THE HISTORIC TREES OF MASSACHUSETTS 



paid in money to Samuel English, and "two 

 shillings and sixpence in silver and Rum 

 and vittles enouf," paid to their two kins- 

 men. 



This transaction settled for all time the 

 question of title to the town of Boxford, 

 and rendered the site of the Thomas Perley 

 tavern historic ground. When Mr. Perley 

 died in 1745, his property was divided 

 between his two sons, Thomas and Asa 

 Perley, the latter receiving the portion on 

 which the homestead stood. In 1760 Asa 

 Perley took down the old tavern and erected 

 upon the spot a new dwelling house, and 

 planted directly in front of it "the sapling 

 elm." Both house and tree have since re- 

 mained as cherished landmarks of Boxford, 

 as well as of Essex County. 



Out from the shade of the elm tree, where 

 they had played as children, seven stalwart 

 sons of Asa Perley marched forth to the 

 Revolution; and General Israel Putnam, 

 who was a step-son of their grandfather, 

 Thomas Perley, by the latter' s marriage to 

 Elizabeth Putnam, widow of Joseph Putnam, 



