History Of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, With A Genealogical Register

Lucius R. Paige...

6 minute read

Read Chapter

Preface

In collecting materials for a History of Cambridge, I examined First its Municipal Records, which are continuous from the beginning, but generally brief, and its Registry of Births and Deaths, which, during the Second Hundred years after the foundation of the town, is very defective. To supply what was lacking, I consulted such printed authorities as were accessible, together with the manuscript Records and Archives of the Commonwealth, of the judicial courts, and of several counties, cities, to

2 minute read

Read Chapter

Key To The Plan Of “Cambridge In 1635”

Indicating the owners and occuprants of the several lots, in 1635, and in 1642. All are supposed to have been homesteads, unless otherwise designated. “Forfeited;” afterwards called “Watch-house Hill;” site of the Meeting-house from 1650 to 1833. Uncertain whether then occupied by a house or not. Vacant lot. Vacant lot. Vacant lot. Vacant lot. Vacant lot. Vacant lot. Vacant lot. Vacant lot. House, but apparently not a homestead. House, but apparently not a homestead. House, but apparently not a

4 minute read

Read Chapter

I.

Cambridge, the original shire town of Middlesex County, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is situated in 42° 22′ north latitude, and 71° 6′ west longitude from Greenwich. The City Hall, at the corner of Main and Pleasant streets, in Cambridgeport, stands exactly upon the longitudinal line, and about a Hundred yards south of the parallel of latitude indicated. It is bounded on the east by Charles River, which separates it from Boston; on the south by Charles River, which separates it from Bro

10 minute read

Read Chapter

II.

The purpose for which Cambridge was originally established as a town is stated by Two of its projectors, Winthrop and Dudley. “The governor and most of the assistants,” had “Agreed to build a town fortified upon the neck,” between Roxbury and Boston, Dec. 6, 1630; but, for several reasons, they abandoned that project, Eight days afterwards, and agreed to examine other places. On the Twenty-first Day of the same month: “We met again at Watertown, and there, upon view of a place a mile beneath the

24 minute read

Read Chapter

III.

The New Town seems never to have been incorporated by specific act. It was originally set apart by the government for public use; and it was from the beginning recognized as a distinct town. As early as June 14, 1631, the Court provided for the making of a canal or “Passage from Charles River to the New Town,” and, in ordering a tax of Thirty pounds, Feb. 3, 1631-2, to defray the expense of a “Pallysadoe about the New Town,” assessed One Tenth part thereof on that town, as related in Chapter II.

12 minute read

Read Chapter

IV.

The projectors of the New Town had hitherto suffered Two grievous disappointments: the officers of the government had not generally become inhabitants, according to the original agreement; and so great was the disparity in commercial advantages, that it early became manifest that the New Town could not successfully compete with Boston as the great mart of trade. No reasonable hope, therefore, could be entertained that this should become the principal city of the colony. In other respects, the en

24 minute read

Read Chapter

V.

It has already been mentioned in the preceding chapter, that Mr. Hooker and a large proportion of his church removed from New Town in 1635 and 1636; and that Mr. Shepard with another company purchased their houses and lands. Among “The reasons which swayed him to come to New England,” Mr. Shepard says in his Autobiography, “Divers people in Old England of my dear friends desired me to go to New England there to live together, and some went before and writ to me of providing a place for a company

30 minute read

Read Chapter

VI.

Notwithstanding Mr. Shepard and his associates here “Found sufficient for themselves and their company,” and appear by the Records to have enjoyed temporal prosperity, as indicated in the foregoing chapter, they were not fully satisfied, but seriously contemplated a removal to Connecticut. To such removal they were advised and encouraged by Mr. Hooker, whose eldest daughter had become the Second wife of Mr. Shepard in 1637. How far Mr. Hooker may have been influenced by family considerations, or

41 minute read

Read Chapter

VII.

During the period embraced in the preceding chapter, very important events occurred in England. The ecclesiastical yoke which the Fathers of New England were unable to bear was broken, and the people enjoyed comparative religious freedom. The civil government also was overturned and established on new foundations. King Charles the First was beheaded Jan. 30, 1649, and the House of Lords was soon afterwards suppressed. For a few years, a Parliament consisting of a single House, and the army under

34 minute read

Read Chapter

VIII.

