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An indenture made June 26, 1706, between "John Gibbs of the Island Bermudas, joiner, and Susannah, his now wife, the daughter of William Prout and Love, his wife (daughter of Jotham Gibbons, formerly of Boston, Gent.)," and "William Cutter, housewright, for £100 in current New-England, granted and sold him of certain land in Charlestown, commonly called Squaw Sachem's farme,' about fifty-six acres ;" and "John Vaughan, Isle Bermudas, Gent., and Margaret, his wife (daughter of John Fowle of Bermudas, minister)," on the same day sold William Cutter, for £100, about fifty-six acres more, being the eighth lott of the Squaw Sachem's farm,' that was formerly Major Gibbon's estate," then included within the limits of Charlestown.† William thus became possessor of a tract of land now the nucleus of several valuable farms on the western shore of Mystic Pond.

In the preceding paragraphs mention is made of a certain mill privilege near William's homestead. This property, quite intimately connected with his interests, still remains a means of support to numbers of his descendants. It is proper to digress somewhat and give of it some historical notice.

On Oct. 3, 1635, the ship Defense, Thomas Bostocke, master, arrived at Boston from London, with Rev. Mr. Shepard and family, Col. Roger Harlackenden, Joseph and George Cooke, and other emigrants as passengers.

Fleeing religious intolerance at home, this little company of voyagers had departed clandestinely, and in several instances embarked under assumed characters. The ship left port in the earlier days of the July previous, and having "a bottom too decayed and feeble indeed for such a voyage," a perilous leak endangered her safety on the way hither.‡

Among the passengers who "assumed characters," were the brothers Cooke, who were registered as servants to Col. Harlackenden; and they resorted apparently to this subterfuge to mislead the pursuivants, whom the vigilant authorities had directed to thwart their departure. They became freemen, March 3, 1635-6, and settled with their pastor at Cambridge, where they distinguished themselves by their public spirit. George was captain of the Cambridge train-band in 1642; a member of the Artillery Company of Boston, and its commander, 1643; a representative to the General Court of the Colony for five consecutive years, and its speaker in 1645. He commanded the troops sent to arrest the enthusiast Gorton and company, 1643; and was one of the commissioners appointed by the government to determine and settle the controversy, either by a mild and impartial hearing, or by bringing the Gortonists to Boston by force in case of refusal. Afterwards he appears to have returned to the old country, and in 1651 was a colonel in the Protector's forces then operating in Ireland, where he probably died in Cromwell's service the year following.§

Bounded N. on Mystic Pond; E. on Cambridge line; S. on the "Mill-brook," or William's land; and W. on land of "John Voan of Bermudies."-Midd. Reg. Deeds, xv. 524. + Bounded N., Mystic Pond; E. upon the ninth part of said farm of Gibbs; S., Cambridge line; and W. upon the "seventh lott of said ffarme."—Ibid.

273.

Young's Chron. Mass. 544; Magnalia (3d Edition) i. 385; 3 Mass. Hist. Coll. viii. 268,

Savage, Geneal. Dict.; Hutchinson's Hist. Mass. i. 115; Johnson's Wonder-Working Providence, bk. ii. cap. 26, &c.

Shortly after his arrival at Cambridge Col. Cooke built a grist-mill on the brook before noticed, and Dr. Samuel Read, of Stafford, in England, furnished funds for the purpose. This was a great enterprise in those times, and controlled the location of highways in that section. The colonists adopted very primitive appliances for grinding grain, having recourse usually to aboriginal stone mortars and pestles. Cooke's molendinary structure possibly stood on the present estate of Mr. Cyrus Cutter, and was erected for "the first supply of Boston market with rye and Indian corn meal, furnishing the healthy bread of its first inhabitants." In the neighborhood of the mill Cooke owned considerable land, which was afterwards designated as his "farm." By wife Alice he had issue in Cambridge.‡

While absent from home he consigned his business to the care of his consort, a woman sagacious and energetic. Once during her administration certain officers of revenue chanced to visit the region, assessing taxable property. Mrs. Cooke, rather averse to the tax, determined to evade payment in the greatest degree possible, and prepared duly for their reception. Mills incapable of the usual functions appear not liable to heavy assessment. Evidently aware of this, Mrs. Cooke adapts her knowledge to the exigency. She proceeds to the mill with a servant, and directs the removal of the horns from the water-wheel; arranging the machinery in a manner the spindle would revolve without turning the mill-stones. When the officers examined the premises, particular attention was called to this circumstance, which they failed to understand. Mrs. Cooke's explanations found ready credence, and convinced the assessors of its depreciated value. They accordingly departed, and the mill rested awhile lest suspicion might arise; but the night following it was kept steadily grinding to regain lost time.§

As Cooke was of an adventurous and military turn of disposition, the wars then waged by the Protector Cromwell doubtless engaged his earnest attention, and instigated his return to his native country to do service in them, as before mentioned. Pecuniary difficulties perhaps oppressed him, and his family very likely accompanied him when he left these shores forever.

