs studded with copper, skins and other trifles to l>arter ; one of them had a plate of copper hanging about his neck, and the rest pendants of copper. Five or six miles southeasterly from the present town of Chatham, another point extended far out into the sea, which Gosnold named Gilbert Point, anchoring a league or somewhat beyond it. Not a vestige of Gilbert Point or Isle Nauset now exists. A ledge half a mile fi-om the shore, covered with four or five fathoms of water, in the direct course of vessels passing around the Cai^, is all that remains of the latter. The sea broke over the former in two places, fomiinsr two islands, one of which soon drifted awav. The U CAPE COD. outer one, called Webb's Island, containing about twenty acres, remained until about 1730, being resorted to before that time, according to tradition, by the people of Nantucket and other places for wood, with which it was well stocked. Stumps, showing the murks of the axe, ai*e drawn up by the fishermen, or driven ashore by the gales. Sandy or Monomoy Point did not then exist ; it was formed by the debris of Gilbert Point, From the Point, Gosnold voyaged westerly, visiting Hyannis harbor and skirting the southerly coast of the Cape, touching at the islands, finally landing and erecting a trading house at Cuttyhunk, which a few weeks after was abandoned, the entire party sailing for England, with a collection of furs and peltry and sassafras root, the latter of which was then held in great esteem in pharmacy. The next year after Gosnold's visit, came Martin Pring upon the coast, searching for sassafras, which for some time thereafter was in great request by the old-time pharmacists ; but Pring left no accessible accounts of what he saw and heard, for the enlightenment of posterity. The most valuable and scieutitic explorations of this coast in the early part of the seventeenth century were made under the auspices of the French goveramcnt, by Champlain and De Monts, but strange to say, neither Bancroft nor Palfrey refer to them, and Holmes, Barry and Ilildrcth only incidentally, without giving an account of their work in delineating the coast of New England. Champlain was a skilful navigator, a man of science, and geographer to the King of France, and crossed the Atlantic about twenty times. He was engaged between Nova Scotia and Cape Cod, obseiTjng the land and its inha)>itants and making a map of the coast, from May, 1(>04, to September, 1607. Cape Cod harbor was visited by De Monts and Champlain THE FIB8T EXPLORBBa 15 in 1605, and the next year was farther explored by Poitrin- court and Champlain. In his map Cape Cod is called Cape Blanc (i. e. Cape White) from the color of its sand hills. Champlain, in the account of bis ** voyages," gave separate charts and soundings of two harbors — ^Malle Barre, the Bad Bar (Nauset Harbor?) and Port Fortune, Chatham Harbor. By his own account Champlain arrived off Chatham Oct. 2, 1606. His boat, which he sent on shore, could not land, by reason of the breakers, but the Indians launched a canoe and came on board. The next morning, piloted by the Indians, he entered the harbor, but found difficulty of navigation among the shoals of Monomoy. The vessel struck the bottom, broke her rudder, and was in peril. ^'Finally,'' he says, ^we succeeded by the grace of God, in passing over a point of sand which juts out into the sea three leagues to the S. S. £., a very dangerous place. We were involved in such fashion among the breakers and sand-banks that it was necessary to pass at all hazards.'' finding a smooth place they anchored and sent a boat with men to look out a channel. After '* considering the place," the boat returned with a savage, and favorable news. They immediately got under way, and were piloted by the savage to a place where they cast anchor in a roadstead having six &thoms of water and good bottom. The next day marka were put up on the sand, and at high water they run in at what is now known as Harding's Beach Point, and anchored in two fathoms of water. In view of the perils they had passed they called the place Port Fortune. This is now that portion of Chatham coast known as Stage Harbor. Fifteen days were spent in this place, a cross was erected, and possession taken in the name of the King of France. Their intercourse with the natives had up to this time been friendly and without apprehension of danger. When the 16 CAPE COD. repairs of the bark were completed, Poitrincourt walked a shoi-t distance into the interior, while his people were baking bread for the coming voyage. In his absence some •of the natives went to the cncanipnient of the French, stole a hatchet, and guns Avere tired, and thej' tied. Poitrincourt, -on his return from his expedition inland, saw the Indians carrvins: awav their children and other indications of excite- ment and i)rcparation. This created suspicions, which were veriiied the next morning by the discharge among the company of a shower of arrows, killing two and wounding seveml. The Indians then fled, and pursuit wjis considered useless. The dead were buried at the foot of a cross ; but whilst the funeral seiTice was being performed, the Indians were seen dancing and yelling in conceii:, at a convenient distance away. After the French had retired to their bark, the Indians took down the cross, and dug up the bodies, stripping them of their grave clothes, which they can*ied about in mock triumph. Poitrincourt then attempted to pass further around the Cape, but was driven back by adverse winds, to his fonuer anclioragc. The Indians now seemed pacifically inclined, and made proffers of trade ; whereupon six or seven of them were seized bv the French and executed. They again left the harbor, and sailed southerly, discovering an island, probably Nantucket or Martha's Vine- vavd. With his wounded men, whose lives he considered in peril, he sailed away for Port Koyal, relinquishing his designs for forming a settlement. That Capt. Henry Hudson, when in the employ of the Dutch East India company, "discovered'' Cape Cod and landed upon some part of it, rests upon the authority of the journal of his voyage. AVhat i)ortion of the Cape he visited and how lonir he remained, is not known. In 1614, the famous Capt. John Smith visited the coast. THE FIRST EXPLORERS. 17 and in his "Description of Now Enirland," printed ten years later, after speaking of Accomack, since called Plymouth, he says : ^ Caj^e Cod is • the next which presents itself, which is only a headland of hills of sand, overgrown with scrubby pines, hurts (i. e., whorts or whortleberiies) and •such trash, Imt an excellent harbor for all weathers. This Cape is made by the main sea on the one side, and a great bay on the other, in the form of a sickle. On it doth inhabit the i>eople of Pawmet, and in the bottom of the bay those of Chawum** (Barnstable or Yarmouth). Smith's ships apj)ear to have made as thorough an exploration of the inside of the Cayie as Champlain did of the outside, but, like Champlain, his impoi-tant work on this coast has escaped the notice of the standaixl historians of the United States. To one of Smith's subordinates, Capt. Hunt, who commanded one of the vessels of liis Heet, is due an act of aggressive hostility which wju* a fruitful source of difficulty and danger to those who subsequently visited these shores. Hunt, while at Nausct, pei-fidiously inveigled a company of natives on board his vessel, and setting sail, carried them to Malaga, Avhere they were sold into slavery, at twenty pounds per head. It was many years before the Indians forgot this act of perfidy, and Hunt's unoffending successors had to atone for his bad faith and treacheiy. Other adventurers, both French and English, explored the coast of New England, from 1616 to 1619, and found a terrible pestilence raging among the natives, many places which had been populous now being depopulated, thus interrupting trade, which was beginning to be active between the natives and the traders of other nationalities. One of -Sir Ferdinando Gorges's ships, commanded by Capt. Thomas Deimer, in 1610, found many places before populous, now uninhabited. Capt. Dermer brought with 18 CAFE COD. him one of the victims of Hnut's treachery^ as Indian named Tisquantum, who afterwards, under the more familiar name of Squaoto, became very serviceable to the English settlerd. Wbeii thi^ savage retuined after his exile to his native place, he found all bis people dead ! At Monomoyick (Chatbam) Dermer was taken prisoner by the Indians, but succeeded in effecting his escape. CHAPTER III. THE MAYFLOWER'S COMPANY AND THEIR EXPLORATIONS. The UuTflower iu <.'ai>e Cdtl burbor— The Soc-ial Compact— E^ nit Bxploi'Ius Exiieilitiou— rirct Driuk of Xen' Eii^Iaud Wator— Dl«joTery ol luiltau Cora — Setoiid Bii>1oratlou — D?i>ate of the Scbeme of Sottliiifr in Truro — Tbird E:ti>«dltlon — Lauding at BiIUux«sate— The Ftr*l E:i<.-Oiinter— Voyage to and Return from Plymmith — First Birth mul PirH Death—VUlt to Xnu*et tn fenrob of Lout Boy — Eiit^rtniiied liy lyouough- Expeditions to Moiio- moyiok, Xaii«et, Unuom^i —Panic Amoiiic the ludiauii- Deatb of lyauoiifrh— Wrwck of the E!i>uiTuwtiawlc— Tiadiug Poit at Maiioiuet — Great Storm of 1C35. X tbe nth of ^'ovemlie^, lti20, old titylc, as is n-ell loiown to the Englitth speukiiig race, the Alayflnwer, with the Pilgiim Fathers on board, after & f boisteixius passage of sixty-three days, ^ cast aiK'hor in Proviacetowu harbor. la V Muuit's lielation, in a dc^icriptiou of the voyage, from the pen ot Bradford, we are told how it appeared to the Pilgrim Fathers: "It is a good harbor and pleosaut bay, circled, round, except in tJie entrance, which is about four mile» over from land to land, compassed about to the very sea^ nith oaks, pines, juniper, sassafras, and other sweet wood. It is a harbor wherein a thousand sail of ships may safely ride. There we relieved ourselves with wood and water, and refreshed our people while our shallop ivas fitted to coast tbe bay, to searcli for an habitation ; there was the greatest store of fowl that ever we saw. And every day a> CAPE fOD. we saw whales playinsj hard by us, of which, in that place, if wo bad iiistmmciild aiul umaiis tu take them we might have Qiade a very ritli return, which to our great gncf, we wanted. Our um-stt'v sinil his mute, iind others experienced in fishing, pi-ofeoseJ tliat we might liuve made three or four thousnnd pounds ivoith of oil ; they preferred it !>cfore Greenland wiiide tishing, ond |»urpOtied the next winter to fish for whale liere." Unlike Gosuold, tliey found no cod, ■nor other fish. Ho continues the nai-mtive: "The l>ay was so round and circlinjr thut before we could come to anchor we went roniul all the jToints of the compass. We could not come near the shore by three-quartei-s of ao English mile, becau:ie of shallow water, which was a great prejudice to us, for our people going on shore were forced to wade a bow-shoot or two in going aUnd, which caused many to get colds and cough*, for it was ninny times UAYrLOVrEH COMPANY AND THKIR EXPLORATIONS. 21 freezing cold weather." He afterwards says, "It brought much sickness amongst us/' and doul»tlcp?s led to some of the deaths Avhich occuiTcd in Pl^Tiiouth. Before the Mayflower, came to anchor, observing that some, who were not of the Leyden company, were not disposed to acknowledge that any authorit}' existed for governing them, as the place of lauding was not within the limits of the patent of Virginia, "it M'as thought good that we (they) should combine together in one body, and to submit to such government and governors as Ave should by common consent agree to make and choose," after solemnly invoking the throne of gnice, they entered into the following compact, to which foity-one persons, including all the males of age, subscribed, as a basis of government : In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread soverei^rn Lord Kins: James, bv the irracc of God of Great Britain, Franco, and Ireland, King, defender of tLe faith, etc., havinir undertaken for the o:lorv of God and advancement of the Christian faith, and the honor of our king and country, a voj'age to plant the first colony in the noilhern parts of Virginia ; do l)y these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and presentation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid : and by virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame such just and e<|ual laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony ; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness Avhereof wc have hereunto subscribed our names at Caj>e Cod, the 11th of Noveml>er, in the year of •» CAPE COD. the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James of England, Fi-ance, and Ireland, the eighteenth and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini 1620. Mr. Joiix Carver. Wm. Bradford. ilr. Edward Wixslow. Mr. William Brewster. Mr. Isaac Allertox. Capt. i\IiLES Staxdish. JoHx Aldkx. Mr. Sa3iuel Fuller. Mr. Christopher Martix. Mr. William Mullixs. Mr. William White. Mr. Richard Warrex. JoHX Howlaxd. Mr. Stefhex IIopkixs. Edward Tilly. John Tilly. Francis Cooke. Thomas Rogers. Thomas Tinker. John Ridgedale. Edward Fuller. John Turner. Francis Eaton. James Chilton. John Craxton. John Billinoton. Moses Fletcher. eToHN Goodman. Degory Priest. Thomas Williams. Gilbert Winslow. Edmund Margeson. Peter Bro>>'x. Richard Britteridge. George Soule. Richard Clarke. Richard Gardiner. John Allerton. THOM.VS English. Edward Dotey. Edward Leister. Much has been wiitten by speculative theorists, in relation to this simple act of the Pilgrim adventurers, who probably did not imagine they were performing a pai-t which by posterity would be regarded as a new dcpailure in the science of self-government. Their action was so simple and unpretentious, and grew so naturally out of their posi- tion and necessities that it did not require elaborate explana- tion. But its results cannot be overestimated. "This," PBOBABLB IXICALmn AB DESCRIBED IIOTTRT'B KSUtTKOI,^ ft Place where the women wiubed. Ii Where thej nair the Indiana BUd tht< doft. c Wooilii Into whif^h tlie Iiirtinun rau. d Hill which th« Inilinnii i^n lip. e Wlicre the Itrst cxpeditlnn Pi>eut the first night. t Sprint; where Ibey drxiik their first New Eopluud water, g Where they built their sli^a) firp. h Wbore the !iecoud iii;:bt was spent, and tlie kettle suiik in Iho puiid. i Dner-trap in which Brhdf ord wa* oftughi. j '"PlaiiiupTfmudfllfortheplow." k Fir.Jtmouiitt opened, which prOTed tobeaRmve. 1 Where thtty duf( up lhi> com, and found the kettle, m Where tbeT iinw the two enuoes, and where the fei'ond expedition landed. 11 Where tliey found the old pnliiiade. o ^viK^ri^ tbe ant nlphtof the KCDiid e.\pt-diliou was ^pviil. p Where Ihe second night of the second expedition was spent, q Where the eighteen who re- malued spent the third night, r The place of grftTed on the "pl^ne 24 CAPE COD. says John Quincy Adams, ''is perhaps the only instance in human historj', of that positive, original social compact, which speculative philosophers have imagined as the only legitimate source of government.*' Its adoption was followed by the election of John Carver for governor for one year. The same day, fifteen or sixteen armed men, went on shore to gather wood, and explore the country. They found the place "to be a small neck of land," "the ground sand hills, much like the downs in Holland, but much better, the crust of the earth a spit's depth, excellent black earth all wooded with oaks, pines, sassafras, juniper, birch, holly, vines, some ash, walnut; the wood for the most part open and. without imderwood, tit either to go or ride in." But they found no human beings, and returned with a boat laden with juniper, "which smelled very sweet and strong." The next day was the Sabbath, which was kept in the accustomed way by the voyagers. The men commenced the- next week's Avork by landing a shallop, which they had brought with them in sections, while the >vomen went ashore to wash clothes. The work of putting together the shallop progressed so slowly that the more active members of the company became impatient and devised plans for more thoroughly exploring the surrounding country. Capt. IMiles Standish and sixteen others, armed and provisioned, set off Dec. 15, on what seemed to be regarded as an exficdition attended by some degree of peril. They had proceeded but a little way, when they observed several. ground." s The place of the two houses where thev fou!if! the deer's eadii. t Where the third expediliou pus.^^ed the iir»t iii^ht. u The two "becks" that "one might r-tride over." v Wh»»re l!n\v ftiniid the grampu? ou the :»aud.<. w Pla<-e of the pnUsade of ^niVes **like a churchyard." x *• More corn ground" aud Ii'es7 y Where t lie third expeditiou passed the second night, and had the llrit encounter with the ludiund. MAYFLOWER COMPANY AND THEIR EXPLORATIONS. 26^ Indians and a dog coming towards them, but the Indians retreated inward and whistled the dog after them. They followed the Indians, hut did not oveilake them, and. encamped near Stout's Creek, at East Harbor. The next morning they pui*sued their journey, through thick and tangled underbrush, finding no springs for a long time, but at the valley at East Harbor village they record tliat, with great relish, they partook of the first drink of New England water. They also found land suitable for planting and signa that it had been used for that purpose. They also found mounds which, upon examination, proved to be an Indian burial place. Still further on they found a deposit of com in baskets and a gi'cat kettle, which prol)ab]y had belonged to some ship. They filled with com the kettle, and took it away with them ; the rest they left as they had found it. Farther on they saw two canoes, and "an old fort or palisade, made by some Christians," as they thought. They retumed that evening as far as Pond village, where they encamped for the night, having passed as far as Pamet Ebrbor, in Truro. In the morning they sunk their kettle in the pond. In pursuing their journey home, Willian^ Bradford was caught by the leg in a deer-trap which had. been set by the Indians. They reached their vessel after a wearisome march, and delivered their com into the store to- be kept for seed, the chronicler of the voyage saying that they proposed as soon as they could meet any of the owners to repay them, which to their honor they subsequently did^ The next week was spent in preparing timber for a new boat. The weather was cold and stormy, and they experienced much discomfort in going ashore; having no boat, they wet their feet and contracted "'coughs and colds, which afterwards turned to scurvy." On Monday of the following week twenty-four of the^ 28 CAPE COD. company in the shallop, and the ship-master and ten of his men in the long boat, set forth for further exploration along the shore. They came to Pamet Harbor again, and discussed the feasibility of the place for a settlement ; but the idea was abandoned, in consideration of ^ the insufficiency of the place for the accommodation of large vessels and the uncertainty as to the supply of fresh water.** During this expedition they again visited the com deposit from which they had formerly helped themselves, and took what remained there, and also visited a burial place in which they found the remains of a European, as was evidenced by the light color of his hair, besides visiting several of the dwellings of the natives, but without encountering any of the inhabitants. Dec. 6th, a third voyage of discovery, the company including Carver, Bradford and others, was commenced. They did not land until they passed Billingsgate Point, and when they reached the shore, they found some Indians cutting up a grampus, who fled on discovering the English. They encamped for the night, and the next day explored the region round about Eastham, discovering a burial place of considerable extent. That night they heard ^a great and hideous cry," which caused them to arm, but concluded the noise was made by foxes and wolves. About 5 o'clock in the morning they heard a strange cry, and one of the company being abi*oad came running in, and cried, '"Indians, Indians ! " and at once their arrows came flying amongst the company, who hastily seized their arms. The cry of the enemies was dreadful; but after the English had discharged their pieces the Indians retired, except one lusty savage, who stood his ground until after several shots had been fired at him. The English then followed the enemy ior about a quarter of a mile, and picked up eighteen MAYFLOWER COMPAXY A>T) THEIR EXPLORATIONS. 27 .arrows, 8ome of which were headed with hrass, liarts' horn and eagles* claws. The place where this skirmish occurred was called the "First Eneountor.** It is situated on the north side of Great ^leadow Creek, in the town of Easthara, not far from the mouth. From this point the voyagers coasted along to Plymouth, passing Barnstable harbor, as Mourt states, in a thick snow-storm, otherwise they might have entered and settled there. Dec. 11, they sounded Plymouth harbor and found it fit for shipping, and having explored the region round a1>ont, and finding some fields and running brooks, they deemed the place suitable for settlement, and returned to the ship Avith the news of the result of their discovery. They found upon their return, that Mistress William White had during their absence been delivered of a son, who was called Peregrine, the first child born of English patents in New England ; and that the wife of William Bradford had &Ilen over))oard and dro^vned. Besides' these occurrences, Edward ThtJmpson died Dec. 8. Thus arc recorded the first birth and the first deaths of the coloni.-ts, all of these occurring in Cai)e Cod harbor. On the 15th of Dec. O. S., the Mayflower sailed from Cape Cod harbor for Plymouth, to which place is tnm.sferrcd the interest *which attaches to their sul>sequcnt history' and achievements, in some of whichj however, the Cape bore an intimate and important part. We hear verj' little more from the Cai>e for several months after the landing of the Pilgrims at Pl)'mouth. In the following spring, Samosct, whose sudden api>earance to the settlers and his greeting, "Welcome, Englishmen !** have so often been commemorated in history and on canvas, gave them the information tliat the Indians who had attacked them the previous season were the Xansets, who were incensed against the English because of the treachery of Capt. Hunt, :» CAPE COD. Smith's subordinate, which has ok'eady been adverted to. He s»aid that, l^eaiuse of Hunt's conduct, sevei'al months before the coming of the Pilgrims, these Indians had put to death three Kngl5s«hnion who had fallen into their hands, and that two others had ayeiled a like fate by making theii* escape to ]Monhegan. In July, 1G21, a boy named John Billington lost his way in the woods near Plymouth, and for a long time search was made for him in vain. Receiving information that he was somewhere on the Cape, an expedition of ten men set foith in search of him. They put into Barnstable Harbor, where their boat was dr}' at low water. Seeing some Indians a short distance off, seeking lobsters, they sent forward tT\'o Indians who were with them, as interpreters, to communicate the object of the expedition. The Indians told them the boy was at Xauset, and extended an invitation to the English to go ashore and accept their hospitalities, which the visitors did. After the exchange of hostages they sent for their sachem, lyanough, who joined them, and who 'is described by AVinslow, as '" a man not exceeding twenty-six years of age, personable, gentle, courteous and fair-conditioned; indeed, not like a savage except in his attire. His condition was answemble to his pai-ts, and his cheer plentiful and various." Here they found an old woman not less than a hundred years old, who was the mother of one of Hunt's victims, and who bewailed in piteous tones the loss of her child, and whom thej" tried to ai)pcase by coinfoiting messages and presents. After dinner the expedition proceeded to Xauset, lyanough and two of his men accom- panying them. Their boat groimded near the Xauset .shore, and the Indians came out to meet them; but the English were pro[)erly guarded in their inteixjoursc. Aspinet, sachem of the Xauscts, subsequently came to the boat, bringing the MAYFLOWER COMPANY AND THEIR EXPLORATIONS. 29 boy who Avas the object of their search, and after the exchange of courtesies, tlie natives dei>aii;ed. While at Xauset they found the owners of the com they had helped themselves to the pixjccding neason, and made arrangements to make restituticm. Uinni the homeward trip they again stopj^d at Cummaquid Avith lyanough, who brought water to them with his own hand, the women and children of his tribe joining hands and dancinefore their linal departure. Jlost of the Cane Indians soon after cave in their adhesion to the English, and a good understanding was established. TMien the ship Fortune arrived at Cai>e Cod in November of the same year (1()21), the Indians bix)ught word of the event to Phinouth before the ship reached there. In Novem1>cr, 1622, a famine 1>eing imminent among the PhTnouth settlers, detennined them to seek bread from the Indian tribes. Gov. Bradford was in charge of the exjxjdition, which embarked in the Swan, belonging to the Wessasrusset settlers, and in the interest of both communities. Provided with knives and l^ads for traffic, they essayed to go around Caj^e Cod. Tliey encountered stonny weather, and put into the harlyor of [Monomoyick, and the Governor, M'ith Squanto and others, went on shore, staid all night, and tr-ifficked with the Indians, obtaining eight hogsheads of com and ])eans. Here Squanto, their early friend and faithful guide and inteii)rcter, was taken sick and died. They sailed from here to the Massachusetts, but could not trade to 30 CAPE COD. advantage, and ititumcd again to Capo Cod. At Nauset they obtained more corn and beans ; and at ^lattacheesett an additional supply'. While at Nauset tlioir shallop was cast away, and they were obliged to stack and cover their grain,^ leaving it in charge of the Indians, since tliey had no means- of getting it on 1>oard the ship. They procured a guide and. set out on their journey of fifty miles on foot, receiving all respect from the natives by the Avay ; and Aveaiy, and with-, galled feet, arrived safely at Pl}^nouth. Three days after^ the Swan arrived, bringing the com first obtained at Monomoyick. In January, 1G23, another joint ex][^dition started, with Standish in command, the weather I)eing bitterly cold and stormy. They found at Xauset their cast-away shallop and repaired it, and the corn they had stored was also found and got on board. The Indians having, as Standish thought, stolen "some trifles," he demanded restitution in the most peremptory manner, which was complied with, and the sachem expressed great sorrow at the occ^urrence. In Februarj', their com still running short,' Standish went with six men in a shallop to Mattacheese,* to procure a supply. Their shallop was frozen up the first night of their arrival.. The captain, for sufficient cause, became suspicious of the fidelity of the natives, and kept a strict watch over them ;. some few trinkets being missed he called the natives to account, and the missinir articles were restored, and com sufficient to load his shallop was afterwards easily procured. The governor, with an Indiim, Hobomoc, went sooa after to Manomet, (now Bourne), twenty miles south of Plymouth, to procure more com. He was entertained •Mattacheese si;;uifles old Inuds, or plautiup; hinds, and the terminal t or tt, as lu Mattrtoheesett, mean?, ou the border.^ of the jea. There is Ao much variation in the ancient «]»eUing of aU proper xnimeA that uuiformitj of orthography iis difiicult to attain. UAYFLOWEB COMPANY AND THEIR EXPLORATIONa Sb hospitably by Canacam, the chief of this place, lodging hero- in a bitter cold night, and 1>ought some com which he was compelled to leave in charge of the natives. In March^ Capt. Standish went to Manomet to procure the com the governor had left there, entering Scusset harl3or, where he left tlio shallop in charge of two or three men, and with two or three more went inland to the habitation of Canacmu* He had not been there long before he perceived he was much, less hospitably received than the governor had been. Pres->- ently two Massachusetts Indians made their ap^^earance, one of whom, Wittuwamet by name, the Plymouth men well knew. His demeanor to Standish was most insulting. He talked violently, tliough incoherently to Canacum, drew a knife which hung around his neck and presented it to his host. He was, it subsequently appeared,, complaining of outrages committed by the English at Wessagusset, and urged Canacum to take advantage of this op][X)rtunity to cut off Standish and his party. Standish, knowing that these circumstances forebode danger, then made ready to return to his shallop. The Indian women, by some small presents, were induced to assist in convejnng the com to the landing-place, and there the party had to wait until next morning. It was an anxious night for Standish, tod he did not close his eyes. "With a mere handful of men, in aOt unfriendly neighborhood, the situation was critical. Hie sachem Canacum and his ally from the Massachusetts tribe were reinforced by a Paomet Indian, the oppressive friendl]f-< ness of whose cannage was as suspicious as the open, hostilit}" of Wittuwamet. He not only insisted on coming down to the shore with the English, but had voluntarily carried some com, an ignominious act for a male Indian warrior; making a pretext of the cold he remained with them, crouching before tlieir fii*e. All these things* led a3 CAPE COD. Standish to believe in the existence of a dangerous plot, and drove sleep from his eyes. When morning dawned the party embarked and arrived safely at Plymouth. In consequence of infonnation received from Massasoit, imparted to Hobomoc, of a plot against the English, in which not only AVittuwamet and others, but the Cape Indians at Manomet and Paomet were implicated, Standish was authorized to proceed to deal with the conspimtors, which he did in his usual prompt and sanguinary manner. Proceeding to Weymouth, he summarily dispatched Wittuwamet and several of his followers, Imnsrino: the head of the former as a trophy to Plymouth. The news of this massacre created dire consternation amonsr the Indians alonsr the sea-coast. Thev forsook their homes, ran to and fro in bewilderment and fear, and living in swamps and deserts, contracted diseases of which many of them died. Thus miserably perished Canacum, sachem of i^Linomct ; Aspinet of Xauset; and the courteous and hospitable lyanough, of Mattacheese, whose fate is the more to be deplored 1>ecause there seems to be no evidence to connect him with the plots In which the other sachems were involved, ^fore than two and a half centuries after the death of lyanough, the remains of a chieftain were exhumed near a swamp, in what is known as lyanough's town, in ancient Mattacheese (East Barnstable village,) and the circumstances under which these relics were found, point irresisti!)ly to the conclusion that they were the remains of Ij'-anough. They were gathered up with tender care, enclosed in a case, and deposited in Pilgrim Hall, Plymouth, side bj' side with relics of Standish and others of the Pilgrims, who brought him to a tragic and miserable death. The transactions for some time after the sanguinary events related, naturally inteniipted the trade and intercourse HATIXOWKB COMPANY AXD THEIR EXPLORATION& S3 between the English and the natives. Some further efforts in that direction were attemjitcd, but resultetl iu di^ip^wint- ment and failure. In Decemljer, 1626, the ship Sparrowhavvk, with a considerable number of i>n-S6ouger:j, from London, bound for Virginia, was stranded u|K)n a flat at what was then Htyled Monomo^'ick, but whii-h is now the easterly part of Orleans. Hie master being sick, they had lost their vcay and had neither wood nor water on board,- had steered for the shore, THX SPADmOWIIAWK. and had run over the shoals, they knew not how. Tbey came directly before the small liar)x>r at Potuuumaquut, and run on a flat close to the beach, not knowing whore thoy were. The savages on shore came to them iu their canoes. The Englishmen were at first inclined to be giianlcd in their intercourse, but the Indians diaanned their fear^ by asking if they were "the Governor of PI_j-.uomli's men " and offering to assist them and carry letters to Plymouth. Tlie Indians, U CAPE COD. according to their ability, supplied the strangei*8 with all they needed. The governor of Plymouth, having received the intelligence, came, \nth others, to their aid, bringing all the materials asked for. The season being unpropitious for going around the Cape he landed near the liottom of the bay, at Namskeket Creek, between the pi'eseut towns of Brewster and Orleans, whence it was not more than two miles across the Cape to the bay where the ship lay. The Indians carried the things he brought over land to the ship. The governor bought of the Indians a lot of com to supply the needs of the shii)'s cumi>any, and aiso to load their boat before returning home. The Sparrowhawk being repaired and ready to proceed, a gi*eat stoim arose and drove her further on shore, by which catastrophe she was so badly shattered that she was rendered unfit for sea. The result was that all came to Plymouth, whither also their goods were tmnsported, and where they remained until the next spring. Two hundred and thirty-seven j'ears after the wreck of the S[)arrowhawk, by one of those geological changes on the coast which are the characteristic features of Cape Cod, her hull, in a remarkable state of preservation, was uncovered from tlie drifting sand and afterwards removed, together with a number of articles which were found, in or near it, such as a quantity' of beef and mutton bones, several soles of leather, shoes, a smoking pipe of the kind used by smokers of opium, and a metallic box. These interesting relics are now deposited in Pilgrim Hall, Plymouth. The spot where this ancient hulk was exhumed had from time immemorial been known as ^'Old Ship Harbor," for what reason the present generation, until this time, was unaware. In the 3'ear 1627 the Plymouth colony company built a small pinnace at Manomet, a place within the present town MAYFLOWER COMPANY AXD THEIR EXPLORATIONS. S& of Bourao, situated on a river runnin<^ into Buzzards Bay, on the southern bank of which the}' also built a house, and kept some sen^auts, who planted com and reared swine, and were ready to go with the l)ark at any time on the trading exjTeditions in which the colonists were engaged. Here for many years a profitable traflSc with the Indians was maintained, and from this point the intercourse with the Dutch settlers at New York was first opened. From PljTiiouth to Scusset Harbor was an easy voyage by water, and from this i>oint to the navigable waters of Manomet River was only three or four miles. By this route, in the language of Governor Bradford, they were enabled to ** avoid the compassing of Cape Cod and those dangerous shoals, and so make any voyage to the southward in much shorter time and with less danger.'' From that time to this, the route through the Manomet valley has l)een associated in the mincis of men witli the project to construct a canal, and thus to avoid the dangers of navigation around the Cape. Here, in September of 1627, came Isaac De Kazier, secretarj" of the Dutch government of New Amsterdam, with a vessel laden with sugar, stuffs, etc., and Governor Bradford sent a boat to Scusset Harbor to convey him thence to Plymouth. He wrote an account of the Plymouth colony which has come down to us, and which is the best picture extant of the place and the people. After tliis, the Dutch came often to Manomet, and a profitable trade was for some years carried on between them and the Plymouth people. The Cape was often resorted to for years by the Plymouth settlers, particularly for the procurement of com, for which its soil was well adapted, and somewhat bitter controversies arose between the Massachusetts and Plymouth colonists, in regard to this traffic, the latter claiming the right to the S8 CAPE COD. trade in this territory, as being mthin the exclosive juris- diction of tlicir government. In one of tbese expeditions, Bichard Garrett and his company, from Boston, were cast away on the Ca;>c, and some of them died from hardship and exposure. Tlie Indians buried the (lend \ntli great propriety, to save tlie bodies fi-om being devoured by wild beasts, although the ground was deeply frozen, i-equiring great labor in digging the grarca. The survivore were literally " nursed back to life," so neai-ly perished were they ; and when they were sufficiently recovered, the Indians kindly conducted them to Plymouth. These ciroumstances indicate the pacitic character of the natives after the tragical events of 1622-3. Among the memorable events of this early period was the great stoim of 1635, such, says Bi-adford, "as none living in these parts, cither English or Indians, ever saw, causing the sea to swell above twenty feet right up, and made many inhabitants climb into tlie trees. It took the roof of a house at Manomet, and put it in another place." "It blew down many thousands of ti-ees, breaking th& higher pines in the middle, teaiiTig the stroriger nut's up by the roots. The wrecks of it" says the writer, "will remain for a huudred years. The moon suffered a great eclipse the second night after it." It was in this storm that Anthony Thaclier, one of the future fiettlers of Yarmouth, was , shipwrecked at Cajw Ann, at what was henceforth knonTi as Timchcr's Island, north of Boston Harbor, and hU wife y w and children Mere enjrulfed in the raging waters. CHAPTER IV. THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. OecUratlou of BigUtit— Settlement of Smidwlfli. Tarmouth, Bsrmtnble mill Eacttaoin— Dlt>i>iiteit ou Tlieology aa<\ DivUiou of Lands — Mr. Hull mid the Viirmoiith Dhienter; — Rcpresciitutlre Gorprument A(1opt«d — Geiteml Court bulda n se^siou iu Ydi'moiith— Wnrlike luiliauo— Uilitnr; Morcmeitt?— Rales of obarges for the seTeral I Dims. '^ ^* O the year 1637, no organized settlement -O''-^*^ liad been effected on the Cape. The court 1 Skz^^^X'^ records and iucideiital writinge of the time w^'^i^d give evidence that the region was consid- '^^ "' '- «KibIy resorted to by fishermen, traders ^is^ti^ ' t T-; ^<^M» and roving adventm-ers, and it seems ^i'' "'^*i-^ probai)le that residents bad in a few cases '^^^'i^^^ established themselves in some parts of the ■ J^ff" couutj'. Those who did so, acted without the authority of the PIiTnoiith magistrates, and were regarded as inti-uders and trespassers. An exception to this remark was the occupation, in 1G27, of the southern shore of Manomet river, for a ti'adiag post. The laws and gorcrnmcDtal institutions of the colonj were not at this time adapted to a couimiinity of separate municipalities under a central head. The limits of political rights or authority were not dctined. A few regulations, called for as the exigencies arose, had been temjMrarily made, and though the colonists were suj^jwsed to be governed by the laws of England, they were not verj- well ttuderstood : and the code of ^Moscs was followed, rather 38 CAPE COD. than that of James. But as the colony expanded and as new settlements were contemplated, the inconvenience of this state of things was apparent. It became evident that the civil power must be invoked, and the laws administered with some degree of stability and regularity. Therefore, Nov. 15, 1636, the Court of Associates promulgated the following declaration : ''We, the associates of New Plymouth, coming hither as free-bom subjects of the state of England, and endowed with all and singular the privileges belonging to such, being assembled, do ordain that no act, imposition, law, or ordinance, be made or imposed on us, at the present or to come, but shall be made or imposed by the consent of the body of associates, or their representatives, legally assembled, which is according to the liberties of the state of England." This document, it will 1>e seen, is a viii;ual declaration of independence. The authority of the laws of England, "present and to come," were not only ignored, but Parlia- ment was by implication denied the right to legislate for the colony. It was there provided that an election for governor and assistants should be held on the first Tuesday of June annually, the choice to be exercised by such as should be admitted as freemen ; and none were to be admitted except such as were "orthodox in the fundamentals of religion," and possessed of a ratable estate of twenty pounds. The votes were to be given in i^erson or by proxy, at Plymouth. Jurisdiction of cases under forty shillings was given to the governor with any two assistants, " to try and do as God may direct," not according to the common law of England nor any other statutes or regulations ; the trial of large cases or offenses was to remain with the whole body of freemen, by juries. No other executive officer was provided for but the constable, who was invested with large powers. No person THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 80 was to }ye peimitted to ^ live or inhabit within the government, without the leave and liking" of the governor and assistants. This assumption of the authority to exclude unwelcome visitors or residents, as we :shall see hereafter, was the cause of much trouble in the future, and was exercised in such a manner as to lead to fiei^ce controversy and ci>il commotion. It was derived from no charter or patent by any power entitled to exercise acts of sovereignty, but was assumed by the goveraing classes in the colony, at their own will and pleasure. The colony at this time, consisted of three towns — Plymouth, Duxbury and Scituate. Such were the legal conditions preceding the settlement of the Cape. The first English settlement on the Cape was effected in Sand>rich. April 3*, 1637, lil>erty was given to the men of Saugus, viz. : Edmund Freeman, Ilenry Feakc, Thomas Dexter, Edward Dillingham, William AVood, John Carmen, lUchard Chadwell, William Almy, Thomas Tupper, George Knott, '^to view a place to sit down, and have sufficient lands for threescore families,'* ujwn ccmditions proiX)unded to them bv the governor and Mr. Winslow. These men subsequently selected the region afterwards knoAvn as Sand^nch, for the place of their location. With the ten men first named came fifty other "undertakers," as the new citizens were called, chiefly from Lynn, or Saugus, Duxbuiy and Plymouth, most of them bringing their families. The names of such of these as are still found in the town were, George Allen, Anthony Besse, Robcii: Bodfish, Richard Bourne, John Briggs, Thomas Burge, Heniy Ewer, John Fish, Jonathan Fish, Natluuiiel Fish, Andrcvr Hallct, William Ilarlow, Joseph Holway, Thomas lenders, Benjamin Nye, James Skiff, John ^^'ing, Peter Wright. A little later came John Ellis, Thomas Gil»])s, William Swift, Thomas Tobej', ^Villiam Basset, Ezra Perry. Tliese men as a class 40 CAPE COD. were of more tolemnt and liberal spirit than characterized the einff of that town in June, 1638. The court was disposed to exact of every community established by its authority, the most rigid compliance with the rules and regulations which had l.>een ordained for the government of the v»'hole, and tlie Sandwich settlers soon found that its recent occupation, and the unavoidable conditions of a new settlement would not be taken as an excuse for any delinquenccs. The record of 1G38 infonns us that several of the townsmen, among them some of the foremost citizens, were fined for not having their swine ringed, and for " being deficient in arms." In ]March of the next year, by order of the court, the meadow lands in Sandwich, which had been previously laid forth, were again divided ''by equal propoitions, according to each man's estate," some of the townsmen being added to the committee in making the apportionment. It was an THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 41 unequal system of division, founded upon the rule, "to him that hath shall he given," and it is not strange that in Septcml)er following complaint shoidd have been made to the court. The cause of complaint was not, however, so much in relation to the inequality, as to the fact that they had received into the town diveit* persons, all but very few "unfit for church society;" and the committee were summoned to ajipcar and answer to the same, and, in the meanwhile, were oixlcred not to dispose of any more land there, nor to convey an}' of their own lands to any other person. xVt the ensuing Octol)cr couil the complaints were considered. Mr. Thomas Prence and Capt. Jililes Standish were apiK>inted to hear and detennine the controversies among tlic committees and inhabitants of the to^vn. No record is made that any one was dispossessed. One party, who was occupying a lot needed for "a public use,*" had his land taken, bv ^ivina* him its full value. Tlic neck called iloonuscaulton w:as rcseiTcd to the town as a common, for the pastui-age of young cattle ; and also Sliawme Neck, Ivinir between the rivers of Shawme and Manuscusset, for a common, alhiwing the inhabitants to take wood therefrom. And it was ordered that no other inhabi- tants should "l>e received into town or have hinds assigned them by the committee, ^vilhout the consent of Mr. Lcverich and the church had been obtained," and that none of the inhabitants should sell their estate to be occupied by any person except he 1x5 genemlly approved by the whole town. And for the preventing t)f "dangers, evils or discords that may happen in the disposjd of lands or other occasions within the town," it was agreed tliat in future some one of the assistants should be joined with the committees for advice and direction, ]Mr. Thomas Prence l)eing appointed for the present. The division of the meadow lands was 42 CAPE COD. made in April, 1640, five of the committee, five of the^ townsmen, with Mr. Pi-ence, performing tliut duty, taking into consideration each man's ^estate and quality," as well as - his "necessitj" and abilitj'." The assignments ranged from. 42 acres to Mr. Edmund Fi*eeman, to one acre each to various persons, 5 acres being assigned to ^Ir. Leverich, the pastor. From this time forward until 1651 the annals of the town. were uneventful. That year *'the conditions on which the-^ grant of the township was made, having 1)een fulfilled, a deed of the plantation was executed by Gov. Bradford to Ml*. Edmund Freeman, who made conveyances to his associates." The records give indication of the prompt erection of a house of worship, for as early as 1644, a . meeting was held to decide whether to build a new meeting* house or i-epair the old one,, which latter course was adopted.^ At a still later period a levy of £5 was made to pait off Mr. Leverich's house with boards, "which was long since promised him." This admission, and others of the same tenor, show some degree of remissness on the part of the people in the support of the minister. That such a state of things should occur in a new settlement, engrossed with- many cai-es and anxieties, docs not seem strange, and argues no permanent declension in the sentiments of the people towards one of the great objects wliich is supposed to have impelled them to seek an asylum here. An attempt to effect a settlement in ilattachcese or..^ Mattacheesett, was made in the fall of 1637-8, by Rev. Stephen Bachelor and several others, .a large proportion of. them, however, members of his own family, who were connected with some of the settlers of Sandwich. The si>ot" which they selected for their location was in the northeastern . portion of the present town of BarnstaJjIe, near the seashore, ^ THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. IT in a locality which still bears the name of **01d Town.'^ Winthrop speaks of it as a portion of Yarmouth, and for two or thi'ce j'^eai's after the settlement it did f oim a pail of that tovnij until it was set off to Barnstable by a special court held in Yanuouth, June 17, 1641. The weather of the winter of 1638 was very severe, the settlement was- undertaken without due preparation , and was abandoned in the spring. Mr. Bachelor, then recently the pastor of Lynn, at the advanced age of 76, travelled on foot the whole distance from Lynn to Mattacheese, more than a hundred miles, at an inclement season of the year. From Matta- cheese, eai-ly in the spring be went to Newbury, and fourteen years later, after a life of controversy and hardsliip, died in England, at the age of ninet}'' years. Early in 1639, i>ermission liaving been granted, the- preceding December, to -cVnthony Thacher, John Crow and Thomas Howes, who had associated with them ^Ir. Mardick (^larmaduke) Matthews, and subsequently Samuel Rider, Mr. Nicholas Simpkins, Giles Hopkins, Andrew Hallet and others, the settlement of Yarmcuth commenced, under favorable auspices. Mr. Hopkins was a son of Stephen. Hopkins, and came over with his father in the ISIaj^ower, in 1620. The previous year the elder Hopkins was granted permission, by the couit, to erect a house and cut hay at !Mattacheese, and have a lot there with the consent of the committees for the place, and was in occupation when the settlement commenced. This settlement seems to have been effected without much controversy or any memorable- incidents, and with the cordial cooperation of the court and. authorities of Plymouth. The town received some little attention, however, from- the court in its initial period. It was forbidden that any one should purchase two house-lots or more and have thenk U CAPE COD. iogether and maintain but one house upon them. This was intended to niake the settlement compact, as a matter of safety and precaution. Tlie townsmen were permitted to keep their swine unringcd, they keeping them with a herdsman, *^ until complaint he made of some huii: they had done ;" and the constable was ordered to erect a pair of stocks and a pound. By the close of 1640 some twenty-five families were established there. As Mr. Matthews was one of the first comei's, it seems most probable that the establishment of the church was coeval with the settlement of the town. The founders of Yarmouth were men of such stabilitj- of chanicter and in such close sympathj' >nth the authorities of PljTiiouth, that they were al)le to sustain themselves in the face of all disadvantages. The thi*ee grantees, Anthony Thacher, John Crow* and Thomas Howes, were men of solid and substantial character. Mr. Thacher had been a curate of the parish of St. Edmunds, Salisbmy, had suffered shipwreck in the storm of 1635, already adverted to, had settled first in Xewlmry, then in ilarblchcad, whence he came to Yarmouth. ]\ir. Crow is believed to have been of that branch of the family which removed from Kent county to 'Wales, and cajue to this phice from Charlcstown. !Mr. Howes came over in 1635, when he was in Salem. The familj' was an ancient and honorable one in Norfolk county, England. From these men, and ^Ir. Andrew Hallct, James Matthews, Samuel Ilider, Richard Soai-s, Edmund Hawes and Fnmcis Baker, a large proportion of the present inhabitants are descended. The earlier years of the settlement of the town were distracted bj^ the two proliiic sources of trouble incident to ^hU unme soon after began to be written Crowe, and about the •third generation, Crowe U.— Hi«»tory of Old Yarmoulh. THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 45. New En'xlttud settlements — theolosjieal controversien and disputes al)out land titles. A\'hich was the cause of tlio- greater degree of di.e expected to acquiesce in their estimate. The malcontents appealed to» the court, which thereupon added to tlie counnittee four townsmen, Messrs. Nicholas Simpkins, ^Vm. Palmer, Philip Tabor and Joshua Barnes. The enlarged committee still failed to give satisfaction, w*hereupon Capt. Miles Standis& was called upon, and invested with full powers. The aiptain displayed in this emergency the same decision and energy which he had evinced in his military career. In ]\Iay, 1648, having previously heard a great number of cases, he announced his decision. Some parties were ejected from lands they had occupied ; many of the former grants of uplands and meadows were abrogated, and the grants reverted to the town, and in some cases exchanges were made. Standish's uuthoritv beinir absolute, no rcmon* strance was accepted, and his award l)ecame at once operative. For the future, the court ordered that "]Mn. Starr, Wm. Nickerson and Kobert Dennis be added to the committee of the town for the present year, and thenceforth that each year the town choose a committee of thi'ee, without t< iG CAPE COD. whose consent, or tluit of the remainder of them, no grants of meadows or uplands should be made/' but in case the future differences should become irreconcilable, they ** should repair to Capt. Standish for instructions.'' Whether well or ill-considered, this action was a final ^?ettlement of the controversy which had so long and so unhappily divided the •settlers in the early years of the torni. The theological troubles of the people were not so easily -or summarily composed. The settlement had hardly com- jnenced before difficulties sprang up in the church. Mr. Marmaduke Matthews, an educated and witty Welshman, J but endowed with an indiscretion and latitude of sj^ech which constantly subjected him to suspicion, was the first minister, and from the beginning he was antagonized to a considerable portion of the church, on grounds which it is difficult at this length of time to full}' comprehend. He •early had a controveray with William Chase, in which the latter temporarily lost the favor of the majority, was •superseded bj'' another in the office of constable, and came near being forced to leave the town. Next we hear of Thomas Starr, Hugh Tillej", Joshua Barnes and William Nickerson being complained of by jNIr. Matthews's partisans •as ^ scoff ei*s and jcerers at religion and making disorders at town meeting;" but they were subsequently acquitted by •the court. The opposition to j\Ir. Matthews then resulted in the attempt to form another church and society in town. Rev. Joseph Hull, who had exercised the office of minister in Barnstable, before the advent of Mr. Lothrop, and who had been virtuallj'' deposed by him, was invited to preach in Yarmouth by those dissatisfied with the ministrations of Mr. Matthews. Mr. Hull complied, but the unfriendly inter- ference of the Barnstable church, defeated the armngement. 'The opposition to Mr. Matthews was by no means abated THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 47 "'by this intcix'cssion, and. after a checkered and turbulent ouinistry of Imlf a dozen yearz», he was couii)elled to j^linquish his charge, probably about the year 1646. ^Ir. Matthews'e> successor was llev. John Miller, who in 1649 l>ecame the minister of a people who h:id not as yet Jiealed the differences which had so long divided them. ^Ir. Miller was educated for the ministiy at Cambridge, England, had resided at Boxburj' and-Bowley, and was one of the seventy-seven mentioned by Cotton Mather, as in the actual exercise of their ministry when^they left England. Owing to the revival of the old discontents, a coimcil was called, consisting of the most distinguished members of the Plj'mouth and Massachusetts colonies, among them, Wilson of the First church, Boston, Shepherd of Cambridge and John Eliot of Boxtnirj', knoMTi as the Ai)ostle to the Indians. An adjustment of the difficulties followed, although some traces of the discontent sunnved for years thereafter. In 1651, Emanuel White and Kol>ei-t Allen wei-e at the eoui-t chai-ged with , villifying Mr. Miller, and wereaccjuittcd ; and the next year Mr. Miller's opiwnents i*eturned the charge by having him cited to answer for remarks in a seiinon against the govern- ment. The court so far noticed this matter as to instruct the jury to "make due inquiry to vindicate the government." Xo further mention is made of the matter in the public records, and the religious discontents* of the time gradually, -though not wholly, subsided. ]Mr. Eliot, while engaged in his pacific mission embraced the opportunity to commence ids work of christianizing the Indians of this town, which he prosecuted for some time with nmch -zeal and activity, in the face of many difficulties and discouragements. With the -settlement of the proprietorship of the lands, and in a large degree of the ministerial troubles, Yaimouth commenced a ^career of steady growtli and prosperous development* 48 CAPE COD. Barnstable, the regioa lying between Sandwich and Yarmouth, was settled in the early part of 1G39. The first comers were Elder Thomas Dimmock, who was there in March of that year, and Rev. Joseph Hull, who arrived two months later. To them the court gmnted the lands in the town, on the usual conditions and with the customary restrictions. The lauds in the eastern portion of the town were sometime in 1G37-8 surveyed by Mr. CoUicut of Dorchester, to whom a grant of them had lieen made by the court. It was doubtless under the authority of this grant that Mr. Ikchelor had made his aboitive attempt in 1638. Mr. Dinunock was probably one of the associates of CoUicut, and Mr. Hull belonged to the same company* With Messrs. Dimmock and Hull there came, in the spring of that year, some fifteen families. A chuix*h was estab- lished here, though not formally oi-ganized, of which ^Ir. Hull was pastor and Rev. John Mayo preaching elder. Xa church edifice was erected, though tradition ix)inted out the large rock — only a portion of which remains — on the* highway between Barnstable and West Barnstable, as the spot where they were accustomed to meet. This rock stood in front of the residence of the late £dwai*d Scudder. It has been gi-adually carried away, a portion of it having been used in building the old jail. During the summer months this arrangement was convenient and natural, and under the overshadowing oaks aiid pines by the roadside, these devout men and women could commune through nature with nature's. God. Oct. 11, 1639, Rev. John Lothroi) and some twent\'-five families from Scituate arrived in Barnstable, in accordance with arrangements previously made. They had become dissatisfied with tlieir location, '^ Scituate beinir too straite for their accommodation," and were attracted to tliis region,. THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 48 as were the first settlers to Yarmouth , by the exteusive salt marsheSy which afforded subdistcnce for their cattle, while the lands cleared by the Indians gave them tillage spots for planting. Mr. Lothrop was a nian distmguished for his piety and talents. lie was educated at Christ college, Cambridge, took holy orders and settled in the ministry in Egerton, near Liondon, but renounced the ordei*s and separated himself from the church of England. In 1624 he was chosen successor to Ker. Henry Jacob, the first pastor of the first Independent or Congiogational church in London. He was pastor of this church for eiart as a day of fasting, to invoke the divine l)lessing on their efforts, and the following rule of division of lands, adopted by the general consent of the inhabitants, was satisfactorj*^ to all interested : " One-third pail to every houselot, equally ; one-third to the names that are immovable ; and the other third according to men's estates." This rule was adhered to THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 61 in all the subsequent divisions. At a town meeting held in 1641, measurers of land wei*e appointed, and the details of the measurement settled. In 1643, Mr. Hathcrly, Mr. Freeman and Capt. Standish were appointed by the court •^to divide to each man, the lands at Banistable, reserving a portion for public use.** The town subsequently ordered ^^ that the commons, or undistributed lands, shall l)elong to the present inhabitants, and to whom they shall see fit," and "that the commons be entailed to the houselots.*' Before a full and complete title of the soil could be acquired, it was necessary to extinguish the Indian titles. Fortunately for the settlers, there was land enough for their occujiation and improvement, without doing violence or wrong to the natives of the soil. The pestilence which had decimated the Indians in Plymouth before the coming of the Pilgrim fathers, had raged upon the Cape, and after the death of the noble Ij'^anough, his heirs, with their thinned ranks of subjects, ranged over a large region, embracing the present territory of the western part of Yarmouth, East Barnstable, Hyannis, and the vast sti'etch of land known as the "South sea" region. The natives had no use for all these lands and jiailcd with tliem for what seems a trifle in these days, but what to the Indians was no doubt regarded as amj)Ie compensation. They could still take game and fish, first at one spot then at anotlier, in this region, and tliat was all they wanted of the place. Small tillage lots were reserved for their use, which they or their successors improved while any of them survived. Next to the division of the lands, here as in adjoining towns, polemical discussion seems to have been the most fruitful source of dissension. In the case of the Barnstable settlers, personal predilections and individual claims, rather than matters of doctrine, led to the first troubles in the 52 CAPE COD. church oi'ganization. Mr. Joseph Hull was the earliest minister in town ; he came in the day of weakness of the church; he was a man of good chaiiicter and ^ respectable abilities. But he was not equal in talent and learning to Mr. Lothrop. ]Mr. Hull, it will be seen, extended to Mr. Lothrop on his coming the warmest Christian greetings and hospitalities. He assisted on April 15, in the following year, in the ordination of ]Mr. John Maj'^o as teaching elder^ and in the following month we find the record of his excommunication by the church, for, as they suy, " willfully breaking his communion with us, and joining a company in Yarmouth to be their pastor, contrary to the counsel and advice of our church.'' The cause of all this lies upon the surfac-e. The gr^at majority of the Barnstable church preferred their former pastor, Mr. Lothrop, for a minister, and Mr. Hull was ignored, not only in that relation, but was dropped from his position as deputy from the town to the colony court. The society in Yarmouth was not united upon Mr. ^Matthews, and these dissenters, together with the personal friends of Mr. Hull in Barnstable, desired to form a society with Mr. Hull as pastor. This notural arrange- ment, under the circumstances, was in opiK)sition to the policy of the governing class in the colony, and when Mr. Hull attempted to exercise the duties of a pastor, he was proceeded against. There was no allegation of immoi-ality or unsoundness of doctrine. But he was dealt with as rigorously as if there had been. A warrant was issued to the constable to arrest him if he attempted to exercise the pastoral office ; and he and his wife were excommunicated. So long as these restrictions were in force, it was social and political death to them. The stmggle was an unequal one ; Mr. Hull desisted, made an "acknowledjrment of his sin," was received back into the church, and the following year THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 58 removed to Dover. Mr. Lothrop was in full control of the church and society, until the end of his useful and successful career, in 1653, tlie date of his death. It was not until several 3'ears liad elapsed that a regular house of worship was erected ; they met at the residences of the meml)ers; their })a8toi*'s, Mr. Cudworth's and Mr. Bursley's, and June 1, 1646, Mr. Lothrop was enabled to add in his diaiy , tliat tliis was '' the second of our meeting in our meetinsf-house.'* This structure stood in the ancient graveyard near the present County road, where the ashes of so many of the fathers of the town repose. Mr. Lothrop and his associates appear to have been in complete symi>athy with the Indei^ndent ciuise in the mother countrj-. A fast was held March 16, 1648, ''princijmlly for Old EngLind, requested by Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Parliament, in regard to many fears of the Presbj-tevians, with many others, to raise up new wars in the land, and, notwitlistandiiig all their troubles, much pride and excess abounding, with an unframed spirit, to humble themselves by praying and seeking with God." November 5, a day of humiliation '^was kejit by the church, principally for Old England." And ^larch 4, 1652, was observed as '^thanks- giving for the Lord's powerful working for Old England by Oliver Cromwell and his aimy, against the Scots.* In 1644 the settlement of Eastham, whi<:h had several years been in contemplation, was effected. This region, under the name of Nauset, had been familiar to the English from their first coming to these shores. Here was the " first encounter" with the Indians. To Xauset had often resorted trading parties from Pljinouth, to replenish their fast vanishing stock of provisions, of which the natives had more than their own need. Alx)ut 1643, the inhabitants of •Mr. Lothrop*s Diary. M CAPE COD. Plymouth, becoming dissatisfied with their location, began to look about them for a new place of settlement. It seems strange to those of the present day, who are acquainted with the features of the two localities, that Nauset should have been seriously considered as the more eligible place of residence ; but the fact that Xuuset had within its borders a large area of grain-producing lands, not then exhausted by a vicious system of agriculture, cxpbiins their preference. Gov. Bradford and others proposing Nauset for a settlement, a committee was appointed to explore the premises, and obtained permission to occupy it fi*om those who had obtained a grant of the territory in 1640. Subsequent explorations having been made, it was decided tliat the place was not sufficiently extensive for the accommodation of the whole Plj-mouth company, and that it was not centrally situated for the seat of the government of the colony. But several of the Plymouth church being resolved upon removal, a grant was obtained of the court, of "all the tract of land lying between sea and sea, from the purchasers' bounds fi*om Namskaket to the Iieriing brook, at Billingsgate, with said hening brook and all the meadows on both sides of said bi*ook, with the great ba.ss-ix)nd there, and all the meadows and islands lying within the said tmct." This grant embraced a region of about 15 miles in length, extending from the present towns of Brewster to Ti-uit), from Barnstable Bay across to the Atlantic Ocean. The leading men of this settlement, John Doane, Nicholas Snow, Josias Cook, Richard Higgins, John Snialley and Edward Bangs, were parted with regretfully by their associates at Plymouth. They were highly esteemed by, and in full sympathy with, the governing class at Plymouth, and conmienced the settlement under favoral)le aur?pices, and their numbers were so augmented l>y accessions that June 2, THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 65 1646, an act of incorporation in the following terms was passed: ''Nauset is granted to 1x5 a townr«hip and to have aD the privileges of a township, as other towns within the government have." They soon after organized by choosing Nicholas Snow town clerk, Edward Bangs treasurer, and Josias Cook constable. A meeting-house, 20 feet square, with thatched roof, and port holes in the sides, was erected near Town Cove. Rev. John Mavo, who went from Bam- stable in 1646, remained in the exercise of the ministrj- at Xauset, until 1655, when he was called to the second church in Boston. In 1647 Joseph Rogers was appointed to exercise the men of Nausct in the use of arms, and in June, 1648, it was ordered that the public rate of Nauset, this year and the future time, shall be 40s. In 1651 it was ** ordered that the town of Nauset heneeforth be called and known bj* the name of Eastiiam." Thus was accomplished the permanent settlement upon the Cai>e of four towns, under conditions differing but little from each other, and by people of similar origin, failh and condition in life. The few detached settlements elsewhere, as at Succannessett and ilonomoy, were placed ** within the liberties" of some other town, as the legal phmseology of the times ran. But it was contrary to the policy of the colony to encourage settlements, except by such numlxjrs as would insure the establiahment and maintenance of a minister within their borders. Nearly coeval with the settlement of the Capo, in the year 1G39, occun'cJ a radical chancre in the form of government of Plymouth colony, from a nearly democratic, to a representative, goveinuKnit. The inhabitants of the to\\Ti8 in the colony had heretofore been accustomed to go to Plymouth for the transa^.tion of the public business and the iiC CAPE COD. election of officers. The remainder of the year the entire administration of the government, legislative, judicial and executive, rested with the governor and his assistants. In 1638 the towns were authorized to send deputies to join with the bench to enact and make all such laws and ordi- nances as shall be deemed good and wholesome for the whole." But the laws to be enacted were to be proposed at one ses^^ion and not considered until the next, and the court resented the right to reject and dismiss all those deputies or committees who were *^ found insufficient or troublesome " I This chanire went into effect in 1639, and Sandwich and Yarmouth were represented at the June session, and Barnstable at Ihe December tenn ensuing, by the following deputies, or committees, as they are sometimes styled: Sand^vich, Richard Boui-ne, Thomas Annitage, Mr. John Vincent. Yarmouth, Thomas Payne, Philip Tabor. Barn- stable, Mr. Joseph Hull, ]ilr. Thomas Dimmock. Of scarcely less importance was the office of constable, upon the incumhants of which depended in great measure the good order and obedience to the law-making power of the little communities. William Chase was the incumbent from Yarmouth from jVIarch to October, when he was succeeded by William Clark; Thomas Armitage was selected, in March, for Sandwich, and in June had George Allen for dissociate ; Wm. Carsely was chosen in June for Barnstable* Together with the new representative system, a local judicial tribunal was created for hearing controversies between the parties within the townships of Sandwich, Barnstable, and Yarmouth, involving cases of not exceeding 20 shillings. Mr. Edmund Freeman of Sandwich, who was one of the assistants of the irovernor, toirether with Mr. Thomas Dimmock of Barnstable and Mr. John Crow of Yarmouth, constituted the court. How long it existed, or THE FIllST SETTLEMENTS. 