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GENEALOGICAL MEMOIR

PRESCOTT FAMILIES

Il^T A.MEIIICA.

IN TWO PARTS.

BY WILLIAM PRESCOTT, M. D.,

FELLOW OP THE MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY ; MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION,

OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE, AND OP THE NEW

HAMPSHIRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY; HONORARY MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN STATISTICAL

ASSOCIATION, AND OF THE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY ; CORRESPONDING

MEMBER OF THE NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC, GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY,

ETC., ETC.

BOSTON:

PRINTED BY HENRY W. DUTTON & SON, Teanscript Building.

1870.

GENERAL PREFACE.

114251i2

To any one acquainted with genealogical investigations it need not be said that the collection of facts embraced in the following Memorial required great labor, thorough and patient investigation, strong deter- mination, and much expense, combined with great anxiety, embarrass- ing difficulties, and perplexity, arising from various causes, to say nothing of the indifference of some, and the discrepancy in the records of others of the connection.

But it has been the anxious solicitude of the author to overcome all these difficulties, as far as practicable, and to produce as full, as correct, and as perfect a record as the means attainable would permit. Yet such is the complication, difficulty and perplexity of the task, that it cannot be presumed to be complete as a whole, or free from error in its details. The descendants have become so numerous and so dispersed over our extensive domain, and almost throughout the world, that very many members, and even whole families have become so lost to the rest, that their history, and even their locality has become unknown. Consequently many vacancies will be found to exist in various parts of the work.* The obstacles and discouragements which attended the commencement of the investigation have been referred to elsewhere. Rut as the researches progressed, obstacles were removed, hidden facts and secluded records were unfolded and brought to light, and light and liope supplanted darkness and ignorance. The more the facts that were brought to light, and the more records the author obtained, the more eager he was to prosecute his inquiries, to pursue his invel^tiga- tions, and accomplish his cherished object.

By untiring industry and perseverence, he soon found himself in possession of a mass of material capable of laying a substantial fouiida-

* Several such lost families and parts of families have been discovered since that part of the record, to which they belong, was printed, and their record, with sundry items of others, may be found in the Appendix.

IV THE TRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

tion for a genealogical record of the family. But by this time he had learned, that so far as he had yet been able to ascertain, there appeared to be two separate and distinct emigrants by the name of Prescott, one by the name of John who came to Boston and Watertown, Mass., in 1640, and another by the name of James, first heard of at Hampton, N. H., in 1 6G5. The question at once suggested itself, in what relation of consanguinity did those emigrants stand to each other? While some alleged that they were near akin, others were of the opinion that their relationship was remote.

This discrepancy of opinion induced the author to institute a thorough and searching inquiry into the history and ancestry as well as descend- ants of each, for the purpose of ascertaining, if practicable, whether they were of the same or of different branches of the name, before coming to America.

But all researches in this country having failed to elicit facts suffi- cient to settle that question, the author was induced to make an effort to obtain the desired and sought for information from England, their na- tive country, and he has been so fortunate as ultimately to succeed in his efforts. By the kindness of F. W. Prescott, Esq., of Brookline, Mass., a Genealogical Chart was obtained, which gave the lineal descent of John Prescott, who came to Massachusetts in 1640, from James Prescott of Standish, in Lancashire, Eng., who was required by an order of Queen Elizabeth, dated Aug., 1564, to keep in readiness horsemen and armor. From tJiis James, John of Watertown and Lan- caster, Mass., was of the fourth generation, through his second son, Roger, and grandson, Ralph.

The oldest son of the above James was James, Jr., Avho married AUice Mollineaux. By sending to England for a further investigation, the'author has ascertained that James Prescott, that emigrated to America and settled at Hampton, N. H., was also a descendant of James, sen or, by wife Standish, from whom he was of the ffth generation, and the fourth generation from James, Jr., and Alice, through their son John, and grandson James, as will be more fully illustrated and explained in the genealogical arrangement, hereafter. By the above it will be seen that both John of Massachusetts and James of New Hampshire wei-e descendants of James, senior, by wife Standish, and that Roger, the grandfather of John, was a brother to James, Jr., the great-grandfather of James of New Hampshire, making John of Massachusetts a second cousin to James, the father of James the emigrant to New Hampshire. We have been thus particular, for the reason that the subject of their

GENERAL PREFACE. V

relationship has so long been involved in uncertainty, and has been made a subject of deep and earnest inquiry.

An opinion has obtained and prevails among many of the descend- ants of the emigrant, John Prescott of Massachusetts, that he was the veritable Sir John Prescott, son of Alexander of London, and who was Knight and Lord of the Manor of Radwinton in Essex, and of Brom- ley in Kent Counties. But Sir John (who also was a descendant of James, senior, by wife Standish, tlirough their fifth son, William, and grandson Alexander of London), died in 1640, the identical year in which John, the emigrant, came to Massachusetts, leaving no son, but two daughters, co-heiresses, so that, upon his death, the male line in his branch became extinct. As Sir Jolin was of the fourth generation from James, senior, he was alike the second cousin to the emigrant John and to James^ the father of the emigrant James.

That the descendants of each of the American emigrants may the more easily be traced, the Memorial has been prepared and arranged in two distinct parts. The first part contains the descendants of John Prescott, the Massachusetts emigrant, and the second part the descend- ants of James, the New Hampshire emigrant. Each emigrant is con- sidered the first generation in tlie part of which he is the American ancestor.

As there is an anxiety in the minds of many descendants to know from which of the sons of the common ancestor they are respectively descendants, I have further divided the work into sections. Each section to contain the descendants of one of the sons of either one or the other of the emigrants. So that the first part will be divided into three sections, one for each of the three sons of John of Massachusetts, while the second part will contain four sections, one for each of the four sons of James of New Hampshire, consecutively.

As the third generation consists of grandchildren of the common pro- genitor, being children alike of his sons and of his daughters, this division into sections for the descendants of his sons only, will not be- come of practical utility until in recording the fourth and succeeding generations.

It is believed that by a due observance of these simple divisions, together with a strict attention to the following Plan, any family or individual may be readily traced and identified.

VI THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

EXPLANATION OF THE PLAN.

As the pliin adopted in the arrangement of the following work may not at once be apparent, the following explanation is deemed important, to enable the inquirer to trace out and find any family or individual desired :

In each of the two Parts of the following Memorial, the descendants of a common ancestor are doubly numbered by two columns of Arabic figures placed at the left of the names. The first or left hand column is numbered in consecutive order, running through the wliole of each Part from the beginning, making thereby a regular series. The second column indicates the members of individual families only, placed in chronological order.

Tiie figures in parenthesis, after the name of a parent, or head of a family, refer back to like figures in the regular series, where the name of such parent and the family to which he belonged may be found.

The figui'es in parenthesis, after the name of a child, reii^r forward lo like figures in the regular series, whei'e a notice of the family or issue of such child may be found. The Arabic numbers, running as they do throughout the whole work, show, not only the number of individuals descended trom the same ancestor, but by the aid of them and the other numbers referred to in the foregoing Plan, the connection of each member, with any other, may at once be seen, and the ancestors and descendants may be traced backward or forward with the greatest ease and. facility.

This will also be greatly facilitated by consulting the several copious Indexes attached to the work.

It has been the custom until i-ecently to furnish but one Index to a work of this kind, and that one consisting of the names of those who have married into the family. But hearing much complaint, because genealogical works were not more liberally supplied with Indexes, and these complaints coming chiefly from men of literature, sound judg- ment and correct taste, the author, at much expense of time and careful research, has prepared sundry Indexes to this work, in addition to the one usually I'urnished.

A distinct set will be furnished to each department or Fart.

The jirst Index contains the Christian name of such descendant whose surname is Prescott, as is or has been the head of a family. For further information see heading to Index.

GENERAL PREFACE. Vll

The second contains the whole name of descendants having other names than Prescott, and possessing like qualifications. See Index.

The third contains the whole name of those persons that have mar- ried into the family.

The author has endeavored to faithfully give the military services of such as served in the " Continental Army " during the American Rev- olution ; also, in the American Array in the war with Great Britain in 1812-14; and in the late war with Mexico, so far as facts and materi- als for those purposes could be collected.

Soon after the commencement of the Great Rebellion in 1861, when most , of the materials for this work had been collected, it was deemed by the author advisable to postpone its publication until after the termination of the contest, for the purpose of inserting in the work a notice of the services and sufferings of those officers and soldiers of the connection that should serve in the Union Armies.

To carry the above purpose into effect, he issued in May, 1865, soon after the Rebellion had been subdued, and the Union Armies were being disbanded, the following Circular :

Notice to all ojfficers and soldiers belonging to, and connected with the " Prescott Family."

The subscriber has prepared a " Genealogy of the Prescott Family,"' but he has delayed its publication until the termination of the Rebellion, for the purpose of including in the work (so far as practicable) a notice of each officer and soldier of the connection, that have served in the Union Army, together with what he has done, and what he has suffered, for his country, in the suppression of the Rebellion and preservation of the Union,

To accomplish this object, he takes this early opportunity, while our armies are being disbanded, and our soldiers about to return home, to request each officer and soldier whose name is Prescott, or whose mother was a Prescott, whose wife was a Prescott, or her mother a Prescott, also all whose grandmother, or wife's grandmother, or the great-grandmother of either was a Prescott, to cause to be prepared and forwarded to him, the information specified below, to wit : When enlisted, with his rank ; the letter of his company, and name of Cap- tain ; number of his regiment, with name of Colonel ; the length of time for which he enlisted ; the length of time in the service ; when discharged. If promoted, state the number and degree ; also in what

Vlll THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

battles and important skirmishes engaged ; if wounded, their number and extent, and the battles in which they occurred. Also, whether taken prisoner, the length of time confined, and how treated. Also, state any instance of extraordinary fatigue while in the service, to- gether with any other incident or incidents worthy of special notice.

William Prescott. Concord, N. H., May, 1865.

The names of more than 360 belonging to the connection, who have served their country in the late Rebellion, have been received, nearly two thirds of whom bore the name of Prescott (220 and 145). There are a few, however, whose narratives have not been received. Their statements and narratives are generally brief, and many are very brief, but generally more or less interesting. From each and all, such brief extracts have been made as the combined circumstances of doing jus- tice to the individual and the limits of the work will allow. Some gave a much more detailed account than others, and some required much more extensive remarks than others. Several sent to the author such meagre statement of facts, that he has been unable to make out such an intelligible recital of the transactions as would convey to the reader a correct knowledge or impression of what they must have endured and suffered.

Many of the narratives ar'^ extremely interesting, and even thril- ling, replete, as such are, with brave and heroic deeds, bold and intrepid daring, combined with intense suffering, and many hair-breadth escapes.

Joseph C. Prescott (3755) of Napoli, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., a private in Comp. A, fourth Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, kept a diary of his performances and observations, each and every day during the whole three years that he was in the service.

From this Journal and narrative, which contains a series of facts taken down at the time, and not related from memory, merely, we have made very copious extracts for the purpose of giving to the reader a vivid and life-like view and idea of the laborious, harrassing and ex- haustive life of a soldier while in active service.

We have also selected the narrative of Dr. Joseph B. Reynolds of Concord, Mass., to more fully illustrate the horrors of a battle field, and the agony, misery and suffering of the wounded and dying, as well as to exhibit some faint idea of the duties and responsibilities resting upon the surgeons on such occasions. These narratives cannot fail of being interesting to many. They are all plain, simple, unvarnished state-

GENEEAL PREFACE. IX

ments of facts, destitute of any^attempt to embellish or adorn with the flowers of rhetoric or otherwise.

Illustrations. — The object and design of the author, from the beginning, has not been to confine the embellishments to portraits of men of literary fame and extensive renown alone, but to include also those of men of known and acknowledged integrity, usefulness and moral worth, although they may not be so extensively known as some others of acknowledged and deserved fame. It is with pleasure that we are able to state that the portraits of several such have been procured : active, energetic, enterprising and useful men ; men of noble and generous minds, liberal views, accommodating dispositions, and are highly esteemed.

In collecting the materials for the following Memorial, the author, in addition to his researches in graveyards, among the tombs, and among old and dusty records, as well as the aid and assistance rendered by numerous friends, has taken the liberty to avail himself of whatever he could find in books, periodicals or elsewhere in furtherance of his ob- ject. He has drawn largely from the histories of Lancaster, Concord, Groton, and Watertown, Mass., from the Historical and Genealogical Register, Thatcher's Medical Biography, and all other sources wherever he could find an item that would aid in perfecting the record. He is also indebted to Mrs. Lemuel Shattuck, for access to the valuable unpub- lished manuscript left by Mr. S., from which some desirable extracts were made.

I embrace this opportunity to acknowledge the debt of gratitude I owe to the numerous friends who have so generously aided me by fur- nishing records and documents for this work. And I hereby tender to each and all of them my sincere thanks and most grateful acknowl- edgments for their kind and generous assistance, without which I could not have accomplished the task. The labors of one man for a whole life- time would scarcely be sutiacient for so gigantic an enterprise. Still, there are a few who have manifested a stolid coldness and indifference, and who have taken no interest in the enterprise, while others with an independent self-complacency and selfishness, not to say hauteur, have declined to render, not only their patronage, but all sympathy, and those little acts of kindness which, while they would have cost them nothing, would have been of service, and tended to encourage the heart of the author and gratify the patrons of the work. Such manifestations are

X THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

annoying, and therefore unpleasant, and when manifested by the affluent and influential are to be deeply regretted.

But such instances are few and far between, and I take pride in being able to state that the connection, in general, manifest a cordial sympathy and a deep interest in the enterprise, not only by genei'ously contributing to increase and complete the record and rescue it from oblivion, whence it was rapidly tending, but also by lending it tlieir substantial patronage by subscribing liberally for the Memorial.

A very gratifying instance of such interest and sympathy was mani- fested on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the author's birth- day on the 29th of December, 1868, when some fifty of the connection, most of whom belonged to Concord, gathered at his residence to pay him their respects, and tender him their congratulations for the preser- vation of his life and health, to so late a period, and their gratitude to God for prolonging his existence until he had been able to complete the work on which he had spent so many years of his life. On this occasion, also, he was very unexpectedly made the recipient of an elegant and valuable gold-headed cane. With the exception of the two clergymen, and some two or three intimate friends, the company consisted exclusively of members of the Prescott family, including the three sisters, singers.

It is hoped that it will not be deemed irrelevant to insert, in this connection, the following exercises and proceedings of said meeting as published in the newspapers of the day :

[From the Concord Dailt Monitor, December 30, 1868.]

PRESCOTT FAMILY GATHERING.

On Tuesday, the 29th inst., Dr. William Prescott, of this city, com- pleted his eightieth year, which event was duly commemorated by the Prescotts, and Prescott connections, of this city, to the number of fifty persons, who gathered at the Doctor's residence, on Elm Street, in the evening. Two or three of the family name were present fioin out of the city. The company assembled at an early hour, and the exercises of the evening commenced with singing -by the sisters — Mrs. Doane, Mrs. Warren, and Mrs. Kimball — of The Evening Hymn —

" Here as the night is falling,"

Mr. George D. B. Prescott accompanying on the chapel organ.

The company was called to order by A. J. Prescott, Esq., and organ- ized by the choice of J. W. Prescott, Esq., for Secretary.

E. P. Prescott, Esq., offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted :

GENERAL PREFACE. XI

"Whereas, This day beint; the eijjhtieth anniversary of the birth of our venerable friend and relative, Dr. AVilliam Prescott, who has de- voted much of his time for the past thirty years in collecting historical, biographical, and genealogical facts for his valuable work, entitled, " The Prescott Memorial ; " therefore

Resolved, That we regard this occasion with deep emotions of grati- itude to our Heavenly Father, who has continued his valuable life, preserved his intellect unimpaired, and granted him a continuance of his physical health, seldom enjoyed at this time of life.

Resolved, That we appreciate his untiring and arduous lalior in pre- paring for the press a genealogical work, which is so important to our family ; that we shall ever regard him as our benefactor, and future generations " shall rise up and call him blessed." May he be spared for many years, '-and finally come to his grave in a iuU age, like as u shock of corn cometli in his season."

Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Ilolraan.

Amos Hadley, Esq., in behalf of the company, then presented a gold- headed cane to the Doctor, bearing this inscription :

TO DR. WILLIAM PRESCOTT,

On his 80th Birthday, Presented by the Prescotts of Concord, N. II., Dec. 29th, 18G8.

MR. IIADLEY's remarks.

Dr. Pi-escott: This is a pleasant episode in a long and useful life. In its incidents, you may recognize a sign of due appreciation, by those who know you best, of that honesty, industry, and right impi'ovement of talents, which has filled your fourscore years with many benefits to science and humanity. With my appeai-ance on this occasion, come recollections of mintrled joy and sadness ; for you and I remember the pure, sweet life of her, who, years ago, passed over the "silent river," leaving to us the parting injunction, ""Prepare to meet me on the other side." But we will not now linger in tl:e hallowed past. We are thank- ful that your life of usefulness has thus been prolonged; that the hand of time has been so lightly laid upon you ; that a resolute will has not, on the j)Iea of "natural infirmities," permitted your talents to belaid away in the napkin of disuse ; and that, after years of laborious professional practice, and varied scientific studies, you have been ena- bled to complete that great genealogical work, which of itself, epito- mizes a life-long career of persistent, well-directed industry. It falls to me, in behalf of the friends here assembled, to present to you, in token of their high regard and kind wishes, this cane, upon which you may lean, as you near the foot of the hill of life ; that hill which you once climbed so resolutely and so cheerily, and, upon the other side of which, you are now descending still resolutely and with yet untottering step. Accept, sir, this gift, and may He, who is your God and ours, " give his angels charge concerning thee," that they may " bear thee up," both in this life, and in that which is to come.

XU THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

In accepting the cane, Dr. Prescott replied as follows :

Dear Sir : In attempting to express the emotions which I feel on this occasion, I find that language fails me. The commonplace phrase, " I thank you," would not begin to express the feeling produced by so unexpected, so valuable, so appropriate, and so magnificent a gift. Tiie most that I can say, therefore, is, that I accept it with the most profound emotions of gratitude. And I beg you, sir, and through you all wlio contributed to procure this donation, to accept my sincere and most gratel'ul acknowledgments for this expression of their kindness and liberality. I said that this is a valuable gift. It has intrinsic value, but that value is greatly enhanced by the kind and flattering language in which it has been presented. I also said that it is an appropriate gift. It is a staff, which means support, and it is well cal- culated to support the aged and infirm, while descending the declivities of life to the tomb. It consists of three distinct parts — a head, a body and a foot. The foot, I notice, consists of a hard metallic substance, capable of resisting and withstanding the hard and stony substances with which it is constantly biought in contact while in use. This should remind us of the necessity of securing that divine sure founda- tion tiiat will enable us to resist and willistand the trials and battlings of the rough and rugged paths of life.

The body is of ebony, one of the most compact and substantial of woods, well calculated to render the support for which it is designed. It is also pure, homogeneous, untarnished, and unspotted, admonishing us of that purity of life and character, that untarnished reputation which it is our duty to maintain, and of the importance of keeping ourselves unspotted fi-om the vices and follies so prevalent around us.

Tiie head I perceive to be crowned with gold, the most precious of metals. This is emblematic of the purity and preciousness of the life that is necessary to prepare us for that crown of glory which awaits the righteous, and which God has promised to all that love and serve Him.

Whenever I use this staff and lean upon it for support, I shall be reminded, not only of its essential qualities, but of the kindness and liberality of the donors, and of the emblems so conspicuously contained in its matei'ials. And by the aid and assistance of divine grace, I hope so to walk as to meet the approbation of my Heavenly Father, and ultimately receive the applaudit of ''■ ivell done.''

And now, my dear sir, ])ermit me to address a few words to you per- sonally. I am highly gratified that you have been made the chosen mediuTu by whom this munificent gift was to be presented and the kind words accompanying it spoken. We have had a long and intimate acquaintance. AVe have lived together in one and the same family. We have rejoiced together ; we have been afflicted and mourned to- gether. While in (hat relation, each of us lost our companion by death in the same year. In addition to this, in your loss of a wife, I, in the same person, lost an affectionate and greatly beloved daughter. We saw her cheerful and hap})y in health ; we saw her fade and pine away under the influence of that insiduous disease, consumption, which is always sure of its prey, and we saw her die. Yes, and we saw her wlien her happy soul was rejoicing in the love of God, her Saviour,

GENERAL PREFACE. XIU

and with a confident expectation of a glorious immortality hereafter. We heard her dying injunction to all around her to prepare to meet her beyond the dark waters, admonishing her associates to prepare to meet her in that blest abode where she felt confident of an admission. Twelve years have not effaced the recollection of those injunctions from our memories. Most happy will it be for us, for you, for me, for all, to heed that admonition and prepare to meet those loved that have "gone before." This is my aim, and this I am endeavoring to do, and not without faith and hope, faith in God and our Lord Jesus Christ, and hope of immortal glory. And thanks be to God for that faith and hope.

In this connection permit me to address a few words to the kind friends that have called and so kindly greeted me on this occasion.

I most earnestly beseech you, each and all, to accept my grateful acknowledgments for this expression of your kindness. I am most happy to see you ; some of you I have never seen, to know, before. We have formed new associations, and renewed old ones ; we have taken each other by the hand ; we have looked each other in the eye, we have most cordially embraced each other; it has been to me a most pleasing and interesting interview. I hope it has been so to all, and I trust that it will not prove uninteresting or unprofitable to any.

And my earnest desire and prayer is that we may all seek to elevate ourselves in the cause of virtue and righteousness ; to elevate our name and race and our fellow-men around us, in all things that adorn the human character.

And I here tender you my sincere wishes for your health, your hap- piness and 2)rosperity here, and for your eternal felicity and happiness hereafter.

Refreshments were served, grace having been said by Rev. H. G. Safford. After the refreshments, Mrs. Doane and Mrs. Warren sang the beautiful song in memory of the departed, Sweet Memory's Isle,

" There is a beautiful isle."

Followed by The Evening Hymn again, when the company took leave of the venerable host and his wife, having spent an exceedingly pleas- ant evening, and one long to be remembered.

Joseph W. Puescott, Secretary.

TO PREPARE FOR A SECOND EDITION.

It is desirable and highly important that a record of all future births, marriages, deaths, removals, promotions to ojffice, and all important events, in the connection, be carefully kept and pr* served by each and every family, and when convenient to transmit a copy of the same to some one who feels interested and will carefully preserve the same for future use, so that when a second edition shall be needed, the materials

XIV THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

for it may be collected with greater facility. To this end the author will cause one or more copies to be pre})ared with writing paper, either interleaved or placed at the end of the volume, and he solicits the aid of all by transmitting to him, from time to time, all records named above that may come to their notice, and the same shall be carefully preserved for future use.

By refen-ing to the Appendix, it will be seen that much of such record has bee i collected while the work has been going througli the press.

It may be well to state in conclusion, that in emblazoning coats of arms in England, it is not in conformity to the rules of Heraldry to imitate nature. And as the arms printed on the title pag*" of the Second Part of this Memorial were engraved before the author had seen an Eng- lish engraving of them, he procured an engraving strictly natural and [)lain, as described by Burke, and without any adornment whatever.

