After pursuing the study of the law under Mr. Gridley, the first lawyer and civilian of his time, at the age of twenty-one he began the practice at Plymouth. In about two years he removed from this town to Boston, where he soon gained so high a reputation for integrity and talents, that his services were required in the most important causes. In 1761 he distinguished himself by pleading against the writs of assistance, which the officers of the customs had applied for to the judges of the supreme court. His antagonist was Mr. Gridley. He was in this or the following year chosen a member of the legislature of Massachusetts, in which body the powers of his eloquence, the keenness of his wit. the force of his arguments, and the resources of his intellect, gave him a most commanding influence. When the arbitrary claims of Great Britain were advanced, he warmly engaged in defence of the colonies, and was the first champion of American freedom who had the courage to affix his name to a production that stood forth against the pretensions of the parent state. He was a member of the congress which was held at New York in 1765, in which year his Rights of the Colonies Vindicated, a pamphlet, occasioned by the stamp act, and which was considered as a masterpiece both of good writing and of argument, was published in London. For the boldness of his opinions he was threatened with an arrest; yet he continued to support the rights of his fellow-citizens. He resigned the office of judge advocate in 1767, and renounced all employment under an administration which had encroached upon the liberties of his country. His warm passions sometimes betrayed him into unguarded epithets, that gave his enemies an advantage, without benefit to the cause which lay nearest his heart. Being vilified in the public papers, he in return published some severe strictures on the conduct of the commissioners of the customs, and others of the

ministerial party. A short time afterwards, on the evening of the fifth of September, 1769, he met Mr. John Robinson, one of the commissioners, in a public room, and an affray followed, in which he was assaulted by a number of ruffians, who left him and a young gentleman, who interposed in his defence, covered with wounds. The wounds were not mortal, but his usefulness was destroyed, for his reason was shaken from its throne, and the great man in ruins lived several years, the grief of his friends. In an interval of reason he forgave the men who had done him an irreparable injury, and relinquished the sum of five thousand pounds sterling, which Mr. Robinson had been by a civil process adjudged to pay, on his signing a humble acknowledgment. He lived to see, but not fully to enjoy, the independence of America, an event towards which his efforts had greatly contributed. At length, on the twenty-third of May, 1783, as he was leaning on his cane at the door of Mr. Osgood's house in Andover, he was struck by a flash of lightning; his soul was instantly liberated from its shattered tenement, and sent into eternity. President Adams, then minister in France, wrote respecting him, "It was with very afflicting sentiments I learned the death of Mr. Otis, my worthy master. Extraordinary in death as in life, he has left a character that will never die, while the memory of the American revolution remains; whose foundation he laid with an energy, and with those masterly abilities, which no other man possessed." He was highly distinguished by genius, eloquence, and learning, and no American, perhaps, had possessed more extensive information. Besides his legal and political knowledge, he was a complete master of classical literature. He published Rudiments of Latin Prosody, with a Dissertation on Letters, and the Power of Harmony in Poetic and Prosaic Composition, 12mo, 1760, which has been considered the most clear and masterly treatise on the subject; Vindication of the Conduct of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts, 1762; The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted, 1764; Considerations on behalf of the Colonists, 1765.—Allen's Biog. Dictionary.

The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the

town.

Here lieth the body of Mr. Joseph Green, the worthy pastor of this church. As a gentleman, a friend, a Christian, and minister, his character was greatly distinguished. His natural abilities were conspicuous, and much improved by study and application. In human and sacred literature he greatly excelled. His principles were evangelical and candid. In prayer and preaching his gifts were generally and justly admired. Temperance, purity, prudence, benevolence, resignation, devotion, and exemplary diligence in his Master's service, adorned his character. His mind was sedate, his temper placid, his affections and passions regulated by reason and religion; his manner courteous, generous, and hospitable; his conversation entertaining, instructive, and serious; a dutiful son, an affectionate husband, and a tender parent; a sincere friend and faithful minister; greatly, and to the last, beloved and honored by his people.

Born at Boston, 21 June, O. S. 1704; graduated at Harvard College, 1720; ordained 12 May, O. S. 1725; departed this life, in assured hope of a better, 4 October, N. S., 1770, in the 70 year of his age, and 46 of his ministry.

