RUTLAND, MASS.-This town is one of the oldest and most interesting in central Massachusetts, and it may be of interest to give a few items connected with its early history and settlement. The first title is from the Indians, and bears date Dec. 22, 1686, running to Henry Willard, Joseph Rowlandson, Joseph Foster, Benj. Willard and Cyprian Stevens, and was for a tract some twelve miles square known by the name of Naquog. This deed was not recorded till April 14, 1714, in the county of Middlesex. This title was confirmed by the General Court in 1713, on the condition that sixty families be settled on the same within seven years, that the town be called Rutland, and other conditions relating to schools and churches, and other minor considerations.

This large tract embraced what is now Rutland, Oakham, Barre, Hubbardston and a large part of Princeton, likewise nearly one half of Paxton. In 1715 six miles square was set off from the original grant, by the parties in interest, for settlement according to the act of the General Court, and it was this portion of the original grant which holds the name of Rutland, except the small portion taken to form Paxton as before named.

Sixty-two"house-lots" of thirty acres were surveyed and assigned to sixty-two families in the year last above named, and in 1720 all of the conditions of the act establishing the town had been substantially complied with by the original proprietors, and hence their title to the whole grant became perfected. It would appear that these proprietors gave up half the original grant in order to secure or perfect their title to the remainder.

The names of the sixty families settled in Rutland between the years 1713 and 1720, as given in Reed's Rutland, are as follows, namely:

Samuel Wright, Cyprian Wright, Jacob Stevens, Robt. Patrick & Co., Simon Davis, William Blair, Samuel Ball, Josiah Haynes, Joseph Wright, Estes Hatch, Samuel Sewall, Graves & Barnard, Clarke & Hendry, Joseph Stevens, Ezekiel Day, Daniel Shepard, John Buttolph, Wm. & J. Allen, Thomas Wheeler, Thomas Smith, James Pitts, Michael Gill, Thomas Fitch, John Smith, John Jeffries, Samuel Goodenow, Thomas How, Isaac Gibbs, Daniel How, Moses How, Jonas Clark, James Browning, Eliezer Brown, Samuel Davis, George Robbins, Henry Franklin, David Melvin, Jonathan Willard, Thomas Reed, Jacob Farrar, Ebenezer Davis, Samuel Stone, Jonathan Waldo, J. & J. Crosby, Benj. Fletcher, John Dokin, John Barber, Mark Perkins, John Charnock, Edward Rice, Jonathan Sewall, Eliezer Ball, Eliezer Heywood, Edward Rice.

Some of the above named held more than one "house-lot," and then there was the minister's lot and the school lot, &c. LEDYARD BILL.

Paxton, Mass.

PIERCE AND TRUE RECORDS.-The following entries were probably made in a " Day book or Ledger," and only this leaf is preserved. They are copied for the REGISTER by Josiah L. Hale, M.D., of Boston.

"An Account of the Deaths, Births and Marriages of my wife's family: 1776. May 15, Grandmother Jackson died aged eighty-two [82].

1778. January, Capt. George Peirce was drowned at the Downs in Eng.

1782. Dec. 30, Grandfather Jackson died aged ninety-three [93].

1785. Oct. 16, Mr. John Lewes died aged 59 years.

1786. Oct. 21, Mother Truc departed this Life in 67 year of her age. 1793. Sept. 26. Father True Departed this Life in 83 year of his age. These ages taken from Father True's book.

1739. I was married to Abigail Jackson. 1740. Nov. 20, Abigail True was born.

1744. April 1, Obidiahr True was born.

1746. Oct. 9, Jemima True was born.

1753. Oct. 31, Mary True was born. 1756. June 26, Comfort True was born.

1798. January 3, Daniel Pearce Departed this Life æ. 51.

FORTUNES OF AMERICAN FAMILIES.-Frederic Gregory Forsyth, Esq., 52 State street, Portland, Me., is engaged in writing a book under this title, which is to be a companion series to Sir Bernard Burke's Vicissitudes of Families." He solicits information which will aid him in this work.

INDICOTT RECORDS.-The following records have been copied for the REGISTER, by William A. Bowdlear, Esq., of Boston. They are from a family bible which originally belonged to James Indicott, by whom it was presented, July 18, 1789, to Edward Bell, son of Thomas and Hannah (Crafts) Bell, and grandson of Daniel and Abigail (Connable) Bell, at about the date of his marriage to Sarah Sprague, cousin of the said James Indicott. Edward Bell was a brother of Daniel Bell, grandfather of Mr. Bowdlear. Edward was born Feb. 3, 1766, and died Oct. 18, 1809:

My Grandfather John Indicott, Died May 26, 1757.

