branches extend over this and Worcester Counties, and part of New Hampshire, and are constantly sending forth new and flourishing shoots."* The Davis gens has become a host, and is scattered in name and blood over the land in

an extended array. Many individuals might be named who have well sustained their relations to society, and have died leaving a precious memory. Among others may be named the family of Deacon Isaac Davis, of Rutland and Northborough, which has furnished in Massachusetts a worthy Governor of the Commonwealth, Senator in Congress, State Senators, &c. The genealogist of the family will gather largely from every side, and find much worthy to record in his long catalogue of names.

In 1663, Ruth Davis, the only daughter, so far as I am aware, of the American progenitor, became the wife of Stephen Hall, then of Concord, afterwards of Stow Medford, and perhaps of Plainfield, Conn.‡

and

Of

Stephen and Ruth Hall had seven or more children. these, two were sons: viz., Samuel, who lived in Stow, born in Concord, Dec. 8, 1665; and Stephen, first of Medford, and afterwards of Charlestown, where he died Nov. 8, 1749. This last Stephen was the father of, 1st, Captain Stephen Hall, a distinguished merchant in Boston; born Nov. 5, 1693; died Feb. 24, 1773, æt. eighty; who by his second marriage, with Elizabeth, daughter of Josiah Saunders, had one child, Elizabeth, who was born in 1737, and was married to William Gray in 1759. She was mother of the late Rev. Dr. Gray, of Jamaica Plains, at whose house she died, Dec. 24, 1825; and grandmother of Hon. George Eustis, H.U. 1815, at one time Chief Justice of Louisiana.§ 2d, Of Grace Hall,

* Shattuck's Concord, 368. See also an unpretending little volume, entitled the "History of Rutland," by Jonas Reed, 1836, in which the author gives a detailed account of several of the Davis family, who settled in Rutland, and of very many of their descendants.

† Stephen Hall, representative from Stow in 1689.

In a deed, February, 1692, he describes himself "of Medford, late of Stow." His acknowledgment was taken at Plainfield in Connecticut, September, 1714. Bridgman, King's Chapel Burial-Ground Inscriptions.

who married, May, 1715, Isaac Parker, of Charlestown; born there in 1692, and died there Nov. 1, 1742. They were the grandparents of the Hon. Isaac Parker, — that most genial man, the late learned and excellent Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts; and the great-grandparents of the late General Eustis, of the UnitedStates army. 3d, Of Esther, who married Peter Edes, of Charlestown, in December, 1729. 4th, Of Rev. Willard Hall, born —; graduated at Harvard College in 1722; and was the first minister of Westford, Mass., where he died in 1779. His wife was Abigail, daughter of John Cotton, of Plymouth. 5th, Of Ruth Hall, who married Thomas Symmes, of Charlestown.

-;

Rev. Willard Hall had seven daughters, six* of whom were married, and three sons: viz., 1st, Rev. Stephen, born about 1744; graduated at Harvard College in 1765, in the same class with his distant cousins, Rev. Joseph Willard, afterwards President of the College; and another Rev. Joseph Willard, afterwards minister of Mendon and Boxborough in Massachusetts. This Stephen Hall was never settled in the ministry. He was tutor at Cambridge, and a Fellow of the College. On leaving his tutorship, he took up his residence in Portland, Me. He there became a strenuous separatist,-strenuous for the separation of Maine from Massachusetts; and was a delegate to the Convention convened upon that subject in 1785. He died in 1795, leaving one son and two daughters. 2d, Willard, who died in early life. 3d, Willis, who lived in Westford, and had four daughters and three sons: viz., 1st, Hon. Willard Hall, born at Westford, Dec. 24, 1780; graduated at Harvard College in 1799; studied law in Groton, from 1801 to 1803, with the late Judge Samuel Dana; and pursued his profession with distinguished reputation in the State of Delaware, where, for many years, he has acceptably filled the office of

One m. Mr. Abbott, of Billerica. Elizabeth m., first, Caleb Symmes; second, Benjamin Fletcher. Abigail m. Jonas Minot. Grace m. Benjamin Whiting. Ann m. Leonard Whiting. Martha m. Richard Kneeland.