But since then a specimen engraved after the English method, with its scroll and ornaments, has been procured by a member of the con- nection, who has, with commendable liberality, caused a copper-plate engraving to be made, and a sufficient number of copies to be printed, to supply each copy of the Memorial with one, which will be placed as a Frontispiece to the Second Part, where the two styles of engraving may be seen confronting each other.

It is not known what motto was adopted by the individual on whom this coat of arms was conferred, but, for the branch of the family in America, the following has been chosen as appropriate, to wit : Vincit Qui Patituk, or He Conquers Who Endures ; which is equivalent to saying that conquest or success is the price of a determined, vigorous and enduring perseverance, or " He conquers who thinks he can."

The following abbreviations are used in tlie following records : ^., «., or a., stands for age or aged.

b.	"	" born.
dea.	"	" deacon.
dr. or dau.	"	" daughter.
d.	u	" died.
m.	«	" married.
Res.	"	" Resides, resided at, &c., also residence.
unm.	a	" unmarried.
wd. and wdo.	"	" widow.

WILLIAM PRESCOTT.

Concord, N. H., April 29, 1870.

PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

INTRODUCTION.

Genealogy is founded on the idea of a family or lineage. Per- sons descended from a common father constitute a family. A series of several individuals or persons, descended from a common progenitor in a direct line, is called a lineage. Children are connected with each other in the relation of full blood or half-blood, according as they are descended from the same parents or have only one parent in common. A cousin-german is a cousin of full-blood.

" To read a Genealogy," says a late writer, " may be, to a thinking and reflecting mind, like walking in a cemetery and reading the inscriptions on the gravestones. Each of the names in the table of one, or on the stone in the other, is the memorial — perhaps the only memorial — of a human heart that once lived and loved ; a heart that kept its pulsations through some certain period of time and then ceased to beat, and has mouldered into dust. Each had its joys and sorrows ; its cares and burdens ; its afflictions and hopes ; its conflicts and achievements ; its opportunities wasted or iniproved, and its hour of death. Each of those dates, of birth, marriage, death! 0 how signi- ficant ! ! What a day was each of those dates to some human family, or to some circle of loving human hearts ! And the presence of death drives the mind to thoughts of immortality. Memorials of the dead are memorials not of death only, but of life also. They died^ therefore, they had lived. And as the mind thinks of the dead gathered to their fathers, it cannot but think of the unseen worlds which they inhabit. All these names are memorials of human spirits that have passed from time into eternity. Ready or unprepared ; in youth or maturity of manhood ; in childhood or in old age ; they went into eternity as we are going."

" At no time since the settlement of our country has the public mind been so deeply interested in genealogical research as it has been for the last half of a century. There has been during that time a growing disposition among all classes to make inquiries respecting the past, and to search for records as for hid treasures. The National, State, Town and Church archives are searched with the greatest care and assiduity, and compelled to surrender the treasures which for ages, and even centuries, have been locked up in their musty embrace. On 1

2 THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

every side individuals are to be found who are ransacking the home- steads of their fathers to acquire materials for biography, to settle genealogical questions respecting their ancestors, and for genealogical record. Even the memories of tradition of their more aged relatives are severely tasked to fill up some vacant record." *

There is a principle implanted in our nature, and which by proper cultivation increases with the increase of years, which incites in us a desire to trace our lineage to remote ancestors ; to learn from whence they emigrated ; when landed upon these shores, and where they lived as well as when and where they died ; to become acquainted with their characters, their history; their motives in leaving their native country and seeking a home in the wilds of America ; together with the scenes, privations and hardships, prosperity and adversity, through which they passed, and to contemplate the obligations we are under to them for many of the blessings we enjoy, and for which they sighed, but sighed in vain.

The author and compiler of these pages felt at a very early age a desire to ascertain something of his origin, and to know who were his lineal ancestors. In fact he does not recollect a period prior to the exercise of such a desire. But how, when and where to begin, he knew not, and it was not until a late period of his life that he first dis- covered an opportunity to prosecute such an investigation with any prospect of success. Even then, and for some time after, his anticipa- tions and most ardent hopes did not reach beyond ascertaining his own lineal descent from a common ancestor. But as he progressed in his researches, light dawned and shone upon his pathway from various quarters. Being thus encouraged, he pushed his researches with zeal and courage, founded on faith and hope. Every new fact was a stimulus for renewed exertion and persevering industry, and he did not suffer the obstacles thrown in his way by the indifference of others, or the difficulty that beset his pathway from a multiplicity of causes, to deter him from pursuing, with unabated zeal, the cherished object of his life.

The early settlers of New England were mainly Puritans. The pre- vailing motive which induced them to leave their native homes, their cherished and beloved firesides, to encounter the untried and perilous scenes which awaited them in a new and an inhospitable country, inhabited by a race of savages, was to seek a place where they might enjoy the long sought privilege and the inalienable right of worshiping God in accordance with the convictions of their own minds and the dictates of their own consciences, and also of training up their children in the way they should go.

While it cannot be pretended that our pilgrim fathers were perfect in all respects, yet it must be admitted that they were a religious, brave, and virtuous set of men, possessing an ardent love of civil and religious liberty, which was the moving cause of their emigration to this country. "To let the memory of these men die," wrote Dr. Calancy, " is injurious to posterity, by depriving them of what might

* Gen. Reg., Vol. 1, p. 147.

INTRODUCTION. 6

contribnte to their encouragement, under severe trials, and promote their steadiness and adherence to their principles under hardships and priva- tions."

To obtain a knowledge of the persecutions and sufferings of these people while in England, the reader may consult Bancroft's History of the United States, Vol. I., especially from the 275th to the 313th pages. In the meantime we shall quote a few passages to show the cruelty and relentlessness of the mother church, and with what intolerant spirit they pursued" and persecuted the "non-conformists" (Puritans).

They had been persecuted and harrassed in their native land (England) for a century ; ''for as early as 1534, so far was the freedom of private inquiry from being recognized in England as a right, that all means of forming a judgment on religious subjects were peremptorily denied. The Act of Supremacy, which effectually severed the English nation from the Roman See, contained no clause whatever favorable to religious liberty. And a statute, alike arrogant in its pretentions and vindictive in its menaces, was, after great opposition in Parliament, enacted for abolishing diversity of opinions." *

" The Church of England, at least its ceremonial part, was estab- lished by an act of Parliament, or a royal ordinance. Puritanism, zealous for independence, admitted no voucher but the Bible — a fixed rule, which it would allow neither Parliament, nor heirarchy, nor king to interpret. The principle was announced and accepted, that not even a ceremony should be tolerated unless it was enjoined by the word of God. They would yield nothing to the temporal sovereign. They would retain nothing that would even seem a relic of the religion they had renounced." t

1553-7. — The reign of Mary involved both parties in danger. Rog- ers and Hooper, the first martyrs of Protestant England, were Puritans, and they remained firm to the end ; while Granmer, the head and founder of the English Church, desired, almost to the last, by delays, recantations and entreaties to save himself from the horrid death to which he was doomed. The Puritan martyrs never sought by conces- sions to escape the flames. For them compromise was itself apostacy. On the death of Mary, in 1558, the Puritans, who had sought safety in exile, returned to England with still stronger antipathies to the forms of worship and the vestures worn by the arrogant clergy, which they repelled as associated with Roman intolerance. But the controversy did not remain a dispute about ceremonies. The first act of Parlia- ment in the reign of Elizabeth declared the supremacy of the crown in the state ecclesiastical ; and the conformity of common prayer was soon established under the severest penalties, leaving out of sight the scru- ples of the Vnni3iX\i.— Bancroft's U. S., Vol. I., p. 280, 1, 2.

Elizabeth was inclined to respect the faith of the Catholics, and to loTe the magnificence of their worship. She long struggled to retain images, the crucifix and tapers in her private chapel. — Ibid., p. 283.

When rigorous orders for enforcing conformity were first issued, the Puritans were rather excited to defiance than intimidated. Of the London ministers, about thirty refused to subscribe. — Ibid., p. 285.

♦ Vol. 1, p. 275. t Ibid, p. 279-80.

4 THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

At length (in 1567) a separate congregation was formed; immedi- ately upon which the government became alarmed, and the leading men and several women were sent to Bridewell for a year. In vain did some of the best English statesmen of the day favor moderation. Up to 1581 the Puritans as a body had avoided a separation from the church. They had desired a reform^ and not a schism. — Ibid., p. 286.

" But for the Puritans," said Burleigh, " the old religion would have retained the affection of the multitude. If Elizabeth reformed the court, the ministers, whom she persecuted, reformed the commons. That the English people became Prostestant is due to the Puritans. How then could the party be subdued ? No part is left but to tolerate or destroy. Extermination could alonS produce conformity. — Ibid., p. 289, 90.

In 1593, Barrow and Greenwood, men of unimpeached loyalty, were selected as examples, and hanged at Tyburn for their opinions. The Queen repented that she had sanctioned the execution. The number of the nonconforming clergy, after forty years of molestation and perse- cution, had increased ; their popularity was more deeply rooted, and their enmity to the established order was irreconcilable. Their follow- ers already constituted a powerful political party. The precious spark of liberty had been kindled, and preserved by the Puritans alone.

Elizabeth was victorious over her foreign enemies, but never could crush the religious sect which to her seemed so dangerous to the State. Her career was full of glory abroad; it was unsuccessful against the progress of free thought and free opinion at home. In the latter years of her reign her popularity declined, and her death was the occasion of little regret and she was soon forgotten. — Ibid., p. 289, 90, 1.

King James ascended the throne in 1603, who although sincerely attached to Protestantism was false and deceitful. He was intolerant, and loved arbitrary power. " No bishop, no king," was a maxim often in his mouth. He substituted authority for argument, and where he could not produce conviction, demanded obedience. " I will," said he, " have none of that liberty as to ceremonies ; I will have one doctrine, one discipline, one religion, in substance and in ceremony."

The Puritans desired permission occasionally to assemble, and at their meetings to have the liberty of free discussions, but the king, pre- suming that concessions in religion would be followed by greater politi- cal liberty, refused the request. He treated them with the greatest indignity, and declared that, " as to the Puritans, I will make them conform, or I will drive them out of the land or hang them," and, " if any would not conform, be quiet, and show their obedience, they were worthy to be hanged ;" and afterward boasted that he had soundly peppered off the Puritans. — Ibid., p. 291-97.

In 1604 alone, three hundred Puritan ministers were silenced, im- prisoned, or exiled. But this neither intimidated nor weakened them. The lines were distinctly drawn, the established church, with its non- essential, not to say frivolous, ceremonies, and the monarch, on the one side, were arrayed against the Puritan clergy and the people on the other. A war of opinion began as the result.

At length "the poor, persecuted flock of Christ," despairing of success and of obtaining rest in England, resolved to seek safety in exile. The minds of the emigrants were attracted to Holland, where they heard

INTRODUCTION. O

was freedom of religion for all men. The departure from England was effected with much suffering and great hazard. The first attempt in 1G07, was prevented. The next spring, 1608, the design was renewed. But just as a boat was bearing a party of the emigrants to their ship, a company of horsemen appeared and seized the helpless women and children, who had not yet had an 0| portunity to embark. It was heart- rending to witness the weeping and distress of those poor women and helpless children. But as they had no homes to which they could be conveyed, the magistrates were soon glad to be rid of them, and they were suffered to depart. Such was the flight of Robinson and Brewster, and their followers, from the land of their fiithers. They had been inured to the pursuits of husbandry (agriculture), but when arrived in Holland they were obliged to learn mechanical trades. Bretvster became a printer; Bradford learned the art of dying silk, &c. They soon re- moved to Leyden. — Ibid., p. 299-303.

While at Leyden " we are well weaned," said Robinson and Brews- ter "from the delicate milk of our mother country, and inured to the difficulties of a strange land. We are knit together as a body in a most sacred covenant of the Lord." Here, however, they were too much confined, and it became necessary to seek a country more con- genial to their enlarged desires, and more adequate to their necessities. After various schemes had been discussed the Puritans resolved, in

1619, to remove to America. They accordingly made ready for their departure, trusting in God and their own exertions. Every enterprise of the Pilgrims began from God. A solemn fast was held. "Let us seek God," said they, " for a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance." They embarked on board of the Speedwell and the Mayflower. Mr. Robinson gave them a farewell address, breathing a freedom of opinion and an independence of authority. "I charge you before God," said he, " that you follow me no farther than you have seen me follow the Lord Jesus Christ." In August, 1620, the Mayflower and the Speedwell, freighted with the first colony of New England, leave Southampton for America. But they had not gone far when it was found that the Speedwell needed repairs and was too weak for the service, and they return to Plymouth, some of the passengers return to London, others go aboard the Mayflower, which now, being freighted with one hundred souls, set sail on the 6th of September, 1620, for the new world. After a long and boisterous voy- age of sixty-three days, they, on the 9th of November, espied land, and in two days more M'ere safely moored in the harbor of Cape Cod. After much suffering from cold and wet, from storm and fatigue, in examining and exploring the coast for a good shelter and a suitable site for a resting place, they entered the harbor of Plymouth, Dec. 15,

1620. From that time forward the history of the Pilgrim fathers is well Vnovin.— Bancroft's Hist. U. S., Vol L, p. 304-13.

Their 'Persecution by the relentless English Church in Virginia, the Carolinas, &c.

But when, in about 1 640, nonconfoi-mity began to show itself in the Council of Virginia, it was contended that " to tolerate Puritanism was to nurse a republican party." It was therefore specially ordered, in

b THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

March, 1643, that no Fninister should preach or teach, publicly or pri- vately, except in conformity to the constitutions of the Church of Eng- land, and nonconformists were banished from the colony.*

This unsocial and intolerant spirit of political and religious discord, fostering a mutual hostility, prevented that frequent intercourse between Virginia and New England which would have been of great advantage to both. Even at the present day. 1856, we frequently see the same intolerant spirit manifested against the Puritans of New England by men of Virginia and the Carolinas of the same religious faith.f

The Puritans were accused by churchmen, who followed them to America, as separatists. '• We separate," assured the ministers, " not from the church, but from its corruptions. We came away from the Common Prayer and needless ceremonies in our native land, where we sutFered much from nonconformity. In this land of liberty, we cannot, we will not use them. Their imposition would be a sinful violation of the worship of God."

The present and succeeding generations can have no adequate con- ception of the difficulties, dangers, hardships and sufferings endured by our Puritan ancestors, and against which they toiled and struggled so patiently and successfully. They seemed to be prepared, under the Providence of God, for the work before them (to wit), the founding OF A Great Republic on Christian Principles. We have a just cause of pride in being considered descendants of the Puritans. John Quincy Adams once said " he would rather have one drop of Puritan blood in his veins than all the blood that ever flowed in the veins of kings or princes." Theirs is a nobility founded on honest virtue^ Christian humility and the purest patriotism.

The blood of these freemen have become extensively diffused throughout our country. It is the prevailing opinion that three-fourths of all the present native inhabitants of New England, and no inconsid- erable portion of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and most of the Western States, are descendants of the Old Puritan Stock, who were made freemen before the death of Governor Win- throp.

It becomes our imperious duty, therefore, as their descendants, to cherish their memory, and to religiously observe the anniversary of their landing on the shores of Plymouth.

Upon landing on these inhospitable shores, they at once became ac- quainted with hardships and privations to which they had hitherto been strangers. But they had sound heads, stout hearts and fixed det rmi- nations. They kept constantly in view the great object of their coming to this country, and, relying upon Divine Providence for aid and pro- tection, their faith never failed them ; their confidence in their princi- ples and the righteousness of their course was never shaken.

Our Puritan ancestors were strict observers of the Sabbath ; not as a day of gloom, despondency or weariness, as has been represented, but as a day of " sacred rest," which they spent in the cheerful discharge of their duty, of reading the scriptures, attending to family religious devo-

* Bancroft's Hist. U. S., Vol. I., p. 206, 7. t Ibid.

INTRODUCTION. 7

tion, and upon the public worship of God. Having cast aside their week day cares and toils, with souls serene and elevated to their Maker, they were able to hold sweet communion with the Majesty of heaven, and to receive therefrom the bread of life. They performed those sacred duties with alacrity and delight. The toils, the perils and the jiuties of life were met with fortitude, patience and resignation, and the bounties of Providence enjoyed with gratitude. Thus prepared for the journey of life they went on their way rejoicing.

The following excellent and pious advice to the early settlers of "• Massachusetts Colony " are extracted from Mr. Humphrey' s Preface to a Sermon preached by Rev. John Cotton, and published in London in 1630, from 2 Sara. 7: 10,—

" Have special care that you ever have the ordinances of God planted amongst you, or else never looke for security. As soon as God's ordi- nances cease, your security ceaseth likewise ; but if God plant his ordinances among you, feare not (if you maintain and observe them), he will sustain you. God never rooted out a people that had the ordinances planted among them. He never suffered such plants to be plucked up. Pray for the peace of our Jerusalem at home, which you will leave behind, they shall prosper that love her; be ye present in spirit with us though absent in body. Goe forth, every man that goeth, with a publicke spirit, looking not on your own things only, but also on the things of others. — Phil. 2 : 4. This care of universal helpfulness was the prosperity of the first Plantation of the Primitive church. — Acts 4: 32. Have a care that you look well to the plants that spring from you, that is, to your children, that they do not degenerate as the Israel- ites did ; after which they were vexed with afflictions on every hand. Lastly, offende not the poore Natives, but as you partake in their land, so make them partakers of your precious faith ; as you reape their temporalis, so feede them with your Spirituals ; winne them to the love of Christ, for whom Christ died. Let the name of the Lord be your strong Tower ; and the word of his promise the Rock of your Refuge. His word that made heaven and earth will not faile, till heaven and earth be no more." — Gen. Reg., Vol. IL, p.^1.52.

To an observance of the above injunctions is New England, at this day, greatly indebted for her high moral and literary standing, and yet she was not faithful to all ; she erred or transgressed, and therefore suf- fered ; while at the present day (1856) we see a greater and more fearful delinquency, and therefore we have reason to fear a severe chastisement by more signal judgments of the Almighty. This judg- ment, above alluded to, burst upon the nation in 1861.

I have said that it could not be pretended that the first settlers of New England were perfect, nor is it to be expected. We find that their early municipal regulations were often crude and indiscreet, and would not tally well with the ideas of propriety as practised at the present day (1869).

The meeting-houses were owned by the town, and no one individual owned or had any exclusive right to any one pew or seat, but the house was '■'^ seated" (as it was termed), by a committee appointed for that purpose, who, in performance of this duty, directed in what seats

8 THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

or pews certain persons should sit while attending public worship and in some instances affixed penalties for violating the order.* Some staid and vigilant person was also chosen to have inspection and oversight of the audience during the public exercises. The badge of his office was a pole or wand, with a knob on one end and a tuft of feathers on the other ; with the one he wrapped the men's heads, and with the other he brushed the ladies* faces, whenever he caught them napping.

All towns were required by law to be provided with stocks and a whipping-post.

The stocks consisted of a wooden frame of small timber, that could be open and shut (with notches to admit the ankles of the victims of punishment), wherein persons disorderly on the Sabbath or town meet- ings were confined during meeting, as a punishment for misbehavior.

Drums were employed before bells came into use, for the purpose of drumming the people out to meeting on the Sabbath no less than to alarm and rally them at all times on the appearance of the savage foe.

Every town was required by law, under a penalty of forty shillings, to be provided with a drum for these important purposes.

Of the Qualifications which vtere necessary in order to be

ADMITTED A FkEEMAN IN THE EARLY HISTORY OF NeW EnGLAND.

As many persons of the present day are not aware of the importance which was attached to the privilege of being admitted a freeman by our ancestors, it will doubtless be interesting to such to introduce in this connection a history of the origin of the ceremony, and the oath of allegiance as conditions of admission to the privileges of a freeman.

QuaHJications required. — Under the first charter of the Massachu- setts Colony, none were regarded as freemen, or members of the body politic, except such as were admitted by the General Court and took the oath of allegiance to the government. The first freemen were admitted at the first session of the General Court, which was held on the 19th of October, 1630.

This custom continued until, by the second charter, the Colony was transformed into a Province. But in 1634 the foregoing regulations were somewhat modified. It was then ordained that no individual should be deemed qualified to exercise the right of suffrage, or hold any public office, until he was admitted a freeman by the general or quarterly court. To become a freeman he was required to produce evidence that he was a respectable member, in good standing, of some Congregational church.

* These rules were so enacted and enforced in the town of Hampton. The Jirst meeting-house in Hampton was built of hewn logs. The second was a framed building, and built in 1643. 'I he seats were on one side devoted to the male mem- bers of the congregation, and those on the other, to the female. A committee was chosen to assign seats to each person according to his standing in the church or society ; and no one was allowed to occupy any other seat than the one assigned him under a severe penalty. Robert Page, who was an efficient member, for more than 20 years a deacon of the church, "and for many years a selectman, represen- tative and also marshal of the old County of Norfolk, was honored with the high privilege of occupying with seven other dignitaries the front seat on one side, and his wife, with seven other women, the front seat on the opposite side.

INTRODUCTION. 9

This regulation was so far modified by royal order, in 1664, as to allow individuals to be made freemen who could obtain certificates of their being correct in doctrine and conduct from some clergyman ac- quainted with them. But this was by no means an easy matter, with the prejudices and jealousies then existing against all such as were not members of the church.

The following is a copy of the Freeman's Oath as revised and modified in 1634:*

[" The Freeman's Oath" was the first paper printed in New Eng- land. It was printed at Cambridge by Stephen Daye, in 1639, upon a single sheet, in the form of a handbill and without date.]

" The Oath was in these words as established in 1 634" in Massa- chusetts :

" I (A. B.), being by God's providence, an Inhabitant and Freeman within the Jurisdiction of this Commonwealth ; do freely acknowledge myself to be subject to the Government thereof: And therefore do here swear by the great and dreadful Name of the Ever-living God, that I will be true and faithful to the same, and will accordingly yield assistance and support thereunto, with my person and estate, as in equity I }im bound; and will also truly endeavor to maintain and pre- serve all the liberties and privileges thereof, submitting myself to the wholesome Laws and Orders made and established by the same. And further that I will not plot or practice any evil against it, or consent to any that shall so do ; but will timely discover and reveal the same to the lawful Authority now here established for the speedy preventing thereof.

" Moreover, I do solemnly bind myself in the sight of God, that when I shall be called to give my voyce touching any matter of this State in which Freemen are to deal, I will give my vote and suffrage as I shall judge in mine own conscience may best conduce and tend to the public weal of the body. So help me God in the Lord Jesus Christ."

It is to be recollected that none but freemen could vote at any election, or hold any office, not even that of a juryman. And none could be admitted a freeman unless he was a member of tlie church. Whenever any person, not a church member, was tried for any crime or offence, therefore, it was bj' hoihjtidge and jury belonging to the church and entertaining strong prejudices against him.

" This," remarked Gov. Hutchinson, " was a most extraordinary order of law," and yet it was continued in force until the dissolution of the colonial governments.

Were the laws and customs thus, in this our day of reckless and un- principled office-seeking, there would, most likely, be a large preponder- ance of hypocrites over the humble pious Christians in our churches.

The practice which prevailed at that and even at a much later period, of admitting individuals to the church and to the communion merely

* Historic- Genealogical Register, Vol. 3 (1849), page 41.

