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1766. Deacon Benjamin Crocker d. He m. a lady from Connecticut, whose name was Elizabeth, and who survived him and m. a Cogswell. He left children, Mary Gunnison and John. He was a member of the South Church; but, as the individuals, chosen for its Ruling Elders, were not ordained, because Mr. Walley did not consider such officers required by the Gospel, he left and united with the First Church. He graduated at Harvard College in 1713, was Representative in 1726, 1734, 1736, long a teacher of the Grammar School, and preached considerably.
1769, Sept. 25th. Dr. Joshua Burnam d. l. He left children, John, Timothy, Joshua, and Susannah.
1770, Feb. 27th. Dea. Mark How, of Line-Brook Church, d. He was the son of Abraham and Sarah How, b. March 28th, 1695; left a wife, Elizabeth, and children, Mark, Hepzibah, and Nathaniel.
1771, Jan. 28th. Daniel Heard, Deacon of the First Church, d. l. He left a wife, Rebecca, and children, Samuel, Mary, wife of Josiah Barker of Exeter, Tamison, wife of Benjamin Waite of Gloucester.
1771, April 22d. Colonel Thomas Dennis, Esq., d.; left sons, John and Joseph. Estate £1395 12s. 8d.
1771, Oct. Daniel Giddings, Elder of the Fourth Church at Chebacco, d. He left a widow, and children, Daniel, Eunice Choate, Mary Story, Hannah Lord, Sarah Rust, Susannah Saward, Lydia Foster, and Ruth. He was Representative 1758.
1772, Dec. 21st. Samuel, son of the Rev. John and Martha Rogers, d. He was b. Aug. 31st, 1709; graduated at Harvard College in 1725. He was long Town Clerk, Colonel of a regiment, Register of Probate, Justice of the Sessions Court, Representative in 1761, 1762, 1763. He was a skilful physician. His heart and life were under the influence of piety, which, however preferring the commendation of the worthy to their reproof, looks for its greatest reward in the approbation of Jehovah.
1774, Feb. 16th. Zechariah, son of Deacon Seth Story, d. He was Deacon of the Church at Chebacco. He left children, Jeremiah, Nehemiah, Isaac, Jesse, Lucy, Rachel, Deborah, Jerusha, and Lois.
1775. Daniel Staniford d. l. He m. Mary Burnham, who survived him and m. the Rev. Nathaniel Rogers. He left

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children, Daniel, a preacher; Mary, wife of the Rev. Joseph Dana; Hanna, wife of Thomas Dodge, Esq.; Margaret, wife of Dr. Josiah Smith of Newburyport; Sarah, wife of the Hon. John Heard; Martha; and Abigail, wife of Dr. Joshua Fisher. He graduated at Harvard College in 1738; taught the Grammar School, became a merchant, and was Representative in 1755, 1756, 1757.
1775, Oct. 28th. Francis Cogswell, merchant, d., in his seventy-fourth year. He graduated at Harvard College in 1718; m. Elizabeth Rogers, March 14th, 1728; left children, Jonathan and Elizabeth. He was Representative in 1750, 1751, 1752.
1775, Dec. 19th. Dr. Benjamin Foster d., with the asthma, Æ. about 75. He had been in the practice of his profession more than 50 years. He was a distinguished botanist, a skilful and successful physician.
1776, June 2d. Aaron Potter, Deacon of the First Church, d. Æ. 77. He was long the Town Treasurer and Overseer of the Poor.
1777, Oct. Francis Choate, Elder of the Second Church at Chebacco, d. in his 77th year. His widow, of exemplary piety, d. Oct. 2d, 1778, in her 70th year.
1781, March 6th. Dr. John Perkins d. l. He had resided in Boston. He left children, Wm. Lee Perkins; Isaac; John, to whom he gave part of a house in Middle Street, Boston; and Anna Winslow, who had the other part of this house; and a kinsman, Mr. John Perkins of Lynn.
1781, May 6th. Edward Eveleth d. at the Hamlet, Æ. 63. He graduated at Harvard College in 1738.
1782, July 3d. Joseph Low, Deacon of the First Church, d. in his 71st year.
1783. Joseph, son of Oliver Appleton, d. Æ. 78. He was Deacon of South Church and Justice of the General Sessions Court.
1784, May 8th. Dr. Joseph, son of Thomas and Mary Manning, d. in his 80th year. He graduated at Harvard College in 1725; m. Priscilla Boardman in 1727, who d. Jan. 11th, 1730; and m. Elizabeth Boardman, Nov. 14th, 1732, who d. Jan. 30th, 1779, Æ. 71. By his first wife he had one son, and by his second, five sons and four daughters. Those of his children who survived him were John, Jacob, Sarah McKean, Priscilla Abbot and Anstice Cogswell. Among his descendants

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there are five physicians, one of the first generation, three of the second, and one of the fourth. He was an eminent physician.
1785, June 25th. Colonel Isaac Dodge d. of cholera morbus; was born March 9th, 1733. His wife, Elizabeth, d. Sept. 22d, in her 56th year. He was often Selectman; and was on the Committee of Correspondence and Inspection in the Revolutionary war. "He was a man of great activity and business, and a useful member of society."
1785. Captain John, son of Francis Choate, d.; born 1737. He sustained various trusts in the town; he was on the Committee of Correspondence and Inspection in the Revolution, and Justice of the Sessions Court.
1785, June 9th. John, son of Colonel John and Mary Baker, d.; born Feb. 2d, 1721; m. Eunice Pope, Nov. 4th, 1745, who d. Jan. 10th, 1821, Æ. 94. He had twelve children, of whom the following outlived him, viz., John, Allen, Asa, Nathaniel, Thomas, Eunice Wade, Lucy Smith, Mary, Elizabeth, Hannah, and Anna. He was long the Town Clerk; was on the Committee of Correspondence and Inspection in the Revolution; took an active part in the Conventions to promote the cause of Independence; was Colonel of a regiment, feoffee of the Grammar School, and Justice of the Sessions Court.
1788, March 1st. Solomon Giddings, Deacon of Chebacco Church, d. in his seventy-fourth year. He resided, the latter part of his life, in the South Parish.
1788, Aug. Andrew Burley d. at an advanced age. He graduated at Harvard College in 1742.
1789, June 20th. Michael, son of Michael and Hannah Farley, d. with the black jaundice, Æ. 70. He m. Elizabeth Choate of Chebacco, Feb. 5th, 1746, who d. July 6th, 1795, Æ. 69. He had children, John, Elizabeth, Eunice, Jabez, Michael, Ebenezer, Robert with two more who d. in infancy, Robert, Thomas, Susan, and Sarah. He carried on the tanning business till his decease. He held the principal offices of the town, was long its Treasurer, was very often on Committees chosen here to advance the cause of Independence, was feoffee of the Grammar School, Representative from 1766 to 1774 inclusive, to the Provincial Congress 1774, 1775, and to the General Court in 1775, 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779; High Sheriff; and Major General of a brigade.