My Grandfather James Day Died, June 29, 1763.

My Grandmother Elizabeth Indicott, Died March 14, 1765.

My Grandmother Mary Day, Died Oct. 19, 1763.

My Father, John Indicott, Died September 6, 1772.

My Mother Elizabeth Indicott, Died November 6, 1787.

My Uncle Joseph Indicott, Died March 9, 1765.

My Aunt Rebecker Indicott Died February 17, 1769.
My Uncle Joseph Day Died January 14, 1773.
My Uncle James Day

My Uncle James Indicott Died October 14, 1769.
My Uncle Jeremiah Day Died,

1757.

My Aunt Sarah Sprague [that was Sarah Endicott] Died February 8, 1786. [Her first husband was Day; issue, one daughter, who married David Wood, of Charlestown (baker). Her second husband, Samuel Sprague, of Charlestown; issue, Sarah married Edward Bell, ten children; Samuel married Deborah Wallace, six children.]

My Aunt Ginney Day

My Brother John Indicott

My Sister Eliza Blair

My sister Mary McCluer died

[Torn off] ter Mary Indicott
Torn off] r David Indicott
[Torn off]., Indicott

[Torn off] tt died.”

WHO RANG THE BELL ON INDEPENDENCE HALL, JULY 4, 1776?-Can any reader of the REGISTER tell who rang this bell on that occasion? He is described in Barnes's Centenary History," Ridpath's "United States History," and Lippard's "Legends of the Revolution," as an "old man," but there is no name mentioned, and I have been unable by inquiry to ascertain it. ROBERT E. WEIGHLEY.

Myerstown, Pa.

MERCHANT. In a notice of the descendants of Eleazer Davenport in the REGISTER, vol. iv. p. 116, the name of William Merchant, who married Dec. 22, 1749, the widow of John, son of the Hon. Addington Davenport, is written Marchant. From a record of one of the descendants of John Davenport, and from a memorial ring in my possession, inscribed, Mrs. A. Merchant, ob. 16. Dec. 1788. æ 80," I conclude it should be so written. S. CUTLER. Boston, Mass.

DOUGLAS. The interesting circular of contents of the REGISTER for January, 1874, contains a brief genealogy of the Douglas Family of Mass. and Maine." My greatgrandmother was Bridget Douglass of Douglassville, in Amity Township, on the R. R. eleven miles below Reading. I wonder if this is not the same family? The name was formerly spelled with one s. They were Scotch Episcopalians, and the old St. Gabriel Church and burial ground at Douglasville is one of the oldest and most interesting spots in Pennsylvania. HENRY MAY KEIM. Reading, Pa.

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF VERMONT.-A bibliography of the state of Vermont, by M. D. Gilman, Esq., of Montpelier, Vt., was commenced in the Montpelier Argus and Patriot, Jan. 22, 1879. Two or three columns are printed each week, and it will take about a year to complete the publication of it. The subscription price of the Argus and Patriot is $2 a year.

VOL. XXXIII. 22*

LEONARD.-The writer is a descendant of Solomon Leonard, an original proprietor of Bridgewater, Mass., and one of the earliest settlers in that town. An interest in the genealogy of our family began to be awakened when I found in Judge Mitchell's History of Bridgewater, soon after it was published in 1840, that my great-grandfather Joseph (17) was married to Mary Packard, 1721, when he was but eight years of age! Ever since that time, as leisure and opportunity would permit, I have been gathering material, in this country and in Europe, for an authentic genealogy of the Bridgewater branch of Leonards," and their connection with other branches of the name. Judge Mitchell was a noble man, and performed a noble work in compiling and publishing this history. Although it contains numerous errors, it has been, and will continue to be, of inestimable value to historians and genealogists. He laid foundations upon which others have built more perfect structures. He had an interleaved copy of his work in which he noted, to the end of his life, all errors or additions that he discovered, or were brought to his notice. Cannot that copy be found, and the possessor be induced to present it to our library, where it will be accessible to the vast number of persons who would be benefited by the records it contains?

A few months before his decease, I had several pleasant interviews with him, when with his characteristic kindliness and interest, he gave me much information relative to my ancestors, and the corrections he had made since his history was published.

He had learned that Jacob, son of Solomon, had a wife previous to the one mentioned in his will as his present wife Susanna," who had sons, Joseph3 and Josiah. The former married Martha, daughter of William Orcutt, born in 1671, and bad:

Ephraim, m. Martha, daughter of Humphrey Perkins of Hampton, N. H., September 16, 1720.

Joseph, who m. Mary, daughter of Nathaniel Packard of Bridgewater, September 14, 1721; and a daughter who m. Fisher, said to be of Rehoboth. Who was she?

