In 1820, the population of this county was 38,136; in 1830, it was 42,993; in 1837, it was 46,253. ABINGTON. It is supposed that the first settlements in this town commenced in 1668 or '9. The first grant made by the Plymouth colony within this town was to Mr. Nathaniel Souther, in 1654. In 1664, another grant was made to his heirs and to the heirs of Clement Briggs. After the year 1672, the heirs of Phineas Pratt had grants located here. In 1656, a tract, three miles square, from Accord pond southerly, above Scituate, was granted to Mr. Hatherly and others. In 1668, a tract two miles long by three fourths of a mile wide was sold by the colony to James Lovell, John Holbrook, and Andrew Ford, of Weymouth, for 231., above Mr. Hatherly's grant, and adjoining the colony line. Previous to 1660, Lieut. Peregrine White, of Marshfield, had a grant, which is described as being between two brooks, in the fork of them, the Indian names of which are given in the records, which proves them to be the Beaver brook and the one east of it; by this fact is it ascertained that the Indian name of Abington was Manamooskeagin, a word which signifies "much or many beavers." The first minister of the first church was Rev. Samuel Brown, who was ordained in 1714; his successor was Ezekiel Dodge, who was ordained in 1750. Mr. Dodge was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Niles, who was ordained in 1771, and died in 1814. The next minister was Rev. Holland Weeks, who was installed here in 1815. In 1808, a number of the inhabitants of the south part of Abington, and of the east of Bridgewater, were incorporated as the "Union Calvinistic Soc ety;" the Rev. Daniel Thomas was ordained their pastor the s year. In 1813, "The Third Society in Abington was in rated, and Rev. Samuel W. Colbourn was installe Abington is perhaps the best grazing town It has generally a moist and strong soil, a stor The above shows the appearance of Bridgewater, as it is seen on the elevated ground about one mile northward of the village, on the road from East Bridgewater. This is a pleasant village, having 3 churches (2 Congregational and 1 New Jerusalem) and an academy. Distance, 18 miles from Plymouth, 10 from Taunton, and 27 from Boston. Population, 2,092. In 1837, there were manufactured 3,124 pairs of boots, and 53,800 pairs of shoes, the value of which was $57,317; males employed, 150; females, 56. There were 2 air and cupola furnaces; 400 tons of iron castings made, valued at $30,000; two nail factories; 1,000 tons of nails manufactured, value, $60,000; hands employed, 30. Two manufactories of cotton ginns; value of ginns manufactured, $22,500; hands employed, 30; capital invested, $42,000. Two forges; 140 tons of bar iron and anchors manufactured; value, $17,000. One rolling and machine shop, which employed 60 hands; there was also a tack manufactory, which employed 12 hands. The following inscriptions are copied from Alden's Collection. Beneath are deposited the remains of Lieut. JOSHUA ALDEN, who died 21 March, 1809, in the 80 year of his age. He led a sober and regular life, was a friend to peace and good order, a steady attendant on publick worship, and a valuable member of society. In his last will and testament, after some deductions, he bequeathed a tenth part of his property to the South Congregational society in Bridgewater, of which one hundred dollars were for the use of the church, of which he was a member, two hundred dollars for the encouragement of psalmody, and the remainder for the fund of said society. To perpetuate his memory, and to express the gratitude due to an example so worthy of imitation, it has been thought fit to erect this monument. Beneath are deposited the remains of the Hon. NATHAN MITCHELL, Esq., in whom prudence and economy, benevolence and piety, were happily and conspicuously united; whose open disposition procured him confidence and esteem in private life, while his patriotism, integrity, and strong natural abilities, repeatedly advanced him by the suffrages of a virtuous people to a seat in government; who in various capacities served his town and country with fidelity and honour; and, through life, sustained the character of a devout, exemplary christian, an obliging neighbour, a kind husband, and tender parent. He died with the small-pox, 2 March, 1789, in the 60 year of his age, beloved and lamented. His widow and children, to record their gratitude and the virtues of the deceased, have erected this monument. Beneath are deposited the remains of Deacon ISAAC LAZELL, who departed this life 20 June, 1810, in the 54 year of his age, with a comfortable hope of future happiness, having a firm belief of the truth of the gospel; and, during the days of his health, he was anxious to promote the improvement, interest, and happiness of society. To commemorate his virtues and express the gratitude of his relatives, they have erected this monument. Sacred to the memory of Rev. JOHN SHAW, almost sixty years a faithful pastor of the second church of Christ in this town, who departed this life on the twenty-ninth of April, 1791, aged 