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General Farley was very active in complying with levies of Government for men, provisions, and clothing. He had three sons in the army. When one of them, about sixteen years old, was going to war, his mother, who had helped put on his equipments, charged him, saying, "Behave like a man." This same lady, when a regiment, expecting to meet the enemy, were to be supplied with ammunition, which was in the garret of her husband’s house, filled every man’s powder horn with her own hands. When Lafayette came over to offer his services to our country in the Revolutionary contest, he was at Ipswich. General Farley treated him with generous attention. In taking off his hat to salute the noble Frenchman, he did the same with his wig, an article then fashionable. Writing home, as to the manners of the people here, Lafayette remarked, in view of the Sheriff’s civility, that some of them were so polite, they not only bowed with their hats off, but with their wigs off too. When the Nations’ guest revisited this town in 1824, he alluded to this circumstance. General Farley was a remarkably hospitable man. He literally kept open doors for his friends, who were very numerous. The Rev. Levi Frisbie truly said of him, that he was a "useful and valuable member of society, employed for many years in various offices of honor and importance, the duties of which he discharged with fidelity and to general satisfaction. He was generous, public-spirited, humane, and impartial; a great loss to the town and country."
1790, Jan. 13th. Jeremiah Perkins d. Æ. 88. He was Deacon of the First Church. He lost a wife, May 25th, 1782, in her seventy-first year. He left a widow, Joanna, and children, Joanna Chapman, Sarah Hodgkins, and Aaron.
1790, May 28th. Eleazar Craft d. with the influenza, in his seventy-ninth year. He was the Ruling Elder of Chebacco Church. His wife, Martha, d. Sept. 28th, 1797 in her eighty-third year.
1791, July. John Choate, Esq., d. of consumption in his fifty-fourth year. His wife, Mary, d. Aug. 8th, 1788, in her fifty-first year. He frequently held town offices, was feoffee of the Grammar School, Representative in 1781, 1783, 1785, 1786, 1788, and Justice of the Sessions Court. "A man highly respected in public and private life, for his abilities and integrity."
1792, Jan. Nathaniel, son of Colonel Isaac Dodge, d.

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Æ. 35. He graduated at Harvard College in 1777; taught the Grammar School.
1792, Dec. Dr. Wallis Rust d. He m. Abigail Jones.
1794, May 12th. Dr. Josiah Lord d. suddenly, Æ. 43. He m. Mary Manning, and for his second wife, Sarah, of Marblehead, where he practised some before he returned to Ipswich.
1794, Dec. Isaac Appleton d., Æ. 92. He and two sisters made in their ages 270 years. He was the grandfather of Jesse Appleton, President of Bowdoin College. His wife, Elizabeth, d. April 29th, 1785, Æ. 76, leaving eight sons, two daughters, and fifty grandchildren. She was early pious, and was extensively useful.
1796, March 10th. Mehitable, relict of the Rev. Moses Hale of Newbury Newtown, d., Æ. 77. She resided with her daughter at Ipswich.
1797, Nov. 5th. Abraham How, Deacon of Line-Brook Church, d., Æ. 72.
1798, June 19th. Dr. Parker Clark d., Æ. 81. He m. Elizabeth Wainwright, April 12th, 1789, and then removed to Ipswich from Newburyport. She d. March 1st, Æ. 73.
1799, Jan. 4th. Jonathan Ingersoll, instructor, and graduate of Harvard College in 1798, d., Æ. 22.
1799, May 18th. Deacon Thomas Burnham, of Chebacco, d., Æ. 72, His wife d. Nov. 4th, 1775, Æ. 45.
1799, Dec. 18th. John Patch d., Æ. 78. He m. Abigail, daughter of Deacon John Patch of the Hamlet; she d. Feb. 8th, 1812, Æ. 89. He left children, Nehemiah, Mary Lakeman, Elizabeth Choate, Bethiah Dodge, Abigail Cogswell, Martha Appleton, Lydia Patch, Jemima Brown, Mercy Clinton, Eunice Dane, Joanna Baker, Hepzibah Smith, seventy-eight grandchildren and twenty-four great grandchildren, and in all one hundred and fourteen descendants; he had lost one daughter. He left a large estate. He held various offices in the town, was Representative in 1780, 1782, 1784, 1787, was on the Committee of Correspondence and Inspection, and otherwise took an active part in the contest for Independence.
1801, May 10th. Deacon Aaron Perkins, of the First Church, d., Æ. 56. His wife, Hannah, d. Feb. 16th, 1823, Æ. 79.
1804, May 27th. Deacon Caleb Lord, of the same Church, d., Æ. 79. He had fourteen children, none of whom lived to

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be a year old. The Rev. Levi Frisbie said of him that he was "a man remarkable for his christian honesty, godly simplicity, and virtuous moderation."
1805, Dec. 19th. Dr. Parker Russ d. at Chebacco, Æ. 36. He m. Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan Cogswell, Esq. She was born Aug. 6th, 1773, and d. June 5th, 1803.
1806, April 21st. John, son of Benjamin Crocker, d. Æ. 80. He was Deacon of the First Church. His wife d. Jan. 11th, 1803, Æ. 72.
1807, April 14th. Daniel, son of Oliver Appleton, bachelor, d. Æ. 87. He left considerable property, which he bequeathed to the poor of Essex county, and especially to the poor "who belong to the household of faith." This was so indefinite that his will was broken, and his estate went to his relations.
1807, Oct. 10th. Deacon James Foster, of the South Church, d., Æ. 91. He was the first Post-master of Ipswich.
1812, Feb. 12th. Deacon Jonathan Cogswell, of Chebacco, d. in his eighty-ninth year. His wife, Mary, d. June 30th, 1813, in her eighty-fifth year.
1814, April 21st. Deacon Francis Merryfield, of the South Church, d., Æ. 78. He m. Hannah Lakeman, who d. Oct. 29th, 1809, Æ. 68. He had thirteen children, of whom four survived him.
1815, Oct. 19th. Deacon Stephen Choate d. of a cancer. He was son of Thomas, and b. 1727. He took a dismission from Chebacco Church to the South Church 1783. He m. Mary, daughter of David Low. She d. about 1768. He m. widow Elizabeth Potter, June 7th, 1770, who d. April 29th, 1814, Æ. 75. He had nine children by his first wife and four by his second. Among them were Stephen, John, David, Isaac, Amos, Mary Brown, Elizabeth Kinsman, Martha Hodgkins, Susannah Choate, Lydia Kendall, and Miriam. Deacon Choate was frequently employed in town business; was feoffee of the Grammar School; on Committee of Correspondence and Inspection in the Revolution; Justice of the Sessions Court; Representative in 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779; of the Senate from 1781 to 1803 inclusive. He so improved the honors of this world, as to render himself more influential in adorning the religion of his Saviour.
1815, March 21st. Daniel Noyes d., Æ. 77. He was a native of Byfield in Newbury. He m. Sarah, daughter of John

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Boardman. She d. Aug. 20th, 1801, Æ. 63. He had children, but none of them outlived him. He graduated at Harvard College in 1758; was long teacher of the Grammar School, of which he became feoffee, and to which he bequeathed six new rights of land; often held offices in the town; was on the Committee of Correspondence and Inspection in the Revolution; kept the Post-office; was nearly forty years Register of Probate for Essex county; Representative to the Provincial Congress in 1774, 1775, and to the General Court in 1775. The faithfulness and ability, with which he discharged his various duties, deservedly gained him high and extensive respect.
1816, April 1st. Major Joseph Swasey d., Æ. 66. He suddenly expired in the Town-House, while taking off his greatcoat to perform his duties as Town Clerk. His wife was Susannah, daughter of Henry, who was son of Rev. John Wise. She d. March 30th, 1821, Æ. 75. His children were, Amy, m. to Professor McKean; Susan to Jabez Farley, Esq.; Charlotte, to the Rev. Ebenezer Hubbard; and Abigail to Joseph Hodgkins. He kept a public house, now occupied by members of the Academy. He was a meritorious officer in the Revolutionary war, was Representative from 1800 to 1807 inclusive. He enjoyed in an eminent degree the confidence of his townsmen.
1816, Sept. 23d. Daniel Rogers, Esq., d., Æ. 81. His widow, Mary, d. Aug. 2d, 1832, Æ. 87.
1817, Sept. 12th. John D. Andrews, graduated at Harvard College in 1810, and attorney at law, d., Æ. 27.
1819, Feb. 18th. Dr. James, son of Aaron Choate, d., Æ. 29.
1819, April 19th. Jonathan Cogswell, of Chebacco, d. He was b. July 11th, 1740, m. Elizabeth Wise, Feb. 4th, 1768, who still survives him. His children were, Elizabeth, Mary, Abigail, Jonathan, and Daniel Dennison. He held the chief offices in the town; was on the Committee of Correspondence and Inspection in the Revolutionary contest; feoffee of the Grammar School; Colonel of a regiment; Representative 1776, 1792, 1793, 1800 to 1813 inclusive, and Justice of the Sessions Court. He was an intelligent, useful, and worthy member of the community.
1819, June 3d. Deacon Nathaniel Kimball, of the South Church, d., Æ. 86. His widow, Elizabeth, d. Oct. 28th, Æ. 83.
1823, July 20th. Robert, the sixth son of General Mi-

