other sources it appears that the first regular church gathered here was on July 20, 1664, and the first minister was Rev. John Eliot, Jr., son of the apostolic missionary of that name. He died, exceedingly lamented, in 1668, in the 33d year of his age. Rev. Nehemiah Hobart was ordained his successor, Dec. 23, 1674. His character it is said may be collected from the following inscription placed on his tomb-stone: Hoc tumulo depositæ sunt reliquiæ reverendi et perdocti D. D. NEHEMIE HOBART, Collegii Harvardini socij lectissimi, ecclesiæ Neotoniensis per annos quadraginta pasteris fidelissimi et vigilantissimi, singulari gravitate, humilitate æque ac pietate et doctrina-a doctis et pijs eximia veneratione et amore recolendi. Natus erat Nov. 21, 1648. Denatus Aug. 25, 1712, anno ætatis 64. [In this tomb are deposited the remains of the reverend and very learned teacher of divinity, Nehemiah Hobart, an estimable fellow of Harvard College, a highly faithful and watchful pastor of the church of Newton for forty years. His singular gravity, humility, piety, and learning, rendered him the object of deep veneration and ardent esteem to men of science and religion. He was born Nov. 21, 1648, and died Aug. 25, 1712, in the 64th year of his age.] Mr. Hobart was succeeded by Rev. John Cotton, who was ordained in 1714, and died in 1757. The following is the inscription on his monument: Hic depositum mori quod potuit reverendi vereque venerandi JOHANNIS COTTONL ecclesiæ Newtoniensis fidelissimi, prudentissimi, doctissimique nuper pastoris, concio nandi tam precandi facultate celeberrimi, pietate spectatissimi, moribus sanctissimis undequaque et suavissime ab omnibus bene meriti, deploratique auditoribus præcipue, quibus vel mortuus concionari non desinit. Fama longe lateque vocalius et diutius marmore duratissimo, nomen perdulce proclamabit. Morbo non senecta fractus, e vita decessit, Maii 17, A. D. 1757, ætatis suæ 64, officii ministralis 43. [Here lies the mortal part of the Rev. and truly venerable JOHN COTTON, lately the very faithful, prudent and skilful pastor of the church of Newton. He was eminent for the faculty of praying and preaching, was respected for his piety, and held in high and universal esteem for his pure and attractive virtues. His loss is especially deplored by his flock, to whom even dead he ceases not to preach. Fame shall spread his endearing name more loudly, extensively, and permanently than the most durable marble. Broken by disease, not by the infirmities of age, he departed this life May 17, A. D. 1757, in the 64th year of his age, and the 43d of his ministry.] Rev. Jonas Merriam succeeded Mr. Cotton, in 1758; he died in 1780, and his remains were conveyed to a family tomb in Boston. In 1780, a Baptist church was gathered in Newton, and Rev. Caleb Blood was pastor seven years; he was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Grafton. Mr. Grafton died in December, 1836. Measures are taking to erect a monument to his memory. Captain Thomas Prentice, the partizan commander of horse so distinguished in King Philip's war, was of this town; he died in 1709, at the age of 89, in consequence of a fall from his horse. The following lines on the foot-stone of his grave have been deciphered: "He that's here interr'd needs no versifying, A virtuous life will keep the name from dying; Rev. John Elliot, A. M., son of the apostolic Elliot, assistant Indian missionary. First pastor of the First Church, ordained on the day of its gathering, July 20, (Aug. 1, N. S.) 1664, eight years after the forming of a Society distinct from Cambridge, died Oct. 11th, 1668, Æ. XXXIII. Learned, Pious and beloved by English and Indians, "My dying counsel is, secure an interest in the Lord Jesus Christ, and this will carry you safely to the world's end." As a preacher, lively, accomplished, zealous, and Heaven received his ascending Spirit, 155 years since."-Erected by the town, 1823. PEPPERELL. THIS town was incorporated in 1753. This town, with several others in the vicinity, some in Massachusetts and some in New Hampshire, were once included within the ancient limits of the town of Dunstable. The river Nashua forms the eastern boundary of the town, dividing it from Groton and the present town of Dunstable. The land bordering on the river is level, and the soil is good; the land at a distance from the river is uneven. On Nisitissit river there are several mills for various purposes, and the Nashua itself has several falls in its course along the border of the town, affording many valuable water privileges. In the central part of the town there is a village, containing two Congregational churches, one of which is Unitarian, and an Insane Asylum, by Dr. Cutter. Population, 1,586. Distance, 17 