Benjamin Russell (1745), housewright, of Boston, son of Joseph (1722) and Susannah Russell, was born March 10, 1697. He was published to marry Elizabeth Belknap, Oct. 26, 1727. He was elected constable in 1731, but was excused; was re-elected, and served in 1732. He served as fence-viewer in 1731, 1732, 1733, and 1734, from 1747 to 1750 inclusive, and from 1755 to 1759 inclusive. He estimated the cost of the new market houses in 1733, and was elected a viewer of shingles, etc., in 1743, 1744, and 1754, but was excused the latter year.

His father, Joseph Russell (1722), hired a part of the gun-house on the Common, March 1, 1725-6, which was afterward occupied by Benjamin (1745). The latter was warned out by the selectmen, May 26, 1736, as they esteemed the gun-house large enough to store the guns in, and also serve as a barn for the town bulls and for the hay with which to feed them. June 23, 1736, Benjamin Russell (1745) petitioned the selectmen for permission "to set up the Old Bull House, near the South School-house, for a shop." He appears, however, to have retained possession of the gun-house, and, July 28, 1742, he notified the selectmen "that he had no further occasion to improve the gunhouse on the Common."

Nov. 10, 1730, he resided on Milk Street. Feb. 25, 1735, he purchased of the selectmen the breastwork of the North Battery for seventeen pounds. May 4, 1737, he erected for the town a pound, "in the northeast corner of a pasture belonging to the heirs of the late Hon. Thomas Fitch [1700]," and March 12, 1738-9, he asked liberty of the town "to fill up Wheeler's Pond, in Pond Street." This so-called pond was in the vicinity of the present Bedford Street.

His son Thomas joined the Artillery Company in 1769. Capt. Benjamin (1745) died in Boston, July 9, 1760, aged sixty-three years. He was buried in the Granary Burial-Ground.

Joseph Sherburne (1745), storekeeper, of Boston, was probably from Portsmouth, N. H. A Joseph Sherburne was published to marry Mary Watson, of Boston, Feb. 21, 1733; and Joseph Sherburne married Eunice Hubbard, Feb. 2, 1737. Joseph Sherburne was published Nov. 21, 1750, to marry Mary Plaisted, of Salem.

March 25, 1735, he subscribed fifteen pounds, "to be paid in goods at money price," towards the erection of the new workhouse. He was chosen clerk of the market in 1736 and 1737, and constable in 1742. He visited the public schools, with the justices, June 28, 1748, and June 29, 1753. He was chosen, June 3, 1746, one of a committee "to raise a subscription for building or purchasing a house for the reception of distracted persons"; was an overseer of the poor in 1751 and 1753-5, and, May 15, 1764, was chosen "to consider what measures may be proper for the preservation of Beacon Hill." In 1773, Paddy's Alley, running from Ann Street to Middle, was widened (now North Centre Street, between North and Hanover streets), and Joseph Sherburne (1745) was paid seven pounds for his "loss of land and damage" thereby.' March 30, 1757, Mr. Joseph Sherburne (1745), having let a tenement to John Corny and family, from Marblehead, without informing the selectmen, was fined forty shillings

Benjamin Russell (1745). AUTHORITY: Boston Records.

Joseph Sherburne (1745). AUTHORITY: Boston Records.

Other members of the Company owning prop

erty on this alley were: Jacob Emmons (1738), who was awarded thirty-five pounds; William Simpkins (1739), five pounds; Asa Stoddard (1765), who was assessed two pounds, and Joseph Jackson (1738), one pound.

for the breach of the law. He was appointed a justice of the peace May 23, 1760, and reappointed Nov. 5, 1761.

Nov. 12, 1746, he received Masonic degrees in the First Lodge in Boston, now called "St. John's Lodge." He served as second sergeant of the Artillery Company

in 1749.

Benjamin Walcott (1745), blacksmith, of Boston, was clerk of the market in Boston in 1732 and 1741, and constable in 1733.