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chael Farley, d. He was b. in 1760, m. Susan, daughter of Ephraim Kendall. She and nine of their fourteen children still survive him. He was Aid-de-camp to General Lincoln in Shays’s insurrection; became High Sheriff in 1811; was appointed Colonel of the United States Army in 1813, but declined this office; was Assessor of Taxes for the Ninth District from 1812 to 1813, and Collector of the same from the last named year to 1816. He had a large number of vessels built in this town, and was considerably engaged in commerce. Though he did not agree with the majority of his respected townsmen, as to the cause and continuance of our last war, yet he was honest in the expression and manifestation of such difference in opinion. During this contest with Great Britain, the beginning of which was accompanied with general anxiety and trials, he proved himself a patriotic and faithful officer of the National Administration.
1824, Oct. 19th. Dr. John Manning d., Æ. 86. He was son of Dr. Joseph Manning ; m. Lucy Bowles, Nov. 25th, 1760, who d. Aug. 17th, 1817, Æ. 75. He had eleven children, six of whom survived him, viz. Dr. John, of Gloucester; Lucretia D., wife of Asa Smith, Esq., Dr. Joseph, of South Carolina; Dr. Thomas; Mary, widow of Captain Michael Farley; and Priscilla; the two last being twins. Of his children deceased, were Lucy, wife of Dr. Nehemiah Cleaveland, of Topsfield; Sarah, wife of the Rev. Edward Richmond, D.D., and Richard, and Anstice. He began to practise his profession at Newmarket, N.H.; continued there a year, and returned to Ipswich. — 1771, Oct. 10th. He departs for Portsmouth, whence he sailed for London. here he spent his time in medical improvement till May 8th, 1772, when he commenced his voyage homeward. At the battle of Lexington he was near Boston, having gone thither to remove his sister McKean from the latter place. He met with a British officer, severely wounded, and administered needed aid to him. For this magnanimous act of an American, the officer granted him a pass to enter Boston and take his sister home with him. He hastened to Ipswich, and, it being night, he waked his family, and employed them with himself in preparing articles which he had seen greatly wanted where the battle was fought. With these he immediately returned to the wounded Americans, and rendered many of them much essential help. During the Revolutionary struggle he served

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as surgeon at Newport, R.I., he was Representative 1781, 1782, 1784, 1787, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1794. He did much to promote manufactures in this town. Such enterprise cost him considerable property. For his efforts, in 1777, to have the inhabitants here inoculated with the small-pox, he encountered no small degree of opposition. His talents, attainments, and experience, rendered him, for a long period, eminent in his profession.
1825, March 15th. Deacon Mark Haskell, of the First Church, d., Æ. 81. His widow, Mary, d. 1832, Æ. 86.
1826, Oct. 26th. Nathaniel Wade d., Æ. 76 years and eight months. He was son of Timothy, a descendant of Jonathan, who was in Ipswich 1635. He m. Mary, daughter of Colonel Joseph Foster of Gloucester, July 17th, 1777. She d. Dec. 25th, 1785, Æ. 28. He m. Hannah, daughter of Jacob Treadwell, Oct. 29th, 1788. She d. May 4th, 1814, Æ. 51. His children were Nathaniel, William Foster, Mary, and Timothy. He sustained various trusts in the town; was long County Treasurer, and Representative from 1795 to 1816 inclusive. He distinguished himself as an intelligent, active, patriotic, brave, and faithful officer in the Revolutionary war. He took part in the battle of Bunker Hill (as Captain of the Ipswich Minute-men), of Long Island, of Haerlem, and White Plains. He was Colonel during the whole campaign in Rhode Island. While on duty there, he sat as President of a Court-Martial in Providence, Dec. 23d, 1777. As the following letter to him was written the Father of our Country, on an occasion particularly interesting to young and old, perhaps it may be properly inserted here.
"Head-Quarters, Robinson’s House, 25 Sept., 1780.
"Sir,
"General Arnold is gone to the enemy. I just now received a line from him, inclosing one to Mrs. Arnold, dated on board the Vulture. From this circumstance, and Colonel Lamb’s being detached on some business, the command of the garrison, for the present, devolves on you. I request you will be as vigilant as possible; and, as the enemy may have it in contemplation to attempt some enterprise, even to-night, against these posts, I wish you to make, immediately after the receipt of this, the best disposition you can of your force, so as to have a proportion of men in each work on the

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west side of the river. You will see or hear from me further to-morrow.
I am, Sir, your mo. obt. servt.
"Geo. Washington."
The confidence thus signally placed in him, Colonel Wade merited, and continued to preserve. In 1786, he commanded a regiment against the insurgents under Shays. For many years he was Colonel of a regiment in Middle Essex. When introduced to Lafayette at Ipswich in 1824, the General immediately recognised him, and grasping his hand, said, "My dear Sir, I am rejoiced to see you, — it is just such a stormy night, as we had when I met you in Rhode Island." While he lived, his benevolent manners and actions secured to him high and extensive esteem.
1829, March 14th. Dr. John F. Gardner, a native of Lynn, graduated at Harvard College 1813, d., Æ. 35.
1829, Sept. 25th. Joseph Hodgkins d., Æ. 86. he had three wives, Joanna Webber, Sarah, daughter of Dea. Aaron Perkins, and Lydia, widow of Elisha Treadwell and daughter of Dea. John Crocker. The last d. June, 1833. He had sixteen children, and only one survived him. He held several town offices, and was Representative from 1810 to 1816 inclusive. The active part which he took in the Revolutionary struggle, secured to him long and deserved respect. He was Lieutenant in the Ipswich company, at the battle of Bunker Hill. He was also in the battles of Long Island, Haerlem Heights, White Plains, and Princeton. He was at the capture of General Burgoyne’s army. He succeeded Colonel Wade in the command of Middle Essex Regiment. Having tried the world in its various appearances and attractions, he found them all insufficient to afford him pure and permanent satisfaction. This led him to seek for the good part in the high Captain of our Salvation. He appears to have made this choice, so divinely wise, in the latter part of his life. It was the solace of his declining years, the light of his eternal prospect, and the pledge of his perpetual and abounding blessedness.

Thus we have noticed a small part of the individuals, who once gave animation to the social scenes, — once filled various spheres of action, in this community. What we say of them, as to their departure, will soon be said of us. Nor, in view of the dictates uttered by our rational and im-

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mortal nature, should such a fact be merely noticed with the eye, nor merely expressed by the lips; it should reach our hearts, influence our motives and purposes, and lead us to redeem our time, so that it may be wisely and happily connected with eternity.