10 THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

upon a certificate of a fair moral character, had the effect to fill the churches with persons destitute of vital piety and strangers to that genuine godliness so essential to constitute a true evangelical church.

Rev. Jonathan Edwards of Northampton, Mass., was one of the first to discard the practice, which act was the cause of so much opposition that it eventually resulted in his dismission in 1750.

Mrs. Edwards under date of July 26, 1749, writes to her brother that " quite a ferment is rising in our church, or parish, on account of Mr. Edwards' views as to tlie proper qualifications for church-member- ship." It had been the practice to tirge all persons to come to the Lord's Supper who were not of scandalous life, deeming it a convert- ing ordinance. From this practice Mr. Edwards dissented. Mrs. E. continues, " My husband conformed to this practice at first, but on fur- ther examination of the Scriptures his doubts increased, and he has decided that he can pursue that course no longer. His position excites a good deal of enmity, and I know not what will come out of it." July 6, 1750, she writes, ''Well, it has finally turned out as we had long apprehended ; the malcontents in the congregation have carried their point, and Mr. Edwards is to resign his charge in Northampton."

Thus was that distinguished writer and able minister summarily dis- missed by the irreligious portion of his church and congregation.

Of the Origin and Meaning of Names.

In a genealogical work containing a multitude of names, like the present, it seems quite important and appropriate that a brief space be allowed for an article explanatory of the origin and meaning of names :

It should be borne in mind, that previous to the Norman Conquest in 1066 (with very few exceptions) no man had more than one name. But soon after that period, additional names, called surnames, began to be used ; but they were not in general use among the common people until a much later period, some say as late as 1300.

Before the introduction of surnames an individual was identified either by a term signifying " son of," or by his place of residence, as will be more fully explained under the head of surnames.

The names conferred upon individuals during the Old and New Testament periods are denominated Scripture Proper Names. But later, especially since the introduction of surnames, they are known as Christian or Baptismal Names, to distinguish them from surnames.

Every individual is distinguished from his fellow by his name, and most names were originally conferred upon children as expressive of some circumstance of birth, personal quality possessed, good desired by parents, or from fancy. Much importance was attached to the name as indicating the fortune of the child. Hence the proverb, " Bonum nomen, bonum omen," i. e., " A good name is a good omen."

In the following vocabulary, the derivation and signification of most of the common English Christian Names are to be found, including most of the Scripture Proper Names, together with some of their equiv-

INTRODUCTION.

11

alents in the form of sobriquet, diminutive and nicknames ; many of the latter, however, are omitted.

To designate the language from which a name is derived, Heh. stands for Hebrew, Gr. for Greek, Lat. for Latin, Ger. for German, 0. G. for Old German, 0. II G. for Old High German, Br. for Native British, Sw. for Swedish, Teut. for Teutonic, Per. for Persian, Fr. for French, ft. for Italian, Sp. for Spanish, Pg. for Portugese, Cell, for Celtic.

I. NAMES OF MEN.

Aaron Abdiel Al)el

Abi

Abiah

Abiather

Abiel

Abiezer

Abihu

Abijah

Abinoam

Abirara

Abner

Abraham

Abram

Absalom

Acira

Adam

Adiel Adonijah Adin ) Adlno i Adolpii ] Adolphus ' Ahi

Adoniram Alanson Alaric

Ahimaaz

Albert

Albion

Alcira Alexander

Alfred

Algernon

Allan )

Allen (

Allon

Almon

Alonzo

Alpheus

Alphonso

A.

Heb. Lofty ; inspired. " The servant of God. " Breath; transitoriness;

vanity. " My father. " The Lord is my father. " Father of plenty. " Father of strength. " Fa'her of help. " My or his father. " To whom Jehovah is

a father. " Father of beauty. " H\<ih father. " Father of li<rht. " Father of a multitude. " Father of elevation. " Father of peace. " A fairy goddess. " Man ; earth man ; red

earth. " The ornament of God. " TheLord is my master

" Tender; delicate.

Q Q Noble wolf, i. e. noble hero. " My brother. Heb. Lord of height. " Allen's son. O. G. All rich ; or noble

ruler. Heb. Brother of the council. 0. G. Nobly bright ;

illustrious. Celt. Mountainous land(the ancient name of England). " Visional. Ger. A defender of men. 0, G. An elf, or good coun- sellor; peace. Fr. With whiskers.

" Uncertain ; a hound.

" An oak. Heb. Hidden. 0. G. As Alphonso. Heb. Exchange ; a chief; a

thousand. 0. G. All ready ; willing.

Alvah ) Alvan ) Alvin 1 Alwin ) Amariah

Amasa

Heb. Iniquity.

0. G. Heb.

Amaziah "

Ambrose Gr.

Arami Heb.

Amos "

Amoz "

Andrew Gr. Andronichus " Anselm

Ansel )

Antipas

Anthony

Antony

Apollos

Aquilla

Aram

O.G.

Heb.

Lat.

Gr.

I Archelaus Gr.

i Archibald Ger.

Aretas Ariel

Heb.

Aristarchus Gr. Arnold 0. G.

Artemas Gr.

Arthur

Asa

Asahel

Asaph

Asarelah

Ashbel

Asher

Ashur

Athanasius

Athelstan

Augustine

Augustin

Austin

Heb.

Gr.

A.S.

Lat.

Beloved by all.

Whom Jehovah prom- ised ; also, the ex- cellency of theLord.

A burden ; border of the people.

Strength of the Lord.

Immortal ; divine.

My people.

Strong ; courageous ; mighty.

Strong, robust.

Strong, manly.

A conqueror of men.

Protection of God.

Against all. Priceless ;

praiseworthy. Of Apollo. An eagle. Magnificent ;

a decision. Ruler of the people. Extremely bold ; or

holy prince. Virtuous, agreeable. Lion of God ; valiant

for God ; guardian

angel of innocence. A good prince. Strong as an eagle. Gift of Minerva(or Ar- temis) whole, sound. High ; noble. Healer ; a physician. Made of God ;

creature of God. A collector, one that

assembles. Upright to God. Fire of Bel. Happy fortune. Black ; blackness. Immortal. Noble stone.

Belonging to Augus- tus.

12

THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

Augustus	Lat. Exalted ; imperial.	Donald	Celt. Proud chief.
Aurelius	" Golden.	Duncan	" Brown chief.
Azariah	Ueb. Help of the Lord ; he
	that hears the Lord.		E.
		Eben	Heh. A stone.
	B.	Ebenezer	" The stone of help.
Baldwin	0. G. Bold, courageous	Eber	" He that passes.
	friend.	Edgar	A. S. A javelin, (or protec-
Barnabas ) Barnaby (	„ Son of consolation, or		tor) of property.
of the prophet.	Edmund	" Defender of property.
Bartholomew Heh. A warlike son.	Edward	" A happy guardian of
Baruch	" Who is blessed ; who		property.
	bends the knee.	Edwin	" Gainer of property ;
Barzillai	" From the Lord ; firm,		happy winner.
	true.	Egbert	0. G. Famous with the
Basil	Gt. Kingly ; royal.		sword.
Benaiah	Heh. Son of the Lord.	Elbert	" Same as Albert.
Benjamin	" Son of the right hand.	Eldred	A. S. Terrible.
Benoni	" Son of grief or trouble	Eleazer ) Eliezer )	rj , To whom God is a ^'^- help.
Beriah	" In calamity.
Bernard ) Barnard )	0. G. Bold as a bear.	Eli	" A foster son, an offering.
Bertram	" Bright raven.	Eliab	" God is his father.
Bethuel	Heb. Man of God.	Eliakim	" Whom God sets up.
Bezaleel	" In the protection of, or shadow of God.	Ellis ) Elias \ Elijah )	„ Lord God , or Jehovah is my God.
Bradbury	" A broad city, town, or
	dwelling.	Elihu	" God, the Lord.
Brian	Odt. Strong.	Eliphalet	" God of salvation.
		Eliphaz	" God's endeavor
	C.	Elisha	" God, my salvation.
Caleb	Heb. A dog ; a basket ; a	Elizur	" God is my rock.
	crow.	Ellis	" Diminutive of Elisha.
Calvin	Lat. Bald.	Elmer	A. S. Noble ; excellent.
Cephas	" A stone, or rock.	Elnathan	Heh. God gave.
Charles	0. G. Strong; manly; noble	Emery ^
	spirited.	Emmery >	A. S. Powerful ; rich.
Chrisostora	" Golden mouth.	Emory )
Christopher	Gr. Bearing Christ.	Eneas	Gr. Praised ; commended.
Clarence	Lat. Illustrious.	Enoch	Heb. Consecrated ;
Claudius ) Claude (	" Land.		dedicated.
Enos	" Fallen man ; enough.
Clement	" Mild tempered ;	Epaphras	" Covered with foam.
	merciful.	Ephraim	" Very fruitful.
Conrad 0	H. G. Bold in counsel ;	Erasmus	Gr. Amiable, lovely ;
	resolute.		worthy to be loved.
Constant	Lat. Firm ; faithful.	Erastus	" Lovely ; amiable.
Constantine	" Resolute ; firm.	Ethan	Heb. Firmness ; strength.
Crispian )		Eugene	Gr. Well born ; noble.
Crispin >	" Having curly hair.	Eusebius	" Pious ; godly.
Crispus )		Eustace	" Healthy ; strong; firm.
Cyril	Gr. Lordly.	Evan	Brit. Same as John.
Cyrus	Per. The sun ; miserable.	Everard	0. G. Strong as a wild boar.
		Ezekiel	Heb. Strength of God.
	D.	Ezra	" Help, a helper.
Dan	Heh. A judge.
Daniel	" A divine judge.		F.
Darius	Per. Preserver ; seeker of	Felix	Lat. Happy, prosperous.
David	knowledge. Ueb. Beloved, dear.	Ferdinand Fernando	0. G. Brave ; valiant.
Dennis Denis	Gr. Same as Dionysius.	Festus Francis	^J; I Joyful ; glad ; free.
Dionysius	" As Bacchus ; the god of wine.	Fortunatus	Prosperous ; happy.

INTRODUCTION.

13

Frederick	O.U.G. Abounding in peace ;		J.
	a peaceful ruler ;	Jabez	Heb. Sorrow, trouble ; he
	rich peace.		will cause pain.
		Jabish	" Dryness, confusion.
Gaius	G. Lat. Rejoiced.	Jacob James	" A supplanter.
Gamaliel	Heb. Recompense of God.	Jairus	" He will enlighten.
Garret	0. G. Same as Gerald.	Japheth	" Enlargement.
George	Or. A landholder ; a hus-	Jared	" Descent, command.
	bandman.	Jason	Gr. A healer, a physician.
Gerald ) Gerard )	0. G. Strong with the spear.	Jasper	Per. A mineral, a precious stone.
Gershom	Heb. An exile ; a stranger	Javan	Heb. Supple.
	there.	Jedediah	" Beloved of the Lord.
Gideon	" A destroyer, one that	Jedutiian	" Who gives praise.
	bruises.	Jeffrey 0	. H. G. Same as Godfrey.
Gilbert	0. H. G. Yellow bright, famous.	Jeremiah ( Jeremy S	Heb. Exalted of the Lord.
Giles	Gr. A kid.	Jerome	Gr. Holy name.
Goddard	0. G. Pious, virtuous.	Jesse	Heb. Wealth, my present.
Goodrich	" Rich in God.	Jethro	" His excellence.
Godfrey Geoft'rey	O.H.G. At peace with God.	Joab	or posterity. " Jehovah is his father ;
Greg^ory	Ger. Watchful.		having a father. " Afflicted ; persecuted ;
Griffith	Brit. Having great faith.	Job
Gustavus	Sw. A warrior ; hero.		presented.
Guy	Fr. A leader.	Joel	'• He that wills or com- mands; the Lord
	H.		is God.
Harold	A. S. A champion ; general	John	" The gracious gift of
	of an army.		God.
Heman	Heb. Faithful.	Jonah > Jonas )	" A dove.
Henry	0. H. G. The head or chief of
	a house.	Jonathan	" Gift of Jehovah.
Herbert	A. S. Glory of the army.	Joseph	" He shall add.
Hercules	Ger. Lordly fame.	Joshua	" God of salvation.
Herman	0. G. A warrior.	Josiah	" Given of the Lord; fire
Hermon	" Anathema.		of the Lord.
Hezekiah	Heb. Strength of the Lord.	Jotham	" The Lord is upright.
Hierome	" Holy name.	Judah	" Praised, praise of the
Hilary	Lat. Cheerful ; merry.		Lord.
Hilel	Heb. Praise.	Julian	Lat. Belonging to Julius ;
Hilkiah	" God is my portion. " Most noble.		or from Julius ;
Hiram		downy.
Homer	Gr. A pledge ; security.	Julius	GV. Soft haired, downy.
Horace Horatio	GV. Uncertain.	Justin Justus	Lat. Just. Lat. Just.
Hosea	Heb. Salvation, Saviour.
Howell	Brit. Sound ; whole.		K.
Hubert	0. H. G. Bright in spirit.	Keziah	" Superficies; angle.
Hugh	Dan. Mind ; spirit ; soul.
Humphrey A. 6'. Protector of the house;		L.
	or home peace.	Laban	Heb. White, shining.
		Lambert	O.H.G. Illustrious with landed
	I.		possessions.
Ichabod	Heb. The glory is departed.	Lawrence	Lat. Crowned with laurel.
Ignatius	Gr. Ardent; fiery.	Leander	GV. Lion man.
Ingram	Teut. Haven.	Lebbeus	Heb. Praise.
Ira	Heb. Watchful.	Lemuel	" Created by God.
Isaac	" Laughter.	Leonard	GV. Brave as a lion ; lion
Isaiah	" Salvation of the Lord.		hearted.
Israel	" A soldier of God, pre-	Leonidas	" Lion like.
Ithiel	vailing with God. " God is with me.	Leopold Lepold	a^r.G. Bold for the people.

14

THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

Levi	Heh. Adhesion, who is held.	Octavius ) Octavus )	y- The eighth child; ^ ' eighth born.
Lewis 0	H. G. Bold warrior.
Linus	Gr. Flaxen haired.	Oliver	Lat. An olive tree.
Lionel	Lat, Young lion.	Orestes	Gr. A mountaineer.
Llewelyn	Celt. Lightning.	Orlando	Teut. Same as Rowland.
Loammi	Heb. Not my people.	Oscar	Celt. Bounding warrior.
L:d:;rc}0."''-S'n,e^ Lewis.	Osmond ) Osmund J	O.G. Protection of God.
Lorenzo	Lat. Same as Lawrence.	Oswald ) Oswold S	„ Power of God ;
Lot	Heb. A veil, a covering.	steward.
Louis 0.	H. G. Same as Lewis.	Othni	Heb. My hour ; my time.
Lucian Lucius	Lat. Born at break of day.	Othniel Owen	" The hour of God. Celt. Lamb; young warrior.
Luke	Lat Luminous, same as Lucian.	Ozias	Heb. Strength of the Lord.
Luther	Gr. Illustrious warrior.		P.
		Patrick	Lat. Noble ; a patrician.
Malachi	M Heb. Messenger of the Lord.	Paul ) Paulus (	" Little ; also, a worker.
Manasseh	" Forgetfulness.	Peleg	Heb. Division.
Manoah	" Rest, also a present.	Peregrine	Lat. A stranger.
Marcellns	Lat Diminutive of Marcus	Peter	Gr. A rock.
Marcius )	„ A hammer; sprung from Mars ; polite.	Phanuel ) Peniel J	„ The face or vision
Marcus \	of God.
Mark )	Philander	" A lover of men.
Martin	Lat. Of Mars ; warlike.	Philemon	" Loving ; friendly ;
Matthew	Heb. Gift of Jehovah.		affectionate.
Matthias	" Gift of the Lord.	Philetus	" Amiable, beloved.
Maurice )	Lat. Moorish ;	Philip	" A lover of horses,
Melvin S	dark-colored.		warlike.
Meredith	Celt. Sea protector.	Phineas ) Phinehas )	jr. Mouth of brass, bold countenance.
Meshach	Heb. That draws by force.
Mieah ) Micajah S	„ Who is like the Lord?	Polycarp	Gr. Much fruit.
humble.	Preserved	Lng. Redeemed.
Michael	" Who is like God ?
Micajah	" Who is like unto God.		R.
Mills	Lat. A soldier.	Ralph 0. H. G. Same as Rodolphns.
Morgan	Brit. A seaman ; a dweller	Randall	A. S. House wolf; or ruler
	on the sea.		of the house.
		Raphael	Heb. Healing of God.
	N.	Raymond	0. G. Wise protection.
Nahum	Heb, Consolation ;	Reginald	" Strong ruler.
	comforter.	Reuben	Heb. Behold a son !
Naomi	" Beautiful.	Reuel	" Friend of God.
Napoleon	Gr. Lion of the forest dell.	Reynold	0. G. Same as Reginald.
Nathan	Heb. Given ; a gift.	Richard 0. H. G. Rich-hearted,
Nathaniel	" The gift of God.		powerful.
Neale ) Nell S	J Dark; swarthy; black- ^'- smith. '	Robert	" Bright in fame, as a
	counsellor.
Nehemiah	Heb. Comfort of the Lord.	Roderick	0. Ger. Rich in fame.
Nicholas Noah	Gr. Victory of the people. /7e6. Rest; comfort.	Rodulph Rodolphus	OHG. Famous wolf or hero.
Noel	Lat. Born on Christmas	Roger	'• Famous with the
	day.		spear, quiet.
Noph	Heb. A seive; a honey comb.	Roland j Rowland 1	0. G. Fame of the Lord.
Norman	Ger. Northman ; a native	Rufus	Lat. Red ; red-haired.
	of Normandy.	Rupert 0.	H. G. Same as Robert.
Obed	0. Heb. Serving God.	Salmon	S. Heb. Shady.
Obediah Obed-edom	" Servant of the Lord. " Servant of Edom.	Samson ) Sampson )	" Great joy and felicity.

INTEODUCTIOXo

Samuel	Heb. Asked for of God;		U.
	heard of God.	Ulysses	Gr. A hater.
Saul	" Asked for.	Urban	Lat. Courteous ; polished ;
Seba	" Eminent.		polite.
Sebastian	" Venerable ; reverend;	Uriah	Heb. Light of the Lord.
	majestic.	Uriel	" Light of the Lord.
Sereno | Serenas 1	Lat. Calm ; peaceful.		V.
Seth	Heb. Appointed.	Valentine	Lat. Strong ; healthy ;
Shadrach	" Rejoicing in the way.		powerful.
Silas	Lat. Diminutive of	Victor	" A conqueror.
	Sylvanus.	Vincent	" Conquering;victorioas
Silvan )		Vivian	" Lively.
Silvanus >	" Living in a wood.
Sylvanus )			W.
Silvester |	j^^ Bred in the country ; rustic.	Walter 0. H. G. Ruling the host.
Sylvester )	Wilfred	." Much peace.
Simeon j Simon i	„, Hearing with accept- ^^- ance.	William	" Helmet of resolution ;
	defence or protector
Solomon	" Peaceable.		of many.
Stephen	Gr. A crown.	Winfred	A. S. Win peace.
Sylvanus	" Woodman.		Z. Htb. Gift of God.
	T.	Zabdiel
Thaddeus	Syr. The wise.	Zaccheus	" Innocent; pure.
Theobold	0. G. Bold for the people.	Ziichariah Zachary	„ Remembered of the
Theodore	Gr. The gift of God.	Lord.
Theodoric	A. S. Powerful among the	Zadock	" Just.
Theophilus	people. Gr. A lover of God.	Zebedee ) Zebadiah j	" Gift of the Lord.
Thomas	" Twin.	Zechariah	" Same as Zachariah.
Timothy	" Fearing of God.	Zebulon	" Dwelling, habitation.
Tobiah	Htb. Distinguished for the	Zedakiah	" Justice of the Lord.
	Lord.	Zelotes	Gr. A zealot.
Tristram	Lat. Grave ; pensive ;	Zenas	" Gift of Jupiter, living.
	melancholy.	Zephaniah	Heb. Hid of the Lord.
	n. NAMES	OF WOMEN.
Abbie ) Abby \	A. Heb. Diminutive of Abigail	Angelica ) Angelina j Ann \	Gr. Lovely ; angelic. Heb.
Abigail	" My Father's joy.	Anna Anne Annette j	Grace ; (the same as
Achsah	" Anklet ; adorned.	Lat. Hannah), merciful.
Ada	0. G. Same as Edith ;
	happiness.	Antoinette )	Gr.
Adaline )		Antonia >	Lat. Inestimable.
Adelaide Adela Adelia	„ All variations of Ade-	Antonina )
line; Fr., Noble, &c	Apphia	" Fruitful.
	Arabella	" A fair altar.
Adelina C Adeline	•p^- \ Of noble birth.	Ariana Asenith	Gr. Corruption of Ariadnx " Peril; misfortune.
Adnah	Rest ; testimony.	Augusta	Lat. Feminine of Augustus.
Agnes	Or. Good ; kind ;	Aurelia	" Feminine of Aurelios.
	who confesses.	Aurora	" Morning redness ;
Alathea	" Truth.		fresh ; brilliant.
Alice	0. G. Same as Adeline ; noble.	Azubah	Heb. Deserted.
Almlra	Ar. Lofty ; a princess.		B.
Althea	Gr. A healer.	Barbara	Gr. Foreign ; strange.
Amabel	Lat. Lovable.	Bashemath	Heb. Perfumed ;
Amanda	" Worthy to be loved.		in desolation.
Amelia	0. G. Busy ; energetic.	Bathsheba	" The 7th daughter.
Amy	Za«.Bel6ved.

16

THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

Beatrice ) Beatrix ) Belinda Bertha Betsy

Beulah Bridget

Camilla

Caroline

Cassandra

Catharina ) Catharine > Catherine ) Cecilia Celestine Celia Charlotte Chloe

Christiana /

Christina J

Clara I

Clarissa )

Clementine

Constance

Cora

Cordelia

Corinna

Cornelia

Cynthia

Cyrene

Deborah

Delia

Diantha

Dinah Dorah

Dorcas Dorinda Dorothy Drusilla

Edith Edna Eleanor ) Elenora ) Elisabeth Elizabeth Eliza Ella I Ellen ) Emeline ) Emily S Emma )

Lai. Making happy.

" Uncertain. 0. G. Bright ; beautiful. Heb. Corruption of Eliza- beth. " Married. Celt. Strength.

Lat, Attendant at a sacri- fice. 0. G. Fern, of Carolus or Charles. Gr. She who inflames with love.

Gr. Pure, chaste.

Lat. Feminine of Cecil. " Heavenly. " Feminine of Coelius. 0. G. Feminine of Charles. Gr. A green herb ;

blooming. „ Fem. of Christianus. Lat. for Christian.

Lat. Bright, illustrious.

" Mild ; gentle. " Firm ; constant. Gr. Maiden ; as Corinna. Lat. Warm hearted. Gr. Maiden.

Lat. Fem. of Cornelius. ' Gr. Belonging to

Mt. Cynthus. " A wall ; a floor.

D.

Heb. A bee ; a word. Ger. of Delos. Gr. Flower of Jove ;

a pink. Heb. Judged ; judgment. Gr. Contraction of Doro- thy. " A gazelle, roebuck. " Same as Dorothy. •' The gift of God. " Watered by the dew.

