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the more sober and grave persons, who were permitted to sell spirituous liquors. Mr. Sprague was licensed for this purpose. William Collier had been allowed to do the same, at an earlier period. Samuel, a son of Mr. Sprague, was secretary of the colony in 1690; and many of his descendants have been eminent in publick life in various parts of New England.

Edmund Chandler, Christopher Wadsworth and George Soule, who were among the earliest settlers in Duxbury, were representatives from that town.

Of those who were persons of some distinction at a little later period, and who were chiefly the children of the "first comers," may be mentioned John Bradford, Constant Southworth, Samuel Seabury, Arnold, Holmes, &c. John Bradford was a representative for Duxbury people in 1652; and afterwards for Marshfield. He was son of Gov. Bradford, by his first wife, who died in Cape Harbour, December, 1620. By his second wife, Mrs. Southworth, the governour had two sons, William and Joseph. The eldest was many years a representative of Plymouth, an assistant, member of the council of war, treasurer of the colony, major of a troop of horse, commissioner of the United Colonies, deputy governour, and a counsellor in 1692 and 1693, after the union of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Maine, &c. He lived in that part of Plymouth, now called Kingston, on the south side Jones's River; and possessed very large tracts of land in that place and in Duxbury, and some in Dartmouth. He had nine sons and several daughters, and his descendants are yet numerous in the Old Colony; and some are to be found in Rhode Island, some in Connecticut, some in New Jersey, and some in Pennsylvania.

Constant Southworth, a son of Gov. Bradford's second wife, was many years a deputy from Duxbury. He was admitted a freeman in 1637. He also held a commission in the military company there. He was a man of good education. His mother has been represented as a superiour woman, whose mind was cultivated by much reading. Southworth was one of the council

of war, treasurer of the colony, and sometimes agent or attorney for the government. He married a daughter of W. Collier. His son, Edward, was representative in 1690, and also in 1692, after the charter of William and Mary. Samuel Seabury, John Tracy, John Wadsworth, and Seth Arnold were also representatives from Duxbury, about the years 1680-1691. The descendants of Wadsworth remain. The name of Seabury is extinct there. Some of the family went to Connecticut and their descendants are still there. Arnold was son of the minister of Marshfield, and Holmes was a son of Rev. Mr. Holmes of Duxbury, who succeeded Mr. R. Partrich, (who came in 1637, and died in 1658,) as pastor of the church in Duxbury. Mr. Holmes was the minister here only for a few years. After him came Mr. Wiswall, who was employed as agent for the colony in England, about 1690; and also officiated as teacher of youth, as well as pastor of the church.

I add the following facts, though of a miscellaneous nature, as they serve further to describe the circumstances of the pilgrims.-In 1632, "cattle were much increased, and corn fields were required to be enclosed." [This relates to all the settlements.]

In 1633, a tax was laid on all the inhabitants in the colony, as follows: W. Bradford, £1. 7; E. Winslow, £2.5; M. Standish, £0. 18; W. Brewster, £1. 7; J. Alden, £1. 4; W. Collier, £2. 5; J. Howland, £1.4; Jona. Brewster, £1. 4; F. Sprague, £0. 18; P. Delano, £0. 18; W. Bassett, £1. 7; R. Church, £1. 7, &c.

In 1638, an annual fair was allowed in Duxbury for cattle and other commodities.

In 1636, the Court recognizing the compact signed in Cape Harbour in 1620, and referring to the charter from Charles I. in 1629, by a publick act "claimed all the privileges and rights of free-born subjects of England."

In 1634, "a palisado was ordered to be made beyond the creek at Eagle's Nest, where Standish, Brewster and Paybody lived."

In 1641, George Soule was fined for attending Quaker meeting. Samuel Eaton and Goodwife Hall presented for mixed dancing. A. Sampson presented for striking J. Washburn in the meeting-house on the Lord's day. N. Bassett and J. Prior presented for disturbing the church and publick worship. F. Sprague fined for selling wine contrary to order of Court. Edward Hunt presented (1650) for shooting a deer on the Sabbath. G. Russel presented for not attending publick worship. In 1643, the men able to bear arms, from 16 to 60, were 76. One was John Alden, Jun., probably then 17 or 18; one was W. Brewster, grandson of the first Mr. Brewster. The list of freemen in 1645, is as follows, in part: Wm. Collier, John Alden, R. Partrich, E. Chandler, C. Wadsworth, H. Howland, S. Nash, E. Mitchell, P. Delano, H. Sampson, C. Southworth, M. Simons, F. Sprague, &c.