A list of some persons, who are found to have died in their 90th year or older: —
1702, May 17th. James How, freeman 1637, of West Ipswich, 104.
1711, Jan. 11th. Abraham Foster, in his 90th year.
1728, March 28th. Abraham Tilton, of the Hamlet, in his 90th year.
1735, Aug. 25th. Simon Chapman, over 93, the oldest town-born child, when he died.
1759, May 19th. Widow Ann Burnham, of Line-Brook Parish, 94.
1780, Jan. Widow Berry, 94.

After this we have a regular account of deaths, occurring in the First Parish, from which the following are selected: —
1786, Jan. 7th. Widow Elizabeth Day, 96 years and ten months; left seven children and forty-four grandchildren.
1788, Dec. 20th. Widow Haskell, 99 years and eight months.
1788. Mr. Thomas Hodgkins, 97.
1789, Feb. Widow Mary Sayer, 94.
1789, May 19th. Widow Ruth Urin, 90.
1792, Sept. Benjamin Newman, 90.
1794, Jan. 4th. John Appleton, 90.
1794, Dec. 18th. Isaac Appleton, 91.
1796, May 24th. Daniel Safford, 90.
1797, Aug. 12th. Widow Henderson, 95 years and eleven days.
1799, Nov. 29th. Widow Ruth Greely, 96.
1801, Feb. 19th. Widow Anna Wells, 93 years and eleven days.
1801, Feb. 23d. Jeremiah Fitts, 99 years and one day.
1803, July 3d. Widow Priscilla Treadwell, 99.
1804, July 31st. Dinah, a black woman, 102.
1807, Feb. 1st. Joseph Fowler in his 92d year. His wife, Esther, d. Jan. 31st, in her 74th year. They were both buried in one grave.
1812, March 1st. Miss Martha Symonds, 90.
1817, Oct. 2d. Mrs. Remember White, 92.

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1819, March 29th. Samuel Lord, 90.
1820, March 4th. Mr. Daniel Choate, 91.
1820, April 6th. Mr. Thomas Day, 90.
1826, Jan. 28th. Widow Mary Lord, in her 94th year; joined the First Church when 92.
1826, Oct. 10th. Mrs. Jane Williams, 91.
1827, Oct. 1st. Widow Sarah Galloway, 90.
1828, Nov. 3d. Mrs. Sarah Holmes, 96.
1829, Feb. 2d. Mrs. Hannah Lord, 90.
1830, Jan. 13th. Mrs. Mary Peters, 90.
1830, April 3d. Mrs. Mary Perkins, 93.

Other deaths found elsewhere: —
1798, Dec. Elisha Brown, 90.
1801, Feb. James Ross, 99.
1803, Sept. John Fowler, 91½; left seven children, fifty-eight grandchildren, and eighty-six great grandchildren.

Mortality in the First and South Parishes in the following years: — 1806, 39. 1813, 24, nine males, and fifteen females. 1814, 37, eighteen males, and nineteen females. 1816, 38, eighteen males, and 20 females.
In 1814, more than 120 persons, about 1/15 of the Ipswich population, were aged 70 years and upwards, of whom 25 individually exceeded 80 years.
From 1785 to 1812 inclusive, there were, in the First Parish, comprising about 1000 souls, 72 deaths of 80 years and over, i.e. eleven of 80, three of 81, six of 82, eight of 83, seven of 84, seven of 85, four of 86, five of 87, five of 89, five of 90, two of 91, one of 93, one of 95, two of 96, one of 97, three of 99, one of 102.
We are informed, that in Sweden, where longevity is greater than in the rest of Europe, 56 of 1000 deaths, are of 80 years and upwards. But the proportion of such aged deaths in Ipswich, from 1785 to 1812, was as 125 of 80 years and over out of 1000 deaths. This would make the proportionate number of individuals, deceased here in advanced life, more than twice what it is in Sweden.
Of the preceding 72 deaths, there were thirty-four widows, five spinsters, four whose husbands were alive; twenty-eight males, and one whose Christian name is not recorded to denote the sex. Of 71, then, forty-three were females, and twenty-eight males, making fifteen more females than males.

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On the list whence these deaths were taken, there are several instances of aged husbands and wives dying nearly together, which confirms a remark frequently made to this effect, when one of an aged couple is taken away.
It has been remarked by writers on longevity, that more women than men become old, but that fewer of the former become very old. This remark does not hold in reference to the seventy-two deaths, previously mentioned, so far as their ages go. It is, however, probably correct when it refers to ages of 110 and upwards.
Dr. Rush observed, that in the course of his inquiries he met with only one person above eighty, who had lived unmarried. But of the foregoing seventy-two, there are three exceeding eighty, one of them eighty-five, another eighty-seven, and a third ninety. Mr. Whitehurst has asserted, that Englishmen in general are longer lived than the people of our country. We doubt whether his assertion proves true in reference to the longevity of Ipswich, if it do to that of other parts of New England.
The proportion of inhabitants, dying annually in this town, is as about 1 to 50; while at Philadelphia it is as 1 to 45, in Salem, Mass., 1 to 47, and in London, 1 to 24. This view shows that the more dense and numerous the population of a place, the more is life shortened. This fact may be owing, in a considerable degree, to greater dissipation among certain classes, and to the less pure air of large towns and cities.

Deaths, in Chebacco Parish, of persons in their ninetieth year and over: —
1773, March 26th. Jacob Burnam, 91.
1774, Feb. 16th. Zechariah Story, 90.
1774, May 17th. Miss Peggy Killum, in her 90th year.
1776, Aug. 21st. Widow Hannah Ayres, a noted school-mistress, near 100.
1778, April 27th. Miss Hannah Giddings, in her 93d year.
1780, Oct. 22d. Anne, widow of John Procter, in her 93d year.
1781, Jan. 30th. Thomas Jones, in his 90th year.
1782, Oct. 2d. Widow Hannah Choate, in her 91st year.
1790, Feb. 20th. Martha, widow of Captain Jonathan Burnham, in her 90th year.

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1794, Oct. 16th. Elizabeth, widow of David Burnham, in her 92d year.
1796, April 13th. Jonathan Smith, in his 92d year.
1797, Dec. Widow Pearse, in her 90th year.
1799, Aug. 20th. Joseph Marshall, 96.
1800, Sept. 27th. Ned Choate, a negro, member of the Church, 90.
1802, July 29th. Thomas Giddings, 94. He walked nine miles, to Gloucester, within a year before his death.
1809. Widow Martha Andrews, 90 years and 11 months.
1814, Aug. 16th. Widow of Nathan Lufkin, 93.
1816, March 27th. Widow Smith, 97 years and 3 months.
In the account whence the preceding list was taken, we have 676 deaths, for a period of 43 years, and 80 of the persons aged 80 years and above. Of these 80 persons, 37 are males and 43 females. Of the last, 31 are widows, seven, whose husbands were alive, and five single women. The first 12 years had 214 deaths, and 34 of them over 80 years. The second 12 years had 170 deaths, and only 10 over 80. The third 12 years had 168 deaths, and 21 over 80 The remaining 7 years had 124 deaths, and 15 over 80. The average number of deaths in Chebacco for 43 years was nearly 16 a year.

Deaths, in the Hamlet Parish, of 90 years and upwards: —
1778, March 26th. Widow Elizabeth Dodge, 98.
1778, Dec. 18th. Benjamin Ireland, 100.
1779, Sept. 2d. Nathaniel Emerson, 96.
1779, Sept. 9th. Widow Lydia Brown, 90.
1780, Feb. 12th. Widow Marshal, 102.
1781, Feb. 9th. Captain John Whipple, in his 92d year.
The deaths in the Hamlet for 21 years down to 1792, are 252, making an annual average of 12. The deaths of 80 years and upwards, for the same period, are 33. Of these are 17 widows, one woman with a husband, and one single female, and 14 men. Among the 252 deaths were five of insane persons.