67 the extent of its bu^^iiicss, is not known by any record extant. The same year a si)ecial session of the assistants was held in Yarmouth, Jmie 17th, at which ICdward AVinslow, Miles Standish and Edmund Freeman, jrcntlemcn, presided, to hear and determine cansos i)ending in Yannouth, and fix the boundaries l>ctwecn that town and tlic adjacent territory. These controversies referred more especially to differences respecting the boundaries and fencing of individual lots, small trespasses bj' Indians and matters rc<]uiring arbitration, rather than juition on their feet."— Sept. The court ordered that the inhabitant? of Sandwich and llattachee^e, or Yarmouth, hhould build a bridge over Eel River, to be made pa:(:>able by fv»olmen or liorHemeu.— Dec. James Skeff of Sandwich was ordei*ed >»y the court to carry Henry Ewer and wife and their goods out of the town to the place whence they came; but if this order was executed they found means to return, and remained unmolested. 16S9, May 6. It was ordered by the court, that "if Mr. Callicut do- come in his own person to iuha]>it Mattachcese before the next General Court in June next ensuing, then the gi*aut >hall remain firm unto him; but if he fail to come within the time fixed, that then their grant be made void, and the land Y>e otherwise dispo:?i*auted to other persona. 16A1, June 1. The rates of the several towns fixed by the oourt for the payment of clerk and 80 buithels of corn for the messenger, were as follows: Sandwich, 3 pounds; Bnrnstable, 2 pounds, 10 shillings; Yarmouth, 2 i)ouu(ls, 10 shillings.— June 7. Thomas Starr, Hugh Tilley, William Nicholson and Joshua Banie?, of Yarmouth, complained of for beiug **scoffers aud jeerers at religion," were ordered to recognize for their appearance in court, aud *^for coming to the t4)wu meetings." They were subsequently released. This was an outcome of their oontroTcrsy with Mr. Matthews. 1648, Aug. 29. '' Time is given to the towns of Barnstable and Yar- mouth until the next court, to amend their highways, or else be fined upon their i>re-^cutmcnt." Liberty was granted to the towns of Sand- wich, Barnstable and Yarmouth for erecting of military discipline among them, provided they be men of honest and good rei>ort, and freemen. 1644, Mar. 5. " Whereas information is given to the court that there Is a cow or a heifer in calve given or disposed by Mr. Andrew Hollet senr. of Yarmouth, for the benefit of the poor of the said town of Yarmouth, which for the ordering thereof was refeiTcd to the court by the said Mr. Hallet by his letter under his hand, and bearing the date the first day of March, 1618: The Court doth therefore order that the said cow or heif or in calve shall be ou May day next delivered to Thomas Payne of Yarmouth, who shall have her for three years next ensuing and the milk and one-half of the inei*easc during that time, and after the said three years are expired, the poor of Yarmouth shall have her, and the increase to be disporod of by the townsmen of Yarmouth from time to time to other poor persons dwelling in the said town as they shall think fit, and for ^uch term, reserving the benefit of said stock for the benefit of their poor, and not to be alienated to any other use."— June 6. Mr. Anthony Thacher of Yar- mouth licensed to draw wine at Yarmouth; Henry Cobb at Barnstable; Wm. Xewlaud at Sandwich.— Aug. 20. Ilu1>t. Bodfish licensed to draw wine at Sandwich, **and when he is at any time without, it shall be lawful for Wm. Xewland to sell wine for persons for their need." 1646, June 2. The Couil ordered that strangers that have lii>erty to Ash at the Capo pay 5 shillings per share.— Oct. 20. The proportion of the towns for public charges were. Sandwich, 8 pounds, 10 shillings. Yarmouth, 2 pounds, 10 shillings. Barnstable, 2 pounds, 10 shillings. 1647, March 2. Thomas Shaw for **putting aside some loose pali- sades on the Lord's day, entering the house of Joliu Crocker of Barnstable and stealing some venison, l)eef, butter, cheese, tobaoco and bread, was ordered to pay 12 shillings the officers that arrested him, and be publicly whipped." CHRONOLOGY OP EVENTS. Q 1M7. Mr. Priiice wtth Atitbouy Tliocber, ajtiMlMted by the Geuersl Conrt to try the i:afe til Neiioytam, Sac-bmnits And Felix, ludiaua, kgaiust whuin uoiu]>luhit had Ifevu ntiulp by Mr. Uk'Lni-d S^eart ot Tarmoutli.— Tbe towu of Snudwkh wa« premsuUMl for iiot Imluins the lUG. Tbomtii Dexter, Jr., miller, of SBudivlrh, preseuted "for not buviiig u toll-dUb wuled act-orUlag to order," bvit " wn« cleared." IIEO, Aiirll £!. Tbomtv^ Blo^'^'oui aud Jo^lnli Hnllet of Ynrmoutb droimed at Nautet, while on u Aching Toyage. Oct. 2. PermiHlon ira* grauted to Mr. Tbonin^i Preii(-e, and otbei-», tu form a compauy forlmwBMiiii^nt Cn)ie Cod, nud to purcha«R laud nt suth couyenieot pla(-t« m» tUey skall chooM, Ibu privilege belug <»uflrme(l to them for Uie term of three year*. A parcel of laud, about forty or fifty acres. In tbe town of Yarmouth, ;n-nnted to CniiC Standisb for hia trouble In ■etUlns the land title* in that town. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FIRST COMERS. "Who they were and why they oarae— ftoclnl Diiitiiwtioiw— ludeppu- denb, rutlicr than Furitaus— Cattle Rnlsliuc— Agriculture— Pblieric.4— Uo^v- the Forefathers Lived— Malt oud DUtiUed Liquors —Their Dre^s— Lnnj; Holr Denouuced —Their Hnhltalloui- Their Home Life— Lnok of Ftmnle Iklncatiou— Devotional Habits— Roving Adveutureni, etc. HE men who kid the foondations of these '^touna, and from whom uine-tontha of the ]ii-c4eiit inhabitants are descended, were ' I^iglishracn, who were closely identified / nith the movements for i-eform in church iid state in the mother country. It would not l)e true to assert, as is sometimes iuconaiderately done, that they were driven ? iiy religious persecution from their homes to these shores ; for a country in which Cromwell and Hampden could Ik elected to Parliament might still he found a measurably secure dwelling-place for •those who adhered to Independency and dissent in religious matters. But it was at the same time true, that the •expression of such views had, at a somewhat earlier period, been attended with great hardship and ofttimes with peril ; «nd rather than continue the constant ftmggle in the mother countiy, they elected to heoome self-expatriated exiles, and chose to leave their old homes and build up new ones on -these wild and rugged shores. This they ui^dertook for :their own advantage and security, with no purpose connected CnARACTERISTIC8 OF THE FIKST COMERS. 08 with other iTci-sons or sects, a fact which should l)c Ijonie in mind and tcmi)er our critii'ismd when their treatment of ** strangers" and those of other beliefs is under review and discussion. So far as this rcidon is concerned, the oft quoted assertion of Stoughton, is equally true of its founders, as of the rest of New England, that "'God sifted a whole nation to procui-c the seed out of M'hich this jKjople was to be devcloj^d." A glance at their names and a search into their antecedents will show that their ranks cmbi-aced men of substance and ccmj^idenition in the ohl country. Several clergymen, who had been ejected from their livings for non-confonrity, a few iMji^sons vrho wei*e allied to the gentiy, and a largo numlwr of yeomen and artisans, were of the number. Together with these were a few who came purely from motives of adventure, for business and trade, who wei^e picked up in the cities and the poits of embarkation, to fill vacant places and make up the requisite numl)er of a proposed company. These latter had little sympathy with the objects sought for 1)y the chief settlers, were the source of much vexation and annoyance in futui-e time, and tended to swell the criminal calendar in those years, when even the slightest deviation from the prescrilwd course was visited with all the rigors of the law. The social position which each person sustained in the mother country was maintained here, with great tenacity, and the official documents in which names api>ear will thus indicate tlie station held and the consideration to which each l^rson was entitled. Goodman and Goodwife were the most usual appellations, ^Ir. being less common, and Gentleman being rarely api)endcd to the name of any among them. The title of ensign, lieutenant, cai>tain and major, when due to any person, was always punctiliously observed in the writings in which the names appeared. No one was ever jicrniittcd to 64 CAPE COD. assume a title, or to be addressed by one, to which he had not a rightful claim. In seating worshippers at church, and in the order of public proceedings, these considerations were given much weight, and were subject to not infrequent review, as the social or official standins: of ])aitics was changed or modified by a change in their circumstances in life. The Independent, rather than the Puritan, element predominated among the settlers on the Cape, which accounts for the degree of tolemnce which prevailed hei-e, and the absence of that pei-secuting spirit wliich pursued Anabaptists, Quakers, and other sectaries, in the ^lassachusctts and in some parts of the Plymouth, colonies. As will be seen in the progress of this narrative, many of these sects sought a refuge here, and were hospitably treated by those who had little sympathy with their doctrines — a degi'ec of toleration as rare in those days as it is deserving of recognition and appreciation by tlieir descendents. Xo instance is on record of any punishment inflicted or disability incurred by direction of any local magistrate of the Cape towns, on account of religious belief or want of such belief, the few cases in which such punishment here was administered, being inflicted by order of the colonial, and not of the town, authorities. The leading business consideration which entered into the calculation of those who came here, and wliich governed, in a hirge degree, their choice of this locality, \vas the facilities for rearing cattle which the marshes on the borders of the Cape afforded. Stock raising was, at that time, the most important business of the colony. '^It pleased God in these times so to bless the country with such access and confluence of i)eople into it, as it was thereby much enriched, and cattle of all kinds stood at a. high rate for divers years CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FIRST COMER3. 66 together." A cow was sold for £20; sometiuics as high even as £28; a gout for £3 or £4. Four two-year-old steers and a bull, which were wintered in Yarmouth^ in 1639-40, sold for £83.* Cattle were sent from Enixland to this colony to be kept for a diare of the increase, so that ''the ancient planters which had any &>tock I>egan to grow in then: estates," These extreme prices were not long main- tained, but the business continued for many years sufficiently remunerative to repay the toils of the huslmndman. • The cultivation of Indian com was pursued with success^ the soil lieing specially adapted for that pui-pose. This was unquestionably the staple crop of the country, being used not only for food for men and animals, but being largely employed as the currency of the colony and taken for debts, taxes, and as a medium for carrying on tmde. To say of » man that he "had com in the crib," was equivalent to saying at this time that he has mcmey in the bank. The cultivation of wheat, which was pixxluced here in tlie earlier stages of the colony, was partially abandoned about the year 1656, on account of the blast and mildew which infested it, renderings the prospects of a crop precarious. Barley was grown to- make malt, of which considerable quantities were consumed. Then, too, pumpkins were found to be of great value. Said one of their writers, " Let no man make a jest of pumpkins, for with this food the Lord was pleased to feed his people to their good content, till com and cattle were increased,'*' Vegetables were found adapted to the soil, and all but potatoes raised in abundance ; these last coming later into* use. Fruit was also cultivated, but not of the luscious and developed varieties enjoyed by the present genemtion. The specimens of the Kentish cherry and the pears that grow upon the few old trees, proj^agated from the stock introduced! ^Plymouth Records. ee CAPE COD. by the forefathers, are of a coarse and acrid quality, which do not commend themselves to the modern palate. Though agriculture was necessarily the first and leading pursuit of the settlers, the fisheries at their doors soon diverted a portion of their enei'gies in that direction, and naturally led to the development of other bmnches of seamanship. In no very long time, voyages for trade and barter of fish, oil, tar, luml)er, and other products of the waters and forests, were made to the West Indies and Bermudas, for a supply of the articles of use and luxurj" produced in those islands. It was not very long before a knowledge of seamanship was acquired, while subseciuent generations produced many navigatoi*s and sailoi*s of great daring and adventurousness. Two citizens of Truro were the first to voyage to the Falkland Islands for whales. No part of the glol)e restrained the ambition of those hardy sons of the Cape. Of them in their chiy it was well said : "Brave men, who work whUe others sleep; Who dare while others fly; They buUd a uutlou's pillars deep. And lift them to the »ky.** The tables of the people were well laden with an abundance of excellent and su1)stantial food. We are indebted to the criminal calendar of the colony for a glimpse into the larder of one of the citizens of Barnstable, who may be regarded as a representative of the aveitige citizen of 1647, only seven or eight years after the settlement. While William Crocker, with his family, was attending meeting on Sunday, one hungry Thomas Shaw removed a palisade and entered Crockei*'s house, and pilfered the food provided for the family. It consisted of "some venison, some beefe, some butter, cheese, bread and tobacco,** a substantial, and sufficiently luxurious, bill of fare. Thougb smoking was under a legal ban, some of the CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FIRST COMERa 97 best citizens uianaged to smuggle a little tolmcco for occa- sional use and private refreshment, after a hard da^^'s work, or perhaps a long discourse on Sunday. Tliey alwa3's had a supply of home-hi'owed l>eer, and spirituous liquors were in common, thougli perhajw the latter were not in general, use. Malt-houses, for the accommodaticm of the citizens, were as common as markets for the siile of meats are, at the present day. In the year 16G3-4 there were imported into Barn- stable and Yarmouth, accordinsr to the invoices of the inspectors, 201 gals. 8 cases and 1 cusk of liquors, 30 gals, rum, 30 gals, wine, 9 gals, bi-andy, 10 gals, sack.* This would seem to l>e an ample and even an abundant supplj*^ for the medical wants of a few hundreds of i)eople. Tea and coffee, it will be remembered, had at that time not come into general use. The peculiarities of dress and outward accoutrements of the forefathers have l>ccomc familiar to the general reader through Uie cun-cnt histories and other literature pertaining to the period. The settlers of the Cape to\\Tis were in no sense peculiar in this respec^t. The costume, l)oth of the males and the females, was in the earlier portions of their historj^ of the simplest description. Any approach to ^vanity in dress" was promptly dealt with by the authorities. But as the worldl}' affairs of the people licgan to prosj^er, they became less rigid in adlierence to this policy, and more latitude was allowed in the outward adornment of the person, of both sexes. The common dress for men was breeches, a long vest, with lappets covering the hips, a roundabout coat or jacket, for week djiys, and for Sabbath a long coat cut a little crosswise, not straight down in front, with a standing collar. The wealthy wore large silver buttons, but for common wear horn was used. They all ^Plymouth Records. 68 CAPE COD. wore round hats at first, but afterwards adopted the pomted hats of the Cavaliers. Long woolen stockings, which eictended above the knee and were kept in place by a buckle * or strap, and shoes fastened by a long buckle, completed their attire. In summer, stockings and sometimes shoes, were dispensed with, and trousers which extended below the knee were worn. With the female, the petticoat was the principal article of dress. It was made of cloth of domestic manufacture, sometimes colored, of two thicknesses and quilted throughout. On the lower border or front would sometimes be ornamental needle-work. Over this was worn a loose gown, also of domestic manufacture, white, checked or colored. It was open in front, and did not extend so low as the under garment. The sleeves were short, extending a little below the elbow. The neck and breast were ordinarily covered with a handkerchief; on great occasions, with a bodice or a stomacher. Long net gloves or ** sleeves" covered the hands when they went out of doors. White worsted stockings and mocasins completed the winter apparel. On great occasions, the wealthy had gayer and more pretentious costumes of foreign fabrics, which were carefully handed down from mother to daughter and granddaughter. Silks, mohair, or ^satinstow'' garments figure in the inventories of dresses on the probate records. When they went out they wore bonnets, and cloaks of thick cloth with a hood or covering for the head, attached. For many yeai*s a bright red or scarlet was the fashionable color for these garments. The length of the human hair early became an important issue, the wearing of long locks by men coming under the disapprobation of the sober and serious-minded members of society. About the year 1650 the practice was denounced in a paper signed by an association of leading members of CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FIRST COMERS. 60 the community, in these words : ^ Forasmuch as the wearing of long hair, after the manner of the Russians and barbarous Indians, has begun to invade New England, contrary to the rule of God's word and the commendable custom of the godly, until this few years, we, the magistrates, who have subscribed this paj^er (for the showing of our innocency in this behalf) do declare and manifest our dislike and detesta- tion against the wearing of such long hair, as against a thing uncivil and unmanly, whereby men do deform, themselves, and offend sober and modest men and do corrupt good manners." The gi-and jury were subsequently bound to prevent and the couil to punish all such offenders. The wardrol:)e of families was also the subject of cure on the part of the magistrates. ''Excess of apparel, strange new fashions, naked breasts and arms, and pinioned, super- fluous ribl>ons on liair or apparel," were roundly denounced, and subjected the offender to prosecution and all the penalties of the violated law. Millinei-s, mantua-makers, and fashionable tailors were not in much demand, the apparel of the family l)eing usually manufactured by the female members, without outside assistance. The first houses of our earlier ancestors were of the simplest and mdest description. They were generally of one story, about twenty feet square, with boarded walls, and & thatched roof, with oiled paper instead of glass for the windows. They were "daubed" in the crevices with mortar to make them air-tight. The}' cost about five pounds, equal to twenty dollars in silver money in those days. Dr. Thomas Starr of Yarmouth, in 1G39, sold to Andrew Hallet & house of tliis description, which was built by William Chase, together with nineteen acres of land, for ten pounds.* These dwellings answered their puq^oses while they were ^Plymouth RecordB. clearing their fields, coostnicting roods, and bridges, and setting their plantatioos in order. After this a better class of frame houses was built. They were all in one style, two stories high, about 20x26 feet square on the ground, with very sharp roofs to shed water. The posts were 12 or 14 ieet long, the lower story finished about 7 feet in the clear, and the upi)er alwnt 6. They all fronted due south, and the "great room," or parlor, occupied the southeast comeri This room was usually aboat 16 feet square, and was occupied for a kitchen, dining-room and [Mirlor. A bed often occupied the northeast comer, and the looms the southeast. The sills were hewn from tbe largest trees in tlie forest, and projecting with the room, formed a seating place on the south and easterly side. The floor was laid on sleepers tliat rested on the ground, and it came up even with the lower part of the sill, so that, on entering the front door, which was at the southwest comer, you stepped down about a foot. The fireplace was on the west side, and occupied the whole space from the doom'ay to within about a foot of the north side of the room, and was usually about four feet deep. The fire was kindled in the centre, leaving CHARACTBRISTieS OF THE FIRST COMERS. 71 ample chimney-corners where the younger members of the family had seats in cold weather, and could gaze at the stars through the ample flue. The oven opened into tlie back part oi the fireplace on the left hand side. The place of the mistress of the house was on the right hand side near the settle, in the comer ; the master's place was a large arm-chair or roundabout placed directly in fi*ont of the fire. The rear of the lower floor contained a small room at the northeast comer having a small fireplace, and was sometimes called a kitchen, but not often employed for that purpose. A small room, sometimes occupied as a bedroom, and sometimes for other purposes, was on the east, and at the northeast comer a narrow pantry or closet, in which was a trap door leading into the cellar. The second story was divided nearly in the same manner as the lower. A large square chamber occupied the space over the parlor, with lodging rooms in the rear. The spacious garret was occupied by servants, and as a general place of deposit. Some of the settlers kept their bee-hives in the garret, placing them on a shelf on the outside in the summer, and remoWng them inside ;n winter. Paint was unkno\vn, and excepting the seams and crevices between the boards, few rooms were even plastered. The furniture was of domestic manufacture, the rooms were never carpeted, white sand from the 1)each spread evenly over the floor and •'herrin' boned,"* occupying the place now assigned to tapestry and Brussels. The exceptions to this style were the fortification-houses, of which there were several in the county, which were constructed of large pieces of timber for sills and plates, with boarding on each side, filled in with small stones and clav. This formed the walls of the house, which were plastered with shell mortar, inside and out. *OtU'» Baru»table Families. 72 CAPE COD. The material for estimating the every day and social life of the forefathers is scanty and incomplete. But the casual and imperfect glimpses which we catch of their homes and firesides reveal a picture of domestic happiness and harmony. The relations between the sexes were i-egulated by rules of strict propriety, and violations of the laws of cbastity and decorum were punished with inexorable severity. Children were taught to be ol)edient, retiring, and most respectful in their demeanor towai'ds their superiors. Their recreations were few, but some of the old games, played by their parents in the fatherland, and some of the folk-lore of the old country, were perpetuated from generation to generation, and are not entirely forgottea even at the present day. The Puritanism of the first generation of our ancestors was not of so intense a tj'pe as to cause them to discard entirely the sports of their ancestors, and ** hull-gull," "I espy,*' (corrupted to '^hy-spry,") and "thread the needle," held their ground in the popular affection for many years. But the days for pleasure were few and short, and the cares of a busy and anxious existence were soon thrust upon them. The young men were early inured to the duties of a severe discipline, and wrestling, ball playing, and exercises in the manual of arms, trained them to vigor and self-control. General musters were occasions which called great companies together. Weddings and famil}" reunions were almost the only social occasions of the women. Their literaiy educa- tion was inferior even to that of the men. It is rare to find among the signatures to public documents of the early days of the colony, evidences that they could write their names, the wife of Anthony Thacher of Yarmouth, one of the most learned men of the colony, signing as a witness to a will by her mark. Some quite prominent men, indeed, did the same thinir, at a time when a knowledije of writin^j CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FIRST COMERS. 78 \fas not considered as essential as it was at a later day. Family devotions were ol)sciTed with rigorous punctuality. On Sunday, no matter what the state of the weather, every member of the family attended church. The distance was often eight or ten miles. For many years there was no conveyance for worshippers. The younger people walked all the way, the older ones, when horses came into vogue, riding a part of the distance, tj'ing their horses for those who came after them, who in turn tied theirs, after completing their portion of the journey. To save their shoes, the young people in mild weather carried them in their hands until near the mceting-hou.se, and removed them when returning home. Assembled for worship, the sexton turned the glass when the sermon began, and the preacher kept on till the sand ran out, whether his ideas had run out or not. A short intermission was followed by another service, when the humble woi'shippei-s returned to their homes. Sunday began at sundo^\^l Saturdaj" night, and ended on Sunday night. With our fathers, Sunday was the '^day of all the week the best," not to be desecrated by travel, amusement, or any secular concerns. Any one found upon tlie road that day was halted by the constable, and, unless he had some very imperative business, was carried before the nearest magistrate. William Chase of Yarmouth was presented by the gi-and jury, in 1654, for ** driving his oxen five miles on the Lord's day during the time of exercise." Two men were fined for sailing a boat from Sandwich to Boston on the Lord's day.* All persons stopping at ordinaries over Sunday were I'equired to attend church or take the consequences. Besides the permanent residents, these shores were resorted to by adventurers from abroad, for purposes of ^Plymouth Records. H CAPE COD. trade or motives of curiosi^, or by those seeking to foand homes on these westera shores. Their intercourse with the settlers was sometimes of advantage, but not al^'ays so, and the rights and safety of the permanent settlers were jealously and studiously guai-dcd and delined ia the legis- lation of the colony and the regulations of the different towns. It was only by the rare and infrequent visits of these chance udvcnturers that the knowledge of occurrences in the motherland was kept alive, and as mails and newspapers were not known for many years afterwards, they bad little information of the kindred and friends they had left behind them. Occasional expressions of love and affection for the mother ooantry are found in their earlier writings, but they soon began to transfer to the land of their adoption the attachment due to the shores which were the haven of their children and of the generations yet to come after them. Under these conditions were founded, developed and perpetuated the homes and institutions which are now found existing apou Cape Cod. CHAPTER VI. EVENTS FOLLOWING THE SETTLEMENTS. EelRlTerBridge— Dutcb War Bckre— Drift Wbalea— Thumaa Prence of Eaethaii) elected Governor— Growing ludlffereiiM lo Rellgiou* Ordinances— M in latoriul CtiangeB— Labors of Ricbard Bourne among the iDdlatm— Controrerar wttli William ITlckorBon of Mumunoit— Loglslatioa re«pectlii)E tbe Fisheriei— Indian Pledge of Fidelity— Death of Goremor Preuce and Acoeuion of JobIu Wliwlow. ^^M. HE taxation of the three Cape towns for the construction of a bridge over Eel River, in Pljinouth, and the public highway v,i,i * s.-^^ lending thereto through the Cape towns^ A^l P^*^lx!cauie, soon after the settlement, an ''^JiJF^ important question. The inhabitants of ■^r!^ Eel River village having petitioned the g \ Court for rejiayment in some form of the expense for constructing the bridge, which the Court found to be greatly needed and was much used by travellers from the Cape towns, they were required to make payment for their proportional part of the charge therefor. The Court, in 1649, deemed £15 a proper sum to be contributed by the towns of Sandwich, Barnstable and Yarmouth, which they neglected or declined to pay, believing that this. structure ought to be regarded as a local, and not a public, improvement. In 1652, Sandwich, Barnstable and Yar- mouth were presented by the Couit for non-payment of their share of this charge, and the inhabitants of Eel River commenced a suit against the above towns, and a verdict of £20 was recovered by the plaintiffs, which, after a review^ 76 CAPE COD. was again affirmed, and the towns were compelled to contribute according to the verdict of the Court. Complaint was also made, in 1652, that ^the lower way between Sandwich and Barnstable was intercepted,** and Mr. Prence and Capt. Standi^h were ordered to empanel a jury **to lay out as conveniently as they can a country road, unless the town of Barnstable will allow it for a highway." The same were ordered to empanel a jury to lay out the most convenient way from Sandwich to Pl3rmouth. The latter jury consisted of Anthony Thacher, Thomas Dexter, Thos. Hincklejs Wm. Hedge, Edward Bangs, Joseph Rogers, John Wing, John Ellis, Henry Dillingham, James Skiff, John Finney, Jona. Hatch and Wm. Bassett. This jury reported on the location as follows : ** Beginning at Sandwich and so beginning at Goodman Black's house on the right hand, running across the swamp over the river, and so on a nor'-north-west line falling upon Eel River," etc. This was the lii-st public highway legally laid out from Sandwich to Plymouth, and was substantially the one used for moi-e than two centuries in ffoinj]f from the Cape to the latter town. In consequence of the threatening aspect of the relations between England and Holland, the Court directed the several towns to send deputies to meet the magistrates April 6, 1653, '^to treat and conclude upon such military affairs as, through God's blessings, may possibly tend to our present and future safety." Sandwich sent James Skiff ; Barnstable, Lieut. Fuller and Sergeant Thomas Hinckley; Yannouth, Sergeant Thomas Rider and John Gorham ; Eastham, John Doane and Richard Sparrow. Vigorous measures were taken to place the colony in a state of defence. They appointed a council of war, who made provision for the immediate bringing into the field of 60 men, whereof EVENTS FOLLOWING THE SETTLEMENTS. 77 Sandwich was required to furnish Gj Yarmoutli 6, Baiii8table 6, and Ea^tham 3. The most minute and comprehensive plan of operations was deemed necessary. The anticijiated ooIIisioB widi Manhattan did not however occur. The great victory of Admiral Blake over the Dutch fleet established the supromacy of the English arms so decisively, that their antagonists on the continent had sufficient care for the time to attend to their own defence, without intei'fering with the English possessions in her colonies. The aknn which had subsided at this time was again revived in 1667, unfriendly designs being feared from the French as well as the Dutch, both of whom the council proclaimed as '"common enemies." The council ordered that during any api^earance of danger a military watch be kept in every town. The members of this council for this year were as follows : Sandwich, Richard Bourne, AVm. Bassett, James Skiff, Sr. ; Baiiistable, Thomas Hinckley, Nathaniel Bacon, John Chipman ; Yarmouth, Anthony Thacher, Edmund Hawes, Thomas Howes ; Eastham, Lieut. Freeman, Josias Cooke, Richard Higgins. Pending the disputes with the Dutch, new Indian difficulties arose with the Narragansett tribe, who attacked the Indians who were under the protection of the English, and whose cause they were bound by treaty obligations to espouse. The Com- missioners of the Colonies urged the raising of a body of troops to convey a message to Nianti, sachem, to compel him to desist from his hostile proceedings. Of this number Yarmouth, Sandwich and Eastham were required to furnish four each, and Barnstable five. The troops accomplished their purpose, without a hostile encounter. The ownership of drift whales cast upon the shores of the different towns was for some years a source of difference and controversy. In 1661, Constant Southworth, colonial 78 CAPE COD. treasurer, made a proposition for compromise to the towus of the Cai>e, to the effect that finders of whales should pay one hogshead of oil in Boston, for each whale so found. The committee appointed by the town of Yaimouth, to debate and determine the difference, agreed to the proposi- tion, and there is no record of the action of the other towns, the general presumption l>eing that they, too, acceded to the proposition of the Court, made through their treasurer. In 1657, Thomas Prence of Eastham was elected Governor of Plymouth colony, an office which he had held twice before, previous to his removal from Plymouth. By a law enacted in 1633, it was provided "that the chief government be tied to Pl}iuouth, and that the governor for the time being be tied there to keep his residence and dwelling ; and there also to hold such courts as concern the whole." But a dispensation was granted in this case, so desirous were the people to secure the services of Mr. Prence. He continued to reside in Eastham, until the inconveniences of the •arranirement became so <]:reat that in 1664 he was induced to remove again to Plymouth, a house being provided for him, and suitable provision being made for his entertainment there. The cares and responsibilities of the office were very great and increasing, and it was difficult to procure the services of a competent person for the position, so averse were the men of those days to public employment. The Cape towns, during the period of Governor Prence's residence here, held a relative importance in the colony greater than al any subsequent portion of their history. Gov. Prence's partiality for Eastham was justified by the facilities which the town afforded for both agriculture and the fisheries, which, even at this day, are retained in some portions of her former territory. Four times each year, at EVENTS FOLLOWING THE SETTLEMENTS. 7« least, the govemor made the jouniey to Plymouth, to attend the sessions of the general court or the couit of as»istant8. Starting from his home, he passed bj' the house of Kenelm \Vinsh)W, brother of the former governor, Edward, who lived in Harwich (now known as lJi*ewster). A little farther along was the residence of Kidiard Scars, another leading man of the colony ; still faither, the homes of John Crow, Thcmias Howes, Anthony Thacher and Edward Sturgis, both the latter of whom kept ordinaries, where refi*eshments were procured for man and beast, and the latter of whom could spread a table with a display of plate larger than any i)erson in this part of the territory, and l)efitting the state and dignity of a governor. In Barnstable, he came to the homes of the Gorhams and Lothrops, and here, also, he doubtless met Thomas Hinckley, for many years an assistant, and destined to )je his successor in the government. Mr. Hinckley wjis not a wealthy man, but he had an opulent neighl)or, Mr. Thomas Allen, who entertained the governor and suite upon these journeys to and fro, with suitable state, providing a bountiful table and a private room, for ccmferences with those repairing to the governor on business. From Barnstable he passed through East Sandwich, where, we may feel quite sure, he avoided intercourse with the citizens, the greater part of whom were sympathizers with the Quakers, and were in bitter opposition to the government. Doubtless, too, he had but little intercourse with the leading citizen of that town, Mr. Edmund Freeman, who, it was well known, was utterly opposed to the policy of the government in their dealings with the Quakers. Mr. Kichard Bourne and Mr. Thomas Tupi>er of this town, though men of tolerant views, were not so greatly estranged from ilr. Prence's policy as Mr. Freeman, and special sessions of the magistrates were 80 CAPE COD. sometimes held at Mr. Bourne's boose. From Sandwich^ through the long stretch of wood, past ** Sacrifice Rock" and over Eel River, the retinue approached the seat of govem-^ ment, and met the leading men of this colony of four thousand population, and some two hundred voters, more than one-third of whom inhabited the northern shores of Cape Cod. Soon after the settlement of the towns, complaint was. made, both here and in other pai*ts of the colony, of the prevalence of indifference to, or dissatisfaction with the ordinances of religion as administered and expounded in the churches. This was the result partly of a reaction from the rigorous and restraining doctiines of Puritanism, and in som^ degree the result of re Section and free inquiry on religious themes which was abroad in the community. la an especial manner the ministerial office and church organization were growing in disesteem, and men were beginning to exercise their own spiritual gifts instead. This tendency was rigorously dealt with by the authorities. The Court ordered ^ that if any slothful or profane persons, in any of. the towns, neglect to attend public worship, they shall pay for each offence ten shillings or be publicly whipped.'' In the application of this order, all persons who, for any reason, did not attend public worship, were deemed either ^lazy, slothful or profane," and fined accordingly. Among those presented by the gmnd jury for ^ not frequenting the public worship of God " were a number of citizens of Sandwich, who afterwards were prominently identified with the Quaker schism, and Mr. Edmund Freeman, for several years one of the assistants, and others, who simply staid away from the place of worship from dissatisfaction with the removal of Mr. Leverich from the pastorate of the church, and their disti*ust of the gifts and EVENTS FOLLOWING THE SETTLEMENTS. 81 spiritual insiprht of those who had supplanted him. Ralph Allen, Sr., and Kicliard Kerby, of the same town, were also bound over in the sum of £20 each, '^for deriding and villifj'ing speeches of and concerning God's word and ordinances," another way of fraying that they dis:!ieuted from the construction placed upon scri[)tui'al texts by those who were in authority at that time. These occurrences were the beginning of tliat series of events which subseijuently led to the Quaker schism, a movement in wliich the protests and discontents of former years fiiund their logical expression. The disaffection on the part of the congregations resulted in several changes in ministerial incumbency of the Cape towns. Mr. Leverich of Sandwich, having, as already seen, incurred the hostility of a portion of his people, his position was rendered extremely irksome and distasteful. He was an'aigned by the Court, at the instigation of his enemies, for exchun^rinir with an Indian a )out the vear 1658, Rev. John Smith, who had previously officiated in Barnstable, became^ 82 CAPE COD. the regular successor of ]Mr. Levericb, and continued in that relation for manj' years, Jlcssra. Bourne and Tupj^er turning their attention to the Indians, in which field Mr. Bourne, especially, tilled a sphere of great usefulness and success. In Barnstable, Mr. Lothrop having died in 1653, no one was found to take the leading position, which from his talents and chamcter, he held in the church and town. Mr. Lothrop was succeeded by Rev. Win. Sargent, the lens^th of whose ministry, as also of that of Rev. John Smith and of Mr. John Mayo, are not certainly known. In 1663, Rev. Thomas AValley became the minister of Barn- stable, and was a distinguished and iniiuential man in his day, though subject to many annoyances irom the Quaker element of the town. Quakerism was not the only form of dissent which was manifest here. Secretary Morton, writing in 1654, records " great divisions in the Barnstable church, occasioned by one John Cook, an Anal>aptist." Mr. Walleyes treatment of dissenters of all shades was characterized by great prudence and consideration, which doubtless contributed to allay the excitement and compose the theological difficulties which had before existed in this town. During these years, Rev. John Miller, the pastor of the Yarmouth church, was ministering to a society somewhat divided in sentiment, partly in consequence of the sui-vival of old discontents and partly owing to the prevalence of the spirit of unrest and dissatisfaction which was abroad in other communities, and which had its reflection and expres- sion here. Mr. Sliller resigned his position about the year 1661, and Mr. Walley, before settling in Barnstable, resided in this town, owned lands and was connected with the society and church here. About the year 1663, Rev. Thomas Thornton, a member of the established church of EVEXTS FOLLOWING THE SETTLEMENTS. 8S England, who was ejected from his linng the year before by the Act of Conformity, commenced his labors with the Yarmouth society*, although his installation into the pastoral office did not occur until 1GG7. Mr. Thornton, in Ieai*ning, native ability and character, was the equal of any of his contemporaries in the Plymouth colony, but it illustrates the critical spirit of the times, that a man of his gifts and fitness for his work should have had to encounter fierce and bitter opposition in the incipiency of his ministry. A communication which has recently seen the light, signed by fifteen leading meml)crs of the church, and addressed to the governor and assistants of the colony, defends the character of his sen'ices and rei>els aspei'sions upon the doctrinal quality of his sermons, which had been employed to prevent his' settlement in the town. This vindication appears to have been successful, and the connection with the church, thus formed, continued until near the close of the century. While these controversies and mutual recriminations between heated sectaries were proceeding in all the sur- rounding communities, one eminent and devoted man entered upon the work of piety and good will towards the aboriginal inhabitants, whose minds had not, as yet, been illumined by the light of civilization or the precepts of christianit}\ Mr. Kichard Bourne, who has already been mentioned as one of the original settlers of Sandwich, and who had labored in the pulpit after the departure of Mr. Leverich, conceived the idea of gathering the Indians of Mashpee into a community by themselves, organizing them as a civil society, teaching them the truths of the gospel, and, as fast as might be, connecting them together under a church discipline. The first grant was made for the promo- tion of this project about the year 1661. His entire parish embraced the region fi-om Middleboro to Provincetown. 84 CAPE COD. The Apostle Eliot and Cotton assisted at his ordination* His work was crowned with marked success. In a letter to Major Gookin, dated many years later (Sept. 1, 1674,) he said he was the only Englishman employed in this extensive re^on, and the results of his labors are stated in a return, of which this is a condensed abstract: ** Praying Indians that do frequently meet together on the Lord's day to worship God/' He names twenty-two places where meetings were held. The num)>er of men and women who attended these meetings was 309. Young men and maids 188. Whole number of praying Indians 497. Of these, 142 could read the Indian language, 72 could write, and 9 could read English. Statistics, however, fail to indicate the influence of these labors upon the welfare of the colonists. In the Indian war which followed, the important results of Mr. Bourne's efforts were felt, contributing powerfully to the safety of the colonists. What a contitist his work presents to the fierce and fanatical stnf e which was going on around him, of the professed followers of the Prince of Peace, hanging and scourging men and women of a like &ith, for following the "inward light" and wearing their hats in public assemblies ! The long controversy between the authorities and Wm. Nickerson, growing out of his attempts to acciuire titles of lands at Monnamoit, was brought to a close in the year 1672. The difficulties commenced sixteen years before. For buying land of the Indians, and selling them a boat, in 1656, Mr. Nickei*son was disfranchised. Nothing daunted, he the next year petitioned to have his lands confirmed to him, and it was ordered that "the lands 1)e viewed, and that he have a competency allowed him, and the rest be resigned to the government." In 1659, he was "allowed his lands." In 1663, he and his sons and his sons-in-law petitioned for ETEXTS FOLLOWING THE 8ETTLEMENT& 85 liberty to settle a township at Monnamoit. In 1665, he was again charged with illegally purchasing land of the Indians, ** submitted himself to the clemency of the court," and was allowed one hundi'ed acres near his house. The rest of the land at Monnamoit was granted ""to Mr. Thomas Hinckley, Mr, John Freeman, Mr, Williiam Sargent, Mr. Anthony Thacher, Nathaniel Bacon, Edmund Hawcs, Thomas Howes, Sr., and Lieut. Joseph Rogers, in equal proportions, said Nickerson to have an equal proportion with them in the meadow lands." It was ordered that all said lands appertain to and shall be "* within the limits of the township of Yarmouth." The penalty of £5 for every acre illegally purchased of the Indians by said Nickerson was remitted. Other i)ersons having purchased lands in ^lonnamoit, without a grant from the Court, and conflicting with the rights of the aforesaid parties, a compromise was effected in 1672, Mr. Nickerson agreeing to pay them a valuable consideration ; and a grant was made to him by the general court, confirm- ing his claim in the face of former controversies ; and the settlement of Monnamoit proceeded without further imped- iment. Mr. Nickei*son and his family had the full control of the town in its incipient stages. This statement of the official steps taken in the progress of the controversy gives little idea, however, of tlie bitterness and angry feelings engendered, which extended to the church and the social relations of the parties. Mr. Nickerson and his sons were arraigned, in 1GG7, for scandalously reproaching the Court, in a letter to the Governor of New York, and put under bonds to the amount of £500. The next year he was called upon to answer for words spoken against the preaching of Mr. Thornton. He and his sons were also set in the stocks for resisting the constable in the performance of his duty ; and refusing to find sureties for future good behavior, he 86 CAPE COD. was committed to prison and remained three days, at the end of which time he relented, found the required sureties, and was released. Mr* Nickerson, in other transactions, had shown himself to be possessed of a litigious disposition and a temper of some acerbity, but he does not appear to have been entirely without provocation in these transactions of the court. In 1674, Monnamoit, which had been for nine years "within the libeities of Yaiinouth," together with Satucket, was included within the township of Eastham. The fisheries early attracted the attention of the colonists. The Commissioners of the United Colonies, in 1659, recom- mended to the several general couits, to regulate the taking of mackerel, ''conceiving that fish to be the most staple commodity of the country." The Cape fisheries, both cod and mackerel, were of the first importance, and the fishery privileges became a matter of contention l^etween eager rivals. ''Strangers" were taxed by the court for the privilege of "fishing at the Cape," and other enactments were made, which will be set forth in a chapter devoted to the subject. The Indians of the Colony of New Plymouth, engaged themselves to fidelity to the English, the 10th of April, 1671, and subscribed to the agreement "by some of the chief of them," at the Court held in Plymouth the 7th of June of the same year. This engagement was entered into doubtless, in consequence of the threatening attitude of Philip, whose conduct had already begun to excite suspicions in the minds of the colonists. Seveml Cape sachems were among the subscribing parties, among them the mark of John Quaqaquansuke, of Paomett, John Quason Taswott, of Monnamcick, his mark; of Sachcmus and Little Robin and Wahoonettshunke ; the mark of Sabatubkett ; Katemet, EVENTS FOLLOWIXG THE SETTLEMENTS. 87 alias Sampson of Xobscussett; Katemet, alias Katenat, of ii^Iattacheesett, bis mark; and *' Sampson of Xausct is sick and is not come;" "Humphrey of Wecquahutt, is not come." The need of strengthening good relations Ixjtween the English and the neigh1x)ring Indians was felt and appreciated at this time. It will be seen that this foresight and precaution of the fatliers was not at fault, and that they stood in sore need of all the aid and friend- ship that were available, in the dark times which had already begun to cast their shadow over the land. In 1673 Gov. Thomas Prence died, and was succeeded by Josias Winslow. Gov. Prence was of a stern, unyielding and austere temperament. In his dealings with the Quakers he was severe and uncompromising, evincing no sympathy with those who presumed to differ from him and his associates, in matters of belief. Theologically, he was a Puritan, rather than an Independent. Tolcrati(m and independence of thought were not permitted in the slightest degi'ee. On the other hand, it ought to be said to his credit, that Gov. Prencc's enlightened views and policy on the subject of popular education were in advance of the times, and reflected credit upon his administration. Upon his accession to the government, Mr. AVinslow reversed the policy of his predecessor in the treatment of the Quakers. This showed progress on his pait ; for in the earlier stages of this controvcry, while an assistant of the governor, he had evinced much repugnance to these sectaries, and appeared to be partially in sympathy with Gov. Prence and his other associates. It is to his -credit that he retraced the false steps with which he stalled. A result of the new policy of the government was the restora- ticm of James Cudwoilh and Isaac Robinson to their rights as freemen — men whose services, particularly those of 88 CAPE COD. Cudworth, proved of the highest value and importance in the terrible struggle near at hand. The history of the early Quaker persecution in this county presents the spectacle of the magistrates of the colony on one side and the body of the people of the Cape on the other. This dark, pathetic and saddening story will be told in a separate chapter. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1650-1672. 1053. Capt. Stnndish was appointed to rectifj the bounds between Barnstable and Sandwich.— The wife of Tristram Hull of Barnstable was warned by the Court to desist from hindering the servant of Samuel Mayo from performing faithful service to her master.— The town of Sandwich was preseuteil for not having a common stock of powder and iihot.— Jonathan Hatch of Barnstable was presented for furnishing an ludiau with a gun and ammunition, but ** cleared/' — ^Mr. Prince of Eastham, Mr. Howes of Yarmouth, John Chipman of Barnstable, and Richard Bourne of Sandwich, were appointed to receive from these several towns "the oil of the country.'* 1658. Josins Hallet and Thomas Gage of Yarmouth were presented by the court ** for profaning the Lord's day, by putting forth to sea from Sandwich harbor on the Lord's day,*' and fined. 1654. A vessel belonging to Mr. Samuel Mayo, of Barnstable, employed in conveying the goods of Mr. Leverich from Sandwich to Oyster Bay, Long Island, was seized by the authorities of Rliode Island. Commissioners were appointed by the Plymouth authorities to look into the matter, and the act was disavowed by the govern- ment.— Wm. Chase, of Yarmouth, presented for driving a yoke of oxen on the Lord's day, in time of exercise, about five miles. — Mashan- tampaine, sachem of Yarmouth, was accused of " >tealing a gun, and that his dogs injured the cattle of the inhabitants," and that *'he had in his possession a chest of tools," the inference being that they were not his. On the fir^t charge he was acquitted; on the last two, incxuiry was ordered, and we hear no more of the matter. — Sandwich was presented for not providing stocks and whipping posts; also for not having a full complement of arms. Eastham was presented for not having a pound.— It appearing that injury had been done by horses to to the Indians' corn at Manomet, it was ordered that the damage must be paid, and Mr. Freeman was authorized to luive the matter properly adjusted.— The bounty on wolves was ordered to be paid, as follows : Barnstable 0, Yarmouth 6, Sandwich 4, Eustham 4. 1657. A controversy between the sachem Yanuo, or Janno, and the inhabitants of Yarmouth, about the title to land?, was referred to CHROKOLOGT OP ETEKTS. IB John Alden and Lieut. Soutbworlh, who decreed thst the title of the InhKbUants nball be ronflrmed, nud that tbe lacbem ehall have paid to Mm fix coate, «ix pair rimall bitieubes, teu boe*, ten bai«beti, two braM kettles and one irou ketltt;. 1658. Tbe town of Snndirtch Toted to authorize Thomas Tobejr to pay IS Hhillia^ to tbe ludiatis for erery woU killed by them. IBS). Jnme$ Skiff, cboaeu \iy tbe toivn of Saudwich tor deputy, waa rejected by tbe court, on account of his procllTttiee In favor at the Quakera. lGOl-2. Rev. John Smith aud others of the Bnru«ta1ile church, hBvtng seceded and formed lbem.^lve« into auotber and distinct Boolety, a CDUUcil ot neigbboriug chun'bes was held, which disowned the seced- ers, reuounced fellowship with them, and called upon tbe churches to do the ^ame. IBS!. The rates for public charges were an follows: Pnndwloh, 10 pounds, :isbilliugi<, pence; Yarmouth, 10 pounds, 2,0; Barnstable,]! poundf, 2, 0; KaiitbiiiD, 8 pounds, 2, 0, mtS. Kenelm Wiu«lou-, Jr., ot Tarmoutb, wa-> Sued 10 sbillinga "for riding on tbe Ijord's day," altbongh be pleaded necessity. — Ur. Hinckley. Tliomus Dexter, Jr., and Couataut Soutbwortb, appoiul«d to settle the bouud* between Sandwich aiidriymoulh.— It was ordered "that Sacoonessett shall, tor the present, lielong to Barnstable." KXo, Robert Harper was publldly whipped by order of the court, "for disturbing public wor.-^bip iu Snudwli'h and Barnstable;" and Richard Willis was set In the stocks "For ribaldry." These persons persisted In going t-o the places of public worship, and "bearing their t«siimouy" while the services were progressing. 1668. Francis, sachem 'Of Nauset, was fined 10 pounds, "for unoiTlI and Inhumtin words to Capt, Allen, at Cape Cod, when cast away." — Seneral military musters were ordered to l>e held on the seoond TTednesday ot the eusniug year, at Plymouth, Yarmouth and Taunton. 1671. Certain persons In Hull petitioned the gofemmeut "for permission to flab at Cape Cod for mackerel, they having discovered a new method of Hshiug with nets by moonlight." ISn. The laws, hitherto in manuscript only, were, for the first time, printed and distributed to tbe towns of the colony.— Seecunlc and hia two sons who Uaimed to have Inherited icorton Neck in Sandwiob, of Iheu fnllier fii\ \ (h< cud u< \t to Bam tnUli' or tbe '^andj Beatih " c BamruBe<:ullou of Saudwich p«opl« for harlioiiiig Quakers— Cud worth and Ixiuio Roblnnou didframtil«ed for deleudlug them— "The luiranl Lt^hftbe ha^U of QuakerUm— Cupo Quakers uelthor abu«ive uor ladeveut— STo legal warraut for their persecution. '^•5;,^^9 HE Quaker persecution, which left so dork ' Y J a blot ui»on the generatiou in which it ' ^^^-J^^ti transpired, cannot in any considerable ^^^j);^-*S tlcgrep i-cflect upon the citizens of the Cap© ^ (^^^ couimuuitics, where these events o«rcurred, and the resiwnsibility for which rests with the colonial authorities, urged and goaded on by the ruling classes of Mas3achu:K!tts Bay. "The peo])le called Quakers," but who themselveri took the name of "Friemls," began to trouble the Puritans of Boston and Mussacbusctts Colony about the year 165ti. In July of that year, Mary Fisher and Ann Austin arri^'ed in Boston from England. Xo law forbid their cooiiug, and no proof of the character of these women or of their purposes was in the po^tsession of the authorities. They were immediately, without arraignment or examination, imprisoned and treated with the greatest indignitic^i. A month later, eight others of this soct arrived from London. They were also impri^joned, and the books which they bi-ought were contiscated and destroyed. Sentence THE EARLIEST QUAKERa 01 of banishment was passed upon them, and the masters of the vessels which brought them, were required to carry them out of the colony. Then folIoAved repressive Jaws, resulting in iines, scourgings, imprisonments, and the hanging of four persons, including one woman. Owing to the fierce persecution which the Quakers encountered in Alassachusetts, many of them crossed over into the more tolci-ant region of the Plymouth jurisdiction ; the first town in which they were found in considerable numbers being Scituate. The great body of the people, including Mr. Hatherly and Mr. Cudworth, while not accepting their religious theories, tried to shield them from persecution. But these brave and liberal men only drew upon themselves the indignation and censure of the author- ities. The C(mimissionei"s of the Colonies, one of which — the powerful colony of Massachusetts Bay — was the leading factor, reconnncnded the several colonies to pass and enforce more stringent laws for the suppression of heresy. The Plymouth colony hesitated, but finally complied. It was at first attempted to accomplish this puqoose by enforcing a law passed some years previous, which provided "that if any neglect the worshij) of God in the place where he lives, and set up a worship contrary to God and the allowances of this- government, to the public profanation of God's holy day and ordinances, he shall pay 10 shillings," The effort to enforce this law failed, because the offender must be convicted of doinir all these thinors, in order to become liable to the penalty provided. Gen. Cudworth states the curious fact, that in ilarch, 1658, a court of deputies was called, when, after passing sundry acts relating to the Quakers, they contrived to make this law efficacious by quietlj'^ erasing the word "and" in the act, and substituting ^^or" therefor; which, being disjunctive instead of conjuno- 92 CAPE COD. tiye, made both branches of the act operative. This alteration y says Cud worth, though made in 1658, stands upon the record as the work of 1651, and was enforced to the letter against the Quakers.* This kiw which was referred to in some of the writings of the time as, "Thomas Hinckley's law," was understood to liave been drafted by Mr. Hinckley when he was a deputy, to meet another class of cases, and he was no more res}M)nsible than his associates for its changed and obnoxious form. The additional laws passed in Plymouth colony, in accordance with the suggestions of the Commissioners, though less severe than those enacted by Massachusetts, were yet violative of the rights of conscience and hospitality. They required any one bringing Quakei's into the colony to return them from the place whence they came, under a penalty of 20s. per day after giving warning; forbade entertaining them under a penalty of £5 every day, or of being whipped; required that any one knowing of the presence of a Quaker should inform the authorities, and that such Quaker, when apprehended, should l)e sent to jail until he should pay the cost of his imprisonment and transportation ; that any such persons holding Quaker meeting be fined 40s. each for every speaker, and 10s. for hearers who were heads of families, and 40s. for the owner of the place of meeting ; that strolling Quakers be sent to the House of Correction ; that their books and writings \ye subject to seizure ; that those entertaining Quakers be subject to a fine of £5, or be whipped ; that such persons coming into any town be committed to jail, and enjoined to depart out of the government, in default of which to l>e whipped ; that any person permitting a Quaker meeting in his house, be publicly whipped or pay £5 ; that no Quaker be admitted •Cudworth's Letter to Brown, 1C58. THE EARLIEST QUAKERa 9» as a freeman; that freemen who became Quakers or encouragers of them, should lose their freedom ; that their horses might be seized by any person who should deliver them over to the constable , and that the same should be liable to 1)e forfeited to the use of the government ; that any one bringing in or becoming a guide to a Quaker, shall be fined £10. These inhuman statutes, enacted at different periods from 1G57 to 1661, were moditied or rej^ealed, and others enacted in their place, as the circumstances seemed to the court to demand. These prohibitions and penalties did not, however, deter the people from extending offices of Christian hospitality to all who sought them in their distress, and thus incurring the displeasure of tlie government. As early as 1657, two Friends, Christopher Plolden and John Copeland, landed at Bhode Island, and going thence to ilartha's Vineyard, where Mayhew, the Indian missionary, caused them to be conveyed to the mainland, they set tlicir feet upon the Cape soil at Succannesset, Aug. 20, of that year, and. proceeded at once to Sandwich. Events which had preceded their coming had prepared the way for the reception of the doctrines preached by them. There was a considerable number in this town who were unsettled in their church relations, who were doubtful of the propriety of stated preaching, and who lielieved it the duty of Christians, without human ordination, to exercise their own gifts in tlie ministry. In consequence of the prevailing unsettlement of opinion, the minister, Mr. Leverich, had left his flock and gone to Long Island. The preaching of Holden and Copeland was hailed with feelings of satisfaction by those who found but little food in stated preaching or forms of worship. Not less than eighteen families in Sandwich were on record the next year as professing Quakerism. The fires of persecution were at 04 CAPE COD. once kindled. Complaint was made, in 1657, against several })ersons for meeting on the Lord's days at the house of Wm. Allen of Sandwich^ '*and inveighing against ministers and magistrates, to the dishonor of God and the contempt of government." Jane Sanders and Sarah Kirby of the same town, "for disturbance of public worship, and for abusing the minister," were sentenced to be publicly whipped. It was further ordered that Nicholas Upsal, alleged instigator of all this disturbance, ''be carried out of this government by Tristram Hull, who brought him.** This was a case of great hardship. Upsal was an old man, a member in good standing of the Boston church. An ej^e-witness to the cruelties practised upon the Quakers who first came over, he entered his protest against these ti'ansactions. He was arrested, fined £20, and banished from the colony, on the charge of having ''reproached the magistrates and spoken against the law." Thus banished, he went to Plymouth, but there the people were forbidden to entertain him. A Cape man, who was transiently there, had compassion on bis sufferings, and took him under his protection, as far, at least, as Sandwich. The hospitality of the people was not denied him, and hence his enteilainei's and benefactors were followed by the penalties of the law. AVherever he went his persecutors followed him. In the language of the poet Whittier, applied to another, he could say : ** My lite id hunted ; evil meu Are f oUowing ou my track ; The traces of the torturer's whip Are ou my aged back." Other persons in Sandwich were arraigned for entertaining Quakers, and for language implying censure of the govern- ment, and admonished and fined, according to the degree of their offence. In the following March, Peter Gaunt, Daniel Wing, Ralph Allen, Jr. and William Allen, of Sandwich, THE EABLIEST QUAKERS. 95 were an'aigned for *^ tumultuous carnage at a meeting of Quakei's," were convicted, admonished and lined. A considcnible nunil)er of citizens of that town were summoned Ixjfore the court to give a reason for not taking the oath of fidelity to the govcninient, and answered that thcj" held it unlawful to take an ojith; and tliey were also fined. So general was the dissatisfaction with the government in Sandwich that the constable, AVilliam Bassctt, reported that he was opposed in the execution of his office, and was unable to collect the rates or the fines levied on tlie Quakers, Cudworth stating that almost all of that town adhered to the new sect. At a subsequent court, the marshal was ordered to levy a fine of 40s. upon M'illiam Allen for pennitting a Quaker meeting in his house, and Lieutenant Fuller of Barnstable, for speaking reproachfully of the court, and for saying the law enacted about ministers' maintenance was ''a wicked and devilish law, and that the devil sat at the stem when the law was enacted," was fined 40s. Extraordinary excitement everywhere prevailed ; and it is not strange that a class thus j)roscribed and [>ersecuted should say many extravagant things, and perform some acts which do not meet the requirements of the canons of good taste. It would hardly be surprising if persons in their situation were guilty of greater offences than a mere breach of the laws of politeness. In this posture of affairs, the court resorted to the expedient of creating an oflicer for the especial purpose of enforcing the laws against heresy, with jurisdiction extend- ing over the towns of Sandwich, Barnstable, and Yarmouth, in which the local authorities, to their everlasting honor, refused to act. For this office they appointed George Barlow, a man who, by his chai-acter and conduct in office, brought disgrace upon the law, if that were possible, and M CAPE COD. certainly upon the government whose creature he was. Barlow set about his work with a zeal which commended his fitness for the business upon which he was engaged. June 23, he arrested Holden and Copeland, the two Quaker preachers, while on their way to the meeting in Sandwich. They had been sentenced to banishment from the colony on the second of February preceding, and had l)een whipped at Pljinouth, subsequently, for not complying with the order of the court. Barlow canied them before the selectmen of Sandwich, who had been appointed in the a1>sence of a magistrate to witness the execution of the law. They, ** entertaining no desii*e to sanction measures so severe towards those who differed from them in religion, declined to act in the case." Barlow kept the prisoners in his house six days, and then carried them to Banistable, before Tliomas Hinckley, one of the magistiutes, and assistant of Governor Prence. After an examination, they were tied to an old post and thii-ty-two cruel stripes were laid upon their naked backs. There were many spectatoi's present, one of whom, in the anguish of her spirit, exclaimed, '^How long, Lord, shall it be, ere thou avenge the blood of thine elect?" And afterwards, bewailing herself, added, "Did I forsake father and mother, and all my relations, to come to Now England for this? Did I ever come to New England for this ? AVho could have thought it?" It was indeed a day of humiliation for Barnstable. Other repressive measures were resorted to. Sundry citizens of Sandwich, the greater part of whom, if not the whole, were Quakers, having petitioned the court for a redress of their grievances, the governor and his associates, at a court held at the house of Mr. Richard Bourae, assumed that they had not been legally admitted as inhabitants, and, therefore, refused them all redress, notwith^^tauding that THE EARLIR8T QUAKERS. 97 they had lived there and occupied their estates from the earliest time, and were actually townsmen, though perhaps not technically freemen. They were, therefore, forbidden, at a session of the court held in October, to act in any toini-meeting, or to claim any priWleges as townsmen. By this decision nearly one-half of the Sandwich Quakers were disfranchised. At the same court, eleven Sandwich men were fined £5 each, for refusing to take the oath of fidelity. Tlic proceedings at this court were turbulent and disorderly in the extreme. The Quakei*s, it must be admitted, wei*o imtating in their demeanor and disrespectful to the magistrates, using language which no court at this day would submit to or allow to be used, without commit- ting the offenders for contempt. Governor Prence and ilr. Winslow also appear to poor advantage in the accounts which liave 1)een preserved of their demeanor on this c*ccasion. Bishop states that the latter ''showed much vehemence and ticixjeness of spirit" against the Quakers, ^sometimes starting up and smiting the table with a stick, then with his hand, thcp stamping with his foot, saying he ** could not bear it;" ''Let them have the strapado." But the court did not proceed to the extreme of inflicting corporal punishment; the fines and disabilities which followed were, however, severe, and bore with great hardship upon their victims. During this trial, Mr. Hinckley and Capt. AVillet, who were associate magistrates, seem not to have indulged in controversy with the accused, and thus escaped the denunciation of these sharp-tongued controver- sialists. In Decemlxjr following, Barlow was ordered by the court to proceed to Manomet to apprehend all Quakers who came into the country by sea at that place, and to seize their boats and tackle, and bring the Quakers before a magistrate. At 96 CAPB COD. the same time a summons was sent for James Skiff, one of the most substantial citizens of Sandwich, ^'to answer to such things as shall be objected against him, in regard to traducing the law about i*efusing to take the oath of fidelity." Mr. Skiff was subsequently rejected as a deputy from Sandwich for his uttemnces against the proceedings in relation to these transactions. Barlow's inclinations and activity seem to have led him in the direction of East Sandwich, where the thrifty and industrious husbandmen resided, and where he could levy upon the produce of their fields and herds. This he did without any compunction or any apparent feeling of compassion for the sufferers. AVilliam Allen's fines amounted to £86, 17s., £40 for twenty meetings at his house, £4 for attending meetings in other places, £5 for entertaining Quakers, £25 for refusing to take the oath of fidelity, £1 for refusing to take off his hat in court, and the balance for expenses. In payment for these fines 18 head of cattle were taken from him, 1 mare, 2 colts, l>esides other goods. These distraints were made by Barlow at different times. Allen was nearly ruined by these spoliations, and having ventui'ed into the jurisdiction of ^Massachusetts was also arrested and thrown into jail. His house, lands, a cow ''left out of pity for his family," and a little com were all that remained. Barlow ap})eare(l on the scene to make additional distraints. He was drunk and brutal. He seized the corn, the cow, and a bag of meal, which a kind friend had just brought from the mill. This was in.sufiicicnt for his greed. He seized the copper kettle, the only one remaining, and then mockingly addressing Mrs. Allen, said, ''Now Piiscilla, how will thee cook for thyself and thy family ? thou hast no kettle." She meekly" replied, ** George, that God who hears the young ravens when they ciy will THE EARLIEST QUAKERS. W provide for them. I trust in that God, and verily lielievc that the time will come when thy necessity will be greater than mine." He carried off the goods, but remembered the testimony, and lived to see it verified. 