154 NATURAL HISTORY AND TOPOGRAPHY OF GROTON, MASS. 



which every " native here, and to the manner born " knows 

 so well how to pronounce. It has never been Grow-ton, or 

 Grot-ton even, but always with a broad sound on the first and 

 accented syllable. Such was the old pronunciation in Eng- 

 land, and by the continuity of custom and tradition the same 

 has been kept up throughout the various settlements in this 

 country bearing the name. The oldest form of the word is 

 found in Doomsday Book, written in Latin more than eight 

 hundred years ago. It there appears as Grotena, which by 

 all analogy has a short penult. 



A "RAISING." 



In former years in the country, when a house, barn, or 

 other framed building was to be erected, it was the custom 

 to have a " raising." On such occasions the neighbors used 

 to meet and give their combined help in aid of the under- 

 taking. In this way the framework of wooden buildings was 

 set up in a short space of time. 



The sills, beams and standards, duly cut by the carpenters, 

 with mortises and tenons, were now ready to be put in posi- 

 tion. Next in order was the placing of the various pieces of 

 the frame where each one belonged, and fastening them with 

 large wooden pins or pegs. The beams were heavy and the 

 lifting them was hard, but with many men to lend a hand, 

 the work was light. On such occasions a rude collation was 

 always served, sometimes enlivened with cider and sometimes 

 with rum punch. The day made a break in the monotony of 

 country life ; and everybody had a good time. 



I remember the raising of George W. Bancroft's barn at 

 the head of Love Lane, which took place — according to my 

 recollection — in the year 1846, when there was a large 

 number of persons present. 



I was a school-boy at the time, and was late at school in 

 consequence of my attendance at the raising; and the whole 

 affair made an impression on my youthful mind. 