BURYING PLACES

1635. A burying-ground is mentioned on the town records, as having been occupied. This seems to have been the one now used on the north of the river.

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1681, Feb. 15th. One acre is granted for a grave-yard at Chebacco.
1705. The Hamlet is granted, by the town, one acre of common for a grave-yard, which was exchanged, in 1706, for the land now occupied as a burial-place.
1763. The Hamlet pass a vote of thanks to John Hubbard for giving them a quarter of an acre to enlarge their burial-place.
1773, May 21st. The South Parish choose a committee to consult with a committee of the First Parish about purchasing land on the south of the river for a burying-ground. The committees appear to have effected this object immediately. The decent appearance of a cemetery, with here and there a yew tree or a weeping willow, as emblems of affectionate sorrow, gives the stranger a favorable impression of the town where such a depository for the dead is seen. Miserable, and may we not say sacrilegious economy indeed it is, to let out our grave-yards for a paltry sum, to be browsed by beasts, which often beat down and break the stones, that mark the spots where human dust reposes.

SEXTON’S FEES

1809, May 29th. The town vote, that for digging a grave and tolling the bell for an adult from December 1st, four months, $2; and for the other eight months, $1.50, and for a child, $1.

DISEASES

These, like all our afflictions, are mercifully and divinely intended for our spiritual benefit. Human experience and revealed truth affirm, that if improved, —
“All evils natural are moral goods.
All discipline, indulgence on the whole.”

51682, April 13th. Mrs. Bishop’s family had been lately sick with the small-pox.
1690, Dec. 31st. The same disease is in the town. We,

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who live in this age of invented remedies, can hardly sympathize with the former people of Ipswich and other places, as to their distressing fears, when it was known, that the small-pox was in their vicinity, and especially when it was in the midst of them.
651734-5. The throat-distemper is very mortal, and almost destroys the infant population of North Essex.
51752, April 14th. A Committee are to use means for preventing the introduction of small-pox from Boston into Ipswich, and to obtain a house for those, who may be taken with this disease.
1753. Many children die here with the throat-distemper.
1763. In and before this year, consumption was very rare; and when a person was confined with it, his case excited much sympathy and conversation, and he was visited by many from far and near. There are five times more consumptions now than there were fifty years ago.
1773, Oct. 18th. Persons who have caught the small-pox are to be put in some house, whence the disease will not spread.
1774, Jan 31st. There are individuals at the pest-house with the small-pox. Feb. 7th. “Voted, that all the dogs in the town be confined, and if any shall go at large, they shall be killed.” This was, no doubt, to hinder the spread of the small-pox. 17th. Voted to have a shifting and cleansing house near the pest-house.
1773 and 1774. The putrid nervous fever, now called typhus, prevails both of these years at Chebacco; and, the former year, the same disease and canker prevailed at the Hamlet.
1775. In the latter parish, fevers are fatal to a considerable number.
1776. The “throat-ail” prevails at Chebacco.
1777, June 30th. A committee report, that there are sixty-one cases of small-pox in the east part of the Hamlet.
1778, Feb. This disease still continues in the Hamlet, and people from other towns come to be inoculated.
1796. Throat-distemper spreads in Chebacco.
1800, June 9th. Voted, that the persons, who, in the opinion of the selectmen, have been exposed to take the small-pox from one, who has had it in the town, repair within

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twenty-four hours to Mr. John Lummus’s and be inoculated at their own expense. Oct. 16th. Voted, that Dr. Thomas Manning have liberty to inoculate not more than ten people for the small-pox, who have had the kine-pox.
1801, May 6th. He is granted a similar liberty with reference to as many as thirty persons, in order to test the kine-pox. He was the first physician, who introduced the inoculation for the kine-pox in this vicinity. He received the matter for this purpose from his brother, then in London. The experiment, which he tried, with the preceding permission of the town, was completely successful. He found that not one of his patients, who had had the kine-pox, could take the small-pox.
1802, Sept. Scarlet fever prevails here.
1810, May 9th. Voted, that a committee superintend the inoculation for the kine-pox, agreeably to a law of the Commonwealth passed in 1810.
1823, May 14th. Voted, that the selectmen take the oversight of inoculating for the kine-pox.

PEST-HOUSE

1764, Nov. 13th. The town agree to build a pest-house on Wolf-pen plain, 24 feet wide, and 30 long, at the cost of £82.
1774, Feb. 7th. The house of Capt. Thomas Dodge, near the Common Fields, is to be occupied as a pest-house.
1775, March 7th. The pest-house is to be removed to the northwest part of Scott’s Hill.
1804, Dec. 17th. It is ordered that this house be removed up to the poor-house.

BATH

51724, March 3d. Dr. Thomas Berry petitions, that “as it has been found by experience, that a cold bath is of great service to mankind, and there being a suitable place to erect one at the upper end of the spring in Hog Lane, nigh the house

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of Thomas Grow,” he may have twenty feet of land below the bank at the foot of the upper spring to erect a bathing-house. This request was granted.

EXHUMATION OF THE DEAD

1818, April 17th. Great excitement prevails in Chebacco parish, because it was discovered, that not less than eight bodies had been taken from their grave-yard. They adopt measures for detecting the person or persons concerned in this act. July 23d. Rev. Mr. Crowell preaches, at the request of his people, an interesting sermon on this occasion from John xx. 13. The individual, who was found to have disinterred these bodies for anatomical purposes, was largely fined.

FUNERALS

Speaking of such ceremonies in Massachusetts, Lechford says in 1641, — “At burials nothing is read nor any funeral sermon made, but all the neighbourhood, or a good company of them, come together by tolling of the bell and carry the dead solemnly to his grave, and there stand by him while he is buried. The ministers are most commonly present.” The particulars wherein this custom, as it was then, differs from what it is now, are so evident as not to need description. As far down as 1698, it was a practice, when females were buried, for women to walk first, and when males, for men to do the same. Formerly funerals were much more expensive than they have been within the last sixty years. Especially were they so, when persons of large property or of public office were buried. In compliance with a custom of this kind, we have the following, in reference to the Rev. Thomas Cobbet’s burial.
51685, Nov. 6th. Voted, that some persons be appointed to look to the burning of the wine, and heating of the cider against the time appointed for the funeral. The expense of this occasion was £17 9s., exclusive of clothing for the minister’s family. Among the articles provided were thirty-two gallons of wine, and a larger quantity of cider, with 104

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pounds of sugar, and about four dozen of gloves. When we compare the drinking part of this account with our present practice and views of temperance, it seems incongruous. But we remember, that “the times change and we change with them;” that if such provision had not been made, it would have been construed as an outrage on propriety, as then defined by public opinion. The funeral charges of a respectable man interred here in 1739, exceeded those of Mr. Cobbet’s as previously stated, as much as ten times. Considerable had been said and done to put down so costly and useless a custom before the following notice was given.
661753, Dec. 11th. “This is to inform the inhabitants of this government, that the King’s Attorney-General is determined to prosecute any person, who shall be guilty of the breach of an act now in force, intitled, An act to retrench extraordinary expenses at funerals.” Such an effort of civil power did not entirely bring the charges of burying noted persons to their present level. Besides other considerable expenses, the Hamlet Parish, when about to inter their minister, Mr. Wigglesworth, in 1768, purchased six gold rings for the bearers, and one for a candidate who was preaching for them, and eighteen pair of men’s white leather gloves for attending ministers. When the necessities of the Revolution began to press on the people, they lessened their funeral gifts, as to gloves, rings, and entertainment.
1769. Up to this date, no burial was allowed on the Sabbath, except leave was granted by a Justice. Such strictness has since continually declined.