Think what the Christian minister should be,

You've then his character, for such was he.

Rev. Oakes Shaw, born at Bridgewater, 1736, graduated at Harvard College 1758, ordained in this place 1760, died 11th February, 1807. Benevolence, affection, and sincerity characterize l and endeared him in all the relations of social life. With unaffected piety and zeal, with unshaken constancy and fidelity, he discharged the various duties of the pastoral office. To perpetuate the remembrance of his virtues and talents, to prolong the influence of his character, and to testify their respect for his memory, this monument is gratefully erected by a bereaved and affectionate people.

BREWSTER, formerly the first or North parish of Harwich, was incorporated as a town in 1803, by the name of Brewster, in honorable remembrance of Elder Brewster, distinguished for his virtues among the first settlers of Plymouth colony. The first church gathered here Oct. 16, 1700, and Rev. Nathaniel Stone was ordained their pastor on the same day. Mr. Stone died in 1755, and was succeeded by Rev. Isaiah Dunster. Mr. Dunster died in 1791, and was succeeded by Rev. John Simkins, who was ordained the same year. The first meeting-house built in this place stood about half a mile from the north shore.

The above is a south-eastern view of the central part of Brewster, showing the Congregational church, town-house, and some other buildings in the immediate vicinity. There are about ninety dwelling-houses within a mile from the Congregational church seen in the engraving. Besides the Congregational, there are two other churches in the village, one for Baptists, the other for Universalists; a Methodist church is situated in the western part of the town. The factory village is situated about two miles westward of this

place; it contains a cotton and several other mills, and, what is unusual on the Cape, are moved by water.

This town holds a central position with regard to the peninsula of Cape Cod, being about 36 miles from Provincetown at the lower or north end, and the same distance from Falmouth the S. W. extremity. The face of the township is diversified by a mixture of hilly and level land. On some of these elevations over which the county road passes, the traveller has a fair view of the ocean on each side of the peninsula; to the northward he can discern the buildings in Eastham at the distance of 8 or 10 miles, and at certain seasons the reflection of the sun upon the windows of the houses in Wellfleet and Truro is discernible, by the naked eye, at a distance of eighteen miles and upwards on the county road. North of the county road and bordering on the bay, which is the north boundary of the town, the soil may be considered in this region as good land; the other part of the town the soil is light and sandy. This town has 6 or 8 fishing and coasting vessels, and does something at the manufacture of salt. A large number of ship-masters (in common with other towns on Cape Cod) sailing to foreign ports belong here. From a number of ponds in this town, a never-failing stream of water is produced, on which are a cotton mill, carding mill, and several other manufacturing establishments. Population 1,534. Distance easterly from Barnstable 16 miles, 6 northerly from Chatham, and from Boston, by water, twenty-three leagues.

CHATHAM.

THE Indian name for Chatham appears to have been Monnamoiet or Monamoy. In 1665 William Nickerson bought of the sachem of Monamoy a tract of land near Potanumaquut, bounded east by the Great Harbor. Nickerson also made other purchases of the natives of lands in the vicinity at various times. In 1665, Thomas Hinckley, John Freeman, Nathaniel Bacon, and their partners, obtained from the Plymouth colony court the grant of a right to purchase of the natives land at Monnamoit and places adjacent. This interfered with the property of Nickerson, who had made several of his purchases without authority from the court, which was necessary to make his title valid. Hinckley and his associates, however, in 1672, for a valuable consideration, conveyed to Nickerson their grant, which made his title good, and was confirmed to his heirs by the legislature. The settlement of the village, or district of Monamoy, appears to have been made not long after the purchase was made. It was incorporated into a township by the legislature, by the name of Chatham, in 1712. In 1720 the church was first gathered, and Rev. Joseph Lord ordained; he was succeeded by Rev. Stephen Emery in 1749. Mr. Emery was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Roby, who was ordained in 1783, and dismissed by his request in 1795; the Rev. Ephraim Briggs was ordained the next year.

The township consists of sand hills and ridges, with narrow valleys, small depressions, ponds and swamps between them. The soil is rather better than most of the towns in this part of the Cape. Great Hill, in this town, is the first land made by seamen coming on this part of the coast; and from this place Nantucket is sometimes seen. There are 4 churches in the town, 1 Orthodox, 1 Universalist, 1 Baptist, and 1 Methodist.