0. G. Happiness. Heb. Pleasure, p Light ; same as Hel- len.

■rj, A worshiper of God ; God hath sworn.

Gr.

Contraction of

Eleanor.

0. G. Energetic.

Esther

Eudorah

Eugenia

Eunice

Eva I

Eve)

Evangeline

Eveline

Per. A star ; a good for- tune. Gr. Good gift. " Feminine of Eugene. " Happy victory.

Heb. Life.

Gr. Bringing good,or glad news. Heb. Same as Eva.

Fanny Gtr. Diminutive of

Frances. Faustina Lat. Lucky ; fortunate.

Felicia " Happiness.

Fidelia " Faithful.

Flora " Flowers.

Florence " Blooming ;

flourishing. Frances Ger, Feminine of Francis.

Fredericka O.H.G. Feminine of

Frederick.

G.

Georgiana Gr. Feminine of George. Gertrude 0. H. G. Spear maiden. Grace \ j Favor (unmerited)

Gracia) ' (same as Anne and

Hannah). Griselda Teut. Stone ; heroine.

Hannah

Harriet 0. Hellena ) Hellen I Henrietta 0. Hephzibrih Hester

Honora | Honor ) Hortensia Huldah

Ida Inez

Irene

Isabella

Isabel

Jane /

Janette I

Jean

Jeanne

Jeannette

Joan

Joanna

Heb. The same as Anna (grace) ; gracious, merciful. H. G. Feminine of Henry.

Ger. Light.

H. G. Feminine of Henry. Heb. My delight is in her. Per. Same as Esther

(a star).

Lat. Honorable.

" A lady gardener. Heb. A weasel ;

a prophetess.

0. G. Godlike. Gr. Same as Agnes

(kind.) " Peaceful.

Heb. Same as Elizabeth.

Heb.

Fem. of John, Gift or mercy of the Lord.

Feminine of John, Gift or mercy of the Lord.

INTRODUCTION.

17

Jemima

Jerusha

Josephine

Jojce

Judith

Julia

Juliana

Juliet Justina .

Katharine

Keturah

Keziah

Laura

Laurinda

Lavina /

Lavinia J

Leonora

Letitia

Lettice

Lilian

Lois

Lorinda

Louisa )

Louise J

Lucia

Lucinda Lucre tia Lucy ■

Lydia

Mabel

Madeline

Magdalene

Marcella

Mareia

Margaret

Maria

Marianne

Marion

Martha

Mary

Matilda 0 Maud

Heb. A dove.	Mehetabel
" Possessed ; married.	Mehitable
" Feminine of Joseph.	Melicent
Lat. Sporting.	Melissa
Heb. Praised ; praising.
Ixit. Feminine of Julius ;	Mildred
downy, soft haired.	Miranda
" Fem. of Julian;	Miriam
downy.	Myra
" Diminutive of Julia.
" Fem. of Justin.
K.	Nancy
Gr. Same as Catharine.
Heb. Increase.	Naomi
" Cassia, superficies.	Narcissus

L.

Lat. A laurel. " A variation of Laura.

Of Latium

Same as Eleanor.

Happiness.

Corruption of Letitia.

Lily.

Good ; desirable.

Variation of Laurinda

Feminine of Louis or

Lewis. Same as Lucy,

lightsome. Same as Lucy. Grin ; or light, Fem. of Lucius (horn

at break of day). From Lydia in Asia

Minor.

Gr. Lat.

Gr. Lat.

H.G.

Lat.

May

M.

Lat. Contraction of

Amabel.

Heb. Belonging toMagdala

Lat. Fem. of Marcellus. " Fem. of Marcius. Gr. A pearl ; precious. Heb. Same as Mary. " Compound of Mary

and Anne. " A French form of

Mary. " Kuler of the house ; otkerivise sorrowful, melancholy. " Exalted ; bitter ; star of the sea. H. G. A mighty battle maid;

a heroine. " A contraction of Ma- tilda and also of Magdalene. " Month of May; also diminutive of Mary. 2

Octavia Olive ( Olivia \ Ophelia Olympia

Paula

Paulina }

Pauline J

Penelope

Persis

Phebe

Philippa

Phoebe

Phyllis

Polly

Priscilla

Rachel Rebecca | Rebekah j Rhoda Rosa Rosabel Rosabella ] Rosalia ) Rosalie j Rosalind Rosamond

Rosamund

Roxana

Ruth

Sabina

Rabrina

Salome

Salva

Sarah

Heb. Benefited of God.

Lat. Sweet singer. Gr. A bee, (same as

Deborah). Ger. Mild threatener. Lat. Admirable. Heb. Same as Mary. Gr. She who weeps or laments.

N. Lat. A familiar form of

Anne. Heb. Beautiful ; agreeable. " Astonishment. Lat. Contrac. of Honora.

O.

Lat. Feminine of Octavius.

" An olive.

Gr. A serpent. " Heavenly.

P.

Lat. Fem. of Paulus.

Paul.

" Fem. of Paulinus.

Gr. A weaver. " A Persian woman. " The same as Phoebe. " Fem. of Philip. " Pure ; radient. " A green bough. Eng. A variation of Molly,

from Mary. Lat. Somewhat old,

eminent. R. Heb. A ewe sheep.

" Of enchanting beauty.

Gr. A rose. Lat A rose.

" A fair rose.

„ Little and blooming

rose. " Beautiful as a rose. Teut. Horse protection, or famous protection. " Rose of the world. Per. Dawn of day. Heb. Beauty.

Lat. A Sabine woman. " The river Swern. Heb. Peaceful. Lat. Safe.

Heb. A princess of the mul- titude.

18

THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

Selina Serena

Shuah

Sibyl or ) Sybil j Sophia Sophronia Stella Susan I Susanna i

Tabitha

Theodora

Theodosia

Theresa

Tryphena

Tryphosa

Ulrica

Gr. Parsley ; otherwise,

moon. Lat. Fem of Serenas or Sereno (calm ; peaceful ) . " Humiliation ; medi- tation, p A prophetess, also a heathen antiquity. " Wisdom. " Of a sound mind. Lat. A star.

Heb. A lily.

Syr. A gazelle. Gr. Fem. of Theodore.

" The gift of God.

" Carrying ears of corn.

" Delicate ; luxurious.

" Luxurious ; dainty.

U. 0. G. Rich.

Urania Ursula ) Usla ]

Valeria Vashti

Victoria

Vida

Viola

Virginia

Viviana

Wilhelmina Winifred

Zenobia Zipporah

Gr. Heavenly.

Lat. She bear, a little bear.

V.

Lat. Feminine of Valerius. Pe)-. That drinks,

also thread. Lat. Victory. Erse. Fem. of David. Lat. A violet. " Virgin ; pure. " Lively.

W.

OBG. Fem. of Wilhelm,

(Ger. of Wm.) Teut. A lover of peace.

Gr. Having life from

Jupiter. " A beauty ; also a trumpet.

Of the Origin and Meaning of Family or Surnames.

It is gratifying to learn that an increased intere,«t has of late been awakened upon the subject of the origin and meaning of names. This is particularly noticeable among those who are fond of antiquarian re- searches.

In constructing the following article the author has studied to com- press the most information into the smallest compass. To do this he has availed himself of the work of Professor Bowditch on Suftblk Sur- names, sundry extracts from Camden's British Remains, W. W. Fowl- er's articles ("Hints to Genealogists") in the Hist. Gen. Register, Vol. 22, p. 28, and Vol. 23, p. 77, Dixon on the meaning of Surnames, and other sources.

Our limits, however, will admit of doing but little more than to di- rect the attention to some of the fundamental rules, which, with the help of a concise table which we term a Key, may prove a help to many in searching for the origin and meaning of their names.

To understand the origin of surnames more fully it is to be rfecollected that they were unknown among ancient nations, if we except the Romans ; that they were unknown in England and kindred nations until after the Norman Conquest in 1C66 ; and even then they were gradually introduced, being first assumed by people of the "better sort." Although Mr. Dixon asserts that surnames existed before the Conquest, yet they were the exception rather than the rule.

It was not until the reign of Eldward II. (AD. 1307), that they were assumed by " and fully settled among the common people." Before the Conquest no man, with a few isolated exceptions, had more than one name. Mr. William Camden, who investigated the subject of the origin of surnames with more attention than any other European writer

INTRODUCTION. 19

in his clay, asserts, that after all his researches and inquiries among his contemporaries, that he never found any hereditary surnames befoi-e the Conquest. But about the time of the Conquest he observed the very primary beginnings of surnames. Many of those that were sup- posed to be very ancient were proved by him to be comparatively modern. The names of Mortimer and Warren, which he said were considered in his day names of great antiquity, he found to have origi- nated from two brothers, sons of Walter, the son of St. Martin, who, residing in places bearing those names, adopted them as their surnames. He who first took the name of Clifford (from his place of residence in Scotland, near a ford by a ledge or cliff, called Cliff-Ford,) was the son of Richard, son of Punze, a noble Norman, who had no other name. Surnames were first imposed for the distinction of families, and these were to continue hereditary, and no member of such had a right to alter his family or surname except by due process of law.

As population increased it became apparent that the different indi- viduals needed some further mark, or an additional name, by which each might be more easily identified and distinguished from his neigh- bor. At this period it became necessary for every family to look around and select some name by which it wished henceforth to be known. Hence surnames are traceable to several sources.

The largest number are derived from places, as towns, villages, seats or patrimonial posessions, fields, mountains, valleys, streams, fords, &o. The most ancient, says Camden, are from places in Normandy, and the adjacent countries.

Next to local names, the most numerous are those derived from trades, professions or occupations, as Archer, Brewer, Carpenter, Mason, Smith, and numerous others.

Some names have been assumed from office or official stations, as Abbott, Bishop, Clark, Marshall, Sergeant and others : others are from titles of honor, as King, Prince, Lord, Knight ; others from bodily or mental qualities, as Wise, Strong, Long, Short, Little ; others from parts of the body, as Head, Foot, Hearts, Arms, &c. ; others from periods of life, as Old, Young, Childs, &c. ; others from color of their dress as Black, White, Green, Brown, &c. ; others from trees, fruit, riowers, &c., as Oaks, Peach, Berry, Rose, &c. ; others from quadru- peds, as Lamb, Bear, Buck, Fox, Badger, Lyon, &c. ; others from birds, as Nightingale, Peacock, Crow, Parrott, Swan, &c. ; others from fishes, as Pike, Bass, Salmon, Haddock, Crabb, «fec. ; others from edifices, as Church, House, Barns, Shed, or from parts of the same, as Sleeper, Brace, Door, Hall ; others from roads, bridges, streets, ways, points of the compass, the elements, fuel, instruments and terms used in war, &c.

There are also many derived from Christian names, and a few from female names, as Janes, Miriam, &c. ; some from inanimate objects, as stone, flint, marble ; also from having been born on a certain day, month, year, or season, as Monday, May, Winter, &c.

Each individual is distinguished from his fellows by his name only.

Doubtless every name originally had a meaning and originated from some cherished place or object, or from fancy or caprice. Most of the names arranged under a large majority of the divisions above named explain themselves. But those names that were derived from the

20 THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

names of places and objects arranged in the " Key," under the head of the "Face of nature," are much more difficult to ascertain, and more especially as those places themselves were named by different nations, speaking different languages, which renders it necessary to resort to the roots from which such names were derived in order to arrive at their true meaning.

To say nothing of Normandy and other nations, England has been, by turns, held and inhabited by Celts or Kelts (native Bi-itains), Romans, Saxons, Danes, Norwegians and Normans. It becomes necessary, therefore, to understand from which of these nations, or its language, any given name sought is derived. For we find that such terms as stream, river, brook, field, ivood, toion, village, home, &c., are expressed by these different nations by quite different terms. To facilitate an investigation and enable the inquirer to find the root from which his name was derived, and consequently to ascertain its meaning, an Ety- mological Index or Table of Roots has been constructed, where the root of very many names may be found, and the language referred to, tu which such roots belonged or from which they originated.

Before surnames were introduced, an individual was identified, either by a term signifying " son of," or by his place of residence. The He- brews, instead of surnames, used the name of the father with Ben, which signifies son, as Caleb Ben Jephunneh, i. e. Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, Phinehas Ben Eleazer Ben Aaron, the priest, that is, Phinehas, the son of Eleazei", the son of Aaron, the priest.

In the early history of England a similar custom prevailed by adding the suffix ing, meaning son or offspring, as Ceonred Ceolwalding, i. e. Ceonred, the son of Ceolwald. In the same sense, the Welch Britons used Ap (son), as Owen Ap Harry Ap Rhese, i. e. Owen, the son of Harry, the son of Rhese ; Henry Ap Adam, i. e. Henry, the son of Adam.

The same may be said with regard to the Scotch in the use of " Mac" for son, as Donald Mac Wharter, i. e. Donald, son of Wharter. With the Irish the expression for son is Oy or O', as O'Neal, Brien O'Connell, i. e. son of Neal, Brien, son of Connell. The Normans used Fitz ("son") in a similar manner, as Robert Fitz William, Hugh Fitz Gerald, i. e. Robert, the son of William, Hugh, the son of Gerald. .The Germans made use of Von (son), and the Dutch, Van (son), in the same manner.

Some names are constructed by the addition of Kin or Kins (cor- responding to "Chen "in German), and son, or both kin and son, as Jenkin and Jenkinson from Jack, also Judkins and Judson from Jude, &c. ]Many names are consti-ucted of two Saxon words, as Prescott from priest and cottage (priest's house), others from associations, «&;c., as Charestown (or Carleton), Hamilton, Littleton, Marston (marsh and town), Dalton (valley town). Some names are composed of two words of directly opposite meaning, as Noyes, of no and yes.

Explanations of the Abbreviations employed in the following Etymo- logical Vocabulary, or Table of Boots. — (A. S.) Anglo-Saxon, (Br.) British (Native), (Celt.) Celtic, (D.) Danish, (Eng.) English, (Fr.)

INTRODUCTION.

21

French, (Ger.) German, (0. G.) Old German, (It.) Italian, (Ir.) Irish, (Nor.) Norman, (Pg.) Portugal, (Russ.) Russian, (Scot.) Scotch, (Slav.) Slavonic, (Sp.) Spanish, (Sw.) Swedish.

TABLE OR VOCABULARY OF ROOTS, ETC.

A, aa, ach (0. G.), Flowing water.

Aar, ar (Celt), A water course.

Abbe (Fr.), Abbot, as Abbeville, i. e.

[Abbot's town]. Aber (Celt), An aperture, mouth of a

river, estuary, as Aberdeen. Ac, ack, or ock (A. S.), An oak. Adel (Ger.), Noble. Adler (Ger.), Eagle. Al,el (Sp.), The article Tlie. Aid, al, au (A. S.), alt (Ger.), oude

(1).), Old. Alp (Celt.), A mountain white with snow. Alter (Ger.), Other. Amier (do), Friend. Ap (Welch), A son. Armitage (Ger.), Hermitage. Ard (Celt.), Height, promontory. Arde (I).), Earth, land. Asta (B.), Rock, cliff. A tor (Ger.), Star. Ath (Ir.), A ford, as Athboy [a yellow

ford I Au, aue (Ger.), Field, meadow.

Bach, or pach (Ger.), Brook, rivulet. Bad, pi. baden (Ger.), bagno (It.), Bath. Bal, bail, bally (Celt), Township or

a village. Bait, or belt (Celt. & Nor.), Belt, strait. Bam, blimp (A. S.), Abeam, a tree. Bar (Slav.), Land ; country ; region. Bas, bassas (Fr. ), basso (0. Ger. ), Low,

as Bassasville [low town]. Beau, bel, belle (Fr.), Beautiful, fine. Beck, or burn (A. S.), Brook, small

stream. Bel (Ir.), Mouth of a river. Ben, bin (A. S.), A bean. Berg (Ger.), A hill, a mountain. Bixby (do ), Yellow hoy. Blague (do.), Blake, yellow. Blair (Celt ), Plain, clear of woods. Blitz (Ger.), Lightning. Boden (do.), Ground, also bottom, deep. Bogoe (do.), A bow. Bogle (do.), A spectre. Boies (do), A wood. Borg (1). & Sw.), borgo (It.), bourg

(Fr.), burgh (Scot.), See Burg. Borough (A. S.), Hill, mountain, fortified

town. Bosk (do.), A thicket, a small wood. Brav (do.), A bank of earth. Brad (do.). Broad.

Brom, birm, broom (A. S), Broom, as

Bromley [brown meadow]. Brug (D.), l)ruck (Ger.), A bridge. Bryen (Celt.), Chief, head. Bud (Ger.), Building, dwel'ing. Bum (do.), Noisy, [Bumstead— noisy

place]. Burg, bury (A. S. & Ger.), borg (Dan.

& Sw.), burgh (Scot.), Habitation,

house, city castle. Burn, bourne, brunn (A S. & Ger.), A

well, brook, fountain. By (A. S.), byle (Dan. & Sw.), A boy,

a dwelling, village, town, as Rugby

[rock town.]

Caer, car (Celt.), A cnnip, fort, fortress.

Car, char (do.), A city.

Carl, charl (A. S.), A churl, Charles.

Carr (do.), A rock.

Cassel (Ger.), castel (It.), A castle.

Caster, cester, chester ( A.S.j, A fortress.

Cha.se (do.), A forest.

Clar (Ir.), Broad, level, as Ballyclare [a

level town). Cleve, cliff (A. S.) A cliff, as Clifford. Cock (do.), A hill, as Hancock, [hill of

the harbor]. Comb (do.), A valley or low place [at

the end of words]. Comp (do.), A low place [when at the

beginning of words]. Cot, cote, coates (do.), Cot, cottage,

or house. Copp, or copse (Nor ), A small wood. Cowen (Sax.), Plural of a cow [cows]. Croft (do.), A little inclosure.

Dale (do.) A low place between hills. Daal (D.), dal (Sw.), thai (Ger.), dale,

dell (A. S.&Eng.), A vale, a valley. Dam, damm (Dan ), A dam, a dyke. Dan, din, dane, (A. S.), The Danes. Dell (do.), A pit or hollow place, also a

niirrow opening. Den (do.), A valley or ravine, as Wal-

den [woody ravine]. Dent (do.), Tooth. Der (do.). Wild deer, as Derby, [deer's

dwelling]. Derry, dare (Ir.), Oak, as Kildare [oak

forest). Donner (Ger.), Thunder. Dor, dur (Br.), River, as Durham [house

by the river] .

22

THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

Dorf (Ger.), Villajre, town.

Dover (A. S.), A ferry.

Dow (do.). Black.

Dowst (do.), A blow.

Druf (do.), A thicket.

Dub, Dul)b(Celt.), Black.

Dugen (do.), A sword.

Dun, or dou (Celt,), A hill, as Dunbar

[hilly region or country]. Dusen (do.), A dozen.

Eich(Ger.), Oak.

Eid (do.), Oath.

Eisen (do.), I on.

El (A. S.), Strength, as Elton [strong

town]. Eno (do.), Enough. Erne (do.). Place, habitation, house. Kugal, or eugel (Ger.), Angel. Ev, ea (A. S.), An island, as Romney

[marsh island].

Fels (Ger.), A rock.

Fenester (do), A window.

reurback(do.), A river, or stream of fire.

Fichtel (Ger.), Pine.

Flam, flein, flin ( A. S ), The Flemings.

Fleet (do.), An arm of the sea.

Fold (Ger), Land, country.

Folk (A. S.), People, as Norfolk [north people].

Fond (Fr.), Bottom, or end.

Font, fontane (do.), Fountain, as Font- aine Belle Eau [fountain of beauti- ful water.]

Ford ( A.S.), furt or furth (Ger.), A ford.

Fort, forte (Fr.), fuerte (Sp.), Strong, a strong place.

Forth (do.), A way.

Frank (Ger.), Free, noble.

Frey, fried, friede, frieden (Ger.), Peace.

Friere (Ger.), Brother.

Frith, orfirth (Scot.), A strait or estuary.

Furze (do.), A thorny evergreen shrub, growing in Great Britain.

Gall (Celt), West, western.

Gee (Ger.), earth.

Gatt (D.), A passage, a strait, a hole.

Garth (A. S.), A small enclosure, asHay- garth.

Gau (Ger.), District, country.

Glas, glass (Celt.), Green.

Glebe (do.). Land belonging to a parish.

Glen (do.), A valley or dale.

Goff (Welsh), Smith.

Graf, grave, grove (A. S.), Intrench- ment, a small enclosure, or a grove.

Gras, grosse (Fr.), gross (Ger.), groote (D.), Large.

Gris (do.). Hair, or fur.

Grub, gi-ube (Ger.), Mine.

Grew (Ger.), A crane.

Gut (do.). Good, as Gutridge [good- ridge.^

Hahn (Ger.), A cock.

Halbe (do,). Half.

Ham or hame (A. S.), heim (Ger.), A home, a hamlet, a farm, [also a house, a village].

Har, hard, hor, hur (do). An army.

Hat, hed, heding, eding (do.), Head, as Hatfield [the head field].

Haup (Ger.), Head.

Haugh, hough (Ger.), [also, haulk]. Meadow, and evergreen oak.

Haught, haut (Ger.), High, proud, inso- lent.

Haus, hausen (do.), liuus (Dan.), House, or dwelling.

Haw (A. S.), A small field.

Haw (do.). Fruit of the hawthorn.

Held (Ger.), Hero.

Heliz (do.). Holy.

Herbst (do.). Harvest.

Ic'err (do.). Lord.

Hithe (A. S.), A little port or haven.

Hof, hoff (Ger.), Court, as HoflFman, [court man].

Hogh (Ger.), High, a hill, a cliff.

Holl (do.). Low, as Holland [low coun- try [.

Holm (A. S.), River, island, meadow.

Holt (do.), A wood.

Hondo, honda (Sp.), Deep : Rahia Honda [deep bayj.

Hurst(A. S.), A small wood or grove, as Parkhurst [grove in a park], park grove.

Huss (Ger.), Goose.

Ing, Inge (A. S.), Meadow, pasture, off- spring. Inver (Jr.), Mouth of a river.

Jippe (Ger.), A small boy. Jung (do.). Young.

Kampe (Ger.), A field, or plain.

Karl (do.), Charles.

Kein (do.). None.

Ken, kin (Celt.), Cape, headland.

Kerke, or kerque (Dan.), Church

[kirche]. Kil, kill (D.), Creek, channel. Kill (Celt.), Church, clovster. Kirche (Ger.), kcrk, or kerke (D.),

kerque (Fr.), kirk (Scot.), A church. Klein (Ger.), A small field. Kopft (do.). Head or summit. Kreis (do.) Circle. Kulm (do.). Bold. Kur, kuren (do.), Chiu, election.

Lac (Fr.), lago (Sp.), loch (Scot.),

lough (Ir.), A lake. Lacus (Fr.), A marsh. Lange, Langcn (Ger ), Long. Law or low (A.S.), A conical hill, ahead.

INTRODUCTION.

Laird (Ger.), Lord.

Laiiate (do.), Wool, curled wool.

Lea, lee, ley, Ij (A. S.), Field, meadow,

pasture, common. Leib (Ger.), A body. Lieber (do ), A door. Leigh, leitli (do.). Meadow, pasture, &c. Le noir (do.), Black. Lin, lyn (Celt.), Deep pool. Ling "(A. S.), A pool from which a

stream flows. Ludwig (Ger.), Lewis. Luitz (do.). Spring. Lund (1). & Sw.), A grove or wood.