REMARKABLE EVENTS

A WOMAN, BLIND, DEAF, AND DUMB. 221637, Aug. 3d. An aged person of this description resided here. "Her son could make her understand any thing, and know any man’s name, by her sense of feeling."
CANKER-WORMS. These abounded in 1665, 1686, and 1769. There were many of them about forty years since. They came again in 1824, since which they have annually increased and spread. The comparative scarcity of birds is one probable reason why such worms have continued so long.

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DROUGHTS. These were remarkable in 1639, 1644, 1662, 1666, 1672, 1685, 1748, 1757, 1762. The last, as an aged man states, cut off most of the hay and corn; and the former article sold for four times its common price.
STORMS. There were severe storms Nov. 10th, 1652, and Dec. 1667.
1727, Sept. 16th. A severe gale, which did much damage.
1793, July 6th. Saturday, P.M., a tempest accompanied with hail and rain. Some of the hailstones measured from their extreme jagged parts seven inches in circumference. They averaged nearly the size of a hen’s egg. They broke down flax, corn, and other grain, stripped fruit trees, and destroyed about 5000 squares of glass in the main part of the town. The storm extended three miles each way from the midst, where this glass was broken.
1804, Oct. 9th. A great gale with much rain. Many trees were blown down, a large number of fowls, turkeys, geese, sheep, and cattle died by its severity.
1815, Sept. 23d. Violent storm. The spray of the salt water was carried from the sea-shore forty or fifty miles. Apples and other fruit were blown off, corn injured, fences and trees prostrated.
WINTERS. 1686. One so severe, that a considerable number of cattle were frozen to death.
671748, Feb. 10th. Many and great snow storms. 22d. Snow on a level two feet and a half, and four and a half in woods. 29th. No traveling about, except on rackets.
LIGHTNING. When buildings are mentioned here, it will be understood that they were destroyed by this fluid, unless otherwise expressed.
341668, Aug. A great oak in Scott’s Lane was rent to pieces and some logs were broken from it by lightning, and thrown off several rods. A man in the house, next the tree, was struck down by the flash, but recovered.
1670. Edward Allin’s barn, with sixty loads of barley.
1671, May 18th. The house of Serjeant Perkins was struck on the Sabbath, while many people were there to repeat the sermon delivered that day. The fluid made several holes in his waistcoat, and knocked him and others down, but they were revived. The timber work of the building was in-

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jured. The same year, a sheet of fire descended before the house of the Rev. Wm. Hubbard, but only shivered the trunk of an oak near by.
1741, April 7th. Mr. Low, of the Hamlet, who had left his house but a short time after breakfast, was found in the evening, under a tree, killed by lightning.
1781, March. Lightning descended the chimney of Samuel Adams, at the Hamlet, struck down his wife, who was resuscitated, killed a dog near the andiron, whence his daughter had just risen, and two sheep at the end of a barn.
1783. Thomas Burnham’s barn at Chebacco.
1791, June. The same man who is mentioned in 1781, and his two sons, to avoid a shower, fled to an oak for shelter, preceded by a dog. This animal, reaching the tree first, was instantly killed by a flash, which shivered the oak and rendered one of the sons senseless, who was revived.
1792. A barn and store-house, belonging to the widow of Francis Brown.
1815. A barn of Captain Oliver Appleton.
1829, Aug. 8th. A barn of James Sawyer, filled with hay.
1831, Aug. 23d. A barn on the farm of Nathan Brown’s heirs.
FIRES. The notice given at the commencement of the preceding head, is also applicable to buildings here, as destroyed by fire.
1665, May 3d. General Dennison’s house.
1742, March 23d. The inhabitants of Chebacco vote, that, as there is some money contributed by them for the relief of the people in Carolina, who had lost their property by fire, and it has not been sent for, it shall be given to John Belcher, their neighbour, whose house has been burnt.
1743. A contribution at the Hamlet, to make up Mr. Marshal’s loss by fire.
1753. A house of James Patch, at the Hamlet. Another of Mr. Foster, near the ship-yard.
1770. A house and all its contents.
1783, Dec. 10th. A barn, with a winter’s stock of hay, owned by John Piemont, innholder. About the same year, Isaac Procter’s house; 1793, Stephen Story’s house; and, 1802, David Choate’s barn; all of Chebacco.
1811, June 9th. At 2 o’clock in the morning, a house of Captain David Pulsifer, near Mr. Kimball’s meeting-house.

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Most of its contents were lost, and its inhabitants barely escaped with their lives.
1831. A hatter’s shop in High Street.
LOSSES. 51707, Dec. 25th. Joseph Esty, in consideration of his great loss, has his tax remitted.
1765, Aug. 9th. £10 are granted to Henry Russel, in view "of his late misfortune."
1771, March 18th. The Commoners gave £10 to Anthony Loney and Moses Pindar, because their fulling-mill had been borne away by a freshet.
DARK DAY. 1780, May 19th. Darkness came on like that of an eclipse. By 9 o’clock, A.M., persons could not see to weave. Candles were lighted to dine by. As the day began prematurely to put on the appearance of twilight, cattle lowed, and fowls went to roost. The darkness of the succeeding evening was almost palpable. Many feared and trembled, lest the end of all things had come. They alone are truly wise, who seek the Lord when the bow of his mercy is over them, as well as when they hear his thunders, and behold his lightnings.
INDIVIDUALS DROWNED AND KILLED. 341635, Aug. 15th. "An old man, that used to go to sea in a small boat, without any other help save a dog, which he had taught to steer, sailing down Ipswich River, was warned of a storm that appeared;" he profanely answered, that he would go out. He did, and neither he nor his boat was ever seen again.
1648, Oct. A shallop, which had been a fishing with others all summer, and was attempting to make a harbour at "Damaril’s Cove, was overraked by the surf, and all drowned, being four Englishmen, and one Indian, and the goods all perished."
Before 1683, Joseph, son of Robert Lord, was killed by the falling of a tree.
51686, Aug. 2d. Daniel Warner, killed by a horse.
1702, Aug. Nathaniel, son of Colonel Thomas Wade, drowned at sea.
41723, Dec. 1st. Daniel, son of John Rogers, President of Harvard College, perished in a snow storm, on his way home from Salisbury, after missing the Ferry, and wandering in the marshes. He left a widow, Sarah, and children, Daniel, minister of Littleton; John; a daughter, wife of John Watson; Margaret, m. to the Rev. Robert Ward of Wenham; Patience,

