INTRODUCTION. 



THE earliest action toward the writing of this history occurred at 

 the annual town meeting of March 5, 1894, when, in accord- 

 ance with an article previously inserted in the warrant, the following 

 persons were appointed as a Committee on Town History : — 



Rev. Joseph Osgood, D.D. Dr. Oliver H. Howe. 



Newcomb B. Tower. E. Pomeroy Collier. 



Aaron Pratt, Esq. Rev. E. Victor Bigelow. 



The Committee were authorized to fill vacancies and to add to their 

 number if deemed expedient. At the first meeting, held appropriately 

 on Patriots' Day, 1894, Rev. Dr. Osgood was chosen Chairman and 

 Dr. Oliver H. Howe, Secretary. By vote of the Committee, Ira B. 

 Pratt and George W. Collier were added to their number, making 

 eight in all. The early meetings were spent in examining various 

 old maps and records and in rehearsing many traditions of early 

 times. Of plans for the writing of a history, we had none; but 

 as the next best thing, we set ourselves to the task of collecting 

 materials which could be used later by whoever should write the 

 history. We recorded every tradition or reminiscence that seemed to 

 be of value and secured documents and maps. We also started a 

 collection of historical relics, which, by the courtesy of the Trustees 

 of the Public Library, we were allowed to place in their reading-room. 

 This collection has grown in variety and interest and we hope it will 

 be permanently kept, both as an instructive exhibit of implements 

 of former times and as a repository for family relics that might 

 otherwise become forgotten or lost. The town has provided the 

 Committee with a room in the new fireproof vault where any docu- 

 ments that are precious for family association may be deposited for 

 safe-keeping. 



The Committee repeatedly considered the matter of finding some one 

 who would undertake the task of constmcting a narrative of the town 

 from the materials obtainable. There seemed to be nobody in the 

 town willing to undertake so serious a work, and the Committee thought 

 it unwise to employ an outsider for the purpose. 



At length, in September, 1896, much to our satisfaction. Rev. Mr. 

 Bigelow volunteered to write the history, which is herewith submitted. 

 He has read the whole work to the Committee, chapter by chapter, 