Mare (A. S.), Sea.

Mark (Ger.), Limit, boundary.

Mark (Scan ), Field, territory.

Mars (A. S.), Marsh, as Marston.

Mein (Ger.), My own.

Mere (A. S.), mer (Fr.), meer (Ger. & D.), Sea, lake.

Minster (A. S.), munster (Gee), Monas- tery.

Mond (Ger), Moon.

Mor, more (Celt.), Great.

Mull (Celt.), A bare headland.

Mund (Ger.), mond (D.), Month.

Naes or nas (Norw. & Sw.), nes or nase

(Scot.), Nose, also a cape. N:igle (Ger.), Nail. Nant (Celt.), Brook, stream. Neff (Ger.), Nephew. Nether (A. S.), neider (Ger.), nedor (D.),

Lower. Nord (Ger.), norte (Sp. & Pg.), North. Nox, knox (Ger.), Night. Nuevo, nueva (Sp.), nove nowe (Slav.),

ny (Dan. & Sw.), New.

Ober (Ger.), Upper.

Ochs (do.). Ox.

Ort (do.). Place, hamlet, village.

Ost, oost (do.). East.

Palet (Ger.), Crown of the head.

Pallet (do.), A flat piece of wood or

metal, used by painters. Parrack (do), A croft or small field. Perk (do.). Erect, prim. Pernel (do.), Patronella. Polls, pol, poll, pie, boli, ble (Ger.), City. Pons, pont (Fr,), Bridge, as Pierpont,

(Peter's bridge). Porto (It. & Pg.), puerto (Sp.), A haven

or port. Pres, prest (A. S.), Priest, as Preston

[priest town].

Ravine (do.), A long, deep hollow, be- tween hills.

Reich (Ger.), Kingdom.

Reich or Reichana (Ger.), rico or rica (Sp.), Rich.

I Rith or rithe (A. S.), A reservoir. Richter (Ger.), A judge. Rick (do.). Heap or pile of Iiay or grain

in the field. Rig (A S.), A ridge or back. Roan (Ger.), Paler. I Hoche (Fr.), Fortress. Rodman (Ger.), A road man, Ross (Celt), A promontory. Rossa (It.), roth, rothen (Ger.), rouge

(Fr), Red. Roth (Ger.), Red, i. e. Rothcopf, redhead. Rouch (do.). Smoke. Rub, ruhe (do.). Rest, as Carlsruhe

(Charles rest).

Sable (Fr.), Sandv.

Sable (do.), Black.

Sal! or soil (do.), A hall.

Sauk, saut (do ), Water fall.

Sch'.os (Ger.), Castle.

Schnee (do.), Snow.

Schnell (do.). Swift.

Schou (do.). Beautiful.

Schutz (do). Archer.

Schwarz, Schwartz (Ger.), Black.

Schuylen (D.), To hide.

Scrob, scrobb, scrop (A. S.), A siirub or

bush. Sedge (do.). Coarse grass growing in

swamps. See (Ger.), zee (D.), Sea or lake. Selig (Ger.), A blessing. Semlin (Slav.), Land. Senex (Ger.), Old man. Shadforth (do.). Shad way. Sharf(do.), Sharp. Shaw (do.), A small, shady wood or

place. Shire (A. S.), A county. Sk, skn (Russ.), Suffixes denoting a

town or village. Slack (A. S.), A gap or narrow pass. Slade (do.). Low, moist ground ; a little

dale or valley. Sohan (Ger.), Beautiful. Sontag (do ), Sunday. Sowerbv (do.). Sower bo v. Stadt (do.), stad (D. & Sw.), Town. Stan, stane (A. S.), Stone. Stene (Ger.), stun (D.), Stone. Stoak (do.). To stop or choke. Stock, stoke, stol, stow (A. S.), Place,

seat, dwelling. Strat (do.), strasse (Ger.), Street, way,

road. Strath (Gad.), Long and broad valley. Stroh or strohr. Straw. Strom (Ger.), Stream, current. Sund (Ger., D., Sw.), A sound, a strait. Sus (Ger.), Sweet.

Tan. ton (A. S.), Town, village. Tlirope, throp, trop (A. S.), A village.

24

THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

Thorp (Dan.), A village.

Thuold (do.), To carry, to convey.

Tliwaite (A. S.), A level pasture!

Tilson (do.), A farmer.

Ton (do.), A town.

Tod (do), A fox.

Torre (Sp. &It.), A tower.

Trevett (A. S.), A three-legged stool.

Tricht, trecht (D.), A passage.

Troplong (do.), Too long.

Tuk, tuck (do.), A wide river.

Udal (D.), Yew dale or valley. Llnter (Ger), Under, lower.

Valle, val (It. & Sp.), vair (Fr.), A

valley. Villa (Fr!"), A village, town. Virgo (do.), A virgin. Vogel (Ger.), A bird.

Wad wat (A. S.), A fordable river.

Wald, wait, wold, would (do.), Forest or wild uncultivated land.

Wold (Ger), Plain.

Walm (do), Sloping, waving, undu- lating.

Weeber (Ger.), Weaver.

Weick (do.), Tender, weak.

Weinge (do.). Little.

Weise (do.), Meadow.

Weisbain (do.), White leg.

Weisenthral (do.), Meadow, valley.

Weiskeet (do.). Wisdom.

Weiskoff(do.), Whitehead.

Weiss (do.). White.

Went (do.), A way or path.

Wich, wick, wic (A S.) A tower, also a

town, city or village- Wig (Ger.), A wav. Wilheim (do.), William. Wilier (do.), Hamlet or village. Worth, werth ( A. S.) A mansion ; manor ;

also a farm, a court, a village.

Yar, garw, garaw (Celt.), Rapid, rough,

turbid, as Yarmouth. Yates (Celt.), A gate.

Zain (Ger.<), Tooth.

ZoU (do. ), Toll, as Zollicoffer, a toll chest

or treasury. Zouch (Ger.), Trunk of a tree.

A VOCABULARY OF A FEW SURNAMES, THE MEANING OF WHICH ARE NOT FAMILIAR TO MOST PEOPLE,

TOGETHER WITH THE SOURCES FROM WHENCE MANY OF THEM WERE DERIVED.

Surnames. Abercrombie

Acton Ainsworth

Akerman

Aid red

Alexander

Ailston

Ambrose

Armory

Andrews

Anthony

Appleton

Arculus

Ark Wright

Arnold

Arundel

Ashburnham

Atkins

Baine Baldwin

Barn

Sources and Meaning.

A conflux of the winding stream.

A superior or governor of an abbey.

Oaktown.

Ain, own and worth.] One's own worth.

A farmer.

All reverend, fear.

Ger.] A defender of men.

Sax.] All stone.

Ger.] Divine, immortal.

Valiant & diligent ruler.

Gr.] Strong, manly.

Lat. I Priceless ; praise- worthy.

An orchard.

Fr.] A little bow.

A maker of meal eh

Strong ns an eagle.

A swallow.

Ash river home.

Little Arthur.

A bath.

O. G.] A hold, courage- ous friend. Ger.] Wood, from

Baum, a tree.

sts.

Surnames.	Sources and Meaning.
Bancroft	Bank and croft], which
	see.
Banister	A keeper of a bath.
Barely	Ger.] Clay land, bare clay. Sax.] A tanner, [field.
Barker
Barkley	Sax.] Bark, or tanner's
Barrow	A tumulus ; a mound.
Bathurst	Bath and hurst, a grove. |
	Bath grove.
Barstow	A barley place.
Beck	A small stream, a brook.
Beckett	A little brook.
Belknap	A bell-shai.ed hill.
Beede	He that prayeth.
Bellows	Fr.] Corruption of " de
	belle eau," or beautiful
	water.
Berrv, burv	A court.
Bickford	Beck, asfream,Am\ ford.]
	A fordable stream.
Bixbv	Yellow boy.
Blake	Yellow, pale.
Blakelev	Yellow field.
Blakeslee	Blake's field.
Bosquet	¥r.] Grove, or thicket.
Bostwick	Ger.] Ox village.
Bottom ley	Sax.] Bottom, or low
	meadow.
Bourne	A boundary stream.

INTRODUCTION.

Brad beck	Sax.] A broad stream.	Cowley	Cow pasture or field.
Bradbury	Sax.] A broad dwelling	Craddbck	Welsh.] Caradoc.
	or city.	Cranmer	Crane's lake.
Braddock	Sax.] A broad dock.	Croakley	Frog meadow
Bradford	Sax. A broad ford. Sax.] A broad field.	Crocker	A potter.
Bradley	Crosby	Cross boy.
Bradshaw	Sax. A broad wood or	Cummings	Combe "meadovsr, also
	thicket.		from the cummin plant.
Brigham	Bridge, ham, home], A	Cunningham	Churn house.
	home by a bridge.	Gushing	Cows' field or meadow.
Broderick	Sax] Broad rick or heap
Bulkley	Sax.] Bullock's field.
Bumstead	Bum and stead,] A noisy	Dane	A native of Denmark.
	place.	Danney	The alder.
Burv and Bery A court, a liill, a mound.	Dalrvmple	Valley of the crooked
Bush by	Sax.j A hush boy. Sax.] A home by the brook or river.		pool.
Burnhiim,	Davidson ) Davison )	Son of David.
By	A habitation.	Deane ) Dean S	Sax.] Den, a valley.
	[stones.	Decoster	Wide from the mark.
Came & Cairn	A druidical heap of	Dell, or Dale	A vallev.
Caldwell	A cold well.	Dellafield	Of the 'field.
Camden	Camp in a valley.	Dempster	A hangman.
Carter	A driver of carts.	Deni-;on	Admitted to citizenship.
Carr and Ker	Stout, also a city, castle.	Dernier	Fr.] Last, greatest.
Cartwright	A maker of carts.		utmost.
Gate	At the bridge or wharf	Dexter	Right hand ; of Exeter.
	post.	Dike	A ditch.
Chadwick	A shad village.	Dix	Ten.
Chaffer	A merchant ; a trader.	Dixwell	Dick's weir.
Chapman	Marketman ; a seller.	Dolbear	Bearer of sorrow, or one
Chase	A forest.		entrusted with charity.
Chauser	A hosier.	Dole	Charity ; to deal out as
Checkley	Checkrield.		for charitable objects.
Chevney	Oak.	Duncan	Celt.] A l>rown chief.
Chilcot	Cold cottage.	Dunbar	Dun, a hill, and bar, a
Choate	Fat, chubby.		country. A hilly coun-
Chute	Fr.] Fall (hence para- chute).		try.
	Dux	Duke.
Clough	A ravine.	Duxbury	Dwelling or home of a
Clement	Lat.] mild tempered.		duke.
Cobb	Celt.] Chief leader, wealthy.
Colbath	Cold bath.	Eames	Celt.] Uncle.
Cochran	Sax.] Turned-np nose.	Eastburn	East river.
Col beck	Cold stream.	Eaton	Water town.
Colburn	Cold river.	Edgecomb	Edge and comb]. Edge
Colby	Cole boy; a cold house		of the valley.
	or dwelling.	Edgeworth	Edge and worth].
Colcot	Cold cottage.	EUery	Powerful in war.
Colegrove	Cold grove.	Emery	A. S.] Powerful ; rich.
Colton	Cold town.	P^ndicolt	Cottage at the end.
Colver	Cold year.	Eveleth	Sheep field.
Combe	A valley.	Everett	Bold as a wild boar.
Conig	Ger ] A king.	Ewbank	Water or sheep bank.
Conrad	O.H.G.] Bold in council.
Copeland	A piece of ground or
	eminence, terminating	Fairbairn	Ger.] Fair child.
	in form of a cap.	Farnham	Fern's home.
Copp	A small piece of wood-	Farwell	Fare well.
	land.	Fenester	Ger.] Window. Sax.] A fine field.
Corbett	A raven.	Finley
Cowen	Cows (plural of cow). |	Fletcher	Ger.] An arrow.

23

THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

Flinders

Folger

Fornmn

Foster

Franklin

Frisby

Frobisher

Fullerton

Garibaldi (.ierard Goddard Gil man Godfrey

Codling

Godsall Goff

Gordon Gove Graliani Grant

Gregory

Grew

Griswold

Grund

Gunter

Gutman

Hacker Haley Hallet Haniden

Haraden

Hargrove

Harrington

Hassenfus

Hay

Hayden

Hayward

Henshaw

Herbert Hey wood

Hyde Hilton

Hindman

Holbrook

Holmes

Hood

Sax.] Splinters; small pieces.

Corruption of Fougeres, in Brittany.

Foreman.

A nourisher ; charity.

Joyful, glad, same as JFrancis; also a free- bolder.

Peace lioy.

A fiirbishcror polisher.

Fuller's or fowler's town.

Hard spear.

Pious, virtuous. Same as William. God and frey, peace.]

Peace with God. God and ling, child.]

God child. God's hall. Welch for a smith ; also

a clown. Sa.\.] Little valley. A mow or stack of hay. Grim, savage. Charity ; to give

great, tall, long. Watchful. A crane. Gris and wold. Ger.] For ground. Chief in battle. Ger.] A good man.

ah

An axe.

Hay and ley.] Hay field.

Little Hal or Henry.

Sax.] A house "in a shady wood.

Hare valley.

Hare grove.

Heifer's meadow town.

Hare's foot.

A hedge.

Hay valley.

Keeper of cattle.

A young heron ; also hen thicket.

Glory of the army.

Delightful wood ;"a wood where merry enter- tainments are held.

Celt.] A field.

Hill and town.] Hill

town.

One that takes care of iiinds. [brook.

Wood or holly tree

An island.

Celt.] Wood.

Hornby

Hope

Hosford

Howe

IngersoU

A hornboy.

A small field.

Horse and ford.] Horse

ford. A field or pasture.

Ing and sail.] Meadow hall.

Ingraham	Sax.] Home of the raven
Ireson	Ire, am/er, and son.] Sou
	of anger.
Jager	Ger.] A hunter.
.Jaques	Fr.j James.
Jenner	Sax.] A joiner.
Kammerer	Ger.] A treasurer.
Kane, Kean	Same as pen, penn.
Keyes	From Key.] To open a lock. Cottage on the ridge.
Kittridge
Keyser	Emperor.
Knapp	A protuberance, hillock.
Knott	A rocky summit.
Lambert	Illustrious with landed
	possessions.
Lanahan	Having curled wool.
Latimer	An interpreter.
Lawrence	Crowned with laurels.
Lawton	Law town.
Leiand	Lea and land.] Field or pasture land.
Leonard	Brave as a lion.
Lichinstein	A shining rock.
Liddon	Lid placed on and ad-
	justed.
Lindall	Lin, a brook, and dall, a
	dale.
Lindsay, Linzee	Lime-tree isle.
Ling	A pond or lake from
	which a stream flows.
Lock	A lake.
Lloyd	Brown or gray.
Loring	From Loraine, a French
	province.
Low	A head ; a small hill ; a
	flame of fire.
Ludwig	Ger.] For Lewis.
Luther	Renowned chief.

Maison

Malhone

Marsham

Marston

Maynard

Mclmouth Melville

Fr.] For house. A bad bone. Home near a marsh. Marsh town. Manly nature and cour- age. Honey mouth. Honey city.

INTRODUCTION,

27

f.Tereherk Meredith Merrill Moiitnfriie

Moreton Morj:nnstcrn Morrill Moiitebrun

Niblack

NorcToss

Norton

Norwood

No we 11

Nve

O'Brien Odell Ogl^leby ('Irott Osborn / Osburn i ( Osgood Ottridge

J'alet Palmer

Parry Patrick

Payton Pal>ody

Pearson ) Pearsonel I Pease Pelham Pellet Pen, Penn Pepis Perkins

Phillips

Piokman

Pierre

Pierpont

Piti»rew

Piso

Plancus

Polk

Portlock

Pratt

Lake stream. Protector against the sea From merry. From Monte Acute]

See Gen. Reg., vol.

ix., p. 308. More or moor town. Morning star. Moral. Brown hill.

Nigh black.

North cross.

North town.

North wood.

Norwell, or north well.

At the island.

Descendant of Brien Old house. Oggle boy. Old cottage. A house child hero's child. A good child. Oat ridge.

also

Fr.] Crown of the head.

One who carries the | palm, also a pilgrim. I

To ward off; to defend.

Lat.] A patrician ; j

noble.

Pay town.

Pea, a mountain, and bod- die, a man.] A moun- tain man, a great man, a general or leader, or a great warrior, also handsome as a pea.

Peter's son.

Celtic.] Pea. Peel tower or pool house A small ball or bullet. Head, chief, magistrate. A looker, one that peeps. A variety of cider ; a

cidcrkin. A warrior, a lover of

horses. A pike man. Fr.] For Peter. Fr.] Pierre and pont, a

bridge ; Peter's bridge. Ger.] A little crane. Lat-l A mortar. Flatfooted.

Little pool, pit, or pond. A gate lock. Crafty, subtle, politic.

Prescott

Preston

Prichard

Prideaux Putnam

Quarles Quinby Quincy

Radcliff Raleigh Ramsey Ram age

Randall

Raymond

Remick

Rensellaer

Revnolds Ridley

Rick )

Kicks > Rix ) Ripley Rodman

Rogers

Rolfe )

Ralphe ( .

Rosenfeldt

Rowland

Rudstein

Rundlett

Russ

Sanborn

Sears

Schmidt

Schneider Sehnell SchoUy Scipio

Scribner Sedgeley

Seigel Seiger Seigler

Sax. priest and cottage.]

Priest's house. Priest and town.]Priest'.s

town. Corruption of ap. son,

and Richard, Near the waters. Home of the pits or wells.

Celtic! Stone quarries. Queen's dwelling. Quince tree plot.

Red cliff.

Roe-buck ; field.

Ram's island.

Lat. ramus.] Wild, shy,

branches of trees, &c. A. S. Ranulph ] Ruler

of the house. 0. G.] Wise protection. From Wrenwick. Deer's couch ; hart's har- bor. O. G.] Strong ruler. Reed or rush field. Contraction of rye and

dell.] Rye dal ), or rye

valley. A stack of hay or grain

in the field, sheltered

by a roof. River-bank field. A roadman. O. H. G.] Famous with

the spear. Help ; commerce, same

as Radulph. Ger ] A field of rose«. O.S.] Fame of the Lord. Ger.] Red stone. Sax.] A small cask. Pertaining to Russia.

S^x.] Sand born.

A soothsayer,a wise man.

Ger. I For smith, to smite.

Ger.] A tailor.

Ger.] Swift.

Ger. J A commentator.

A stay; a staff; a walk- ing stick.

A writer.

Sax.] Sedge meadow, field of .sedge.

Ger.] For seal.

Ger.] A conqueror.

Ger '

28

THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

Seymour	Fr.] From St. Mour, a	Tucke	A long sword. See
	tailor, Gen. Reg , ix.,		Sliattuck.
	^ p. 308.	Trowbridge	Trumpeter's bridge.
Shadforth	Sax.] Shad way.	Tucker	A fuller.
Shapleii^h	Sheep field.	Tudor	Same as Theodore.
Shattuck	Said by some to be from Shaddock, a fruit re-	Tufts	Homestead.
	semi)ling an orange ;	Ufford	Up ford.
	by Gen. Reg., vol.
	X., p, 189, it is said to	Volkenburg	Ger.] A city people, or
	be from a sword called		for the people. Also
	a tuck ; it was after-		a falcon's castle.
	wards improved by	Vaughan	Little.
	teeth being cut in one	Vespucci	Sons of vespa or wasp.
	edge, when it became	Vinton	Vine town.
	a saw tuck, and event-
	ually Shattuck.
Shatz	Ger.j ' Treasure. Sax. A small shady	Wadsworth	Ford or meadow farm.
Shaw	Wagner	A wagoner.
	wood.	Wainwright	A carriage maker.
Sheldon	Shell valley ; shell hill.	Wald, Wold	A wood.
Sherburne	Sliire, or clear brook.	Walden	A walled valley, a ruler.
Sherlock	A sure lock.	Walker	A fuller.
Sherman	Shear-man; a clothier.	Walmslev	An undulating field.
Shurtleff	Shear cliff; white cliff.	Waltham"	Walt & ham.] Home by
Slager*	A striker.		the wood ; wood-house.
Smith	A smiter or striker.	Webster	A weaver.
Somerby	Summer dwelling.	Wendall	A common.
Sowerby	Sour boy.	Wentworth	Farm wav, or court wav.
Spalding ) Spauldinp: (	Chip orsplinter meadow	Wesley	West & ley.] W^est field
or field.		or meadow.
Sparhawk	A sparrow hawk.	Werth ) Worth S	A way. (At the t-ml
Spencer	A steward.	of words, sometimes
Spofford	Fr.] Spaw, spay, or min-		means a village.)
	eral spring.	Wiggleswortii	Wigles farm or ville.
Sprapfue	Lively, active.	Wheaton	Wheat town.
Standish	Stand and dish. J A case	Whitaker	White acre.
	for holding pen and ink.	Whitfield	White field ; white ley.
Stanhope	Stone hill.	Whitley	White field or meadow.
Stark	Strong ; stiff.	Whitmarsh	White marsh.
Starkweather	Strong or severe weather.	Whitridge	White ridge.
Storer	Overseer of flocks.	Whittier	A mental qualitv, trittkr.
Straus	Ger.] A bush.	Wid.lefield	Wide field.
Strickland	Land or pasture for	Wiesenthral	Weise & thral.] Meadow
	steers.		vallpy, or valley
Sumner	A summoner.		meadow.
Swartwout	Blackwood.	Willoughbv	A willow hay.
Sylvester	Bred in the woods or	Winslow	Battle mound, or tumu-
	country.		lus.
Svke 1 Sykes J	A small brook in low	Winstrope	Wine village ; pleasant
ground.		village.
		Winfield	Win and field ; or win, X.h(t furze, and field.
Tabor	A small drum.	Won	A dwelling.
Tallipffero	Same as Tolliver.	Woodward	A keeper of the wood
Taney	Color.		or forest.
Tappan	Sax.] Act of piercing a vessel to draw off a	Wright	An artificer ; a mechanic.
	liquid.	Yates, Yett	A gate.
Thalburg	Ger.] Valley mountain. Sax.] A cleared and cul-
Thwaite	Zollicoffer	Zoll, toll, and coffer, a
	tivated field.		chest.] A tool-chest, or
Tilson ) Tillson j	A farmer, a tiller.	Zollman	toll treasury. Toll-man.

INTRODUCTION.

29

A KEY TO THE ORIGIN OR SOURCES OF SURNAMES;

Being a Table containing the divisions and sub-divisions of the sub- jects and articles from which most of the surnames now in use have been derived, with a few samples under each sub-division.

1. Peculiar names.

a. Curious.

b. Disagreeable.

c. Hoggish.

d. Opposite.

e. Age.

2. Man.

a. Parts of a man. y. Female names.

4. Christian ■'

5. Bodily Peculiarities. C. Mental qualities.

7. Relationship and af-

fection.

8. Localities, places and

nations.

a. Towns, villages,

and promiscuous names.

b. Bays,rivers.moun-

tains.

9. Cloth,artic]es of dress,

ornaments, &c.

10. Quadrupeds and birds.

IL Insects, reptiles and fishes.