'William Allen was not the only sufferer. Edward Perry, his neighbor, a man of wealth and education, endured greater pecuniary loss. Ro1>ert Harper liad his house, lands, and all tliat he had, taken, and suffered besides, cruel imprisonments and puni:9hments. Thomas Johnson, a weaver, was stripj^d of all his possessions. AVilliam Gifford, Richard Kerby, Sr. and Jr., Matthew Allen, Thomas Ewer and still others, experienced the full rigors of the law in these temble years. John Jenkins, 2d, of Sandwich, for refusing to take the oath or fidelity, and attending Quaker meetings, was fined £19, 10s. Barlow seized 1 cow, 2 steers, m(mey due him, and the onlj* kettle in the house. AVhen he seized this vessel, Mrs. Jenkins threw down a piece of cloth, twice the value of the kettle, and begged him to take that, as she would have nothing in which to cook for her family. Barlow refused. In levying" for fines, his object was as much to annoy and injure as ta secure lx)oty, and he took such articles as would inflict the most distress upon the family. Cooking utensils of all kinds were scarce and h;td to be im}K)i'ted from England. Barlow did not carry himself with this high hand without meeting with considerable opposition from many of the leading citizens, among whom there were some not of Quaker proclivities. Mr. Edmund Freeman, Thomas Bur- gess and others, were fined for refusing to act when called upon by him as aids in his seizures, some of them accompanying their refusal with uncomplimentary remarks. Not only the Quakers, but many others used a plainness of speech towards Barlow and his employers 100 CAPE COD. that gave great offence to the subjects of their remarks. In Octol)er, 1659, the court ordered Barlow to repair to the houses of William Newland and Ralph Allen of Sandwich, and Nicholas Davis of Barnstable, to search for Quaker books and writings, but as no return is made thereon, the presumption is that none such were found. Nicholas Davis had suffered much for conscience sake. He was in a court at Plymouth, in June, 1656, when Sandwich men were fined for refusing to take the oath of fidelity. Though not then a Quaker, he was indignant, and attempted to speak, saying, " He was a witness for the Lord against their oppression." He was about to say wherein, when he was ordered to desist, was arrested and put into prison, but was soon released. The same month he went to Boston on a business mission, but was imprisoned to await the session of the court of Assistants. His companions were AVilliam Robinson and Marmaduke Stevenson, Quaker prisoners who wei'e afterwards hung on Boston Common. Here Davis was kept in confinement until September, 1659, and was liberated on the threat tliat if he was found in the colony two days after he should suffer death. His only offence consisted in bearing his testimony honestly against persecu- tion for opinion's sake. Complaints were made during the year 1660, against parties in Sandwich for attending Quaker meetings, and for harboring Quakei's and refusing to take the oath of fidelity, and fines and distraints followed. Wenlock Christison, for refusing to depart out of the colony, was sent to prison, was ordered to ''lay neck and heels," and to be whipped, which sentence was executed upon him ; and his entertainer, William Newland of Sandwich, was fined £5. It would be strange if such outrages against the freedom of conscience and the liberty of belief should go unrebuked THE EARLIEST QUAKERS. 101 in a community founded by the adhei*cnts of John Robinson and AVaiiam Brewster. Enouoscd, whether the people would much longer have endured the excesses of Barlow or the oppi*essions of the magistrates. It had begun to be regarded that such trans- actions as have been naiTatcd were in contravention of tmth and justice and opposed to the teachings of the earlier Hlgrims, and the most enlightened minds of the colony felt, as their children now feel, that they placed an indelible blot on the record of the people and government. But for the mass of the people of Cape Cod, these transactions have left to all time an imperishable record of heroic resistance to the attempt to fetter the consciences and restrain the opinions of their fellow men. Barlow's discreditable career about the same time came to a close. He had already become offensive to those who had employed him in their infamous business. He had accused some of the best citizens of offences which the evidence failed to substantiate, and had himself been convicted of pilfering and drunkenness. He had gi*own rich on "the spoils of the innocent," but soon lost it all and became very poor and needy. In his old age he often craved the charity of PrisciUa Allen, and never was refused ; yet he was to the last ungrateful, and lived despised and died unregretted. From the date of the aiiival of the King's missive to the death of Gov. Prence, in 1673, though the laws of Plymouth colony against the Quakers were not repealed, they remained obsolete, so far as any active repressive measures were concerned. Josias Winslow, who was then elected Governor, at once entered upon a policy of reconciliation. His associates in the government, some of whom — as in the case of Mr. Hinckley and John Aklen — had co-operated THE EARLIEST QUAKERS. lOS THth Gov. Prcnce in his severe measures, are also to be credited with the effort to establish a more humane and tolerant system of dealing with differences of opinion and belief. Capt. Cudworth and Isaac Robinson, by express enactments of the court, were restored to their rights as freemen, and the foimer was, by appointment and election, designated for the highest offices in the gift of the colony, dying while in England in her service. The Quakers still resisted the payment of taxes for the support of the ministry, and in most of the towns in the colony, these dues were collected by distraints upon their property ; or where no effects could be found, by fines or imprisonment. Occasional outbreaks and disturbances are recorded; in some instances the old animosities engendered by former troubles overcoming the self-restraint of the Quakers and leading them to become the aggressors. Edward Perry, of Sand^nch, was, in 16G2, before the court for a ''railing letter,** which he had addressed to the Governor, but there is no record that any further action was taken thereon. Two yeara later, Robert Harper, of the same town, was publicly whipped ''for disturbing the public worship at Sandwich and Barnstable," and Richard AVillis was set in the stocks "for ribaldry." Some of the Cape towns — Yarmouth among the others — at a subsequent date, while including the names of these people on the tax list, added a sufficient sum to the rates of those whose taxes were collectable, to make up the default on the part of the Quakers to pay the "priest's tax," and thus these people were practically exempted from contributing for the support of a ministrj* obnoxious to their consciences.* It is difficult to assign an adequate motive, founded simply upon the question of their opinions or morals, for the •Yarmouth Records. 104 CAPE COD. rancorous hatred of the Puritans towards the Quakers. For» although Secretary Morton has styled them ''a pernicious sect " that ^ sowed their corrupt and damnable doctrines in almost every town," and others have written of them in a similar strain, their belief, as defined by themselves, does not bear out this construction. In the ** Vindication,'* which was published as an authentic cxi)osition of their opinions, they declare : " AVe believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be of divine origin, and give full credit to the historical facts, as well as the doctrines therein delivered, and never had any doubt of the truth of the actual birth, life and sufferings, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, as related by the evangelists ; without any mental or other reserve, or the least diminution by allegorical explanation." Their personal habits were simple, abstemious, and self-denying; in their dealings they were scrupulous and exact. Xo issue could be raised, founded simply on their life or their professions. But they Ixjlicved and practised these things, not, they said, because they had been taught them by those who were set up as spiritual teachers, but because they had been revealed to them by the Most High. As expounded by George Fox, the Quaker held that the Divine law is written in the hearts of men, and that to read it aright wc must listen to the voice of God in our own souls. This voice he called the "Inward Light." **The principle of the inward light," says one of their modern authorities, "is the theological basis of Quakerism, and, in fact, it is the only theological doctrine involved in the Quaker religion."* With this conception of spiritual truth in their minds, it is not difficult to appreciate the Quaker protest against an ordained ministry, composed of hired officials. The spirit •Halloweird Pioueer Quakers. THE EARLIEST QUAKERS. lOS of God revealed to men, and not intcllectaal training, tbey held, qualified men to become religious teachers. In a community which regarded the ministerial office almost as sacred, and church organizations as essential to the spiritual well-being of mankind, the doctrines of Quakerism must therefore have been regarded as pernicious and demoi-alizing, and the ministers as a class, especiallj*, felt that the dissemination of its tenets meant a life and death struggle for their position in civil society. But it is to the credit of the Cape ministers that, unlike those of Massachusetts Bay, tbey did not seek to persecute or coerce the Quakers. On the contrary, some of them — especially ilr. Walley — are distinctly on record as against the prevailing policy of the colony; and the proceedings of the Plymouth magistrates fell far shoit in ferocity of those of Massachusetts Bay. The defence which is most commonly made against the charge of cinielt}' and intolerance on the part of the churches and government was, (1) that the Quakers, by their abusive and indecent conduct, compelled society to deal with them with great severity ; and, (2) that the colonies had a right to exclude those of differing religious creeds whom they deemed unworthy or undesirable residents. So far as this community, at least, is concerned, the Quakei*s were an orderly and unoffending class. They were perliaps socially unattractive, and unconciliatory so far as the usages of society were concerned; employing great plainness of speech and lack of deference to men of station and authority, but were in hardly any other way aggressive. The exceptions in this respect, perhaps, were in the cases where they invaded the meetings of the congregations assembled for religious exercises, and insisted upon "bearing their testimony" to the scandal of the assembled worshippers. Their addressing the governor in court, with the exclamation. "Thomas, thou iyeat," "thou art a malicious man," was sufficient excuse for committing them for contempt, if the court itself had not indulged in language of rituperation and denunciation not strictly judicial in its tone. As to the pretension that a right had been acquired bj the authority of any cliarter or patent, to exclude disagree- able or obnoxious persons coming into the colony, that doctrine n-jll not be seriously contended for at this day, however it may have impressed our Withers. Xo such power was conferred upon them by virtue of auy instrument under which they acted, and the Quakers Lad as good a right, both legally and morally, to the exercise of their opinions, as any other sectaries had to theirs. The plea has by some writers been set up that "the Quakers who tirst appeared in the colony were not inhabitants of the country; they came from abroad," etc.* This is a flimsy pretext by people who themselves had but i-eccntly come to those shores. But if it were a valid plea it was not true in the case of the Quakers of the Cape. The greater part of those proceeded against in these towns were not recent comers, but old residents here, who had acquired property and rights as citizens, and their change of views and opinions was the result of reflection and meditation, aud in accordance with their conscientious sense of duty. They naturally felt uuti-aged at being denied the right of speaking their minds on matters of the highest concern to them, or of being deprived of exercising hospitality and cliristian charity, at the dictation of men fallible like themselves ; and in this the world now recognizefl that they were right, and that their persecutors were altogether in the wrong. •Bnyli.'z', CHAPTER Vm. KING PHILIP'S WAR. Plilllp IdeaU2eiI In lit«nitare— Capt. John Qorham's march to HonnC Hope— Battle of Narragantett Swamp— Death of Capt. Gorham — Second r«ar'acampalgu—Cap« Iaoke of him in a ii^tyle which his later historical studies led him to disavow. A jealous and morose U 108 CAPE COD. savage, he so poisoned and embittered the minds of the Indians, with whom he came in contact, that they rushed miprepared into a conflict, which he had neither the capacity nor resources to direct to a successful issue against the English colonists. Philip, after the death' of his father, Massasoit, and his brother, Alexander, while professing friendship for the English, was really, through jealousy, misapprehension or natural violence of disposition, nourishing resentment and acquiring a spirit of discontent. The murder, near Middle- boro, by some of his men, probably at his suggestion and with his assent, of the educated Indian, Sausaman, who had formerly been in his employ, was followed by the trial and execution of the murderers by the colonial authorities. This added fuel to the fire of resentment in the bosom of the unreflecting savage. The attack of the Indians upon Swansey, June 20, 1675, followed by other hostile move- ments, resulted in a state of general hostilities. Orders were sent to the captains of all the companies in the colony to march without delaj', and June 24, Capt. John Gorham and twenty-nine men from Yarmouth, whose names appear on the record, '^took their first march" to Mount Hope. Capt. Gorham had been of Barnstable only the year previous, and it seems probable that the men from that town were also under his command, although their names do not appear on the town's books. The other towns also furnished their quotas. They were mounted men, and proceeded with a good degree of celerity. The Plymouth forces were in command of Major Cudworth, and were in Swansey by June 24. The theatre of war soon after changed to Massachusetts, and Capt. Gorham and his command proceeded onwaixls to the Connecticut valley. The Cape soldiers, though doing their best to find and engage the enemy, had an opportunity KING PHILIP'S WAR. 109 to do but little lighting, but thej' were much worn by fourteen weeks' ineessunt marching and the hardships incident to the campaign. Oct, 4, the general court at Plymouth, after choosing Major James Cudworth commander-in-chief of the colonial forces in the tield, chos^e Capt. John Gorham as captain of the other company, with Jonathan Sparrow of Kastliam his lieutenant. Mr. Thomas Huckens of Bam:»table was chosen commissary-general of the forces, and Capt. ilatthew Fuller of Barnstable sumeon-jreneral. The number of soldiers called for in the colony was 182, of which Sandwich was required to furnisli IC, Yarmouth 15, Barnstable 16, Eastham 8. Of these the four towns named were credited with 3, 3, 2, 1, respectively, for their men then in garrison at Mount Hoj>e. A town council of three for each town was established, whose duty it should be to send forth scouts, order watch and ward in the towns to take care of the towns' ammunition, and to call the towns together for making rates. For the Cape they were as follows : Sand- wich, Mr. Richard Boume, ]\Ir. Edmund Freeman, Jr., Thomas To1>ey, Sr. ; Barastable, Mr. Thomas Hinckley, ^Ir. Thomas Huckens, Mr. Barnabas Lothrop ; Yaimouth, Mr. Edmund Hawes, John Miller, Jeremiah Howes; Eastham, Mr. John Freeman, Jonathan Sparrow, Mark Snow. The powerful Xan-agansett tribe, that had, some time previous to the breaking out of hostilities, engaged by treaty in a compact of friendship and amity with the English, was found to be treacherously aiding and abetting Philip. This was the most powerful tribe in Xew England, and its subjugation was considered essential to the security of the colonists. The Commissioners of the United Colonies detennined to raise a force of one thousand more men for UO CAPE COD. this special service. Governor Winslow of the Plymouth colony was selected for commander-in-chief. For this service another levy was made of 11 men from Sandwich, 10 from Yarmouth, 13 from Barnstable and 9 from Eastham. It was ordered that if any one pressed into service should refuse to go, he should forfeit £10, or suffer imprisonment for six months. The place where the XaiTagansetts were encamped for the winter was in the present town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island. It was a position of gi'eat natural strength and inaccessibility. It was a solid lot of upland of about six acres, wholly suiTounded by dense swamp. On the inner side the Indians had driven rows of palisades, making a barrier of nearly a rod in thickness ; and the only entrance to the enclosure was over a rude bridge, consisting of a felled tree four or five feet f I'om the ground, the bridge being protected by a block-house. According to information afterwards received from a captive, the Indian warriors here collected were as many as 3500. They were on their guard for invaders. The English, after a march of eighteen niiles^ through a deep snow, on the forenoon of Dec. 19, arrived at the fort about 1 o'clock, and immediately, advanced to the attack. The battle was despei*ate and bloody. Four English captains were killed, other oiScers were killed or received moi-tal wounds, and seventy men were killed and one hundred and fiftj'' wounded. At length victory declared for the assailants, who finished their work by setting tire to the wigwams within the fort. The number of the enemy that perished was estimated to 1)e in the neighborhood of one thousand fighting men. The number of women and non-combatants that perished from hunger and cold none can tell. The military strength of the tribe was irrcpambly broken. The English, being without shelter, were obliged KINO PHILIP'S WAR. lU to immediately retrace their way by a night-march to Wickford, where, with their M-omided, after hours of suffering and exertion through the gathering snow, they arrived earlj'' the next morning. Some of the wounded died before reaching their camp, and others suffered from severe sickness contracted during that feai*ful day. Capt. John Gorham, who led the company comprising the Cape Cod contingent, contracted a fever, from which he died at Swansey, the ensuing February. Sergeant Nathaniel Hall of the Yarmouth company, and John Barker of Barnstable, a private, were wounded, but no other Cape man was reported as injured. The Connecticut and Massachusetts companies, that first entered the fort, sustained the chief loss. Mr. Thomas Hinckley, of Barnstable, who was aftenvards governor of Plymouth colony, was commissary- general of thi.< expedition, and a daughter was boni to him Dec. 15, four davs before this battle. The child was named Reliance, because the mother relied that God would protect the father in the {perils which surrounded him. The council of war, which, alternately with the general court and the magistrates, performed legislative and executive functions in relation to war matters, ordered that the sum of £1000 be assessed, for the payment of the necessities of the soldiers, the proportions of the several towns being: Sandwich, £92, 13s., 6d. ; Barnstable, £99, 3s., 6d. ; Yarmouth, £74, ISs., 6d. ; Eastham, £66, 16s., 6d. Another le^y of three hundred English and one hundred Indians was ordered to be ready for a march by the 11th of April, 1676, the proix)ilion8 this time l>eing 28, 26, 30 and 18, for the towns of Sandwich, Yarmouth, Barnstable and Eastham, respectively. Before that day arrived changes in the aspect of affairs had occurred, and the troops were not in all cases promptly furnished. Governor Winslow com- 112 CAPE COD. plained that Scituate and Sandwich ** proved very deficient,'* by which his plans were frustrated. Both these towns, it subsequently appeared, had good reason for their apparent remissness. Sandwich was a frontier town for the whole Cape, and was obliged to act as a bamer to the incursions of the Indians from abroad, who were extremely anxious to establish communications with the Cape Indians, by which they might be seduced from their allegiance to the English. This required a good many men to keep guard. The town, owing to the Quaker element, had a larger number of non- combatants than any other in the colony. The isolation of the Cape Indians from those of the Plymouth colony was a most valuable service, in more than one v/av. At a time when an interior line of communication was unsafe, Capt. Benj. Church, who lived in the vicinity of Mount Hope, and wished to communicate with the Plymouth authorities, took passage in a Barnstable vessel for Woods Holl, and proceeding thence through Succannesset and Sand\vich and by the bay, arrived at Plymouth while the General Court was in session, to their great joy and surprise. He returned by the same route, being paddled in their canoe, by two Succannesset Indians by way of the Elizabeth Islands, to his home in Rhode Island. Subsequently, the squaw sachem, Awashonks, gave in her adhesion to the English, and was ordered with all her retinue of men, women and children, to repair to Sandwich, where she could be beyond the reach of unfriendly influences. Capt. Church, who after her capture, repaired to Sandwich to fulfill his engagement to meet her there in a week, was unable to find her, and proceeded to Mattapoisett, where she and her followers had encamped near the seashore.* ♦Mr. Freeman, Hist. Cape Cod, gives the impression that Awashonks was found on the Cape, which Church's narrative shows not to have been the case. KING PHILIPS WAR. 118 Attacks, with varying results, were sua^tained during this year bj' towTis in the westerly part of Massachusetts, when the tide of war again turned towards Plymouth colony. Capt. Michael Pierce of Scituate, with alx)ut seventy men, twenty of whom were friendly Indians from Cape C!od, went in pursuit of the enemy on the western Iwrder of the colony. After an engagement without impoilant results, at Seekonk on the 25th of March, 1676, he the next day pressed forward in pursuit of the enemy. At a short distance from the town four or five Indians wei*e discovered limping, as if wounded. Unsuspicious of treachery, the companj' eagerly followed, and found themselves in ambush,. and in the presence of overwhelming numbers. To escape was imix)ssible; retreat was desperate. A furious attack ensued ; a fresh band of assailants appeared, and the little company, like the Spai-tans at Thermopylae fought against overwhelming odds for alx)vo two hours, the men in double ring, until hardly any were spared to tell the story of their valor. The enemy paid dearly for their victoiy, nearlj' a hundred of their wamors forfeiting their lives. Of those who fell, five of them were from Sandwich : Benj. Nye, Daniel Be.oth in its inception and in the manner in which it was prosecuted, was questioned by many at the time and since its occurrence. There were those who thought it might have been averted by a more conciliatory KING PHILIPS WAR. U7 policy, and an effort to impress the Indians with a display of friendly desires and intentions. Whether Philip and his men coidd have been won by such a policy may well be doubted, but the effort was worthy of trial. The peace party allege that the council of war entered into the crusade with a degree of eageniess unbecoming and impolitic. The same persons also complain of the severity of treatment pursued towards prisoners and non-combatants. A letter from Gov. Winslow to Edmund Freeman and Thomas Hinckley, and forwarded by Mr. Church, remarks: '^Mr. Church tells me of an Indian woman brought in,'' '^who seems to be sent with lies and flams to affright and corrupt your Indians ; if so, I wish you would order him to put her to death, but leave it to your discretion; but let her not liave opportunity of returning to the enemy," etc. Mr. TValley, the minister at Barnstable, was one of those who criticised the policy of the government. In a letter, addressed to Rev. Mr. Cotton of Plymouth, he expressed the feeling which was rife in relation to sending away squaws who were suspected to be conveying hostile information, complaining of the "* severity" of the measure, and saying that the " country is troubled and grieved at this action, accounting it very unreasonable and that there la much discontent about it." Mr. AVailey, in a subsequent letter advocates the cmplo^nuent in the war, of Indians, to which there was much objection, especially in official quarters, and not without good reasons therefor, drawn from the experience of other portions of the country. The peace policy of Roger Williams and his associates in Rhode Island, did not shield that colony from the hostile acts of the Indians. Rhode Island sent no troops to the war, but of its two towns on tlie mainland, Warwick was destroyed, and a large portion of Providence, notwith- 118 CAPE COD. standing that the insular settlements were carefully guarded. The casualties of the war, which raged for more than a year, so far as Massachusetts and Pljnnouth were concerned, are thus summed up by Dr. Palf I'ey : In these two colonies there '^were eighty or ninety towns. Of these, ten or twelve were totally destroyed, and forty more or less damaged by fire, making together nearly two-thirds of the whole number. Five or six hundred men of military age^ one in ten or twelve of the whole, were stealthily murdered or fell in battle, or becommg prisoners were lost sight of forever, an unknown number of them being put to death with horrible tortures.*' A considerable number of non- combatants, old men, women and children, were ruthlessly put to death. The pecuniary results of the war were no less heavy to the colonies; and at its close, it is estimated that over £100,000 had been expended in the struggle, and that the Plymouth colony had contracted a debt, which exceeded the value of the entire personal estates of its people. They did not give up in despair, but by a vigorous system of taxation paid up the last dollar, principal and interest. Some portion of the debt was cancelled by grants of lands, which the exterminated savages had occupied, but this fonned no considerable part of the expenditure. The assessment of the last year of the war, in July, 1676, in addition to other taxes already le\ned, the sum of £3692, 16s., 2d., was ordered to be raised, of which the proportions of the Cape towns were as follows : Sandwich, £327 : 15 : 06 Barnstable, 351 : 03 : 09 Yarmouth, 266 : 01 : 00 Eastham, 236 : 05 : 00 It is a circumstance most suggestive of the relation KIXG PHILIPS WAR. U9 subsisting Ijetwcen the colonies and the mother country, that during this fearful life-and-dcath stniggle for existence, no word of sympatliy and cheer, and no proffer of aid in their distress came from the authorities in England, nor, as far as appears, from anj' organizaticm there. That such aid should 1>e spontaneously tendered, would have seemed most natural. That such assistance was not asked for or expected, indicates the condition of isolation and self- dependence which the colonists seemed to have felt that they were assumin'r, when thev forsook their Ensrlish homes, to establish new ones in America. They appear neither to have expected, nor to have desired, any assistance from England, greatly as they needed it, and thus, while showing their ability to take care of themselves, to be thereby eaniing a title to immunity from interference and control from the government, whose hand they had every reason to apprehend would have been laid heavily upon them, if put foii:h in any way. But from another quaiter relief was gnitefully received. Contributions to the amount of nearly a thousand pounds, '* for such as were impoverished, distressed and in necessity by tlie kite war," were sent ''by divers Christians in Ireland.** The portion, which in the distribution accinied to the Pl3rmouth coUmy, amounted to £124, 10s., and was distributed according to the pecuniaiy disabilities sustained by the people of the several towns. To arrive at a knowledge of the proportions of these losses, together with disbursements on account of the war made prior to July, 1676, the following table is presented: Saudwieh hud iiaid £o:i7 : 15 : G aud recM of Irish doiiatious, £0 : 0:0 Yannuaih " 2uC : 1 : " ** " 10:0 Barnstable " Sol : 3 : 9 *' " ** 3: 0:0 Esk^tham " '^30: 5:0 " " " 10:0 Euthe Colouy " 3002:16:2 •* '* " 1:^:10:0 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1674-1676. IglL The court ordered that "ManftmoTiok, Faom«t cud Bstuoket be In the towu of Eiutbam," and that "all other piftce* of lilce ospaoity ■hall belong to particular townships, as the court shall we meet." —The houfc of the totrn clerk and all the town record* of Yarmouth, were destrofed b7 Are. — Thomas HuckinB of Barnstable laid down three acres of laud at the meettng-'-house, for the town's use as a burylug-ground. This Is tb« oeueteTy odjoiulug the old Method Ut meetiug-house. ICiS. Uljerty was granted to aaj families in Sandwich that may b* necessitated to repolr to the town garrison for safety. It was also ordered that those citizens entitled to vote, who do not attend town meetings, be flned 2i., 6d. for each and erery dellnqueucy. Tha Indians of the town were granted liberty to set up a house for meeting on the Lord's days for the present summer, provided they will not damage the nieadowa by lettlug their horses into the same. — Mr. Thomas Tupptr, Snudwlch, d., aged 83 years. His wile d. soon aft«r, aged 00 yeai-s. 1070. The court allowed to John Payaley of Yarmouth, a cripple in the late war*, X3; Thomas Tobey of Saudwlcb. for bis serrtces, a grant of land.— Iter. John Hayo died lu Ynrmoutb; he removed there from Boston in 1D73. Ea^tbam appropriated £1bo, Sd. to build a meeting-house, " near the burlnl place." CHAPTER IX. FROM PHILIP'S WAR TO UNION WITH MASSACHUSETTS. Neglect ol Rplt^oui mid Educational Onuses— Denth of GoTemor Whislow and eleclion of Thomai Hlncklej- at hli (uecesnor— Crea- tion o( the Coiiiiiy of BarDslalile— StKirnuueftfctt, nfterwardt Falmouth, iiicort>onitc-i1--Audro9'8 admiuUlrtit ion —King Wllliam'a War — The Union with M a »eachuioing much enlarged," Plymouth Colony, in 1685, was divided into three counties, called, respectively, Plymouth, Bristol and Barnstal)le. The County of Barnstable consisted of the towns of Barnstable, Eastham,^ Sandwich and Yarmouth, and the i)lantations of ^lonnaraoit, Succonesset, and Sippecan. The latter comprised the region subsequently incorporated under the name of Roches- ter, embracing the present town of that name, and AVareham, Marion and Mattapoisett. Each of the towns was authorized to send three, and each plantation one, grand jurymen, to the court to be held at the shire town, Barn- stable. They were ordered to appear on the third Tuesday of June, 1686, to take their oaths, and to receive their charge. A session of the Court of Assistants for trials was held on the first Tuesday of July in the same year. There was the usual rivalry and competition for the- location of the county buildings, the Gorhams desiring to erect them near the Yarmouth line, where their lands were^ located, they building houses in that region for the prospective accommodation of those resorting to the courts, but the influence of Gov. Hinckley and his assistants, BaiTiabas Lothrop and John AValley, prevailed, and the XM CAPE COD. ice on Sunday. 'Mx. Samuel Shiverick was the first minister, being here prior to 1700, but at what exact date he first came to the place cannot be ascertained. The name of Falmouth, instead of Succanesset, came into use about the year 1694,* although there is no foimal act extant authorizing a designation. It may have been derived from Falmouth in England, a parliamentary borough in Cornwall, whence Bartholomew Gosnold sailed on the voyage to this vicinity, attempting a settlement on one of the Elizabeth Islands, near by the main land in this town. The relations of the people of Plymouth and Massachusetts colonies to the home government had long been the cause *The Province tax of Sept. U, 1C94, has this item: ** Falmouth £22, Ss., Od." 128 CAPE COD. of anxiety and deep solicitude on their part. At the threshold of the administi*ation of Gov. Hinckley a crisis was seen to 1)e [lending. Edmund Randolph, who had been embittered by a controversy with the ^lassachusetts colony, after several years of exertion had succeeded in procuring of the home government the process of quo wai^rantOj the charter had been vacated, and the Presidency of Joseph Dudley, followed by the Governorship of Sir Edmund Andros, had resulted therefrom. The relations of Pl3rmouth Colony to the royal authority had been of a pacific nature, and great hopes had been entertained of the granting of a royal charter to the colony. But as the arbitrary character of the Stuaits, especially of James 11, had disclosed itself, and his dealings with Massachusetts were developed, the hopes and expectations of the colonists gave way to gloom and apprehension. The fears of the people were, unhappily, realized when, in 1G86, Sir Edmund Andros arrived with a commission appointing him governor of all New England. Gov. Hinckley was of coui*se supplanted, and though nominated as one of Andros's councillors, the colony was merged with the Massachusetts colony, and divested of its distinctive character. The new order of things gave great offence, not only in Massachusetts, but throughout New England. Exorbitant taxes were levied, and under the pretence that all the land titles of the country were invalid, large fees were attempted to be extorted for new ones. Even when, in addition to the grants given them by the government, the Indian titles had been purchased, Andros was said to have declared that such deeds were '"no better than the scratch of a bears paw.^ Gov. Hinckley, in a petition to the King, in relation to Plymouth Colony, asserted that all the money left in the colony " would scarcely suffice to pay one-half the charges PHILIPS WAR TO UNION WITH MASSACHUSETTS. 127 for waiTants, sun'eying and patents, if every one must be foi*ced thereto/' The whole tendency of the administration was in the direction of oppression. This state of things continued for two years and four months. In April, 1689, a nimor reached Boston of the landing of the Prince of Orange in England ; the smothered tires of resentment blazed out, and without waiting to learn the result of the rising in the mother country, Andros was aiTcsted, impris- oned and confined in the castle. Gov. Bi-adstreet was called again to power 1)y acclamation ; and Plymouth, following the example of ilassachusetts, again called on Gov. Hinckley and his associates to assume the offices which tliey before held, until their places could l)e filled by a regular election. Hinckley and Bradford were subsequently elected governor and deput}' governor, and the people were again in the enjoyment of their accustomed institutions of government. During the administration of Andros, Courts of Common Pleas eo nomine had been established in this and other counties. Associate Courts w^ere now re-established, and Jonathan SpaiTow of Eastham and Stephen Skiff of Sandwich were appointed justices; and they were re-appointed in 1690 and 1691. The war known as King William's war having c^ommenced, and many injuries having been committed by the Indians in the Eastern country, the couit met in August, 1689, to take the matter into consideration, and gave instructions to their commissioners in relation to the prosecution of the hostilities. Major Benj. Church was placed in command with the commission of major, by both Gov. Hinckley and Gov. Danforth of Massachusetts. Col. "Wm. Bassett of Sandwich, and Nathaniel Hall, son of John, of Dennis, served as captains in this expedition. The expenses of the cami)aign for Plymouth Colony were £742 ; for Barnstable CAPE COD. £60, Sandwich £60, Yarmouth £41, Eastham £46, Monoiiioy £7. Eastham having neglected to make a rate, ** occasioned by misrepresentation or insinuations of ill men, ditfaffected towards the goveniment," a fine of £50 was imposed, **to be collected in case the neglect is persisted in." This war was waged with advantage on the side of the English, but the force sent was inadequate to the wants of the campaign. In the ensuing year. Church was imi>ortmied by Gov. Hinckley to take conmiand of the Plymouth forces on another expedition against the enemy, the Indians being aided and al)etted by the French. He came to Barnstable, where he met the Governor and several mcmbei's of the Council of War, who promised them their support. In June, two companies were mised, John Gorham being captain of one, and Jabez Snow of Eastham, lieutenant of the other. Tliere was considerable delay in getting the troops away to the seat of hostilities. Governor Hinckley not being ready with the transports as had been promised, and not being on hand, had to be summoned by express from Barnstable. Vessels wei-e finally fitted up, and the troops embarked. The Cape furnished for this expedition the following num1)ers of men : Sandwich, Yunuouth and Eastham, 10 each ; Barnstable, 12 ; Sucanessctt and Mono- moy, 2 each. It was also ordered that there 1>e raised 50 Indians : 22 in Barnstable county, 22 in Bristol, and 6 in Plymouth; Barnstable county was also to provide 15 of the 60, "arms and other necessaries" for the troops. The debt incuiTcd by PlJ^nouth Colony this year amounted to £1350, of which the following sums fell upon the Cape : Barnstable, £112, 10s., Od. Eastham, £93, 19s., 6d. Yarmouth, 104 2 9 Monnamoit, 18 18 9 Sandwich, 93 15 Sucanessett, 15 3 9 The campaign was not answerable in point of success to PHIIJF8 WAR TO UNION WITH MASSACHUSETTa 129 the expectations of the government or people, and Major Church felt that he was treated with injustice and neglect by the authorities in Boston ; which did not, however, prevent his taking service under tlie government the ensuing year. Gov. Hinckley was re-elected in 1691, but the increasing difficulties of the times must have rendered his position one of continual anxiety and discomfort. The Indian and French wars were a constant drain on the young men of the colony and the resources of the people. The political future of the colony was a great cause of solicitude and alarm, as one report followed another, as to the designs of the government of William and Marj'. The magistrates of Massachusetts Bay sent its agents to England to endeavor to procure a renewal of the charter, made void by Charles n., and from PljTiiouth Colony went Rev. Ichabod Wis wall of Duxbury, to assist in the work, and also to try to obtain one for Plymouth, and to protect the interests of the colony in any way in which he could be serviceable. There was at one time an effort to unite her government with Kew York, which was averted by the representations of these agents. But the effort to obtain for her a separate charter was unsuccessful, and the two provinces were by the royal authority united, under the style of "The Massachusetts Bay in New England," a union which has since been found a source of benefit and happiness to the people of both colonies. The concluding language of the charter was: "To have and to hold the said territories, tracts, counties, land, hereditiments, and all and other singular the premises, with their and every their appurtenances, to our said subjects, the inhabitants of the said Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, and their successors, to their only proper use and behoof foreverniore, to be holden of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of E^t 180 CAPE COD. Greenwich, iu the County of Kent, by fealty only in free and common soccage," — a tenure the importance of which the students of the laws will properly appreciate. There was reason to think that Gov. Hinckley was not dissatisfied with the change. His opinions and the temper of hb mind were much more in sympathy with the governing classes of the Massachusetts Colony, than those of Plymouth, and the measure of his ambition as a leading Councillor of a large and powerful province, was perhaps better filled than iu the fii*st place in the feeble colony of Plymouth. He doubtless felt that the arrangement would be advantageous to both colonies, as it has since proved. At the time of the union, Plymouth Colony consisted of twenty towns, six of which were in the County of Barnsta- ble, (counting Monnamoit, which had been {)ermitted to send a deputy, in 1691,) and the colony contained a popuhition of about 13,000 of English descent. From various data it is safe to say that the white population of Barnstable County was about 4000. Tlie colony waa deeply in debt, contmcted in the long and bloody wars with the Indians, owing some £27,000, while the entire taxable property of the inhabitants was rated at only £35,900. * This debt, however, was owed to their own citizens. So great was their poverty that they were unable to raise the sum of £300 to send to Mr. Wiswall to obtain a charter, and Gov. *The ratable estates of the towns of the eolouy were: Plymouth, £*JG60 Rochester, £367 Scltuate, 43M) Mouomoy, 505 Mar^hflold, 1804 Sucauessett, 405 Duxburjr, 1500 Bristol, 1048 Bridgewater, 1430 Taunton, 26S9 Midrtleboro, 5S2 Rehoboth, 2117 Barudtable, 3000 Dartmouth, 2200 Yarmouth, 2777 Swnnsey, 1500 Sandwich, 2500 Little Couipton, 2000 Eatithum, 250G Freetown, 340 PHILIPS WAR TO UNION WITH MASSACHUSETTS. ISl Hinckley proposed that it should be prayed for sub forma pauperis.* The last General Court met at Pl^-mouth on the first Tuesda3' of July, 1691, and after transacting some trifling routine business, and appointing the last Wednesday in August for a solemn fast, adjourned to meet no more. Thus ended the )X>litical existence of the Pl^-mouth Colony, after sur\'iving a little less than seventy-one years from its organization. CmiONOLQGY OF EVENTS, 1677-1692. 1677. Joseph Burpe of Sandwich, who ** resisted aud abused the iratch" during Philip's War, for which he was several times flued, was this year amerced to the amouut of £5 for selliug 'liquor to the Indiaus. As a seciuel he was fined 10 shillings for ** swearing in court."— The aged widow Annable of Barnstable was fined £1 for s«^lling beer witliout a license. 1678. George Barlow of Sandwich, the late marshal, was before the court and l>ound over, on the charge of being a ** turbulent feUow.**— Bev. Thomas Walley of Barnstable died. 1680. JohTi Yaiiuo, Indian, son and heir of Yanna, sachem of South iSea, in Barnstable, deceased, sold to George Lewis for £2, 16 shillings, a small tract ** lying in the common field at Mattachiest"; also in consideration of -CI, 8 shillings, paid in trucking cloth and otherwise by Thomas Hinckley, *' granted and sold him lands in South Sea, in Barnstable, which Mr. H. subsequently conveyed to the town. 1G81. Anew meeting-house was erected in Barnstable; cost of the edifice ^00, lot Xl, 10 shillings.— Indian James indicted and tried for causing the death of Samuel Crocker, Barnstable, by a kick in the abdomen. He was acquitted of murderous intent. 1C82. Mr. Edmund Freeman, one of the original grantees of Sand- wich, died. 1683. Kenecompsit, an Indian, relinquished for £5, 19 shillings, hit right to seven acres of land in common field, Barnstable, to John Lewis and James Edwards.— Sandwich offered a bounty of 158. for killing old wolves, and 5s. for **pups.** ^Baylies* Hist. Memoir. IS CAFE COD. 1881. A roftd from Barnstable to Plfmoutli tbrQugh Sandwluh wKs laid out b7 a Jury empanelled by the govvrnor. leSi. An extension of tbe Sandwiuh road, through Banutable, waa laid out by a jury ordered by the court. The old foot bridges, which sunic^d for the settlers, tn^Te wny to Itmier stniotures, suited for teams.— Eastb am "voted to t>ay lUs. for the head of any old wolf, wad fis. for wolves' whelps, to aiiy Indian who shall brlnf; them." 1680. Lt. Jobu Howland of Barnstable licensed "to sell [jider of his own male In);." ISST. A windmill tor grinding grain, was ei«cted In Barnstable, by Thomas Paine of Eastham. .£82 and Sre acres of upland and live acres of marsh were appropriated tor the purpose, by the town, "Elgbtorten acres of uplaud at the river by John Qoodsp«ed's and the use of the strtam" were grauted to John Aiidrewu, "to build aud keep a lulllug-mlll ou said stream, to full and draw the town's oloth on reasonable terms." 1888. The padtoral relation of Rev. John Smith to the Sandwich church, terminated at hts own request. 1691. Rev. Roland Cotton commenced his pastoral relation to Sandwich church.— Icbabod Paddock of Yarmouth eugaged to go to Nautucket, "to instruct the people In the art of kllliug whales" by tbe employment of boats from the shore. THE CAPE IN THE OLD FRENCH WARS. Cape tDMi In th« ProTindal jioveniment— Hanrich tocorporatrd— E«l Kivn Brldf»— Cape Cod C'annl nret propowd— MlulAterial i-hangM — Diviiiiuii of BnruBta1)le oommoii lauda — Whalelioat fleet In Que«n Annt-'ii wnr— Denth of Cov. Hinckley— Tniro ami t'luti bam 1>econi« t«wuB of tb« praTtiii'« — Dlrivion of Yarmouth oomnion landa — "Pi-eciuct of Cape Cod'' — Wreck of Pirate ship Whidiib andlftimen droimti] — Chaiint;! through the Cape — Cape soldiori at the capture of Lnuli<1nir;r— Acnitlnns at Montiraent River— I«4u« of Bills of Credit — ProTincetown incorporated— DlvUlon ol the County pro- posed- "TheUreot Awakening "—Emigraiiou to Maine— Well lleet lucMirjKimted- Peace weleonied. ■ Y the terms of the charter of the new Province of Massachusetts Bay, the portion which comprised Plymouth colony waa j! I entitled to four councillors. Those who ^ ^i were first selected were Thomas Hinckley, -i^^^ -p* late goTcmor ; Wm. Bradford, late deputy governor ; John "Walley, and Bamahas Lothrop. Gov. Hinckley had Iwen charged with being secretly favorable to the union i\'ith ^lassuchnsetts, and these appointments confirmed the suspicions of thoee who were unfriendly to him, and indeed gave some cdlor to their belief. Of the four councillors, Mr. Hinckley and Mr. Lothrop were residents of Barnstable, and Mr. Walley was bom and reared there, though at the time of his election he was a resident of Bristol. The first provincial legislature was represented from the Cape by its citizens of ability from the various towns, viz ; John Gorham, John Otis, Barnstable; John Thacher, Jeremiah Howes, Yar* 134 CAPE COD. mouth; Thomas Tupper, Shearjashab Bourne, Sandwich^ Jonathan Snow, Jonathan Bangs, Eastham ; Moses Rowley^ Falmouth. Sir William Phipps arrived in Boston, May 14, 1692, with his commission from William and Mary as govemor-in- chief, bringing with him the new charter; and the first general court elected thereunder assembled in Boston, June 8, of that year. The new governor was a native of New England ; his selection was largely due to the influence of Increase Mather, who was then in England ; and while the clerical party in the province was shorn of much of its power, the appointment was quite acceptable to the people, although not reflecting much credit upon its incumbent, as an administrator, by reason of an unf ortimate infirmity of temper, which led him into difficulties, resulting in his recall for explanations to England, where he died in 1695. He was succeeded by Lieut.-Govemor Stoughton. Sept. 14, 1694, HARWicn was admitted as a township. The name is derived from a market, seaport and parliamen- tary borough in Essex county, England. It was said that one of her citizens, Mr. Patrick Butler, walked the whole distance to Boston, to obtain the act of incorporation. The earlier occupation of its territory was chiefly in the northern portion of the town. Ecclesiastically speaking, the territory immediately below Yannouth was considered for a long period prior to this time as belonging to Eastham. The prosecution of the war with the French and the eastern Indians, in which the colonies were involved before their union, and which early engaged the attention of Gov. Phipps, was continued under the auspices of Lieut.-Gov. Stoughton. Capt. John Gorham of Barnstable, was in 1696, second in command, under Col. Benjamin Church, in the expedition to Winter Harbor, which was not, however. THE CAPE IX THE OLD FRENCH WARS. 1» attended by any important results. Great alarm prevailed in New England at the time, in view of a contemplated invasion by a formidable French fleet, and extensive preparation was made to repel it. Frequent disasters to Cape men are recorded in the writings of the times. Col. • Thomas Dimmock of Barnstable, was killed in a battle at Canso, Sept. 9, 1697. He refused to conceal himself in a thicket, or shelter himself behind a tree as others under his command did, but stood out in the open field, a conspicuous mark for the enemy.* The peace of Ryswick, concluded in 1697, put an end for the present to King William's War. The Court of Quarterly Sessions having issued a pi-ecept to the towns of the county of Barnstable, to assess their inhabitants towards defraying the expense of re-building the bridge over Eel River, near Plymouth, great dissatisfaction was expressed by the inhabitants, who regarded the demand as unjust and unlawful, the bridge being twelve miles beyond the county limits. The town of Eastham refused compliance — instructing the selectmen to disregard the precept, and promising to indemnify them for any damage that might accrue for their failure to comply with the order of the court. These remonstrances were without avail, and the Cape towns were again compelled to submit to the payment for this work. The project which has intermittingly been agitated until the present time, for the union of the waters of Buzzards and Barnstable bays by means of a ship canal, was initiated as early as 1698. A committee was that year appointed by the general couii: "to view a place for a passage to be cut through the land in Sandwich, from Barnstable bay into Manomet bay, for vessels to pass through and from the •Oti.«'.^ Barnstable Fiimlliej?. This piece of history is a weU authen- tieau'd fnmily tradition, thouirli no aoeouut in given ot the trauAaction iu any puMir lied history, as far as observed. 186 CAPB COD. western pails of the country, it being thought by many persons to be very necessary for the preservation of men and estates y and that it will be very profitable and useful to the public." The committee consisted of Messrs. John Otisy Wm. Bassett and Thomas Smith, who were instructed to report at the* next general court. Although this was the first official recognition of the project, it had for many years previous been a subject of discussion by our ancestors. It was doubtless suggested to them by their experience on Manomet river, in their intercourse with the Dutch and English settlers to the westward of them, in Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York. Samuel, afterwards Judge, Sewell, wrote in his diary about 1G70, '^Mr. Smith (of Sandwich) rode with me, and showed me the place which some here thought to cut for to make a passage from the South Sea to the North. He said it was about a mile and a half between the utmost flowing of the two seas in Herring River and Scusset, the land being very low and level. Herring River was very pleasant by reason that it was pretty broad, shallow, of an equal depth, and of white sand." The first church in Harwich (being the locality in the town now known as Brewster) was gathered Oct. 16, 1700, and Rev. Nathaniel Stone settled as pastor ; and his relation to that organization subsisted for the period of fiftj^-five years. This is a convenient period to review the nearly contemporary changes in the ministry of the county, which were so intimatelv interwoven with the secular concerns of the people. The Rev. John Smith, pastor of the Sandwich church, had terminated his connection therewith in 1678, and he had been succeeded by Rev. Rowland Cotton. Mr. Walley, the minister of Bamstal)lc, who died in 1678, was succeeded, in 1683, by Rev. Jonathan Russell, the elder of the name. Rev. Samuel Treat, who was settled in Eastham, THE CAPE IN THE OLD FRENCH WARS. W in 1672, was destined to still longer continue in that relation. The Rev. Thomas Thornton, who was settled over the Yarmouth church, about 1663, with whom Rev. John Cotton was settled as colleague, died in Boston in 1700, in his ninety-first year. He was a man of eminent scholarship and ability. Mr. Thornton's removal, in 1693, left 3^Ir. Cotton in sole charge of the church. ^Ir. Samuel Shiverick, about 1700, began a troubled relation with the Falmouth church, which continued, however, only a few months longer. The division of the common lands in Barnstable was agitated in 161)3, when the proprietors voted ''to divide the whole of the commons and meadows to such as have a right." The names of 164 persons whom it was claimed were rightful proprietors, they being freemen and voters, were presented. Some 56 citizens remonstrated against the proceeding, and it was agreed to refer all matters in dispute to arbitration. Major Mayhew of Martha's Vineyard was selected on the part of the remonstmnts, and Mr. Samuel Sprague, of Duxbury, on the part of the town. An adjustment of the diflSculty was arrived at in 1696. The Great Marshes was di^aded, lots for choice being drawn; each lot was duly bounded and recorded. The marshes at South Sea and Oyster Island were, in like manner, divided among residents of that part of the town. Renewed troubles over this question sprang up in 1701. A town meeting, over which Rev. Mr. Russell was moderator, was held, and a variety of questions growing out of the matter of divisions of the commons were discussed. A committee was chosen ** to draw up proposals for settling the propriety of the common lands, and to ascertain who are the propri- etors, and what the share of each shall be, and the method to be adopted for dividing the lands from time to time in IM CAPE COD. the future." ]Maj. Gorham was chairman of a committee of fifteen for this purpose. The subject was still unsettled in 1702, when it was voted that three disinterested persons be chosen to determine who were the rightful proprietors, viz. : Capt. Jonathan Morey of Plymouth, Mr. Samuel Knowles of Eastham, and Mr. Joseph Deane of Taunton. A committee was appointed to " take account in the meanwhile of the townsmen and of their several claims, by their individual qualifications; this too according to the rule adopted in 1640." Eighty acres were reserved, the profits of which were to be applied to support of schools, and the same amount to the support of the ministry. The grand division was finally made in 1703, ''of the upland commons and salt marsh that had not been before divided." The whole of these was computed in shares, comprehending in the aggregate 6000 acres, divided to each according to his right, the number of shares to each annexed to his name on the schedule, leaving to any aggrieved the liberty of the common law for redress. The conflict known as Queen Anne's war, whiuh com- menced in 1703, involved the people of this county actively in its operations, as had all the English and French wars hitherto. The savage and ferocious cruelties exercised by the French and Indians in many instances, and especially the destruction of Deerfield in 1703, impelled that celebrated Indian fighter, Col. Benjamin Church, to again offer Gov. Dudley his sei-vices, which were gladly accepted. He was authorized to recruit 1000 or 1200 troops, which he immediately proceeded to do, going into every town in Bristol, Plj'mouth and Barnstable counties, receiving the enlistment of 15 or 20 from each militarj" company in those counties, beside a considerable number of Indians. Lieut. Colonel John Gorham and Capt. Caleb Williamson of THE CAPE IK THE OLD FRENCH VTARS. 1» Barnstable, were connected with the expedition , tlie former in charge of the whale-boat fleet. This was a novel and original feature of the expedition. The method of fighting adopted by the enemy was to keep so far up the rivers that the ordinary fleet could not reach them. Church's plan contemplated the fitting up of forty-five or fifty good boatSi such as are employed in whaling, each supplied with five oar8» and twelve or fifteen paddles to each boat. Upon the wale of these, five pieces of strong leather were fastened on the sides, so tliat when the boat touched the bottom the men might step overboard, and slip the bars through and take it up. Two kettles were furnished each boat for cooking food. The crafts were hauled up at night, and in stoimy weather were upset, serving for shelter in the place of tents. In this way four or five hundred men could be transported to the scene of ojiorations, with their arms, ammunition and provisions for several da^'s' consumption. This expedition was only partiall}"^ successful. From this period, until the peace of Utrecht, which was concluded in the year 1713, the Cape towns, in common with the people of the whole of New England, were sub- jected to continual expense, preparation and alarm. It is estimated that for some 3'ears not less than a fifth of the inhabitants al)le to l^ear arms were in actual service. To say nothing of the sacrifice of health and life in these expeditions^ the detriment to the industrial pursuits of the people was very gi'eat, constituting a continual drain upon the resources of all classes. These wars were filled with stimng and startling episodes. "For years after, the old sailors, seated in their round-about chairs, within their capacious chimney comers, would relate to the young the story of their adventures in the 'Old French Wars.'"* *Oti3*3 Barustable Families. no CAPS COD. The death of Ex-Governor Thomas Hiuckley^ which occurred at his home in Barnstable, April 25, 1706, closed a career of great usefulness and eminence in this community. He was bom in England, in 1G21 ; came to Boston in 1634 ; was in Scituate in 1639. He was elected a deputy from Barnstable in 1645, and from that time until his death was almost continuously in public life, being many times re-elected as deputy; twenty-three years as assistant; governor from 1680 to 1692, except during the interruption of Andros, when he was nominally one of his council ; and of the council of the province of IMassachusetts Bay, from 1692 until his death. He was also for several years one of the commissioners of the United Colonies. His tastes and abilities fitted him for administrative trusts, and his probity was never impeached. Although of a somewhat imperious temper, he seems to have accommodated himself rather closely to the popular side of public questions, and to have followed, rather than directed, public sentiment. When repressive measures were tried against the Quakers, ^Ir. Hinckley was vigorous in the use of means to that end, hut yielded, somewhat tardily, to the rising tide of liberal ideas. He was on familiar terms '^'ith the Anabaptists, who xfere numerous in Barnstable. It was claimed for Mr. Hinckley, that he was the best lawyer in the colonj*. This might well be, as of professional lawyers none were there at that time ; and certainly no man in the jurisdiction had acquired so wide an experience, both in framing statutes and executing them, as ^Ir. Hinckley. His first marriage was to Mary, daughter of Thomas Eichards, who died in 1659, and the following year he was united to Mary, widow of Nathaniel Glover of Dorchester, a woman ^of uncommon excellence and gi-eat accomplishments." Among her descendants was Prince, the historian, who spoke of her in these terms: THE CAPE IN THE OLD FRENCH WARa 141 **To the day of her death she shone in the cj'es of all as the loveliest, and brightest for beauty, knowledge, wisdom, majesty, accomplishments, graces, throughout the colony." Her husband, who survived her for nearly three years» wrote some verses to her memory, which have been preserved, and which were more creditable to the affectionate phase of his character than to his poetic faculty. Gov. Hinckley has many descendants. The year 1709 added another to the towns of the county. July 16, of that year, on the petition of Capt. Thomas Paine of Pamet, the region was incoq)()rated which has since been known by the name of Tkuro, making the seventh township on the Cape ; and Aug. 1, pursuant to the terms of the act, the town was organized, with the provision **that they procure and settle a learned and godl}' minister.** Rev. John Avery was settled here Nov. 1, 1711. This region, it is evident, had been settled by a number of &milies, long before this time, and in connection with the fisheries of Cape Cod, occupied before the settlement of Eastham or any other places on the Cape.* In 1674, the Court ordered that Paomet (Truro) and Satucket (Harwidi) be included in the town of Eastham. Certain proprietors from Eastham also settled here in 1700. The records of the general court for the year 1705 contain this order: **The part of the Cape Ijing between Eastham, and known as the Indian Pamet, shall be a separate town by the name of Dangerfield." This is all that is known, however, of this desie afi(si2:ned to tenements, of such as were inhabitants of the town, not to exceed two tenements to each person; one-tliird according to the value of the real estate of each person as mted in 1709; one-tliird to all male persons twenty-one years of age and over, bom in the town and now inhabitants, or those who have Ijecn inhabitants 21 years, and have possessed a tenement 21 years." Nine shares were assigned to each tenement right, 7^ shares to each personal right, and all the residue, was on account of the pro|K)rtionate ownership in the taxable real estate in town. Two-thirds of the town was thus divided into 3118 shares, and apportioned among the inhabitants. A final division of the other third of common lands remaininji unreserved was made in 1715. The town reserved a considerable tract on the borders of Bass river — a large portion of the present village of South Yarmouth — for the native Indians, and also ministerial lands, training fields, and a lot for the convenience of those watching for whales, on the northerly side of the town. In 1713, the treaty of i^eace negotiated at Utrecht put an end to the French and Indian war, which, with the short interception after the peace of Ryswick, had been waged for twenty-five years, and which had been a constant drain U]M)n the resources of the colonists and an interruption of their peaceful pursuits. The people of this county had largely engaged in these warlike enteqirises, pailicularly those of a maritime nature, and the dawn of peace was a welcome release to them. Nor were our people so far removed from the seat of hostilities as to be entirely free from apprehensions on their own behalf. The rumors of lU CAPE COD. invasions and of the incursions of a French fleet were frequently renewed to the dwellers in the seaboard towns. The following ''Protection/* of which a copy is extant^ brings the distress of the times vividly before the present generation : Trotectiox. — Boston, Jan. 26, 1711-12. Upon appli- cation made to me, setting forth the danger that the village of Monomoy is in, of the French privateers, and the weakness of the inhabitants to defend themselves, being so few, I do hereby decree, order and direct that no men of the foot-company of the place be taken by impress for any •service other than their own village aforesaid, without my especial orders, and under my hand, for so doing. This to continue until further order. Signed, J. Dudley. •'To the Hon. Col. Otis, Barnstable." Henceforth, for thirty years, these fears and alarms were to be dismissed, and peace again to resume its sway. In the beginning of 1714, the extreme end of the Cape, which had heretofore been regarded as a portion of Truro, was constituted the "Precinct of Cape Cod," and put under the constablerick of Tiiiro. No legislative act with express reference to this region had been passed, prior to this time. The harbor, from its size, accessibility and security, had been from the earliest times resorted to by marine traders and fishermen, but only a few settlers had as yet made their homes there. Now, its great value and the dangers to which it was exposed were recognized ; and by an act of the general court, it was "forbidden to box or bark pine treea growing on the precinct's land;" a tax was levied on sojourners not inhabitants, such as fishermen, of fourpence a man per week, to be applied to the maintenance of "a learned and orthodox minister ;" the balance of his salarj' of £50 per annum, to be assessed upon the inhabitants of the THE CAPE IN THE OLD FRENCH WARa 145 precinct, by the selectmen of Truro. At the same time the line between tlie Province lands and Truro was defined. The advent of j^ace with the Fi^ench and the Indians gave the authorities a long-wished-for opiwitunity to make an effort to suppress the pirates, whose depredations upon commerce had become so frequent and harassing. During the administration of tlie Earl of Bellamont as Governor of New York and ^lassachusetts, the attention of the author* ities had been especially directed to this matter. The Earl came over "particularly instructed to put a stop to the growth of pii'acy, the seas being constantly endangered by freebooters." During his administration the notorious Capt. Kidd was apprehended, tried and convicted. The old ballad ran: "My name was Robert Kidd, as I mailed." But history records that William Kidd was executed. While commanding a vessel commissioned to cruise as a privateer, he turned pirate himself, and became the terror of the sea. After burning his vessel and venturing to make his appearance in Boston, thinking his character and acts- unknown, he was apprehended, sent to England, tried and executed. The popular imagination, from that time to the present, has been periodically inflamed by legends of treasilres hid in the sands on the seashore of Xew York and New England; but with the exception of one *'find," of which the schedule was rendered to Gov. Bellamont in 1699, no record of success in this direction is extant. This lack of fortune does not, however, seem to dampen the ardor of treasure-seekers, and ever}" year or two witnesses a renewal of futile attempts to penetrate the sands of the seacoast for hidden pirate-booty. The execution of Kidd by no means daunted or discouraged the efforts of the large class of maritime 146 CAPE COD. adventurers who sought to make reprisals upon commerce, no matter under what iSag it sailed. Peace with France released them from the restraints of authoi*ized warfare, and some of them turned their attenti(m to the ships sailing under their own flag. The depredations and fate of one of these fleets was tragically connected with these shores. The WJiidahj a pirate ship of about 200 tons, carrying twenty- three guns and one hundred and thii*ty men, conunanded by Samuel Bellamy, some time in April, 1717, while cruising off this coabt took seven prizes. The captain was obliged to transfer men from his ship to the prizes in order to send them into port. The captain of one of these vessels, observing that the pirate crew were drunk, I'egained possession of his craft and anchored in Provincetown harbor, where several of the pirates were apprehended, and afterwards tried and executed in Boston, the others managing to escape. The captain of the Whidah, having captured a snow on the coast, and a storm endently approaching, offered the captain of the prize the release of his vessel, if he would pilot the ship into Provincetown harbor. The niorht bein*? dark a lantern was hun'r in the shrouds of the snow. But distini^ting the good faith of the pirate, the captain managed, by the light draft of his vessel, which enabled him to pass over the shoals with safety, to inveigle the pirate ship onto the outer bar, while the snow struck much nearer the shore.