His estate in this country appears to have descended at his decease to his daughter Mary, who eventually married, it is said, Samuel Annesley, Esq. of Westminster, England, who was called "her mother's younger brother," and with whom she was living in 1691. Her sister Elizabeth married Rev. John Quick, of St. Giles, Cripplegate, London. On April 19, 1669, Mary consigns the entire estate to her attorney to be sold in her behalf; and September 27, 1670, it was purchased by John Rolfe, of Nantucket, "planter,” for the sum of one hundred and sixty pounds.T

* Vide Hist. Reed Family, 39.

The 15th of the 2d Mo., 1639, Wee, Webcowet and Squaw Sachem do sell unto the inhabitants of the towne of Charlestowne all the land within the line granted them by the Court (excepting the farmes and the land on the west of the two great ponds, called Mysticke Ponds), from the south side of Mr. Nowell's lott, neere the upper end of the ponds, unto the little runnet that cometh from Capt. Cooke's mills," etc.-Vide Brooks's Medford, 72-74.

+ Farmer's Monthly Visitor (Concord, N. H., April 30. 1847), Vol. ix. No. 4.

Namely: Elizabeth, b. 27 Mar. 1640; d. Aug. '40. Thomas, b. 19 June, 1642; d. 16 Aug. 42. Elizabeth, b. 21 Aug. 1644. Mary, b. 15 Aug. 1646.

The writer is indebted to a kinsman, Mr. John Cutter, Arlington, for this traditionary reminiscence from his grandparent, Mrs. Lucy (Adams) Cutter.

Savage, Genealogical Dictionary.

"Know all men by these presents, that I Mary Cooke of the Parish of Martins in the fields, Spinster, do constitute and appoint Mr. Edward Collins my true and Lawful attorney for me and in my name to dispose of that land in N. E. which was my fathers Collo

For some reason, now unknown, Cooke's mill and the buildings adjoining were demolished, and at the time of Rolfe's purchase "a few small ruins thereof" were the sole remains. Rolfe rebuilt the mill, erected a house and barn, and carried on the business until his death, Oct. 1, 1681.* Dying at the house of his brother Benjamin Rolfe, at Newbury, he made his will on the day of his decease; in which instrument he bequeathed his eldest son John the land he "lived upon, with the mill and houses upon it"-excepting one acre of land he had given "his son William Cutter." His farm was divided among his other sons, and his inventory makes mention of his owning three-quarters of the corne mill,” and meadow adjoining in Charlestown. The genealogy of John Rolfe is somewhat obscure, but all authorities agree in pronouncing him the grandson of Henry Rolfe, an early settler of Newbury. He was the parent of several children, and father-in-law of William Cutter. From John Rolfe, Jr., the mill property appears to have been transferred to his "brother-in-law," abovesaid, who built a dam for its convenience. At William's decease it was conveyed to his sons, and has remained in possession of certain of their descendants ever since.

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William Cutter, by his wife Rebecca, was parent of ten children, nine of whom attained maturity and gave birth to a numerous progeny. June 3, 1724, his widow married John Whitmore, Sen., a deacon, and highly trustworthy citizen of Medford. She gave £6 towards defraying the expense of "communion utensils" for Menotomy church, 1739, and died Nov. 23, 1751, aged ninety years. Dea. Whitmore, her husband, died Feb. 22, 1739-40, æ. 84.‡

nell George Cooke and now belonging to mee as he shall think best for my advantage either by letting or selling it, and whatever he shall think fit to be done in it, I shall agree to, and in every respect give him as full power to bargaine or sell it as if I were present, and shall be ready to Confirme any bargain he shall make in my behalfe.

Witnesses present:

Ann Baker

mary Kettelbye.

Witness my hand and scale this

19th day of April, 1669.
MARY COOKE and seale.
Entered decem. 6th 1669 By Thomas
Danforth, Recorder."

"Edward Collins of Meadford, attorney of Mary Cooke, spinster, of the Parish of Martins in the Fields, for £160, paid by John Rolph of Nantuckett Island in N. E., Planter, sell him all those parcels of lands, farmes, and buildings therein scituate, lying and being in New England. One parcel thereof being in Cambridge, containing by estimation 600 acres, more or less-bounded north by Woburn Line-south by Hubert Pelham, Esqr.-cast by land of Widow Russell, and Cambridge Commons, westerly. Also 20 acres-North by Charlestown line, and common lands of Cambridge elsewhere surrounding, with all the buildings and fencing to the same appertaining.-Two acres in Charlestowne limits-the brook, northerly-Cambridge line, southerly; these sometime the possession of Collonell George Cooke, Father of said Mary. Sept. 27, 1670.

Witnesses: Richard Dole

Richard Gardner
Benjamin Rolfe."

* Vide Major Convers's Deposition in APPENDIX.