12. The face of nature.

Samples of Names.

Farragut, Silverthorn, Craw, Munger, Nimblet, Holernan

Gall, Spittle, Rottman, Foffo, Hoofman, Gutman.

Hogg, Shoats, Swinson, Ham, Bacon.

Noyes, Gocoiue, Stanfell, Oldboy, Purslow, Sea- land.

Youno-, Youngman. Olds, Elder, Whitehead, Minor, Bibb, Beckett.

Mann, Freeman, Prentice, Boys, Ladd, Bond, Liberty, Master.

Head, Foot, Heart, Livermore, Armstrong, Dex- ter (i. e. right hand).

Janes, Merriam, Pattison, Dame, Virgin, Marcy, Hannahs.

Davidson, Gipson, .Tameson, Lawrence, Mathews, Nichols, Peters, Phillips, Richards, Ruberts, Williams, Willard, Wilcox, &c.

Slowman, Wait, Boulter, Stubbs, Speed, Rush, Tread well, Longfellow, Short, Vaughan, Arm- strong, Little.

Worthy, Goodman, Merritt, Goodfellow, Smart, Wise, Cilley, Withe, Gay, Hartwell, Bright, Lovejny, Sweetser, Cross, Crosby.

Dadman, Goodson, Darling, Fairchild, Dearborn, Lovewell, Dearboy, Bachelor, Huggins, Buss- well, Cousins, Swain, Bliss.

Garrison, Post, Nations, French, Dutch, Ireland, Jordan, English.

Hampton, Lancaster, Newton, Kent, Flanders, Chester, Lyons, Dunbar, 'Jhing.

Sackett, Jordan, Tweed, Hudson, Arno, Niles, Shannon.

Coates, Westcott, Spencer, Button, Belt, Dia- mond, Jewell. Pearly, Jasper, Garnet, Comb, Whitcomb, Beede.

Bear, Dolbear, Wolfe, Fox, Lamb, Calef, Badger, Buckman, Hinds, Parrot, Mallard, Pecker, Martin, Crow, Corbett (i. e. a raven), Hawks, Palfrey, Pettigrew, Hart, Wilcox, Bruen.

Bee, Bisbee, Silsbee, Emmet, Somerbee, Weather- bee, Leech, Paddock, Nute, Codman, Roach, Place, Ray, Haddock, Hooker,

Saltmarsh, Smallwood, Shankland, Vinyard, Greenfield, Bradford, Lyford, Wheatland, Olm- stead, Butterfield, Bradley, Whitefield, Hanley, Peasley, Mead, Marsh, Parks, Ripley, Longley, Greeley, Wesley.

30

THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

13. Vegetation.

a. Trees and fruit.

b. Vegetables.

14. The elements, heat

and cold, fuel, &.c.

]4i. Ecclesiastics and cru- saders 35. Points of the compass.

]6. Times and seasons.

17. Numerals,dimensions,

space, weights and measures.

18. Music and dancing.

19. Colors.

'20. Society and Associa- tion.

21. Buildings and edifices.

a. Parts of edifices.

22. Building materials.

23. Streets, roads, ways,

bridges.

24. Tools and Utensils.

25. Furniture. 2ti. Mathematics, litera- ture, logic and law.

27. Money, thrift, and their opposite.

27i. Charity.

28. Commerce and navi-

gation.

29. Dignities and offices.

30. Trades and occupa- tions.

Leaf, Haw, Fern, Bloom, Rose, Garland, Pink- ham.

Oake-!, Palmer. Ash. Birch, Cherry, Hazleton, Aspenwall, Tree, Nutr. Nutting, Burr, Berry, Wooabury, Appleton, Peach.

Plant, Bates, Bean, Wheat, Rice, Millett, Pease, Parsley. Goss.

Gale, Haile, Dewey, Philbrook, Flood, Fogjr, Freeze, Frost, Snow, Fairweatiier, Burns. Bel- lows, Flarnmg, Frye, Wood, Cole, Coke, Colby, Greenwood, Sparks, Colbath.

Palmer.

North, Northend, Eastburn, Eastman, West,

Southard. Goodyear. Winter, Somerfield, Weeks, Marcij,

May, Augustus, Day, Doubleday, Holliday,

Early, Noon, Nox. Night. Onely, Single, Threeneedle, Yard, Font, Gunter,

Rood. Miles, Ellsworth, Bourne, Brink, Peck,

Gallon. Rundlett, Quintal, Pound. Fife, Tabor, Harper, Loud, Call, Hornblower,

Tiill. Polk. Steptoe, Jigger, Stave. Black, White, Brown, Green. Taney, Blackburn,

Whiteside, Dow (i. e. black). Gray. Towns, Parish, Dalton, Grafton, Moulton, Whea-

ton, Carrington. Church, House, Whitehouse, Cot (i.e. Cottage!,

Barnes, Shed. Barnwell, Booth, Lodge, Hamlet, Hall, Newhall,

Door, Sleeper, Sill, Story, Frame. Marble, Stone, Brick, Brace. Streeter, Rhodes, Bridges, Lane, Allev, Way,

Heminway, Ordway, Ridgeway, Trowbridge,

Woodbridge, Uxbndge (i. e. wife's bridge). Pitcher, Platts, Standish, Bowles. Spade, Barrows,

Sickles, Rakes, Hatchet, Tubbs, Spiller, Piso

(i.e. a mortar), Bell, Winch. Gushing, Rugg, Bolster, Pillow, Broome, Bureau. Cone. Lever, Leverett, Lines, Powers, Learned,

Schoolcraf\, Reading, Usher, Scribner, Barrett,

Law, Levy, Mace, Sumner (i. e. summoner],

Dunn, Warner. Gold, Gould, Silver, Ritchie, Banks, Aldrich,

Toll, Towle, Hoard, Gaines, Holding, Payson,

Payton, Ainsworth (my own worth), Begg,

Failes. Dole, Grant, Givens, Foster. Fleet, Briggs, Hull, Hatch, Stearns, Piers, Pier-

pont, Barter, Shipman, Galley, Calkins, Googins. King, Kingman, Keyser (i e. Emperor), Prmce,

Lord, Squires, Pope, Abbott, Dean, Stuart,

Usher, Foreman. Smith, Baker, Butler, Coleman, Chandler, Cutler,

Dyer, Farmer, Fuller, Glazier, Gardner, Miller,

Nutter, Plumer, Palmer, Sawyer, Skinner,

Taylor, Turner, Wheeler, Woodman, CrocXer

(i. e. Potter), Sherman.

INTRODUCTION.

31

31. Eatables and eating:

products and objects of trade. 31 i. Deposit of crops.

32. Horsemanship and lo-

comotion.

33. Gaines and sports,

hunting.

34. War, fighting, milita-

ry-

35. Diseases and medi-

cines.

36. Drinks and drinking.

37. Ejaculations.

38. Mistakes, &, changed

by erroneous trans- lation.

39 Names ending in old Saxon words.

40. Heathen Deities.

41. Remarkable names:

lite, death, grave.

Whitebread, Cheese, Butteridge, Salt, Pepper, Pepperell, Cream, Rice, Millet, Staples.

Gove (a mow of hay). Stackpole, Rix.

Hunter, Chase, Rider, Driver, Rowell, Carr, Train, Canter, Trottei, Towler, Gunning, Jager.

Gamble, Bassett, Hazard. Chauncy, Betton, Deal, Skates, Bowles, Balls, Rowe.

Archer, Armoui, AruiS, Bowman, Fletcher, Shields, Spear, Pike, Blood, Battles, Drum, March, Newmarch, Winfield, Victory.

Fitz, Fever, Toothacher, Aikman, Akenside. Healey, VVellman, Hart-^horn.

Wells, Stillwell, Drinkwater, Coffey, Milkman, Mullery, Cordial, Ciders, Beer, Swigg.

Ware, Watt, Dickens, Farwell, Harke, Hoit.

Pearson from Personne(i. e. nobody); Bamfield from Barneveldt; Blake from Blague; Phip- pen from Fitzpen ; Pike from Snook ; Taliiver, from Talliaferro ; Sinclair, from St. Clair ; Colwell from Caldwell ; Babbitt; Putnam from Huttenham.

Prescott, Preston, Dearing, Manning, Bingham, Brigham, Buffum, Farnham. Ingersoll, Brad- bury, Woodbuiy, Hanford, Woodbridge, Bow- ditch, Bradshaw, Thorndike, Beckford, Wash- burn, Colburn, Combes, Hanscomb, Secomb, Whitcomb, Bodwill,Barnwell,Boutwell, Under- bill, Bleekstone, Bigelow, Wmslow, Atwater, Bradstreet, Southgate, Shumway, Townsend.

Marshal (from Mars), Sol, Mond.

Slaughter, Fear, Hopegood, Seaborn, Peregrine, Living, Livingston, Deadman, Coffin, Graves, Toombs.

Origin and Meaning of the Name of Prescott.

The name of Prescott is of Saxon origin, and is composed by the contraction of tvro Saxon words, priest and cottage, and therefore sig- nifies priest-cottage, or priest's house.*

The name of Prescott has long been knovFn in England. It was given to a street and a lane or place in the ancient city of London. Prescott is also the name of a market town in Lancaster county (or Lancashire), England, 198 miles from London, and about one mile from the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, containing 34,920 acres and 28,084 inhabitants (according to Kelley's Gazetteer). It is cele- brated for the manufacture of watches and watch tools. About 2,000 persons are also engaged in the collieries, and it supplies Liverpool with fuel. Those of the name that emigrated to this country origi- nated, or their ancestors originated, from this town in England.

Orders of knighthood were conferred upon some branches of the family, and they were among the nobility of England. A metallic coat of mail and armor, such as were worn by ancient knights, was brought

* See Tabular Key to Surnames.

32 THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

to this country by the emigrant John Prescott, which will be more particularly noticed hereafter.

There is also preserved by the descendants in this country (America), a family coat of arms which was conferred upon one of the remote ancestors for his bravery, courage and successful enterprise as a man and as a military officer. This coat of arms must have had quite an ancient origin, as they are worn both by the Prescotts of Theobold's Park, Hartfordshire, Barts., and by those of the ancient families of Lan- cashire and Yorkshire. It is described in the language of Heraldry by Mr. Burke as follows :

" Sable, a chevron between three owls, argent (two in chief, one in base). Crest, a cubit arm, couped, erect, vested, gules. Cuff, ermine, holding in the hand a pitch pot (or hand beacon), sahle, fired proper." *

The arms of the Prescotts in Hampshire differ from the above in nothing but the crest, for which they have adopted a buck, sejant upon a mural coronet. Another family has the chevron ermine, the other parts as Prescott, Bart. The arms of the Prescotts of Dryby in the county of Lincoln, England, and which belong to the descendants of the emigrant James Prescott of New Hampshire, are thus described by Mr. Burke, to wit:

" Ermine, a chevron sable — on a chief of the second two Leopard's heads, or. Crest — out of a ducal coronet or. a boar's head and neck ar. bristled of the first." f

The owls signify a prudent caution, with patient endurance and a vigilant watchfulness, especially by night. The owl is Minerva's bird, and was borne by the ancient Athenians at their armorial feasts.

The first mention we find of the name is in the 11th vol., pp. 29, 30, of Thomas Rymer's Foedera, under the title " Supra Aquse ductibus de Confirmatione," as follows : " Coram Dominus H. de Patershall, Domi- ni Regis Thesaurario — MagistroWaltero de Prestecote, Vice Cancellario, et als." ; wherein a confirmation of a grant made concerning aqueducts of the city of London, by H. de Patershall. treasurer to the king, is addressed to Walter Prescott, vice chancellor, and othei's (named).

But although we are not able to trace the dii-ect lineage of the Pres- cotts that came to America farther back than the time of Queen Eliza- beth, yet it is well known that Prescott was known as an ancient family in the town of Prescott aforesaid, in the county of Lancaster, or Lan- cashire, England, from whom descended James Prescott of Stand- ish, in Lancashire, one of the gentlemen of Lancashire who were required by an order of Queen Elizabeth, dated August, 1564, to keep in readiness horsemen and armor.

He married a daughter of Roger Standish, Esq., of Standish, and sister to Ralph Standish, by whom he had the following issue :

SECOND GENERATION.

Issue of James Prescott, senior, and Standish.

2. 1, James, bap. ; m. Alice Molineaux. For his bravery and mil- itary prowess aijd achievements he was created lord of the

* See Engraving on title page of Part I. X See Engraving on title page, Part II.

INTRODUCTION. 33

manor of Dryby in Lincolnshire, and had new arms granted to him, described above (for which see the title page to Part 11. of this Memorial), and was afterw^ard known as Sir James Prescott. He d. March 1, 1583, leaving a son John and a daughter Anne.

3. 2. Roger, bap.; m. 1st, Elizabeth , in 1563, She dying

soon, he m. 2d, Ellen (?) Shaw of Standish, Aug. 20, 1568. He resided in Shevington in the parish of Standish. His will was dated Sept. 26, 1594, and he was buried in the church at Standish.

4. 3. Ralph, bap. ; d. young.

5. 4. Robert, bap. ; m. Feb. 3, 1565, Elizabeth Nightingale. He

resided at Standish, where he d. in 1576, leaving sons John and Robert, and dau. Elizabeth, who ra. Alex. Standish. (?)

6. 5. William, bap. ; he had three wives ; by his 2d wife, Marga-

ret, he had, with others, Alexander Prescott of London, who was the father of Sir John Prescott, lord of the manors of Radwington in Essex, and Bromley in Kent counties. Sir John died in 1640, leaving two daughters, co-heiresses. William (6-5) resided at Copley in the parish of Standish, in Lancashire.

7. 6. John, bap. ; m. Anne ; resided at Sutterby in the county

of Lincoln ; by his wife Anne he had an only daughter, Anne, who m. William Boston of Phimbleby, in the county of Lincoln.

THIRD generation.

Issue of Sir James Prescott (2 — 1) and Alice Molineux of Dryby, in Lincolnshire.

8. 1. John, b. at Dryby ; m. (but we know not who) and had chil-

dren ; lived at Dryby.

9. 2. Ann, b. at Dryby.

Issue of Roger Prescott (3 — 2) and 1st wife, Elizabeth of She- vington.

10. 1. Hellen, bap. at Standish, March 3, 1564.

11. 2. Lawrence, bap. at Standish, Sept. 23, 1566,

Issue by second wife, Ellen Shaw.

12. 3, Anne, bap. March 28, 1569 ; m. Alexander Wymarde.

13. 4. Ralph, bap. 1571-2; m. Ellen , who was co-executor to

her husband's will. He resided at Shevington in the parish of Standish, and was co-executor to his father's will ; his own will was dated Nov. 7, 1608, and was proved Jan. 24, 1609.

Issue of Robert Prescott (5 — 4) and Elizabeth Nightingale of Standish.

14. 1. John, bap.

15. 2. Robert, bap.

16. 3. Elizabeth, bap. ; m. Alexander Standish,

;}4 THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

Issue of William Prescott (6 — 5) and 2d wife, Margaret of Copley.

17. 1. Alexander, bap.; m. ; resided in London.

William had several other children, of whom we have no record.

Issue of John Prescott (7 — 6) and Anne of Sutterhy.

18. 1. Anne, bap.; m. William Boston of Phimbleby, in the county

of Lincoln.

FOURTH generation.

Issue of John Prescott (8 — 1) and • — of Dryby.

19. 1. William, b.; m. (but name of wife not obtained) and had a

son Thomas, and perhaps others.

20. 2. James, b. ; m. We know not who this son married, but he

had several children, and among them, James,(31-4) the emigrant to America.

Issue of Ralph Prescott (13 — 4) and Ellen of Shevmgton.

21. 1. FIellen, bap. at Standish, Oct. 1, 1593.

22. 2. Roger, " " Dec. 10, 1594.

23. 3. Alice, " " Feb. 7, 1598.

24. 4. Cecilia, " " Oct. 16, 1602.

25. 5. John, " " 1604-5. He is named in his fath-

er's will. He married, Jan. 21,1 629, Mary Platts, at Wygan in Lancashire. Her family apppears to have been subse- quently of the parish of Halifax in Yorkshire, some of whom are mentioned in the will of George Fairbanks of Sowerby. dated in 1650.

Mr. P. sold his lands in Shevington, parish of Standish, in Lancashire, to Richard Prescott of Wigan, and removed into Yorkshire, residing ibr some time in Sowerby, in the parish of Halifax, where several of his children were born. From conscientious motives, and to avoid per- secution, he left his native land, his cherished home in Yorkshire, to seek an asylum in the wilderness of America. He first landed at Barbadoes in 1638, where he became an owner of lands. In 1640 he came to New England, landed at Boston, and immediately settled in Watertown, where he had large grants of lands allotted him. But in ] 643 he associated himself with Thomas King and others, for the pur- pose of purchasing of Sholan, the Indian Sachem of the Nashaway tribe of Indians, a tract of land for a township, which tract was to be ten miles in length and eight in breadth.

For a history of this purchase and the subsequent history of Mr. I'rescott and his descendants, see the future pages^ of this (First) Part of this Memorial.

INTRODUCTIOX. 36

Issue of Alexander Prescott (17 — 1) and ■ of London.

26. L Sir John, bap.; m. He was knight, and lord of the manor of Radwinton in the county of Essex, and of Bromley in the county of Kent. He died in 1640, leaving two daughters, co-heiresses.

FIFTH GKNERATION.

Issue of William Prescott (91 — 1) and of Dry by,

27 1. Thomas, bap. 1630.

Isstie of James Prescott (20 — 2) a7id .

28. 1. Mary, bap. 1631.

29. 2. John, bap. 1632. AAA^rA*y

30. 3. Anne, bap. ] 634. JLX^ii^OX^

He also had several other children, and among them

31. 4. James, bap. 1642-3, who emigrated to New England, and set-

tled at Hampton, New Hampshiie, for whose subsequent history and of his descendants, see Part II. of this JNIemorial.

A Brief History of the Negotiation and Purchase from Sholan, Chief of the Nashaway tribe of Indians, of the territory of which the town of Lancaster, Mass., was afterward composed ; together with its subsequent settlement, and its suffering and final destruction by fire by the Indians.

" Early in the seventeenth century, some eight years before the set- tlement of Plymouth, many of the tribes of Massachusetts Indians had been swept over by a dreadful pestilence, reducing their numbers from many thousands to a few hundreds. In this severe affliction the Nashaway tribe suffered, though not equally with the others. Tl.e Nashaways had also been greatly reduced by the wars and incursions of the Maquas or Mohawks, a powerful and warlike tribe on tlie Mohawk River, N. Y. This tribe had become the scourge and terror of all the New England Indians. These circumstances induced tlie peaceful Sholan, the Sachem of the Nashaways, to seek the friendship and protection of the English. Sholan occasionally visited Watertowu for the purpose of trading with Mr. Thomas King, who resided tlieie. He recommended Nashawogg as a place well suited for a plantation. • He told King of the choice intervales, the woods and waters abounding in supplies, — that the Great Spirit had been very bountiful to the place, and that his people would rejoice in the presence of that great people who had come from a distant world.' "*

Finally King decides to visit the place, perilous though the undertak- ing might seem. He accordingly takes the journey through the wilder- ness, and becomes enamoured with the place and returns to Watertown.

* Hist, of Lancaster.

36 THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

He makes such favorable report of the adaptation of the territory to agricultural and mechanical purposes, &c., that in 1 643 he enters into an association and agreement with John Prescott of Watertown, Harmon Garrett of Charlestown, Thomas Skidmore of Cambridge, Stephen Day of Cambridge (the earliest printer in any of the colonies), a Mr. Simonds, and sundry others whose names have not been transmitted, for the pur- pose of purchasing the tract (ten miles by eight, as above stated). According to Mr. VVillard, in his elaborate address at the two-hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Lancaster, the above purchase was made, and the territory of JS^ashaway first "opened upon the view of the white man while the good Sholan or Shaumaun exercised a peaceful rule in this, his little empire, over the tribe of the Nashaways. His principal place of residence was on a gentle eminence, between the two lakes of the Washacum in Chocksett (a corruption or contraction of Woonksechmicksett or Woonhsechauxett), now Sterling." The purchas- ers entered into an agreement to appear and begin the plantation at a specified time. The deed of Sholan was sanctioned by the General Court, but there were many circumstances which combined to retard the growth of the plantation, all the associates except Mr. Prescott refusing or neglecting to fulfil their contracts, though choosing to retain their interest in the property purchased. It is stated by Mr. Willard that "■ one only of the associates, John Prescott the stalwart blacksmith, was ' faithful among the faithless.' He turned not back, but vigorously pursued the interests of the plantation till his exertions were crowned with success."

Mr. Prescott having chosen this for his future home, he with others petitioned for a bridge over Sudbury River. But the subject being delayed by the General Court, Mr. Prescott, nothing daunted, attempts the perilous adventure of swimming his horse across Sudbury River in the autumn of 1646, but unfortunately he lost his horse and lading in the river, escaping with his own life only. About one week later, his wife and children being upon another horse, attempted to pass the river and came near being drowned. Upon this narrow escape Mr. Willard utters the following significant reflection : " One plunge more by that last horse, or a little deeper water, and American literature would not now be graced by the brilliant classic history of Ferdinand and Isabella, of the Conquest of JMexico, and the Conquest of Peru." To which may since be added. The Life of Charles the Fifth.

The settlement at NashaAvay was treated by the General Court with indifference and culpable neglect. They had repeatedly been denied those little helps and aids which are so essential to all new settlements. The inhabitants petitioned for an act of incorporation, and asked that it be known by the name of Prescott. The General Court objects, quib- bles about a name, pretending that " it smacked too much of man- vwrship or man-service."

The question was finally settled by a compromise, and it was on the 18th day of May, old style (28th of May, new style), 1653, incorporated into a township by the name of Lancaster. This was in honor of Mr. Prescott, it being the name of his native county in England.

Mr. Prescott has the reputation of being the first settler in Nasha- way, now Lancaster, although Mr. Willard remarks that Richard

INTRODUCTION. 37

Linton, Lawrence Waters, his son-in-law, and John Ball, were the first inhabitants, and that they had tilled the soil and were ready to receive Mr. Prescott on his arrival. I do not see this stated by any other writer, and if correct they might be hired and sent there by Mr. Pres- cott and others to prepare for their own accommodation when they should remove there. The phrase that " they had tilled the soil and were ready to receive Mr. Prescott on his arrival " is significant of this fact.

At the time of the incorporation there were but nine families in the town. Ill one year, that is, by the spring of 1654, there were twenty families there. In answer to a petition of the inhabitants of the plan- tation, John Prescott, Thomas Sawyer (who married Mary, the eldest daughter of Mr. Prescott), Edward Breck, Nathaniel Hadlock, William Keiley and Ralph Houghton were appointed prudential managers of tlie town by the General Court.

Mr. Piescott was a genuine and influential member of the original Puritan stock of New England. Like most of the early emigra!its to New England, he left his native home to escape the relentless persecu- tions with which the Puritans and non-conformists were harrassed. Like many of his contempoi-aries, he w^as a man of marked character^ devoting his time to mechanical and agricultural pursuits, which were well calculated to fit and prepare him for the trials and hardships inci- dent to, and inseparable from, the early settlers and pioneers of the wilderness of America. He soon became distinguished among his compeers, and had not long to wait for an opportunity to develop his genius and bravery. At a very early day he became a leading spirit, and a prominent and influential man, as very many of his descendants have been in each and every subsequent generation, and to him more tlian to any other is to be attributed the successful issue of that laborious and hazardous enterprise of settling on the " Nashaway " and of sub- duing the wilderness and converting the soil into fruitful fields and pro- ductive meadows.