miles from Concord, and 33 from Boston. In 1837, there were manufactured 100 pairs of boots and 30,000 pairs of shoes, valued at $25,000; males employed 30; females, 15. There were 3 paper-mills; 550 tons of stock were manufactured; value of paper, $50,000; fifty hands (20 males, 30 females) were employed; 40,000 palm-leaf hats were manufactured, valued at $5,000. Maj. General Prescott, one of the commanders at the memorable battle of Bunker Hill, was a native of this town. READING. THE town of Reading was incorporated in 1644. It is believed that the name of this town ought to have been applied to the town of South Reading, as the first settlement of the ancient Reading appears to have been made within the present village of South Reading. This town was set off as a distinct precinct in 1769. There is much good land in this town, though some portions of it are uneven and hard of cultivation. The principal village in the town consists of about 30 dwelling-houses, handsomely built, and a number of stores, having a business-like appearance. There are two Congregational churches, one of which is Unitarian; in the northern part of the township there is another Congregational and a Baptist church. Population, 2,144. Distance, 17 miles from Concord, 10 west from Salem, and 13 from Boston. In 1837 there were manufactured in this town 707 pairs of boots and 290,511 pairs of shoes, valued at $184,583; there were employed in this business 338 males and 494 females. There were eight manufactories of chairs and cabinet ware; the value of chairs and cabinet ware manufactured was $91,360; one hundred hands were employed. The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the grave-yard of the principal village : Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Thomas Haven, the first Pastor of the 3d church in Reading, who quitted this scene of mortality May 7th, 1782, in ye 39 year of his age, and 12th of his ministry. Stript of its earthly dress, a genius unfettered by bigotry, improved by study, sanctified by religion, ennobled by an evangelic temper, enlarged by the most diffusive benevolence, has taken its flight to its native country. Beloved and esteemed as a most worthy character, whose excellent and acquired abilities and eminent moral endowments afforded the most flattering hopes of great and growing usefulness, his exit at such an early period is sincerely lamented by all his acquaintance, and most especially a most sorrowful event to the people of his charge. According to common reckoning by days, months and years, his death was premature; but computing human life by the advances made in knowledge, wisdom, piety and virtue, he lived to a good old age. In affectionate remembrance of James Bancroft, Esq. Venerated and beloved while living, his memory is blessed. Guided by Christian principle, he was enabled, through a long and useful life, to perform its various duties with fidelity. A defender of his country in her struggle for independence, he was magnanimous and devoted in the discharge of numerous civil offices, disinterested and faithful; and a Deacon in the first church in the place during forty-six years, distinguished by integrity, consistency and independence. In private life he was endeared by mildness and benignity, and ever evinced obedience to the first command by an observance of the second "like unto it." He has gathered to his fathers, "as a shock of corn in its season," May 17, 1831; Et. 92. SHERBURNE. THIS town was incorporated in 1674. It is separated from Dover and Medfield by Charles river. The township is on an elevated site, with a good soil. In the central part of the town there is a village, having two Congregational churches, one of which is Unitarian. Population, 1,037.. Distance, 15 miles from Concord, 10 from Dedham, and 18 from Boston. In 1837, there were 40 pairs of boots and 48,000 pairs of shoes manufactured, valued at $40,000; sixty males and thirty females were employed; 2,000 straw bonnets were manufactured, valued at $4,000. There was an axe, plough and fork manufactory. The value of whips manufactured was $5,325; capital invested, $1,325; twenty-one hands were employed, seven of whom were females. Value of muskets manufactured, $1,600. SHIRLEY. THIS town was incorporated in 1753. This town is well watered, and a large proportion of the township consists of low lands, and its pastures are not considered so good as those of more hilly towns. In the central part of the town are two Congregational churches, one of which is Unitarian. The largest village in the town is in the southern part, near a stream which empties into Nashua river. There is a Universalist church in the village. A society of Shakers live on the southern borders of the town, and