* A tradition exists that he threw a burning tar barrel overboard which the pirate followed. The fleet, consisting of the pirate ship, her tender, (the snow, of 90 tons,) a wine ship and a sloop, was put in confusion, a violent storm soon after arose, and on the 2Gth of April the fleet was shipwrecked near the Wellflcet shore. It is said that all but two in the large ship perished, an English- •Maas. Hist. Soc. CoU. Vol. 3, P. L-U ^ • THE CAPE IX THE OLD FHEXCH WARS. 147 man and an Indian. The sloop and the snow got off and €sc*aped. When the news reached Boston of the disaster which had overtaken the pirate fleet, Capt. Cj'prian Southack, was sent by Gov. Shute, in His ^Majesty's sloop Xath:iniel, to the Caj^ to look after the government's interests here. He reached Pro\nncetown May 2, sent a whale1)oat and crew to Tniro, where horses were procured, and he proceeded to Well fleet. A watch was set upon the wreck and the shore. Capt. Southack soon followed, Imt com- plained that he was not very cheerfully aided by the inhabitants, whom he evidently susi^ected of designs to appropriate the goods washed ashore from the wreck. He found the vessel on liis arrival broken to pieces, with the wreck of a wine vessel some four miles from her, also broken up. There had l)cen, he was told, at least 200 men •to visit the wreck, some coming the distance of 20 miles, helping themselves to whatever came on shore. The gale had not yet subsided and continued for several days after his arrival. Capt. Southack secured the pirate's ca1)Ie and anchors, and in consequence of an advertisement which he issued, threatening with the displeasure of the government -all who were found with any of the shipwrecked goods on their premises, several cart loads of stores were reclaimed and sent to Boston, via Billingsgate (Wellfleet.) One hundred and two men, the crew of the pirate ship, were buried on the beach. In closing his communication with tlie goveniment respecting this transaction, Capt. Southack speaks approvingly- of the conduct of Joseph Doane,. Esq., •of Eastham, for his aid in securing the shipwrecked property, and recommended the arrest of Caleb Hopkins, (of Freetown, as he writes,) for obstructions in the performance of his duty. It does not appear that his advice 148 CAPS COD. was heeded.* But Gov. Shute ordered the eight captured pirates to be brought to trial, and they were convicted and promptly executed in Boston. For many years after, as the legend runs, a man of "a very singular and frightful aspect," used every season to visit the Cape. He held but little intercourse with the people, but from his ejaculations during his troubled sleep, and blasphemous and rilmld remarks which at that time passed his lips, he was popularly credited with holding intercourse with evil spirits, or of being disturbed by recollections of the bloody scenes in which he had been engaged. He was generally believed to be one of the pirate crew, who came down here to visit a concealed hoard in order to supply his present wants, and when he died, a girdle filled with gold pieces was said to be found on his person. t To recent days, King William and Queen Alary coins have been picked up on this shore, and the WeUfleet Oysterman, about the year 1852, told Thoreau that he had seen the iron caboose of the TMiidah, on the bar at extreme low tide. A remarkable physical fact was developed in connection with this shipwreck. The accounts of the ** Bellamy storm" state that the sea forced a passage through the Cape very near the boundary line between the present towns of Orleans and Eastham, and Capt. Southack sailed with a whale boat through from the Bay to the Atlantic Ocean ! It required a general turn-out and strenuous exertions of the people to close the channel, f The preceding pages have on several occasions recorded the efforts and expenditures of the people to exterminate wolves, which still continued to be, as they had been from the earliest times, numerous, savaire and voracious. In •state Archives. -fAldeii's Col. of Epitaphs, vol. IV. tSee Council documeuts iu Secretary's office. .sC*)>?Col JT-t 7X .J" 's ■■ ^ .^fJ^ttwA^^'-Hk ; -^L^iy'^O- -., ■it^^^mr r„^A^ \ THE CAPE IN THE OLD FRENCH WARS. 140 1717, at the instance of the people of Sandwich , the general court was petitioned to construct a fence 6 feet high across the Cape from Picket Cliff, the northeast boundary between Sandwich and Plymouth, to Wayquauset Bay in Wareham, ''to keep wolves from coming into the county.** Sandwich offered to pay whatever over £500 the fence should cost. Falmouth agreed to the plan, but the lower towns declined to pay their part of the cost. The towns to the westward of the county very naturall}' objected to having all the wolves on their side of the line, and Hie project was subsequently abandoned. For a period of thirty-one years, peace with the French was maintained, and the colonies had an opportunity to recuperate their energies, after the wars of a generation. But in 1744 King George's war conmienced, and was waged with all the more zeal and activity from the respite which the foregoing thirty years had given the combatants. The reduction of Louisburg became the prime object of exertion. This place, known as the Dunkirk or Gibraltar of America, had been fortified by the French at great exj^nse and labor. It had long been the hiding place of French privateers, and when the expedition to attempt its reduction was planned, the Massachusetts seaboard towns entered with patriotic alacrity into the undertaking. The Seventh ^Massachusetts Regiment in this expedition, made up of companies from Baiiistable county, was under the command of Col. Shubael Gorham of Barnstable, whose grandfather sacrificed his life in the Narragansett expedition in King Philip's War, and whose father had rendered most important services as commander of the AMialeboat expeditions under Col. Church, during Queen Anne's War, and fell a victim of diseases when the victory was won. His brother, Capt. John Gorham, was lieutenant-colonel, and Capt. Joseph Thacher 160 CAPB COD. of Yarmouth was commissioned as major. The lieutenant of Capt. Thacher's company was Joshua Freeman of Harwich; ensign, Joshua Bossett of the same town. The Fourth company was officered by Elislia Doane, captain; Theophilus Paine, lieutenant; AVilliam Clark, ensign, all from Eastham. Subsequent changes occurred in this company, William Paine afterwards taking the place of his brother Theophilus, and EUsha Doane, Jr., serving as ensign. Lieut. Paine died and was buried at Louisburg. The first company was officered by Edward Dimmick, captain ; and Nathaniel Fish, lieutenant ; both of Falmouth* On the 20th of ]^Iarch, 1745, 3850 troops, ''principally substantial persons and men of beneficial occupations,'' most of them from jVIassachusetts, embarked from Boston, under the conmmnd of Sir Wm. Pepperell, and the siege of Louisburg was continued with consideraI)le vigor, until the 16th of the following June, when the city of Louisburg, together with the island of Cape Breton, was surrendered by the French conunander. The troops from this county actively participated in the several attacks upon the ^ Island battery," so called. Col. Gorham commanded the ''Whale- boat" fleet, as his ancestor did before him, and though his attack was repulsed, his conduct was marked by gallantry and courage. Of the iorty men from Yarmouth, thirteen of whom were Indians, ten fell victims to disease or the casualties of war. It was said that the first of the provin- cials to enter the ''Grand Battery" wus one of Capt. Thachci'^s Indians, who crawled into an embrasure, at the suororestion of an officer who had «riven him a bottle of brandy, to induce him to perform the hazardous feat, and opened the gate through which the force entered, not knowing at the time that the enemy had retired from the position. TOE CAPE IN THE OLD FRENCH WARS. IM The brilliant achievement of the captui*e of this fortress was received with demonstrations of gi-eat joy and exulta- tion in all parts of New England, but nowhere was the degree of satisfaction greater than in this county, whose troops had been so actively engaged in this important enteq^rise. The pulpits even resounded with acclamations over an event which had in some measure during its inception, been regarded as a religious crusade, and the rude poetry of those days celebrated, in stumbling numbers, it must be confessed, the victory and the victors. In Xiles's ** Wonder-working Providence," printed in 1645, api^ear the names of the leading officers of the expedition. Some of those in Col. Gorham's regiment are, with himself thus mentioned : '* ^^1lllt't we in honor these commanders have, L<»l's turn our tliou^rht.- to Cornel GoRHAai's grave. Who with hi? nncivtorst disttiugiiished are As men of courage, mighty in the war; He lit*< interred in that new-conquered soU — . Tlif fruit of hi< and otheri** warlike toil. Lieutenant Col'nel (torhax, nigh of kin To his deoea.see bound to Boston. To many at that time the character of these people was a profound mystery. They wei-e, subsequently, by the action of the authorities, distributed among the sevei*al towns in this vicinity, and the vessels in which they came hither were taken and sold. Here, surrounded by strange and unfamiliar faces, listening to a new and to tliem a harsh language, this simple and inoffensive people lived and died and were committed to an alien gi-ave, ** Uukuowu aiKl luiuoticecL Daily the tides of life go ebbiug aud flowing beside them. Thousands of throbblug hearttt, where theirs are at rest forever^ Thousaudd of aching I)rai]i3, wh«.'re theirs uo longer are bu&y. Thousands of toiling hands, where theirs have ceased from their labors, Thousands of weary feet, where theirs have completed their journey." One of the legacies of the almost incessant wars, in which the colonies had been for a long time engaged, was a large public debt, and the natuml and universal panacea which was resorted to, to tide over this indebtodnc:?s, was the issue of bills of credit. In 1711, £40,000 of this paper was issued, '*to be loaned to merchants and others for a term of years." In 1713, it being found that the emission of bills of credit had afforded but a temporary relief, a new loan of £50,000 was effected. In 1721, another issue of £50,000 THE CAPE IX THE OLD FRENCH WARS. IW m bills of credit was made. This scheme , however, instead of bringing relief, resulted in pecuniaiy embarrassments; the bills depreciated, and suffering to many was the result.. Another issue of £50,000 followed, '*to relieve the decline of trade," but the real result was to stimulate speculation, especially in Eastern lands, for which there seemed to be almost a mania. The towns on the Cape suffered with the other parts of the province from this vicious sj'stem of finance, and it was many years before they recovered from its baleful effects. In a petition to the general court, made by representatives of the several towns of the county, was set forth ''the great inconvenience and expense incurred by the people of the Cape, especiallj" by those remote, in being obliged to attend the Superior Court of Judicature and Court of Assize, at Plymouth; and they asked that such order might be had that the courts might sit once a year in the county of Barnstable. The application was favorably received and a term was ordered to sit in Barnstable. By the terms of an act of the general court of June 14, 1727, the "Precinct of Cape Cod" was incorporated as a township, by the name of PROVlNCETO^^'N. Owing to the peculiarity of its situation, and in its in many respects anomalous position, the inhabitants were exempted from taxation, except for municipal purposes, and from military duty. The provincial government also continued to aid in the support of the ministry of the place. The right of the province to the title of these lands was esj^cially reserved,, and has not l)een alienated to the present day. The value of the harbor to the commercial world led the provincial court to be especially watchful of its interests, and the next year avc find that body passing laws to protect the beaches from devastations by those who pasture cattle IM CAPS COD. there, stripping them of foliage, and thus exposing the -sands to liability of being blown into the harbor. And legislation in the same direction was hud again in 1740. The increasing population of the lower towns of the Cape, and the diiBculties of travel, led the inhabitants of Harwich, Chatham, Eastham, Truro and Pravincetown, at a meeting held in Eastham, Nov. 20, 1734, to prepare a memorial to the general court, prajing to be set off into a new county, distinct and separate from the county of Barnstable. The reasons assigned in their petition were, their great distance from tlie shire town of the county, the loss of time to the jurors and all others obliged to attend the courts, and the great expense attending it. This petition not being granted, they again presented a memoiial to the general court that they would order two sessions of the peace of the inferior Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions for the county of Barnstable to be held annually in Eastham. But this, also, was not granted. The next year Dukes county was associated with Barnstable in the terms of the courts of General Sessions. The religious movement, known at the time and since as ^ Tlie Great Awakeninrfj^' pervaded Xew England about the middle of the eighteenth centur}'. The ^mtings of Jonathan Edwards, by which the faith and doctrines of extreme Puritanism were reduced to a system, powerfuU}' affected the members of a community given to the serious contem- plation of spiritual concerns. But Edwards's doctrines, though metaphysically exact and symmetrical, did not appeal to the affectional nature. This lack was more than made up by George Whitefield, who came upon the scene at a time when the public mind was a good deal agitated by serious thoughts, and by his marvelous eloquence and contagious enthusiasm drew multitudes after him, and his converts were THE CAPS IX THE OLD FRENCH WARS. 15r gathered by thousands, from all ranks and classes of society. His adherents are known as Calvinistic ^lethodists, and were called "New Lights;** his opponents, "Old Lights.** The latter were numerous, and denounced him as an "itinerant scourge.** The disputes waxed warm, and almost all the clerg}incn in the country took sides and wrote or preached on the subject. The press teemed with pamphlets and more extended books from the pens of excited partisans. The clergymen of this county took concerted action on the subject which was engi'ossing so large a share of public attention. Ten of them, Feb. 20, 1745, «ubscri1)ed to a declaration of the eyils, which, in their yiew, flow from itinerant preaching. These were stated to be : " That it tends to destroy the usefulness of ministers among their people, in places where the gosi)el is settled and faithfully preached in its purity, and that it j^romotes strife and contention, a censorious and uncharitable spirit, and those numerous schisms and separations which haye already destroyed the peace and unity, and at this time threaten the subversion of many churches.*' The Cape had hardly been settled a century before emigration to more favored regions was projected. The cleared lands had been so often divided and sub-divided that the area remaining had become inadequate to the wants of the community. The system of agriculture practiced in tliose days did not provide for the enrichment and replen- ishing of the land, which had been reduced in productiveness by the removal of crops, but rather for breaking up of virgin soil, which in turn was again abandoned for still newer regions. In consequence of this system, or want of sj'stem, tillage land became scarce. The first concerted system of emigration, however, was to the eastward, instead of westerly, as at the present day, and the lands occupied 158 CAPE COO. were the indirect conquest of their arms. The veterans of Philip's >yar were the first to claim the bounty of the governujcnt for their exertions and privations in the field, and most assuredly the}* merited some degree of consider- ation for services which had received but scanty pecuniary consideration. Though but few of the veterans lived to receive the benefit of their sacrifices, their heirs and legal successors kept up the agitation with a greater degi'ee of success. In 1727, after many postponements and delays, the Massachusetts legislature granted to the ofiScers and soldiers, who served in the Xarragansett exi)editton, a township equal to ten miles square, in the Province of Maine, to each 120 persons where claims should be established within four months from the passage of the act. It was found that the whole number of persons amounted to 840, and the lands for seven to\NTiships, numbered respectively from 1 to 7, were subsequently granted. The latter, known as Xarragansett No. .7, was assigned to the company of Capt. John Gorham and a few others, which territory was afterwards incoi-porated into a township by the name of ** Gorham," by which it is now known. The grantees commenced their settlement in 173G, Capt. John Phinney and family, from Barnstable, being the pioneers, and were soon followed by a considerable number of families from the Cape, •especially of the four to\Tns which sent forth Capt. Gorham's company. The names of Bacon, Bangs, Bourne, Crocker, Davis, Doane, Freeman, Harding, Higgins, Hinckley, Hamblin, Lewis, Knowles, Linnell, Lombard, Paine, Phinney, Sturgis, are encountered as often as on the records of the Cape, and a monument in the centre of the town is inscribed with the name of the pioneer and founder, from Cape Cod, Capt. John Phinney. The Indians of Mashpee, becoming dissatisfied with their THE CAPE IN THE OLD FRENCH WARa 150 lK)litic*aI condition, in 1762 asked for lai'gcr liberties, and the ''District of Marshyjee," in which enlai"ged civil rilonies to the combatants would be entirely changed. CHIIOXOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1692-1763. 1693. Rev. Thomas Tborutou of Yarinouth closed his miuistry and removed to Bontou. 1605. Mr». Mary Prence, widow of Gov. Thomas, died at the house x>t her «oii-iu-law, Jeremiah Howe?, iu Yarmouth. In 1690, the town of Ynrraoiith in settling the compensatiou of Rev. John Cotton, provided that **he shall remit yearly the proportion of all those neighbors called Quakers." 1701. The helectuien of Sandwich and Plymouth settled the bounds between the two places. Also the selectmen of Barnstable, Sandwich and Sackoneset, defined the boundaries of their respective towns. ITtW. The town of Sandwich pave to Rev. Roland Cotton "all such drift whales as shall, during the time of his ministry, be driven or cast ashore within the limits of the town, being such as shaU not be killed with hand.H.'' 160 CAPB COD. 1708. Sandwich yoted to appropriate ^CiOO to build a new meeting- house. 170IS. Mr. Cotton resigned the pastorate of Yarmouth ohuroh, on account of ill health. He died the next year. 1706. A purchase was made by the town of Sandwich of lands at Herring River, belonging to Zachariah 8ias, an Indian. 1707. A ** further division of the 40 acre lots ** was made in Sandwich. Leave was granted, by the town, to certain persons ** to box and milk 2,000 pine trees for two years, £2 to l>e paid the town for the use.**<^£2(^ was appropriated to secure the services of Mr. Thomas Prince **to instruct the children in reading, writing, arithmetic and Latin," and yoted *Hhat they who send shall pay £10 more.**~i3. per day was fixed upon as the pay for town representatives in general court.— The town agreed to pay for wolves £4, ** in addition to what is provided by law.'^—Bamstable voted permission to several Indians to dwell on Oyster Island, at South Sea.— Harwich voted that ** every house- keeper shall kill or purchase 12 blackbirds or 4 crows l)efore the first of May, annually, as aforesaid," under penalty of 6s. for housekeepers^ or 2s. on single men.— Rev. Joseph Metcalf settled over the society in Falmouth. 1706. Rev. Daniel Greenleaf was settled over the society in Yar- mouth. 1700. The town of Eastham, having been presented for not having a schoolmaster, John Doane, Esq., was appointed to appear in the town's behalf, and the selectmen were instructed to take especial care to obtain a teacher. 1710. Mr. John Avery was settled over the society in Truro; £60 per year salary, and £20 to aid in building him a house, was voted by the town. 1712. An agent was appointed by Eastham, to meet the a^nt of Harwich, '*to determine and settle a line between the two towns, running through the land formerly reserved for the Indians." The presumption is that there were no Indians left to occupy the lands. — ^The proprietors of Truro voted, that '* in cousetiueuce of the great waste being made of wood in burning lime to be sent out of the town, which may cause a scarcity of fire-wood, no person must cut on the commons for this purpose."— Tlie '* new purchase," in Falmouth, was laid out in lots, by a committee consisting of Thomas Bowr*rmau and Philip Dexter, assisted by Mr. Samuel .Tennin;rs of Sandwich.— Rev. Jonathan Russell succeeded his father, of the same name, us pastor of the Barnstable church; salary £80, and £2lW settlement.- May 1.3, Col. John Thacher of Yarmouth died, aged 75. He was a member of the provincial council, and was buried under military orders. 1713. The province voted £40 to the town of Falmouth "towai^ds building a meeting-house; one-half to be paid when the frame shall CHRONOLOGT OP EVENTa 181 hare been ralaed, and the balance when the edlfloe shall have been completed.** 1714. The ''Province Lauds*' were constituted bj the general court the "Precinct of Cape Cod." The "lands lately purchased of the Quasons** in Harwich were divided among its sixteen proprietors. 1717. Rev. Samuel Treat of Eastham died. 1718. Sandwich voted that no more herring shall be taken in future to "fish com/' the supply l>efore this being in excess of the demand thereof for food.~Rev. Thomas Prince, son of Samuel, Esq., of Sand^ wich, and grandson of Gov. Thomas Hinckley, was ordained associate 4)astorof Old South church, Boston.— Rev. Samuel Osbom called to the pastorate of the South parish of Eastham. 1720. Rev. Joseph Lord settled over the church In Chatham, and Rev. Benj. Webb the North church in Eastham. 1722. Rev. Roland Cotton of Sandwich died March 29, and Mr. Ben]. Fessenden succeeded him.—The eastern portion of Yarmouth was set off as a separate parish or precinct. 1728. Rev. Joseph Metcalf of Falmouth died Dec. 24.— Billingsgate became the 8d parish of Eastliam. Rev. Josiah Oakes was first pastor, and continued a short time as such. ITIL Rev. Josiah Man^hal] settled over the Falmouth society. 1126. Rev. Josiah Dennis became acting pastor of the East Parish, Yarmouth, though not installed until 1727.— Rev. Joseph Green ordained pastor of East Parish, Barnstable, then newly organized. 1729. Samuel Prince, Esq. of Sandwich died at Middleboro, July 8. — Rev. Thomas Smith became pastor oi the first church, Yarmouth. 1728. "An awful and surprising Providence" occurred Aug. 8, to Ebenezer Taylor of Yarmouth, who on going down a well about 40 feet, the stones below caved in, and those above pressed together, leaving an arch midway, in which he was imprisoned for ten hoon, han^riug by his hands on the well-rope, at the end of which time he was rescued, in a very weak condition of body.— Rev. Daniel Green- leaf was dismissed from the pastorate of the first church in Yarmouth. 1780. Rev. Isaiah Lewis became pastor of the second parish of Eastham. 1781. Rev. Samuel Palmer settled over the church in Falmouth. 1738. Judge Peter Thacher of Yarmouth died May 28.— Joseph Parker and others of Falmouth were granted leave to establish a ferry between Falmouth and the Vineyard. 1739. Rev. Joseph Crocker was settled as minister of the third Eastham parish.— A grant of one hundred and fifty acres of land was made by the general court to Matthias Ellis of Sandwich, "in consideration of the great services rendered by him in the expedition to Port Royal, especially iu guarding the artillery at the great hazard of hii life.** IB CAPK COD. 171B. As ftot waa pMMd for the protection and preaerration of ProTtnoetown Harbor, aud of Eut Harbor In Truro.— John Hall«t, in behalf of the town of Turmouth, iMititlotuHl that hf rsadon of the Intemiptlou of tbelr whalo O^herle*, the iuhabitaul« being much ImpoverUtaed, thef be excuMd from lending a reproMntatlve to the general court. 17M. Joslah EIU* and other* of Hanrloh petitioned to be made a dlitlnct precinct, which iroa granted.— Rer. BenJ. Feuenden of Bandwioh died Aug. 7. 1747. Rev, Edward Pell made pa«tar of couth precinct of Harwich. —Richard and David Sean, tons ot David, of Chatbnm, harlng gone to England, and Joined the army while there, both fell in the battle of Cullodeu, April ZT. 174S. Rev. Josiah Lord of Chatham died. 1749. Rev. Abraham Williams settled in Sandwich, and Rev. Stephen Emerj' In Chatham. 1791. Rev. Edward Cheever settled In Eastham. 17B2, Rev. Edwnrd Pell of Hanvich died. 17B4. Rot, John Avery of Truro retired from the miulstry In consequence of old age, aud Rev. Thomas Smith from Yarmouth, because of luadequute support.— Rev. BeuJ. Crooker settled over the south precinct of Harwich. 1756. Rev. Nathaniel Stune of Harwich died, aged 88. — Rev. Qrln- dall Rbwbou settled In Yarmouth, and Rev. Caleb Upham in Truro. 17B7. Smnll pox raged with peculiar virulence In Barastable, and several citizens died. 1700. Rev. Oakes Shaw settled over the We!eriods of English history, cost one King of England his head and another his throne. Let the conse- quences l>e what they will, I am determined to proceed, and to the call of my country am ready to sacrifice estate, health, applause, and even life. The patriot and the hero will ever do thus. And if brought to the trial, it will then be known how far I can reduce to practice principles whidi ^Bancroft. 166 GAPS COD. I know to be founded in truth.'' His whole plea was exceedingly able, and as poured forth was listened to with almost breathless attention for over four hours, a stream of eloquence, patriotism, and legal acumen, creating most intense excitement. Well did John Adams say, in reference to that plea and occasion, " Otis was a fiame of fire ; with a prompitude of classical allusions, a depth of research, a rapid smnmary of historical events and dates, a profusion of legal authorities, a prophetic glance of his eyes into futurity, and a rapid torrent of impetuous eloquence, he hurried away all before him. American independence was then and there bom. Every man of an immense crowded audience appeared to me to go away, as I did, ready to take up arms against writs of assistance." Though the validity of these writs was after some delay afiirmed, they served no purpose beyond imtating and inflaming tlie resentment of the people of Boston and of the other sections. The purpose of taxing the colonies, which had been under consideration for several years, was brought forward in Parliament in 1764, and the following session an excise was made on certain goods, and stamp duties were also imposed. The measure met with the most determined opposition in the colonies. The stamp officers were compelled to resign, and the act, therefore, became a nullity. In New York the opposition to this act was, if possible, more determined than in Boston, and the leader in the popular movement was one whose origin was from Cape Cod, Capt. Isaac Sears, who put himself at the head of the populace, exclaiming, '^Hun-ah, boys, we icUl have the stamps!" and they were seized and committed to the flames. The governor dared not resist; and Sears was then placed at the head of the committee for geneml safety. The fii'st Continental Con'iding that all offenders against these laws should be sent to England for trial. This statute, denominated '^the mutiny act," excited the fiercest resent- ment in the popular mind. The general couit refused all compliance with this act, and it having been demanded of them that they rescind their declaration not to submit to the •He marriecl, iu 17^, widow Buthsheba Neweomb of Sandwich, and carried ou the dou1)le oicupatiou of lawyer and tavern keeper, iu the houM* still Ataudiu^ by the town house. U8 CAPE COD. enactment, the refosal was again and most emphatically re-affirmed. Said James Otis, Jr., a reprepresentative from Boston in 1768: ^Let GhrecU Britain rescind; if she does not, the colonies are lost to her forever.^ Got. Bernard then dissolved the general court, and subsequently refused to prorogue it. A convention of the towns was then called — the Cape being generally represented — and petitioned the 'King for a redress of grievances, followed by an **address to the sovereign people." They had barely time to do this ere Boston was garrisoned by 4000 troops. The feelings of irritation, caused by these troops, were still further aggravated in 1769, by a demand from the Governor for funds to defray the expenses of the soldiers in Boston, which demand was instantly and indignantly refused. Then followed non-importation associations ; and after repeated acts of retaliation, Bernard left the province and was succeeded by Hutchinson as Lieutenant Governor. The Boston massacre, in 1770, was the natural sequence of the preceding transactions and the state of feeling which they engendered. Lord North this year became prime minister of England, and as a peace offering to the excited feelings of the Americans, all duties were repealed, except the slight one of 3d. per pound on tea, which was retained as the assertion of the right of Parliament to tax America. This the people recognized as the vital principle at issue, and determined at all hazards to resist ; and they did this at an immense sacrifice of their business interests, particularly those of a commercial nature. Many families from this county, especially those in the towns of Harwich and Chatham, removed to Nova Scotia, the better to prosecute the fisheries and agriculture, under more favorable condi- GATHERINQ OF THE STORM. le^ tioDs.* The towns of this county, through correspondence with the central committees in Boston, were kept in sympathy with the patriot cause. Associations of the " Sons of Liberty ^ had been formed in several towns, so that in the year 1773, those who resisted the acts of the British ministry were well organized and in a favorable position to repel the efforts to force upon the people the consumption of articles, which had been made subject to taxation^ particularly of tea. The improvised tea party in Boston harbor had its accompaniment here. The arrival of the tea ships^ the meetings of the citizens to prevent the landing of their cargoes, the boarding of the vessels by men disguised as Indians, who emptied the contents of three hundred and forty-two chests into the sea — ail these events are familiar to the readers of revolutionary history. The day following, a letter was despatched to the South shore, which read in this wise : Boston, Dec. 17, 1773. Gentlemen : — We inform you in great haste that every chest of Tea on board the three Ships in this Town waa destroyed the last evening without the least injury to the Vessels or any other property. Our Enemies must acknowledge that their people have acted upon pure and upright Principle. The people at the Cape will we hope behave with propriety and as becomes men resolved to save their Country.** ' To Plymouth and to Sandwich with this addition : " We trust you will afford them Your immediate Assistance and Advice.** The reference at the close of the letter was to still a fourth teaship which had been cast away on the back of the *The9e families were uot Tories, as 9ome have «uppo9ed, but remoyed as from oue Atate to another, at a time when Indepeudeuce was not seriously coutemplated by the general mind. 170 CAPE COD. Cape, within the limits of Provincetown. This occurrence led to complications which inyolved un&vorably one who, up to this time, had held a high position in the councils and confidence of the patriots. When Capt. Loring's barkentine was cast away, Mr. John Greenough, the teacher of the town of Truro, and a member of the committee to carry into effect resolves of the several congresses, undertook to procure and did procure, two vessels for the agent, Mr. Clarke, and assisted in getting the cargo to Boston. While in Provinceto^^ll, he procured two damaged chests of tea, partly for himself and partly for other persons. As the tea paid no dut}^ he said he conceived that he might do so without injury to the country's cause. One chest was disposed of to Col. Willard Knowlcs of Eastham, and another retained by himself. This transaction was not viewed with lenity by the citizens of Truro, who held a public meeting, called Mr. Greenough before them, and received his explanation as already set forth, and also his offer to do anything in his power to remedy any evil effects of his action, which the to\\Ti might require. The advice of the Committee of CoiTcspondence in Boston wa^^ asked, and after considerable delay Mr. Greenough's explanation was accepted, and he was restored, in some measure, to the confidence of his colleagues. It was creditable to the patriotism of the Truro people, that the repeated solicita- tions of the owners of the teaship, to accept employment in transporting the cargo to Boston, were refused, notwith- standing promises of a large reward, and that several vessels there were unemployed. The vessels to do this were procured in Boston. The public proceedings of all the towns at this juncture breathe a tone of the loftiest patriotism. Sandwich, in January, 1773, instructed its representative to petition the GATHERING OF THE STORM. 171 King for a redress of grievances. In 1774, it was voted, not to import, buy nor make use of the teas purchased by the East India company-, or subject to an unconstitutional duty. Yarmouth appointed a committee to see that no tea be brought into the town, and also a committee of observation and prevention. Barnstable prepared instructions to its representative, among the objects of which were, **to have the liberties wrested from us bj*^ arbitrary measures restored ;** **to use ever}' legal and constitutional method to have the Port of Boston opened and made free," and ""in case the governor shall dissolve the House of Kepresentatives" to join with others in forming a Provincial Congress, etc. Eastham, in 1773, voted, that the several acts of Parliament complained of by the colonies are a manifest violation of their rights; that everj' true friend of his country who should accept an offer of a judge in the courts under the loyal governor should reject it with abhorrence, and those who should accept it would be regarded as objects of contempt. It was also voted, that thanks be given to the people of Boston, "for their zeal and activity in the cause of liberty." In 1774, the town again expressed a determi« nation to opi)ose the ministerial plan of taxation ; that the action of the East India company to send their teas to this country subject to payment of duty, " is a violent attack on our liberties; that whoever shall, directly or indii'ectly, countenance this attempt, is an enemy to his country.'* Falmouth, in 1774, appointed a committee of correspondence and ordered that evcrj' man from 16 to 60 years of age be furnished with anus and ammunition; also appointed a committee "to see that the Continental Congress be adhered to." Harwich voted to purchase fire-arms, and to pay the taxes to Hcnr}" Gardner, Esq., the provincial treasurer. Truro, though exposed to great peril, voted their sympathy 172 GAPE GOD. with the common cause, especially in resistance to the scheme of sending teas to the colonies, and though some had been led to yield to the temptation of procuring tea at a small cost, the town remained inflexible on that point. A committee of correspondence was also chosen. In Chatham the record says, ^a large number signed against tea*" Wellfleet, in 1774, passed resolves pledging the town to ^the defence of liberty against the unjust enactments of Parliament and the usurpations of the Crown ;^ also **not to purchase any imported articles on which Government has imposed any unconstitutional and unlawful duties." The first provincial congress, which assembled Oct. 7, was generally represented by the Cape towns. This waa preliminary to county congresses in the different divisions of the State. A Barnstable county congress, composed of delegates from the several towns, assembled in the court house in Barnstable, Nov. 16. Hon. James Otis was chosen chairman, and Col. Joseph Otis clerk, of the meeting. Col. Nathaniel Freeman, Col. Joseph Otis, Mr. Thomas Paine, Daniel Davis, Esq. and Mr. Job Crocker were appointed a committee of correspondence, to communicate with different parts of the county and with other counties in the province as occasion might require; and a committee consisting of Hon. James Otis, Col. Jos. Otis, Col. N. Freeman, and Mr. Thomas Paine, Daniel Davis, Esq. and Capt. Jonathan Howes, was appointed ''to consider further the public grievances and the state of this county, and report at the time at which this meeting shall be adjourned." Thanks were then voted to the moderator, clerk and Col. Fi*eeman, **for their good services," and the meeting separated. We have no information of the re-assembling of this body, but the foundation here laid, brought forth its fiiiit in the future transactions of the people of the Cape. An address adopted GATHERING OF THE STORM. ITS hj this body was circulated among the people, and had a good influence, concentrating the sentiment of the community in the direction which it pointed out. There was need of great promptness and discretion at this crisis. Those who were aggrieved by the acts of Parliament and the assumptions of the King were by no means united as to the most practical modes of resistance, or in the determination of resisting by force at all. It was a step, which no one can l)e blamed for hesitating to enter upon, in view of the certain consequences of such action, if unsuc- cessful. There are many reasons for thinking that the moderate or conservative party was much larger than is generally lielieved. It consisted of pronounced loyalists — those who received or expected favors from the government — including many persons of position and culture ; and a still larger class, who shrank from a contest with the power of the British government. There were many of the latter in Barnstable and Sandwich, who made themselves felt in the proceedings of the towns, i)ostponing action in some cases, and at other times defeating the designs of the more advanced patriots. In Sandwich, Dr. Nathaniel Freeman, an active Whig gentleman, was assailed in the night time by parties who had felt themselves aggrieved by his course, and he barely escaped with his life. A loyalist mob in Barnstable cut down the lil)erty pole and went to the brutal extreme of tar and feathering a woman, whose sharp speeches had excited their resentment. In Truro, as late at Dec, 1774, such was the venom with which the loyalists viewed the patriot cause, that they threatened to assail the house in which lodged Dr. Adams, an ardent Whig physician, and a large numl)er of citizens refused, for this cause, to employ him professionally. Rev. Mr. Upham, the clergy- man of Truro, for entertaining a numl>er of eminent Whig 174 CAPE COD. gentlemen who visited the town, was abased in a most scurriloas manner by some of his parishioners, who forbade his entering their houses, threatening him with personal indignity if he did so.* Even after the events of Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill, in consequence of representations made, that some of the inhabitants of East- ham and Chatham, and other towns in the county, had violated the resolves of the Continental Congress and the Congress of this Colony, Nathaniel Freeman and Col. Jamea Otis were requested to make inquiry into the matter, with authority to cause such person or persons to be apprehended and secured, and brought up to the court to answer for their conduct — but we have no record that this last step was in any case taken. Still later, in consequence of a letter received by the Council from Col. James Otis, a committee was raised by the legislature to investigate the conduct of ^certain Tories in Barnstable, and in particular a person at the head of them who professes himself a whig." Until a short time before the outbreak of hostilities, the numerica] strength of the loyalists was not inconsiderable, and embraced some men of position and influence, but they were in time completely overborne by the zeal, activity and efficiency of the patriots, until the moderate and temporizing of their number were swept away by the tide of enthusiasm and the force of will of those who had determined upon resistance. There was no footing for moderate or half-way parties. There trere two extremes, and the one or the other had to be taken. Very soon, in the march of events, there was practically but one party here. To punish the inhabitants of Boston, and compel them to make restitution for the value of the tea destroyed, ^Letter from Dr. S. Adams to Thomni* Paine, Esq., of Ea^ithain, Dec. 6,1771. GATHERING OF THE STORM. 17& parliament passed a bill interdicting commercial intercourse with that port, and prohibiting the landing or shipping of goods there. The effect was of coarse to deprive at once a large portion of the inhabitants of all means of subsistence ; and the only way in which their sufferings could be relieved was by contributions from other towns. These were poured in from all parts of the country, the Cape not failing to contribute her share. Among these Tvei*e the following: Barnstable, £12, 10s., 8d. ; Wellfleet, £7, 10s., 8d.; Eastham, £10 and 50 bushels of com ; Falmouth, £30, ISs. and 5} cords of wood, at one time ; at another time £5, 15s., 8d. ; Truro, £11, 16s.; Sandwich, £19; Mashpee, 18s. ; Yarmouth £. parish, £7, 4s., 8d., W. parish, £5, 6s.» 8d. ; Eastham, N. parish, £7, IGs. The year 1774 was made memorable by the meeting of the Continental Congress, and by the promulgation of the Solepm League and Covenant, to suspend all intercourse with Great Britain, set on foot by the leading patriots of Massachusetts. It is, however, the purpose of this narra- tive to enlarge upon these proceedings no further than is necessary to make intelligible the conduct and action of the inhabi^nts of the Cape. Heretofore, the local demonstrar tions had been in the direction of the assertion of their rights, and protests against their infringement, by the lo<^ assemblies ; stopping short of actual resistance to authority. The time had now come when forcible means were resorted to, when the Jirst overt act^ done in the face of day, was to be taken by our people. Parliament having taken from the House of Representa- tives of the pro>ince the right to choose the council — a right granted by the charter to the province — and author- ized tiie King to appoint the council by maiidamtis^ and directed the sheriffs of the several counties to appoint the 176 CAPS COD. jurors instead of their being drawn, as provided hy law, from the jury boxes, by the selectmen, the popular leaders determined to resbt an act which put them so completely at the mercy of their oppressors. A court of Common Pleas was to be held in Barnstable on the first Tuesday of September, and they resolved to put an end to its sitting and prevent the transaction of any business whatsoever. Accordingly, a large body of citizens, men of substance and position, from Rochester, Wareham and Middleboro, repaired to Sandwich the Monday preceding the opening of the court, and was there joined by many other citizens of that town. Dr. Nathaniel Freeman was chosen conductor- in-chief, and subordinate ofiicers were appointed. On Tuesday the body marched to Barnstable, where they were joined by many citizens of that and the lower towns, in all about 1500 strong, and took possession of the grounds in front of the court house. Commissioners were then appointed, to ferret out the disaffected among the people, and require them to renounce in writing their Toryism. Many were found and signed, as required, but did it with a very poor grace. The court, led by the sheriff, soon made its appearance. The crowd giving way, Col. Otis, the chief justice, addressed the assemblage, denmnding to know the cause of this obstmction, and was answered by Dr. Freeman, standing on the court house steps, as follows: "May it please your honor — Oppressed by a view of the dangers with which we are surrounded, and terrified by the horribly black cloud which is suspended over our heads and ready to burst upon us, our safety, all that is dear to us, and the welfare of unborn millions, have directed this movement to prevent the court from being opened or doing any business. We have taken all the consequences into consideration ; we have weighed them well, and have formed this resolution GATHERING OP THE STORM. 177 which we shall not rescind.*' The chief justice, then, calmly but firmly replied, "This is a legal and constitutional oom-t; it has suffered no mutations; the juries have been drawn from the boxes as the law directs ; and why would you interrupt its proceedings ? Why do you make a leap before you get to the hedge ?" Dr. Freeman i-espondcd, "All this has Ix^en considered. We do not appear here out of any disrespect to this honorable court ; nor do we apprehend that if j'ou proceed to business you ^nll do anjihing that we could censui'e. But, sir, from all the decisions of this court, of more than forty shillings' amount, an appeal lies, an appeal to what? — to a court holding oflSce during the King's pleasure ; a court over which we have no control or influence ; a court paid out of the revenue that is extorted fi'om us by the illegal and unconstitutional edict of foreign despotism; and there the jur}^ will be appointed by the sheriff. For this reason, we have adopted this method of stopping the avenue through which business may otherwise pass to that tribunal, well knowing that if the}'' have no. business, they can do us no harm." The chief justice then said, "As is my duty, I now, in his majesty's name, order you immediately to disperse and give the court the oppor- tunity to perform the business of the county." Dr. Freeman replied, "We thank your honor for having done your duty; ^^'E shall coxtixue to perfoioi ours." The court then turned and repaired to the house, where they had lodged. A committee, of which Dr. Freeman was chairman, was also chosen to wait on the chief justice and request him to attend at Salem at the time appointed for the meeting of a new general court, and there take his seat at the council I>oard, to which he had been duly chosen. He answered in writing that he had concluded to do so, if his health ITO CAPE COD. permitted. The justices also signed a paper not to accept any appointuieiit under the authority of the act of Parliament under review. The justices whose names were appended were : James Otis, Thomas Smith, Joseph Otis, ICymphas Marston, Shearjashub Bourne, David Thachor, Daniel Davis, Melatiah Bourne, Edward Bacon, Isaac Hinckley, Solomon Otb, Kenelm Winslow, Richard Bourne. Thomas Winslow, David Gorhara, and Chillingworth Foster, Rsq'rs, subse- quently, by request, also signed the document. The deputy sheriffs were then called upon to sign a similar dcclamtion, and the military officers were also requested to i-esign commissions wliich they held under the existing authority, which they accordingly did. Before dissolving, committees from all towns were appointed to cairy into effect the wishes of the meeting. Their names have been preserved, and are : For Falmouth, Moses Swift, John Gi'annis, Daniel Butler. Yarmouth, Daniel Taylor, Isaac Haml>lin, Joseph Crowell. Barnstable, Ebenczer Jenkins, George Lewis, Eli Phinney. Sandwich, Nathaniel Freeman, Lot Nye, Seth Freeman. Harwich, Benj. Freeman, John Freeman, Lot Gray. Eastham, Job Crocker, Amos Knowles, Jr., Thomas Paine. Wellfleet, Samuel Smith, David Grecnouirh. Truro, Dr. Samuel Adams, Jonathan Collins. Chatham, Dea. Bassett, Richard Sears. While the English ministry, disregarding the protests of Dr. Franklin, and the waniings of Chatham, Burke and Camden, were taking measures to enforce their decrees at the cannon's mouth, the patriots of Massachusetts were deliberately preparing for resistance. And when the news was brought to Cape Cod, by rapidly-riding couriers, that Lord Percy, Major Pitcaim and their three thousand regulai's had 1)een driven back to Boston by the embattled farmers at Lexington and Concord, the whole countrj' rushed GATHERING OF THE STORM. 179 to arms, ready to repel other aggressive movements. Nowhere was this spirit more determined and earnest than at the Cai)e. When the intelligence reached Yarmouth, the two companies of militia in town -— the western, under the. command of Ca]>t. Jonathan Croweii, of Iti men ; and the eastern, commanded by Capt. Micah Chapman, 22 men — started immediately for Boston, but the news that the troops had not dared to again leave the place, determined them to return home, which they did, after three daj's. At Barn- stable, 19 soldiers were mustered and started off April 20 — the verv next dav after the battle. AVhen this body of patriots was about to move, in the first rank was a young man, the son of a respectable farmer, and his only child. In marching from the village as they passed his house, he came out to meet them. There was a momentary halt. The (brum and fife paused for an instant. The father, suppress- ing a strong emotion, said, "God be with you all, my friends; and John, my son, if you are called into battle, take care that 3'ou behave like a man, or else let me never see your face ! " The march was resumed, whilst a tear started in every ej^e.* The rhetoric of that speech, says Palfrey, may not l>e Greek, but the spirit was — it was Spartan. Ebenczcr Weckes, of Harwich, when the news of the engagement reached him, said to his son, of the same name, "Eben, you are the only one that can be spared ; take your gun and go ; fight for religion and liberty ! " The son obeyed, and others joined him. They were in the battle of Bunker Hill. Henceforth all thoughts of a pacific solution of the differences with the mother country were abandoned. Minute men, ready to reiwrt hostile movements, were •Ell PhinneyV Diary. 180 CAP£ COD. appointed in all the towns, and ^Besistance, onto deaths" was the motto of the hour. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1764-1776. 1764. Hoii. John Thaoher d.— Rev. Nathan Stone settled as pastor of the East parish, Yarmouth. — Hon. Ezra Bourne, Sandwich, d. 1765. Rev. Jonathan Mills called to the pastorate of South precinct» Harwich. 1768. Rev. Joseph Green, Jr., of Yarmouth, d. 1768. Col. James Otis of Barnstable appointed a member of His Majesty's Couucil.— Rev. Timothy Alden became pastor of First church, Yarmouth. 1770. Rev. Joseph Green of East parish, Barnstable, d., and was succeeded next year by Rev. Timothy Hilliard. 1771. First Baptist church, Barnstable, organized, under the ministry of Rev. Enoch Eldridge. 1772. A mysterious tragedy occurred on the high seas this year. Sch. Thomas Xickerson, from Boston for Chatham, was boarded back of the Cape, in consequence of signals of distress whicli she was fljring, and only one man found on board, and he ** very much fright- ened." He stated that the day before a topsail schooner overhauled them, and four boats with armed men came ul>oard, and the master, mate and one man were murdered and the boy carried away. The survivor says, that supposing they belonged to a King's cruiser and would impress him, he had hidden himself and escaped observation^ and after the invaders had left he came out, found the decks bloody, the chests broken open and plundered, etc. Edward Bacon, Esq., of Barnstable, notified the Governor, and Admiral Montague of the frigate ''Lively" went in pursuit of the pirate, but none was found, and it was considered certain that there was none on the coa;«t. The person found on board was sent to Boston, tried for murder on the high seas, and the jury disagreed. The next trial resulted in a vei'dict of NOT ouiLTr, tlic trial lasting fourteeu days, '' the most surprising trial on record." The affair was transferred to the politics of the times and did much to iuerease the popular excitement. The leading Whigs expressed their t)elief in the prisoner's declarations, and charged murder upon the crew of the royal navy, while the Tories, on the con- trary, insisted that he killed three of the crew to obtain their money, and then took the life of the fourth, who was a boy, to escape detection. CHBONOLOGT OF EVENTS. 181 Th« nsinea of the rlotlm* ot thin traced]? were, Cnpt. Tbomat NickervoD, Ell*taK Newoomb, Wm. Keot, Jr., and another, all of Cbklham. 1773. Popawet incorporated a* 2ii prechu-t of Sandwich.— Tenibla Are In Sandwich woods, attended with preat destruction of sheep.— Samuel Tupper, Esq., of Sandwich, d.— Rev. Jouo, UlUsot Harwich, d. CHAPTER Xn. THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. CoL James Otii, Prevideut oJ th« Counoil— Tarmouth Troops at Dorobester Heights — Cape Towns for tbe Declaration of Indepen- denoe— Their contributions of troops and supplies for the War — Demonstration upon Falmouth— Death of Col. James OtU— Wreck of BritUh Frigate Somerset— Wreck of American Privateer Brig, Gen. Arnold, Capt. Uagee— The British at Wood's Hole- Capture of the Oenenil Leslie by Capt Joneph Dimmiok— Calls for supplies, and exhaustion of the people — Peace and the Fisheries —British Fleet lu Cape Cod Harbor- Cape Cod Heroic Incidents —Captures and Restoratlona- Privateers— Jersey Prisou Ship- Death of James Otis, Jr. HEN Gen. Gage left Boston iu 1775, ^V Gen. Huwe, who succeeded him, kept up only in appearance the fiction of a lieutenant governor and mandamus council. From 1776, when Howe evacuated, to 1780, when the constitution was adopted, all public concerns were, in the recess of the general court, directed by the council, annually chosen under the charter granted by William and Mary. The eldest of the councillors present, it was determined, should be prasident of the council for the time being. Col. Jajies Otis of Barnstable tilled that station under this nile, and thus was virtually flie chief executive magistrate for four of the five years interregnum, while Massachusetts was in the stage of transition, from province to state. THE REVOLUTIOXARY WAR, 18» With the occupation of Dorchester Heights and the consequent expul&»ion of the British troops from Boston, it was the fortune of one of the to^vns of this county to be intimately connected. Gen. Washington, having determined ujKin the attempt to fortify this point, wrote early in the year 1776 to the council for Massachusetts Bay, submitting to their wisdom " whether it may not be best to direct the militia of certain towns, contiguous to Dorchester and Roxbury, to repair to the line at those places with anns, ammunition and accoutrements, instantly upon a given signal." Yarmouth was not exactly "contiguous," but was called upon ; and Capt. Joshua Gray, who commanded the town militia, at once set forth, accompanied b}' a diiimmer, to call for volunteei's. Every one manifested a readiness to go. The succeeding night was spent in preparation ; the mothers and the daughters sat up moulding bullets, making caitridges and preparing for the departure of the husbands and brothers,* and at early dawn, 81 men were on the march for Dorchester, where they annved in time to participate in the achievement which resulted in freeing Boston and Massachusetts from the presence of British troops. The House of Ivein-esent^itivcs of Massachusetts, May 10, passed a resolve, requesting each town in the jurisdiction to advise the persons who should represent them in the next general court, whether, if Congress should declare them independent of the kingdom of Great Britain, thej' would solemnly engage with their lives and fortunes to support Congress in the measure? The responses were generally both emphatic and satisfactory. Sandwich resolved, "that should the Hon. Conirress of the United Colonies declare tliese Colonies ined from jail without paying their fines and costs; and the general coiut took action to reclaim them, to enforce the collection of the lines, and to dispose of the proceeds of this process. Growing out of these occurrences, the court appointed a commission, at the request of Joseph Otis s^nd Nathaniel Freeman, to inquire into the disorders in Sandwich and Barnstable, with authority to send for persons and papers, Joseph Otis being muster and paymaster for the tix)ops from this county. The legislature of 1778 gave evidence that the success of the American cause was recognized as assured in the popular mind, from the fact th:it many Avho had sjTiipathizcd with the British and had left their homes tempomrily, as they had supposed, indicated a desire to return and give in their adhesion to the govemment then established. This county was not without some such instances. The dominant party, considering their causes of exasperation, can be said to have been inclined to leniency. Sundry persons in Sandwich, who were petitioners, were referred to the committee of correspondence from that town, who treated the applications with favorable considei-ation ; and later, several persons, who were confined in Barnstable jail, were permitted to leave, upon producing a certificate from said committee that they believed these persons hereafter *^will approve them- selves faithful subjects of the state,** they givmg bond with sureties, and taking the oath of allegiance to the govem- ment. The quota for the Continental army for this county was found to be incomplete, AVellfleet being one of the towns 190 CAPS COD. delinquent in this respect. The town again memorialized the court, setting forth tliat great numbers of its inhabitants had removed from town, and tliat the circumstances of those who i*emained were those of distress. Half of the state tax was, therefore, abated. The situation of the entire county was fairly descril>ed by Gen. Joseph Otis. '^TTe have," he wrote, '^more men in the land and sea scrrice than our proportion. We have, from Wareham line, a sea-coast of 60 miles to Qiatham, where there is scarcely a day that the enemy is not within gun-shot of some part of the coast, and thej'' very often anchor in our harlK)rs. Under these circumstances, to detach men from their property, wives and children, to protect the town of Providence in the heart of Rhode Island, and not in as much danger, causes great uneasiness. Not a word is said against filling up the Continental army, although every man costs $450, which is owing to our men that are fit for the sen'ice being aboard the navy or in captivity by l^eing taken by the enemy's fleet.** Still the calls for this service continued ; April 20, 70 men from this county were ordered to Ehode Island, and June 12, 78 more. Shoes, stockings, shirts, etc., were included in the requisition, the num1>er of each article required of the county being 505, and £30 was the forfeit for delinquency. In September of this year, the enemy made a demonstra- tion upon Falmouth, and Brigadier Otis, with a portion of his command, went there to the defence of the place. The enemy had just engaged in a series of operations at New Bedford and Fairhaven, which reflected less credit upon their military skill than it did upon their capacity for burning and pillaging non-combatants, and evinced a disposition to continue these operations here. But beyond landing and carrying away four coasters and burning one, thej"" accom- THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, ' IW plishcd nothing. The militia were readj^ to receive them, and they declined the combat. Almost ^simultaneous with these transactions, Brigadier Otis, receiving orders to raise 50 men in his brigade to go to Providence, Avrote, "As the «nemy are around and threaten danger here, it is like drairsrinir men from homo when their houses arc on lire ; but I \rili do my best to c-omply." A few days afterwards, uiH)n the re<'eipt of a letter from Gen. Otis, the council were desired by the house to order the company of militia under the command of Capt. Job Cix>cker, on duty at Barnstaible, to march to Boston to do duty under Gen. Heath. It was also resolved "that inasmuch as the militia of the countj' have been and continue to be greatly harassed by the api)earance of the enemy's jihips and the landing of troops in the vicinit}', the count}' »)e excused for the present from raising men agreeably to the order of the council.'' Col. Enoch Hallet of Yarmouth wrote about the same time, that "the general opinion that prevails among the people here is that this county is so nmcli exposed on both sides to the enemy that it would be very dangerous to send off those men.** The friends of the popular cause in this coimty and throughout the land were saddened by the death, Nov. 9th, of the venerable patriot. Col. James Otis. His fame was somewhat obscured by the brilliancy and eloquence of his illustrious son, but it may well be doubted whether the services of the father were not of almost equal value to the cause of his country. He was what is known as a "self-made man." The ancestor of the family in this country. Gen. John Otis, was boni in Barnstable, Eng., in 1581, and came with wife and children to Hingham in 1635, and afterwards, though at what time it is difficult to detcnnine, Avas in Barnstable. Col. James was bom in 192 . CAPE COD. 1702. He learned the business of a tanner , but soon became distinguished for his intellectual j^owers. Being- at court in Barnstable one day, as a spectator of the- proceedings, a neighbor, who was unprovided with counsel^ applied to him for assistance in a case before the tribunal. Consenting to act, he managed the case with such ability that friends urged him to ent^r the legal profession, after a due course of study. Procuring books, he assiduously devoted himself to his new pursuit, in which he soon became eminent. Colonel of the militia, at a time when both honor and influence attached to the position, he soon added to thia title, that of a member of the provincial legislature, in 1745. It was one of the defects of the provincial system of government, that legislative, judicial, executive and military duties were often combined and exercised by the same persons, — a blending of functions and authority which existing theories of government, as set forth in statutes, expressly and most properly inhibit. He was speaker of the house in 1760 and '61. Being recognized as a leading patriot, his continued election was negatived by the government. He was nevertheless appointed judge of Probate court in 1763, and chief justice of Common Pleas in 1764. That year his appointment as member of the council was negatived by the royal governor, and, although durincr the remainder of Bernard's administiTition he was uniformly elected to the council, he was, for his fidelity to the people's cause, on each occasion rejected by the governor, until 1761), when Hutchinson, coming into power, tried to conciliate him l)y acceding to his appointment ; and he continued in the position from that time until the opening of the Revolutionary war. He was a meml>er of the first provincial congress, and, as before remarked, was the senior member of the provincial council, from 1775 until a short THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 198 time before his death. An a compeer of Samuel Adams, Quincy, Hancock and other illustrious patriots, he stood in the foremost ranks of the advocates and defcndci*s of the popular cause. Nearly simultaneous mth the decease of Col. Otis, Nov. 2-3, 1778, the British warship Somerset, Capt. Aurey, was wrecked on the back side of Pix)vincetown, having, while in pursuit of the French fleet, struck on Peaked Hill bars, and, like many a good craft before and since, was unable to extricate herself. After unavailinir efforts to lighten the vessel b}* throwing over guns and ammunition, a succession of gi'cat waves lifted her over the bar and landed her, a helpless wreck, a long way up the beach. There was a rush of people to the wreck to plunder whatever might come ashore ; and considering the necessities of the times no one can great Ij*^ censure the needy i)opulaoe for helping themselves to the spoil of the enemy so oppoitunely wafted to their doors. The militia of Truro and the adjacent country took charge of the crew, and Shearjashub Bourne, Esq. libelled the vessel. Col. Doane of AVellfleet in the meantime taking formal possession. Col. Enoch HaUet of Yarmouth, high sheriff of the county, marched the- prisoners, 480 men, through the county to Baiiistable and thence to Boston, and there was much exultation over the event. The Somerset had been for several years upon this coast, and had participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. Longfellow, in his poem of Taul Revere's Ride," has the lines: ** Where swinging wide at her moorings, lay The Somerset, British man-of-war." 'NMiile in Provincetown Harbor she had been a familiar sight, and had, with her formidable armament, been viewed with some degree of awe by the inhabitants. Under the direction IM- CAPB COD. of the Board of War she was now stripj^ed, her guns sent to various pomts on the coast, and her ammunition and small arms devoted to the use of the continental army. When abandoned by^the authorities she was again pillaged by the local wreckers, and her frame left to the chances of time and the elements. The winds swept over her, and the drifting sands enveloped her in their embraces, until the changes of a centuiy again disclosed her battei*ed hulk to the obsen^ation of a new generation, to whom her history comes like a memory of auld lang syne.* Another wreck, attended by more tragical consequences, occurred to an American armed vessel Dec. 26 and 27 of this year, in the awful storm, generally known as the "Magee stoinn." The government brig Gen. Arnold, Capt. James ^lagee, sailed from Xantasket Roads, Boston, Dec. 2-t, 1778, in company with the privateering slobp Revenge. In the bay they encountered a violent northeast storm, described as "" unparalleled in the annals of New England.*^ The sloop weathered the Cape, which the Gen. Arnold was unable to do, but in the afternoon anchored off PIjTnouth. The gale increased, and in the morning of Dec. 26, *The remains of the Somerstet came to li^ht iu the summer of 18S0, and were examined liy huudreds of ])eoi>ie from all section:* of the oouutry. The foUowiug letter, received by a gentleman of Province- town, wa3 in au3wer to a request for information made to the Secretary of Admiralty, Whitehall, London: Admiralty, S. W., "iSth May, lim. Sir — In reply to your letter of the 12th instant, aing of men for the protection of Falmouth, having compelled the officer in command to impress horses for the more rapid movement of troops, and the owners threatening prosecution, an act was passed exempting the officer from legal proceedings, but expressly providing that it shall not be construed to justify such action in the future. By the summary measures adopted the coast was in a degree protected, but on the water, upon the whole southern shore of the Cape, the enemy's cruisers were very destructive and annojing. About a league off Hyannis, in October, they captured a fish-laden vessel bound to Stonington, and 19B CAPE COD. drove another ashore on the eastward coast of Falmouth. A company of refugees with some 20 Vineyard pilot boats^ ran into the Cape harbors and were enabled to take property, which was not duly pi-otected. Gen. Otis applied in this emergency for a number of 8-pounders, swivels, etc., and engaged to procure ^two small vessels and get them manned to scour the sound.^ He at the same time wrote that ^ Hyannis is much exposed ; and to draw off the men to Falmouth causes much uneasiness." The taking of the sch. Gen. Leslie, in Old Town [now Vineyard Haven] harbor, by a party under command of Col. Joseph Dimmick, from Falmouth, was an act of great gallantry and enterprise. The Leslie had on board 33 men and 10 4-pounders. The Falmouth vessel had 25 men, 2 3-pounders and 2 wooden guns. They went to Old Town harbor, where lay the Gen. Leslie and a sloop mounting 12 9-pounders, with three prizes anchored between them. They first made for the 12-gun sloop, intending to board and sweep the harbor ; but the wind and tide setting out, they fell about a biscuit toss astem, and could not fetch again. This was night work. The sloop being alaiined began a fire. They then immediately i*an the Leslie aboard amidst the attack from the sloop, tiring a volley of small arms into the Leslie, wounding one of her men, who afterwards died, and receiving a volley in return, which hurt nobody ; then, jumping on board, about 20 men drove the Leslie's men below, cut the cable, and earned the prize in triumph to Hyannis, with the vessel and her 33 prisoners, who were sent manacled to Boston. Another of Col. Dinmiick's brave and gallant acts may properly be narrated here, though referring to another period of the war. A schooner sent to the Connecticut river for com — then extremely scarce in these parts, and THE REVOLUTIONART WAR, 1» selling for tS per bushel — was intercepted as it was entering the sound, and captured. The captain escaped to the shore in his boat and hastened to Col. Dimmick, whom he reached at midnight, and to whom he communicated his tale. The colonel jumped from his bed, and directed the captain to go for his brother Lot. The two soon succeeded in mustering 20 resolute men, and started for Wood^s Hole. Thev there procured three whaleboats and proceeded to Tarjiaulin Cove, arriving just before daybreak. It was very cold, and the colonel allowed his men to land and kindle a tire in a hollow, where they would l>e unobserved, and wait until morning. At the first glimmerinjr of day the privateer and the prize were discovered lying at anchor in the cove. Col. Dimmick and his men were, in another minute, in their boats pulling vigorously for the prize. They were fired on from both vessels, but returning the fire, boarded the prize, retook it, got immediately under way, and ran ashore at the west end of the Vineyard. The privateer followed, and was repulsed ; the tide rose, and in a few hours the schooner was safely moored in Wood's Hole harbor, to the great joy of the inhabitants. Shortly after the capture of the Gen. Leslie, George Leonai*d, who was at the head of a company of refugees in the sound, sent a flag of truce to Gen. Otis, proposing an exchange of Barnabas Eldridge and Isaac Matthews of Yarmouth, held as prisoners, and Manasseh Swift and James Wing of Falmouth, held on parole, for certain persons captured on board the Leslie. Gen. Otis subsequently ascertained that Leonard, under date of ''On board ship Resolution, Holmes' Hole, Oct. 1," had issued a proclamation inviting all who had taken up arms ag:iinst the government to la}^ them down, promising '* protection and every comfort^ to such as should do so. aOO CAPE COD. Monetary necessities at the close of the year were pressing; the currency was depreciated and of uncertain value. Committees had been chosen to regulate the prices of products, and everything possible had been done to prevent speculation and extortion. An unpleasant epbode of the times, though not necessarily a part of the record of the war, must be noticed in order to make the history of the year complete. The commanding general of the county became embroiled with the authorities by reason of his appointing a brigade major who was, from his antecedents and abilities, distasteful to the officers of the county. The council in delicate terms hinted a disapproval of the choice, and no notice being taken of this, some pretty plain talk was indulged in by the presiding members- speaking as the mouthpiece of the body. Gen. Otis, who felt, probablj', that the sei-vices of his family entitled him to immunity from interference, was finally obliged to jdeld, and his future position and influence were greatly lessened by this unfortunate event. The gloomy aspect with which the year 1780 opened was increased by the curse of an irredeemable paper currency, a calamity little less than that of war itself. The money and credit of the states being at a low ebb, the only alter- native was to make requisitions upon the several states so as to include provisions and forage. Blankets, shoes, shirts, stockings, were called for in quick succession. 