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m. to Joshua Freeman; Priscilla, m. to the Rev. Nathaniel Leonard; and Elizabeth, m. to Peleg Wiswall. He was b. Sept. 25th, 1668. He graduated at Harvard College, in 1686, long kept the Grammar School, was Representative in 1716, was many years Town Clerk, Justice of the Quarterly and General Sessions Courts, and a physician.
681727, Oct. 16th. "We are informed, from Ipswich, that on Wednesday night last, a young woman of that place, being more merry than wise, dressed herself in men’s apparel, intending a frolic at a place some distance off; but as she was riding through a river or pond, her horse, in all likelihood, threw her into the water, where she was taken up the next day drowned."
1736, April 27th. Mr. John, son of Francis Wainwright, drowned.
About 1764. Joseph, brother of the Rev. George Leslie, returning to West Ipswich, from a residence at St. John’s, was drowned with his wife and seven children.
1771, August. Paul Whipple, of the Hamlet, d. in consequence of being over-heated, while mowing.
September. At the Hamlet, a child of Mr. Bolles died by drinking scalding water from a tea-pot.
1777, Aug. Jonathan Galloway, drowned on board of a privateer ship, which suddenly sunk off Plumb Island.
1778, Oct. 11th. A Salem sloop, laden with rum and sugar, was stranded on Ipswich beach, and six of the crew, being all but one boy, who was washed ashore, perished.
1781, Oct. William Whipple, Joseph Cole, and James Batchelder, of the Hamlet, were lost at sea.
1782, Feb. 19th. Captain John, son of Dr. John Calef, was drowned back of Plumb Island, while attempting to reach the shore from his vessel, cast away on the beach, and on her return from the West Indies.
Sept. 22d. Joseph Emerton, in his seventieth year, and Aaron Burnham, in his fortieth, were drowned at the mouth of Chebacco River.
1784, Oct. 1st. At night tow boats with nine men, coming ashore from a fishing vessel, were overset and eight of them drowned.
1785, Sept. 12th. Philip Lord, Jr., Æ. 37, Thomas, Æ. 27,

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and Josiah, Æ. 22, sons of Samuel Lord, and Isaac Galloway, Æ. 14, were drowned in Plumb Island River.
1786, April 7th. John Lufkin, Æ. 17, and Abner Low, Æ. 9, were drowned while digging clams in Chebacco River.
Nov. 30th. Captain John choate, of the same parish, was lost by shipwreck on the coast of France.
1787, Feb. 21st. Francis, a child of William Cogswell of Chebacco, died by falling into a kettle of boiling chocolate.
1788, April. Joseph Perkins, Æ. 30, fell from the bowsprit of a vessel and was drowned.
May 7th. John, son of Nehemiah Choate, was killed by falling from a horse.
Oct. Dummer Jewett, Esq., died in consequence of injury received by leaping thirty feet from a garret window, while deranged. He was son of the Rev. Jedediah Jewett of Rowley, graduated at Harvard College in 1752; he took a distinguished part in promoting our Independence; was Representative in 1776, 1780; was a noted Lawyer, and of very estimable character. He left a wife and children.
Nov. 17th. Joseph Wilcome, Æ. 20, killed by falling from a vessel’s shrouds.
28th. Amos Burnham, in his fifty-fourth year, drowned, while fowling, in Chebacco pond.
1789, Aug. 8th. Deacon John Patch, Æ. 90, of the Hamlet, died from hurt received by the overturning of a chaise.
Dec. 9th. James Robertson, of the same parish, Æ. 12, was killed by being thrown from a horse.
1790, Aug. Aaron Day, in his sixty-fourth year, drowned in a creek, at the marshes.
1792, July 18th. Benjamin Procter, Æ. 79, of Chebacco, having fallen from his horse, was drowned in a creek.
1794, Sept. 9th. Ebenezer Mansfield, Æ. 61, of the same parish, was killed. This summer, Caleb Burnham, and all his crew, of Chebacco, perished at sea.
1795, March 13th. Parker Story, in his thirty-fifth year; Thomas Holmes, Æ. 29; Aaron Story, in his twenty-eighth year, and Moses Pearse, Æ. 16, perished in Chebacco River, during a severe snow storm.
July 8th. Michael Story, in his twenty-sixth year, so wounded himself by falling from the ridge-pole of a barn-frame, at Chebacco, as to die in a few hours. Two others were badly hurt with him.
1796, May 16th. Jesse, son of Jesse Burnham, in his seventh

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year; Aug. 19th., Bennet, son of Enoch Burnham, in his thirteenth year; both drowned at Chebacco.
1796. Nathaniel Hodgkins, and Moses S. Spillar, washed overboard at different times, and drowned.
1798, April 12th. John Appleton, Æ. 48, died by falling from a barn scaffold.
Sept. 11th. A son of John Procter, at Chebacco, died by sucking the hot steam from the nose of a coffee-pot.
Dec. 10th. Richard Pearse, of the same parish, washed overboard, and lost.
1802, Oct. Polly, daughter of Stephen Story, died with the lock-jaw.
1808, April 25th. News that Robert Lord was drowned at sea.
1814, Jan 5th. Betsey Telock, Æ. 49, is burnt to death. It has been commonly reported, that she came to her end by spontaneous combustion from the inordinate use of ardent spirits. But it is the opinion of the gentleman, who first discovered her body, soon after the flames in her room were extinguished, that she caught her bed-clothes on fire with a candle, and thus lost her life.
1816, Feb. 1st. Moses Smith, of Ipswich, was killed at Topsfield by a fall from a staging.
April 15th. William Holmes, of Chebacco, in his twenty-seventh year, died with the lock-jaw.
1818, Dec. Josiah Poland, of the same parish, killed by falling from a ship’s mast, in New York.
1820, Dec. 25th. Daniel Rogers, Æ. 47, supercargo of the ship Rolla, from Newburyport, was wrecked on Cape Cod, and perished with others.
1828, June 28th. John W. Gould, Æ. 9, was killed by a bull, on Plumb Island.
Dec. 12th. David Sheriff, of Boston, was killed by a fall from the Ipswich factory.
1829, Sept. 8th. Luther Hallowell, died by having a well cave in upon him.
In reference to a considerable number of the preceding casualties, surviving relatives could feelingly adopt these words,
"Oft our most sanguine views the event deceives,
And veils in sudden grief the smiling ray." -- WEST

EARTHQUAKES. Besides the memorable earthquakes of

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1638, 1658, and 1663, which were felt here, as in other places, we have the following.
1727, Oct. 29th. One occurred on Sabbath night, forty minutes past 10 o’clock. It was followed by others. It so affected the minds of people, that it was a means used by the Holy Spirit to produce a very powerful revival of religion in the Ipswich parishes. The same desirable result was experienced throughout New-England.
1744, June 3d. Another took place on Sabbath forenoon, while people were at meeting. In the Hamlet, Mr. Wigglesworth’s hearers were exceedingly alarmed, while he was conducting the worship. He endeavoured to calm them, and remarked, "There can be no better place for us to die in, than the house of God."
1755, Nov. 18th. The following record, under this date, was made by the Rev. George Leslie. "Between the hours of four and five in the morning, there happened a most surprising shock of an earthquake, which was succeeded by several others; though none equal to the first. In the town of Ipswich much damage was done to many houses; yet, through the goodness of God, no hurt was done either to the lives or limbs of any persons." He informs us, that the evening before the earthquake was uncommonly clear and calm.
VISITS FROM STRANGERS. 1637, June 15th. Governor Winthrop sets out for Ipswich, which he visited now, and at other times.
1663. John Josselyn spends a little time here.
1686. John Dunton, from London, comes to negotiate with Mr. Hubbard, and others, about books.
1716, Oct. 16th. Governor Samuel Shute, on his way to N.H., is escorted into town, and entertained at Colonel John Appleton’s.
1782, Nov. 13th. Marquis De Chastellux, on a travelling tour, stops here for refreshment.
1789, Oct. 30th. George Washington, on his visit to the North, is escorted into town; receives a short address; dines at the inn, then kept by Mrs. Homan; reviews a regiment, mustered to honor him; is visited by many; stays three hours, and leave for Newbury, through lines of a multitude comprising both sexes of all ages, who had assembled to give him, with deep emotions of gratitude, a welcome and a parting look. Seldom is respect more heartily and deservedly rendered, than it was on this occasion.