their lands extend into Lancaster, in Worcester county. The society consists of from 150 to 200 persons, and are distinguished for their neatness, industry, and the raising of garden seeds, &c. In 1837, there were 3 cotton mills, 2,568 spindles; 474,364 yards of cotton goods were manufactured, valued at $52,100; males employed, 19; females, 39; one woollen mill; 20,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at $12,000; two paper-mills; 300 tons of stock manufactured; value of paper, $20,000; twenty hands (10 males, 10 females) employed; 70,000 palm-leaf hats were manufactured, valued at $12,333. Population, 967. Distance, 16 miles from Concord, 18 from Lowell, and 32 from Boston. SOUTH READING. THE settlement of this place, now called South Reading, was first commenced by emigrants from Lynn. As early as the year 1639, a grant of land was made by the general court to the town of Lynn, as, appears from the following extract from the records of the court: "Sept. 7, 1639. The petition of the inhabitants of Lynn for a place for an inland plantation at the head of their bounds is granted them of four miles square." After this grant, certain persons from Lynn and other places immediately commenced the settlement of the place; indeed, some had taken possession of certain spots of territory, and perhaps had removed hither, in 1638, the year before the grant. The settlement that commenced was called Lynn Village, being a part of the town of Lynn. The land was also purchased of the Indians for £10 16s., and the deeds signed, in 1640, by Sagamore George, his sister Abigail, and Quanapowitt. Lynn village was incorporated by the name of Reading about this time, being about five years since its first settlement. The following are the names of the first settlers, viz : The first Congregational church in this town (being the 12th in the colony) was gathered in 1645, and Rev. Henry Green was ordained its first minister. Mr. Green died in 1648, and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Haugh, in 1650. Johnson, in his "Wonder Working Providence of Zion's Saviour in New England," published about this time, says: "Reading is well watered, and situate about a great pond; besides, it hath two mills, the one a saw mill, the other a corn mill, which stand on two several streams. It hath not been so fruitful for children as her sister Woburn hath; her habitation is fuller in the very centre of the country; they are well stocked with cattle, for the number of people. They have gathered into a church and ordained a pastor from among themselves, at the same time a young man of good abilities to preach the word, and of a very humhle behaviour, named Mr. Green. He, having finished his course, departed this life not long after, whose labors are with the Lord; after him succeeded in the place one Mr. Hagh, a young man, one of the first fruits of New England, a man studious to promote the truths of Christ.-They are both remembered in the following verse, written by Johnson: "On earth's bed thou at noon hast laid thy head, You that for Christ (as Green) here toiled have taken; By weakest means Christ's mighty works hath done, The township of South Reading comprises a tract of 4,200 acres, and is about equidistant from Boston, Cambridge, and Andover, being about ten miles from each. It was originally the first parish in Reading. It was incorporated as a distinct town in 1812. About this period there was quite a political excitement in Reading, as well as in many other places; the inhabitants of the south parish, being mostly on the Democratic side, were left in the minority of the town. Feeling themselves aggrieved by their townsmen who were on the Federal side, they petitioned the legislature for an act to incorporate them into a distinct town, which was accordingly granted. The following shows the appearance of the central part of South Reading, as it is seen while descending the hill a little west of the village. On the left is seen the southern extremity of Reading Pond or lake, near which is the Congregational church; the spire of the Baptist church is seen further to the south. South of the Congregational church extends a handsome green, called the "common," containing about 8 or 10 acres. The different parts of the town, when spoken of in reference to the residence of the people, are designated by the following terms:-"The Common," "Fitch's Hill," Leather Street," "Side the Pond," "Cowdrey's Hill," "Lafayette Street," "Eaton Street," "Water Street," "Little World," "West Ward," "East Ward," and "South Ward." The village called the "Common" contains about twenty dwelling-houses, the two churches represented in the engraving, a number of mercantile stores and mechanic shops, and a large |