453 of each article were discounted as the proportion of this county. This was more satisfactory than calling for money which had limited purchasing power, as is illustrated by the fact that the general court in June of this year voted to Rev. Samuel Parker, minister at Provincctown, £3000 in addition to the regular annual grant of £45 I Another requisition for the re-enforcement of the army THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 201 was made Juno 2, and in order that a sufficient num)3er of effective men might be retained on shore to supply the call, an embargo was laid on the departure of vessels throughout the State. From this county 187 men were asked for, and June 22, 223 more. Xath'l Freeman, Esq., was appointed superintendent for the county, and Mr. Freeman, with Barnabas Freeman, Esq., and Capt. Edmund Howes were appointed '^to receive moneys in and of the public treasury.** The sale of confiscated estates was urged forward for the benefit of the treasury, by the commissioners, Nathaniel Freeman, Daniel Davis and Joseph Otis. An additional call for 156 men was made Dec. 1. Besides this, a requisition was received Sept. 25, for 71,280 lbs. beef, and Dec. 4, for 136,875 lbs., for Barnstable county. These repeated calls completely drained the towns of men and of munitions, and the time came when the requisitions were not met, because there was no way of supplying them. The people were at the end of their resources. Harwich, Chatham, Eastham and Yarmouth were obliged to memorial- ize the general court, severally setting forth '^the many difficulties and distresses the inhabitants of said towns labor under by reason of the extraordinary diminution of inhabitants and many other inconveniences of the present war" — praj'ing that they may ^be abated the txixes and requisitions for beef and other articles." A committee being sent by the genei-al court to the Cape, the members were satisfied that no amount of effort and no degree of patriotism could furnish beef where it was not to be found, and that the requisition for the same amount of this proWsion that it required of the rich agricultural region of the interior, was a most preposterous exaction. A resolve consequently passed in Jan., 1781, '"to stay executions issued against said towns until further orders," also to remit 20St CAPS COD. a fine of £600 to the town of Barnstable, assessed for a fiiilure to provide the whole number of soldiei'S that had been required the previous year, tlie members being satisfied of the inability of the town to meet the requisition. The new constitution of the state being adopted took effect Oct. 25, 1780, and the first election by the people followed. John Hancock was chosen Governor, and Thomas Gushing lieutenant-governor. The first senator from Barnstable county was Solomon Freeman of Harwich, who served in that office for 17 — though not successive — terms. The expenence of 1781 was nearly a rej^etition of that of the preceding year. The people in general were gi-eatly impoverished, but there still remained some citizens of means and resources. Loans of money were solicited by the state government for war purposes, and Joseph Nye, Esq. of Sandwich, and Elisha Doane, Esq. of Wellfieet, were made a committee to procure subscriptions. The county was again called upon for beef, j(),489 lbs. being its pro^>ortioii. Men were called for to defend Rhode Island, the brio^dier (>:eneral beino^ ordered to detach from liis brigade ''one l:>t lieut. and 56 non-commissioned officers and privates, provided with good firelock, bayonet, cartridge- box, haversack and blanket." Some of the towns, especially those in the lower portion of the county, feeling that it was utterly impossible to comply with the government requisition for beef for the army, met by delegates at Barnstable, and appointed Dr. John Davis to represent their case before the general court. In an address adopted ''the inequality of the burdens laid upon the people" was intelligently discussed. Especially was the impossibility of furnishing beef enlarged upon ; that they had been disproportionately taxed was rendered so evident to the authorities that £2224 of the tax of this year THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 20ft was abated. U|X)n the representation of Brig.-Gen. Freeman, under date of Oct. 20, it was ordered that a guard for the town of Falmouth **be detached from the Ist regiment in the company and placed under the command of Lt.-Col. Dimmick.'' Negotiations for peace had been progressing, and it shows the interest and importance attached to the fisheries, that the towns in many instances gave instruction to their representatives, to *'ask of the legislature to see that the commissioners be instiiicted to preserve and restore that interest." Accordingly a resolve was passed Oct. 27, instructing the delegates in Congress "to present to that body the importance to the United States in general and to this state in particular, of the fisheries, that the rights heretofore enjoyed by the United States may, in any settlement of peace, 1>e acknowledged and secured. ** The condition of the army under Gen. Washington, early in 1782, which was most deplorable, was hardly worse than that of the people in many sections of the country. Nowhere vras the state of affairs more apparent than in many jmrts of the Cape, as it is fully disclosed by the proceedings of the legislature. On the petition of Edward Knowles and others, in behalf of the towns of this county, that body, Jan. 30, appointed a committee to repair to the towna of Yarmouth, Harwich, Eastham and Chatham, and view the circumstances, hear all parties, and report ; also to go into other towns in the county for the purpose mentioned, and until further orders, all executions for any deficiency in procuring beef or men, were ordered to be staj'ed. This committee was subsequently superseded by another, which after some delay reported that they were satisfied that the towns had complied to the utmost of their ability with the requisitions made on them, and that they were incapable of 20i GAPS COD. complying therewith any farther. And the conunittoe having also reported that in their opinion all deficiencies of beef or men due from any of the towns in the county of Barnstable should be abated and all fines due from them be remitted, a resolve to that effect was passed by the general court. The last requisition for recruits for the army, of which there is record, was made March 7, 1782, which was s call for 1500 men, 36 for Barnstable county, to make up for the deficiency of the quota of Massachusetts line, caused by mortality and other casualties. Still other evidence appears of the total exhaustion of the resources of the several towns. March 12, upon the petition of the inhabitants of Eastham, Harwich and Yarmouth, and Juno 23, upon a similar petition of Barnstable, Sandwich and Falmouth, setting forth their extreme poverty and utter inability to pay their taxes at present, the state treasurer was directed to recall the executions issued and to stay in future, until further ordered, demands for two-thirds ox the taxes. One of the last acts of the general court relative to the war in connection with this county was passed Oct. 9, by which ofiicers were directed "to cause the shores of their respective towns and the vessels in the harboi's to be examined, that if any cattle or sheep are found which, from their local situation or other apparent circumstances, are likely to fall into the hands of the enemy, they may be driven to places of safety." Our coast was thoroughly beleaguered. The hostile movements on the south shore, in Tarpaulin Cove as the base of operations of the British fleet, were supplemented by a similar condition of affairs at the other extreme of the county, Provincetown being the place of rendezvous. The opei*ations extended from Cape Cod harbor, all along the coast, to PljTiiouth. The THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. W^ small crafts, which sometimes ventured to skirt the coast, bringing supplies from Boston, or to search the fishing grounds, sometimes succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the enemy's ships, and were treated with as much leniency as could be exi)ected in a time of war. Lieutenant, after- wards tlie famous Admiral, Nelson, was this year in Cape Cod bay in command of his majesty's ship Albemarle, and gave up to its owner a vessel fi*om Plymouth which he had captured.* From the fact that the fleet in Provincetown harbor was controlled by English oflBcers, instead of refugee American loyalists, the relations between them and the inhabitants was of a far more amicable chai*acter than those which subsisted between the parties at FaUuoutli and vicinity. The officers of the English ships often visited the people and cultivated their acquaintance. They sometimes attended church, and the chaplains not unfrequently preached. Dr. Wm. Thayer^ a surgeon of an English man-of-war, married a young lady of Truro, left the service, and practised medicine, and reared a family there. f But there were not enough of such instances to greatly mitigate the existing condition of hardship and hostility. They were simply tiie "touches of nature" which are said to make "the whole world kin," and which sprang from the origin of both as members of the same great English-speaking race. The endurance and constancy of the people, as exemplified by these years of suffering and privation, was at length to ''Hou. Wm. T. Davis of Plymouth has in his possession the original doeiiineiit of which the following: is a copy: T))e:*e are to certify that I took the seiiooner Harmony, Nathaniel Carver, master, !)eloiipinp to Plymouth, hut on account of his good servicer, have ^iveii him up his vessel a^in. Dated ou board His Majesty's ship Albemarle, 17th August. 1782, in Boston Bay. Horatio ^buoit. tRieh*s Truro. ^206 CAPE COD. be crowned by success. Early in ITSS, the negotiations which had been pending for more than a year were concluded, and to the inexpressible joy of the i)eople, the cessation of hostilities was proclaimed by Gren. Washington, on the 19th day of April, just eight years from the day when Lord Percy started out on his illnstarred visit to Concord and Lexington. The definitive treaty was signed Sept. 3, following. The part taken by Cape Cod in this great struggle for freedom, both in respect to leadership and tlie co-operation of the people, will be seen to have been of the most important character. The exertions of the latter in the tield, as sketched in the preceding pages, were only limited fey their capacity and power of endurance. They contri- buted to the common cause not only almost the last dollar «nd the last man, but the political T^-isdom and undeviating constancy of the elder Otis, and the matchless and inspiring eloquence of the younger of the name ; the tireless energy and activity of Dr. Nathaniel Freeman ; the military skill, enterprise and daring of Gens. Braddock Dimmick and Joseph Otis, men whose fame was not confined by local bounds. Xor should we forget to render again a just tribute to the services of one of Cape Cod blood and origin, whose field of operations was in the city of New York, that matchless agitator and untiring patriot, Capt. Isaac Sears. The bitter and ghastly realities of the war have with sufficient minuteness and detail been enlarged upon in the foregoing relation, but there was mingled with these hard experiences enough of daring and adventure to impart some- what of the glow of romance to the narrative of the times. The men of the Cape, not a few of them, were brought in contact with some of the best remembered and most talked of events of that eight years of agony and exeition. THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 207 Ebenezcr Scars, a soldier of Yarmouth, stood guaixJ over Major Andre the night before his execution, and, like all who came in contact with that gallant and accomplished officer, was deeply touched by his noble l>earing and his unhappy fate. Benjamin Collins, of Truro, belonged to the crew of the Ixu-ge that rowed Benedict Arnold on board the Vulture. He was drugged and kept on board the frigate until he learned Arnold had joined the enemy, when, fearing that he also would be regarded as a traitor, he ran away to Canada, and did not return home for forty-eight years, when he spent a year in Truro and returned finally to his Canadian home.* During the year 1775, David Snow and son, aged 15 years, were fishing back of Cape Cod, when they were taken by a privateer, and earned to Halifax. They were thence transfeiTed to the Old Mill prison in England. They soon gained the confidence of the officers, who granted them many privileges. One day the young man found a file, and this led to a scheme for recovering their liberty. They arranged for a great party and frolic among the prisoners; thirty-six of them were enlisted in a scheme for escape* With the fiddling, began the double-shuflle of prison brogans, which drowned the noise of the file upon the prison bars. The festivities were kept up until the bar was severed, leaving room for exit, when the thirty-six emerged, undetected, from the prison yard. Knocking down the sentinels, they were soon outside the walls, and directed their steps to Plymouth harbor, fifteen miles distant. Before davli^rht thev had reached the barter, and embarked on a large scow, and were afioat on the English Channel. With almost superhuman strength they boarded a small vessel, ♦Kich*.^ Truro. i 208 CAPE COD. captured it and set sail for the coast of France. Upon their arrival they sold their prize, ^Ir. Snow and son retaining $40 as their share of the proceeds. They gave themselves up to the French government, were placed on board a cartel, sent to America, and landed in Carolina. The war was still raging, the coast was guarded, and their only hope of getting home was by land, which they accomplished after weeks of wearisome travel. Peace had in the meantime been declared. From Boston they took passage in a vessel for Provincetown. They continued on a boat their home- ward journey. ^Ir. Snow ascertained where his wife, who had for seven years mourned him as dead, was to be found, and presented himself without ceremony. She fell in a swoon, apparently dead, but recovering, walked home with her husband. The boy, David, had now become a stalwart man, but he, instead of going directly home, went first to a neighbor's, without giving his name. The quick observation of one of the bright-eyed girls of the family penetrated the secret, and she said to her sister, ^' If that isn't David Snow, it is his ghost ! " David got home before his parents, and met them on the road, where neighbors and friends joyfully welcomed them.* Many Cape men found their way on board the privateers, which were so numerous and serviceable to the American cause, both in furnishing supplies and ammunition, and in weakenmg the commerce of Great Britain. In the two years, from 177G to 1778, nearly eight hundred pidzes were captured, which, with their cargoes, were woilh not less than twenty millions of dollars. It is stated on authority that during the war quite two hundred thousand of tons of British shipping were captured by our privateers, principally manned by fishermen. These crafts did not always escape •Rlch'8 Truro. THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 209 with impunity, and when taken, their crews were consigned to a punishment only a little worse than death — imprison- ment on board the "Jersey" or in the ** Old jSIill." On board the brig Kcsolution, a privateer taken by an English vessel in 1780, were 13 men from Truro and Wellflect, who were sent to the Old Mill Prison.* Obadiah Rich, then or recently of Truro, was conmiander of the privateer brig Intrepid, of four guns. The records of the towns, during the period of the Revolution, ever and anon contain words like these, after tlie names of citizens : "" Died on board Jersey Prison Ship." To those who have read the history of that ** fatal, that perfidious bark, BuUt iu the eclipse and rigged with curses dark,** no further description is required. It was an old sixty- four gun-ship, which through age had become unfit for actual service. It was stripped of spar and rigging and ever}^ trace of ornament, and nothing remained but an old, unsightly, rotten hulk. Its dark and filthy appearance perfectly corresponded with the death and despair that reigned aboard. It was moved about three-quarters of a mile to the eastward of Brooklyn ferry, near a tide mill on the Long Island shore. It is computed that not less than eleven thousand American seamen perished in it. Here wei*e promiscuously huddled the well and the sick, twelve hundred together at times. Fever, small-pox, and all sorts of infectious diseases prevailed. Insufficiently nourished with the poorest of food, without medical aid to the sick, what wonder that the pestilent hulk became a charnel-house, a commitment to which was like a sentence of death. It is *Their names were, Thomas Cobb, Isaac Snow, Joseph CroweU. Ellas Gape, Stephen Youiijr, Jeremiah New<-oml), Atiuilla Rieh, Sam*l Curtii*, Nathan Atwood, Eleazer Higgins, Elisha Jones, Joseph Pierce, and Ezekiel Rich. 210 CAPE COD. not known how many of our men perished here, as no report of names was ever made; enough is ascertained to leave a record which can never be effaced.* The advent of peace brought to an end, except in memory, the privations, sufferings and hoiTors of the la«t seven years. "^Mien the rejoicings of grateful heaiis were over, the people addressed themselves earnestly to the work of repairing the wastes of war, reviving long suspended industries, and pursuing, with all their accustomed ardor, the arts and avocations of peace. With the closing year of the War of Independence came the close of mortal life of one who had infused into the hearts of his countrymen those principles of resistance to arbitrary power, of which independence was bora. James Otis, Jr., standing in his doorway in Andover, was struck l>y a flash of lightning and died from its effects May 23, 1783. He was boni in West Banistable, 1725, gi'aduated at Harvard College in 1743, practised law in Barnstable and Plymouth, and removed thence to Boston. He was appointed advocate-general at the Couit of Admiralty, which position he resigned rather than sustain the ai)i)lication for the Writs of Assistance, which he ojiposed. His plea on this occasion has already ))een adverted to as a masterj^iece of eloquence and conclusive reasoning. Hutchinson endeavors to account for his disaffection towards the government, by the fact that his father was not appointed chief justice of the Supreme court, to which ho aspired; but the disinterestedness and patriotism of Otis need no defence from such charges or insinuations. President John Adams said, '"I have been young and now am old, and I solemnly say, I have never known a man whose love of country was more ardent or sincere, never one who suffered ^Sketch of Jersey PrUou Ship by Rev. Tho3. Audros. JAMES OTIS. THE nEVOLUTIONARY WAR. 211 SO much, never one whose services for any ton years of his life were so impoi-tant and essential to the cause of his countrv as those of Mr. Otis from 1760 to 1770." He was elected a representative from Boston in 1761, opiX)sed the stamf) act in 1765, for which next j^ear the government negatived his election as speaker, to which he liad been chosen. Ilis pamphlet entitled, *'llights of the Colonies Vindicated," was considered in England a masterpiece of df rey and Mr. Cushiug were Joined on the part of the House. 1777. This year the brig Wilkes was cast away on the back side of the Cape, in Ea^tham, and was pillaged by some parties on shore. The town held a meeting and api>ointed a committee to endeavor to bring the offenders to Justice.— Aug. 17, the board of war was requested to furnish field pieces and ammunition for the defence of Truro, and it was ordered that a company be raised in Truro and adjoining towns to be constantly in practice, and be ready at all times to prevent all intercourse with the British men-of-war in Cai>e Cod harbor or elsewhere, as well as for protection. 1778. Mar. 23, regular session of the Courts suspended, so many officers. Justices, etc., being engaged in military and other operations for the pul)lic defence.— Small-pox raged this year in Sandwich, and also carried off lar^e numbers of the native Indians of Yarmouth. — Barnstable was agitated by the action of the provincial a^s^embly, which put on record aspersions upon the patriotism of the town's representative, Edward Bacon, Esq. This quarrel had mn(^h to do with the unfortunate record of the town on the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Bacon was vindicated by his townsmen, and subse(iueutly restored most fully to the public confidence. 17TD. Committees were chosen by the towns to repnilate the prices of necessaries of life and prevent extortion.— Ship America, with Capt. Wm. Doane and twenty-two others of Well fleet, was lost at sea. 1780. By a special act of the legislature, Joseph Otis and David Thacher, Esquires, were authorized to license Otis Loring of Barnsta- ble to keep an inn ; the reason assigned for this unusual proceedins: being **for the better accommodation for the courts of Justice."— CHRONOLOGY OF ETEHTS. SIS Mav 19, occurred the "dark dm^," an event which earned mucb •pecnlation among the learned, aa well a« the unlettered and aup o r atl - im. An act puttied to prevent damage to NobucusRet meadow* in Tarmouth.— All the town* were enjta^red In inefTectual efforta to procure thetr quota of beer for the army.— The militia was thla jear reorpiulzed, cou«equFuI upon the Hdo])tiou of the Constitution, and the perMiiiiiel was aa foUowa: Brl|;.-Oen., KathaiiEel Freeman of Sandwich, who held office for twelve yeari auoceedlng. Brigade Uajor and Insjtector, Xathauiel Frcemau, Jr., who helJ office for tixteen veara. Flmt Re^ment— Tol. Enoch Hallet, Tnrmoutb, realgned ITVOl LC-Col. Joseph Dimmlck, Falmouth, promoted Major In 17W, Brig,- Gen., inu. Major, Micah Chapman, Yarmouth, succeeded ITVO. Adjn- faut, Thomaa Thacher, Tarmouth, racoeeded 1790. Secoud Regiment — CoL Benj. Godfrey, Chatham, realgued 1T90. Lt.-Cot Job Crook«r. Chatham, aucceeded ITOO. Major, Wm. Qage, Harwich, Adjutant, Joseph Paine, Chatham, succeeded ITSO. ITBt. Rev. Mr. HilUard dismissed from East church, Barnstable, and Rev. John Miller appointed hla auoceasor.— Rev. Thoinaa Boby called to ptutorate of ohui'ch in Cbatbam. \\ CHAPTER XIII. FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE WAR OF 1812-16. Rattflcattou of Coa«tltutiou of th« United States— First BepreMoto- tWe in CongreM from tli« Cape— lucorporntlon of Deuai», Orleans ftnd Brewster— Rise Aud growtli of Methodism on (be Cape- Manufacture of Salt— Wreck of Salem Sbips ou Peolced Hill Bars -Canal iicrosB the Cape— Snnrlwfch AotKHeiny liii'fir[)Or»teii— Dr. Bamuel West- HaritlmeAohleTementtfof Cape(;aptaluii,£l*eueier Sears, Jotaii Keuriek, Elijah Cobb— Robespierre- Bar bary PiraWs — Commercial Beetrictious, Embargo acts, etti. T cannot be deemed sti-ange that such a . aevere struggle as that of the Revolutionatj- War should have been succeeded by a seaauu of comparatiTe exhaustion. But in a little ■^^;^VJj^C^ time the old energy and resolution of the "^^^ people returned, and they counnenccd anew apon a career of activity and devclojimcnt. But the want of uniform commercial regulations, and a safe and conven- ient currency, and the heavy debt iuipending over them, were the sources of embarrassments and hindrances to gro^vth and the prosperity of trade. The public mind was soon brought to see the need of a new bond of union between the different states. In 1787, the constitution of the United States having been adopted by the general convention, the several states held conventions to ratify or reject the game. The convention for JIassachusetts was an able body, and the debates were animated and of marl^ed ability. Tlie vote on the ratificatiou was quite close, but the preponderance of sentiment in thi» FROM THE PEACE OF 1783 TO THE WAR OF IBVi^lB. 215 county was strongly in favor of the adoption of the con- stitution, as will be seen by the record of the vote of the members, as follows: Yeas, Shearja.shub Bourne, of Barnstable; David Thacher and Jonathan Howes, of Yarmouth; Solomon Freeman and Kimbal Clark of Harwich; Levi Whitman of Wellfleet; Joseph Palmer, of Falmouth. Nays, Thomas Smith and Thomas Xye, of Sandwich. Shearjashub Bourne was chosen representative to the second congress from the district which comprised the county of Barnstable, having received the unanimous vote of tliis county for that office, which he faithfully filled for two successive terms. From this time, for a number of years, there were no questions before the people demanding their absorbing attention, apait from the concerns of the geneml public. In 1794, by a division of Yarmouth, Dexxis was incor- porated as a separate township. The separation of Dennis from the mother town was effected without controversy an.d with the cordial assent of both sections. It was done with the design of subserving the convenience of the citizens in the transaction of their local business. As a matter of ^-t, they had for many years i)receding acted as separate communities. In tlie Revolutionary War, the East and West parishes not onl}' levied their ministerial taxes, but voted money and made regulations for raising troops and carrying un the campaign, distinct from and with the assent of the town, and the system worked so well that they were led to continue it in relation to all municipal affairs. The final action of the town on this matter was substantially unanimous, and from that time to the present, the relations of the two towns have been harmonious and fraternal. The name given to the new town was that of a former beloved pastor of the West parish, llev. Josiah Dennis. 216 CAPS COD. Three years later, the town of Orleans was incorporated, being set off from Eastham, of which it had heretofore formed the South precinct. This separation was also effected without serious controversy, or opposition from the remainder of the town. The seceding portion did not take the name, though it embraced the larger portion of the population, of the mother town, and it retained the original records. None of the contemporary documents throw light upon the reason for assuming the name by which it has since been known. The separation of the North parish of Harwich from that town, in 1803, and its incorporation by the name of Brewster, was not effected without bitter controveray, the results of which continued for many years thereafter. The distance between the villages on the north and south sides of the Cape would naturally suggest the ultimate division of the township; but it is probable that matters of political expediency hastened the movement, and led to opposition in the new township, which under other circumstances it would not have encountered. There was a strong remonstrance against the division, signed by a considerable number of citizens of the North parish, as well as those from the South {Mirish, and their representations led to the inseition of the incongruous provision into the act of incorporation, permit- ting such of them as were living in the North parish, ** together with such widows as live therein, and shall request it, have liberty to remain, with their families and estates to the town of Harwich, by leaving their names in the oflSce of the secretaiy of this commonwealth at any time within two years from the act of incoi'poration, certifying that such is their intention." A paper, containing the names of 65 citizens, two of them widows, was tiled with the town clerk of Harwich and in the office of the secretary of the FBOM THE PEACE OF 17BS TO THE WAR OF lOB-lft. S17 •commonwealth, the subsequent year, in which they express their intention of availing themselves of the provisions of this section of the act of incorporation. It can readily be seen that such an anomalous provision as this was liable to lead to great confusion of authority and endless difficulties and complications while it remained in existence, and kept up the antagonism growing out of the division long after the period, which, under ordinary circumstances, would have subsided. In the division, the old name of the township was conceded to the younger portion in point of time of settlement, and the new town was given the name of the old Pilgrim pastor, who was a near and dear friend of ihotie who first occupied this region. The changing {)hases of the religious sentiments of a people are always interesting and instructive subjects of inquiry and speculation. The ** Great Awakening" of 1725- 45, with the Whitefield episode, was a breaking away from tlie formalism of the churches, which had tl^cmsetves originated in a protest against the ceremonious forms and ritualism of the Established church of England. In the latter part of the century the Methodists began to attract the more earnest and demonstrative portion of the people, by their fervid and impassioned preaching. These sectaries did not meet the approval of the learned and refined, but possessed great fascination for men of ardent natures and warm susceptibilities. Their meetings were held in dwellings and out-houses, the ordinary places of assembling being denied to them. Men and women came from great distances and tarried long, to listen to the earnest words of the uncultured preachei-s, who, disdaining the rules of rhetoric or the conventionalities of the church organizations, went right home to the subject, esteeming the soul of the rude fisherman or common sailor of as much account as the most 318 CAPE COD. • important man in the parish. It was what Southey styled ** Religion in earnest.'' Such was the preaching of the* first Methodists — a sect which, from humhie beginnings, has since become great, powerful and influential, with endowed seminaries, gifted preachers, and professors learned in all the lore of the schools. Jesse Lee commenced his preaching in Boston, where he formed a society in 1792, and another society was gathered in Lynn about the same time. From Boston, small numbers of these people found their way to the Cape. Capt. Wm. Humbert, a local preacher, while lying windbound in Provincetown harbor, preaurhed in that place some time in the year 1793. Kev. Joseph Snelling and Rev. Hawkins also soon after preached in that town and in Truro and Wellfleet. Mr. Snelling was really the pioneer of Methodi:5m in the county, where he was stationed for about twenty veara. The first Methodist nieetiii«:-house on the Cape and the second one in the country, was built in Truro, in 1794. It was at first intended to build in Provincetown, but the persecution there was so intense that the project was postponed. The next year the plan of building in Provincetown was revived and the meeting- house was erected. The society i)urchased a frame and landed it on shore to be raised the next day; but during the night it was carried off and cut up, so tli:it nothing remained but chips. The minister. Rev. Geo. Cannon, was tarred and feathered in effigy, and the mob threatened to subject his person to the same treatment. Nothing daunted nor discouraged, these earnest men procured another frame, and succeeded in accomplishing their object. Subsequently^ Rev. Mr. Lee came down from Boston, and the offenders were exposed to a withering excoriation at his hands. In 179G, there were but two preachers of the denomination stationed on the Cape — Mr. Snelling, who ofiiciated m FROM THE PEACE OP 1783 TO THE WAK OF 1812-15. 21» Provinceto^\'n, Truro and Wellfleet ; and Rev. Joshua HalU in Sandwich. Methodism was introduced into Bamstable- in 1808, where the first preacher was threatened by the mob. Dr. Francis Weeks, one of the first of the men of social influence in the county to embrace its tenets, incul- cated the doctrine at Falmouth, the same year. From that time onward the spread of the denomination has been steady, until it now embraces bj' far the largest number of worship^ pers of any Christian denomination in the country.* It required nearl}'' a half century to extinguish the l^rejudice and bitterness with which this sect was regarded,, by a portion of the community, who adhered to the old order of things. The Baptists were fire^t gathered in this county in a church organization, at Harwich in 175G. Rev. Elisha Paine was their pastor, and he was succeeded by Rev. Richard Chase. They cannot be considered as seccders from the existing churc^hes, in any regard, except in their views of imuiersicm as a requisite in the baptismal rite. In fact, they were, if anj-thing, more congregational than the Congrega- tionalists themselves. With these few exceptions, if such they may l>e regarded, and those of the Quaker societies of the county, the Methodist movement was the first great schism from the "standing order** since the settlement of the county ; and this circumstance accounts, in some degree, for the bitterness and distrust with which the new movement was viewed by the generation which first came in contact with the disciples of this faith. The granting of letters patent in 1799, to Mr. John Sears,, for the manufacture of salt by solar evaporation, after years of effort and experiment, renders this a convenient and suitable occasion to reWew the history of this once important industry. During the Revolutionary war, and afterwards,, *Rieh*8 Truro. Lllc of Rev. Joseph SuelUng. this prime necessaiy of life waa scarce and high, and mcny attempts were made to manufacture it from sea water. Bnt the salt obtained waa impure, and but little progress was made in the business. Mr. Sears waa the first person who was completely successful in procuring pure marine salt by the rays of the sun alone, without the aid of artificial heat. The ReT. Dr. James Freeman, in 1802, wrote a quite fuU acoouQt of Mr. Sears's experiments, derived partly from data fumbhed by the tatter. It appears that as early as 1776, "this ingenioos seaman constructed a vat a hundred feet long and ten feet wide. Bafters were fixed over it, and shatters were contrived to move up and down, Utat the vat might be covered when it rained and exposed to the heat of the sun in fair weather. By this f^imple invention the rain was excluded, the water in the vut was gradually exhaled, and at length, to his inexpressible ]'oy, Capt. Sears peiteived the salt beginning to ci^-stallize. His works, however, were leaky, and he bad such bad success in his operations the first year that he was unable to obtain more than eight bushels of salt. He was exposed besides to the vidicule of his neigh- bors, who scoffed at his invention, styling it 'Sears's Folly.' FROM THE PEACE OF 1788 TO THE WAR OF 1812-lA. 2X1 **Cupt. Sears persevered. The second }*ear the works were made tight ; and thirty bushels of salt were obtained. In this and the third }xar the salt water was poured into the vat from buckets ; a tedious and painful operation. "^In the fouilh }*ear a pump was introduced; it was worked by hand, which was still great labor. This method of conveying salt water into the vat continued to be practised till tlie year 1785, when at the suggestion of Major Katlianiel Freeman of Harwich, who had seen at a distance a similar construction, Capt. Sears contrived a pump to be worked by the wind. By this lucky invention the labor was greatly abridged." Covers to move on shives, that is, rollers or small wheels, such as are contained in the blocks of ships, were invented b^' ]Mr. Reuben Sears, a carpenter of Harwich, in 1793. These covers are shaped like the roof of a barn, or what is commonly styled a gable roof. The shive, which is placed under the cover, rolls over a narrow piece of plank fixed across the vat, and the motion is farther facilitated by shives moving on each side of the same slip of plank horizontally, the first mentioned shive moving perpendicularly. When the cover is drawn off, which can be done without a great exertion of strength, it rests on a frame placed by the side of the vat. In 1798, Mr. Hattil Kelley of Dennis contrived another mode of constructing the vats and moving the covers. '*By Mr. Sears they are placed in a string, or direct line ; but by 'Mr. Kelley they are placed like the squares of a chess* board. Two black scjuares will represent the first and second vats. At the point where their angles touch is fixed a crane, consisting of a perpendicular beam, supporting a horizontal beam. From each half of the last beam is suspended a cover shaped like a hipped roof ; that is, a roof SB CAPE COD. composed of four triangles, rising fi'om each of the four sides, •and meeting in a point at the top. The thiixl vat will be represented by the white square, the angle of which touches it. At this point is iixcd a second crane ; and so the vats and cranes are continued to any extent the proprietor chooses. By these cranes the covers are moved with great ease. It is a subject of dispute which is the best invention, Sears's or Kelley's ; experience only can decide that point." Capt. Sears was greatly assisted in the invention and improvement of the works by Capt. William Crowell, Capt. Christopher Crowell and Capt. Edward Sears of Dennis. These persons resigning to him their right and title to the invention, he applied to the national government for a patent, which he obtained in 1799. ''Such is the account which Capt. Sears himself gives. It is alleged by several persons, that he has not made a new discovery and consequently has no right to a patent. But whatever may be thought of Capt. Sears*s merit as an inventor, there can be no dispute that he is entitled to applause for first introducing an impoitant manufacture, by which ho has contributed greatly to the prosiperity of the village in which he resides, and to that of the country at large." Incidental to this industry the manufacture of the Glauber-salts, once greatly esteemed in medical practice, sprang up and became quite an important adjunct of this business. Tliis product was effected by boiling, and was considered of an excellent quality. The value and extent of the salt business was for many yeai*s of great importance, to the county of Barnstable particularly. In 1801 there were 121,313 feet of works in the county, of which 50,430 were in Dennis and Yarmouth ; these works being calculated to manufacture aI)out 44,000 FROM THE PEACE OP 1788 TO THE WAIl OF 181^15. 22S bushels of salt. The capital invested in the business, in the year 1808, was nearly half a million of dollars. In 1830, about 600,000 bushels M'ere luanufac-tured by this process in Massachusetts alone, and a still larjrcr quantity in Maine. In 1832, the countj'^ of Barnstable had 1,425,500 feet of vats, producing 358,250 bushels, but in 1834, the Inisiness was checked in consequence of the reduction of the duty. The policy of the general goveniment was not whollj'' consistent or friendly in its aspect towards this industiy ; sometimes encouraging it by placing a high duty on imported salt, and at other times reducing the impost to a low figure. The bounty offered by the state in the infancy of the business was afterwards withdrawn, the profits being found to be larger than that of other local industries. The clevelopment of the salt springs in New York and other places also tended to make the business less important and profitable, and for the last twenty-five yean no new works have been erected, those still existing at that time being kept up by repairs, and operated with moderate success; but at the time of writing this narrative (1884) hardly any works are standing as monuments of a once flourishing industrj.* One by one, as the century closed, the leading actora of the Revolutionary period lK5gan to fall by the wayside. In 1799, Daniel Da\is departed this life, at the age of 85 years, 6 months. He was an ardent and uncompromising Whig, and was closely identified with the espousera of the patriot cause in the province. He was later in life chief justice of the court of Common Pleas, judge of Probate, and held other prominent positions. In 1800, Aug. 22, the county sustained a severe loss in the death of Hon. Nathaniel Freeman, Jr., representative in *0\<{ Yarmouth. 234 CAPE COD. Congress from this district, at the early age of 34 years. He was a classmate at Harvard of John Quincy Adams , and divided the honors of the class ^dth ^Ir. Adams in the graduation exercises. He embraced the profession of the law, as his pursuit in life. At the age of 30 years, upon the retirement of Hon. Shearsjashub Bourne, ho was chosen that gentleman's successor in Congress, having previously filled with honor for several years the position of brigade- major on the staff of his father. In 1801, David Thacher of Yarmouth departed this life. He was 27 years in the house of representatives, and one year in the senate from Barnstable county, -and judge of the court of Common Pleas, and a member of the convention to form a state constitution, and of that to ratify the fedeml constitution. He was a leading character of the town during the Revolutionary War, his judgment being sound, and his sympathies on the side of his oppressed countrymen,, though far from being an extremist in his political opinions ; his cautious temperament causing him at times to excite the distrust of the more ardent and impetuous patriots. A memorable shipwreck occurred near Peaked Hill bars, off Provincetown, in 1802. Three Salem ships, the Ulysses, Brutus and Yolutia, sailed together from Salem on a beautiful day in February, with valuable cargoes on board, one of them bound for Leghorn, the other two for Bordeaux. They encountered a sudden snow storm before reaching the Cape, and the three were wrecked near one another on those treacherous bars, then as now the terror of sailors. The Brutus lost all but five of its crew, some twenty men; the other two crews escaped with their lives. As an illustration of the facilities for the spread of intelligence in those days, it is stated that the account of those wrecks, which occurred February 22, did not reach Salem until FROM THE PEAC£ OF 17B3 TO THE WAR OF 1812-15. 225 March 4, following, and it was not until the 8th of March that full intelligence was received there. In 1804, a canal from Town Cove to Boat Meadow River, nearly on the boundary line between Orleans and Eastham, was dug by a companj' deriving its powers from the two towns, but the project did not prove a success. The legislature was petitioned for authority to create a lottery in aid of the project, but no action was taken in that direction » The route chosen was over the region through which Capt. Southack sailed in 1718, when going to the scene of pirate Bellamy's shipwreck. By the incorporation of Sandwich Academy, in 1804, was established an institution of learning in which the entire county was interested, both in its patronage and dii'ection. A gitmt of one half-township of six miles square, of unappropriated land in the district of Maine, was made by the legislature for the use of such academy in some town of the county, on condition that $3000 be actually raised and secured from other sources for the endowment of the same. There was great rivalry among the towns and villages of the Cape to secure the location of the institution within their limits, but the citizens of Sandwich offered the most substantial inducements, — the chief of them being the pre-eminent qualifications of the proposed principal. Rev. Jonathan Burr — and the academy was located there. The trustees named in the act of incorporation were eighteen in number, eight from Sandwich and ten from other towns, viz: Rev. Jonathan Burr, Hon. Nathaniel Freeman, Dr. Jonathan Leonard, Wendall Davis, Esq., James Freeman,^ Esq., Mr. \Vm. Fessenden, Mr. Stephen Basse tt, Mr. TVm. Bodfish, Sandwich; Rev. Henry Lincoln, Thomas Jones,. Esq., Falmouth; Thomas Thacher, Esq., Yarmouth; Rev. Levi 'Whitman, AVellfleet ; Rev. Oakes Shaw, David Soudder, 230 CAPE COD. Esq., Barnstable; Rev. John Simpkins, Brewster; Iwichard Sears, Esq., Chatham; Rev. Nathan Stone, Dennis; Rev. Jude Damon, Truro. Hon. Nathaniel Fi^eeman was president, and Mr. Wm. Fessenden, treasurer, of the corporation for many years. For some time this academy was a most prosperous and useful educational instinimentality. But sectarian differences among the managers at last operated to undermine the usefulness of the institution, so that finally its management fell into control wholly local and sectarian. The building and lot which it occupied have recently l)een sold, and a new location sought, to which whatever remains of the academy interest has l)cen trans- ferred in connection with the Sandwich High school. Sept. 24, 1807, died in Dartmouth, Mass., Rev. Samuel West, D. D. He was bom in Yarmouth, March 3, 17H0, in the southeasterly part of the town, near Swan Pond. His father was Sackfield West, a man of humble fortunes, but of strong mind, who often used to exhort the Indians in their meeting-house near by. Samuel was early employed in the pursuit of husbandrj'-, but discerning men discovering his abilities, the means of education were procured for him, and he while the captdin took his adventurous coui*se towards home. Not long after this time, while Capt. Kenrick was exploring seas unknown to his countrymen, another Cape shipmaster, Capt. Elijah Cobb, of Brewster, was invoking justice of the revolutionary government of France. His vessel had been seized and its cargo appropriated by the French authorities, at Brest, and, after a struggle, he had extracted from the French oflicials a promise of reparation, but no progress had been made in securing its perfoimance. It was represented to him that the papers in the case had been sent to Paris ; and, after securing certified copies thereof, to •Am. Cyclopasdia, vol. V. FROM THE PEACE OF 1788 TO THE WAR OF 1812-lS. 2» Paris he went to further prosecute his suit for redress. He arrived in that city in the midst of the bloodiest period of that fearful drama, the recital of which, even now, sends a thrill of horror through the civilized world. He was an eye-witness to the execution of hundreds of persons by the guillotine, of men, women, priests, civilians, of all agea and conditions of life. These scenes did not deter him from his pui*pose. He found the French officials to be tricky and evasive, and finally they pretended to have lost his papers and could not proceed. In this emergency he had bethought him of appealing to Robespierre himself, who, though hard-hearted and cruel, was not destitute of a sense of justice and public honor. In response to an appeal by letter from Capt. Cobb, representing himself as an American citizen, who had been captured by a French frigate on the high seas, and who desired an interview on business, he received reply, of which the following is a translation : *" I will grant Citizen Cobb an interview tomorrow at ten a. m. Robesfierbe/' Capt. Cobb called at the appointed time. Sobespierre's demeanor on this occasion was a model of courtesy and decorum, and he little resembled the monster he is generally pictured in contemporary history. Like Byi'on's pirate, '* He was the mildest mannered man. That ever scuttled ship or cut a throat.** He heard Capt. Cobb to the end, then convei*sed with him in very good English, and at the close told him to call at the office in Rue St. Honorie, tell them who sent him there, and direct them, at the risk of his displeasure, to ae8pierre himself.* Capt. Cobb was destined to exi)erience other adventures of a thrilling nature before returning home. He was some time a resident at Hamburg, and during the succeeding war wits captured and imprisoned by a British frigate. The shipmaster in those daySy beside being a thorough navigator, was required, before the advent of magnetic telegraphs, telephones and &8t mails, to exercise the functions of supercargo and merchant, being so remote from his o>vners and employers that it was necessary to rely upon his own judgment and discretion. These exigencies developed lirst-class ability in many instances, and it was during this period that the business reputation and sagacity of Cape shipmasters was at the highest point. Among the disadvantages attending the prosecution of foreign commerce by Amencans, was the inadequacy of our naval forces in distant waters. The United States was for many years unable to claim respect for the flag or exact protection for those sailing under it. Even in tlie Barbary States, a tribute was required and enforced, and was submitted to for many years, as the price of exemption from capture. It seems strange at this day to record the fact, that in some of the chuivhes of the Cape, in the early pail of this century, it was not an unusual occurrence to take up a contidbution of ransom money for captured American sailors, or for tribute for those who were vovaffinor to the Meditermncan and were liable to be overhauled by Algerine cruisers. It was not until the war of 1812-15 had demon- strated our naval strength, that the United States government was enabled to send Commodore Decatur to Algiers, who e:ffectually chastised these piratical collectors of tribute and put an end to their extortions. •Capt. Cobb's Autobiography, iu Yarmouth Register, May, 1878. FROM THE PEACE OP 1T«3 TO THE WAR OF 1813-15. 231 In the complications which arose in Europe in the early pait of the nineteenth century, it was difficult for the United States to avoid misunderstandings with two jealous and unreasonable rivals like Enjrland and Fiance. A<;ainst England, especially, complaints were made of spoliations and insults. The British Orders in Council, on one hand, and the French Berlin and ^lilan decrees on the other, came near extinguishing our commerce. Then, after other ineffectual measures, came the Embargo act in 1807, prohibiting intercourse with all foreign countries, thus crushing out the remaining foi*eigu ti*ade which had escaped annihilation at the hands of the two great Europcstn contest- ants. It excited the fiercest political discu^^sion between the Federalists . and Republicans (or Democrats,* as they were derisively called by their opponents, and began to call themselves.) The measure brought ruin to many with Imt little good, however well meant. It was believed in the New England states to be aimed directly at their prosperity. They were certainlj^ the greatest sufferei-s. Their fishing vessels were given up, and abandoned crafts of all kinds lay unused at the wharves. Their crews, out of emplojTnent and without the means of livelihood, swelled the volume of public discontent. Petitions from all parts of the county were sent to the President, to Congi'ess and to the state legislature, deprecating the embargo, setting forth its disastrous effects and pmying for relief. The restiveness of the people was not restrained within the strict limits of their legal rights. A vessel belonging to Brewster, which had been fitted out to run the embai*go, was captured off the Cape, l)y a sloojnof-war, and sent to Provincetown harbor. The c;iptain communicated with the owners, a packet was manned and the prize was boarded, retaken, and sailed for Surinam. The U. S. marshal tried to investigate the affair. '282 CAPK COD. but was received in an unfriendly manner, and his efforts proved ineffectual. All these clamors and indications of popular disapproba- tion with the results of the embargo were unavailing. Mr. Jefferson continued to justify the measure. He had the power, in certain contingencies, to suspend the act, but refused to exercise it. The discontent increased. John Quincy Adams, who, as a senator from Massachusetts, had sustained the president in this measure, and who, in consequence, was compelled to resign his position, his course being disapproved by the legislature, at length informed the president that this policy could be endured no longer, and just before Mr. Jefferson retired from office, the Embargo gave way to the Non-intercourse act, by which trade and commerce with England and France was interdicted. But little amelioration of the condition of affairs resulted from this measure. Other causes of irritation were constantly arising. The detention and search of American vessels and the impressment of American seamen on board of British men-of-war were of frequent occurrence, and the British government studiously refused reparation or assuitmces of discontinuance of the injurious practice. It was soon apparent that the alternative was either submission or war. The prospect, in any view, was most deplorable. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1784-1812. 1781 Aug. 8, Rev. Abram Williams of Saudwich died.— Mr. Cornelius Crocker of Barnstable, tavern keeper, died, aged 80. 1785. Rev. Levi Wliltman settled over the Welllleet society. —An act passed the legislature to protect Pocha beach, in Eastham. 1786. An act passed the legislature for the protection of Province- CHRONOLOGY OP EVENTS. 28S town harbor.— Hey. Caleb Upham of Truro died« and was succeeded hj Rey. Jude Damon. 1787. Rev. Jonathan Burr suooeeded Mr. Williams in Sandwich.— Mr. Elisiha Tupper, missionary to the Indians, died in Pocasset, aged 80.— -Dr. Abner Hersey died in Barnstable. 1788. Col. Enoch Hallet of Yarmouth, sheriff of the county, died.— —Hon. Nymphas Marston of Barnstable died.— Rev. Enoch Eldredge ordained pastor of First Baptist church in Barnstable (Hyannis). 1789. Rev. Josiah Mann of Falmouth died, and Rev. Henry Lincoln «uc<>eeded him.— Barnstable offered a reward of 850 to any one who would kill the wolf that infested the vicinity, if killed in town; if elsewhere, 825. 1790. Sandwich offered a reward of $30 to any one who would kill the wolf, catamount or tiger that infested this and the neighboring towns; and it was ordered, that if, in the opinion of the committee, a general muster of the inhabitants be necessary, every able-bodied man be called upon to hunt him. 1791. Capt. Joshua Gray, of Revolutionary fame, died in Yarmouth. — Rev. Isaiah Dnnster, pastor of North precinct of Harwich, died, and was suc<»eeded by Rev. John Simpkins. 1792. The wolf continuing its ravages, a general muster of the iiihaliitauts of t>audwich wiis ordered for its destruction.- Rev. Nathan Underwood was settled over the Second precinct of Harwich. 1794. Rev. Edward Cheever of Eastham died. 1797. Ineffectual attempt was made to divide the town of Sandwich, and make a separate township of Monument and Pocasset. 1708. Job Chase and others were incorporated, under the name of The Baptist Religious Society of Harwich. 1800. The death of Gen. Washington was observed in Orleans by a sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Bascom, which was afterwards pul>> lished. 1802. Wellfleet voted ^* to repair the Indians' house in the north part of the town so as to make it comfortable."— A Methodist church, consisting of three persons, was organized in Welllleet.— Capt. David Wood of Falmouth and four men died of yellow fever at Cape Fran- -cois, Aug. 10. 1804. Ca)>t. Joshua Crowell of Falmouth and four men were lost in Boston bay, by the capsizing of their vessel. 1807. Rev. Oakes Shaw, pastor of West Barnstable church, died Feb. 11th, in the 47th year of his ministry.— Rev. Gideon Hawley of Mashpee died. Out. 3.— Rev. Jonathan Bascom, pastor of Orleans t^hurch, died March 8, after a ministry of 35 years. 1809. Methodist Episcopal church gathered in Falmouth through the instrumentality of Rev. Erastus Otis.— Holmes Allen, councillor At law, died in Barnstable. 1810. Gen. Joseph Otis, of Barnstable, died Sept. 23, aged 82.— It is Si CAPS COD. recorded that n hatt viol was purrbnsert tbls year for the cliatr In OrlenDS mcetlug-housp, thp ftivt Ini-tniinrat of miiiilo ever entployed tbere.— Brew^Ie^ voted to retnourtmle Kgaiu^t the niipuiutmeut of Edmrd O'Briirii &t iiovtniU:elu([ a torelxuer. uid. In tfap opiiiiou of lliu liilialilLiiuth, uii alieu." 1*11, Iieave va* grunted to Sumuel ITius ■^ud otbers of Satidvlcb "to erect a dam uiid work^ of a wittou factory oil the£trciini between tlie upper aud lonrcr poudf . at a place uear Wolf-trap Ne«k, so-cnlled." — Hon. Ebenezer Bac-ou of Barnstable died.— Rev. Jamea Baruabj was called to the pastorate of the Biiptliit churcti lu We«I Harwivh. ssfcj^m CHAFTER XrV. WAR OF 1812-15. Tbe Admiiiiitriitiou fori^d to declare War— Scut Imeut of tblB Conat]' defliicd — Coupres^iDDU Greeu fupenieded liv Hon. Joha Reed — Voti"!>for fiOTpruof In 1813 nod 181* — "Couuly CougrenB" endorse tbe ndmiulstrotion— History mt right— Bom Dardmeut of Tml- luoHlb. Iiy Brig Nimrod — BrltiiIicy relating to neutrals, K and American vessels coutiuued to be seized ' by British cruisers and condemned in Britiiih admiralty courts. Early .in 1812, Congress passed an act laying an embargo' for ninety* days on all vessels within _the United States. This was well understood to lie prcponitory to a declaration of hostilities, an event for which the country was unprepared, for which the government had no dct>ire, but which was forced upon the reluctant Aladi^on by the 3'ounger element of his supjxjrters, led by Clay, Calhoun and Lon-udes. The formal n the south shore, as in the Revolutionary war, armed vessels made threatening incursions upon the coast and caused considerable alarm. Early in Januarj", 1814, three boats from the British vessel Albion attempted to land at '>Vood's Hole, but were driven off by a company of militia. It was reported that several of the invaders were killed or wounded. Jan. 23, 1814, the town of Falmouth was excited by a demonstration by H. B. M. brig Nimrod. A demand had been made for several pieces of artillery, which had been employed to annoy the British cruisers, and the Nantucket packet sloop, which had been detained by the citizens, believing its crew to be either friendly to the enemy or neutral. The demand, so far as the cannon was concerned, was refused. Capt. Weston Jenkins, who was in command of the local militia, is reported to have tauntingly asked the ZiQ CAPE COD. British commander to **come on and get them.** A flag was then sent b}' the commander of the Nimrod, giving two hours in which to remove the women and children, at the end of which time the bombardment was to commence. A scene of confusion ensued, while the sick and non- combatants were removed to places of safety. In the meantime the neighboring militia came pouring into the town. About noon the cannonade commenced and continued until near nightfall, some guns l>eing fired after dark. A demonstration of landing was made, but the determined look of the militia in the entrenchments deterred the enemy from the attempts In the moniing the brig sailed away, after firing a few shots at the militia at Xobsque Point. No casualties to life or limb were reported. The damage to buildings and salt works was considemble. Eight 32 lbs. balls were shot through one house.* This repulse by no means released the town from anxiety and immunity from the incursions of the British cruisers. As in the Revolutionary War, thirty years before, they hovered on ' the coast and committed repeated acts of aggression upon the town. They were not, however, permitted to do so, without frequent evidence of the fact that the citizens were ready to wage an aggi'cssive, as well as a defensive warfare. Oct., 1814, was signalized by a daring and successful exploit, by Falmouth men under the command of Capt. Weston Jenkins. The British privateer Retaliation, Capt. Porter, had been active in annoying the inhabitants of the town during the preceding months. Capt. Jenkins, who was in command of the militarj' companj' of the town, called for volunteers to capture the annoying intruder. Thirty-two men offered their services. They *The priucipal sufferers were Elijah Swift, Silas Jones. Thomas Bourne, Job Hatch, Rev. Henry Lincoln, Sbubael Hatch, Jr., iu damages to buildings aud salt works.— [Boston Ceutinei, Feb. 2. WAR OF 1813-1&. 248 embarked on board of tlie little sloop **Two Friends,*' at Wood's Hole; being becalmed, they rowed to Taqmulin Cove, where the privateer laj- at anchor. Arrived within three-fourths of a mile of the Retaliation, its gun was fired, which Capt. Jenkins chose to consider as a signal to stop ; and no sooner was anchor dropped than a boat put off from the privateer with the captain and live men. Capt. Jenkins's men, with two or three exceptions, kept out of sight until the boat was alongside and had made fast ; then, at a signal previously agreed to, twenty men rose up and pointed their muskets into the boat, demanding a surrender, which was at once made. Then, putting twelve men into the privateer boat, they also got the sloop under way, boarded the privateer and captured her without resistance. They brought their prize into Falmouth, and its cargo, consisting principally of plunder, was landed there. The privateer had five guns, a crew of twelve men, and two American prisoners. Hyannis harbor, the only eligible roadstead on the southerly shore of the Cape beside Wood's Hole, was the scene of considerable excitement during the year 1814, July 16, the shipping records report, **The privateer Yankee, from a cruise, arrived at Hyannis Wednesday, landed upwards of a hundred packages of dry goods, and would proceed on to Bristol."* Landing of goods was sometimes effected which did not find a record in the public prints. Cargoes of wine, spirits, and Southern products, which had run the blockade and had not been reported to the govern- ment officers, were several times seized by the revenue authorities, and condemned, f The north, or bay shore of the Cape, was, as before ^Boston CentineL i^Collector Greeu's Letter Book, in possession of Maj. S. B. Phinney. 2U CAPS COD. remarked, strictly blockaded, the British fleet near Boston harbor having undisputed control of Provincctown harbor and its surrounding waters. Provincctown itself was nearly depopulated. All intercourse with Boston from the Cape was attended with extreme risk. Fishing and coasting vessels were closely watched and confined to their waters, where not unfrequently they were subject to attack and destruction from the enemy. During June, launches from the British ships captured in the bay the sloop Mariner, Nye, of Sandwich, for Boston; schs. Betsey, Nickci'son; Nightingale, Atkins ; Beauty, Holmes ; and the Fly, all of Provincctown. They were liberated, after the captors had taken out their cargoes, fish and oil. They also captured and released sloop Experiment, of Truro, for Sandwich from Boston. The sch. Two Friends, of Provincctown, was taken off Gloucester by British privateer Shannon, and sent to Nova Scotia. The sch. Victory, of Yarmouth, Capt. Timothy Hallet, was captured while on a fishing voyage, by H. B. M.* Frigate Leander. Capt. HrJlct, who was held a prisoner on board the Victory, afterwards saved the frigate from shipwreck, by warning the sailing master of his dangerous proximity to the shoals ; and ho received therefor an order on the governor at Halifax for his vessel, and a safe conduct to his home for vessel and crew.* Under the date of June 2d, 1814, is the following: Arrived at Hyannis, sch. Kutuzoff, Capt. Alexander, 14 days from Savannah, with a full load of cotton and rice. It was chased by an English privateer schooner, which fired several shots at its adversary. The Kutuzoff was run ashore, and the cargo immediately landed. A four-pounder belonging to the prize-ship London Packet was on the beach, and about 100 militia collected to repel the enemy *01d Yarmouth. WAR OF 1812-15. 215 had ho attempted to hind. The privateer sent one of its boats with combustibles and set fire to the prize ship, but it was extinguished without material injurj'.* During that time and until the close of the war, a favorite mode of communication with the cities was by means of boats, and Boston harbor was so thoroughly blockaded, that intercourse by water was more frequent with New York than with the former city. "Watching their opportunity, large fleets of whalcboats would sail to North Sandwich, to be carted thence across Buzzard's Bay from that point of dei>ai*ture, running near the shores as occasion required, until they reached the port of their destination. The expoi-ts were generally dried fish, or salted mackerel, and sometimes salt, which were bartered for flour and other necessaries of life. One person, at least, is known to have exchanged a cargo, at the rate of a bushel of salt for a barrel of flour. Men who had been commanders of firs1>- class ships sometimes engaged in this business. In the summer of 1814, Capt. Matthew H. Mayo and Capt. Winslow L. Knowles left Eastham in a whaleboat loaded with rye, and arrived safely in Boston. Purchasing ailicles for domestic consumption and exchanging their boat for one somewhat lai-ger, they started on their homeward journey. When near the Gurnet they discovered a pink- stem schooner at anchor, with five men on deck apparently fishing. Suddenly a gun was discharged, and they not stopping, another was also fii-ed, the shot falling near them, when they hove to, and the schooner came up to their boat, Capt. Ma^'o in the meantime throwing overboard his valuable glass, to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy. They were taken on board of the schooner and conveyed to the British man-of-war Spencer, where they were kept *Boston Centiuel. 946 CAPE COD. three days. Capt. Knowles was then permitted to go to Boston to obtain $300, the price agreed upon for their ransom, but was advised to give up the scheme. At the end of seven days, Capt. Mayo was placed on the schooner which captured him, as a pilot, with the British officers and twenty men and ample armament, with orders to cruise in the bay. They were soon after overtaken by a severe northwest wind, and Capt. ]^Iayo advised them to take shelter under Billingsgate Point, but when they acceded, he purposely anchored in bad holding ground. He went forward unobserved, and with his pen-knife, so cut the cable, that it soon parted; then, by his advice, they attempted to reach a harbor ten miles to the leeward. He had previously picked the lock of the first officer's writing- desk, and abstracted a pair of pistols, which he secreted under his jacket. The schooner soon grounded on Eustham flats, and the officers became suspicious ; but Capt. Mayo assured them they had struck on the outward bar and would soon drift over ; he advised them and the men to go below 80 that their numbers might not excite suspicion on shore. He gave the men a gimlet with which they tapped a cask of rum, and drank until they were intoxicated. The vessel soon began to heel over as the tide ebbed, and the officers, their suspicions being confirmed, ordered the men on deck for resistance, but they could not come. Capt. !Mayo threw overboard all the arms that were on deck, drew his pistols and threatened to shoot any one who should advance. He then went on shore, gave information of his position, and the militia came and took possession of the vessel, cargo and crew, who were confined in a )>arn on shore; but they were soon allowed to escape, and, taking a boat, reached the frigate in the bay. The U. S. marshal took possession of the crew's arms and baff2:at. Austin, from Boston. They, too, had a number of engagements and took several prizes.* Capt. Winslow L. Knowlcs of £astham engaged in this service with i^ccuniary success. Some of the sailors of the Cape enlisted in the naval ]>ranch, in which they did good sendee. John Cook of Eastham was one of the crew of the flag-ship of Com. Peny in the battle of Lake Erie. Two Harwich men were of the crew of U. S. frigate Constitution, when it captured the British frigate Guerriere. The restoration of peace to Euro^^e led both the United States and Great Britain to desire a termination of war, which had almost wholly grown out of complications originating in the great conflict of arms beyond the Atlantic ; and after protracted negotiations, a treaty of peace waa signed at Ghent, Dec. 24, 1815, on the imit of the United States by Henry Cla3% John Quincy Adams, Jonathan Russell, James A. Bayard and Albert Gallatin. Singu- larly, nothing was said in the treaty about the impi-essment of seamen, the only remaining subject of contention; bat the practice was ever after discontinued by the British commanders, in agreement with a tacit understanding with the British commissioners. Peace at almost any price, short of absolute surrender, was a welcome boon, and the results of the war, on the whole, were favorable to the development of the commercial and maritime interests, in which the people of this county were almost whollj' engaged. The prisoners from Dartmoor and Halifax, of which the county had many, were released; those held hy our authorities •Pratrs Eastham. Their nameK were Sam'l Freeman, Jr., Capt. Nath'l Suow, Joseph Suow, Josiah Smith, Matthew H. Mayo. vero sent home; the great military establishments vera discontinued ; and the sailor, furmer, artisan and mechanic, DO longer hami>ered in their pursuits by the presence of armed soldiery, hailed with gladness the welcome advent of Peace! % CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1812-1815. 