As early as 1654, some of the inhabitants upon the south side of the River commenced a movement, which resulted, Seven years afterwards, in an order of the General Court, that all who resided more than Four miles from the meeting-house should “Be freed from contributing towards the ministry on the north side the river,” so long “As the south side the river shall maintain an able ministry.” Mass. Col. Rec., IV. (II.) 16. This was not wholly satisfactory, and a petition for more extensive privileg

43 minute read

Read Chapter

IX.

On the 17th day of May, 1686, Joseph Dudley and his associates communicated to the General Court a copy of the King's commission authorizing them to assume the government of the Colony. The Court replied, under date of May 20, 1686, addressed, “These for Joseph Dudley, Esq. and the rest of the gentlemen named in his Majesties commission,” as follows:— GentN: We have perused what you left with us as a true coppy of his majesties commission, shewed to us the 17th instant, impowring you for the gov

43 minute read

Read Chapter

X.

It has already been stated, that the General Court, March 3, 1635-6, “Agreed, that Newe Towne bounds should run Eight myles into the country from their meeteing howse,” and that large farms, near theEight mile line were soon afterwards granted by the town; among which grants was One to Richard Harlakenden of “Six hundred acres of upland and meadow, at the place called Vine Brook, in the midway between Newtowne and Concord,” on certain conditions, Jan. 2, 1636-7. This tract of land was in the cen

39 minute read

Read Chapter

XI.

In this history of a single town, it is not proposed to enumerate all the causes of the American Revolution, or the various events which occurred during its accomplishment; but some of those causes and events will be mentioned, with which the town of Cambridge had more or less intimate connection. One very prominent question at issue, in the commencement of the Revolutionary struggle, was whether or not the British Parliament had a legal right to impose taxes on the American provinces (which wer

2 hour read

Read Chapter

XII.

For more than a century and A half after the settlement of Cambridge, with slight exceptions, that part of the town lying eastwardly from Quincy and Bow streets, generally denominated the “Neck,” consisted of woodland, pasturage, swamps, and salt marsh. In chapter II. an account is given of the First division of land on the northerly side of Main Street, into small lots in “The old field” and “Small lot hill,” and larger lots, varying in size from Six to One hundred and thirty acres. Gradually t

48 minute read

Read Chapter

XIII.

It has already been stated in chapter v., that a ferry was established in 1635 across Charles River (at the foot of Dunster Street), from which there was a road through Brookline and Roxbury to Boston. The only other feasible route to Boston was through Charlestown, and across a ferry near Copp's Hill. Desiring to avoid the inconvenience and peril of a ferry, the inhabitants of Cambridge consented, Nov. 10, 1656, “To pay each One their proportion of a rate to the sum of 2001. towards the buildin

32 minute read

Read Chapter

XIV.

Although Cambridge was early abandoned as the seat of government, it maintained from the beginning a prominent rank among the towns in the Colony. It was designated, before the establishment of counties, as One of the Four towns in which Judicial Courts should be held. Having until that time exercised the whole power of the Colony, both legislative and judicial, the General Court ordered, March 3, 1635-6, “That there shall be Four courts kept every quarter; 1. at Ipswich, to which Neweberry shal

2 hour read

Read Chapter

XV.

As stated more at large in chapter II., Cambridge was originally designed to be a fortified town, the seat of government, and the residence of the rulers. It was agreed, Dec. 28, 1630, that all the Assistants, except Two, should build there “The next spring, and to winter there the next year.”Dudley and his son-in-law, Bradstreet, were the only Assistants who fully performed what was promised. Apparently there were very few inhabitants in the town for a year and A half, until Aug. 14, 1632, when

3 hour read

Read Chapter

XVI.

Christ Church.— A comprehensive and interesting Historical Notice of Christ Church, is appended to a sermon by Rev. Nicholas Hoppin, D. D., on the reopening of the church, Nov. 22, 1857. This church was originally established as a missionary station by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, under the charge of Rev. East Apthorp, who was born in Boston, 1733, and educated at Cambridge, England. The original subscription for building the church is dated at Boston, April 25

2 hour read

Read Chapter

XVII.

At the present time, almost every principal sect into which the Christian Church is divided has its representatives in Cambridge; and the introduction of a new sect produces comparatively little commotion. But in the beginning it was not so. For a few years after the settlement of New England by the Puritans, the churches had rest; but in 1636, The country was miserably distracted by a storm of Antinomian and Famalistical opinions then raised. Mather's Magnalia, Book III., ch. v., § 12. So viole

49 minute read

Read Chapter

XVIII.