EDWARD COLLINS, Attorney, &c.
[Midd. Reg. Deeds, iv. 39.]

+Rolfe's children born at Nantucket were: John, b. 5 Mar. 1663-4; Samuel, 8 Mar. 1665-6; Sarah, 2 Dec. 1667; Joseph (afterwards of Woodbridge, N. J.), 12 Mar. 1669-70; Hannah, 5 Feb. 1671-2. Coffin, Hist. Newbury, ascribes Rebecca, "b. 9 Feb. 1662," a child of John and Mary (Scullard) Rolfe, of Newbury.-Vide Hist. Newbury; Savage, Geneal. Dict.; N. E. Geneal. Reg. vii. 181.

Dec. 7, 1739. "Voted by this church that their pastor and deacons be appointed to give the thanks of this church to the First Church in Cambridge for their respect and kindness to us in giving twenty five pounds towards procuring utensils for our communion table, and also to Mrs. Rebecca Whitmore of Medford, who gave six pounds for the same u-c.”—Second Precinct Church Records.

Deacon John Whitmore gave one pewter flagon to the First Church in Medford (vide Brooks's Hist. p. 265). A similar flagon is inscribed

"The Gift of Rebeckah Whitmore to y2 2d Church of Christ in Cambridge, 1739.”

William Cutter was respectably affluent. His will and inventory are curious and interesting documents. The former exhibits good sense and paternal care; the latter minutely enumerates the pecuniary value of his "moveable estate." Choice passages of scripture, inscribed in his chirography on the fly leaves of the family Bible, reveal his general religious sentiments.

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning: Psal. 30. 5." "Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men: Pal.

59. 2."

"Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears; for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

"O spare me, that I may recover strength before I go hence, and be no more. Psal. 39. 12, 13." "William Cutter, 1708."

"Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: 1 Chron. 29. 11."

"Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul: Ps. 25. 1."

"Vanity of Uanities, Saith the Preacher, Vanity of uanities; all is vanity: what profit hath a man of all his Labour which he taketh vnder the Sun: one generation passeth away and another cometh; but the world abideth forever."

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes: Psal. 119. 71."

"When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. Prov. 11. 2."

"O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure Psal. 38. 1."

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He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Prov. 29. 1."

He was buried beside his parents at Old Cambridge, where his gravestone is still standing.*

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Will of William Cutter.

In the name of God Amen this first day of June in the year 1722. I William Cutter of Cambridge in the County of Mid in the provence of the Massachusetts Bay in New England. Yeoman. being of perfect mind and memory. Praise be to Almighty God. Do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form as followeth ; First and principally I do commend my soul into the hands of God Almighty, hoping through the merrits death and passion of my Saviour Jesus Christ to obtain full and free pardon of all my sins and to inherit eternall life, and my body I commit to the earth to be buried att the decresion of my executtors hereafter mentioned. And as touching my temporal estate which Almighty God has bestowed upon me I give and despose as followeth.

First that all my just debts and funerall charges be paid and discharged.

Item I give to my dear and loving wife Rebeckah Cutter the full improvement of a third part of my lands and the Est end of my now dwelling house during her natural life, and a third part of my moveable Estate to be at her own despose forever.

Item, my will is that my four sons Richerd Cutter, John Cutter, William Cutter, and Samuel Cutter have all my homelands lying both in Cambridge and Charlestown to be equally divided amongst them, according to quantity and quallity; and what I have given by a deed of gift unto my son Richard shall be accounted as part of his proportion of land; and I give to my son Richerd my barns, and I give him my dwelling house after the decease of my wife. And my will is that my lands shall be so divided as shall be most commodious and convenient to thir houses; and that my son William shall chouse his houseplot in my land lying in the bounds of Charlestown, and adjoyning to my homeplace. And that all my other lands, uplands & meadows lying in Charlestown, Cambridge & Lexington be divided into four parts to each of my abovesaid sons their equal part in quantity and quality. All which I give to my abovesaid sons and to their heirs and assigns forever, they paying the legacies hereafter mentioned and performing the things.

*

Item my will is that my houseplot lying in Cambridge that I bought of Cousin Champney shall be to my youngest son, viz: Ammi Ruhamah Cutter (which with the learning I bestow on him shall be the full of his portion), which said houseplot I give to him and his heirs and assigns forever. And my will is that my executors hereafter named shall provide and at their equal cost aford suitable maintainance for the bringing up my son Ammi Ruhamah Cutter through the schools of learning untill he take his second degree in the Colledge; and I afford or give to him so many books as shall be thought neces sary by the president or fellows of the Colledge; and I give him a young horss fit for riding when he has commenced master or the value thirof out of my personall estate. And I give to my son William Cutter that part of sd meadow which I bought of my brother Ephraim Cutter and the other three acres more or less which was my

* Hephzibah (Corlet) Champney, widow. She sold him five acres on the highway in Cambridge, "leading to mills ware," Sept. 2, 1715.

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