The above shows the appearance of the principal village in Chatham, as it is seen from the ancient burying-ground, about two and a half miles distant. Immediately beyond the monuments is seen one of the numerous fresh-water ponds in this town. They are said to be about thirty in number. By a beneficent arrangement of Providence, these ponds, containing an article so necessary to life, are found in almost every part of the Cape. The Old Harbor is situated about two miles from the two light-houses seen in the engraving. The village at this place is rather smaller than the one represented, but the houses are larger. Chatham is said to be one of the wealthiest towns in the county. A large amount of shipping is owned by the inhabitants in other places. Forty years ago, large ships used to come into the harbor; but it now has become so injured by the sand bar which has been making, that only small craft enter. A large proportion of the people are engaged in the sea-faring business. In 1837, there were 22 vessels employed in the cod and mackerel fishery: 15,500 quintals of cod-fish were caught, valued at $46,500. Twelve hundred barrels of mackerel, valued at $9,600, were taken. There were 80 establishments for the manufacture of salt, and 27,400 bushels, valued at $8,220, were made. The central part of the town is about 22 miles easterly from Barnstable court-house, and 40 to Provincetown. Population 2,271.

The following, extracted from a description of Chatham published in 1802, shows the "bill of fare" of the inhabitants of that period.

"Food can so easily be procured, either on the shores or in the sea, that, with the profit which arises from their voyages, in which it must be confessed they labor very

hard, the people are enabled to cover their tables well with provisions. A break. fast among the inhabitants, and even among those who are called the poorest, for there are none which may be called really poor, consists of tea or coffee, brown bread, generally with butter, sometimes without, and salt or fresh fish, fried or broiled. A dinner affords one or more of the following dishes: roots and herbs; salted beef or pork boiled; fresh butcher's meat not more than twelve times a year; wild fowl ́ frequently in the autumn and winter; fresh fish boiled or fried with pork; shell fish; salt fish boiled; Indian pudding; pork baked with beans. Tea or coffee also frequently constitutes part of the dinner. A supper consists of tea or coffee, and fish, as at breakfast; cheese, cakes made of flour, gingerbread, and pies of several sorts. This bill of fare will serve, with little variation, for all the fishing towns in the county. In many families there is no difference between the breakfast and supper; cheese, cakes, and pies being common at the one as at the other.'

DENNIS.

THIS town was formerly the eastern part of Yarmouth. It was set off as a distinct parish in that town in 1721; and was incorporated into a town in 1793. The church was gathered, and the first pastor, Rev. Josiah Dennis, was ordained, in 1727. Mr. Dennis died in 1763, and was succeeded by Rev. Nathan Stone, who was ordained in 1764. The inhabitants have manifested their respect for Mr. Dennis, their first minister, by naming the town after him.

The soil of this town, with the exception of a few small spots, is sandy and unproductive. Scargo Hill, in the north part of the township, is the highest land in the county, and is the first which is made by seamen when approaching the south shore.

In 1837, the number of "vessels employed in the cod and mackerel fishery, 18; tonnage of the same, 1,037; codfish caught, 9,141 quintals; value of the same, $25,137; mackerel caught, 4,684 barrels; value of the same, $25,762; salt used, 16,691 bushels; hands employed, 247; capital invested, $29,682." It is stated that there is more navigation owned in Dennis, than in any other town in the county; and a large portion of it is owned on the south side. North Dennis, on the north side, was first settled, but within the last twenty years the south side has become much the largest. There are two organized societies in this part of the town, one Methodist and one Congregationalist. The Congregationalist society was organized with twenty members, in 1817, under the ministry of Rev. John Sanford, the present pastor. Distance, 8 miles easterly from Barnstable, and by water about 60 miles S. E. of Boston. Population 2,750.

About 60,000 bushels of salt, and 500 barrels of Epsom salts, are annually made in this town. The first salt produced by solar evaporation in this country appears to have been made by Capt. John Sears, of this place, in 1776. During the revolutionary war, many persons here and elsewhere on the coast, applied themselves to the business of making salt. The process consisted in evaporating sea water from large boilers by fire. The quantity obtained in this manner was necessarily small, and the consumption of fuel great.