Mr. Prescott was a man of strict integrity and of great energy and perseverance. Having also a commanding influence, he took an active part in all measures calculated to improve and enhance the interest and prosperity of the town. He took the oath of fidelity in 1652, and was admitted a freeman in 1669. By occupation, he was not only an agriculturist, but both a blacksmith and miUwright. In Nov., 1653, he received a grant of land of the inhabitants, on condition that he would build a ''corn mill." He built the mill in season to commence grinding on the 23d of the next May (1654). The erection of a saw mill soon followed. " The town voted that if he would erect one he should have the grant of certain privileges and a large tract of land lying near his mill, for him and his posterity forever, and to be more exactly record d when exactly known. In consideration of these provisions ' Goodman Prescott,' forthwith erected his mill." * " Its location was on the spot where the Lancaster Manufacturing Company have extensive works. The people from all the neighboring towns came to Prescott's grist-

* Early records of Lancaster, Mass., p. 32.

38 THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

imll. The stone of this mill was brought from England, and now lies in fragments in the vicinity of the factory."*

Lancaster, in common with other frontier towns, suffered greatly by Indian depredations whenever there Avas a war between the mother country and France. On the 22d of Aug., 1675, eiglit persons were killed at Lancaster. On the 10th of Feb., old siyle, 1676. early in the morning, a body of fifteen hundred Lidians attacked the town in five dis- tinf^t s(|uadi"ons, completely investing it. There were at that time more than fifty families in town. Of this little band, fifty persons, if not more, were either killed or taken prisoners. One half at least were killed, and among them Richard Wheeler and Jonas Fairbanks, sons-in-law of Mr. Prescott, and Joshua Fairbanks and Ephraim Sawyer, his grand- sons. The three former were killed at Wheeler's garrison, and the latter at Prescott's, which stood about thirty j'ods southeast of Messrs. Poignard and Plant's factory. The inhabitants, after destroying all the houses but two, left the place under the protection of Capt. Wadwortb's com])any of soldiers. The alarm of the people was so great that the return of peace on the death of the Indian, Kivg Philip, in August, 1676, did not restore their courage and confidence. For moi-e than three years, Lancaster remained uninhabited. In 1679 some of the first planters (among whom were the Prescotts, Houghtons, Sawyers, and Wilders) returned, and the Carters came in soon after.

Mr. Prescott lived to see the town rebuilt and in a fair way to a prosperous condition. He died in 1 683. But subsequently to this the town suffered severely at sundr}' times from the incursion of hostile Indians. In 1702 the war between England and France was renewed, and 1704 was a period of great distress and suffering from Indian dep- redations. They made an attack on Lancaster in July of that year, and, after defeating the soldiers and driving them into their gajTisons, they burned the church and six houses, and destroyed much live stock and other property. In 1705 Thomas Sawyer, Jr., and his son Elias, grandson and great grandson of John Prescott, senior, together with John Biglo (now written Bigelow), were taken prisoners and carried to Canada. Thomas Sawyer, on arrival of the party at Montreal, offered to build a saw mill on the Chamblee river, provided the French gov- ernor would obtain a release of all the captives. This he promised, if possible, to do. The son Elias and Biglo were easily ransomed, but the Indians determined to put the father to death by a lingering torture. His deliverance was finally effected by the timely appearance of a friar, who told the Indians that he held the keys of Purgatory in his hand, and that unless they immediately released their prisoner he would un- lock the gates and cast them in headlong. Their sujierstitious fears prevailed. They unbound Sawyer from the stake and delivered him to the governor. Sawyer finished the mill in a year and was sent home. Whitney says this was the jirst saw mill erected in Canada.

John Prescott and family being so conspicuously identified with these Indian depredations upon Lancaster, is our only apology for these lengthened remarks concerning them in this connection.

* Early Records of Lancaster, Mass., p. 32.

INTRODUCTION. 39

Mr. Prescott had in his possession, and which he brought with him from England, a coat of mail, armor and habiliments complete, such a.s were worn hy warriors of that and preceding ages ; hence it is inferred that some of his ancestors had been warriors, and probably, had received the order of knighthood. It has been stated and believed that John had himself served under Cromwell.

Of this armor and its owner the following anecdotes are related:

" Mr. Prescott, being a strong athletic man and of a stern counte- nance, whenever he had any difficulty with the Indians, would clothe himself with his coat of mail, helmet, cuirass and gorget, which gave him a fierce and frightful appearance. The Indians at one time having stolen from him a horse, he put on his armor and pursued them, and in a short time overtook them. They were surprised that lie should venture to pursue them alone, and a chief approached him with uplifted tomahawk. Mr. Prescott told him to strike, which he did, and finding the blow made no impression on his cap, was greatly astonislied, and asked Mr. P. to let him put on, and then strike it while on his head, as he had done when on Mr. Prescott's head. The helmet being too small for the head of the chief, the stroke settled the helmet down to his ears, scraping off the skin on both sides of his head. They then gave him up his horse, supposing him to be something more than human."

" At another time the Indians set fire to his barn. Old John put on his armor, rushed out, drove them off and let out his cattle and horses from the burning stable."

" Again the Indians set fire to his saw mill. 'I he old hero, armed cap-a-pie, as before, drove them off and extinguished the fire. At another time they attacked his house. He had several muskets but no one in the house, save his wife, to assist him. She loaded the guns and he discharged them with fatal effect. The contest continued for nearly half an hour, Mr. Prescott all the while giving orders as if to soldiers, so loud that the Indians could hear him, to load their muskets, though he had no soldiers but his wife. At length they withdrew carrying off several of their dead or wounded."*

On another occasion, as is related of him, sundry Indians made their appearance at his old mill, and hoisted the water gate, when he, Pres- cott, took his favorite gun,f which he brought with him from England,

* Hist, of Groton, Mass., p. 286.

t " The old favorite Gun," above alluded to, was given by Mr. Prei^oott, to his oldest son, John Prescott, Jr., who in his turn gave it to his oldest son, John 3d, who gave it to his daughter Tabitha, who married first Aaron Sawyer and for a second husband Silas Brigham. She in her old age gave it to her grandson, Prescott Brigham (274-4), Brig. Gen., who was born in 1770, settled in Shrewsbury, and in 1738 removed to Sauk County, Wis., where he died. Before his death he gave tlie "gun" to the Wisconsin Historical Society, whose property it now is, and where it will be carefully preserved unless consumed by fire.

There is an error in relation to the above named " Old favorite Gun " in the Third Vol. of the Wisconsin Historical Society's Collection, on pages 5.5-6.

It is there stated that John Prescott, senior, of 1640, gave the gun to his daughter Tabitha, the wife of Silas Brigham ; whereas Tabitha was not the daughter, but a greai-granddaughter to John, senior ; and the Old Gun descended to her in the man- ner before stated. W. P.

40 THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

heavily loaded, and started toward the mill, when the Indians retired to the hills near by. Having shut down the gate and fixed the mill, Mr, Prescott concluded it prudent to retire to his house or garrison, but did so backward, with his eye upon the foe until he reached his home, when the Indians gave a vihoop, such as none but Indians ca7i give ; when Mr. Prescott concluded to give them a specimen of his sharp- shooting, upon which (to use a new coined term) they skedadled. Upon afterward visiting the place, blood was plainly seen upon the ground.

mm. §. ^xmott,

(THE HISTORIAN.)

4 « *

%' t ^' «

u nit

THE

PRESCOTT MEMORIAL

PART FIBST,

GENEALOGICAL MEMOIR

f 0lin f u^t0tt

OF 1640, AND HIS DESCENDANTS

PRESCOTT MEMORIAL, PART I.

,, FIRST GENERATION IN AMERICA.

In the account of the lineal ancestry of the Prescott emigrants that came from Old to New England, as given in the Introduction, it is to be seen that John Prescott, that came to Boston and Watertown in 1640, wa.? of the fourth generation from James of Standish (of 1564). But as the object of the following Memorial is to furnish a record of the emigrants and their descendants only, we shall consider each as the first g(.>neration of their respective races or descendants. And

First, of the descendants of John and Mary Platts, who had issue as follows :

SECOND GENERATION.

Issue of John Prescott (1) and Mary Platts.

2. 1. Mary,(11-1) bap. at Sowerby in the parish of Halifax in

Yorkshire, Eng., Feb. 24, 1630; m. Thomas Sawyer of Lancaster, Mass., 1648; lived at Lancaster.

3. 2. Martha,(22-1) bap. at Sowerby March 11, 1632; m. John

Rugg, 1655; resided at Lancaster. She d. Jan. 24, 1656, and he married for a second wife, Hannah Prescott,(6-5) ; see below.

4. 3. John, Jr.,(24-1) bap. at Sowerby, April 1, 1635; m. Sarah

of Lancaster, Nov. 11, 1668. He was an agricul- turist and blacksmith, and lived with his father at Lancaster. He d eded his real estate to his son Ebenezer on condition that he would maintain him during life.

5. 4. Sarah,(28-1) bap. at Sowerby, 1637; m. Richard Wheeler

of Lancaster, Aug. 2, 1658. He and Jonas Fairbanks and his son Joshua were killed by the Indians at Wheeler's garrison in February, 1676. She afterwards married a Mr. Rice.

6. 5. Hannah,(33-1) bap. 1639. It is not positively known whether

this daughter was born in Halifax, Eng., or at Barbadoes, West Indies, probably the latter place. She m. John Rugg, May 4, 1660, as his second wife, who had, for his first wife, married her sister Martha,(3-2.)

42 THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

7. 6. LyDiA,(39-l) b. at Watertown, Mass., Aug. 15, 1641; m.

Jonas Fairbanks of Lancaster, May 28, 1C58. His fatlier was of Sowerby in Halifax, Yorkshire, Eng. He and his son Joshua were killed by the Indians when Lancaster was destroyed, in Feb., 167G. She m. 2d, Elias Barron.

8. 7. Jonathan, (46-1). It is not known when or where this son

was born, as there is no recoi'd. that we can learn, either at Halifkx, Watertown or Lancaster; from the dates of the births of the other children it is highly probable that he was born at Watei-town, and about 1643. He settled in Lancas- ter, where he m. 1st, Doi'othy , Aug. 3, 1670 ; she d. and

he removed to Concord in 1675, where he m. tor a second wife, P^lizabeth, dan. of John Hoar, Esq., a lawyer of Con- cord, Mass., Dec. 23, 1675. She d. Sept. 25, 1687, and for a third wife he ni. Dec. 1 8, 1 689, Rebecca, the widow of Hon. Peter Bulkley, JU*., and dau. of Lt. Joseph Wheeler,. After her death, he married for a fourth wife, Aug. 18, 171Fi, Ruth Brown, who d. Feb. 9, 1740. He was a farmer, arid was the ancestor of a numerous progeny, many of whom hrtve been distinguished for talents, piety and usefulness. His house was fortified as a garrison house in 1676. He \vas a man of energy and influence, and highly respected, being much employed in public business. He repres^iited the town of Concoid in the General Assembly for nine years (to wit), 1692, '3, '4, '5, '7, '8 and '9. and in 1712 and '13. He was captain in the militia and always designated as " Capt. Prescott."* He d. Dec. 5, 1721.

9. 8. Joseph, (?) b. about 1645 or '6 (?).

It is stated in the history of Concord, Mass., that there was a son Joseph, but we hear no more of him until Mr. Lemuel Shattuck tells us that, by his wife Mary, he had a daughtev Elizabeth, born in Sud- bury, Jan. 9, 1676, and the records of Sudbury statef that Jona. Pres- cott, which has been taken to mean Joseph, had a son Jonas, b. in Sudbury, Oct. 25, 1678. Now it so happens that Jonas and Mary (Loker) Prescott had a daughter Elizabeth, born Jan. 9 or 21, old or new style, 1676, and their son Jonas, Jr., was born Oct. 23 or 25, 1678, so that it is evident that the wife of Jonas was at her father's (John Loker) in Sudbury when these two children were born, which destroys all evidence of the existence of a son Joseph, and we see no evidence or the shadow of probability of there having been such a son. It was probably the result, either of carelessness or ignorance, of the town clerk of Sudbury.

10. 9. J0NAS,(55) b. at Lancaster, June, 1648; m., Dec. 14, 1672, Mary, the daughter of John Loker and Mary Draper of Sudbury,t b. Sept. 28, 1653, and d. Oct. 28, 1735, a. 82 yrs.

* Mr. Shattuck gave him the title of Major.

t See Records of Sudbury, in the Hist. Gen. Register, vol. 17, p. 311. t " A story bordering on romance has been handed down by family tradition to the present time, and preserved with much accuracy, of the courtship of this aflFec-

PART I. — SECOND GENERATION. 43

and 1 m., by whom he had foux' sons and eight daughters. He settled in Groton. He, or his father for him, built the mill in the south part of Groton, now within the limits of Harvard, and is still called the " old mill." * lie bought

tiotiate pair of fruitful progenitors." — Butler, p. 287. John Loker, of whom we have no other account than as connected with this affair, is said to have been wealtliy, and both he and his wife to have been somewiiat aristocratic in their feel- ings and notions. Having only one daughter, and she exceedingly fair and of good promise, they disdained to betroth her to a blacksmith, the son of a blacksmith, however rich or otherwise unexceptionable he might be. They had set their hearts on Mary's marrying a lawyer. So when they found that there was a strong attachment between their idol, Mary, and the young blacksmith (Jonas Prescott), they remonstrated, but, like many other imprudent parents, they unwittingly pur- sued a course well calculated to foster and strengthen it. They forbade his enter- ing their house, or liavitig any communication whatever with their daughter; and the more effectually to prevent any intercourse, they grated the windows of lier apartment, in the house ; and when they thought there was any danger of an inter- view between them, they locked her in. Jonas and Mary however were not to be iiatfled by grates and locks. Jonas took opportunities, when the cold night wind blew and the peltitig storm raged, when no listener could overhear their soft whis- perings, to place himself beneath her grated window and there enjoy sweet com- nmnion with his beloved Mary. Their intercourse was soon discovered, however, by the vigilant and chagrined parents. The next expedient resorted to was to place her in some secluded spot under the care of some watchful and faithful guardian. Chocksett,t now called Sterling, then a frontier settlement, although adjoining to Groton, was chosen as the place of her seclusion. .Jonas searched the country around, and made diligent inquiry to find the place of her banishment, for soir.e time in vain. At length, being one day in the wilds of Chocksett, he made hi? u-^ual inquiry of some young men he saw if they had any pretty girls in their neighborhood. They told him there was to be a quilting that very day, where all their girls would be; that they were going in the evening to dance with them and invited him to accompany them, where he might see for himself. He very cheer- fully accepted the invitation, and on arriving at the cottage where the seamstresses of the settlement were assembled, whom should he there find Intt his beloved Mary Loker. This was indeed to them a happy adventure. Concealing, as well as they could, their former acquaintance, they took opportunities to be partners in the dance and made assignments for future meetings. Having thus fortunately discovered the place of banisliment, he renewed his visits, till her parents, finding it out, took her home. She was then sternly told, that she must reject the blacksmith and receive the addresses of the lawyer. She resolutely replied, " She would never marry to any one but Jonas Prescott." The rejoinder was, " Then you shall never have a farthing of our property." To this there was a general demurrer; a decree for marriage without dowry followed. The consummation took place before even the most common utensils tor housekeeping could be procured (perhaps there was some delay to see if the old folks would not relent and procure or provide some). The tradition asserts that her only implements for boiling was a two quart kettle, and her wash tub the shell of a large pumpkin. From this affectionate and happy pair sprung the doctors, warriors, civilians, statesmen, jurists, historians, &c., noticed in this genealogical record and memoir, with numerous other descendants of whom Mary lived to see one hundred and seventy five. She d. Oct. 28, 173.5, aged pre- cisely eighty-two years and one month. — See Butler's History of Groton, pp. 287-8.

* At a town meeting held in Groton, Nov. 19, 167?, it was voted that " By agreement of the town Jonas Prescott is to grind the town's corn for the town every second and every sixth day in every week."

"At a town meeting at Groton, June 13,1681, liberty was granted to Jonas Prescott to set up his corn mill at Stony Brook."

" An agreement between Jonas Prescott and the town of Groton that he, the said Prescott, have liberty to set up a saw mill at Stony Brook on conditions that he

t A corruption of the Indian name Woonksechaucksett or Woonkaechauxett.

44 THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

lands in Groton until he became one of the largest landhold- ers in the town. He was also a blacksmith. Upon the re- settlement of the town, after its destruction by the Indians in 167G, he built mills and a forge for the manufacture of the iron from the ore at Forge Valley (so called), which was then in Groton, but now in Westford. He was a man of extensive influence. He was town clerk in 1691 ; a select- man for several years ; represented the town in the General Assembly in 1699 and 1705; was also captain in the militia and justice of the peace. He maintained an elevated rank in the community, and died lamented, Dec. 31, 1723, aged seventy-five years and six months.* He resided on the farm, near Lawrence Academy, which was more

recently, if not at this time (1866), owned by Hon. Stuart J. Paik.

Esq., as may be seen by a notice in the Boston Transcript of 1858, of

which the following is a copy :

" An Ancient Wall. — 'The following inscription may be seen by the

roadside near Lawrence Academy at Groton. It is to be found on a

large stone in a wall which encloses the farm of Hon. Stuart J. Park : L P,

16 8 0. Rebuilt by

O. P.,

17 8 4. Rebuilt by

S. J. Park,

18 4 1.

The initials I. P. are those of Jonas Prescott, who lived upon this farm, and who was the grandfather of Col. William Prescott, a native of Groton and the hero of Bunker Hill ; O. P. are those of Oliver, a brother of Col. Prescott."

Hon. Benjamin Prescott, youngest son of Jonas, senior, became the second proprietor of this farm, and at his death, his youngest son, Dr. Oliver Prescott, became the owner, although Butler says " Hon. James Prescott, the oldest son of Hon. Benjamin, became the next owner to his father."

Dr. Oliver Prescott, Jr., of Groton, who, in 1820 wrote an account of his lineal ancestors, states that the town of Groton, being in great want of a blacksmith, invited Jonas Prescott to remove to near the centre of the town to a lot of land which the town voted to give him as an inducement. He accepted the invitation and built a house and shop on said lot (lying on the east side of James' brook, so called), and re- moved there in 1675, which is alleged to be the form on which the above-named piece of wall is situated.

furnish the town with merchantable hoards at six pence a hundred (feet) cheaper than they are sold nt any other snw mill, and for toion pni/, and that the town be supplied before any other person." (This privilege was to continue or cease at the pleasure of the town.) — Hist, of Groton.

* All the children of John Prescott, senior, with the exception of Martha, lived to a great age and had large families.

PART I. — THIRD GENERATION. 45

THIRD GENERATION.

Issue of Mary Prescott (2 — 1) and Thomas Sawyer of Lancaster.

11. 1. THOMA.S, b. July 2, 1649; m. 1st, Oct. 11, 1670, Sarah ;

she d. March 2, 1672, leaving one child, Mary. He m. 2d, Hannah , Nov. 21, 1672.

12. 2. Ephraim, b. Jan. 16, 1651 ; killed by the Indians at Pres-

cott's garrison, Feb., 1676, when Lancaster was destroyed by the Indians. /

13. 3. Mary, b. Jan. 4, 1653.

14. 4. Joshua, b. March 13, 1655.

15. 5. James, b. March 22, 1657.

16. 6. Caleb, b. April 2, 1659.

17. 7. JoHN,b. April 6, 1661.

18. 8. Elizabeth, b. Jan. 6, 1664.

19. 9. Deborah, b. 1666, d. July 16, 1666.

20. 19. Nathaniel, b. Nov. 24, 1670.

21. 11. Martha, b. Aug. 10, 1673.

Issue of Martha Prescott (3 — 2) and John Rugg of Lancaster.

22. 1.) Twins, b. Jan. 15, 1656; one d. same day, and the other in

23. 2. j nine days, Jan. 24, 1656.

Issue of John Prescott (4 — 3) and Sarah .

24. 1. Mart, b. Feb. 22, 1669; m. March 29, 1690, Philip Goss of

Lancaster,

25. 2. JoHN,(67-l) b. Nov. 24, 1672; ra. 1st, Dorothy, who d. and

he m. 2d, Nov. 15, 1710, widow Mary Howe of" Marlborough, Mass. Resided in Lancaster.

26. 3. Joanna, b. Jan. 6, 1676.

27. 4. Ebenezer,(69-1) b. July 6, 1682; m. Ruth Hobart of Gro-

ton ; settled in what then went by the Indian name of Chocksett, now Sterling.

Issue of Sarah Prescott (5 — 4) and Richard Wheeler.

28. 1. Jacob, b. Nov. 25, 1663, d. Feb. 21, 1664.

29. 2. Zebadiah, b. Jan. 2, 1665.

30. 3. Sarah, b. Feb. 1, 1667.

31. 4. Elizabeth, b. May 24, 1669.

32. 5. Samuel, b. April 21, 1671.

Issue of Hannah Prescott (6 — 5) and John Rugg of Lancaster.

33. 1. JoHN,b. June 4, 1662.

34. 2. Mary, b. July 11, 1664.

35. 3. Thomas, b. Sept. 15, 1666.

36. 4. Joseph, b. Dec. 15, 1668.

37. 5. Hannah, b. March 10, 1671.

38. 6. Rebecca, b. May 16, 1673.

46 THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

Issue of Lydia Prescott (7 — G) and Jonas FairlanJis of Lancaster.

39. 1. Mary, b. June 20, 1659.

40. 2. Joshua, b. April 6, 1601 ; killed by tlie Indians in Feb., 1676,

when Lancaster was destroyed.

41. 3. Grace, b. Nov. 16, 1663.

42. 4. Jonathan, b. Oct. 6, 1665.

43. 5. HKSADiAH,b. Feb. 28, 1668.

44. 6. Jabkz, b. Jan. 8, 1671 ; m. Isf,- ; m. 2d, May 25,

1719, Elizabeth "VYhitcomb.

45. 7. Jonas, b.

Issue of Capt. Jonathan Prescott (8 — 7) and Ist wife, Dorothy.

46. 1. A child, b. May 2, 1671, and d. same day.

47. 2. Jonathan, b. April 10,' 1672, d. May 4, 1672.

48. 3. Samuel,(75-3) b. 1674; m. Esther Wheeler, May 5, 1698;

he settled in Acton, had a son Amos and six or eight daugh- ters; d. July 25, 1758, aged 84.

Issue of Capt. Jonathan Prescott. hy 2d wife, Elizaheth Hoar.

49 4. Doct. Jonathan,(82-1) b. April 5, 1677 ; ra. July 9, 1701, Rebecca, only daughter of the Hon. Peter Bulkeley, Esq. He settled in Concord, Mass., as a physician, where he pur- sued his professional duties with success. We transcribe the following extract from an inscription on his monument nt Concord : " He was a gentleman of virtue and merit ; an accomplished and successful physician ; excelling in surgery ; possessing much sagacity and penetration of mind. His life was highly valued and his death greatly lamented. He d. Oct. 28, 1729, £6. 52."