1812. Oct., Cougregattonal sooletj, Cbattiam, voted to enlnrge tbe meetiiig-bouae aud iiicroiuit the number of pew.4. — Aii act passed by the LegUlnture to iirolfct Ibe lolnter Hshery ot Proviiipptown, ISIS. The Vint pariah, Sttudwioti, tu ISU, di>>mtM«d tbe pastor, Rer. Ur. Burr, The sociHlj, by a very large majority, Toted lor tbe dlamlssal, while ttie church auatpjned the pastor, by an equally lorje TOte. The pastor brought autlou for hie ealary, and to decide whether the church or the society uuutrolii-d the teuipurulilicii, L a., the fuiidd, reoordi, etc. The Supreme court thin year sustained the soctety, which retaiuud posseHHiou ot ttauM'. 15ir p«r»u»a Itiereupnu receded, ■ud formed the Catviiilstio t'ouiirc>[jt'iouiil society, retniuiujc Mr. Burr for their pastor. Rct. Ezra S, Goodwlu succeeded Mr. llurr as pastor of the t'iriit Cuugrejiiutiouul »oclety. Ttiis cuite serreil us n terit iu subseqiii'iit at'tiniip ^on-iug out of the divi^ilnn lintw-eeu the Orthodox and L'Dltartan Coiigregatioual bodtos in this state, which occurred about this time, the preTtiiliiig party iu thi^t cu^e Iwiug ot the latter faith.— March :!1, Rav. Caleb Holmes of Flrrt parish, Deuiii.i, died, aged S3. ISU. Iter. Joseph Haveu iuvlted to the First parish. Deuuls.— Nol>- ipii->sett Pier Co. Iu same t^owii iiii-nriiomteil. 1S15. Welllleet MuuufacturlUK Co. iucurporutcd. n-ltb capital of €6,000, for the purpose of mamifuclurl'ig cotlnii iiuil woolen yarn.— ReT. jothsm Wati'vmauwaiidliimisi'ed'rom Riti't parUblii G:iru^tu1>le, aud was succeeded by Rev. Oliver Iliiyward. — tle gale of 1C86. Tree* were uprooted, Kall-work« dci-Iroyed, vessels dri tu fr m th ir moorii ? oi 1 lai ded hVli > I ii tl e ih le iid ve/i^tation iu muny places de*trovril Hud the tide ri *• 11 iiilies bighei itwullhi\ s^tpcov r tl etaie L »er I vuoulUtLipe W win mi h l-n ev re mid de tr Pti\ CHAPTER XV. FROM THE WAR OF 1812-15 TO SOUTHERN REBELLION. Industrial Rerival — Commercial Developmeut—Tbe Hereey BctAtfl dirided — Breakwater constructed at By nnui«— Burning of the Couutj Buildiuff— Xew Court House— Second Centennial Cal«- braliou ut Barnntable — DestructiTe Gale of IMl — Friuclpal LegUlatlre Eu act men ts— Obituary notices— Local events. ROM the termination of hoetilities between the UDited States and Great kUritaiu, the industrial activity of the people of Cape Cod again revired. ^Maniifuctures, dunng the cootinoanoe ut the struggle, had heeo initiated and pursued with some degree of vigor and success, here as in other paiis of the country, but before much capital or effort had been expended, the reverses which overtook this industry in all sections of the country deterred the people of the Cape from entering largely into the bttsinesB. The genius of our citizens was so largely of a maritime cast, and their habit of lookiug to the sea and the counting-room as the theatre of their efforts and exertions, has been bo ingrained in their natures, that it has for a century been found a difficult matter to divert their energies in the direction of manufactures and the arts. Commerce and the sailing of ships had their seasons of reverses and of success- ful achievement, but from the close of the war of 1812-15 254 CAPE COD. to the opening of the Southern Rebellion, may be counted as the most memorable and satisfactory period in the industrial development of Barnstable county. The reputation of our ship-mastei*3 and merchants who were of Cape Cod origin in the chief cities stood at the head of the column in all business enterprises ^nth which they were engaged. It is only necessary to recall such names as Sturges, Bacon, Sears, Broolvs, Swift, Collins, Lombard, Hallett, Nickerson, Kenrick, Baker, Crocker, and many pthers, merchants and master-mariners of renown in Boston, New York and Baltimore, to emphasize this assertion. It may be justly said of them that they were the peers and rivals of the most enterprising in the land, for at least half a century, in which the United States and Great Britain contended for the mastery of the sea. This period may, therefore, be regarded as the most auspicious epoch in the industrial history of Capo Cod, though its annals, in jiccordance with the oft-quoted maxim, while prosperous, were uneventful and unexciting. The narrative of events, however, was not without many episodes of interest, and in the succeeding pages these transactions will be narrated in the order in which they occurred. In 1816 the Congregational churches of the county petitioned for, and obtained permission from, the legislature, to sell their several and collective shares in the Hersey estate. This property lies about a mile eastward of the court house, and was devised by the will of Dr. Abner Hersey, in 1786, to the thirteen Congregational churches then existing in the county, for the dissemination of a certain character of religious literature. Dr. Hersey was a man of peculiar intellectual order. "With much vigor of judgment, he was also a confirmed hypochondriac. He came to Barnstable from Hingham, as the successor of his PROM WAR OF 18l:^•15 TO SOUTHERN REBELLION. 255 "brother James, who died in 1770. He was not then considered, either by education or acquirements, particularly well fitted for the position of medical practitioner. But he had something as good as education, great native sense and sagacity and the power of application and acquisition of knowledge. He soon became the leading medical man on the Ca})e. He travelled on a regular circuit, and his times of coming found scoi*es of sufferers awaiting his advent, with patrons at all the important centres and cross-roads in the region. His manners were brusque and im^^rious. At the close of his life he began to take precautions about his own health. He lived sparingly, and took much care to avoid exposui'e to damp and cold weather. He had leather curtains to his sulky, and in winter wore a leather cloak made of sixteen calf skins. His bed was covered with a large number of milled blankets, and on retiring he would turn down a considerable number, according to the weather. EUs garments were cut after a fashion of his own. He was capricious and uncertain in his moods, but a just and beney- olent man, as well as a good manager in financial matters, having in his practice accumulated what was in his time regarded as a good fortune. In his will he bequeathed £500 to Harvard college for the endowment of a professorship of physic and surgery, and the remainder of his estate, after the decease of his wife, to the thirteen Congregational churches in the county, proportioned to the amount he had obtained in each of the parishes. The proportion reduced to 56ths was as follows : East Precinct, Barnstable, 7-56th8 West " " 5-56ths Fahnouth, 4-56ths Sandwich, 4-56th8 AVest, or First Precinct, Yarmouth, 6-56tli8 2M CAPE COD. East, or Second Precinct, Yarmouth, 4-56th8 North, or First, Harwich, 4-56th8 South, or Second, Harwich, 3-56th8 Church in Chatham, 4-56th8 '' '' South Eastham, 5-56th8 '' • «< North Eastham, 3-56ths " " Wellfleet, 3-56ths " " Truro, 4-59ths This estate, which was appraised at £3998 : 9 : 10, was to be managed by the deacons of the several churches, the income to be devoted to the purchase and dissemination of theological books, such as Dodridge's ^'Rise and Progress of Religion," Evans's seimons on '^The Christian Temper,** Groves's "Discourses on the Lord's Supper," and Dodridge's discourses on other subjects of a theological nature. The deacons used to hold an annual meeting at Mrs. Lydia Sturgis's tavern, in Barnstable, which seldom lasted less than two or three days, and as they lived well, and were not stinted in drinks and diet, in days when couvinality was no detriment to the character of a professor of religion, and the travelling expenses of the thirteen absor1>ed a considerable sum, the income of the estate after a few years left but little margin for the purchase of religious books. The legislature was therefore called upon, at the end of thirty years, to interpose, and an act was passed to authorize the sale of the property, and, after compromising with the heirs, to divide the remainder among the several churches ; which was eventually accomplished. Were these pages intended to epitomize the acts of general legislation, in which our own people were intimately interested and concerned, it would be expected that thej' would record the passage of the tariff acts and the Missouri Compromise measures, which agitated the public mind in FROM WAR OF 181^15 TO SOUTHERN REBELLION. 257 those days, hero as in other parts of the country ; but this does not seem to be called for in a narrative of local events. Two measures of importance to the Cape were, however, enacted by the legislature in 1821, the incoi*poration of the first banking institution in the county, at Falmouth, with a capital of $100,000 ; also of the Salt Manufacturing Co. of Billingsgate Island, capital $50,000. By an act of Congress of 1826, an appropriation of $10,600 was made for the construction of a breakwater for « the protection of shipping in Hyannis harbor, which has been followed by several additional appropriations since that time, for extensions and repairs. It has added much to the value of that harbor and the security of shipping. The expiration of Mr. Monroe's administration and the accession of John Quincy Adams to power were the events, of public importance in 1828, and in the political struggles which accompanied those events. Cape Cod citizens were actively identified. The establishment of a manufactory of Hint glass, at Sandwich, this year, inaugurated by far the most impoitant manufacturing industry which ever existed ' in the county. The upper towns of the county, particularly Falmouth and Sandwich, were, in 1828, saddened by the loss of a vessel retuniing from Charleston, S. C, with some thirty young men, merchants and artisans, who had spent the winter season in prosecuting their business in South Carolina. This year was a peculiarly afflictive one for Truro, particularly, and to all the Cape towns, many of the young men going down beneath the treacherous waves. The burning of the county house, at Barnstable, on the night of October 22, 1827, was an event which may rank as a calamity of the first importance to the business and family interests of the county. This building was occupied 258 CAPE COD. for a registry of deeds, registry of probate, and an olBSce for clerk of the courts. The Ave was discovered from his chamber window, by Rev. Henry Hersey, the pastor of the East church and society, about 11 o'clock at night, and ho immediately gave the alarm. Foitunately, several young gentlemen were at Crocker's hotel, enjoying a social evenuig, and immediatel}' went to the spot, and by their efforts and those of ^h\ Hersey succeeded in rescuing a large number of volumes from destruction. The court records were nearly all destroyed, together with 93 folios of records of deeds, numerous deeds left for record, and vols. 29, 44 and 46 of the probate records. All the rest of the probate records were rescued by the efforts of these young men.* The legislature of the succeeding year did all that could be accomplished to rescue from oblivion the records destroyed by the fire in the county building. By the act of January 16, 1828, an extra teim of the court of Sessions was authorized to take measures for the erection of a county building, in consequence of the late destruction by fire ; and by another act, approved March 10, it was made the duty of the selectmen of each town to cause to be recorded all deeds for conveyance of real estate lying in their respective towns, which should be brought them for that purpose, and which bore date not more than forty yeara back and had been recorded in the registry of deeds of the county before the 3d of October preceding, the said books then to be deposited in the oflSce of the register of deeds, and to be as effectual in law as the first records destroyed by fire. The time for receiving these conveyances was afterwards extended to the first day of May, 1829. The ♦From Mr. Ebeu H. Eldrid^e, the la*t survivor of the party, the foregolug account was obtained by the writer. He pave a« his associates, Messrs. Heury Hersev, Josiah Hinckley, Jonas Whitman, £ben Bacon, Mr. Parker of Boston, and two or three others. FROM WAR OF 1612-15 TO SOUTHERN REBELLION. 2» result of this legislation was the collection of many impoi-tant papers, eml)odied in thirteen large volumes. In 1832-3, a new court house was erected in Barnstable, under the direction of the county commissioners, Messrs. Samuel P, Croswell, of Falmouth, Matthew Cobb of Barnstable and Obed Brooks of Harwich. It is built of granite and is fire proof. J. & J. Taylor of Plymouth were the contractors. It has twice since been enlarged. The old bell on the former court house was removed to the cupola of the new. It was cast, apparently, in Munich, and bears the inscription, ** Si Devs pwn bvs qvis contra nos 1673 J* ^ If God be with us who can be against ? '* This bell has an interesting histor3\ In 1702, Capt. Peter Adolphe was cast away upon our shore, his body recovered, and buried in Sandwich. His widow, in grateful acknowledgment of the act, presented the citizens this bell, which for thirty years hung in the tower of the old meeting-house. In 1756 the bell was sold to procure another and larger one, the county of Barnstable being the purchaser. It is not now used, being preserved as a relic in the office of the clerk of the courts. Sept. 3, 1839, was celebrated, in Barnstable, under the most favorable auspices, the second centennial of the incorporation of the town. It was also made a county affair; everything combined to give it the absorbing interest and importance which it attained. There was an imposing parade of soldiery. Prof. John G. Palfrey delivered an address, which contained many things that have since often been quoted, as they were then admired and applauded. Hon. Nymphas Marston presided at the dinner, Hon. Henry Crocker was chief marshal, Gov. Edward Everett made one of his most eloquent and polished speeches, and Chief Justice Shaw, Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, Hon. William Sturgis and other natives of the town added to the interest of the occasion bj 260 CAPS COD. happy after-dinner efforts. Fire-works and a grand bait were the attractions of the evening. An act was passed by the legislature of 1839, annexing part of Eastham to Orleans. By these successive divisions of territory, the old and once important town of Eastham has been gi*adually shorn of her former proportions, until she is now next to the smallest town of the county in respect to population. The great gale and storm of Oct. 3 and 4, 1841, was one of the most memorable and appalling in its results ever experienced here. Its victims were chiefly the crews of vessels engaged in the fisheries. When the gale commenced there was a large fleet on Geoi'ges Bank. They made sail for the Cape, but the strongest canvas was torn to shreds. Some of the vessels succeeded in getting into the bay and running ashore on the beach. Others were driven on Nantucket shoals, and still others were foundered at sea. The scenes which followed were of the most heart-rending description. Fifty-seven lives were lost of citizens of Truro, 10 of Yarmouth, and 20 of Dennis. That the period from 1830 to 1860 was one of great industrial energy and development for the county, not only upon the sea, but among the business men and enterprises on the land, is made evident by the number of legislative acts, incorporating^ or authorizing important fiscal institu- tions, and opening facilities for trade and commerce. These statutes show the evolution of business methods, from the primitive to the modern systems. Among these acts the most impoitant and representative were : The Institution for Savings in Barnstable, incorporated Januar}% 1829 ; Fishing Insurance Company of Provincctown ; incorporation of Proprietors of Bass River Lower Bridge ; authorizing the towns of Chatham and Orleans to open a passage through FBOM WAR OF 1B12-16 TO SOUTHERN REBELLION. ^61 Nauset beach in Chatham for the improvemeut of Chatham hai*bor, 1832 ; the Barnstable County Mutual ¥\Ye Insurance Company at Yarmouth, incorporated March 2, 1833; capital stock of Barnstable Bank in Yarmouth, increased the same year ; Falmouth Academy incorporated March 7, 1835 ; Union Insurance Company, Provincctown, and Truro Breakwater Company, for the purpose of forming an artificial harbor, incoiporated in 1835 ; Truro Academy, incorporated 1840; authorizing the Wharf and Harbor Company of Dennis to construct and maintain a breakwater and improve the harbor at Sesuit Creek; authonty to construct a highway and bridges across Pamet, Hopkins's and East Harbor Creeks, in Truro, 1841 ; Marine Insurance Company in Chatham, 1842 ; jVIarine Insui-ance Company of Province town, incorporated; Barnstable County Agri- cultm*al Society, incorporated ^larch 15, 1844; Equitable lilarine Insurance Company, incorporated 1845 ; Cape Cod Branch Railroad, incorporated 1846, (name subsequently changed to the Cape Cod Railroad) ; Manomet Iron Company, Sandwich, incorporated 1847; Hyannis Packet Insurance Company, Sandwich Savings Bank, Truro 'NMiarf and Breakwater Company, to be constructed near Pond Lauding, Provincetown Marine Railway, incori)oi'ated 1847 ; capital of Barnstable Bank, in Yarmouth, again increased this year ; the county commissioners authorized to lay out a highway and build a bridge across East Harbor, in Truro, from the end of Beach Point to Provincetown, 1849 ; Cape Cod Association, Boston, organized May 12; Seamen's Savings Bank, Provincetown, incorporated ; permission granted to Cape Cod Branch Railroad Company to extend the road from Sandwich, Barnstable and Yarmouth to Hyannis, with increase of capital stock, 1851 ; Boston and Sandwich Glass Company, and Barnstable Bank gmnted 262 CAP£ COD. increade of capital, 1853 ; Provincetown Bank, incorporated 1854; Bunk of Cape Cod, Harwich; Equitable jVIaiiue Insurance Companj' of Provincctown, Nantucket and Cape Cod Steamboat Company, Cape Cod Telegraph Company, incorporated 1855 ; Cape Cod Marino Telegmph Comi>any, incorporated ; further act providing for the constniction by Truro and Provincctown of a bridge over East Harbor, 1856; the Mounamoit In^m*ance Company, of Chatham, incorporated, and capital of Cape Cod Bank, Harwich, increased, 1857. These are only the more general public acts affecting the business interests of the county, while the statutes relating to private interests w^ould require many pages to recount. During the period under review, a large number of distinguished citizens of the county who had perfonned eminent public service and filled positions of honor and trust in civil and military life, in the Revolutionary war, just preceding it, or during the war of 1812-15, paid the debt of nature. Gen. Joseph Dimmick of Eevolutionary fame died in Falmouth, Sept. 21, 1822, aged 88 years. He early enlisted in the sendee of his countrv, and ser\'od as lieu- tenant under Abercrombie, at Ticonderoga. His prowess and sagacity in the conflict with Great Britain have been set forth in the story of the Revolutionary days. In j)eaee as well as in war, he was a good citizen, and a man of rectitude and high honor. Hon. George Thacher, a native of this count}-, died April 6, 1824, at Biddelord, Me., having been born in Yarmouth, April 12, 1754. He was a descendant in the fourth generation of Anthony Thacher, one of the grantees of the town, and gi-aduated from Harvard College in 1776. Having prepared himself for the practice of law, in the GEORGE THACHER. PROM WAR OF IftTMS TO SOUTHERN REBELLION. 208 office of Shcarjashub Bourne, Esq., of Barnstable, in 1782, he established himself in Biddeford, in the district of Maine. Chosen, before the estalilishnient of the constitution, a delegate to Congress, he was also after the adfjption chosen a representative, serving in that capacity until 1801. He took an active part in the business of that body, and was one of the keenest debatei's and most influential workers in the house. His wit, sarcasm, and power of ridicule, which he had frequent occasion to exercise, brought him in collision with some of the leaders of the opposition. In 1801, he resigned his seat in Congress, to accept the position of judge of the Supreme Judicial court, where he remained until 1824. He was (me of the chief ornaments of a tribunal, which numl^ers among its most conspicuous membei's, such lawyers as Parsons, Shaw, Parker, iloilon, and others whose opinions ai-e quoted and relied upon in all American judicial pi-oceedings. Judge Thacher was also something more than a mere lawyer; he was a man of learning in other departments, and was particularly well versed in theological and j)olemical controversies, and his knowledge of history and the literature of the period, was surpassed by few of his contemporaries. His wit and humor often enlivened many of the dreary judicial proceedings in which he participated, auvd he sometimes took a very practical view of what was transpiring before him. On one occasion, Hon. Daniel Davis, as solicitor-general, was prosecuting a horse thief, before Judge Thacher, in the county of Kennebec. The case suggested a precedent to the keen- witted judge. AVhen he was a boy, he and the solicitor- general lived in the adjoining towns of Yarmouth and Barnstable, and the day after the affair at Lrcxington and Concord, the militia of the two towns started off for Boston. The boj's accompanied the soldiers, Daris acting as fifer, 26A CAPE COD. antil an order came for the troops to return home. In their retreat y tired of marching, the boys found an old horse by the way-side, mounted it and rode some miles, after which they abandoned the steed on the highway, to return to its home if it so willed. In the course of the trial the judge leaned over the bench and said, in an undertone, ''Davy, that reminds me of the horse we stole in Barnstable.'' Judge Thacher remained on the bench until 1824, during which time his residence was in Newburyport. After retiring, he lived with his children a short period in Biddeford, until the time of his death.* September 20, died in Sandwich, Gen. Nathaniel Freeman, who was bom in Dennis (then a portion of Yarmouth), in 1741, and occupied a conspicuous position in the county during and after the Rcvolutionarj'' war. He was a leading spirit among the patriots, and was honored at its close by many marks of public confidence, as has been detailed in appropriate connection. November 13, 1828, Rev. Timothy Alden, of Yarmouth, departed this life at the ripe age of 92. He was born in Bridgewater, and was a direct descendant of John Alden, one of the Mayflower company. He was called to the pastorate of the First church in Yarmouth, in 17G9. An ardent patriot during the Revolution, he suffered many privations during that period, cheerfully sharing the poverty and destitution of his flock. He was a good sermonizer, noted for his felicity in the selection of texts. He retained, to the last, the dress of the olden time. Mr. Freenjan, in the History of Cape Cod, says: "AVe vividly recall the appearance of this venerable gentleman as wo saw him last at the ordination of Rev. Mr. Hersey at Karnstai)le, in 1824, seated among the clerg}' and distinguished attendants, ♦Old Yarmouth, FBOM WAB OF 1812-15 TO 80UTHEEX REBELLION. 265 on the platform, his antique wig conspicuous, in small clothes and knee and shoe buckles, and thrce-comcred hat lying nearby — objects of interest to the young." He left four sons and three daughters, his eldest son being known as president of Alleghany College, at Mcadville, Pa., and as the author of a collection of American epitaphs, a work of five volumes. Hon. Wendell Davis of Sandwich, deceased Dec. 30, 1830. He was a native of Plymouth. He was a lawyer by profession, several times represented Sandwich in the legislature, was two j'cars a member of the senate, and sheriff of the county, 1816-23. By the decease of Rev. James Freeman, D. D., a native of Tmro, Nov. 4, 1835, at the age of 77, historical and genealogical students lost one of their most devoted members, and the clerical profession a distinguished ornament and example. For many years he was the minister of the Stone Cha]^)el, Boston, and ever kept up a deep interest in the history and traditions of the county. Mr. Ebenezer Sears died in Yarmouth, Sept. 20, 1835, aged 80 years. He was in the Revolutionary army, and, as already stated, was one of the guard over Major Andre the night before his execution at West Point. He after- wards commanded the first American vessel that rounded the Cape of Good Hope, on a voyage to India. He was of the family of Capt. Isaac Sears, the Revolutionarj' agitator of New York, and father of the didtiuguished Boston merchant, Joshua Scars. Abner Davis, Esq., for many years register of probate and clerk of the courts for the county, deceased Sept. 4, 1830, aged 55 years. He was of the legal i)rofession. He was in direct descent from Robert Davis, one of the first settlers of Barnstable. 266 CAPE COD. Rev. Xathan Underwood, jxastor of South Precinct church, in Ilanvich, departed this life ilay 1, 1841, aged 88 yeai-s. Mr. Underwood was a native of Lexington, Mass., and was early a student, while yet an apprentice to a carpenter. He was prevented by a severe cut in the foot from taking part in the affair of the 19th of April, 1775, but soon after joined the army and was engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill, being one of the last to leave the field. He was also in the battles on Long Island, displaying great fearlessness and bravery. He participated in the sufferings and privations in camp on the succeeding winter, was with Washington in the crossing of the Delaware, and in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. He afterwards entered Harvard college, graduating in 1788, and studied for the ministry, settling in Harwich in 1792. He was i)opular and successful as a citizen, I)eing several times elected to the leirislature, and was also a shrewd business man and a scientific farmer. He reai-ed a larsre fainilv. Hon. Isaiah L. Green died in New York in 1841, aired 80 years. He graduated at Harvard in 1781. He was elected a member of Conirress and served in the ses-^ions of 1805-9, and again in 1811-13, when he was superseded by Hon. John Reed. In 1814, he was appointed by Madison, collector of customs for the district of Banistable, which office he retained until 18;^7. After his ixitircmcnt, Mr» Green lived for a year or two in New York. Rev. Philander Shaw, a pastor for many years of the Eastham society, died Oct. 10, 1x41, airod 73. He was a native of Bridgewater, was ordained pa.'^tor of the Eastham church in 1795, which relation he siistaincd for a little over 41 vears, or until about two voars before his death. He was also two vtars in the legislature from Eastham. Hon. Russell Freeman died Jan. i^ 1842. He was a son FROM WAR OP VnZ-lb TO SOUTHERN REBELLION. of Gen. Nathaniel Freeman of Revolutionary memory, was some time a member of the executive council, representative fi^om Sandwich, and collector of customs of the port of New Bedford. His genial manners, polished v.it, and acknowl- edged abilities rendei'ed him a favonte in social circles and public assemblages. Rev. Jonathan Burr of Sandwich died Aug. 2, 1842. He. was l>orn in West Bridgewater, graduated at Harvard college, and settled in Sandwich in 1787. He was a fine scholar and a faithful principal of Sandwich academy for the first years of its existence. His dismissal from the pastonitc of the First parish church, Sandwich, and the subsequent litigation in connection witli that transaction, involved no question of moi*aIs or pei'sonal integrity. It was brought to establish the legal lights of the parties in controversy. Rev. Jolm Simpkins, pastor of the First Congregational church and society of Brewster for forty years, died in Boston, Feb. 28, 1843. Mr. Simpkins held a high position as a scholar and theologian, and both in devotion to hia duties and his deportment sustained the traditional reputation of a minister of the Old Colony. David Crocker, Esq., sheriff of the county, deceased Sept. 4, 1843. Mr. Crocker was only fifth in lineal descent from Dea. AVm. Crocker, one of the original settlers of the town, and was prominent in business as well as political circles. He was bom Feb. 28, 1789. Dr. James Thacher, a native of Barnstable, died in Plymouth, ^lay, 1844, aged 90. He studied medicine with the eccentric Dr. Abner Hersey, of his native town, and, in 1775, entered the Revolutionary army as a surgeon, continuing in the service until the close of the war, or seven and one-half years. He wrote and published the Revolu- 288 CAPE COD. tionary Journal « Medical Biography, History of Plymouth, American Orchardist, Medical Dispensar^^ works of literary merit and ample information. Hon. Braddock Dinmiick of Falmouth, died April 30, 1845, aged 84. He was the eldest son of Gen. Joseph Dimmick of Revolutionary renown, and had himself been often honored by his fellow-citizens of the town and county. Sept. 3, of the same year, died, ]Mr. George Hallet, a native of Yarmouth, and an eminent merchant of Boston, a man whose helpful and benevolent disposition was as prominent a ti*ait of his character as his enterprise and business sagacity. In 1848, Nov. 21, died. General Elijah Ck)bb of Brewster, eminent as a shipmaster and in civil life, aged 81 years. In 1849, Jan. 25, Dr. Jonathan Leonard, a distinguished physician and honored citizen of Sandwich, died, aged 86 years. Capt. Benj. Hallett of Barnstable, shipmaster and theological controversialist, died Deceml>er 31, 1849, aged 90. Ol^ed Brooks, Esq., Harwich, prominent as county ofBcial and business man, died Aug. 4, 1856, aged 75. Rov. Henry Lincoln, more than 50 yeai-s pastor of the church in Falmouth, died in Nantucket, May 28, 1857, aged 92 yeai-s. Jojshua Sears, Esq., a native of Yarmouth, died in Boston, Feb. 7, 1857. He was an enterprising and sagacious merchant, and left one of the largest estates ever acquired in Massachusetts, some poilions of which he bequeathed to his native town for educational puri)Oscs, and to other public beneiicial objects. Hon. Elijah Swift died in Falmouth, Jan. 19, 1852, aged 77 years. He was 12 years a representative, and two years a mem1)er of the executive council. He made a considerable FROM WAR OF 181^15 TO SOUTHERN REBELLION. 260 fortone as a government contractor for cutting live oak for the navy, and established and many years carried on the whaling business at Wood's Hole. Capt. John Collins, who was a native of Tiniro, and whose name is honorably connected with the establishment of regular lines of steamers between this country and Europe, died at New York, Nov. 21, 1857, aged 63 years. Hon. Zeno Scudder died in Osterville, June 26, 1857. He was bom in Barnstable in 1807, studied law, and settled first in Fabnouth, and afterwards in Barnstable. He was in the Massachusetts senate in 1846-7-8, the last year serving as president of that body. He was elected to the 3 2d Congress, and made an able speech on the American fisheries. He was re-elected, but did not take his seat^ owing to an accident which disabled him, dying soon after, at the age of 50 years. Hon. John Reed, many years a resident in Yarmouth^ died at Bridgewater, Nov. 25, 1860. He was bom in Bridgewater, in 1781, was graduated at Brown University, 1803, embraced the legal profession, and settled in Tar- mouth. In 1813, he was elected to Congress as an avowed opponent of the war measures of Mr. jNIadison's adminis- tration. He was re-elected in 1815, and defeated in 1817, by "Walter Folger of Nantucket. He was again chosen in 1821, and remained in Congress until 1841, an almost unexampled tenii of service. In 1844 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts and was six times re-elected. Rev. Enoch Pratt died in Brewster, Feb. 2, 1860, aged 78. He was 27 years pastor of West Barnstable church, receiving during that period 380 persons to church com- munion. He wrote a history of Eastham, Wellfleet and Orleans, published in 1844. 4870 CAPE COD. In 1861, Dea. Allen Hinckley of Truro died, aged 91 years. He was a native of Falmouth and went to Truro in early life^ and was a house-builder of prominence in his ^enemtion. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1815-1860. 1816. Proprietors of Bass River Bridge, between Yarmouth and Bouth Deuuis, incorporated.— Jurisdiction cedc^ to the United States for sites of light-houses on Race Point and Point Gammon.— Dennis divided into North and South parishes.— Hon. James Freeman of Sandwich, sheriff of the county, died July 3.— A proposal for building a county poor-house was agitated. 1817. The Eastham and Orleans canal proprietors incorporated, for opening a canal from the head of Nauset Cove to Boat Meadow Creek. —Yarmouth Society for Suppression of Intemperance (.the second in the country) formed. 1818. The South Congregational society of Barnstable incorporated. ^-The lands lying in Harwich, Orleans and Brewster belonging to the Potnumaquet Indians (then extinct) were sold for ^31)0. 1819. Major George Lewis, a native of Barnstable, one of the early settlers of Gorham, Maine, died there this year. He served in the Revolutionary war and was in the battle of Bunker Hill. 1820. The town of Brewster appointed a comniittee "to keep the meeting-house clear of dogs and to kill them if their owners will not keep them out," and compensation of ^.oo was voted therefor. 1833. Site for liglit-ho«>e on Mouonioy Point granted to tlio United States.— Lower Bridge Company, of Yarmouth and Dennis, incor- porated. 18:25. The Sandwich Glass Factory e^tiiblished in this town com- menced operations by blowing glass July 4. The company was Incorporated the next year, with a capital of $'.•$00,000. 1828. Congress appropriated ^,600 tor preservation of Provincetown Harbor.— Sites gi'anted to the irnited Stnt«»s for light-liouses on Long Point, Provincetown, and on Sandy Neck, Barnstable. 1827. Sandwich offered a reward of clOO for the killing of a wolf, that was destroying sheep in the woods. 1828. Site for light-house ceded to the United States at Nobsque Point, Falmouth. 1829. Several estates in Truro set off to Provincetown. CHRONOLOGY OP BVENT8; 271 1831. In January of $bis year a heavy fall of snow prored fatal to ^eer in Sandwich wood?. People with snow ^hoes barbarously slaughtered or captured al>out :M); forty of the»e were taken alive. 1833. Rev. Kzra 8. Goodwin, of Fir^t church in Sandwich, died. 1831. Indian Plantation of Mashpee constituted a district. 1835. A poi*tion of Truro annexed to Wellfleet. 1837. Act parsed establishing the dividing line 1)etween Wellfleet and Truro.— *' Millennial Grove," in Eastham, incorporated for camp- meeting purposes. 1838. The Xorth Parish in Harwich authorized to take the name of The First Parish in Brewster. 18i0. March, Mashpee created a parish for religious purposes. 1811. Portion of Mashpee annexed to Falmouth.— April 80, Capt. Samuel Taylor, a Revolutionary soldier, died in Yarmouth, aged 8& years. He was near Gen. Warren when he fell at Bunker Hill, was at Princeton, Monmouth, Saratoga and Yorktown, and endui*ed the terrible winter at Valley Forge. 1842. Division of plantation lands of Mashpee to the proprietors, authorized. 1848. May 11, a monster whale was captured near the end of Cape Cod, by Capt. El>enezer Cook, David Sparks and others, in a smaH pink-sverii schooner of about 50 tons, called the Cordelia. The whale was estimated at 200 bbls. of oil and about 2000 lbs. bone. Not having proper facilities for the purpose, only 125 bbls. of oil and about 900 lbs. of bone were saved. The real value of the whale was estimated at 810,000. 1844. Crew of ten men of fishing schooner Commerce, at anchor near Truro harbor, disappeared in the night time. They were supposed to have been lost by the swamping of their boat while coming ashore.— A Jail was erected in Provincetown, by order of the county commissioners. 1845. Schooner Altorf, of Truro, Capt. Wm. S. Hutchins, with six men, lost on Grand Banks.- Martha HamiltK)n of Falmouth died, aged 107 years. 1846. Six of the crew of schooner Brenda, of Truro, drowned in that harbor by upsetting of a boat.— British steamship Cambria grounded on Truro beach, about five miles south of the light-house. The mails were sent to Boston by stage coach and railroad, and the steamer was hauled off by tugs in a day or two, uninjured. 1848. Dividing line between Harwich and Brewster changed, by act of the legislature. 1849. The commissioners of Barnstable county were authorized to construct a bridge and lay out a highway across East Harbor in Truro« from the end of Beach Point to Provincetown. 1850. Ansel Taylor, Yarmouth, died, aged 101 years, 7 months.^Brig Eagle lost at Provincetown, with 15 lives. sra CAFE COD. 1B51. "The Capo Cod AMOciatlon lii Boston " orfniiiced. UK!. 95000 was appn>print«d by Coiifprf.as for the preiervatioa ot Provlncetoim Hortwr.^A oommissioii, aiipoiuted by authority ol tbe leglslHture, to examine ftiid report iipou the coiidltinn of ProTlucetotm harbor, rpporterl the next ye»r. — (tnmuel Lewis, nnntiTc of Falmouth, Snperiuteiiileot of Common Bohooln of Ohio for fifteen Tears, and known by the title of " Father of the Common Schools of Ohio," ili«d July 28, aged &5 years. 1S>3. Boston Cnpe Cod Association celebrated their annlversarv at Yarmouth. — Steamer AJax foundered off ProvlnoetowD, aud 13 Uvea lost.— Great December storm ou tbe con-it; Central wharf store, Yarmouth, swept away and wharf destroyed. Schooner Leo of Rockland came ashore at Bandy N'eok ; her crew lost. IBM. Tbe flr^t bridge across East Ilai'bor, Proviiicetowu, was con- ■truGted by order of the commlngioners of RiLm^talilc county. 186S. Land was ceded to the LTutted States for the .erection of a custom bouse lu Bavuiitable. which wa« commeuced, and Uniiibed tbe ■ucceediug year.— Bridge from Beacb FoUit iu Tniro to Provincvtown, oonstruated by order of the county oommtiisioners, at a cost of MOOO, of which ProvinceUwn paid oue-batt, Truro aud the county the balance. 1858, "The New York Cape Cod AsFociallon" was or~aulzed. 1857. Land on Billln^gate Island. Wellflect, whs ceded to tht' United States for the coiistructiou of a dweUiu^ fur a llght-liouse keeper.— 62S00 appropriated by the legislature to eiiablfi Lt'vi Baker of Yar- mouth to test before tbe U. B. Supreme Court, the constitutionality ot the act ot the Virginia legislature iu relation to deleutlon ond ;;earch of Tessels,- A hali for use ot Biirustuble Couuty Agricultural Society iros erected. ISaS. In October schooner Qranite of ijuiucy was lost on outer bar at Yarmouth, with her crew of five or si.x men. 1850. Ebeu S. Ward of South Welltteel was muntercd by his son-in- law, who WB4 of unsound miud. =*i=4J- CHAPTER XVI. CAPE COD IN THE REBELLION. lUxpouM* to 8umt«r'f pinn— Antion ol Cape To wii«— Filling ot ttM (Jublaa~CaiM) OlUceni aud Sol d lent— Deiitrnciinu of our MariiM — Ma-M>u & Slldell — Dcnlli? of Chief Justi<« Sliuw, Hnu. Willlua Sturtd'', Jud^ Kymtihas Uarstou, Bon. Zeim^ D. Ba«^ell, Hon. Solomuii Davi* — Vsrmoutti Oftmp Meeting Aflso<;intlou. i^iLv^C ^^ opening guns ol Sumter aiu!'ation. He at one time contributed over $1,000 to the Barnstable Agricultui'al Society, to relieve it fi-om debt, and his heii*s have since his death carried out the intention formed in his life-time, to found and endow a public library for his native town, Bam.^^table. In 1864, May 2, ex-Judge Nymphas Marston died at his residence in ^larston's Mills. He was born in that town in Febmary, 1788. He graduated at Harvard college in 1807, was educated for the legal profession, and was a very successful and popular practitioner. He was county attorney from 1816 to 1829. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1820, sciTcd a year in the house of representatives, and was in the {*enate in the years 1826-7-8. In the latter year he was appointed judge of Probate for Barnstable countv, and continued in office until his resignation, in 1854. December 30, Hon. Zenas D. Basset died in Hyannis, aged 78 years. He was in early life engaged in commerce, as master and owner of shipping, and kept up his latter relation for many years thereafter. He was elected to the state senate, serving in the years 1851-2, and was six years on the board of county commissioners. He ^\•as also for about twenty years pre>idcnt of the Barn>table County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. CAPE COD IN THE REBEI.IJON. 281 In 1865, Nov. 20, died in Tmro, Hon. Soioinoa Davis, aged 05 years. Mr. Davis wos a native and constant resident of tbut town. He bad held, besides a Dumber of town offices, the positions of representative and senator in the legislature, and was a member of the executive council for tivo years, under the administration of Gov. Briggs. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1861-1865. ISCl. Octo1>er, Frederic Hallet, coaucUlor-at-law, Tarmoutb, died, agitd 25 j-«3i'8. 180:2. Mnrcb, Jouathftn Nlckerron, Esq., of Denols, died, aged 88. He vrat, 10 yean « seleittman, and ieverBl years spec-ial count; com- mlMtoner. 1804. Jan. 2, Cnpt. Isniab Crowell died in Soutb Yarmoutb. He bad be«u a Bucc-e^ful iihiitmaijt«r, \ra« Inter repre«eulatire to the legb- lature, and preaideut of tbe Barnstable Bauk of Tarmoutli.— Jan. 22, Benjamin Burgess, Esq., West Sandwich, died, aged 80.— Sot. 21, th» "First National Bank of Yarmouth," sacccssor lo the Barnstable Bank, cbartered iiudcr the itaW laws, went into operation. IWB. Jan. Vt. .Tob Chn^e, E»q„ Went Harwich, died.— April 8, tiro men killed and one wounded in Harwich, wbile firing a talute over Union rlctorlcB.— Dec. C, Cape Cod Central railroad, running from Tarmoutb to Urlcnns, a distance of 18 mUet, opened to ptihllo travel. CHAPTER XVII. FROM WAR OF THE REBELLION TO OUR OWN TIMES. HBrittme Budiuess depreHsed at close of th« War— Cmnherrr Cultura ■■ a BusfnesB— Packets and Stage Coacbe* tb. Steam BoadH— Cape Cod Railroad project*— Malls, Express Ltnea, MajnicClo Telegraplu — Dlklug Provliioetoini Hnrhor— Base Riyer Brlrttrcs — Storm on Buzzard's Bay — Machpee a Town— Death of Qen. Joseph E. Ham- blin— Yarmouth Library Bulldiug— Wreck of Ship Peruriau— LUe Sarlug nervice — Bon, Beth Crowell — Railroad to Provtuoe- town— Nathan Freeroan'n doDntlou to Provluw-town — Cape Cod Canal projects— Hon. tieorge Marvlon — Bourne liicorpomted— Preeldent Gvaut viaited the Cape— Death of Amod OtU — Falmouth Second Ceuteunial Celebration — Death of Hon. Nnth'l E. Atirood. Hon. Joseph K. Bnker, and Hon. John B. D. L'o):«well — Quarter Mtlleuitlnl Celebrfttinua in Sandn-k-h aud Yarmouth— Wreck of Ship Ja^ou — Dt^ath of Capt. Thoinon P. Howes— Meniorlnl Tablet at Provlucetowu — Baruitoble County Normiil S<*ool in Uynuuia, HE wnr ended and the su|>reiiiacy of the govomment assured, the uniiy was dis- banded and the anion vc>hinteei\5 who had • acted so jri-eat a pai-t, Uke Cromwell's soldiery, once uiorc hcccmc private citizens, ready to resume their old places in the ranks of peaceful industry. But to the soldiers and sailors of Cape Cod, tho:?c places no longer remained open. X greut change, apparent even before the dawQ of the reljellion, hut accflcintod hy it-f occurrence, was evident in maritime business, in the modes of luarino construction and tlie methods of the tninsportation of mcrcliaiidise. Iron steanisliips and tlip remavkahfe develoii- FROM WAR OP THE REBELLION TO OUR OWN TIMEa 288 ment of railroad service all over the countiy are responsible for this change. The vessels destroyed by confederate cruisers, or allowed to decay in port, were not replaced by new ones, and those already in .service became unremanera- tive to a great extent. A large propoilion of the men of Cape Cod, who had grown prosperous upon the sea and had established comfortable homes here, were obliged to seek new forms of industry and many of them removed to other and distant fields of labor. The population of the county, which, according to the U. S. census in 1860, had reached its highest {>oint, 36,011, declined to 32,774 in 1870, to 31,945 in 1880, and to 29,172 in 1890. Whether this downward course has at length been stayed, is what all are asking, but which none can with confidence answer. But for the development of the cranberry culture there is every reason to believe that the decreasing tendency of the numbers of our population would have been much greater than it really proved. This pungent little berry has been for years known to and esteemed by epicures, though until recent years it has not been an article of popular consumption. As long ago as 1677, the authorities of Massachusetts colony tried to appease the wrath of King Charles II., who was angry with them for coining *'pine tree" shillings, by sending him a present of those three choice products of the colony, ten barrels of cranberries, two hogsheads of samp and three thousand codfish. The berry is indigenous to our soil and is better developed here than in any other locality in the country. About seventy years ago the experiment was tried of cultivating this fruit. The first successful cultivator seems to have been Mr. Henry Hall of Dennis, who commenced the business in 1816 ; and Messrs. Zebina H. Small, Cyrus Cahoon, Alvan Cahoon and Nathaniel Robbins of Harwich were early and successfully engaged ^94 CAPE COD. in the business, on an esctensivc scale. Shortly before the war there was a con^iiderable development in this directioOy and remarkable prices and great profits were recorded. The unemployed men who had returned from the war, and those who had lost their employment on ship1>oard, in many cases found a business at their hand, and thousands of acres of heretofore useless swamp land were reclaimed and cultivated with success. AMien the supply of land became short on Cape Cod, Cape men, who had aajuired skill and experience -in this business, transferred their field of operations to the adjoining towns of Plj^mouth county, which now has a larger area of cranberry land under cultivation than the Cape, though Cape skill and Cape capital are lai'gely in the ascendant there. No strictly accurate figures of the business for several years have been compiled, but proliably 150,000 barrels, worth $1,000,000, would not much vary in amount and value from the product of the Old Colony in 1895, the most pros- perous year of the business. The preparation of the grounds, the extermination of the noxious weeds, plants and insects, the manufacture of packages for tmnsportation, and more especially the gathering of the fruit in the fall, give emploj'ment to hundreds of perjjons of both sexes and all ages, generally of the younger generations. Many novel inventions for greater facility in han-e&ting the crops have eace with Great Britain was declared, in 1815, as we learn from a letter written by Josiah Whitman, postmaster at AVcllfleet, "by the uncommon severity of the weather, the then mail carrier, Mr. Davis, did not go through the route for three weeks. On the week after the news of peace reached Boston, Mr. Thacher came down with the mail, and at that time there was an almost impossibility of travelling, on account of the snow being drifted, but he, knowing the route so well and every by-path, did accomplish it. The next week we had no mail arrived." In 1820, a petition was circulated in the lower towns to have a mail t^vice a week, which was established soon after. In the winter, the mail carrier used to take with him a saw and axe to clear obstructions when a snow stoiiu compelled him to cross the fields, the towns not being accustomed to clear the highways from snow. About 1830, the service was extended to Provincetown three times a week, and daily, about 1846. From this to a double service daily upon the advent of the steam cars was a notable change, which effected many innovations in the social and business customs of the people. The railway postal ser\'ice which followed was initiated in 1855, when one man started from Boston in the morning in 288 CAPE COD. charge of the mails , with authoiity to lake and despatch letters along the route to Hyannis, returning in the afternoon to Boston. One pouch .was sufficient for the letters and a few sacks for the newspaper mail, where now from 150 to 200 pouches per day are required. The pi*esent force comprises six clerks, running through the entire route. An express line, known as the Cape Cod Expi*ess Co., was established in 1848, and ran from Boston, following the extension of the railroad service. In 1877, the New York and Boston Despatch Express Company commenced covering the same territory, and after two and a half years of competition, the two companies were united under the name of the latter. Communication by magnetic telegraph was established between Boston and the Cape, in 1855. Two lines, in fact, were projected and put in operation about the same time, one known as the Boston & Cape Cod Marine Telegraph Company, the other as the Cape Cod Telegi'aph Company. The two lines, after a lively competition of two or three years, were "consolidated," and were then ** absorbed " by the Western Union Telegraph Company. A telegraphic cable, in 1856, was extended from Xobsque Point to Gay Head, a distance of 3J miles. The same year a cable 14 miles long was laid from Monomoy to Great Point in Nantucket. Communication was for two days transmitted through it, but the force of the current or some other cause broke the cable and the enterprise was abandoned. In 1858, a cable was laid across Muskeget channel, and cstal)- lished telegraphic communication between Edgartown and Nantucket. There were frequent obstructions and the eal)le was abandoned in 1861. Other lines l)etween the :nain land and the islands were attempted, and after a while abandoned. In 1887, Congress having made an appropriation to maintain FROM WAR OF THE REBELLION TO OUR OWN TIMES. 'JtS9 a cable from Wood's Hole to Nantucket, via the Vineyard, as an auxiliary to the life sa^'ing service, also permitting the transmission of -news and commercial messaires, communi- cation, with occasional interruptions, has since been main- tamed. This method of transmittinor fi'om destruction at that point. After the work had so far proceeded as to exclude the tide from passing the dike, Mr. Francis resigned. Subsequently, upon the death of Gen. Pierce, George iiarston of Barnstable was appointed on the commission, and ser^'ed until the completion of the work. Since lJ^77, the dike has been employed as a road bed between Pn^vincetown and Truro. The total cost to the state was $133,250. By an act of the Massachusetts legislature of 1869, the Upper and Lower bridges connecting Yarmouth and Dennis, the only toll bridges in the county, were made fi*ee to the public. By the terms of the act, the supreme judicial court was authorized to appoint three commissioners, to make a valuation of the property and apportion the cost and maintenance among the count}* and several towns interested. The court appointed Hon. Thomas D. Eliot and Andrew T. Wood of New Bedford and Hon. Alfred ^lacy of Nantucket, as comimissioners, who, after several hearings, made a decree, which was confirmed by the court, viz. : Valuation of lower bridge, $9,928.14. Seven-fourteenths JOSEPH E. HAMBLIN. FROM WAR OF THE REBELLION TO OUR OWS TIMES. 251 to be paid by count}' of Banistable, $4,964.22 ; 3-14ths by town of Yarmouth, $2,127.50; 3-14ths by town of Dennis, $2,127.52 ; 1.14th by town of Harwich, $709.18. And for the future maintenance of the bridge, the town of Dennis to i)ay 4-llths, town of Yarmouth 4-llths, town of Harwich 1-1 llh, county of Barnstable 2-llths. Valuation of upper bridge, $758.71. }5-lGths, $379.35, was to l^e paid by the county of Barnstable, 3-lGths, $142.26, bj^ town of Yarmouth, 3-16ths, $142.26, by town of Dennis, 2-16th8, $94.84, l)y town of Harwich. And for its maintenance the county of Barnstable to pay 4-16th8 of expense, town of Yarmouth 5-16ths, town o'f Dennis 5-16ths, and town of Harwich 2-16ths. A great storm, which occuiTed in the northerly region of Buzzard's Bay, Sept. 8, 1869, rivalled in destructive power that of 1635, of which Bradford speaks in his history. The wind which came from the bay blew a hurricane, the tide was the highest of record for two hundred and thiily-four years. Buildings were in some places moved a considerable distance, in one or two cases directly obstructing the rail- road track, trees prostrated, bridges carried away, railroad )>eds undermined and washed away in several places. By an act of the legislature of May 28, 1870, the district of Mashpee was incorporated as a town, making the fourteenth in the county. A post-office was established here the same year. July 3, 1870, Brevet Brigadier-General Joseph E. Hamblin died in New York. He was a native of Yarmouth, where he was born January 13, 1828. He was the most distinguished soldier which Cape Cod contributed to the national cause in the War of the Rebellion.* A new library building, which was presented to his ♦See page 277. 292 CAPE COD. native town, Yarmouth, by Nathan jMatthews, Esq., of Boston, was dedicated with proper observances, Dec. 20, 1871. An address was delivered by Hon. John B. D. Cogswell, and President Eliot of Harvard college, and other gentlemen participated in the seiTices. Mr. Matthews also contributed other funds to the library on the condition, which was acceded to, that an existing library with some three thousand volumes, owned by stockholders, should be merged with the new association, which was to be made free to all the people of the town. The treaty of Washington, which was negotiated in 1871, and which was in agitation the close of that year and beginning of 1872, by which the fishery products of the Dominion of Canada were to be admitted into the United States free of duty, was regarded as extremely harmful to the interests of this county, as afterwai'ds proved to be the case. A meeting of those interested in the fisheries met in Harwich in December, and apj^ointed delegates to go to Washington, to oppose the ratification of the treaty, but their efforts were unavailing. One of the most disastrous shipwrecks of modern time occurred Dec. 28, 1872, by which the ship PcruWan, from Singapore for Boston, was stranded on that graveyard of shipping, Peaked Hill bars, off Provincetown, with twenty- five lives lost, and with a cargo vahicd at $1,000,000, which was either lost or great Ij' damaged. The reorganized life saving service established by the United States government went into operation under its present system, Jan. 21, 1^13. The service was originally established in detached localities on the coast in 1848, through the efforts of Hon. William A. Xewell, represen- tative in Congress from New Jersey, whose humane and beneficent efforts deserve to be held in grateful rcmeml)rance FROM WAR OP THE REBELLION TO OUR OWN TIMEa 2« by those who go down to the sea in ships. But, though accomplishing great good, the organization was seen to be defective. By the act of Congress of June 10, 1872, the service was extended to Cape Cod, and Benjamin C. Sparrow of East Orleans was appointed superintendent of the Massachusetts district, ten stations being designated, viz. : Eace Point, Peaked Hill Bars, High Head, Provincetown ; Highland, Pamet River, Tmro ; Cahoon's Hollow, Wellfleet ; Nauset, Eastham; Orleans, East Orleans; Chatham and Monomoy, Chatham. Several additional stations and changes of location have occurred since their fii*st establish- ment. Hon. Seth Crowell of East Dennis died at his home April 1, 1873. He was a shipmaster of repute. He was four years representative, two years senator, nine year^ county commissioner, several years president of the First National Bank of Yarmouth, and a member of the Consti- tuticmal convention of 1853. The opening of the Cape Cod Railroad to Provincetown, giving additional transit from Boston to that place, a distance of one hundred and twenty miles, was celebrated July 22, 1873, Tvith enthusiastic demonstration of joy and gladness, as the importance of the event to the people of the towns justified them in doing. Dec. 11, Nathan Freeman, Esq., an honored citizen, while still living presented to the town of Provincetown a building to be used for a public library, for rooms for the Young Men's Christian Association, and other similar purposes. The first visit of a chief masistrate of the nation to this region while in office was made by President Grant, August 28, 1874. He was accompanied by Mrs. Grant, and by Mr. Belknap, secretary of war, and Mr. Jewell, post- 2M CAPE COD. master-general, and by a numl)er of personal friends. The party came from Nantucket, via Ilyannis, and from that point to Provincetown many demonstrations of respect were made at every station at which the train 8toi)ped. After remaining several hours at Provincetown, the party returned in the evening. Oct. 19, 1875, Amos Otis, Esq., of Yarmouth, departed this life, at the age of 74 years. Mr. Otis was a native of Barnstable, was in early life a teacher, and afterwai'ds became cashier of Barnstable Bank in Yarmoutli, and its successor, the First National, and secretary and treasurer of the Barnstable County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which positions he occupied for nearly forty years. He was a prolific and interesting writer, his most conspicuous service to the cause of letters being his reseaix^hes and publications of matters of local history. His collected papers, entitled "Genealogical Notes of Bamstablc Families," exhibit persevering research, a tender sympathy and appreciation for the founders of the town, and a discriminating judgment of their aits and motives. August 31, 18^2, Hon. Marshall S. Underwood died in South Dennis. He was a son of Rev. Nathan Underwood of Harwich, where he was born. He was many times called to fill positions of honor and trust, having been four years representative from Dennis, two j'cars senator, two years a mem!)er of the executive council, and a presidential elector in 1880. By an act ajiproved June 26, 188^^, a charter was gninted to the Cape Cod Ship Canal company to cont^truct a canal to unite the waters of Bjirnstable and Buzzard's 1)ays. This act was amended by the act of ilay 27, 18S4, l>y changing the location of the Buzzard's bav teniiinus and several other provisions. By a resolve of June 4, 1884, the legislature PROM WAR OF THE REBELLION TO OUR OWN TIMES. 285 commended the subject to the favonible con:»ide ration of Cons^css, as a work of great national im])ortunce, and wojithy of substantial assistance from the national govern- ment. As this was the only one of many projects of tlie kind which resulted in active operations, and in which an effort was made in good faith to accpmplish the work, a retrospect of the various })hases of this much agitated enterprise may be properly made here, althi)ugh the recital will necessitate traversing some portion of the groimd already covered. The digging of a canal across the Cape has at various points been a favorite scheme at times for the last two centuries. In 1717, Avhen the pii-ate ship AVhidah was wrecked at Welllleet, after a great storm, Capt. Cyprian Southack from Boston sailed with a whaleboat throuajh the channel which waCs forced bj' the sea, near the point which defines the boundary between Eastham and Orleans. This channel was closed after the storm subsided. An application, which was afterwards made to the legislature for permission to dig a {permanent channel, by legalizing a lotterj' to promote the object, was never earned into effect. About sixty years ago the project of a canal from Hyannis to Barubtable harbor, through the towns of Barnstable and Yarmoutli, was agitated, and the region was surveyed by U. S. engineers. The Bass liiver route has of late years been brought into prominence, and a charter was giTintcJ in 1895, which was never opemtcd. The route between Barnstable and Buzzard's l>a3's has always attracted greater attention, from tlie fact tliat it avoided the outside passage around the Cai)e, with its numerous shoals and dangerous obstructions to sailing crafts. Official notice of this project was taken as early as 1G98,* when a conunittee of the general court was raised to consider the subject, as already set forth. ♦See i»a^e 135. 296 CAPE COD. Again in 1776, the council and general court, and also the general court in 1791, passed resolves favoring its execution. In 1818, private parties considered the project, and surveys of the route were made. In 1824, the federal government made surveys under the direction of officers detailed by the secretary of war. A very favomble rei>ort was made to Congress, and but for the election of General Jackson to the presidency and the change of policy of the government on the subject of internal improvements, it is most probable that the work would have been commenced. The report favored the constiniction of locks to overcome tlie difficulties resulting from the difference in the time of the tides in the two bays, which has been the problem which other engineers have sou2:ht to solve. The lcut few educational advantages in early life, but his natural abilities caused him, while engaged in the avocation of a fisherman, to criticall}' ohseiTC tho habits of fish, so that he was consulted 1)V naturalists and formed a permanent friendship with Storer and Agassiz, who pi-onounced him "the l>cst practical ichthyologist living.'* He sensed two vears in the house of representatives, and three years in the senate of ^Massachusetts. He also delivered a series of addresses in the Lowell lecture course in Boston, besides many occasional addresses on his favorite theme. FROM WAR OP THE REBELLION TO OUR OWN TIMES. 2X» Following Capt. Atwood, only fire days after, Nov. 12, Hon. Joseph K. Baker departed this life, very suddenly, at his home in Dennis. Entering the same pursuit as Capt. Atwood in early life, and soon after upon that of fitting and managing vessels for sea service, he successfuUj' pursued this business until the decline of the fisheries. Mr. Baker, besides holding many local offices, was two years a representative from Dennis, two years senator from the Cape district, four years a member of the executive council, and also of the commission on harbors and public lands. He was also a member, and high in the councils, of the Masonic fraternity, and director in railroad companies and banking institutions, enjoying a wide personal popularity. His a^e was 59 years. Rev. Azariah Eldridge, D. D., died at his home in Yarmouthix)rt, October 1, 1888. He was born in Yarmouth, Feb. 30, 1820, gi-aduated at Yale college, in 1841, was settled over the North Congregational church, Now Bedford, from 1847 to 1856, and over the Fort-street Congregational church, in Detroit, Michigan, from 1858 to 1865. He was in charge of the American chapel in Paris, France, from 1866 to 1868. Dr. Eldridge settled in Yarmouth about 1875. He was a member of the Republican national convention in 1881, and Presidential elector in 1884, and ten years president of the Barnstable County Agricultural Society. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Hamilton college, in 1863. June 10, 1889, Hon. John B. D. Cogswell died in Haverhill, Mass. He was the son of Rev. Nathaniel Cogswell of Yarmouth, where he was born June 6, 1829. He was graduated at Dartmouth college, studied for the legal profession, and in 1857 was a representative from AVorcester in the Massachusetts legislature. He afterwards 800 CAPE COD. settled in Milwaukee^ Wisconsin, and was several years TJ. S. district attorney for that state. In 1872, having returned to Massachusetts, he was elected a representative from the First district of Barnstable county and was twice re-elected. In 1877-8-9, he was senator for the Cape district, serving the three years as president of that bod3\ He made a most efficient and accomplished presiding officer. As an orator, Mr. Cogswell was highly esteemed for graceful rhetoric and wide information. The two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of what is termed the incorporation of the towns of Sandwich and Yarmouth was fitly commemorated in 1889. September 3, 1639, being the date when those two towns were recognized as such, by being represented in the first colonial represen- tative assembly, was taken as that of their corporate existence. The Sunday previous was ol)servcd in Yaimouth bv sen'ices in the Conirre«jational church. Bev. John W. Dodge, pastor of the First church, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Taylor, Rev. C. A. Bradley, Rev. G. I. Ward, Revs. Atwood and Osirood ; and Messrs. Thomas Prince Howes and Joshua C. Howes, representing the Dennis portion of Old Yannouth, pailicipated in the exercises. The observances in Yarmouth, on the 3d, consisted of a procession, under the marshalship of Mr. John Simpkins, along the streets of the town, which were tii&tefully decorated, an address in the Congregational church, by Philip H. Sears, P>.sq. of Boston, a dinner in the pavilion, erected on a portion of the first parsonage grounds, at which Henry C. Thacher, Escj. presided. Addresses were made by Lieut.-Goveruer Brackott, and Treasurer ilarden, representing the Commonwealth of ^Massachusetts, Mr. A. H. Hardy, represcntinir the Boston Cape Cod Association, Hon. Wm. W. Crapo, Rev. John W. Dodge, Capt. Thomas FKOM WAR OF THE nEBELLION TO OUR OWN TIMEa 801 P. Howes, Judjre Darias Baker of Newport, and a i>oem ■was read written for the occasion hy Mrs. JIary SI. Bray. There was a oouocrt and dance in the evening at the Xobscussett House, Dennis, which closed a most interesting occasion. Sandwich, on the sitmc day, celebrated the occasion on a Scale comiiiensurate with its importance. Bourne, being a [)ortion uf the oiiginat Sandwich, as Dennis was of Yai'iuoutb, participated in the obsenauces. Tlic decorations of the town were clabomte and tasteful, and the procession, under the uiarshaUIiip of Mr. AViii. A. Nye, paraded through the priiicii>al streets of the town. The exercises were held in the Casino. Hon. Ciiarles Dillinglmm presided and made a speech of welcome, and afterwards introduced Rev. X. H. Chamberlain, who was the orator of the day. A dinner was iiervcd in a mammoth tent, after which, under the Biwpices of Toastmaster Frank H. Pojie, sentiment* appropriate to the occasion were responded to by ex-GoT. •lohn D. Long, Gen. John L. Swift, Hon. Charles S. Eiandall, Cdl. Myron P. Walker, Mr. Charles E. Pope. An ode, written by Mr. Daniel F. Chessman, was sung to the tune of "America," In the evening there were fireworks, a ball, and a Venetian boat carnival. It was a matter of regret that the three towns of the county, dating their origin on the same year, could not have had a union festival, hut it was a natural feeling with each to wish to obsen'c this natal day on its own hcartlistone, and amid accustomed ucenes. and surroundings. WH CAPE COD. The original design of this narrative was to cover the two and a half centuries since the settlement and incorporation of the first townships of the Ca|>e. Since the fulfilment of this purpose various matters have transpired which should be put on record, in order to complete the stoiy of the county's history up to the present time, which will be found recorded in chronological order. A memorable shipwreck occurred Dec. 5, 1893, on the outer side of the Cape, opposite the South Truro shore. British ship Jason, from Calcutta for Boston, with a valuable cargo, was stranded on the shoals and went to pieces, and all the crew but one man, 24 in number, lost their lives. The state of Massachusetts, by the action of the legislar ture of 1893, undertook the preservation and improvement of the long neglected Province lands, located in Province- town, comprising about 3100 acres. Their care and custody were given to the board of commissioners of harboi's and public lands, and $3000 was api)r()priated in 1894, $3500 in 1895, and $3500 in 1SM(5, which was ex})en(led in planting trees, constructing roads and paths, and other improvements. James A. Small is superintendent in charge. The cause of historical research and elucidation and the roll of good citizenship suffered severe loss in the sudden death, June 26, 1894, of Capt. Thomas Prince Howes of Dennis, at the age of 77 years. Capt. Howes had commanded several ships in the foreign trade, and in the ports which he visited imi)roved all the opportunities open to him to acquaint himself with the people and their customs and institutions. He was an extensive investigator and reader, and his knowledge of English literature was wide and discriminating. After his retirement from the sea, he served for several years as superintendent of schools for the FROM WAR OP THE REBELLION TO OUR OVTS TIMES. 803 town of Dennis, for two sessions as representative in the legislature, and several years after as pilot commissioner of the port of Boston.. He wrote much upon subjects of local history, as well as upon topics of general interest, and had wide knowledge and appreciation of the forefathers of the town and county ; and the memory of one who has done so much to keep alive the names and acts of the woi*thies of the Cape, will be in like manner cherished by his contemporaries. July 14, 1896, obsenances connected with the erection of a Memorial tablet in the space in front of Town hall, Pro\'incctown, under the auspices of the Old Colony Com- mission, to commemomte the first landing of the Pilgrims and the signing in that harbor on board the Mayflower of the compact or constitution of government, was held in the hall, in presence of a large concourse of citizens. Addresses appropriate to the occasion were made by the presiding officer, A. P. Hannum, Hon. Wm. T. Davis, Henry A. Thomas, secretary to the govenior, and other gentlemen. The tablet on one side of the memorial stone bears a representation in relief of the signing of the compact, coi)ied from a marble ta])let on the Pilgrim National Monument at Plj'mouth, and also the follo\ving commemo- rjitive inscrii)tion : — This Memorial Stone is erected by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to commemorate the Compact or Constitution of Government signed by the Pilgrims on board the ** Mayflower" in Provincetown harlwr, November 11, 1620, (old style,) On the re^'erse is a copy of the Compact, with the names of the signers.* June 6, 1894, the bill establishing a normal school in ♦Si*e pa^o 22. 