In 1643, there was published in London a Tract entitled New England's First Fruits; in respect, First of the Conversion of some, Conviction of divers, Preparation of sundry, of the Indians. 2. Of the progresse of Learning, in the Colledge at Cambridge, in Massacusets Bay. With divers other speciall matters concerning that countrey.In regard to the Progresse of learning, the writer says, After God had carried us safe to New England, and wee had builded our houses, provided necessaries for our liv

38 minute read

Read Chapter

XIX.

In describing the original settlement of Cambridge by the English, the author of Wonder-working Providence calls attention to their preservation when They were in such great straites for foode; and what Was more remarkable, when they had scarce houses to shelter themselves, and no doores to hinder the Indians accesse to all they had in them, yet did the Lord so awe their hearts, that although they frequented the Englishmens places of aboade, where their whole substance, weake wives, and little o

32 minute read

Read Chapter

XXI.

At the Second meeting of the Court of Assistants after their arrival at Charlestown, Sept. 7, 1630, Half a year's provision was made for Mr. Patrick and Mr. Underhill; and at the next meeting, Three weeks later, the sum of Fifty pounds was assessed upon The several plantations, for the maintenance of the same persons. Mass. Col. Rec., i. 75, 77.s These were the commanders of the incipient militia. Of Daniel Patrick, Winthrop says, This Captain was entertained by us out of Holland (where he was a

2 hour read

Read Chapter

XII.

The Town Records contain the following Rate List: The number of persons & of the estate of the [inhabitants] as it was taken by the townsmen by the order of the Court This Order of the Court, establishing what was called a Single rate was passed in November, 1646: That a due proportion may be had in all public rates, it is ordered, that every male within this jurisdiction, servant or other, of the age of Sixteen years and upward, shall pay yearly into the common treasury the sum of 20D., and

56 minute read

Read Chapter

XIII.

The following list of civil officers, resident in Cambridge, is compiled chiefly from official records. Elbridge Gerry, 1813, 1814. Thomas Dudley, 1634. Held One or other of these offices every year, residing elsewhere, until he died, July 31, 1653. John Haynes, 1635. Afterwards for many years Governor of Connecticut. Elbridge Gerry, 1810, 1811. He was One of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was defeated as a candidate for Governor in 1812, but before the end of that year was e

38 minute read

Read Chapter

Genealogical Register A

I adopt this plan of a Genealogical Register, because it is less complicated than others, yet sufficiently particular for all practical purposes. The system is too plain and obvious to require any explanation. The ordinary abbreviations are used, such as a., for aged; b., for born; bap., for baptized; d., for died; m., for married; f., for father; w., for wife or widow; s., for son; dau., for daughter, etc. The names of towns are also sometimes abbreviated, as Bos., for Boston; Camb., for Cambri

16 hour read

Read Chapter

Index Of Names

Besides those which are embraced in this Index, several long lists of names occur in the History. A general reference to those lists may be sufficient, inasmuch as some of them are already arranged in alphabetical order, and all may be easily examined. A separate Index contains the names in the Genealogical Register. List of Inhabitants, 11, 32-36, 58, 59, 75, 76, 80, 81, 444-7. List of Officers, City, 469-475. List of Officers, Military, 404-10, 28, 31-36. List of Officers, State, 459-462. List

22 minute read

Read Chapter

Index To Genealogies

The names of families are printed in small capitals, and the figures annexed indicate the pages where they may be found; the other names denote persons mentioned in connection with the several families, whether as intermarrying or otherwise. Abbott, 477. Adams. Russell Abdy, 477. Cox. Reynolds. Stevenson. Wilson. Adams, 477-9. Bent. Blanchard. Bowman. Britton. Chadwick. Convers. Cutter. Dean. Doubleday. Eames. Fillebrown. Fiske. Foster. Frost. Gardner. Goodwin. Hall. Hay. Hill. Jones. Kent. Lock

41 minute read

Read Chapter

Erata

Page 5, line 30, For 1837 read 1807. Page 6, note 1, For 45, 46 read 38, 39. Page 12, note 1 ,For 84, read 85. Page 20, note 2, For XV. Read XIV. Page 32, line 26, To Abraham Morrill Add8 Page 32, line 30, To Garrad Haddon Add 8 Page 35, line 27, For 1836 read 1636. Page 44, note 7, For Boardman Read Bordman. Page 143, note 1 ,For Barnard Read Bernard. Page 168, note 11, Dele Page 214, line 25, For Bordman Read Boardman. Page 263, line 4, For Bobbins Read Robbins. Page 292, line 46, for Boardman

51 minute read

Read Chapter