Ephraim was a merchant in Bridgewater, for many years after his marriage. Removed to Hopewell, New Jersey, where Eliab Byram, who m. his daughter Phebe, settled as a clergyman. (Mitchell, page 127.)

It has been represented that these families had full records of their ancestors. If so, they may be discovered among some of their descendants.

66

In a genealogy of the Perkins family, published in the REGISTER, vol. xii. page 80 (1858), it is stated that Abigail, youngest sister of Martha Perkins, m. Mr. Leonard, of Bridgewater." Who was he?

The most vigilant search has failed to discover who was Jacob's first wife, where and when she was born and died, and when her children were born. It has been supposed that the family were in Worcester when the first attempt at settlement was made there, and were driven off by the Indians in 1675. He was certainly there with his second wife, and two children born at Weymouth, as soon as the second attempt at settlement was undertaken in 1684-5. They were so harassed by the Indians that they became discouraged, however, and removed to Bridgewater in 1693. A short time before his death in 1717, he deeded his property in Worcester to his nephew Moses, who was a prominent man in W. The children of the first wife probably lived with and were provided for by her relatives (whoever they were), as they were not mentioned in his will made December 14, 1716, proved December 19, 1717.

A liberal remuneration will be made for such information as will enable me to complete an authentic record of the births, marriages and deaths of the three generations commencing with Solomon; including family names of wives. In the early records, the names were sometimes written Lenner, Lennerson and Leonardson. Who was William Leonard, of Bridgewater, m. Sarah Bolton, 1709? Sarah, m. Samuel Perry, December 14, 1710? Benjamin, m. Hannah Phillips, August 15, 1715? And Martha, m. Ebenezer Eddy, of Norton, 1734? MANNING LEONARD. Southbridge, Mass.

DUNBAR.-John Dunbar and Elizabeth his wife were in New Haven in the early part of the eighteenth century. He was father of John Dunbar, of Wallingford, and perhaps had himself lived in that town before going to New Haven. Was he previously from Hingham, Mass.? Had he another wife, and if so, who was she? Who was Elizabeth? E. McC. S.

TYLER'S HISTORY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE (ante, pp. 117-19).-The writer of the notice of this work in the January REGISTER, states (p. 118, 1. 16) that Prof. Tyler, in his specimens of early American literature, has corrected" the loose grammar and incorrect expressions of his subjects." How the writer could get such an idea, we cannot imagine. Prof. Tyler in his preface, in stating the method adopted by him in the reproduction of the literary specimens which he gives, uses this language:

Obviously their value for the purpose in view would be destroyed, if they should be tampered with; if the historian of this body of literature should undertake to improve it by his own emendations of it,-correcting its syntax, chastising its vocabulary, or recomposing the structure of its sentences. This I have never knowingly done."

Prof. Tyler, as far as we can see, has never done this. We have not found a single instance of such changes, nor has one been pointed out to us.-ED.

CHARLESTOWN GENEALOGIES AND ESTATES.-This great work by the late Thomas Bellows Wyman, announced as ready for the press in the REGISTER, Xxxii. 237, will soon be published. The death of Mr. Wyman almost immediately after the printing was begun, increased the need of careful supervision; but the work has progressed, it is believed, with accuracy under the editorship of Mr. Henry H. Edes, and in strict accordance with the plan upon which Mr. Wyman himself superintended the printing to the time of his death. The work-of which only a limited number of copies are printed-is larger and more expensive than at first estimated, the two volumes filling more than eleven hundred closely-printed royal octavo pages. It is published by subscription, but a few copies will be on sale by the publishers, David Clapp & Son, Boston, after the subscribers of last year have been supplied.-ED.

PELHAM.-An exhaustive article by Col. Joseph L. Chester, LL.D., on the Pelham family, will appear in our July number.-ED.

TOWN HISTORIES IN PREPARATION.-We learn that histories of the following towns have been undertaken. Persons having documents or facts relating to either of these towns, are advised to send them to the historian of that town.

Bordentown, N. J.-By Major E. M. Woodward, of Ellisdale, Monmouth Co., N.J. The title of this book will be "Bordentown and the Surrounding Country." It will contain a complete and thorough narrative of the landing, hamlet, village, town and city from the location of its site in 1681, by Thomas Farnsworth, to the present time. It will contain over 470 pages, handsomely printed and neatly bound in cloth. Price $3.

Burlington County, N. J.-By E. M. Woodward. "The Old Families of Burlington County, New Jersey," as this book will be entitled, will contain over 270 pages, handsomely printed and neatly bound. Price, $3. It will contain, when possible, the founders in America, where they came from, the vessels they arrived in, their descendants for several generations, and other interesting facts concerning them. The prospectus contains a list of sixty-three families.