804 CAP£ COD. Barnstable county received the assent of the governor, the place of its location to be determined by the state board of education. After hearings, in which the claims of several towns for the site of the school buildings were set forth^ the board decided upon Hyannis. Dec. 26, the town of Barnstable voted to appropriate $20,000 to erect a building for a high school, and for a training school in connection with the normal school, and the structure was at once put under contract, and completed with all reasonable speed. It was ready for occupancy and opened for use the succeeding fall. Jan. 24, 1896, this building was destroyed by fire, which communicated in some mysterious manner. Subse- quently the structure was rebuilt on a somewhat improved plan, and the normal school stmcture, which was commenced in the summer of 1896, was completed for occupancy Sept. 9, 1807. Mr. W. A. Baldwin is the principal of the school. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1866-1897. 18G6. May 7, Cnpt. Timothy Hallet, Yarmouth, died, aged 86 year?.— Capt. B. P. Howes of Deuuis murdered by pirates on board the brig Lubra, of which he was master, in Chiue.-e waters.— Aug. 25, Paul Crowell, Sandwich, died, aged ieriod of sixty year«.— Aug. 0, death of Eben S. Smith, Esq., of Provincetowu, for many j'ears underwriters' agent and i)rominent in ])Ur«iness circles. — Aug. 24, de^tructive gale in Gulf of St. Lainrence; numl>er of Cape citizent* lust their lives and much shipping destroyed. 1874. Jan. 24, schooner Franklin Rogers of Chatham, capsized in Boston harbor and three men drowned.— Feb. 16, Capt. John Eldridg^, Yarmouth, former Liverpool packet commander, died, aged 75. — March 25, Rev. Nathaniel Cogswell, Yarmonth, died, aged 80.— May 17,. opening of public library in Provincctown. — May 30, dedication of new L^niversalist church in Hyannis.— Sept. 12, great school of black- fish driven ashore at Truro. 1876. Feb. 22, Dr. George Shove, Yarmouth, died, aged 57.— March 4, Italian barque Giovanni wrecked at Truro Highlands. Fourteen Htc* lost.— April 1, Rev. Joseph Eldridge, D. D., a native of Yarmouth, died at Norfolk, Conn.— July 5, Capt. Allen H. Knowles of Yarmouth died.— Nov. 27, Capt. Josiah Gorham of Yarmouth died. 1876. Jan. 13, David Snow of Boston, a native of Orleans, died in Boston, aged 77.— Jan. 20, a fire occurred in Harwich, which destroyed Cape Cod Exchange, Brett's block; dwelling house and several stores injured. Loss estimated at 835,000.— Jan. 27, Nathan Freeman, Esq., president of Provincet-own bank, died, aged 78.— Jan. 28, Ezra H. Baker, native of Dennis, died in Boston. He was a well-known capitalist, and one of the ijroraoters of the Union Pacific railroad. — May 2, Rev. Asahel Cobb of Sandwich died, aged 83.— May 16, Dr. Thomtis N. Stone of Wellfleet, poet, orator, legi>»lator, died, aged 58. — May 25, Capt. Franklin Hallet, a native of Yarmouth, died in Liverpool, Eng. He had commanded steamers in the Boston 9l Liverpool line. 1877. Feb. 16, the Town hall and High school house on High Pole hill, in 906 CAPE COD. ProTincetown, destroyed by fire. — May 0, FrauoU Bacon, Banuitable« died, aged 72.— Dec. 10, Rev. James Barnaby ol West Haiwioh died, aged 01 years. He had been identified with the Baptist society there at different time!), for nearly fifty years. 1878. Jan 22, E. K. Collins, a native of Truro, and founder of the line of steamers 1)eariug his name, died in New Tork.~Feb. 4, Frederick Scudder, many years county treasurer and register of deeds, died in Hyauuis.— April 20, 600 acres woodland burned over in Truro woods.— May 24, Hon. Freeman Cobb of Brewster died iu South Africa.— Oct. 11-12, :;eTere storm, by which trees were uprooted, spires blown over, great damage done to shipping on the coast. 1870. Jan. 12, Capt. Frederick Nickerson of Brewster died in Boston. —Jan. 28, Thomas Gray, merchant, a native of Yarmouth, died in Boston.— Feb. 25, Deacon John Muuroe, many years treac^urer of Barnstable institution for savings, died in Cambridge, aged 04 years. — May 1, Wm. E. Boyden, Sandwich, stap:e proprietor and business man, died.— May 1, Edith Freeman murdered by her father, Chas. F. Freeman, at Pocasset, iu a period of fanatical frenzy.— May IC, new Barnstable county Jail occupied for the first time.— Aug. 18, great storm and destruction of vessel and harbor pi-operty in Proviucctown, Harwich, Dennlsport, Chatham, Hyaunis aud other places.— Sept. 2, Cupt. Peter Harding, shipping agent, a native of Dcnni>, died iu Baltimore.— Sept. 11, Capt. B. 3. Youug of Well fleet died.— Xjv. 7, Hon. Levi L. Qoodspeed died iu West Bai'ustable. He had been a member of the executive eouucil and sfaeriil of Barnstable county. — Xov. 16, French Atlantic cable laid in North Eastham. Terminus afterwards removed to Orleans. 1880. Feb. 28, .Toj«eph Xickersou, railroad projer-tor and eapitali:Nov., the largest ftiugle fare of codfish ever brought into the conuty was that of schooner Willie MoKay, Capt. An^ni^ McKay, cou«i6tiiig of 4(M$2 quiutaii«, valued at upwards of $22,000. 18S3. Jan. 21, Capt. Oliver Matthews of Yarmouth died.— Jan. 25, Saud%rich tack factory destroyed by fire. Loss, $15,000 to $17,000.^ Feb. 5, Isaac Thacher, merchant, a native of Yarmouth, died in Boston, aged 75.— March 7, Capt. Winthrop Sears of Yarmouth died,— April 21, Hon. Albert Aldeu, a native of Yarmouth, died in Cambridge. —Luther Hinckley, Esq., ex-deputy sheriff, died in Mar<«ton*s Mills, aged 04.— May 10, Capt. Isaac Crosby died In Brewster.— May 28, Hon. James B. Crocker died iu Yarmouth, aged 79. He was two years senator and several terms clerk of courts.— May 30, Capt. Obed B Whcldeu of South DeunU died iu Peusaeola, Fla.— Aug. 11, Rev. Nathau Chapman died in East Dennis, aged 85 years.- Sept. 25, Mr. Timothy Phiuney died in Newbury port, aged 99 years. He was a native of Barnstable.— Oct. 29, Hon. Henry Crocker, a native of Bai*nsta1)le, died, aged 79, Mr. Crocker was several years sheriff of Suffolk county.- Nov. 29, Josiah Hinckley, Esq., Barnstable, died, aged oO. Mr. Hiuoklt* y had filled the offices of representative, county treasurer and collector of customs. — Deo. 5, a special term' of the supreme court tried Charles F. Freeman for the murder of his young daughter, and the verdict was, "Not guilty, by reason of insanity.** He was committed to Danvers asylum. 18SL Jan. U, Mr.oard, a longer term of service than that of any other incumbent. His brother, Freeman Howes, of Yarmouth, who deceased Oct. 8, 1895, held the position of special commissioner for nine years, also longer than any other incumlient, and had been nominated for re-election.— Sept. 15, Cai)t. Rodolphus H. At wood and Samuel Stan- ley were instantly killed by a stroke of lightning, while in a store in Provincetown.— Sept. 30, Paul Wing of Spring Hill, teacher of a private school of wide reputation, and an ex-represeiitative, died at the age of 79 years. — Nov. 11, collision of trains on Hyannis branch railroad, by which Henry H. Howes was fatally injured, and others were hurt.— Dec. 12, Joseph Hoxie of East Sandwich died, aged 92 years. 1891. Feb. 28, great electrical disturbances throughout the county. The Methodist church in Welltleet was ])urnc*d, and niuMj- buildings in different towns were more orlessiii.inreil. — March 2, KlijahE. Knowles, for several years representative and ttft4?rwards county commissioner, died in Orleans, a^reJ 80. — Heman Doaue, 3<1, of Ea>tliam, a local poet, died. He was the subject of a rcniarkal)le cure of a physical disability, which is recorded in niedieal books. — April 25^, Hon. Jure])h P. .Tohnsou of Provincetown died, ased 77 year?.— Col. Auirustus T. Perkin", of Cotuit, died in Boston. — May 18, Mr. James L. Sparrow died in East Orleans, aged 90 years. — July 15, Jonathan Younp:, the fir.>t treasurer of Cape C«)d (\Mitral railroad, died in Orleans, a.m'd j^^.— Oct. 8, Charles Thacher, 2d, for several years register of i)robate for this county, died in Yarmouthport. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS. 800 1S92. Jan. 2, Mr. George T. Thacher of Yarmouth died at Wellesley Hilljt, Mass.— 14, Hon. David Fisk, ex-senator, representative and selectman, died in We^t Dennis.— Feb. a*, Eben 8. Whittemore, ex-eounty commiM^ioner, special justice Fir^t district court, died in Sandwich.— March 4, ** Boston Store," in Hyauuis, destroyed by fire; loss, craj.OOO to e>40,0U0.— March 8, Capt. Barnabas C. Howes, of South Yarmouth, died in San Francisco, from the eiTect^ of a street railway accident.— March 22, Frank J. C. Swift, selectman, etc., died in Fal- mouth.— April 24, Capt. Lemuel B. Simmons of Hyanuis, ex- representative, etc., died in Portland, Me., aged 90.— June 28, Capt. Bailey Foster died in Brewster, aged 82.— June 24, Thomas Xickerson, a native of Brewster, prominent as a railroad constructor, died in Kewtou. 1893. March 25, six men of sch. Ada K. Daman, of Provincetown, were lost in a ^leon Grand Banks.— April 1, "Crows' Nest," residence of Joseph Jefferson, actor, destroyed by fli-e, together with valuable works of art, relics and library; lo*s, about «'250,01K).— Sept. 17, half- centennial obecrvaiice of foundation of the Xew Jerusalem church, Yarmouth.— Dec, Capt. Richard Matthews died in Medford. He was a native of Yarmouth, and for several years was the efficient com- mander of the Mu^sachu^etts School Ship. 1894. April 11, Nathaniel Hinckley died at Marston's Mills, aged 88. Mr. Hinckley represented Barnstable In the legi!>latiire at different periods, was sheriif of the county, and a writer on political topics. — Sept. 14, art gallery and contents, btable and outhouses of C. B. Cory on Point Gammon, Yarmouth, destroyed by fire; loss, $18,000 to r»,ooo. 1805. Feb. 10, Nathan Edson, ex-representative and ex-selectman, died in Barnstable, aged 79.— John L. Swift, a native of Falmouth, died in Boston.— April 10, Charles B. H. Fessendcn, a native of Sandwich, died in Brooklyn, N. Y. He had been collector of customs for New Bedford, sheriif of Bristol county, aud was the senior member of the Barnstable bar.— Aug. 2, Obed Baker, 3d, a prominent captain of Philadelphia steamship line, died in West Dennis.— Oct. 13, Capt. Coleman Nickerson died in West Dennis, aged 03. 1800. Jan. 5, Capt. Silas Jones died in Falmouth. He had been a celebrated whaling captain, aud had once been the central figure in an attempted mat^sacre by the natives of the Marshall Islands, which was averted 1)y his skill and coolnciis. At time of his death he was president of the First National Bank of Falmouth. — Jan. 13, fishing sch. Fort'Una collided with str. Barnstable and sunk off Highland light, and nine of the crew drowned.— Jan. 17, Hon. Alfred Kenrick died in Orleans, aged 95. A long time shiimiaster, and state senator in 1856.— March 4, sch. Jonathan Bourne, with a crew of 10 men, lost near Pollock Rip.— March 12, death of Hon. Chester Snow, ex-senator, Harwich.— April 15, fire in the woods of Sandwich and Bourne, covered aU CAPS COD. lO/NW «cr«a.— April U, Opt. Lot Hlggtoa of Boat Orl««uB died, >e»d M. —April ao, ocourred the bell celeliratiou In Falinoutb, It being tbe lOOtli umlTarsarjr or the purttiiK«s «t Tnnnouth cnmp grow d«atroredb7 Are.— May 10, Capt Albert Chase, nyannln, died, aged 80. —August 8, Volentlue Doone, Esq., long conuected with shlpplug kud flsbing, lUed Id Uarwichport, nged Vi years. — August U, Acoklentnl d«ath by barnlug of Mn. Charicn Colbuni and daughter In Ba»t Brewater.— August IT, Capt. Luther Croirell, » prominent ateunboRt oapt^n of Boston and Philadelpbla Hue, died in West Deuul*. — Sept. B, death of Judge James Hughes Hopkins of Second district oourt, at PtOTlncetowu.— Dec. 18, Eev. Heury P. Cutting, pustor of I*llgriin ahurcb, Harwluhport, died, aged T5 yean. — During 1600, 1-t miles of mooadumized road had been constructed In the couuty of Bametable, a portion of the system of state highways Inaugurated by the state of Kassootausetts, tbe followiug tieing the sections completed in tbe •ereral towns; Brewster, 1 1-3 miles; Dennis, 2 miles; Yarmouth, S t-4 mile* north side; 2 milea lontb side. ^S:- .--^f^ '"■»^-" "^^4?fte,..jS;i' •^wt?rr ijSP CHAPTER XVm. THE FISHERIES AND WHALING. Testimoiir to their value by Brereton and Archer, Capt. John Smith, Edward Wiu^low— Cape Fisheries and the Common Sohoolf — Firht*rie» and the Wars— 8tati«tiofi of the Cod and Mackerel products — Other Fisheries on our coast— Devices for catching Fish —United States Fie^herj Commission and Marine Biolojdcal Labo- ratory in Wood's Hole— Early Shore Whaling— Cape ^Vhalemen in Foreign Waters— The business in Truro, Wellfleet, Falmouth and Proviucetown. HERE is abundant evidence that one of the inducements for the settlement of Plymouth and Massachusetts colonies was the prosecution of the fisheries on the coasts, with which the English people had become familiar through the writings of the first navigators to these shores. The chronicles of Cabot's voyage, in 1497, made known that here were ^ great seals, and those which we commonly call salmons ; and also soles above a yard in length; but especially there is a great abundance of that kind which the savages call baccalos or codfish. *• Brereton and Archer, who T\Tote narratives of Gosnold's voyage in 1602, and speak of catching "a great store of codfish" on the coast, called the peninsula since known by that name, Cape Cod, ** where," tays Brereton, '^I am persuaded that in the months of March, April and May there is better fishing and in as great plenty as in Newfoundland." Capt. John Smith and other T\Titers also 812 CAPE COD. enlarge upon the value and abundance of these, fisheries, which must have been familiar to those seeking knowledge of the country. Edward Winslow, in a narrative of hda experience as one of the agents of the Pilgrims who went over to England from Leyden in 1618, to solicit of King James consent to their going to America, recoixls that when the monarch asked them, "What profit might arise ?** he was answered in a single word, "Fishing.'* Whereupon James replied: "So God have my soul, 'tis an honest trade, 'twas the Apostle's own calling^" Arrived on this coast, their search was to find a spot fit for planting, and which would also afford them the surest rewards for searching the seas. They discu:ssed a place which they called "Cold Harbor," in Truro, some of the company urging that it "seemed to offer advantages both for whale and cod fishery." But the place did not impress all the company favorably. Established at Plymouth, but for the fisheries, the Pilgrims must have starved in the perilous seasons of 1621-22. Continual references to the Cape fisheries in the colonial records show their value and importance. Previous to 1650, the people of Hull were allowed to seine fish at Cape Cod, but, in consequence of some irregularities, the Plymouth touit pa.ssed another order and limited the fisheries there to " residents of the towns of Plymouth, Duxbury and !Nauset, under regulations intended to insure an orderly course, in the numagenient of it." The citizens of Hull again attempted, in 1671, to obtain a participation in the mackerel fishery at Cai)c Cod, stating that "by beating about by evening and b}' travelling on the shores at all times and seasons, they had discovered a way of taking them in light as well as in dark nights." The couil, however, in 1684, prohibited "the taking of mackerel ashore with seines or nets," and decreed the forfeiture of THE FISHERIES AND WHALING. 813 these implements and the vessels and boats of the persons who violated the decree. The fisheiy at the Cape was held by ,the government of Plymouth colony as public property, and its profits were appropiiated to the public uses. It was devoted to a purpoi?e which showed the far-sighted intelli- gence of the law-givers of the colony — the establishment and maintenance of fi-ee public schools in the jurisdiction. . In 1G70, the court, as heretofore stated, made a grant ^'of all such profits as might, or should, actually acciiie to the colony, from time to time, for fishing with seines at Cape Cod, for mackerel, bass or heiTings, to be improved for, and toAvards, a free school in some town in this jurisdiction, provided a beginning were made within one year of the gmnt/' The beginning was made at Plymouth, which town, also, as well as some of its inhabitants, contributed to its maintenance; and, in 1673, the coui*t renewed its grant, and ap))ointed Mr. Thomas Hinckley as steward of the fund raised, or to be raised, for this puii>ose. This grant was not permanent, as apixsars from the fact that, in 1678, a part of the fund was granted to another party, and £5 for the schoolmaster at Rehoboth. From this time to 1683, portions of this fishery fund were assigned to various towns, to aid in the support of schools, Barnstable being one of the beneficiaries in the latter-named year. None of the eml>ellishmeijts of rhetoric are necessary to give force to the statement that Cape Cod, which first sheltered the fugitive exiles from Ley den ; A\ithin whose harbor, in the ^Mayflower's cabin, was formed the fii-st constitution of free goveiTiment recognizing the rule of the majority of its members, supported and sustained the first free public school for the education of the children of the j^ople I The important part played b}' the fishery question in the <;ont rovers}' between the colonists and the mother country is m CAPS COD. a portion of the general history of the nation ; the relation of Cape Cod to this industry was from the first to the last intimate and impoitant. Her fishermen and sailors were an indispensable factor in the wars with the French in Canada ; they were in full force at Louisburg and the other expeditions against the enemy. The business was attended by great fluctuations, because of the enlistment of large numbers of men in the naval service of Great Britain , and by the removal of many others to Nova Scotia and Maine, Provincetowu, just prior to the Revolution, being almost depopulated in consequence. From statistics furnished, extending from the years 1765 to 1775, we gain the follow- ing information :* Vessels Yaimouth, annually employed. 30 Tonnage employed. 900 Xo. of men. 180 Wellfleet, 3 90 21 Traro, 10 400 80 Provincetown, 4 160 32 Giatham, 30 900 240 All Massachusetts, 665 25,630 4,405 From 1786 to 1790. Yannouth, 30 900 180 Provincetown, 11 550 88 Giatham, 30 300 120 All Massachusetts, 539 19,185 3,292 Prolwibly about the year 1850, the cod fisheries were in their most prosperous condition, more than half the capital and nearly half the product of the business employed in the state belonging to the towns in this county : •Sabine's Report. THE FISHERIES AND WHALING. 315 Value of Capital. Men employed, product. Barnstable county, $1,230,185 4,719 $1,031,027 All Massachusetts, 2,127,885 7,917 2,188,441 Since that time, owing to the larger size of the vessels employed and the concentration of the business in the centres of commerce, the Cape fisheries have notably declined, and are still declining. The .total product of this- business in 1896, makes the following lamentable exhibit: Vewelfl. Men. QuiutaU cured. Chatham, boats. 64 250 Dennisport, boatB, 30 600 Provincetown, 27* 506 10,600 600 11,450 . From the settlement of the country to the present time,, the mackerel fishery has been extensively pursued, but has been attended with great fluctuations and uncertainties. The mackerel is a sportive and capricious fish, liable to change its haunts and its habits. Exact statements and reliable statistics of the business are not to be obtained previous to 1804. Commencing that year with a catch of 8000 bbls., the product gradually mounted upward ta 236,243 bbls. in 1820, and for the next fifteen years hardly ever went below 200,000 bbls., averaging more than that amount. From 1835 to 1845, there was a considerable reduction of product, hut in the latter year it amounted to 202,302 bbls. In 1851, the catch went up to 329,242 bbls. The total catch of the ^''ear 1896, as reported by the inspector general, was only 70,717 bbls., in the entire state. This decline is by some attributed to the use of the purse seine, by which whole "schools" may be surrounded off- ^lucludiiig fresh fluh fleet. 816 CAPS COD. shore, in any depth of water. Other causes, however, may have and probably did contribute to this result. From the statistics available, the relation of the Cape towns to this enterprise may l^e gathered. In 1851, when the largest catch of the state is reported, the number of vessels, tonnage and number of men and boys employed in this county are given below : Ko. Tonnage. Men and boys. Barnstable, 28 1,918 339 Brewster, 4 259 47 Chatham, 19 1,346 230 Dennis, 47 8,096 585 Eastham, 3 170 23 Harwich, 48 3,231 577 Orleans, 5 336 54 Provincetown, 60 4,332 688 Truro, 52 3,626 581 Wellflect, 79 5,411 852 Yarmouth, 14 359 990 169 24,715 4,145 Whole state. 853 53,705 9,112 In 1896, the total catch inspected in thi;? county is comprised in 2,397 bbls., reported in Provincetown, taken by eight vessels and 169 men. The business of catching mackerel has not, however, declined to sucli a degree as these figures would seem to indicate, but the business has chansred its character, a considerable number of Provincetown men being engaged in the market fresh fishery, though the fleet does not make a ver}' great showing compared with that of former years, being composed of about 20 vessels during the year, only some 15 of them continuing in the busmess THE FISHERIES AND WHALING. 817 for the entire season. These vessels employed not much exceeding 400 men. Although cod and mackerel have, from the beginning of our histor}-, been the chief objects of pursuit by our fishermen, and have engaged, more than all othera, the attention of business and scientific men and legislators, there are many other and very valuable fisheries near at hand.* As population has increased and the markets for food fishes have multi))lied, tlie resources of our waters and coast have been enhanced in value and impoi-tance, and contrivances for cjitching fish have taxed the inventive faculties of the enterprising and ingenious. Such devices as weirs, pounds, and fykes, for entrapping the inhabitants of the sea, though not in all respects unknown in former times, have in late yeare been employed to such an* extent as to revolutionize the business. The expediency of employing these devices is a matter of earnest controversy, and much attention is devoted by the legislature and scientific boards in the discussion of measures for regulating or restraining these instrumentalities, in the same line of the controversy respecting sweep nets in the deep water fisheries. That our waters abound in more than usually important and interesting piscatorial specimens, is evident from the establishment of a branch of the United Sates Fishery Commission in Wood's Hole in this county, whence specimens are collected, observations of fish life and development are made, and adjacent waters, which have been denuded, are restocked with eggs and frj' of different varieties of fish in great quantities and illimitable numbers. The connection of the Cape fisheries with the cause of popular education did not terminate with the appropriation of their proceeds by the colony court to the establishment of •See page 6. -818 CAPE COD. 41 Grammar school in Plymouth. The importance of this section for scientific investigation and research was recognized by the establishment, in connection with the Wood's Hole U. S. Fishery station, about the year 1887, of the Marine Biological Laboratory, one of the most widely known and firmly established summer schools in existence^ devoted to natural science. This is said to be the largest summer school of biology in the world, some two hundred persons being in attendance in 1896, and next to the Naples •Station, it takes first rank in the num1)er and importance of the contributions to knowledge which have gone out from it. It is also an excellent example of successful inter-collegiate co-operation. The whaling business is another once important, now .greatly depressed, industry. When the English first visited these shores Cape Cod bay was a favorite resort for whales, which abounded here and found the food they desired, and in the pursuit of which they were often drawn into shoal water and not infrequently left by the ebbing tide. The controvei-sics about drift whales and the amount of legislation incident to this subject by the colony court, evince its importance to the colonists. They did not wait long, •however, for stranded whales, but put forth in their frail boats and boldly attacked the leviathan '*in its native -element." Stations were erected on the seaside, where watch was kept for the appearance of the huge game. In Yarmouth a section was set apait (in the present town of Dennis) vfor the houses of the whalemen, and a spring of unfailing water was reserved for their use, and the "Whaling Grounds" have never been entirely alienated by the two towns. That the whalemen of this region early possessed unusual skill in this pursuit is evinced by the announcement that in 1690, "Ichabod Paddock of Yannouth went to THE FISHERIES AND WHALIXQ. 919 Nantucket to instruct the people in the art of killing whales in boats from the shore. ** Whales becoming scarce after a while, vessels were fitted out to search for and pursue them. From Truro, Wellfleet, Falmouth, a lucrative business was pursued. In 1771, Barnstable county had 36 vessels engaged in this business, 2 from Truro, 2 from Barnstable, 4 from Falmouth, 30 from Wellfleet, with an average tonnage of about 75, and manned with an average of 15 men. Two citizens of Truro, Captains David Smith and Gamaliel Collins, in 1774, adventured to the Falkland Islands in pursuit of whales, acting b}' the advice of Admiral Montague of the British navy. They were successful, and after that visited the coast of Guinea and Biiizil. The oft-quoted description of the New England whaleman, by England's great orator, Edmund Burke, loses nothing by age and use : "" AMiile we follow them among the tumbling mountains of ice, pene- trating into the deepest recesses of Hudson Bay ; while we are looking for them beneath the Arctic circle, we hear that they have pierced into the opposite region of Polar cold, that the}' are at the Antipodes, and engaged under the frozen Serpent of the South. Falkland Island, which seemed too remote and romantic an object for the grasp of natural ambition, is but a stage and resting place in the progress of their victorious industry. While some of them draw the line and strike the harpoon on the coast of Africa, others run the longitude and pursue the gigantic game along the shores of Brazil." Capt. Jesse Holbrook of Wellfleet, who flourished in the period of the Revolutionary war, on one voyage killed 52 sperm whales. A London company eagerly engaged him for twelve ^''ears, to teach their employes his art. After a career of diversified fortune, he returned to Wellfleet, >20 CAPE COD. where bis life was closed. In nearly every Capo town half s century ago, numbers of veteran retired whaling captains might be found, but few of them now remain on the stage of action. At different peiiods sevei-al towns of this county had considerable fleets engaged in the business. Thus, in 1837, Falmouth had at sea nine whale ships, with an aggregate of 2,823 tonnage. None now hail from that poit. In 1865, twenty-eight Pronncetown crafts brought in rising $300,000 worth of oil. In 1896, fourteen vessels, with an aggregate of 1,278.08 tonnage, sailed from that port. In 183ii, there were fourteen whaling vessels employing 155 men hailing from Orleans. They have long since disappeared. The business as a leading industry of the county bus steadily declined, along with the cod and mackerel tisheries. ^.r^jj^i^tza^^ ^ii^<^^ CHAPTER XIX. THE NATIVE INDIANS. FrleDd11iie»it of the Abiir!(itiie«— Decimated by th» Plague— Capt, Hunt'ii Trfiu-hery — Tht Li>cit1 SacbemiloinH— IikUuii Lrgeudv— Pim-liiMe of ib« Soil — Early efforts to Cbriittiniiize the uatlv^r— Kii'linrd Bourue and hi« lalmn— Mr. Bourne's sui^'e^pors— CItII ^o\'enim(;iit for tlip I;idiiiiii' — Sir. Tupper'a work iu Saudwluh — KiiuiiiemtioH nf "prnvttiir Indians" ou the Cuih- — Mr. Treat's and Sir. Tliorulnti's lnl«ir;i ar luissionurle*— Caui^^ of the decay of tho ludliiuo ooDHidered — Ur?auizatlon of DiKtricI ut Masbpe«— Var- mouth ludiuue aud IK'acou Naubaugbl — Lack of SlemorlaU of the Aboi-i(;tne«. tiV K^ HE first advance of the Cajw Indiana to the ^J-ii^^-'i English was in friendship and comity. iii^vi (' -^ I 'VMien Goenold landed on C ape Cod, in ''.1^yL„,:!i lfi02, " a young Indian with plates of copper WjPfir^^ hanjring in his ears, and with a bow and Z^»^!i-^!? arrow iu his hand, came to him in a friendly manner, and offered his serrices." Capt, John Smith coasted the Cape and landed there in 1614, and was kindly received und kindly treated bj' the natives. It was his Capt. Hunt, however, who kidnapped the seven Xauset Indians, and sold them into slavery in Malaga — an act of jwrfidy, which, for many years after, was the source of trouble and peril to the English. In the year 1G17, the plague, or some other mortal disease, liioke out among the Indians Wtwecu the JCarra- gansett and the Penobscot, and almost wholly depopulated the region. The Cape Indians were comprised in this «B CAPE COD. calamitous aflliction. They had, just before the breaking out of the disease, captured the crew of a French bark, and, in retaliation for the kidnapping of their neighbors by Capt. Hunt, had killed nearly all of them. A captive, whose life they had spared, told them that God was angiy with them, and that He would destroy them and give their country to others. They replied that they were too many for God to kill. They recalled this prediction when they were smitten by the plague, and when the pestilence came, began, with the natural su[)ei*stition of savages, to think one pait of the prognostication had been fulfilled, and when the Mayflower and its company arrived on the coast, they felt that the other part was about to be enacted. The shower of arrows which was shot after them at Xauset, in v»'hat was styled ^'The First Encounter," was, no doubt, the outcome of the hostile spirit engendered by this act of treachery and bad faith on the part of Hunt. Within the limits of the Old Colony of Plymouth were three principal sachemdoms of Indians. One comprehended the territory from Eel River, in Plymouth, to the south shore of the Cape, and from Wood's Hole on the west, to the eastern part of Barnstable. Within this were several petty sachems and divisions, of which Mashpee was the chief. On the eastern part of the Cape, from Xobscusset, now Dennis, was another sachemdom. The capital of this was Xauset, since named Easthani. These were called the Xauset Indians. All the Cape Indians were supposed to be tributary, or in some sort of subjection to !Massasoit of the Wanipauoags or Pokanockets.* But their depend- ence seemed to have been very slight. The local names, the places where the Cape tribes dwelt, were ^lassapee or Mashpee, Scauton, Cummaquid, Mattakeeset, Nobscusset, ♦Trumbun^s Hist. U. S. "IVViV THE NATIVE IXDIANa 838 Monomoyick, Sequatucket, Xauset and Paomet. They were a mild and inoffensive race, and aside from the affair at Nauset, their intercourse with the English was of a pacific nature. Their friendly offices while the English were famine-stricken, and the surplus of their granaries, which was the object of an advantageous traffic by the Pl^nnouth colonists, doubtless saved the settlers from annihilation during; the ten*ible winters which succeeded the settlement. The residence of the Cape Indians near the sea developed in them a degree of imagination and a poetic fancj" beyond the wont of savage and uncivilized people. The natives of the Cape and Nantucket had their own i>eculiar mythology, which they related to the early English settlers. In former times, as the legend goes, a great many moons ago, a bird, extraordinarv for size, used often to visit the south shore of Cape Cod, and carry from there in its talons a vast number of small children. Maushope, who was an Indian giant, as fame re{>oii;s, resided in these parts. Enraged at the havoc among the children, he on a certain time waded into the sea in pursuit of the bird, till he had crossed the sound and reached Nantucket. Before Maushope forded the sound, the island was unknown to the red men. Maushope found the bones of the children in a heap, under a large tree. He then, wishing to smoke a pipe, ransacked the island for tobacco, but finding none, he filled his pipe with poke, a weed which the Indians sometimes used as a substitute. Ever since the above memorable events, fogs have been frequent at Nantucket and on the Cape. In allusion to this tradition, when the aborigines observed a fog rising, they would say, "There comes old Maushope's smoke.*' This tradition has been related in another way : That' an eagle seized and carried off a papoose. The parents followed It in their canoe until they came to Nantucket, where 824 GAPE COD. they found the bones of theu' child, dropped by theeagle. There is another Indian tradition, that Nantucket was formed by Maushope emptying the ashes from his pipe, after he had done smoking. The settlers on the Ca^^ acknowledged the Indians' title to the soil, by the purchase, for a consideration more or less valuable, in all cases where they occupied the territor}^ The compensation, it is true, was not such as would at this day seem adequate, but it must be considered that the Indian deemed it sufficient, that he still exercised the right of hunting and roaming over the territory, reserving to himself his planting grounds and the right to avail himself of the resources of the territory, so that he in fact made but slight concession to the purchaser, and his own condition was rendered actually better by having thrifty and prosperous neighbors, with whom to trade and procure many articles which, in his savage state, he could not possess. Gov. Josiah Winslow stated, in 1676, ''I think I can truly say, that before these present troubles with the Indians broke out, we did not possess one foot of land in this colony but what was fairly obtained by honest purchase of the Indian proprietors.** So long as an Indian existed he had reserved to him all the land that he could improve to advantage, and often more than he made a profitable use of. Efforts were early made to christianize the Indians. Eliot, the apostle, called to Yarmouth, to settle a controversy in the church in 1647 or 1648, turned his attention to the work to which his life was devoted. He overcame all difficulties growing out of a difference in dialect from that of the ilassachusetts Indians, and succeeded in making himself understood. He was batlled somewhat by the ill-nature or quizzical propensities of a sachem called Jehu, and encouraged by a pliable one, who lent a more willing THE XAXrV'E INDIANS. 825 ear; but no such results grow out of his labors as in Natick, where Kliot sjieut so large a portion of his useful and devoted life. At an early period, ^Ir. Richard Bounie, one of the emigi'aut settlers of Sandwich, turned his attention with untiring devotion, to the work of evangelizing the Indians in that vicinitv. The earliest account which we have of his laboi*8 in Mashpee was in 1658, when he was present, assisting in establishing a }>oundary line between the Indians and the proprietors of Barnstable. In 16G0, through his effoi-ts, the gi*ant of a tract of 10,500 acres of land was set apart for the exclusive use of the Indians of Mashpee. Rev. !Mr. Hawley said of him : ''Mr. Bourne was a man of that discernment that he conceived it was in vain to propagate Christian knowledge among any people without a territory where they might remain in peace from generation to genemtion, and not be molested." His efforts were then engaged in providing them with some settled and orderly plan of government. In Feb., 1665, on the application of Mr. Bourne, '' in behalf of the Indians under his instruction, as to their desii*e of living in some orderly way of government, for the better preventing and redressing of things amiss amongst them by just means," the court approved of six Indians '' to have the chief inspection and management thereof, with the help and advice of said Rd. Bourne, as the matter may require ; and that one of the aforesaid Indians be installed to act as constable," the rights and authority due to any sachem not to be infringed. These Indian courts were eminently successful, and an orderly form of government was early established and long maintiiined. The Indians held these couii;s, tried criminals, passed judgments and executed the sentences. Mr. Bourne and Gov. Hinckley often attended these tribunals, and aided the Indians as magistrates in difficult cases. 8» CAPE COD. • Mr. Bourne, having obtained the deeds of the Indian reservation, as before stated, Aug. 17, 1670, was installed as pastor of an Indian church gathered from among his own disciples and converts. The ordination services were performed by the Apostle Eliot, other ministers of the vicinity officiating. The organization of a church waa confirmed at the same time. Mr. Shearjashub Bourne, son of Richard, procured, after his father's decease, a ratification by the court of Plymouth, of the deeds obtained by this noble and devoted missionary from the Indians, and an entailment of lands to the South Sea Indians, **80 that no* part or parcel of those lands might l>e bought by, or sold to, any white person or persons, without the consent of all the Indians, not even with the consent of the general court.'* The successor of Mr. Richard Bourne was an Indian — Simon Popmonet — who, after a career of usefulness of forty years, died about the time his successor was ordained. This successor was Joseph Bourne, a descendant of Richard, who sustained that relation from 1729 to 1742, when he resigned, ''complaininjx much of the ill-treatment which the Indians received, and of the neglect of the commissioners of his support." He still, however, continued to show his interest in the cause of the Indians, and encouraged and assisted the next white missionar}', Rev. Gideon Hawley. Mr. Bourne was succeeded by Solomon Briant, an Indian, as pastor of the Mashpee church ; and, though he encountered considerable opposition in the count}', he continued his ministry Jimong his red brethren until 1758. He preached in the Indian dialect, was a good and devoted man, but apparently deficient in prudence and executive ability. Hi* dismission was occasioned by dissutisfiution on the part of the Indians. THE NATIVE INDIANS. 827 The successor of Mr. Briant was Rev. Gideon Hawlej, a gentleman of high literary qualifications and devotion to duty, who labored here for nearly a half-century. Mr. Hawley had previously done missionary work among the Indians in Stockbridge, under the patronage of Rev. Jonathan Edwards, and afterwards among the Iroquois, under that of Sir William Johnson, and had been a chaplain in the French wars. He died in 1807, at his post of duty, aged 80 years. Rev. Phineas Fbh succeeded Mr. Hawley in 1812, encountering much opposition upon theological and political grounds for a i>ortion of his incumbency. After a controversy of much acrimony, continued for several years, the inhabitants of Mashpee, whose spiritiuil :i£fairs were managed b}"^ the parent Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, were, in 1834, accorded a system of pailial self-government, which resulted in the retirement of Mr. Fish and the incumbency of preachers of the choice of the people. Following the withdrawal of Mr. Fish, the pulpit was occupied for some time by Rev. Wm. Apes, who had been greatly instrumental in bringing about the new order of affairs. Mr. Apes was himself an Indian, of the Pequot tribe, and a man of much vigor and power, 1x»th as a writer and a speaker. He came to Mashpee at a period when the rights of the natives were not adequately recognized by the state government, and became their active champion in the effort to obtain a redress of grievances. There was a quasi revolution, and the participants were arrested and some of them convicted and imprisoned for riotous conduct. The services of Hon. Bcnj. F. Hallett,* a native of an adjoining •Mr. H:ilk*tt, who alterwnrdg ftttained eminence tL» a political eontroTersialitft and a lawyer, died in Boston, Sept. 17, 1802, aged 68 yearii. 328 CAPE COD. village in Barnstable, were enlisted in their behalf , and by his sympathetic exertions, the legislature of 1833 was led to accord to these people the rights which they claimed had been withheld from them. 'Mv. Apes was regarded as their deliverer from oppression and injustice. Since his day no stable and settled pastoral relation has been sustained by any incumbent. The form of civil government of this district, which was adopted after the establishment of the new order of affairs, accorded to the people a partial, though not a complete, management of their own interests. They chose their own town officers, who were assisted and restrained by a commissioner appointed by the stat«. By an act of 1842, their lands were apportioned among the proprietors in lots of 60 acres each, not to be conveyed, however, to persons not inhabitants. In 1870, ISIashpee was made a town and endowed, without restriction, with the rights of self- government, like other towns. The state still evinced its peculiar interest in this people by continuing its i>eeuniary aid in the support of the public schools and highways. Another Sandwich citizen, Thomas Tupper, labored devotedly for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the natives of the soil. Ilis field seems to have been along the head of Buzzard's Bay and the region of Herring Pond. The first substantial church erected in Sandwich was one built for the Herring Pond Indians, through ilr. Tupper's instrumentality, and to the expense of which Judge Samuel Bewail of Boston contributed liberally.* There never was an exact and reliable enumeration of the whole number of the Cape Indians, until near the close of the eighteenth century. The accounts of the number of •The foiiiuliitioiiof this stnicture iiutl trace? of Incliau ;rrave.s uearby are visible on a sponidic hiU, uot fur from the Huuruedule railroad Atatiou. THE NATn^E IXDIAXS. 820 ''praying Indians" in the count}', reported to the Society for Propagating the Go-spel, is liable to the suspicion of being colored by the not unnatural desire to make this part of the field of labor appear as extensive and important in the eyes of the parent society, as a favorable view of the circumstances would admit. This view was fortified by the willin«mess of manv of the natives to sustain a nominal connection with the whites in religious and secular matters, for the resulting advantages, without being very strongly imprcssGvl bj* the spiritual phase of the matter. According to an account given by Mr. Kichard Bourne to Mr. Gookhi, in 1674, there were of praying Indians "at Meshanny i. e. Provincetown and Truro, and at PujwnaTc^ anitj WcUfleet, 72 ; at Potannmaqnaty Eastham, 44 ; at 3/o7i(()tiOf/icI:, Chatham, 71 ; at SawJt'afucJcelj Brewster, 2fobsquas8etty Dennis, MattakeeSj Yarmouth and East Banistable, 122 ; at Manhpee and sevei*al places adjoining, 117; at Prt^cojM^^, Sandwich, Waxjcaj/ontat^ Warcham, and SokaneSy Falmouth, 36.'' To this, Mr. Cotton adds Kitteaumnty another part of Sandwich, 40. Among the Indians on Mr. Bourne's plantation at Mashpee were 142 who could read the Indian language, 9 who could read English, and 72 who were taught to write. In the year 11)8."), Gov. Thomas Hinckley transmitted to England an account of these praying Indians in Plymouth colony, b}' which it is found that there were nearly 1,000 of them within the limits of the countv of Barnstable, classified as follows, with their tribe and teachers : Pamet, Billingsgate, (Xausett), alias Eastham, (Great Tom, teacher), 264 Manomoyett, (Indian Nicholas), 165 Sacjuetucket and Xobscusset, (Manasseh), 121 Mattakecse, (Jeremy Robin), 70 830 CAPB COD. Skuuton, (Simon Wickett), 51 Mashi>oy, (Shanks, under Mr. Bourne), 141 Manamet, (Charles, under Mr. Tupper), 110 Succanncssett, (Old John), 72 Other places, (not in the county), 495 •* Besides Iwj's and girls under 12, which are supposed to be three times as many. Xone were accounted praying Indians unless they publicly renounced their foimer heathenish manners, and gave themselves up to be praying Indians." Gov. Hinckley says, "They have their court* and judges ; but a great obstruction to bringing them to more civility and Christianity, is the great appetite the younger gcnei-ation have for strong liquors, and the covetous ill-humor of sundry of our English in furnishing them therewith, notwitlistanding all the court orders and means used to prohibit the same." The number of Indians who were not enumerated among the "praying," or christianized Indians, there is no means of determining, with anything approaching accumcy. If half were of this description, and, allowiJig for children under 12, the entire native population must have been two or three thousand souls. Besides Mr. Bourne and ^Ir. Tapper, who were the leading pioneers in the work of civilizing and evangelizing the Indians, Rev. Samuel Treat of Eastham and Rev. Thomas Thornton of Yarmouth, labored with gi-eat zeal, devotion and considerable results, in the same direction. Mr. Thornton labored throuirh the native teachers, and his labors were crowned with a large measure of success. Mr. Treat engaged with earnestness in the work, and prosecuted it with zeal during a great number of years. In Gov. Hinckley's enumeration, already adverted to, five hundred of the praying Indians were comprised in Mr. Treat's- THE NATIVE INDIANS. 881 parish, besides boys and girls, who were supposed to be more than three times that numl>er. He preached to the Indians in their own language, which he ^^poke with great facility. The Indian teachers in their several villages read to their consrreorations sermons which he had written for them, and he translated the Ceen doomed to extinction, and the precepts and examples of Christianity were powerless to avert their impending fate. The love of the Indian for intoxicating liquors has many times been enlarged upon, but it does not entirely account for their decay. The English consumed vastly more alcoholic drinks than the Indians, their means of procuring it being greater, but they grew and prospered, in spite of this drawback. The ministers exhorted against their appetite in this regard, to the great disgust many times of their auditors. ^Ir. Stone, the Provincetown preacher. 882 CAPE COD. felt that he had a mission to exhort the Indians on this subject. One of the Mashpee Indians, to whom ho preached on exchange, was asked how he liked Mr. Stone? Ho answered, "ilr. Stone is one very good preacher, but he preach too much about rum. Indian think nothing ohout it ; but when he tells how Indian love rum, and how much they drink, then I think how good it is, and think no more 'bout the sermon, my mouth waters all the time so much for rum." The use of spirituous liquors easily overcame them, but Anglo-Saxons were hard drinkei*s, and survived, and had sufficient self-control to become in the end comparative abstainei*s. In effect, it will be found that the vices which overmastered the natives were resolutelj' overcome by the English, and that under precisely the same conditions the natives decayed and the newcomei*s flourished, and became powerful and prosperous. It was a trial of races and civilizations, and in the end the fittest sui-vived. This view of the question need not be regarded as depreciating the efforts and aims, nor the mission of Richard Bourne, Thomas Tapper, Rcrv's. Thornton, Treat, and the other evangelists, who labored for the spiritual interests of the Indian races. There has seldom been exhibited on this continent so fine an example of devotion, of sacrifice and of entire and unselfish consecration to a great and beneficent end, as the life-work of Richard IJourne. He saw before him, not a feeble and decaying nice, — he indulged in no generalizations about the end of Providence in planting the aborigines on these shores; but recognizing, according to his creed, the immortal destinies and the spiritual needs of these men, he at once devoted his life to their service. His work and character were conspicuous in this field of effort. The other evangelists, in the same spirit, though in a less marked degree, continued the work. That thej' did not THE XAXm: IXDIAXS. 833 avert the imj^ending extinction of the race, is no impeach- ment of their sagacity nor of their unselfish devotion to the work. They failed, not I>ecause their efforts lacked intelligence and self-consecration, but l>ecause destiny and the laws of the universe, hidden for the time from them, were working out a different result. Mr. Bourne's superiority to his contemponiries is evinced by his administrative abilities displayed in the organization of the District of ^lashpee. His worldly sagacity was shown in insisting upon setting apart for the natives a portion of the soil of their ancestors, which should not be alienated and which should be sacredlv secured to t&em and their descendants. This condition was observed long after the last pure Indian was extinct. No better spot could be selected than the District of ]Mashpee, a region of picturesque scenery, diversified by ponds, groves, streams, woodland, its waters abounding in fish, its woods filled with wild game, and its facile soil adapted to the groT\i:h of com and vegetables. To this region, the remnants of the native Indians from other parts of the county resorted, as to a sanctuary, when driven by an advancing civilization from their primitive retreats. And to this community, founded by the foresight of Richard Boume, the Indian owes the onlj^ recognition which remains for his race within the limits of Barnstable county. The works or institutions of few public men endure longer than their lives or those of their immediate descendants, but those founded bv Mr. Bourne have not yet failed to exert their beneficent influence upon the remnants of the Indian race, nor have they faded from the grateful recollections of posterity. He could not avert a doom which was inevitably theirs, but he ameliorated the condition of thousands of the race and rendered more tolerable their lot for man^' succeeding generations. »4 CAPE COD. The Society for Propagating the Gospel in New England, about the year 1767, sent a committee to Mashpee to inquire into the condition of the Indians there, i>articularly, and incidentally, those in other parts of Barnstable county. They met at Mashpee, on the communion Sabbath, a house filled with Indian worshippers, and the service was carried on in their own language, by Indian ministers, Solomon Briant, the Mashpee pastor, and Zachary Osooit, the pastor «t Gay Head. John Ralph was mentioned as minister at Potenumacut, and Isaac Jephrey at the Ponds in Plymouth. Mr. Hawlcy, the English pastor at Mashpee, gave the agent of the society some statistics of the numbers of Indian worshippers and of other matters relating to the Indians, which, in comparison with Gov. Hinckley's figures of eighty years before, show how rapid had been the decline of the native population, in spite of all the ameliorating influences of the English missionaries and other friendly aids to advancement in the arts of civilized life. At that time, according to this authority, there were in all about 271 inhabitants in Mashi>ee ; in Scauton (East Sandwich) there were nine wigwams, number of inhabitants not stated ; at Sacconesset (Falmouth), about 20 who belonged to the meeting. There were six wigwams in Yarmouth, the inhabitants of which l>elonged to the church and congrega- tion at Potenumacut, ^ where arc a larger number of Indians than at any other place in that neighborhood, besides Mashpee.'' They also speak of eight Indian families, of about thirty persons, at Pocasset. From this time the native Indians began again to decay. In Yarmouth, large numbers were canied off by the small pox. Soon after the Revolutionary War their lands were sold, and, in 1797, there were living on the Indian reservation, in the southeasterly part of the town, a negro THE NATIVE IKDIANa 885 and a squaw, occupjnng one wigwam.* Those soon after (lisappe«ared. In 1802, there were three Indians remaining in Potcnumacut (Orleans), and one in Eastham. These were also destined to speedy extinction. If the accounts of the hitest remnants of the Indian tribes of Yannouth are not greatly idealized, they were a most interesting and attractive people in their social and moral character. One of their annalists* describes them as living in Arcadian simplicity of life in a little cluster of wigwams in the southeastern part of the town, near Bass River. A suspicious deacon, who was in quest of the despoiler of his poultry yard, in the early morning hours, found the occupants of three wigwams engaged in their morning devotions, and felt humiliated that he should have mistrusted these people. Deacon Xauhaught, their chief character, once found a pocketbook containing a quantity of money, but such were his ideas that he would not open it, nor would he suffer any one else to do so, until he got to a public house. **If I was to do so,** said he, "all the trees in the woods would see me and testify against me." The tale which is related of this striking and unique characteti when assailed by snakes, though amply re-enforced by the testimony of several white deacons and other veracious authorities, is so aoochryphal that the foreign readers may be pardoned for expressing, as they did, some degree of suspicion in relation to it. ''This Indian, who was a very athletic man, was once attacked by a large number of black snakes. Being at a considerable distance from any {^ople, and having no weapons about him except what the God of Nfvture had given him, he knew not what to do. He found it impossible to escape from them by attempting to run. He experienced, however, very little from any fearful •Alden's Mem. of Tarmouth. 836 CAP£ COD. apprehensions on account of his personal safety. He was perfectly self-collected, and thought he would stand firm on his feet and suffer the snakes to take their own course, for a time, without annoyance. They approached him from every direction with elevated heads and tremendous hissing. They soon began to wind themselves about his legs. Presently one of them got up to his neck and seemed to act as if he was attempting to get his head mto Xauhaughfa mouth. Nauhaught opened his jaws, which were furnished with a noble set of teeth. The snake immediately thi*ust in its head and the deacon bit it off ! a fortunate circumstance, as the result proves; for the blood, streaming from the decapitated leader in the attack, so alarmed the rest of the invading enemy, that Nauhaught was immediately left master of the field I" There must have been some peculiar influences operating upon the Yannouth natives to produce such exceptional characters as these. The jSIashpce Indians were not described by their contemporaries, as of a heroic type. An account of them, written in 1802, from memoranda com- municated by Rev. Mr. Hawley, Dr. Thacher and Dr. Eliot,* places them low in point of morals and character, and implies that the experiment of ]\lr. Bourne and his successors was a himentable failure. But the virtues of the one people no more averted the decay of the race in this county, than the Ances of the other, contributed to their annihilation. The last Indian of pure strain in Yarmouth died before the beginning of the present century ; and the hist of the Mashpees departed a!)out the year 1^04-5. f The present inhabitants of Mashpoe have but little of the al)ori atHlction the fathers sometimes essayed to woo the muses. The earliest si>ecimen of clegaic verse CAPE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. 839 preserved, is found in the lines composed on the death of his accomplished wife, b}' Governor Thomas Hinckley, of which production Mr. Palfrej' says, ''It breathes not, indeed, the most tuneful spirit of song, but ihe very tenderest soul of affection/' The earliest books published in this county seem to have been those of Edward Perry of Sandwich, a Friend, between the years 1G76 and 1690, and bear the titles, "A Warning to New England ;"• ''To the Court of PljTnouth, this is the Word of the Lord;** "A Testimony Concerning the Light;** ''Concerning Tine Repentance," etc. Not more than one copy is known to be in existence. Dr. John Osboni, bom in Sandwich in 1713, a son of Rev. Samuel Osboni, minister for some time of the south precinct of Eastliam, wrote a Whaling Song, which has obtained celebrity. It is quite an advance, in literary finish, upon anything preceding it which had been produced by a Cape Cod writer. The opening lines are : ** When spriog returns with western galea. And gentle breezes sweep The ruf&ing seas, we spread our saUs, To plough the wat*ry deep. **For killiug northern whales prepared. Our nimble boats on board. With craft and rum (our chief regard,) And good provisions stored.** Then follow sixteen stanzas, which describe, in spirited style, the pursuit, killing and capture of the monsters of the deep. Rev. Thomas Pi-ince, the distinguished author of New England's Annals and Chronology, a native of Sandwich and a grandson of Governor Hinckley, produced a work of exceeding value. In the opinion of Dr. Chauncy, '*Xo one in New England had more learning except Cotton Mather." MO CAPB COD. He published other works, though the Annals is esteemed the most important. James Otis, Jr., called **the patriot," besides being a peerless orator, was the author of several important political .treatises, among which may be mentioned his Rights of the Colonies Vindicated, which was styled "a masterpiece of good writing and argument.** Mercy Warren, daughter of Col. James Otis, was bom in West Barnstable, Sept. 25, 1728, died in Boston, Oct. 19, 1814. She received her education from Rev. Jonathan Russell, who also fitted her distinguished brother for college. Her feelings were soon enlisted on the side of her father and brother, and her lettei-s, pati'iotic verses and political satires, throw much light upon the history of the period. She married James Warren of Plymouth, one of the leaders of the Revolutionar}'' party, and wtis in intimate correspon- dence with the two Adamses, Thomas Jefferson and other distinguished patriots. In 1790 she published a volume of poems, including two tragedies, entitled ''The Sack of Rome,** and ''The Ladies of Castile." Her most iuiporiant work, however, was her '^Iliatory of the American Revolution," (3 volumes, 820, Boston, 180eO,) prepared from notes taken durinir the war, and which is a standaitl authority with writers on that subject. Rev. Dr. Samuel West, a native of Yarmouth, for some time a school-master in Barnstable and Falmouth, was renowned for his metaphysical and contro vernal talents, as well as for his great learning and profound scholarship. "He was," said Dr. Timothy Alde?i, Jr., "as remarkable for his mental powers, as Dr. Samuel Johnson, the great biographer and moralist. He was supposed to have nmch resembled him in personal appearance, and with the same literary advantages, would unquestionably have equalled MERCY WARREN. CAPE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. 841 him for repatation in the learned world.'' He wrote several important tracts during the revolutionary period. Rev. Dr. Timothy Alden, Jr., a native of Yarmouth and president of Alleghany College, Mcadville, Pa., about the middle of the century published the Collection of American Epitaphs, in four volumes, a book which contained a fund of interesting and valuable information. Rev. James Freeman, D. D., minister of the Stone Cha()el, Boston, a native of Truro, contributed, soon after this time, a series of most important papers relating to the history of the towns of the county and published in the collections of the Massachusetts Historical Societv. These papers are still quoted and relied upon as authorit}* on the subjects to which they are devoted. With such a record for enterprise, adventure, patriotism and identification with the great movements of the age as the Cape presents, it would be strange if there were not others of her sons who should attempt to do her honor, or at least justice. In 1858, Rev. Frederick Freeman, of Sandwich, commenced the publication of a History of Cape Cod. The book was finallj' completed, in two large volumes, and to all time must be the foundation upon which other works of the kind will be based. The difficulties in Mr. Freeman's wa}^ were numerous; he had to begin without any considerable previous aid; he was justly emulous of the fame of bis illustrious ancestors; and being himself a minister of the church of England, it seemed to some that he did tardy and stinted justice to the Pilgrim and Puritan elements. Some of the impoilant epochs were not written up with the fullness and elalK)ration of the others. But despite these drawbacks, Mr. Freeman's book will alwaj's be quoted, as the first filial attempt of any Cape Cod man to do appropriate honor to the memory of the pioneers and their 842 CAPS COD. siiccessors, and as sach should be held in high estimation. Rev. Enoch Pratt, in 1842, published his history of Eastham, Wellfleet and Orleans. There is much in it which is interesting, unique and worthy of preservation. Mr. Shebnah Bich, in his Tmro, Cape Cod, has embodied in an original form, and attractive rhetoric, a mass of important information respecting one of the most interesting towns of the Old Colonv. In 1861, Mr. Amos Otis commenced a series of articles in the Barnstable Patriot, respecting the history of the Barnstable Families. Nothing has yet been published which evinces so familiar an acquaintance with the habits, manners, motives and impelling principles of the pioneers of the town as these sketches, by one of their descendants. They will always be referred to as authority on the points which they discuss, and be regarded as a monument to the intelligence, zeal and industry of their author. In 1884, Charles F. Swift published a history of Old Yarmouth, including the towns of Yannouth and Dennis, in one volume, 283 pages. Mr. Swift has also published a Fourth of July oration, 1858, a continuation of Barnstable Families, several occasional addresses, and contributions to magazines iind newspapers, principally on biographical and historical subjects. The sketches of the History of Falmouth up to 1812, by the late Charles W. Jenkins, were issued in a collected form by the Falmouth Local press, in 1889. They were written before so much was known as has since transpired about the early history of the town, and the book is a filial and creditable work. Mr. Josiah Paine of Hanvich, who contri))uted to Blake's Cape Cod the chapters on the history of Harwich and Brewster, has written, with intelligence and discrimination, other important his?torical papers, for the newspapers and maga- zines, and has a manuscript collection of great value CAPE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. 848 regarding old Harwich and its people. Mr. Joshua H. Paine, his brother, has also written an exhaustive unpub- lished account of the "War of 1812 in its relation to Harwich. In 1890, Messrs. H. ^V. Blake & Co. published a History of Barnstable C!ounty, a book of over 1000 pages, copiously illustrated, and handsomely bound and printed. Without being a complete and continuous history, it contains a vast amount of vailuable infoimation, and much biographical matter, particularly of contemix)rary individuals, who contributed the data and were responsible for its dissemi- nation. In other departments of literary effort the natives of the Cape have somewhat distinguished themselves. The early bards of the countj' have already been alluded to. Several others remain to be noticed. Daniel Barker Ford, son of Dr. Oliver Ford of Hyannis, who was an apprentice in the Yarmouth Register ofBce about 1842-4, evinced much poetic and rhetorical talent. His best known piece, ^A Lay of Cape Cod," was modeled in style and treatment from Whittier's Lays of Labor, and was a most spirited and stirring production. A few' of its inspiring lines are quoted : '* Hurrah ! for old Cai>e Cod, AVith itfl sandy hiUs and low. Where the waves of ocean thunder, Aud the wiuds of heaven blow; Where through t^ummer and through winter, Throuizh 8uu:»hine and thro' rain. The hardy Cape man plies hU task Upon the heaving main. • • • • • ** Hurrah ! for the maids and matrons That grace our sandy home, A» gentle as the summer breeze. As fair as ocean's foam; Whose glances fall upon the heart. Like suulight on the waters; 844 CAPE COD. Who're brighter in the f e*tal hall Than France's brightest daught«r8." Dr. Thomas X. Stone of Wellfleet published, in 1869, a Tolame, entitled Cape Cod Ehj-mes. He possessed the trae poetic tempemment, was witty, pathetic, and alive to the sights and scenes of nature around him. He also wrote and delivered felicitous occasional orations and addresses. Asa S. Phinney, also a printer in the office of the Yarmouth Register, in 1843 collected and issued a little pamphlet^ Accepted Addresses, etc. There were twenty-four pieces in all, some of which evinced considerable poetic ability. Mr. Phinney was also a frequent and welcome contributor to the Cape newspapers. Mrs. Frances E. Swift of Falmouth has written for several years for the current magazines and newspapers, under the nam de plume, "Fanny Fales.** She published, in 1853, Voices of the Heart, and has a large number of superior compositions not yet in collected form. Mrs. Swift is not only an easy and graceful versifier, but has shown a high poetic fancy and a deeper insight into the emotions and feelings of the human heart. AVe present a single specimen in her reflections upon Longfellow's line, ''Into each life some rain must fall" : "If this were all, O If this were all, That * Into each life some raiu must fall '— There were faluter sobs in the Poefs rhyme. There were fewer wrecks on the shores of time. "But tempests of woe pass over the soul. Fierce wiuds of anguish we cannot control; And shock after shock we are called to bear. Till the lips are white with the heart's despair. **0, the shores of time with wrecks are strown, Unto the ear comes ever a moan. Wrecks of hopes that sail with glee. Wrecks of loves sinking silently ! CAPE AUTHORS AND XEWSPAPERS. 345 ** Many lire hidden from mortal eye. Only God knoweth how deep they lie; Only God heard when the ory went up; *Help me! take from me this bitter cup I* ** * Into each life florae rain muet fall*— If thi^ were all, O, if this were all! Yet there ii» a Refuge from storm and blast. We may hide in the Rock till the woe is past^ "Be stron;;! be strong! to my heart I cry, A pearl in tlie wounded shell doth lie; Days of sunshine are given to all. Though * Into each life some rain must fall.*** Prof. Alonzo Tripp, a native of Harmcli, wrote in 1853^ a book of European travels, entitled, Crests from the Ocean World, which had a sale of 60,000 copies. Afterward he wrote a local novel, entitled The Fisher Boy, which had a large sale, and nianj' appreciative readers. lie has since delivered lectures on European events, in almost every considerable place in the country^ which have attracted audiences of culture and disciimination. In fictitious narrative, Rev. X. H. Chamberlain, a native of Sandwich, has published, Autobiography ,of a New England Farm House, the scenes of which are laid in that part of Sandwich, now Bourne. It is a reproduction, in agreeable and picturesque style, of many local incidents and traditions. He has also written The Sphinx of Aubery Parish, and a volume entitled Samuel Sewell and the World He Lived In, a book of high reputation, also several polemic church pamphlets, book notices, lectures and historical discourses. Some thirty years ago, Capt. Benjamin F. Bourne, who had been a prisoner in Southern South Amenca, wrote and published a book entitled. The Captive in Patagonia. It was a volume of thrilling interest and had an enormous sale. Even at this day it is frequently called for at the book- ^846 CAPS COD. stores, and is read with as much interest as when fresh from the press. Charles F. Chamberlajnie, Esq., of Bourne, has edited a law book entitled, Best's Principles of the Liaw of Evidence, which under the name of Chamberlavne's Best, has been adopted as the standard authority in most of the law schools of the country. Sylvester Baxter, a native of Yarmouth, was for many years one of the staff writers of the Boston Herald. In 1883 and 1884 he went to Mexico, as editor of The Financier of that city, and also correspondent of the Herald. He has contributed considerably for the magazines in the way of essays, poetr^', sketches of travel and short stories, and although his writings have not been collected, some of them have appeared in pamphlet foim; among them an illustrated description of the Moi-se Collection of Japanese Potter}', and Berlin ; a Study of German Municipal Government; both of them published by the Essex Institute, Salem. Here is one of Mr. Baxter's short poems, from the Atlantic Monthly of Octo!>er, 1875, entitled "October Davs:" ** The maples in the forest glow, And on the lawn the fall-flowers blaze, The mild air has a purple haze ; My heart is filled with warmth and glow. •*Like living coals the red leaves bum; They fall— then turns the red to rust; They crumble, like the coals, to dust. Warm heart, must thou to a^hes burn?" Other natives in professional and business life, but not clevoted to literature as a pursuit, have contributed valuable writings to the press in their leisure and uneiigrossed hours. Of these it may be proper to name : Kev. Oiborn Myrick of Provincetown, a prolific writer to the county newspapers ; CAPE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. 