83 years. O man, greatly beloved! thou shalt rest and stand in thy lot at the end of days. CARVER. CARVER was incorporated in 1790; it was previously the second parish in Plympton, and derives its name from that of the first governor of Plymouth colony. It appears that as early as 1637, "Lakenham Farm," now in the limits of Carver, was granted to Mr. Jenny, of Plymouth, who was an assistant. In 1640, "Colebrook South Meadows" and "Lakenham West Meadows" were granted to divers persons. At this early period some scattered cottages began to extend on the western precincts of the township of Plymouth, on the path to Namasket, and successively in 1650 and 1662. In 1664, South Meadows were purchased from the natives. In the year 1700, settlements were extended, when lands there sold at 2s. the acre. The south part of the territory was then called "Samson's country," from the sachem of it, for whom and his wife a reserve of 200 acres was made, 1705. Their privileges were "fishing in the brooks and ponds, to make tar and turpentine, and to hunt on any undivided lands; to cut poles, and to get bark in undivided cedar-swamps, to make houses," &c. Carver comprises the greatest and the poorest territorial part of the town from which it was taken, the original growth being chiefly pitch-pine, though there was a good proportion of red and black oak. There is a large tract of white cedar-swamp in the eastern section of the town, which yielded large supplies of that valuable wood. There are at least 12 ponds in the town, some of which furnish iron ore of a good quality. "A place called 'Swan Holt' by the first planters, a little south-east of Wenham Pond, denotes the former visits of that bird, the earliest harbinger of spring; for before the ice is yet broken up, the swan finds an open resting-place among the ozier holts, while the kildee,* flying over the land from the sea-shore, soon after confirms the vernal promise." Here, too, on the confines of the Wauconquag, among the high trees of the impenetrable forest, the eagle, the crane, and the bittern build their nests. There are a number of iron works A species of plover, probably the "que ce qu'il dit" of the French. It may be added that kildee is the Danish word for spring.-Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. 4 vol. 2d Series. in this town. In 1837, there were 2 air and cupola furnaces; 300 tons of iron castings were made, valued at $30,000. It is said that the first cast-iron tea-kettles were cast at Plympton, (now Carver,) between 1760 and 1765. Wrought-iron imported tea-kettles were used before a copper tea-kettle was first used at Plymouth, 1702. There are 3 churches in this town, 2 Congregational and 1 Baptist. Population, 990. Distance, 8 miles south-westerly of Plymouth, and 38 from Boston. The people of this place are almost wholly descendants of the first planters of Plymouth. Rev. Othniel Campbell, the first minister, was ordained in 1734. He was succeeded by Rev. John Howland, who was ordained in 1746, and died in 1804. Rev. John Shaw, his successor, was ordained in 1807. DUXBURY. DUXBURY was incorporated in 1637. At this time it included within its limits Pembroke, the greatest part of Marshfield, part of Kingston, and part of Bridgewater. Its Indian name was Mattakeeset, or Namasakeeset. "The probable etymology of the present name is Dux and borough, as it is stated that it was named in honor of Capt. Standish, the dux or military leader of the colony, and one of the first settlers of the place.' The first settlers located themselves in the southern part of the town, which lies by the bay between this place and Plymouth. They probably chose this place on account of its being nearer Plymouth, and also on account of the soil, which at this spot is better than most other parts of the town. The first church, which was a very small building, stood near the water. The second building for public worship was erected a mile north, and stood about one hundred years. The next church was erected in 1784, being equally distant from the southern and northern boundaries of the town. The soil of the town is generally sandy and unproductive, though there are some fertile spots. The town is bounded on the east by a bay three miles in width: this bay is bounded on the east by The Gurnet, a peninsula or point of high land, originating from Marshfield, and extending about seven miles southward into the bay. On its southern extremity is situated the light-house. The first light-house here was erected by the province of Massachusetts, in 1768, at an expense of £660, 17s.; in 1801, this building was consumed by fire. The present light-house was erected by the United States, in 1803. It exhibits two lights, which are about 70 feet above the level of the sea. There is near the point a farm of rich soil, which supports one family. There are in the town 2 woollen mills, an air and cupola furnace, a bank, the "Duxbury Bank," with a capital of $100,000, and an insurance company, with a capital of $75,000. There is a number of vessels belonging to this town, and the inhabitants are chiefly |