50. 5. Elizabeth, b. Sept. 27,1678; m. John Fowle of Woburn,

July 1, 1696.

51. 6. Dorothy, b. March 31, 1681 ; m. July 14, 1702, Edward,

son of Gershom, son of Rev. Peter Bulkeley; lived and d. at Weathersfield, Ct., in 1748.

52. 7. John, b. May 13, 1683. He d. Jan. 28, 1706, in his 23d year.

53. 8. Mary,(92-1) b. Aug. 14, 1685; m. April 16, 1702, John

Miles, son of the first John of Concord, and b. May 20, 1680.

54. 9. Rev. Benjamin,(98-1) b. Sept. 16, 1687, graduated at Har-

vard College in 1709, studied and prepared for the ministry, and was ordained over the church at the Second Precinct, in Salem, subsequently Dan vers and South Danvers, now (1869) the town of Peabody, Sept. 23, 1713, where he offi- ciated with fidelity and success for 45 years. He m. for hivS first wife, Elizabeth, daughter of John Higginson, Esq., of Salem, Oct. 20, 1715. She was b. June 28, 1696, and d. March 20, 1723, For a second wife he m. Mercy, daughter of Rev. Henry Gibbs of AVatertown, July 15, 1732. She d. Dec. 18, 1744 ; when, for a third wife, he m. Mary, sister of the first Sir William Pepj)erell, Oct. 6, 1748, as htr

PART I. THIRD GENERATION. 47

third hutiband. Herjirst husband was the Hon. Jolm Frost of New Castle, N. H., and her second, Rev. Benjamin Col- nian, D. D., of Boston. She was b. Sept. 4, 1G8G, and d. April 18, 1766. The Rev. Benjamin Prescott d. May 27, 1777, 86. 90. His mind being well stored wuth political, as well as theological knowledge, he, upon retiring from his pastoral duties, entered into public life, where he always exhibited the same uniform piety and virtue in every station in which he was placed, discharging his duties with fidelity, and with honor to himself and usefulness to the public. He was well versed in the laws, the rights and the interests of his country ; and defended them with signal ability and de- votedness. Being endowed with strong reasoning powers, his pen was frequently and extensively employed in the de- fence of the rights of the people, more especially at the commencement of the controversy which led to the Revolu- tion, and it is said that his writings were distinguished for their force and vivacity even when he had entered his 90th year, in which year he was seized with a violent ^iiVftY, which soon terminated his existence.

Issue of Jonas Prescott (10 — 9) and Mary Loker.

55. 1. Mauy,(107-3) b. Feb. 3, 1674; m. Benjamin Farnsworth

about 1695. He was son of Matthias and Mary Farns- worth, b. about 1667, lived in Groton.

56. 2. ELizABETn,(115-l) b. Jan. 23, 1676; m. 1694-5, Eleazer,

son of William and Mary Green, b. May 20, 1672; settled in Groton, where he d. Sept. 10, 1731. Shed.March 10,1744.

57. 3. JoNAS,(r21-l) b. Oct. 26, 1678; m. Oct. 15, 1699, Thankful

Wheeler of Concord. He lived at Forge Village, which since 1730 has been included in Westford. He enlarged and improved the works on Stony Brook, which his father had established, by erecting additional forges for manufactur- ing iron from the ore, as well as for other purposes. Upon the petition of himself and others, a part of Groton, includ- ing " Forge Village," was in 1730 set off from Groton to Westford. The water privilege and work on Stony Brook at Forge Village have, ever since their purchase of the land from Andrew, the Indian, been owned, held and occupied by the Prescott family. Jonas, Jr., was captain of militia, justice of the peace, as his father had been before him, and represented the town in the General Court in 1720. His wife d. Nov. 1, 1716, and he married for a second wife, Mary Page, April 30, 1718, born 1687. He d. Sept. 12, 1750. His widow, Mary, d. July 19, 1781, a. 94.

58. 4. Nathaniel, b. Dec. 21, 1680, d. Jan. 29, 1681.

59. 5. DoROTHY,( 129-3) b. Feb. 16, 1681; m. Nov. 15, 1700,

John Varnum of Dracut.* He was the fourth son of Sam-

* For some account of the early Varnum family, see Farmer and Moore's His- torical Collections, vol. 2 (1823), pp. 271-2.

48 THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL.

uel Vai-num, and the first white child born in Dracut. His two older brothers were killed by Indians, while crossing the Merrimack in a boat with their father, before he (John) was born. He settled in Dracut, a farmer, where he was for many years, during the early history of the town, called to serve as town clerk and selectman. He was b. in 1676, and died in 1716, aged 40.

60. 6. James, b. March 16, 1684, d. young.

61. 7. Sarah,(136-3) b. May 3, 1686; m. 1705, John Longley, b.

1683. She died March 8, 1716, leaving 4 children, and he m. for a second wife, Deborah Houghton, about 1718, who had 7 children. Resided in Groton where he died March or May 2o,(?) 1750, a. 67.

62. 8. Abigail,(139-2) b. May 8, 1688; m. 1711, James, son of

Samuel Parker and Abigail Lakin, b. April 28, 1686. Re- sided in Groton.

63. 9. Martha,(146-1) b. Feb. 20, 1690; m. 1714, Shubael Ho-

bert, son of Rev. Gershom Hobert. Resided in Groton.

64. 10. SusANNAH,(l54-l) b. Dec. 31, 1691; m. June 27, 1722,

William, son of John Lawrence and Anne Tarbell, b. Dec. 31, 1697. Resided at Groton, where he d. May 19, 1764, a. 67. She d. Sept. 10, 1771, a. 79 years, 9 months. John Lawience, the father, was the grandson of the first John, who came to Watertown in 1635; see Bond's Hist., ^c, of Watertown, p. 822. William was a colonel of militia, justice of peace and quorum, for many years representative of Groton, and member of the council.

65. 11. Deborah,(160-1) b. March 5, 1694; m. 1714, Samuel Par-

ker, brother to James, b. about 1690. Resided in Groton.

66. 12. Hon. Benjamin,(166-2) b. Jan. 4, 1696; m. June 11, 1718,

Abigail, dau. of Hon. Thomas Oliver of Cambridge, b. in 1697. Resided in Groton, and lived and died in a house which stood where the house of Hon. Stuart J. Park now stands. He was a man of superior mental endowments, and of commanding appearance. He bore an enviable rep- utation, and was early reputed for his sagacity, sound judg- ment and decision of character. In 1723, being then but 27 years of age, he was for the first time elected to repre- sent Groton in the General Coui-t, where he remained by repeated elections for eight years, and where he acquired a high reputation for sagacity and sound judgment. One day, in the House of Representatives, when Mr. Prescott was a young member, there appeared some difficulty of disposing of a certain subject before the house, when Mr. Prescott moved that it be recommitted, suggesting that the difficulty might thus be removed. A prominent leader in the house, a distinguished lawyei", rose and said, " I second that motion, and move that the yovng gentleman be that committee." This was said in derision, but, taken by the House in earnest, the motion was carried, and soon Mr. Prescott returned a report in a new draft, which presented the whole subject in

FOURTH GENERATION, SECTION I. 49

SO clear a light that his reputation, as a man of uncommon good sense and sagacity, became at once established.* — History Groton, p. 290. In 1724, he was commissioned a justice of the peace, and afterward of the quorum, and in 1732, lieuten- ant colonel in the militia. In 1735, he was appointed a justice of the superior court. In 1738, the year of his death, he was appointed to represent the Province at the Court of Great Britain, which office he declined, giving as a reason, that he had never had the small pox. The Hon. Edmund Quincy was appointed in his stead, and died on his mission, of the disease which Mr. Prescott so much feared would prove fatal to himself. This truly celebrated man, so full of hope of future eminence, was cut off in the prime of life and in the midst of his usefulness. By over exertion in saving some hay from an approaching shower, he became surfeited and died in seven days on the 3d of August, 1738, in his 43d year. By the History of Groton, p. 463, it appears that he also represented Groton in the General Court, from 1734 to 1738, inclusive. He left three sons, all celebrated and distinguished men, to wit, Hon. James, Col. William (of Bunker Hill fame), and Dr. Oliver, senior, of Groton. Abi- gail, the widow of Col. Benjamin Prescott, d. Sept. 13, 1765, in her 69th year, fi-om the malignant ulcerous sore throat, which was that year epidemic and very fatal.

FOURTH GENERATION: SECTION I.

Issue of John Prescott, 3d, (25 — 2) and 2d wife, Mary H. Howe.

67. 1. JoHN,(172) b. ; m. 1742, Mary White of Lancaster; settled in

Lancaster, where he d. in 1750.

68. 2. Tabitha,(182) b.; m. 1st, Aaron 'Sawyer, May 10, 1731;

settled in Shrewsbury, (now Boylston) where he owned mills, and where his descendants lived and occupied, known as Sawyer's mills. By Mr. Sawyer she had four sons, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and Amariah. Mr. Sawyer d. and she m. for a second husband, Silas Brigham, b. Aug. 9, 1710. He was the son of David, son of Thomas, son of Thomas Brig- ham, the emigrant, b. 1603. Silas m. 1st, Mindwell Grout, who d. June 8, 1741.

* " From that time," (writes Dr. O. Prescott, Jr.,) " Mr. Prescott was consulted in every important affair relating to the Province, during the remainder of his life. An aged but intelligent and reliable man, Mr. Joseph Blood, who, in his young days had lived several years in Col. B. Prescott's employ, informed the writer, that he had repeatedly seen the messenger of the house which had been sent by the General Court for the express purpose of requesting Mr. P's attendance, as business had been postponed which was considered of too much consequence to be transacted in his absence and without his counsel and advice."

73.	1
74.	2.
75.	3.
76.	4
77.	5
78.	6.
79.	7
80.	8
81.	9.

.00 THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL, PART I.

Issue of Ehenezer Prescott (27 — 4) and Ruth Hohart of Ghochseti.

V

(;9. 1. Ebenezer,(189) b. about 1720; m. Jan. 14, 1746, Jerusha Matthews of Lancaster. He d. Oct. 15, 1776, in the Revo- lutionary army, while at Dorchester, Mass. She d. at Northampton, Mass., in 1779.

70. 2. Jonathan, (195) b. 1722; m. 1746, Vashti Houghton, b.

1727, and d. Feb. 10, 1805, aged 78. He d. 1801, aged 79.

71. 3. Sarah, b.; m. 1747, Hezekiah Walker of Shrewsbury.

72. 4. Patience, b.

FOTIKTH GENERATION: SECTION II.

Issue of Samuel Prescott (48 — 3) and Esther Wheeler of Acton.

Esther, b. 1 699 ; m. Conant.

Dorothy, b. 1702 ; m. Hildreth.

Amos,(202) b. May 20, 1705 ; m. Ruth .

Mary, b. Jan. 5, 1708; m. Fletcher.

Sakah, b. Jan. 31, 1710; ra. Randall.

Dorcas, b. May 19, 1712 ; m.

Abigail, b. Feb. 18, 1716; m. Fiske.

Rebecca, b. April 14, 1719 ; m. 1741, Gershom Davis. Dinah, b. July 22, 1725; d. young.

Issue of Dr. Jonathan Prescott (49 — 4) and Rebecca BuWey of Concord, Mass.

82. 1. Jonathan,(212) b. June 3, 1702; m. Mary ; settled in

Littleton. He had a son Jonathan, who became a physician and settled in Nova Scotia; (see 212-1.)

83. 2. Rebecca, b. Aug. 14, 1704.

84. 3. (Dr.) JoHN,(213j b. May 8, 1707; grad. Harvard College

1727 ; m. Ann, dau. of Nathaniel and Susanna (Wil- loughby) Lynde. He settled in Concord, Mass., as a physi- cian, with his father, where he was highly esteemed for his professional skill and excellent character. He enlisted one hundred men, which he commanded in the unfortunate expe- dition to Cuba, in 1740. Upon its failure, in 1743, he re- turned to this country, and soon after was sent by the Gov- ernment to England, where he was treated with great re- spect. But, being seized with the small-pox, he d. of that disease in London, Dec. 30, 1743, in his thirty-seventh year. In testimony of the esteem in which his services were held, the British Government conferred upon his widow, an an- nual pension during her life. She d. May 12, 1795, aged 88. They had three eons and two daughters.

85. 4. Peter,(219) b. April 17, 1709; graduated at Harvard Col-

lege, 1730 ; studied law and resided at Concord and Boston. He dealt extensively in wild lands, and Peterboiough, N. H., derived its name from him. He was out in the service of

FOURTH GENERATION, SECTION II. 51

his country several times during the French war, and com- manded a company at Crown Point in 1758. He removed to Annapolis, Nova Scotia, previous to the Revolution, where he was appointed clerk of one of the courts, and where he

d. in 1784, aged 75. He m. in 1746 or 7, (?) Elizabeth .

She d. Feb. 14, 1804.

86. 5. (Col.) Chari.es,(224) b. Aug. 15, 1711; ra. about 1736,

Elizabeth, dau. of Joseph and Bebecca (Minot) Barrett, b. Jan. 9, 1717. Res. in Concord, Mass., where he was a selectman in 1756, '7, '8, and in 1762, '5 and '6, and a rep- resentative to the General Court in 1758 to 1763 inclusive, and from 1765 to 1767 inclusive. He was also colonel of militia. He also served three years in the war of the Revo- lution. He was an influential, enterprising, and highly honored citizen, and died much lamented, Feb. 2, 1779, aged 68. She d. April 23, 1799, aged 82.

87. 6. Elizabeth,(231) b. Dec. 2, 1713; m. June 24, 1731, Rev.

David Hall, son of Joseph, son of John, Jr., son of John Hall, senior, who came to Charlestown, Mass., in 1630. He was b. 1704; graduated at Harvard College in 1724; or- dained at Sutton, Mass., Oct. 15, 1729 ; received the degree of D.D. from Dartmouth College in 1777; d. May 8, 1789, aged 85.

88. 7. Dorothy, b. May 13, 1716; d. July 5, 1784.

89. 8. (Dr.) Abel,(243) b. April 7, 1718; m. 1st, Abigail Brig-

ham; she died, and he m. 2d, June 12, 1775, Mrs. Mary, widow of John Beaton, who died aged 78. He enjoyed, during a long period, a very extensive professional patronage in Concord, and lived in the house more recently owned by Captain Moore, a little below the village. He died from mortification of the foot, Oct. 26, 1805, aged 87 years 6 months and 19 days.

90. 9. Mart, b. July 3, 1720.

91. 10. Lucia, b. Aug. 25, 1723; d. April 20, 1725.

91^.11. Benjamin, b. about 1724 or '5; killed by the French and Indians in May, 1745, in the expedition that captured Louisburg under Sir Wm. Pepperell. He had previously entered college, but left to enter the army.

Issue of Mary Prescott (53 — 8) and John Miles of Concord, Mass:.

John, b. Dec. 24, 1704.

Jonathan, b. Feb. 13, 1707.

Mary, b. Oct. 18, 1709.

Elizabeth, b. Nov. 16, 1714 ; d. young.

James, b. Aug. 1719.

Benjamin, b. Nov. 26, 1724; d. Aug. 23, 1725.

92.	1.
93.	2.
94.	3.
95.	4.
96.	5.
97.	6.

52 THE PEESCOTT MEMORIAL, PART I.

Issue of Rev. Benjamin Prescott (54-9) and Elizaheth Higginson of Salem Village.

98. 1. Benjamin,(250) b. Jan. 29, 1717; grad. Harv. Coll. in

1736 ; m. Aug. 12, 1741, Rebecca, dau. of James and Mar- tha (Lane) Minot, b. May 15, 1720. He was a justice of the peace and an enterprising merchant in Salem, where he d. Aug. 18, 1778, in his 62d year. She d. Oct. 8, 1761, in her 42d year.

99. 2. John, b. Aug. 2, 1718, d. next day.

100. 3. Hannah,(258) b. Dec. 6, 1719; m. Dec. 29, 1737, Capt.

Daniel, son of Col. Daniel Eppes, b. Nov. 8, 1710, d. 1780. She d. Sept. 18, 1769, leaving nine children.

101. 4. Elizabeth,(268) b. Sept. 15, 1721; m. March, 1755,

William, son of John and Mary (Pepperell) Frost of New Castle, N. H. She d. March, 1758. He d. Sept. 17, 1778.

102. 5. Sarah, b. Jan. 29, 1723, d. May 12, 1723.

Issue of Rev. Benjamin Prescott and 2d wife, Mercy Gihbs.

103. 6. Henry, b. July 19, 1735, d. Jan. 19, 1736.

104. 7. Henry,(273) b. July 25, 1737; m. Oct. 9, 1760, Mary,

dau. of Joseph Newmarch of New Castle, N. H., b. 1732. She was grand-daughter of Hon. William Pepperell. She was a woman of great courage and firmness, mingled with vivacity, cheerfulness and ready wit. It is related of her that when advised to leave New Castle on account of the expected invasion by the British troops in 1776, that she declared she would not leave "until she could see the whites of the enemy's eyes." She afterwards concluded that " discretion was the better part of valor," and removed to Kittery, where her youngest son, the late Hon. George W. Prescott, was born, Jan. 8, 1776. She died, 1822, a. 90. He d., Sept. 10, 1816, a. 79. He was a merchant.

FOURTH GENEEATION: SECTION III. Issue of Mary Prescott (55—1) and Benjamin Farnsworth.

105. 1. Mart, b. Jan. 5, 1696.

106. 2. Martha, b. Jan. 9, 1698, d. Feb. 11, 1798.

107. 3. Benjamin, b. Jan. 16, 1699 ; m. 1st, Patience ; m. 2d,

Rebecca ; resided in Groton where he d. of small

pox, Sept. 18, 1757, in his 59th year. Patience, his first wife, d. July 10, 1734, aged 30, leaving two children; Re- becca, his 2d wife, d. Oct. 1, 1756, leaving three children.

108. 4. Isaac, b. July 4, 1701 ; m. 1723, Sarah Page ; settled in

Groton ; soon removed to Lunenburg ; seven children.

109. 5. Ezra, b. Jan. 17, 1703; m. 1st, April 26, 1726, Elizab^eth,

dau. of Benjamin and Elizabeth Lakin, b. Aug. 23, 1707,

FOURTH GENERATION, SECTION III. 63

and d. leaving three children. He in. 2d, 1735, Abigail, dau. of Ephraim and Mary Pierce, b. Nov. 10, 1710; lived in Groton. Three children by Abigail.

110. 6. Amos, b. Nov. 27, 1704; m. 1st, March 20,1735, Lydia

Longley. He res. in Groton, where he was drowned, Dec. 5, 1775, together with his son Benjamin, a. 16, leaving nine children. His son, Amos Farnsworth, Jr., was an officer in the war of the Revolution, was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and many other places of difficulty and danger ; major of artilleiy after the war, and received a pension of $113 per month, until his death, which occurred Oct. 29, 1847, a. 93.

111. 7. Ltdia, b. Sept. 26, 1706.

112. 8. Aaron, b. Aug. 29, 1709; m. 1st, March 24, 1729, Hannah

Barron ; m. 2d, Sarah Barrett, and for a 3d wife, Eliza- beth .

113. 9. Jonas, b. Oct. 14, 1713 ; m. Thankful Ward of Worcester.

114. 10. Deborah, b. 1716.

Issue of Elizabeth Prescott (56 — 2) and Eleazer Green.

115. 1. Eleazer, b. Jan. 26,1696; m. Anna, dau. of Thomas and

Elizabeth (Blood) Tarbell, b. May 28, 1702; lived in Groton and had five sons and three daughters.

116. 2. A Daughter, b. Jan. 29, 1698, d. Feb. 13, 1698.

117. 3. William, b. — , 1700; m. March 9, 1727, Hannah Hol-

den ; lived in Groton ; three sons and one daughter. 118 4. Jonathan, b. 1702; m. Feb. 25, 1725, Mary, dau. of Jo- seph and Elizabeth Lakin, b. April 12, 1703 ; lived in Groton ; tliree sons, four daughters.

119. 5. Elizabeth, b. June 10, 1704.

120. G. James, b. Jan. 20, 1709 ; m. April 26, 1739, Sarah, dau. of

Samuel and Elizabeth (Blood) Shattuck, b. Dec. 11, 1716 ; lived in Pepperell, one son, three daughters.

Issue of Jonas Prescott, Jr. (57 — 3) and Thankful Wheeler.

121. 1. Ebenezer,(283) b. July 19, 1700; m. May 24, 1721, Han-

nah Farnsworth. In 1730, he and his brother Jona?, Ebenezer Townsend and others, petitioned the General Court to be set off from Groton to Westford, which petition was granted that year. He d. Dec. 1, 1771, a. 71 yrs. 4 mos. 12 days.

122. 2. Jonas,(291) b. Jan. 26, 1703; m. 1st, April 30, 1726,

Elizabeth Spalding. She d. Dec. 27, 1729. He m. 2d, 1731, Elizabeth Howard of Chelmsford. She d. He m. for a 3d wife, Rebecca (Jones), widow of Benjamin Barrett of Concord, Dec. 25, 1740. He was a farmer and justice of the peace in Westford, where he d. Sept. 9, 1784, a. 81 yrs. 7 mos. 14 days. He was highly esteemed and deeply lamented.

54 THE PRESCOTT MEMORIAL, PART I.

123. 3. Thankful, b. Sept. 17, 1705 ; m. 1727-8, Timothy Spalding.

124. 4. Mary,(300) b. April 29, 1711; m. May 9,1728, Joseph

Stone (probably a son of Deacon Simon) ; lived in Groton. He d. Sept. 10, a. 75 ; she d. April 5, 1793, a. 82, wanting 22 days ; seven sons, five daughters.

125. 5. Sarah,(312) b. Dec. 5, 1712; m. March 7, 1782, Deacon

Samuel, son of James and Rebecca (Wheeler) Minot, b. March 25, 1706 ; had three children, and she d. in child- bed, March 22, 1737, a. 24. Mr. Minot then (in 1738) ra. for a 2d wife, her sister Dorcas. See below. 12G. 6. DoRCAS,(315) b. 1714; m. 1738, Deacon Samuel Minot, who had m. for his 1st wife, her sister Sarah, as above. She d. June 6, 1803, a. 89 yrs. 2 mos. 15 days, having had five children. He d. March 17, 1766, a. 60. Res. at Concord, Mass. See Hist, and Gen. Reg., Vol. I., pp. 174 and 177, Minot Genealogy.

Issue of Dorothy Prescott (59 — 5) and John Varnum of Dracut.

127. 1. Hannah, b. Dec. 20, 1701.

128. 2. Sarah, b. April 22, 1703.

129. 3. JOHN,(320) b. Feb. 1, 1705. In 1725 he enlisted in the cel-

ebrated company, commanded by Capt. Lovewell, which went to Pigwackett (now Fryeburg) on snow-shoes to fight the Indians. They surprised and killed the whole party of Indians of which they were in pursuit, consisting of nine nien and a boy ; scalped them and left their bodies a prey to a large flock of ravens which were hovering around. On the return of Capt. Lovewell and his com- rades in arms, they halted at Andover, where they were entertained and sumptuously treated at Mr. Joseph Park- er's. It was while here that John Varnum first saw Phebe Parker, whom he afterwards (July 15, 1730) married, and