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1824, Aug. 31st. General Lafayette, who had formerly honored this place with a visit, now does it the same favor. He did not arrive till between seven and eight in the evening, after having been expected most of the day. The weather was rainy, and the travelling muddy. Still, when he entered the meeting-house, which was lighted up, he was received by the silent but grateful looks of a crowded assembly. Here he was addressed by Nathaniel Lord, Esq., and made a short reply. He was then conducted to Nathaniel Treadwell’s inn, where he was refreshed, and visited by some Revolutionary soldiers. He left with his suite at 10 o’clock, for Newburyport, amid the benedictions of many hearts.
WITCHCRAFT. 41652, Sept. 28th. A man is sentenced at Ipswich court to pay 20s., or be whipped, for "having familiarity with the devil."
561692, June 30th. Elizabeth How, of West Ipswich, is tried for witchcraft. After various witnesses against her are heard, she is condemned to death. She was executed on Gallows Hill, in Salem, July 19th. She left a husband, James; and children, Mary and Abigail; who, in 1712, received £12 for damages, occasioned by the prosecution of their mother, from the Province.
Aug. 3d. John Procter, who had removed hence to Salem Village, and been condemned for witchcraft, has a petition sent in for his reprieve, signed by thirty-two of his Ipswich neighbours, who spoke highly of his character. Still, this benevolent effort was in vain. Deep delusion shut up almost every heart, and threw a thick veil over almost every understanding.
Aug. 31st. The wife of Peter Cloyce, who lived at Salem Village, is confined as a witch in Ipswich prison.
69Sept. 27th. John Shephard, of Rowley, is bound over for assisting to convey Mary Green, a prisoner, charged with witchcraft, out of this jail.
70Oct. "Some accusers were sent for to Gloucester, and occasioned four women to be sent to prison; but Salem prison being so full, two were sent to Ipswich prison. — Nov. They were sent for again by Lieut. Stephens, who was told that a sister of his was bewitched. In their way, passing over Ipswich bridge, they met with an old woman, and instantly fell into fits.

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But by this time the validity of such accusations being much questioned, they found not the encouragement, that they had done elsewhere, and soon withdrew." Happy for this town, that such a scene occurred at no earlier day; had it, more than one of the inhabitants would have probably become the victims of popular delusion.
711693, 2d Tuesday of May. The Supreme Court sit here, try, and clear several person of Andover, accused of witchcraft.
69Dec. 26th. Ipswich is assessed £51 19s. for its part of the expenses, incurred by sessions of the Oyer and Terminer Court, to try those who were charged with this offence. Thus closed one of the darkest, deadliest infatuations, which ever fell upon New England. Its criminations were so indiscriminate; its excesses carried so far, as to break the spell, which had long given it credibility and victims; to wrest it, as a dreaded instrument, from the hand of fiendish revenge, and trample it down with the forbidden follies of human, but penitent, fallibility.
LARGE CHILD. 451793, July 18th. Polly, a child of John Procter, Jr., of Chebacco, twenty-seven months old, weighed from seventy-five to eighty pounds. Its measurement round the body was thirty-one inches and three quarters; round the shoulders, thirty-four and a half; arm, below the elbow, nine and a half round; calf of the leg, twelve; and height, thirty-five inches and a quarter. It weighed only eight pounds when born. Notwithstanding its large dimensions, it enjoyed excellent health. It attracted so much notice, that it was exhibited in several towns. This child, having still continued to grow as it had done, died Oct. 24th, 1793, Æ. 2 years and 7 months lacking 6 days.
SPECTRE ACCOUNT. We give the subjoined, as a matter of history, without pretending to settle the question about apparitions.
681729, Dec. 1st. Last week, one belonging to Ipswich came to Boston and related, that, some time since, he was at Canso, in Nova Scotia; and that on a certain day there appeared to him an apparition in blood and wounds, and told him, that at such a time and place, mentioning both, he was murdered by one, who was at Rhode Island, and desired him to go to

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the said person, and charge him with the said murder, and prosecute him therefor; naming several circumstances relating to the murder; and that since his arrival from Canso to Ipswich, the said apparition had appeared to him again, and urged him immediately to prosecute the said affair. The abovesaid person, having related the matter, was advised and encouraged to go to Rhode Island, and engage therein, and he accordingly set out for that place on Thursday last."
DELIVERANCES. 721633, Sept. The Tarrentines had designed to cut off the people of Ipswich, "when they were between 20 and 30 men, old and young, and when most of the men had gone into the bay, about their occasions, not hearing of any intention thereof. It was thus, one Robin, a friendly Indian, came to John Perkins, a young man, living then in a little hut upon his father’s island, on this side of Jeffrey’s Neck, and told him, that, on such a Thursday morning, early, there would come four Indians to draw him to go down the hill to the water-side, to truck with them; which if he did, he and all near him would be cut off; for there were forty birch canoes, which would lye out of light, under the brow of the hill, full of armed Indians for this purpose. Of this, Perkins forthwith acquainted Mr. John Winthrop, who advised him, if such Indians came, to carry it roughly towards them, and threaten to shoot them, if they would not be gone, and, when their backs were turned, to strike up the drum he had with him, besides his two muskets, and to discharge them; so that six or eight young men, who were in the marshes hard by a mowing, having their guns ready charged, might take the alarm, and the Indians would perceive their plot discovered, and haste away to sea again. This was accordingly so acted, and took like effect; for he (Perkins) told me, he presently after discovered forty such canoes sheer off from under the hill, and make as fast as they possibly could to sea; and no doubt but many godly hearts were lifted up to heaven for deliverance."
221634, Nov. 18th. An open pinnace of Mr. Henry Sewall, of Ipswich, going deeply laden from Boston, was cast away on the rocks, at the head of Cape Ann, in a northeast storm, but the crew were saved.
Nov. 24th. One Scott and Eliot were lost in their way

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homewards, and wandered about six days, and ate nothing. At length they were found by an Indian, almost senseless. A man was 21 days on Plumb island, and was found in the snow, yet alive and well.
341675, Sept. 18th. The person of whom this is related was under Capt. Lothrop, when defeated by Indians. "Capt. Mosely came upon the Indians in the morning; he found them stripping the slain, amongst whom was one Robert Dutch, of Ipswich, who, having been sorely wounded, by a bullet that raised his scull, and then mauled by the Indian hatchets, was left for dead by the savages, and stript by them of all but his skin; yet, when Capt. Mosely came near, he almost miraculously, as one raised from the dead, came towards the English, to their no small amazement; by whom being received and clothed, he was carried off to the next garrison, and is living, and in perfect health at this day."
721676, May 3d. "A note is handed in on the Sabbath, by the pious parents of Goodwife Kimball, that she, and her five children, taken at Bradford by Indians, who killed her husband, might be delivered." These captives were carried forty miles into the wilderness. She was freed without ransom, after being twice condemned to death, and fires made ready to burn her and her infant. She and her children were brought to Ipswich on the 13th of June.
34Oct. Thomas, son of the Rev. Thomas Cobbet, after suffering much as a captive among Indians, at the eastward, more than nine weeks, is ransomed for a coat. This was done by the influence of Mug, an Indian chief, who stopped, while on his way to Boston for negotiating a peace, at Ipswich, and then promised Mr. Cobbet, the father of the young man, that he would send him home.
201720, Nov. 30th. Nicholas Woodbury, of the Hamlet, returned from Canada last Saturday, after enduring many hardships, as a captive among Indians. He was taken by them in 1712, while in service at Wells. He was obliged to pay £30 for his redemption. The General Court allow him £60. Dec. 3d. They appoint him interpreter of the Indian language, as the province may need his service in this respect.
We here close our chapter of things, which are out of the
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© 2005 by John Slaughter