In 1654, when 60 men were raised to go against the Dutch, Duxbury was ordered to furnish six, and Plymouth seven; and the citizens were desired to attend publick worship with their fire arms. In 1651, eight wolves were killed in Plymouth, and two in Duxbury.

J. Coventry presented (1650) for proposing marriage with K. Bradbury, a servant of Mr. Bourne, without asking leave of her master. A. Peirce presented for idleness, and for neglecting publick worship on the Lord's day. Bryant and Ames presented for drunkenness. Duxbury presented for not mending the high way at Island Creek, and for not keeping the bridge over Jones's River in repair (1648.)

In 1633, a path was ordered to be cut from Green's Harbour, near Gov. Winslow's, to Massachusetts, probably through Scituate. A few years after, one was laid out from Plymouth to the "bay," over Jones's River, and passing through land of Gov. Bradford, kept further from the sea, and crossed North River at Hanover, or the upper part of Scituate, where the ship yard has been in later times.

In 1654, Thomas Clarke tried for taking £6 for the use of £20; but was cleared on trial. Several persons

were fined about this time for playing at cards; but it does not appear where they lived.

In 1638, the cut at Green's Harbour was agreed to be widened eighteen feet, and made six feet.

Two representatives were sent from each town; and the election was twice a year.

At the funeral of Gov. Josiah Winslow, 1680, £40 were allowed by the Court for the publick expenses. Thomas Gannett and Edward Hunt lived at Houndsditch, near Blue River, in 1644.

Chickatabut, alias Wampatuck, sachem of Massachusetts, sold land to P. White, in 1666, in Bridgewater, on the line between the bay and Plymouth.

In 1655, Gov. Bradford declared his unwillingness to accept his office for a full year, for these reasons-unless some speedy course should be taken to redress the same-that the support of ministers was neglected, on account of which many had removed; that errour had not been suppressed, and great confusion likely to follow; and that the deputies declined acting upon them, when suggested to them. At this time, and before, the Quakers were troublesome, by disputing the power of the civil magistrate, opposing a regular and learned clergy, and setting up an inward light as superiour to all written law and rules, both political and Christian.

In 1658, a house of correction was ordered to be built in Plymouth.

H. Norton, a Quaker, was banished the colony in 1657, and sent to Rhode Island. He spoke very contemptuously of the authority of the magistrates, and reproached the governour. He was at first treated mildly, and advised to desist; but was not softened by this moderation. He had before made disturbance in Boston, and insulted Gov. Winthrop. The Quakers were very irregular about this period. They were probably, in some cases, treated with severity. But it is evident that they were not only visionary and eccentrick, but, in some respects, advanced dangerous opinions, and disturbed the peace of the community by their denial of the civil authority and power. Some of them denied

the real humanity of Christ; and they also opposed all learning, and denied the necessity of education in ministers of the gospel. They refused to take the oath of allegiance. And they often attended the assemblies of other Christians on the Lord's day, and made confusion by opposing the regular minister.

The following order of Court was passed, 1660: "Whereas there is a constant monthly meeting of Quakers from divers places in great numbers, which is very offensive, and may prove greatly prejudicial to the government, and as the most constant place for such meetings is at Duxburrow, the Court have desired and appointed Constant Southworth and William Pay body to repair to such meetings, together with the marshal or constable of the town, and to use their best endeavours, by argument and discourse, to convince or hinder them."

The people of this ancient town are still distinguished for great simplicity of manners, for economy, industry and enterprise; and the population is much increased within the last thirty years.

In this circumstantial and detailed account, my object has been to preserve some recollections of the first settlers of Plymouth colony. If I have yielded too much to local feelings, I hope you will excuse them.

With great respect, &c.

Hon. JOHN DAVIS, President of the Historical Society.

ALDEN BRADFORD.

A DESCRIPTIVE AND HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF BOSCAWEN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.

BOSCAWEN is a pleasantly situated town in the county of Hillsborough, on the west side of Merrimack River, in latitude 43° 19′ north. It is six and a half miles in length and six and a quater in breadth, and contains about forty square miles. It is bounded north, by Salisbury, east by the River Merrimack, which di

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