Judge of the United-States District Court. His daughter is the wife of Dr. R. R. Porter, of Wilmington, Del. They have five children. 2d, William C. Hall, a well-known bookseller, whose principal residence is London. He is unmarried. 3d, Benjamin Hall, who has one child, a daughter, the wife of Daniel Needham, of Groton.

Judge Hall retains a lively and grateful recollection of his early life in Massachusetts, and passes a warm eulogium on the intelligence of her people, and their love of enlightened and well-regulated liberty, resting upon the solid foundation of Christian principles transmitted from former generations. He also speaks "of the Rev. Dr. Willard, the venerable President of Harvard University;" and adds, "I have a lively recollection of him, and through association of men and scenes to which distance lends enchantment. Among the last favors which I received on leaving Massachusetts was a testimonial from him of my character and standing, manifesting great kindness, given upon my application through my tried friend Levi Hedge." - Letters, Jan. 20 and March 15, 1854.

112

CHAPTER V.

THE COUNTY OF KENT, AND THE PARISH OF HORSMONDEN IN THAT COUNTY.

As the county of Kent contributed its share to the early population of New England, and very largely to those principles of civil liberty, which, underlying our institutions, have become our cherished inheritance; as it was also the birthplace of the first of the American family, and of his ancestors probably for several generations,-a brief description of its distinctive features will form an appropriate introduction to the biographical sketch which follows.

As "God sifted a whole nation that he might send choice grain over into this wilderness" (New England), so there was a mighty sifting of various tribes for that grain which was to ripen in Old England into the liberty, civilization, and power of the present day.

Whatever may have been the original population of the island, history, in its earliest approach to distinctness, traces the migrations of tribes from Asia into Europe. Preceding all other tribes, we find the Kimmerians, from the Euxine, - known afterwards to the Romans as the Kimbri,-entering Europe perhaps ten centuries before the Christian era. In their course westward, they finally crossed over to England, and have left traces which are strongly marked in the modern Welsh.

About the seventh century before the Christian era, they were followed by a kindred tribe called the Kelts; overrunning Spain and Gaul, and establishing their power in many parts of Western Europe. The Kelts, at last, invaded England, and became firmly seated in the island, particu

larly in Kent and Sussex, which, from their contiguity to the continent, and the attractions of the climate, were temptations too strong for the invaders to resist. The evidence still existing of a common language testifies to the prevalence of this race upon the island.

After the lapse of several hundred years, the Teutones abandoned their homes on the shores of the Caspian Sea, and poured into Europe in successive streams.* They extended their sway from Norway on the north to France on the south, and Russia and Poland on the east; sweeping into their folds all of Germany, Belgium, Holland, and the Netherlands. Scandinavians, Franks, Danes, Norwegians, Norse or Northmen, were all from the same stout barbaric stock. Separated from their ancient neighbors by centuries in time, and by distance of habitation, they became, and ever since have remained, a distinct people from the Kelts, -distinct in national characteristics and in language.

From the Teutones sprang the Belge, who colonized the southerly part of the island a few centuries before Christ, and whose language formed the basis of the AngloSaxon. Though of Teutonic descent, from their long residence on the left bank of the Rhine they had become. partially Keltic. They brought over with them a good degree of civilization for that age, and the earliest refining influences, a light shining in a dark place. Cæsar remarks upon the southerly part of the island, as in striking contrast with the interior, which was wholly rude and barbarous. Kent was "the civilest place of all our isle," and so continued during the whole term of Roman domination.

Then came the Saxons (Sacaæ), another branch of the Teutones; incited, probably, by the victorious course of the tribes which had preceded them. On leaving the shores of the Caspian Sea, they soon extended themselves from the

At a much later period the Sclaves entered Europe, and, proceeding by gradual stages, cast their lines over Russia, Poland, Bohemia, and the neighboring territories, until they were arrested in their westward career by the victorious Charlemagne.