Orders for the two preceding books (Bordentown and Burlington County) should be addressed to J. D. Flynn, Bordentown, N. J. The two books bound together will be furnished for $5. They will be published by subscription, and only as many copies as are subscribed for will be printed.

Grafton, Mass.-By Frederick C. Peirce, Esq., of Barre, Mass. The original name of Grafton was Hassanamisco or Hassanamesit, so called for a tribe of Indians who were in subjection to the Nipmucks. He will give a sketch of these two tribes of Indians; the Indian church, established in 1674; a biographical sketch of the principal Indians here; sketches of Rev. John Eliot and Maj. Gen. Daniel Gookin; the incorporation of the town, the origin of its name; its action in the French and Revolutionary wars, and those of 1812 and the Rebellion. Also the genealogies of the older families. It is expected to be published during the year, and to make a volume of from 600 to 700 pages.

Henniker, N. H.-By L. W. Cogswell, Esq. He has been several years engaged on a history of this town from the grant in 1735 to the present time. It will furnish

an impartial civil, ecclesiastical and military history of Henniker, with biographical sketches of its prominent men and women. A full genealogical register will also be given, three thousand names being already tabulated.

Woodbury, Ct.-By William Cothren, of Woodbury. Mr. Cothren, the author of the "History of Ancient Woodbury," has issued proposals for a volume of "Genealogical Statistics" of that town, to contain "a correct list of all births, baptisms, marriages and deaths in ancient Woodbury, including the towns of Washington, Southbury, Bethlehem and Roxbury, from the first entry, May 8, 1670, down to the present day." The work will contain 250 pages. Price, $2.50. The history already published and this volume, making three volumes in all, will be furnished for $9.

GENEALOGIES IN PREPARATION.-The attempt to collect information respecting Genealogies in Preparation, which the Committee on the Library has in hand, meets with such marked success that all readers of the REGISTER who are engaged in such researches will confer a favor by sending their names to the undersigned, who will forward a circular, to such as have not received one, which may be filled out and returned at convenience.

Already nearly two hundred and fifty replies have come in, many of them containing names of several families, which are being traced, and the information so gained is of great value to genealogists.

Families possessing manuscript genealogies would find them of the utmost service if left in charge of the Society, where they may be easily referred to and are safe from loss or destruction. WM. H. C. LAWRENCE, of Com. on Library.

18 Somerset St., Boston.

We continue from the January number our list of genealogies in preparation. Persons of the several names are advised to furnish the compilers of these genealogies with records of their own families and other information which they think will be useful. We would suggest that all facts of interest illustrating the family history or character be communicated, especially service under the U. S. government, the holding of other offices, graduation from college or professional schools, occupation, with dates and places of birth, marriage, residence and death.

Baldwin. By C. C. Baldwin, Secretary of the Historical Society at Cleveland.It will contain several thousand descendants of the first settlers in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The descendants of John of Stonington will be by Hon. John D. Baldwin of Worcester. The lines of six of the emigrants are traced in England. Early contributions of matter are desirable, as the work is soon to be printed.

Boyden. By Amos J. Boyden, Esq., Foxborough, Mass.-Persons interested in this family are requested to give such information as they have on the subject at their earliest convenience, giving names, dates, native places, etc. Any information concerning Nathaniel Boyden, born 1650, son of Thomas who settled in 1634 at Watertown, will be thankfully received.

Folsom. By the Rev. Jacob Chapman, Kingston, N. H.-This work has been heretofore announced, and brief notices of the early generations were printed in the REGISTER (ante, xxx. 207-31). Members of the family are requested to send the Rev. Mr. Chapman the records needed to complete the genealogy, without delay. He will furnish blanks free to aid any who request them in filling out the record of their families.

McCrillis. By H. O. McCrillis, Esq., Taunton, Mass.-He will be thankful for information concerning the family. Address him as above.

Rylands, Ryland, Riland, Rylance, Roylance, &c. By J. Paul Rylands, Esq., F.S.A., Highfields, Thelwall, near Warrington, England.-Mr. Rylands is collecting information concerning these families, with the intention of issuing a privately printed volume on the subject. He wishes to obtain notices of persons of the names in the United States, Canada, &c.

Spooner. By the Hon. Thomas Spooner, 130 Dayton St., Cincinnati, Ohio (ante, xxx. 107).—Mr. Spooner writes that he is revising his work, and hopes to have it ready for the press in about six months. It will make two volumes of about 700 pages each. The biographical sketches will be as full as they can be made from the materials furnished by the relatives. Within a few months a final circular of queries, for additions and corrections, will be issued.