347 Frederick W. Crocker of Barnstable, who wrote several witty poems of high literary merit for occasional meetiogs and public gatherings ; Frederick "W. Crosby of Banistable, a writer of political papers, sketches, essays and stories in the leading Bo&ton and !New York journals, whose career was prematurelj- cut short in the most useful period of his life; Benjamin Dyer, Jr., of Tniro, an officer in the volunteer navy, who evinced a high degree of descriptive talent; and E. S. Whittemore, Esq., of Sandwich. Hon. John B. I). Cogswell of Yarmouth, who touched no subject he did not elucidate and adorn, wrote as an introduc- tion to the Atlas of Barastable County (18^0) an outline of county history, which is a valuable and interesting epitome. He also delivered a numl>er of well-considered, elegantly composed public addresses and lectures, some of which have been published. Matthew Arnold said of him that he was the most gifted man he met in America, forming his judgment from Mr. Cogswell's accompIii»hment as a conversationalist. Sidney Brooks, of Hanvich, was also a writer of intelligence and great enthusiasm u{x)n local history and topographical description. Eev. John AV. Dodge, has composed hymns and discourses which are always of interest from their scholarship and litemry tinish. Capt. Thomas P. Howes, of Dennis, has produced sea sketches, historical jwrtraiturcs, and vivid descri))tions of travel and adventure, which if collected in a volume would meet with rapid and extensive appreciation, ilrs. Mary M. Braj', a native of Yarmouth, whose 250th anniversary poem there has met such universal admiration, wrote before and since some graceful poems and sketches of distant places, for the journals of the day. Miss Gertrude Alger, a young poet of merit, who early in life passed into the spiritual world, has produced some irrav-eful and finished poems, one or two of 848 CAPE COD. which have found their place in the cuiTent collections of contemporaneous poetry. Hon. Henry A. Scudder and Hon. George Marston, of Barnstable, better knoijrn as lawyers, aiso delivered addresses and orations which commanded attention from their style and treatment of impoilant public questions. Philip H. Seal's, Esq., a native of Dennis, has delivered several public addresses, one of the most important of which, on the celebiution of the 250th anniversary' of the settlement of Old Yarmouth, was a finished and thoughtful presentation of the subject. Azariah Eldridge, D. D., of Yarmouth, besides his pulpit dbcourses, wrote several public addresses which have commanded the attention of thoughtful readers and thinkers. A memorial volume, containing a brief memoir of Doctor Eldridge, by C. F. Swift, Rev. Mr. Dodge's sermon at his obsequies and various letters and notices by personal friends, was prepared for private circulation, under the direction of jMrs. Eldridge. Two school books which had a high reputation in their day, were prepared by old-time Cape teachers. Rev.. Jonathan Burr, of Sandwich, pastor of the Fir^t church and preceptor of Sandwich Academy, about the close of the last centurj'- was the author of a Compcnduim of English Grammar, which occupied a leading position in the schools in this portion of the state for many years. Capt. Zonas Weeks, of Marston's Mills, a prominent man in his day, a school teacher and music teacher, was the author of a text book on English grammar, issued about the year 1833. In 1854, ^Irs. A. il. Richards, a daughter of Capt. Benjamin Hallet of Ostervillc, wrote a volume of 140 pages, which was published by Gould & Lincoln, Boston, entitled ^lemoirs of a Grandmother; by a Lady of Massachusetts. It was an autobiography, and contained CAPE AUTHORS AND XEWSPAPERS, 319 • graphic sketches of incidents and individuals, some of whom are well known to the public. Interspersed in the narrative are a number of metrical compositions of a high order of poetical merit. In 188'^, a volume entitled, Biographical Sketch of Sylvanus B. Phiimey, Wiis issued on the 80th anniversary of his birthdav. The volume contains a sketch of his life, letters from Revs. Edward E. Hale and A. Xiekerson, and public addresses and pai>ers prepared by Mr. Phiuney. Joseph Story Fay, Esq., of Wood's Hole, published in 1878 a little monograph entitled, The Track of the Norsemen, in which he very ingeniously argues that thes^ Scandinavian navigators visited the locality since known as 'Wood's Hole, and that the proper name of the locality is Wood's HoU (meaning hill), which name, through his efforts, it some time bore. Mr. Fay, who was an enthusiastic arborator, as well as a gentleman of literary tastes and pursuits, has delivered among others, addresses relating to his experiences in planting and rearing forest trees on his estate at Wood's Hole. Rev. J. G. Gammons issued in 1888t a monograph of the Methodist Episcopal church of Bourne, which sketches the rise and gro\vth of Methodism, and preserves many interesting reminiscences of the pioneers of this sect on Cai>e Cod and elsewhere, especially in the town of Bourne. A Genealogy of the Burgess family, from Thomas Burgess, who settled in Sandwich in 1637, to the j'ear 1865, was issued at that date, l)y E. Burgess of Dedham. It was a private edition, printed for the author, and contained 196 pages and has over 4,600 names of the family and branches, with several lithogi-aphic portraits. George Eldridge, of Chatham, in 1880 published a work of Sailing Directions for Navigators, followed by other S60 CAPE COD. editions in 1884 and 1886. In 1889 he published Eldridge's Tide and Current Book. These publications, together with Mr. Eldridge's charts, are the most valuable works of the class extant, and are looked upon as standard authority by navigators, and adopted by the naval authorities of the country. Mr. Gustavus A. EUnckley has reproduced for publication in the Barnstable Patriot, the inscriptions on the ancient grave-stones in the old Barnstable cemetery, engraving the blocks ^ery neatly with his own hand, and compiling information to accompany the cuts. He lias also compiled a manuscript History of Barnstable in the Civil AVar. In 1866, Mrs. Caroline (Thacher) PeiTy, of Yarmouth^ collected a volume of short stories which she had contributed to the New Church Magazine for Children, and they were published, with illustrations, by Nichols & Noyes, of Boston, under the title, Efiie Gray and other Short Stories for Little Children. These stories possessed the rare merit in juvenile literature of interesting the class of readers for which they were designed. Rev. Dr. William H. Ryder, a native of Provincctown, who deceased in Chicago, where he settled in 1888, was a pulpit orator of eloquence and power, and wrote some able articles for the Universalist Quarterly. His writings, however, have not appeared in a collected form. Heman Doane, of Eastham, has written a number of metrical compositions, a few of which have been published, and which possess a good degree of poetic fancy and facility of versification. One of them, on the Ancient Pear Tree in Eastham, planted by Governor Prince, attracted the atten- tion of Thoreau, who quoted freely therefrom. **Two hundred years have, ou the wIti^s of time. Passed with their joys aud wo^'s, siiiee thou, Old Tree! CAPE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. »! Put forth thy flr>t leaver in thiit foreijcu clime, Trausplauted from the aoII be joud the M^tt. **That exiled 1)aud long eiue^ have pa««ed away^ And t^tiil Old Tree thou ntandest in the place Where Prince's hand did plant thee, in hi« dar, — An uiide:(i;;ncd memorial of hii« race And time; of those our honoi*ed fathers, when They came from Plymouth o'er and settled here; Doanc, Hi^r^ns, Snow and other worthy men. Whose name^ their aons remember to revere." James Gifford, of Provincetown, has prepared aud delivered public addresses which have attracted attention by their felicity of style and fullness of information. That delivered at the dedication of the Provineetown new town hall, in the fall of 1866, was published and read with interest and appreciation. Levi Atwood, of Chatham, has written considerably upon local matters. He published, in 1876, a condensed history of Chatham, occupying several columns of small newspai>er type, written in an appreciative and discriminating spirit. Nathaniel Hinckley, of ^larston's ^lills, besides writing much and ably for the newspapers, and delivering public addresses, has published several political pamphlets, of considerable argumentative force. Not only has Cape Cod furnished a considerable contri- bution of the best literature to the world, but it has been provocative of a good deal of interesting writing from others, in respect to its characteristics, both mental and physical. It is scared}' to be wondered at, that a community so peculiarly situated as this should attract attention and excite curiosity. In 1807, an Englishman named Kendall visited these parts and published a book, in which he devoted a liberal share of si)ace to this county. Although it contained nothing very striking, it embodied some interesting and curious information resj^cting the Cape, at that day, 352 CAPE COD. when intercourse with the world was quite infrequent to the mass of the people. About 1821, Dr. Timothy D wight, former president of Yale College, published his Tmvels in Xew England, in four volumes, a liberal space being devoted to Cape Cod. His book was full of information, and appreciative in that part devoted to the Cape. At a later period, N. P. Willis wrote for a New York newspaper, and afterward embodied in a book, a series of lively, touch-and-go letters, dealing more particularly with the outward aspect of the Cape. Some of his strictures gave offence and others were more agreeable to the popular taste. Though not profound, this book was exceedingly suggestive and entertaining. Of all the numerous publications of this nature ever issued from the press, Thoreau's Cape Cod is by far the best, as a literary production, and for genuine appreciation of the grand physical aspects of the Cape, and of the true qualities of its people. Thoreau had a keen relish for quaint and curious phases of character as well as of landscape, and his pictures of the ''Wellfleet oystennen" and of other original people revealed the pre^jence among us of striking person- alities. His admiration of the Cape is genuine, and his closing page records his conWetion that "the time must come when this coast will be a place of resort for all those who wish to visit the seaside. ♦ • • What are springs and waterfalls? Here is the spring of springs and the waterfall of waterfalls. * * * A man may stand there and put all America behind him." It only remains to remark that the paternal parent of John Howard Payne, the author of "Home, Sweet Home,*' was of Cape Cod origin, and that Harvey Birch, the prototype of Cooper's "Spy," originated in Harwich, his real name being Enoch Crosby, and his actual experience CAPE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. 858 bcins: matched bv all the incidents recounted in this most characteristic of the authoi*'s works, Tliough not himself the creator of one of the most striking personalities in modem iiction, he was, what is still better, the original of this most prominent chai*acter. The newspapers of the Cape have been many, and more ability has been embodied in their publication than has always found appreciation — of a pecuniary nature. The first ncwsi>aper published in the county was issued at Falmouth, November 21, 1823, by W. E. P. Rogers, under the name of The Nautical Intelligencer. It was issued weekly, at two dollars per year. In addition to the newspaper, the publishers i^^sued, twice each week, extras containing the marine news and important arrivals at Holmes's Hole, for transmission to Boston. The paper also indulged in political speculations, being a strong adherent of ]VIr. Calhoun for President, for the reasons, among others, that he was ""an enlightened friend of Internal Improvements and Domestic Manufactures." This eulogy sounds oddly enough in view of his subsequent course. The paper was printed on a sheet 18 by 25 inches, with four pages, containing four columns each, 16 inches in length. In its first issue there was not a single item of local news except deaths, mamages and ship-news, and it contained twelve advertisements. It did not continue in existence long — probably not more than a year and a half. Removing his printing and material to Barnstable, Mr. Rogers, on April 13, 1825. conunenced the publication of the Barnstable County Gazette. The Gazette had one more column on each page than its predecessor, and a rather larger advertising patronage. It paid more attention to local news; but that was not a newspaper reading age, and its 864 CAPE COD. publication was continued not over two years, so far as can now be ascertained. In 1826 y the Barnstable Journal was commenced by Nathaniel S. Simpkius. It was a six-column newsimper, containing a few paragraphs of local news, considerable shipping intelligence, and liberal extracts from the Boston and New York newspapers, also miscellany and moral readings. The Jounial attained a good circulation. In 1832 'Mr. Simpkins sold out the establishment to H. Underwood and C. C. P. Thompson, who published, for one year, also a semi- weekly paper called the Cape Cod Journal. In 1834 Mr. Underwood became the sole proprietor of the weekly, which in 1837 again passed into the hands of Mr. Simpkins, who removed the plant to Yarmouth, and established the Register. The Barnstable Patriot was established by S. B. Phinney, in 1830, and was conducted by him until 18G9, when he sold out to Franklin B. Goss and George H. Richards. Subsequently the whole establishment was acquired by Jilr. Goss, who now conducts it, in connection with his son, F. Percy Goss. The Patriot, during Mr. Phinney's connection with it, was an active and aggressive democratic sheet. Some time after Mr. Goss's assumption of the management, it espoused the republican cause, in which it still maintains a lively interest. During ^Ir. Phinney's proprietorship of the newspaper, Hon. Henry Crocker was a frequent editorial contributor, mostly of political articles. The Patriot is now the oldest journal in the county. In 1S51, the Sand- wich Mechanic was for one year issued at the Patriot office. Dec. 15, 1836, the first number of the Yarmouth Register was issued by N. S. Simpkins, publisher. The plant had been purchased by -Nle^jsrs. John Reed, Amos Otis, N. S. Simpkins, Ebenezer Bacon and Edward B. Hallet. Mr. CAFE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. ?K5 Simpkins was assisted in the editorship hy contributions from Messrs. Caleb S. Hunt and Amos Otis. The j^aper, l>e?>iiles being a 1er of the Cape Cod Republican was issued at Harwich, by John AV. Emery, fonnerly of the Provincetown Banner, the printing office of which journal had l)een removed for the purpose. It was in style and make-up similar to the Banner. In 1864, Mr. Emery returned to Harwich and started the Harwich Press, a paper similar to the Republican. In less than a year he abandoned the field, and removed to ^linnesota. The list of the Press was sold to the proprietor of the Yarmouth Register. The Pro^'incetown Advocate was issued in 1869, by F. Percy Goss, publisher. Dr. J. M. Crocker was editor for about seven years, when Mr. Goss assumed the editorial charge, and conducted the paper for three years longer. In CAP£ AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. 857 1879, II. H. Sylvester, recently of the Boston Record, pur^ chased an interest m the paper and conducted it for a year, disposing of his interest to N. T. Freeman, who acquired Mr. Goss's interest also. In December, 1886, the estab- lishment was purchased by Howard F. Hopkins, who has since been its publisher. His brother, Judge James H. Hopkins, edited the sheet until his lamented death. In Xovcml>er, 1870, the Provincetown News, a 32-column republican newspaper, was issued by J. H. Barnard & Co., with J. Howard Barnard, editor. The price of the paper was $2.50 per year, in advance ; $3.00 after three months. At the end of four months the enterprise was given up, and the list transferred to other newspapers. The Chatham Monitor was first issued October 1, 1871, at the Patriot office. Dr. Benjamin D. Gilford being the editor. It was devoted to local and general news, and was republican in politics. In 1873, Levi Atwood assumed the editorship. Mr. Atwood had previously been a contributor to other county journals, and was well known as a writer of pith and vigor. The Monitor is still continued under his editorship. The Cape Cod Bee was issued in 1880, at the Patriot office, F. Percy Goss, publisher. It is a local journal and is republican in its politics. About 1872, ^lessrs. J. H. Nichols and William C. Spring started the Sandwich Gazette, which was afterwards merged with the Falmouth Chronicle, which Mr. Spring had started in 1872. Henry Jones was the Falmouth editor. Mr. Spring for some time continued the paper, under the style of Gazette and Chronicle. In October, 1873, F. S. Pope took the plant of the Chronicle, and established the Seaside Press, devoted to the local interests of Sandwich and Falmouth. J. H. Stevens was editor, and Mr. Jones 858 CAPE COD. continued in charge of the Fakuouth department. In 1880, Mr. Pope sold hi:* interest to F, H. Burgess, who changed the name to AVeekly Review, with Benjamin Cook as editor for a time. In 1884, Mr. Burgess sold his interest to George Otis, and the list was merged with the Cape Cod Item. The Harwich Independent was established in 1872, by Gross & Richards, of the Patriot, the paper being printed in Barnstable. The local department was put in type at a job office which the publishers had set up in Harwich. The editorial writing for the first few years was by Mr. Wilcox, Josiah Paine and Dr. Geo. N. Munsell. In 1880, Alton P. Goss purchased the establishment, added a press and other machinery, and put the paper on a prosperous basis. The leanings of the paper are towards republicanism, but the Independent is more especially a local jounial, in which field it has achieved a good degree of success. The Cape Cod Item was started July 11, 1878, at Yaimouthport, by George Otis. It was gi'aduall}^ enlarged to an 8-page journal, issuing a single or double supplement a portion of the year. It was at Mrst devoted to local and general news. In 1889, William P. Reynolds, Esq., was associated with ^Ir. Otis in the editoishii>, and the paper, which was discontinued in the spring of 181^3, after being issued a few weeks as a daily, has been revived, and is now published weekly at the Barnstable Patriot office. The Maytlovrer was a miscellaneous and story journal, published by George Otis of the Item, from 1881 to 1889. It had a large circulation, but the price — 50 cents j^er year — was inadequate to the cost of production, and its list was merged in the Yankee Blade, of Boston, in June, 1887, The Ocean Wave, an 8-page weekly, w:\s is!?ued by George Otis from October, 1888, to Mav, 1889. CAPE AUTHORS AND NEWSPAPERS. 8» The Sandwich Observer (the second puhlieation by that name) was issued in 1884, l>eing printed at the Patriot office, and edited by Ambrose E. Pratt of Sandwich. Sir. Pratt was succeeded, about 1887, b}' Frank O. Ellis, and he by Mr. W. II. Heald, who still has charge of the publication. It is more especially devoted to the interests of the towns of Sandwich and Bourae, and is republican in politics. The Falmouth Local was established by Lewis F. Clarke, who issued the first number, March 11, 1886. It was a three-column folio, printed one page at a time on a job press in the building of the Continenal shoe store. At the close of 18^7 it had been enlarged, since which time it was for a while edited bj' Ambrose E. Pratt and George S. Hudson. In 1890 it was merged in the Cape Cod Indei)endent. The Cape Cod Independent was first issued in Falmouth in 1890. It was edited for several months as an advocate of ** Tariff Keform" and as a local journal, under the editorship of Kev. X. H. Chamberlain ; and was afterwards conducted as a local newspaper, by R. P. Femald, Chas. F. Adams, Stuart P. West, and Charles S. Burgess, until March, 1895. The Independent, Sandwich and Bourne, was at first an edition of the Cape Cod Independent, Falmouth. Since Jan. 12, 1895, it has l)een published by II. L. Chipman of Sandwich. Upon the suspension of the Cape Cod Independent, under that title, in 1895, this paper was continued, and is therefore, the successor of the Cai)e Cod Independent and Falmouth Local. Its circulation is chiefly in Sandwich, Bourne and !Mashpee, The Bamstahle County Journal was issued for four years from January, 1886, by James B. Cook. It was a 32- column folio, published at $1.50 a year. In politics it was »0 CAPE COD. democratic — the only newspaper of that faith in the county of Barnstable. The plant was sold to C. F. Swift & Son. February 17, 1887, William R. Farris, George R. Phillips and Charles H. Crowell issued the first number of the Cape Cod News, at South Yarmouth. It was a small twenty- column paper, devoted to local intelligence. In July, 1888, the list was sold to George Otis and absorbed by the Item. Two later candidates for the favor of newspaper readers — the Wellfleet Xews and the Sandwich Review were issued November 12, 1889, by the proprietor of the Item. They were 8-page papers, devoted to miscellany and the local news of the respective towns. The News was written up by llrs. A. H. Rogers and the Review by N. E. Linekin. They had a brief existence. The Provincetown Beacon, an 8-page, 24 column news- paper, was first issued August 2, 1890, by Charles W. Swift» its genei*al editor and proprietor. H. A. Jennings was the local editor and reporter until Dec. 27, 1890, when he was succeeded by Richard F. Gardner, who in turn was succeeded. May 16, 1891, by John N. Swift, who has since continued in that relation. Mr. Swift's accounts of marine incidents and shipwrecks have been advantageously com- pared to the sea narratives of W. Clark Russell, and his general reports are very full and accumte. The Beacon is a local journal with republican proclivities. In 1896 the plant of the Independent was purchased l)y Charles S. Burgess, who in April of 1895, had first issued the Falmouth Enterprise, which Mr. Burgess has since continued to publish, and which paper is now the only one published and printed in Falmouth. It is a local journal, without political afiiliations. CHAPTER XXI. POPULATION. CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. E«ttiDal«s aiiil £arl7 Euti mem t Ions— Elereu Decennial Censurec — United HtaleH umeinls— Jndlclnl Ofllcers— County Offii-ials— Couuty S<>(jletie:'— Piiinticiiil Mid Baiiking luvtltution*— Other SotielieD. STATISTICS OP FOPtLATION. ''^^^.^•^A-^^ of the inhabitants of the Cape Cod towns ifrom the time of settlement, until 1765. /A list of those between the ages of 16 and ^,f^, 60, able to bear anus iu the three towD- Bhipa of the Cape, id 1643, gave 51 in Sandwich, 60 in Barnstable, 32 in B Yarmouth. Tliese must have embraced at least one-quarter of the inhabitants, which would make the population of those towns at that time about as follows : Sandwich, 51 204 Barnstable. 60 240 Yarmouth, 52 208 163 652 A manuscript in the British Museum contains ao enumeration of the houses of "all the trading towns and pons upon the sea and navigable rivers " in New England^ in 1G75. There were 1,300 such houses in Plymouth colony. Of these 100 were in Sandwich, 150 in Yarmonth, 100 in Xauset, 150 in Barnstable, making 500 in the Cape 982 CAPE COD. towns. Allowing 6 persons to each house — and large families were then the rule — would give 600 people to Sandwich, 900 to Yarmouth, 600 to Xauset, 900 to Barn- stable — 3,000 to the entire Cape. The first census of Massachusetts was taken by order of Gov. Bernard, in 176/>. The report of the population of the 11 towns of Barnstable countv was as follows: Barnstable, 2,008; Chatham, 678; Eastham, 1,327; Falmouth, 1,063 ; Harwich, 1,681 ; Distnct of Mashpee, 108; Provineetown, 454; Sandwich, 1,376; Truro, 924; Wellfleet, 917 ; Yannouth, 1,740. Total, 12,376. FoUowins: is the result of the eleven decennial censuses of the United States, for the towns of the County of Barnstable : Years, 1790. 1800. 1810. 1820. 1830. 1840. Barnstable, 2610 2964 8646 3824 8974 4901 Brewster, 1112 1283 1418 1523 Chatham, 1110 1351 1334 1630 2130 23.^ Dennis, 1408 1730 1997 2317 2942 Eastham, 18*4 6^ 751 7GG 970 955 Falmouth, 1637 1882 2237 2370 2548 2589 Harwich, :^302 2857 1942 1980 2453 2930 Ma.2 ino 2122 Sandwich, 1001 2024 2382 2484 3361 3719 Truro, 1103 1152 1209 1241 1547 1920 Wellfleet, 1117 1207 1402 iiri 2l>46 2377 Yarmouth, 2678 1727 21^4 2232 22i>l 2554 17,354 10,293 22,211 24,026 28,514 32,548 Years, 1850. 18G0. 1870. 1880. 1890. Barnstable, 4901 5129 4793 4242 4023 Bourne, 1442 Brewi»ter, 1525 1489 1259 1144 lOCK) Chatham, 2439 2710 2411 2250 la-u Dennis, 3257 mTi ;«o-9 3:^88 28 4.^16 4(^42 Sandwich, 436S 4479 ^m 3.54.3 1819 Truro, 2051 158:^ 1269 1017 919 Wellfleet, 2411 2322 2i:« 1^75 1291 Yarmouth, 2595 2752 2423 2173 1760 35^6 85,990 32,774 31,897 29,172 POPULATION, CIVIL LISTS. SOCIETIES, ETC. 8© KEPRESEXTATIVES IX CONGRESS. Since the adoption of the national constitution the following pereons, resident in the county of Barnstable, have been chosen representatives in the federal congress: Shearjashub Bourne of Barnstable, 2d and 3d congresses, 1791 to 1795. Nathaniel Freeman, Sandwich, 4th and 5th congresses, 1795 to 1799. Isaiah L. Green, Barnstable, 9th and 10th congresses, 1805 to 1809, and 12th congress, 1811-12. John Reed, Yannouth, 13th and 14th congi-esses, 1813 to 1817, and 17th to 2(Uh congresses, inclusive, 1823 to 1841. Zeno Scudder, Barnstable, 32d congress, 1851 to 1853. Elected to the 32d congress, but resigned before taking his oeai. John Simpldns, Yarmouth, 54th and 55th congresses, 1895 to 1899. COLLECTORS OF CUSTOMS. No record exists, so far as known, of the customs officers of the county of Barnstable, prior to the Revolution. The first customs office in the county, after the throwing off of the Britifijh rule, was established in 1776, under the title of *' naval officer," Joseph Otis being the appointee. AVilliam Tajior succeeded him in 1779. Samuel Taylor was in office in 1789. By an act of congress of 1789 the office of collector of customs was created, and the following persons have since been incumbents : Joseph Otis, appointed Aug. 3, 1789, and he held the posjition until ^larch 21, 1809 — 19 years and 7 months, William Otis, who was appointed March 23, 1809, and held it until Feb. 20, 1814 — 4 years and 11 months. 9U CAPE COD. Isaiah L. Green, from Feb. 21, 1814, to ]&Iarch 81, 1837 — 23 years and 1 month. Henry Crocker, from April 1, 1837, to March 22, 1841 — 3 years, 11 months. Ebenezer Bacon, from March 23, 1841, to March 31^ 1845; and from June 10, 1849, to March 31, 1853 — 7 years, 10 months. Josiah Hinckley, from April 1, 1845, to April 3, 1847 — 2 years. Sylvanus B. Phinney, from April 4, 1847, to June 7» 1849; from April 1, 1853, to June 30, 1861; and from Nov. 11, 1866, to March 4, 1867 — 10 years, 8 months. Joseph M. Day, from July 1, 1861, to Nov. 11, 1861—4 months. Charles F. Swift, from Nov. 12, 1861, to Nov. 10, 1866 ; and from March 17, 1867, to July 7, 1876 — 14 years, 3 months. Walter Chipman (Sp. Dep., acting) from March 5, 1867, to March 16, 1867 — 11 days. Franklin B. Goss, from July 8, 1876, to Aug. 8, 1887 ; and from Aug. 1, 1889, to Feb. 17, 1894—15 years, 7 months. Van Burcn Chase, from Aug. 8, 1887, to Aug. 1, 1889 — 2 years. Thomas C. Day, from Feb. 17, 1894. EXECUTIVE COUNCILLORS. From the adoption of the state constitution, to 1840, nine executive councillors were annually chosen by joint ballot of the legislature, from among ''those elected as senators and councillors," but in case anv so chosen should not accept, the vacancies were provided to be filled by choice from the people at large. Under that rule, Braddock POPULATION, CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. 865 Diinmick of Falmouth, and Elijah Swift of FalDumth, had been chosen prior to 1840. By the Thirteenth amendment, promulgated that year, councillors were, until 1857, chosen from the people at large, and Seth Crowell of Dennis, Solomon Davis of Truro, and John Kenrick of Orleans were, under that provision, severally incumbents of the ofBce. In 1858 the state was divided into eight districts for councillors, to be elected by the people, and the Cape since that time has fonned a portion of the First district. The following persons from Bam.'^table county have, during that period, served as councillors : 18G0, Charles F. Swift, Yarmouth; 1869-1871, Marshall S. Undei-wood, Dennis; 1875-1878, Joseph K. Baker, Dennis; 1888-1892, Isaac N. Keith of Bourne. SENATORS. From 1780, when the state constitution took effect, to 1840, the count}'^ of Barnstable was entitled to a senator each year. Their names and terms of service to 1840 were as follows: 1780 to 1786, Solomon Freeman, Hanvich; 1787, Thomas Smith, Sandwich; 1789 to 1796, inclusive, Solomon Freeman, Harwich; 1797, David Thacber, Yarmouth; 179S-1 799, Solomon Freeman, Harwich; 1801- 1803, John Dillingham, Harwich; 1804, Bichard Sears, Chatham; 1805, John Dillingham, Ilai-wich; 1806-1807, James Freeman, Sandwich ; l.':<08-1810, Braddock Dimmick, Falmouth; 1811, Timothy Phinney, Barnstable; 1813-1814, Wendell Davis, Sand^vich; 1815-1820, Solomon Freeman, Brewster; 1821-1822, Elijah Cobb of Brewster; 1823-1825, Braddock Dimmick, Falmouth; 1826-1827, Nymphas Marston, Barnstable; 1828-1830, Elisha Pope, Sandwich; 1831-1833, John Doane, Orleans; 1834-1839, Charles Marston, liar n stable. 866 CAPE COD. By the terms of the Thirteenth amcudmcnt to the constitution, promulgated in 1840 the county for the next seventeen years was entitled to two senators, from the j^ear 1841. Their names and terms of service were : 1841, Charles ^larston, BaiTistablCi Seth Crowell, Dennis ; 1842, Seth Crowell, Dennis, Solomon Davis, Truro; 1843, Solomon Davis, Truro, John B. Dillingham, Sandwich; 1844, Solomon Davis, Truro, John B. Dillingham, Sand- wich; 1845, Solomon Davis, John B. Dillingham; 1846, Zeno Scudder, Barnstable, Barnabas Freeman, Eastham; 1847, Zeno Scudder, Barnstable, Baniabas Freeman, Eastham ; 1848, Zeno Scudder, Barnstable, George Cope- land, Brewster; 1849, George Copcland, Brewster, John Jenkins, Falmouth; 1850, John Jenkiiii^. Stephen Hiiliard, Provincetown ; 1851, Stephen Hiiliard, Zenas D. Bassett, Barnstable ; 1852, Zenas D. Bassett, Cyrus Weekes, Harwich; 1853, Cyrus Weekes, James B. Crocker, Yarmouth; 1854, James B. Crocker, Robert Y. Paine, Wellfleet; 1855, Sylvester Baxter, Yarmouth, Lewis L. Sellew, Provincetown; 1856, Sylvester Baxter, Alfred Kenrick, Orleans; 1857, Charles F. Swift, Yarmouth, John W. Atwood, Chatham. By the Twenty-seventh amendment, which went into effect in 1858, the state was divided into foi-tv senatorial districts, Yarmouth and the to^vns below bcin'r desisrnated as the Cape District, and the three other Cape towns being united with the islands, under the name of the Island District. This apportionment existed until 1877. The representation of the Cape district during that period was : 1858, Charles F. Swift; 1859, John ^V. Atwood; 18G0- 1861, Marshall S. Underwood, Dennis; 1SG2-18C3, llobert H. Libby, WellHeet; 1864-1865, Freeman Cobb, Brewster; 1866, Reuben Nickerson, Eastham; 1867-1868, Chester POPUL^VTION, CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. 367 Snow, Harwich; 1869, 1870, 1871, Nathaniel E. Atwood, Provincetown ; 1872-1873, Joseph K. Baker, Dennis; 1874-1875, Thomas N. Stone, Well/lect; 187G, Jonathan Higgins, Orleans. The Island district, during this period, was . represented by Cape men, as follows: 1861-1862, Charles Dillingham, Sandwich; 1863-1864, Nathan Crocker, Rimstahle; 1867-1868, Erasmus Gould, Faimouth; 1869- 1870, George A. King, Banistable; 1873-1874, Francis A. Nve, Falmouth; 1875-1876, Ezra C. Howard, Sandwich. Since 1877 to the present time, the two districts have been united, under the name of the Cape district, and the senators from the district have been: 1877, 1878, 1879, John B. D. Cogswell; 1880, 1881, Samuel Snow, Barnsta- ble; 1882, 1883, JoseiVii P. Johnson, Provincetown; 1884, 1885, 1886, Howes Norris, Cottage City; 1887, 1888, Isaac N. Keith, Bourne; 1889, 1890, David Fisk, Dennis; 1891, 1892, John Simpkins, Yannouth ; 1893, 1894, John Kenrick, Jr., Orleans; 1895, 1896, 1897, Wm. A. Morse, Tisbury. JUDICIAL OFFICERS. From the creation of the county to the Revolutionary war, local and county courts, under varying designations, have existed, but owing to the destruction of the records it is impracticable to prepare a complete list of the incumbents. The following persons were justices of the Common Pleas, or of the Court of Sessions, at tlie date specified : 1692, John Freeman, Eastham ; Barnabas Lothrop, Barnstable ; John Thacher, Yarmouth; Stephen Skiff, Eastham. 1695, Jona- than Sparrow, Eastham. 1699, f John Sparrow, Eastham. 1710, William Bassett, Sandwich. 1711, John Gorham, Barnstable. 1713, John Doanc, Eastham; Dan'l Parker, Barnstable ; Thomas Payne, Eastham ; John Otis, Sam'l Annable, Rimstable. 1715, ^lelatiah Bourne, Sandwich; 968 CAPE COD. Sam'l Sturgis, Barnstable; Nathaniel Fi*ceman, Harwich. 1721, Joseph Lothrop, Barnstable. 1722, Joseph Doane, Eastham. 1727, Ezra Bourne, Sand\\ich; 1729, Peter Thacher, Yarmouth; Shul)ael Baxter, Yarmouth. 1736, John Thacher, Yarmouth ; John Davis, Barnstable. 1739, John Russell, Banistable. 1742, Shubael Gorham, Barn- stable; David Crocker, Barnstable. 1746, John Otis, Barnstable. 1753, Thomas Winslow, Harwich. 1758, Sjlvanus Bourne, Barnstable; Thomas Smith, Sandwich; Rowland Robinson, Falmouth. 1760, Nymphas Marston, Barnstable. 1763, Roland Cotton, Sandwich. 1764, James Otis, Barnstable ; Edward Bacon, Barnstable. 1765, John Gorham, Barnstable. 1770, Isaac Hinckley, Barnstable. The following names, dates of conunission not ascertained, should be added to the list : Melatiah. Bourne, Sandwich ; Shearjashub Bourne, David Gorham, Solomon Otis, Joseph Otis, Daniel Davis, Rich. Bourne, Barnstable; David Thacher, Yarmouth ; Kcnelm Winslow, Harwich. Since the Revolution and down to the year 1809, the following justices of the Common Picas were appointed, under authority of "the government and people of Massachusetts Bay:" 1775, Jame.s Otis, Daniel Davis, Barnstable ; Nathaniel Freeman, Sandwich, successively chief justices ; Richard Baxter, Yannouth. 1775, Joseph Xye, Jr., Sandwich. 1781, Solomon Freeman, Hai-wich. 1793, John Davis, Barnstable. 17i)9, Ebenczer Bacon, Barnstable. 1801, David Scudder, Barnstable. 1803, Samuel Waterman, AVellfleet. 1804, Thomas Thacher, Yarmouth. 1809, Isaiah L. Green and Timothy Phinney, Barnstable. 1809, AVendell Davis, Sandwich. The Court of Sessions, created in 1808, changed in 1811, to Court of Sessions of the Peace, and abolished in 1828, was a county tribunal. The date of commissions of the POPULATIOX, CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. 909 justices is wanting, owing to destruction of court house records. The foUowins: are known to have been incumbents during that period : Nathaniel Fi^eeman, Sandwich ; John Davis, Barnstable, chief justices, with the following associates : Joseph Dimmick, Falmouth ; James Freeman, Sandwich; Samuel Freeman, JBastham; Isaiah L. Green, Barnstable; Solomon Freeman, Brewster; Richard Sears, Chatham; Calvin Tilden, Yarmouth; Samuel P. Croswell, Falmouth ; Elijah Cobb, Brewster ; Elisha Doane, Yarmouth ; Naler Crocker, Barnstable; Melatiah Bourne, Sandwich. Most of the foregoing judges, especially in the very early period of the colony, were not educated to the law, and had little leenezer Bacon, Barnstable. 1814, David Crocker, Biirastable. 1824, Ebenezer Bacon, Barn- stable. 1837, Josiah Hinckley, Barnstable. 1842, Fred'k Scudder, Barnstable. 1853, Chas. F. Swift, Yarmouth. 1857, Obed Baker, 2d, Dennis. 1862, Gorham Hallett, Barnstable. 1868, Samuel Higgins, Chatham. 1874, Chas. H. Nye, Barnstable. 1880, William H. Underwood, Harwich. 1886, ^Marshall L. Adams, Provincetown. 1889, Clarendon A. Freeman, Chatham. 1895, Edward L. Chase, Barnstable. The clerks of courts have been, so far as known: William Bassett, Sandwich ; Nath'l Otis, Barnstable ; John Sturgis, Banistable ; Joseph Otis, Banistable ; Wm. Otis, Barnstable ; David Scudder, Barnstable ; Abner Davis, Banistable ; 1840, Timothy Reed, Barnstable ; 1855, Fred'k W. Crocker, Barnstable; 1863, James B. Crocker, Yar- mouth; 1876, Smith K. Hopkins, Barnstable, to present time. The sheriffs for the county of Barnstable have been: 1692, William Bassett, Sandwich; 1699, Samuel Allen, Barnstable; 1713, Shubael Gorham, Barnstable; 1715, Joseph Lothrop, Barnstable; 1721, John Russell, Barn- stable ; 1731, John Hedge, Barnstable ; 1748, John Gorham, Barnstable; 1764, Nathaniel Stone, Barnstable; 1775, Enoch Hallett, Yarmouth; 1788, Joseph Dimmick, 873 CAPE COD. Falmoutb; 1808, James Freeman, Sandwich; 1816, Wendell Davis, Sandwich ; 1823, David Crocker, Barnsta- ble ; 1843, Nathaniel Hinckley, Barnstable ; 1848, Charles Marston, Barnstable; 1852, Daniel Bassett, Barnstable; 1853, David Bursley, Barnstable ; 1856, Charles C. Bearse, Barnstable; 1863, David Bursley, Barnstable; 1878, Levi L. Goodspeed, Barnstable; 1880, Thomas Harris, Barn- stable; 1884, Luther Fisk, Dennis; 1890, Joseph Whitcomb, Provincetown. In 1720, the record reads, that Shubael Gorham was appointed '^to be joint sheriff with Mr. Lothrop." In 1731, John Hedge was appointed ''to be joint sheriff with Shubael Gorham.^ When the legislature, in 1828, abolished the court of sessions and commissioners of highways, in their place was established a board of county commissioners. The first ap- pointments were : Samuel T. Croswell, Falmouth ; Matthew Cobb, Barnstable ; Obed Brooks, Harwich ; John Freeman, Sandwich, and Orren Howes, Dennis, special commissioners. By a statute of April, 1835, the board was that year re-organized, and the following persons were elected for a term of three years, and their i^uccessors were chosen every three years thereafter until 1854 : 1835 — Jesse Boyden, Sandwich; Michael Collins, East- ham ; Alexander Baxter, Yarmouth. Special commissioners — Jonathan Nickerson, Dennis; Xath'l Hinckley, Barn- stable. 1838 — Jesse Boyden, Sandwich; Michael Collins, East- ham; Charles Seal's, Yarmouth. Special commissioners — Nathaniel Hinckley, Barnstable; Jonathan Nickerson, Dennis. 1841 — Zenas D. Bassett, Barnstable; Isaac Hardy, Chatham; John Newcomb, Wellfleet. Special commis- POPULATION, CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. 871 sioners — Nehemiah Baker, Dennis; Simeon Dillingham, Sandwich. 1844 — Seth Crowell, Dennis; Ebenezer Nye, Falmouth; John Newcomb, AA'ellfleet. Special commissioners — Simeon Dillingham, Sandwich ; Barnabas Doane, Eastham. 1847 — Seth CrowcU, Ebenezer Nye, John Newcomb. Special commissioners — Simeon Dillingham, Barnabas Doane. 1850 — Seth Crowell, Dennis; John Doane, Orleans; David K. Akin, Yarmouth. Special commissioners — James H. Knowles, Eastham ; Nathan Jenkins, Barnstable. 1853 — John Doane, Orleans ; David K. Akin, Yarmouth; Simeon Dillingham,' Sandwich. Special commissioners — Nathan Jenkins, Barnstable ; Jesse Collins, Eastham. The act of 1854 provided for the retirement of one member in that year, one in 1855 and one in 1856, the other to hold his office until 1856, and for the annual election of one commissioner each year to hold office for three years. In 1855, David A. Smith of Provincetown succeeded David K. Akin, and in 1856, William Hewins of Falmouth succeeded Simeon Dillingham. In September,* 1856, Edward W. Ewer of Sandwich succeeded to the vacancy caused by the retirement of David A. Smith. Since that time the terms begin in January, and have been tilled as follows: 1857, James Gifford, l^ovincetown ; 1858, Edward W. Ewer, Sandwich; 1859, 1862, Joseph H. Sears, Brewster; 1860, John W. Davis, Wellfleet; 1861, 1864, Erasmus Gould, Falmouth ; 1863, 1866, 1869, Daniel Paine, Truro; 1864 to 1885, James S. Howes, Dennis;* 1867 to 1876, Ebenezer S. Whittemore, Sandwich ; 1872, Elijah E. Knowles, Eastham; 1875, Jonathan Higgins, Orleans; 1876 to 1888, 1894, 1897, Joshua C. Robinson, ^On page 80d it was stated that Mr. Howes fiUed that office Zi years. Sri GAPE COD. Falmouth; 1881, Nathan D. Freeman, Provincetown, (died in office, 1887) ; 1886, 1889, Solomon £. Hallett, Chatham; 1888, 1891, Samuel Snow, Barnstable; 1888, (to fill vacancy, by death of N. D. Freeman), 1889, Isaiah C* Young, Wellfleet ; 1892, 1895, John H. Glark, Brewster ; 1893, 1896, Richard A. Rich, Truro. The special commissioners since 1856 have been : 1856,. Cyrus Weekes, Harwich; Xath'l Snow, Chatham. 1859, Joshua C. Howes, Dennis; Daniel Paine, Truro. 1862, James B. Crocker, Yarmouth ; Isaac Bee, Chatham. 1865, Elisha Taylor, Yarmouth; Isaac Bee, Chatham. 1868, Wm. H. Underwood, Harwich; Isaac Bee, Chatham. 1871, William A. Atkins, Provincetown ; Tully Crosby^ Brewster. 1874, John W. Davis, AVellfleet; Watson B. Kelley, Harwich. 1877, John W. Davis, Wellfleet; Joshua M. Howes, Yannouth. 1880, Freeman Howes, Yarmouth; John E. Perry, Chatham. 1883, Freeman Howes, Yar- mouth; Andrew F. Shennan, Sandwich. 1887, Freeman Howes, Yannouth; William N. Stone, Wellfleet. 1890, Freeman Howes, Yarmouth ; James H. Hopkins, Province- town. 1893, Freeman Howes, Yarmouth; AVatson F. Baker, Dennis. 1896, Watson F, Baker, Dennis ; Henry H. Baker, Jr., Barnstable. SOCIETIES, ETC. The Barnstable County Agricultural Society was organized May 5, 1843, with about sixty members, and an act of incorporation was granted by the Massachusetts Legislature of 1844. The first exhibition and fair by the society was held in the court-house, in the fall of that vear. The annual fair has been held each year in Barnstable, except in the year 1851, when it was held in Orleans, and 1852, in Sandwich. In 1857-8, a lot was acquired in Barnstable, POPULATION, CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. «TS and a building was erected upon it, at a cost of about $4,300. This building was destroyed in a severe gale in the spring of 1862, and a new one erected the succeeding year. The society has Ijecn the recipient of several donations. Hon. AVilliam Sturgis gave SI 200 to cancel the debt on the second building. Capt. John Percival, a gallant and distiniruijihed officer of the U. S. navv, and a native of Bamstible, left S500, the income of which is devoted to premiums to exhibitors.* Mrs. Ellen B. Eldridgc also gave the society $500, in recognition of the interest which her husband, the late Dr. Azariah Eldridge, took in the welfare of the society, this gift also to ]ye devoted to the same object as the donation of Capt. Percival. The officers of the society during its existence have been as follows: Presidents — John Reed, chosen in 1848; Zenas D. Bassett, 1848 ; C. B. H. Fessenden, 1851 ; Charles Marston, 1852; S. B. Phinney, 1835; George ^Jarston, 1859; Nathaniel Hinckley, 1864; Nathan Crocker, 1866; Charles C. Bearse, 1869; Levi L, Goodspeed, 1871 ; Chas. F. Swift, 1873; A. T. Perkins, 1875; Azariah Eldridge, 1878; John Simpkins, 1888 to present time. Secretaries — Charles H. Burslcy, 1843; George Marston, 1853; S. B.. Phinney, 1859 ; Frederick Scudder, 1862 ; George A, King,. 1865 ; Charles F. Swift, 1867 ; Charles Thacher, 2d, 1871 ; F. B. Goss, 1876 ; F. P. Goss, 1879 ; Frederick C. Swift, 1882; Henry M, Hutchings, 1895, to present time. Treas- urers — Joseph A. Davis, 1843; Ebenezer Bacon, 1845; Daniel Bassett, 1853 ; S. P. Holway, 1858 ; S. B. Phinney, 1860; Walter Chipman, 1861; Frederick Scudder, 1867; Walter Chipman, 1868 ; Freeman H. Lothrop, 1875 ; Albert F. Edson, 1882 ; Andrew F. Sherman, 1896, to present time. Delegates to State Board of Agriculture — George ^larston^ •Capt. Percival died in Dorchester, Sept. 17, 18G2, aged 84 years. 87B CAP£ COD. 1859 ; S. B. Phinney, 1862 ; John Kenrick, 1866 ; S. B. Phinney, 1870; Augustus T. Perkins, 1879 ; Nathan Edson, 1882 ; John Bursley, 1892, to present time. The Cape Cod His^torical Society was organized at a meeting held at Yarmouth camp grove, August 5, 1882. Its object, as stated in its constitution, was ^the collection, preservation and dissemination of facts of local history .'* The annual meetings of the society are held the 22d of February, or the day of its legal observance. Summer meetings are also held, when practicable, at some spot of local historic interest. Papers on subjects of local history are read at the annual meetings, and discussed by the members, and some of these papers have been published; most of them are of sufficient value to be preserved in a more permanent form. They were written by the following members : Capt. Thomas P. Howes, C. C. P. Waterman, Ebenezer S. AVhittemore, Shebnah Rich, Samuel Snow, Charles F. Swift and others. The following officers of the society have been such since the organization : Cliarles F. Swift, president; Josiah Paine, secretary; Samuel Snow, treasurer. For the year 1896 the following additional officers were chosen : Vice presidents, Sylvanus B. Phinney, James Gifford, Thomas Matthews, William P. Davis ; executive committee, the president, secretary and treasurer, Joshua C. Howes, Eben B, Crocker. The Barnstable County ^lutual Fire Insurance Company is one of the oldest institutions of this nature in the state. It was chartered in 1833. Its place of business is Yarmouth- port, where is its office. The executive officers are a president and secretary, who is also treasurer. The presidents have successively been : David Crocker, Eben Bacon, Zenas D. Bassett, David K. Akin, Joseph R. Hall, and Simeon Atwood. The secretaries and treasurers, Amos POPULATION, CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. «n Otis, Ocorge Otis, Frank Thacher. The directors for 1896 were: Simeon Atwood, Peleg P. Akin, John H. Clark, George N. Chipman, Hiram Harding, Henry M. Hatchings, Thomas Howes, Andrew Lovell, Alex. T. Newcomb, Fred'k C. Swift, Frank Thacher, A. L. Weekes, Joseph D. AVinslow. The amount of current risks in 1897 was about $7,364,000. There are five national banks in the county. They were originally, (except that of Hyannis), state banks, but afterwards organized under the United States statutes. The oldest institution is the Falmouth National, organized in 1821. Its presidents have been: Elijah Swift, John Jenkins, Oliver C. Swift, Erasmus Gould, Silas Jones, Ward Eldred. Its cashiers, Samuel P. Croswell, Samuel P. Boui-ne, George E. Clark, George E. Dean. The Barnstable Bank, Yarmouthport, was chartered in 1825, and in 1865, on changing to a national institution, it took the name of the First National Bank of Yarmouth. Its fii*st president was David Crocker, and his successors have been : Isaiah Crowell, Seth Crowell, David K. Akin, Joshua C. Howes. The successive cashiers have been: Caleb Reed, Timothy Reed, Amos Otis, \Vm. P. Davis. Its original capital, $100,000, was increased first to $525,000, and successively decreased to $350,000 and $175,000, at which it remains at present. Provincctown Bank was chartered in 1854, with a capital of $100,000, In 1865, it became the First National Bank, Provincctown, with a capital of $200,000. Its presidents have been : Nathan Freeman, Stephen Cook, Moses N. Gif- ford. The cashiers, Elijah Smith, Moses N. Gifford, Rcul>en W. Swift, Joseph H. Dyer. The Bank of Cape Cod, Harwich, was chartered in 1855. Its successive presidents have been : Christopher Hall, Prince «78 CAPE COD. S. Crowell, Joseph K. Baker, Isaac H. Loveland, Edward K. Crowell. Its cashiers, Obed Brooks, Jr., George H. Snow.. The capital stock is $300,000. The First National Bank of Hyannis was chaitered in 1865. The presidents of this bank have been : Alexander Baxter, Sylvanus B. Phinney, Joseph R. Hall, Abel D. Makepeace. Its cashiers, Joseph R. Hall, Joseph T. Hall, Granville E. Tillson. Its capital stock is $100,000. There are also four savings banks in the county. The oldest is the Seaman's Savings Bank, Pi'ovincetown, incor- porated in 1851. Its presidents have been : John Adams, David Fairbanks, Lvsander N. Paine. Its treasurers, David Fairbanks, R. E. Xickerson, Enos Xickcrson, John Young, Jr., Joseph H. Dyer, Lewis Nickerson, AV. H. Young. The Five Cents Savings Bank, in Harwich, was chartered 1856. Its presidents have been successively : Nathan Under- wood, Xathaniel Snow, Josiah Hardy, Prince S. Crowell, Samuel H. Gould, Joseph K. Baker, Edward E. Crowell, Levi Eldridge. Its successive treasurers have been, Obed Brooks, Jr., M. S. Underwood, A. C. Snow. Bass River Savinirs Bank was organized in South Yannouth, in 1874. David Kelley and Hiram Loring have been its presidents. Its treasurers have been : Pelcg P. Akin, David D. Kelley and Stephen Wing. Wellfleet Savin2:s Bank was chartered in 18G3, Richard R. Freeman was the first president, who was succeeded by Simeon Atwood. Mr. Atwood was the Hvat treasurer, and he was succeeded by Thomas Kemp, the present incumbent. RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. Associations for more effective work in the various fields of religious effort have been formed by several of the church organizations in this county during the current century. POPULATION, CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. JOT The Conference of Congregational chuix'hes holds priority of organization of these associations. It was formed Oct. 28, 1828, for the promotion of closer union between ministers and societies. It was simply a voluntary union until April ' 26, 1837, when a constitution was adopted, which was amended and revised Januarv, 1845. The pastors of the twenty churches in the county, and also of Dukes (who seldom meet with the association) and two lay members from each societj'', constitute the membership. The permanent officers are a clerk or scribe, a treasurer and two standing committees, chosen annually, the modera- tor being elected each session, of which there are two each year. The late Rev. Charles E. Harwood held the position of scribe from 1870 to 1881, while he was in charge of the society in Orleans. Other incumbencies have been of briefer duration. The Barnstable Baptist Association was organized in Brewster, Oct. 10th, 1832, when a constitution was adopted, prepared by Brothers Ewer, Han-is and ^larchant. The association now consists of fifteen churches on the Cape, the Vineyard and Nantucket, It holds its sessions at least annually, commencing on the second AVednesday in September in each year. Each church is allowed to send its pastor and four lay members, styled ''messengers.'* The officers are a moderator, a clerk and a treasurer. To this meetin<^ each church sends a communication containing an account of its condition and prosperity. There is little permanency to the i)ersonnel of the organization, very few of the officers for the last sixty-five j'ears being re-elected more than once or twice in succession. The first moderator, in 1832, was Brother Seth Ewer; Clerk, E. X. Hams. The last moderator, chosen in 1897, was Rev. A. Fair* brother of Vineyard Haven ; the clerk was Rev. Harvey A* Platts of Pocasset. 880 CAPB COD. The Barnstable Conference of Universalists was organized A. D. 1838. There are belonging to it eight societies. It holds an annual meeting, and special meetings whenever or wherever desired. During most of its existence its only permanent officer was called " standing clerk." The president and other needed officers were chosen for the session. The services of the clerks or secretaries have, for the most part, been of short duration, say one or two years. Those who filled the office for a series of years are Eev. S. Barden, seven years ; Rev. C. A. Bradley, fouiteen years ; Rev. B. Smith, five years; Mr. James A. Small, ten years. The organization has never failed to hold its regular sessions. This record affords the opportunity to make some further mention of this denomination, which has had many adherents in the county for the past seventy years. Revs. Chas. and J. M. Spear being of the pioneers in disseminating that faith. For a series of years the conference suppoiied a missionary, who gave his whole time to travelling and preaching through the county. Pastorates have been for the most part brief. Those extending over a considerable period are: Rev. R. S. Pope, 30 years; Rev. C. A. Bradley, 30 years; Rev. V. Lincoln, 11 years; Eev. S. Barden, 8 years ; Rev. B. Smith, 7 years. Nine natives of the county have entered the Universalist ministry, and a large number of devout women have become ministers* wives. The Cape Cod Conference of Unitanans was organized at Barnstable, November 30, 1870, and the three parishes : Congregational church and society in Barnstable, the First Parish in Brewster, the First Church of Christ in Sandwich, formed the conference. In October, 1871, the Unitarian Society at Nantucket joined the conference, but in June, 1891, decided to withdraw, in consequence of the groat POPULATION. CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. 881 inconvenience of the jonmcy and the difficulty of making connections. The name chosen was. The Cape Cod Conference of Congregational Unitarian and other Liberal Christian Churches. A constitution, consisting of ten articles, was adopted, and Major S. B. Phinney of Barn- stable was chosen president ; Rev. S. B. Flagg of Sandwich was chosen secretary and treasurer. The first regular session of the conference was held at Brewster, June 8-9, 187 !• The following have been successive presidents : Sylvanus B. Phinney, for twenty-two years, Charles Dillingham, Franklin B. Goss, Thomas C. Day, the present incumbent. The secretaries have been, Rev. S. B. Flagg, Rev. James Collins, Rev. James Mulligan, and Rev. Thomas Dawes, from 1874 to the present time. The Methodists, the Episcopalians and the Catholics do not maintain a county association, but are connected directly with their respective central organizations. With the Methodists, the conference is similar in its methods to the otheiT county associations, except that it covers a more extended field of operations. MEDICAL OROANIZATION8. The Barnstable District Medical society has been in existence at least forty years, and has some twenty members. It is devoted to social and fraternal concerns and mutual protection, and the keeping alive of a high professional standard. By chapter 26 of the Public Statutes of Massachusetts, the county of Barnstable is divided into three districts for Medical Examiners, whose functions are similar, though more comprehensive, than those of former coroners. The names of the present incumbents are : 4»2 CAPE COD. No. 1, Harwich, Dennis, Yarmouth, Brewster, Chatham, Orleans and Eastham — George N. Munsell, Harwich. No. 2, Barnstable, Bourne, Sandwich, Mashpee and Fabnouth — R. H. Faunce, Sandwich. No. 3, Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet — William M. Moore, Provincetown. LAW LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. Under the provisions of the laws of the state, a Law Libmry Association was organized in 1889. Judge Henry A. Scudder presented to the association his valuable private law library, which is added to from certain fees and appropriations by the Legislature. The officers of the association are: Librarian, F. H. Lothrop; Treasurer, Fred'k C. Swift ; Clerk, Thomas C. Day. GIFT LIBRARIES. The readers of the foregoing pages have observed in the natural course of this relation, the instances of enlightened munificence, which have prompted gifts of libraries and public halls to the people of their native towns — by Isaac Thacher and Nathan ilatthews to Yarmouth; Nathan Freeman to Provincetown ; Isaac Kich to Orleans ; Henry C. Brooks to Harwich ; by the representatives of William Sturgis for Barn^jtable. It is a pleasing office to add to these closing pages other instances of recent thoughtful regard of native Cape Cod men for the people of their biithplace. Jacob Sears, a native of East Dennis, some time since deceased, left a conditional bequest of about $15,000 for the erection of a hall for public lectures and the main- tenance of a library in that village. The bc(iucst I>ecame available in 1894-5, and in 189G a hall, in which a course of lectures was inaugurated, was erected, and a collection of POPULATION. CIVIL LISTS, SOCIETIES, ETC. SS3 1>ook!i was begun, to be added t» od the income of the fand iDcreodes. The dedication of the hull to the uses contem- plated by the donor was obsen'ed by titling services, Siiui'l L. Powers, E-sfj. delivering an address appropriate to the occasion. Hon. MorccUus Eldrcdge of Portsmouth, X, H., of Chatham oiigin, built and gave to that town a beautiful and commo- dious library structure, to be also used as a public reading room, together mth a fund of $5000; and Mrs. Marcellus Eldrcdge added a well-selected collectiuu of reference books ; to which Mr. H. Fisher Eldredge added nearly 2000 volumes of general literature. The library' was opened to the public May, 1896. This list of benefactions closes with the gift of a large library and fine edifice to contaiu it, a memorial to the late Jonathan Bourne, a native of the town of Bourne, by his dauj;;htcr. Miss Emily H. Bourne of Xew Bedford. The building is situated near the birthplace of Air. Bourne, and beside the library, it contains an office for the town officers, and a reading room for the citizens. It was dedicated to public use June 19, 1897, the exercises being most appro- priate, and were pai-ticipated in by Rev. M. C. Julian of Xew Bedford, and America's greatest actor, Joseph Jefferson, now numbered among the permanent residents of the town. INDEX. Acadians at Monument River, 158. AflTioulture, 65. Aiden, Rct. TimothT, 264. Alden, Rev. Timothy, Jr., 341. Alcrer, Gertrude, 347. Allefonsce, Johan, 10. Andros, Sir Edmund, 126. Atlantic Cable, 306. Atwood, Nathaniel E., 298. Bachilor, Stephen, attempts set- tlement, 42; death, 42. Bacon, Ebeuezer, 304. Baker, Hon. Jos. K., 209. Bankn: Falmouth bank, 377; Barnstable bank, Yarmouth, 377; Province town bank, 377; bank of Cape Cod, 377; first Na- tional bank of Hyannis, 378; savings banks, 378. BaptiHts first gathered, 219. Barlow, Gounds settled. 160; brig Wilkes cast ashore, 212. Eel River lias bridjre by order of court. 59; taxation for. 75 ; Cape towns a^tiin assessed, 135. EUlrid«re, Rev. Azariah, 299; 848. Eidridire, (ieo.. :i49. Eliot. John, apostle to the Indians, 47; 324. Emharsro Act. 231; 2*5. Emijrrutlon to Maine. 158. Executive councillors, 31^ Expedition to find food. 29. Express Companies, 288. Falmouth, first settlers, 125; at- tempted destruction by British, 195; in War of 1812-15, 2a; first bank of county incorporat<»d, 257; bi-ceutenulal celebration, 298; votes money for meet ins- house, 160; "new* purchase" laid out in lots, 160; Methodist soci- ety,233. Fast Day set apart, 50. INDEX. 897 Fay, Jos. Story, 340. Fiue for Sabbath breaking, GO: 60; for selling liquor, 131 ; for steal- lug, 60. First church, 40. First laws of colouj,37. Fish, 4. Fisheries, 65: value to Plymouth colonisti<, 312; limited to resi- dents, 312; seining prohibited, 813; statistics, 314; ma<*kerel. 315; people employed, 310; U. S. Fishery Counnissiou,ol7: Mariue Biolo;ncal Laboratory, 318. Fishing ])ermits, 61. First comers, character and for- mer occupation, 03; reasons for choosing this locality, 64. Flora, 3. Food of first settlers, 66. Ford, Daniel B., 313. Freeman, Rev. Frederick, 841. Freeman, Gen. Xath'l, 264. Freeman, Rev. Jas., 341. French and Indian War, 143. Fulliug-mill, 132. Gammons, Rev. J. 6., 840. General Court, last of Plymouth Colony, 131. Gilford, James, 851. Gosuold, Bartholomew, 12. Governor, votes for in 1813-14, 230; election of, 38. Gorham. Capt. John, dies at Swan- sey. 111; Capt. John, 2d, goes to Winter HarDor, 134. Grant obtained by new comers, 50. Great gale of 1841, 260; of I860, 201. Great £torm of 1G35, 3G. Green, Isaiah L.,266; 238. Hallet, Andrew, gives cow for the poor, 60. Hallet, Enoch, sheriff, died, 233. Hamblin, Gen. Joseph, 277: 291. Harwich admitted as a town, 134; first church, 136; feeling as to the War of Revolution, 170; Bap- tist pocietv organized, 233; large fire, 305. Hersey, Dr. Abner, 254. Highest land, 1. Highways amended, 60. Hinckley, Gustavus A., 350. Hinckley, Thoma«:, made commis- sary general, HI; elected gov- ernor, 122; supplanted by An- dros, 126; re-elected, 120; osreer and death, 140. Houi^e^, enumeration of, 36L Houses of first comers, 60. House of worship, law requiriiig* V£t. Howes, Thos., grantee of Yar- mouth, 44. Howes, Capt. Thos. P., 302; 347. Hudson, Henrv, landed at Cape Cod, 16. Hull, Jos., first minister of Barn- stable, 52; invited to preach in Yarmouth, 46. Hvannis in War of 1812-15, 248; breakwater, 257; Normal school, 304. Incorporation of towns, 1. Independence, Cape towns in the war of, 184. Independent cause favored by Mr. Lothrop, 5:1. Indians: titles extinffui.'tiai:ize, 324; courts, 325; Rev. Gideon Hawley suc- ceeds Mr. Bourne, 326; attempts to redress grievances, 327; lands apportioned, 328; Cape Indians^ 328; Fraying Indians, 320; other Indian teachers, 330; decay of race, 331. lyanough described, 28; entertains * settlers, 29; death, 32; remains found in East Barnstable, 32. Jenkins, Chas. W. 342. Justices of common pleas, 867; 368. Judges of probate, 360. Kenrick, Capt. John, discoverer of the Columbia River, 228. I Kintr Philip's War commences, 106; I character of Philip, 107; soldiers OAPB COD. famished bj towns, 107; Narra- gansetts aid Philip, 100; Xarra- gansetts lone 1000 men, 110; two Cape men wounded. 111; battle nearSeekouk, 113; desertion and death of Philip, lU; attitude of Cape Indians, 110: war policy of foyernmeut,117; debt contracted y war, 118. King George's War, 148. Land division, 40; 50. Land committee appointed, 45. Latitude, 1; 13. Laws of England ignored by the oolonistd, 38. Law Library association, S8*i. Laws printed, 89. Leverich, Mr., arraignment and removal, 81. Lewis, Maj. George, died, 270. Lewis, Sam'l, 272. Libraries, gift: Yarmouth, 292; Proviucetown, 291; Orleans, 382; Harwich, 382; East Dennis, 382; Chatham, 883; Bourne, 38a License for an ordinary, 59; to draw wine, 60. Life saving service, 292. Lighthouses; sites sranted at Mouomoy, Nobsque Point, Sandy Neck and Long Point, 270. Liquor imported, GC. Local court, 56. Lothrop, John, arrived in Barn- stable, 48; character and educa- tion, 49. Louisburz, siege of, 130; whaleboat fleet, loO; what it taught the colonists, 164. Loyalists, 17a Macadamized road, 310. Mail service, 286. Manomet trading station, a5; 38. Maritime bu^ille?is (lei)re>sioii, 282; interests of New Eu;rluud, 237. Morstou, Geo., 297; ^48.^ Mflrston, yvmphas,2S0. Mason and Sliclt 11 brought to Provineelown, 276. Mashpee usks for larjrer liberties, IfiO; IndiHu plaiituiiou nmde a district, 2T0; land set apart for In«liaiis, 325: niadn a town, 32o. Mattacheeseti, attempted settle- ment uf, 43: »:nu»i.-, o'J. Matthews, Marmaduke, first min- ister of Yui'iuouth, 46. Matthews, Nathan, 29SS. Mayflower in ProTincetown har- l>or, 19; compact in cabin, 2L Mayo, John, first minister of Eastham, 55; died, 12a Medical organizations, 38L Methodism, 157; growth and spread, 217. Military discipline, liberty granted for, 00. • Military musters, 89l Militia re-organized, :Sia MUler, Kev. John, 47; 82. Mirage, 10. Monnamoit [see Chatham]. Money appropHated to teach children, lOa Murder of Edith Freeman, 806. Myrick, Rev. Osbom, 840. Narragansetts, expedition against, 58. Xauset [see Eastham.1 I newspapers, Nautical Intelligen- cer, 353; Bamstal>le Co. Gazette, 858; Barnstable Journal, 854; Cape Cod Journal, 354; Barn- stable Patriot, 3^; Yarmouth Register, 3^; i^andwlch Observ- er, 355; Cape Cod News, 856; Provineetown Banner, 356; At- lantic Messenger, 356; Cape Cod Republican, i>56; Provineetown Advocate, 350; Provineetown News, 357; Chatham Monitor, 357; Cape Cod Bee, 357; Sandwich Gazette, Falmouth Chronicle, 357; Harwich lutlependent, 858; Cape Cod Item, 358; Mayflower, 858; Sandwich Observer, 850; Falmouth Local, 3o9; Cape Cod Independent, 359; The Indepen- dent, 359; Barnstable County Journal, 360; Cape Cod News, 860; Welltieet News and Sand- wich Review, 360; Provineetown Beacon, 360; Falmouth Enter- prise, 360. Nicker^on, Wm., has controversy as to land title^, $4. Northmen visit the Cape, 8. Orleans refuses to give tribute, 248; *' Battle of Orleans," 249; church buvs ba:»s viol, 234; Os- bom, Dr. John, :>;>9. Otis, Amoi», 294: 312. Otis, Col. James, president of INDEX. ' Council, 182; character and death, 191. Otis, James, Jr.. 155; 210. Otis, Gen. Jos., 23S. Packets, 286. Paine, Josiuh, 342. Paine, Jo^ihua H., 842. Pamet Isee Truro]. Parliament reimburr^es Colonists, 15SL Payne, John Howard, 852. Perry, Mrs. Caroline T., 350. Perry, Edward, 330. Pestilence umoug natives, 17. Phinney, Sylviuius) B., 349. Phipps, Sir William, arrives in Boston, 134. Pilprinis send out exploring party, 24; buying corn, :f5; send explor- ing party t«i region near Kast- ham/^6; attacked by Indianst, 20; cousb iiioiig 1o Plynrouth, 27. Piracy suppressed* 145. Pirate lieet »hipwi*eoked, 140. Population, 7. Plymouth Colony, end of political existence, 131; divided, 123. Pratt, Knoch, 342. Prence, Thos., elected governor, 78; character, 87. Prince, Rev. Thos., 889. Pring, Martin, 14. Privateering, 250. Province lauds, 155; 101; 302. Provincelown, dikini^ harbor, 289; memorial tablet, 303; relations between people and English offi- cers, 205; at mercy of British, 188; in War of 1812-15, 241; ship coiitaiuiij<; "siniflry Tories" cast ashore, 211; uppropriations for harbor, 270; 10*2; 23*^; town hall and school house burned, 306. Provincial Cougi'css, 172. Proviucinl legirlatiou, 133. Public debt, 154. Public highway laid out, 70. Public Stnools, 313. Public whipping given to Robert liarper, 8a Quakers first appear, 00; laws against. 01; lines, 05; IW; puuish- raeuty, 90; pn>test«i atrainst per- secutiou, 101; doctrine and hubitri, 104; friendly feeling of Cape ministers, 105. Queen Anne's War a detriment to people and industries, 18tf ; whale boat fleet, 139. Railroads, 285; 298; 28L Rates of payment, GO. Rebellion, the: The Cape calls for troops, 274; incursions of rel)el privateer Taeony, 2TO. Reed, John, 209. Religious l>e1ief tolerated, 64. Religious indifference, 80. Religious societies: Conference of Congregational churches, 379; Barnstable Baptist association. 879; Barnstable conference of Universaliats, 380; Cape Cod conference of Unitarians, 380. Representatives in congress, 303. Representative governiiient, 55. Resistance, first overt act of, against Great Britain, 175. Revival of industries, 253. Revolutiouurv War: Enlistment of Cape soldiers, 180; men draft- ed. 188; protection of coast, 197; call for men and supplies, 188; requisition for re-euiorcement of army, 201; poverty of people, 203; Cape men taken prisoners, 209; Cape men who figured in events connected with the War. 207; mothers and daughters aid preparations, 183; death of actors in War, 228. Richards, Mrs. A. M., 848. Road built from Barnstable to Plymouth, 233. Ryder, Rev. Wm. H., 36a Salt manufacture, 219. Samoset appears before settlers, 27. Sandwich: Reasons for remissness in furnishing troops for King Philip's War, 112; academy in- corporated, 225; people nave liberty to seek refuge in garri- son, 120; two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, 300; glass factory established', 257; presented for not training, Gl; grant of land to Matthias Ellis, 101; town buys land at HeiTing River, IGO; small pox, 212; reward offered for kill- ing wolves, 2:ii; att<*uipt to divide town, 23;^; leave to erect cotton mill, 234; Rev.^Ir. Burr dismissed from church, 252; appropriates money for meeting-house, 100. GAPE COD. Sandy beach sold, 89. Soudder. Heury A., 348. 8ear«, El>enezer, guard over Major Andre, 206; flr^t navigator east of Cape of Good Hope, 206. Sears. Philip H., 348. Sears, Richard aud David, Join English army, 102. Senators, 366. Settlement first made on the Cape, BO. Shaw, Tjemnel, 278. Smith, Capt. John, 16. Smith, Rev. Johu, secedes from Barnstable church, 89; leaves Sandwich church, 132. Soil, 2. Somerset wrecked, 104. Sparrowhawk strauded, 38; pas- sengers come to Plymouth, 34; hull exhumed, 34. Squanto, 18; 29. Stage coachefi, 286. Stamp act, 166; repealed, 167. Stanaish, Miles; makeK expedi- tion, 31; deals with Indians, 32; settles laud questious, 46; laud granted, 6L State board of agriculture, dele- gat4»:« to, 375, 378. Stock raising, 64. Stone, Dr. Tho-. N., 344. Sturgis, Wm., 279. Succanepsett [8»ee Falmouth]. Sunday observance. 73. Superior court at Barnstable, 155. Swift, Chaii. F., 3«. Swift, Frances E., 344. Taylor, Samuel, 271. Taxing colonies, 1(36. Tea controversy; Cape towns' attitude, 171. Telegraph and cables, 288. Thocher, Anthony, grantee of Yarmouth, 44; shipwrecked, 36. Thocher, (;eorge, 262. Thanksgiving first held, 50. Thoreau, 352. Thornton, Thomas, 83; 3.S0. Tragedv on high seat*. 180. Treat, lie v. Samuel, died, 161; 330. Tripp, Prof. Alonzo, 345. Truro: Company rais«'d for de- fence of the town, 212: attitude in teo controversy, 170: 171; feel- ing against wbigs, 173; woods burned, 3a5. Tupper, Elisha, Indian missionary, Tupper, Thos., 8S8. Underwood. Rev. Nathan, 268. Union of Massachusetts and Ply- mouth colonies. 129. Unwelcome residents excluded,. 89; 4L Verrazzano, 10. Vessel cast away near Manomet bay, 69. Vessels hauled up during Revolu- tionary War, 188. Vessel seized, 88. War of Rebellion, expense of county, 276. War of 1812-15: Sentiment of county, 236; 239. War preparations, 57. Warren, Mercy, 340. Weeks, Capt. Zenas, 848. Wellfieet: Methodist society or- Wmuized, 233; railroad. 305. est. Dr. Samuel, 226; 340. ^Iiale captured, 27L Whales, 20; drift controversy, 77. Whaling, 318; towns engaged, 319; Sursucd at various places, 319; ('cHne, 320; disposition of drift whales, 150. Whigs, feeling against, 173. White, Peregrlue, born, 27. Wild beast.-s, G. Win«low, Josias, succeeds Gov.. Prence, 87; character, etc., 122. Wittawamet plots against Stand- ibh, 31; head as a trophy, 32. Wolves, iHiunty on, 88: 182. Women's education, 72. Woods, 2. Wrecks: Gen. Arnold, 194; Jason,. 302; Salem ships, 224; Friend- ship, 211; Wilkes, 212; America,. 212; Commerce, 271; Cambria, 271; Kagle, 271; Ajax, 2?i; Granite, 2?2; Fort una, 3(K); Jonathan Bourne, 309; (xiovauni, 305; Nel- son Harvey, 308. Yarmouth settled, 43; readjust- ment of boundary, 57; common lauds, 142: troop's in i^iege of Louisbnrg, 130: in Revolutionary War, 170: at Dorcliester Heights*. 183; sentiment regarding War of 1812-15, 238; two hundred and flf- INDEX. »! tleth annjvewary, 300; wharf destroyed, 2?2; Mushautainpaine complniued of, SS: controversy with Sachem Yaiiiio, 88; towii recordj* burned, I'iO; men <;om- plained of as scoffers and jeerers at religion, CO; eastern part set off, 161; Rer. (rreenleaf dismissed from church, 161; £l>enezer Tay- lor imprisoned in a well, 161; Ichal>od Paddock f^oes to Xaii- tueket to teach tliem how to kill whales, 1S2; small pox, 213; New Church soriety dedicate church. 3M; society ior prevention or intemperance, 270; Conffi^eza- tional meeting-bou^e and Publio Library dedicated, 306. ' • iMiMI The boiiower mustietum this item on or before the last date stamped below. If another user places a recall for this itern^ the borrower will be notified of the need for an earlier return. Non-receipt afofverdue notices does not exempt the borrower from overdue fines. Harvard College WUcner Library Cambridge, MA 02138 617-495-2413 Please handle witfa care. Thank you for helping to preserve library collections at Harvard.