John Wendell, 3d (1745), ship-chandler, son of Isaac and Catalyna (Van Dyck) Wendell, of Albany, N. Y., nephew of Abraham Wendell, who died in Boston in 1734, and of Col. Jacob Wendell (1733), and a cousin of Col. John Wendell (1733) and of Major John Wendell, Jr. (1735), was baptized Nov. 15, 1718. He was brought up in the counting-room of Jacob (1733) and John (1733) Wendell, and became a merchant and importer, doing an extensive business with the West Indies.

John Wendell, "Tertius" (1745), was chosen a constable of Boston for the year 1753, which seems to be the only town office he ever held. He was interested in the militia, and rose to the grade of lieutenant. He was buried in Boston, Nov. 12, 1755.

John West (1745), retailer, of Boston, was a son of John and Mary West, and married Elizabeth He was constable in 1733, and was sworn; was re-elected in 1748, but declined to serve and paid the fine. Oct. 13, 1740, he was approved and recommended by the selectmen as a retailer of beer, cider, etc., at his shop on Middle Street, now Hanover. Two years later, the license for the same shop was granted to Mary West. John West (1745) was clerk of the Artillery Company in 1745 and 1746, and second sergeant in 1748. Administration was granted on his estate in 1750.

John Wilson (1745), son of John and Mary Wilson, was born Jan 21, 1707. He is not mentioned on the records of the town of Boston. He was second sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1750.

The record of the Artillery Company for 1745 is as follows:

"April 5th, 1745, Friday. The weather proving unsuitable on Monday, we, by our Charter, were obliged to appear this day, and, being under arms, Voted that the Rev. Mr. Thomas Prentice of Charlestown be desired to preach the next Election sermon, and that the field officers of the Regiment of the town of Boston, with the present commission officers of the Company, be a committee to wait on him and desire the same.

"May 7th. Being under arms, the Captain being one of the committee appointed to wait on the Rev. Mr. Thomas Prentice to desire him to preach the next Election sermon, made report to the Company, that he had accepted the same. The evening being spent at Serg't Greenoughs [1740], the four following votes were passed. 1st. That an allowance of twenty pounds be added to the standing sum of thirty pounds, to make up in the whole the sum of fifty pounds, old tenor, be paid out of the Treasury to the commission officers towards defraying their charge on the next Election day. 2dly. That the charge of every member's dinner on the next Election day be defrayed by the Com

John Wendell, 3d (1745). AUTHORITIES: Boston Records; Talcott's Gen. Notes of New York and New Eng.; New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1882.

John West (1745).
Records.

AUTHORITY: Boston

pany, and that the Treasurer pay for the same. 3dly. That the field officers of the Regiment of this town of Boston, with the commission officers of this Company, be a committee to provide a dinner on the next Election day for the Company. 4thly. That the time appointed hereafter, on the whole days in May & September only, shall be at ten o'clock, A. M. and the members not appearing at that time ready to march, shall be liable to a fine of sixpence, new tenor.

"June 3d. The Company being under arms, it was voted, that the old commission officers with the new ones elected this day, and the field officers of the Regiment of Boston, be a committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Thomas Prentice, and return the thanks of this Company to him for his sermon preached to them this day.

"October 7th. The Company being at the house of Lieut. John Carnes [1733], it was there voted, that the sum of five pounds, old tenor, be given to Mr. John Dixwell [1741], the former Clerk, for his services done for the Company."

Rev. Thomas Prentice, of Charlestown, delivered the Artillery election sermon of 1745.1 He was a son of Thomas and Mary (Batson) Prentice, and was born in Cambridge, Mass., Dec. 9, 1702. He graduated at Harvard College in 1726, became minister at Arundel, Me., in 1730, and was installed over the First Church in Charlestown, Oct. 3, 1739. He married (1) Irene Emery, of Wells; she died in 1745, and he married (2) Rebecca Austin, of Charlestown, Oct. 16, 1746; she died in 1748, and he married (3) Mary Butman, of York, Me, who survived him. On the destruction of Charlestown in 1775, Rev. Mr. Prentice moved to Cambridge, occupied the house in which he was born, and resided there until his death.

After an interval of three years, 1775-8, the people to a considerable number having returned, public worship was re-established in Charlestown, "under the ministry of the now aged Prentice," in a block house "erected by the enemy." He continued in this service with this people until infirmity of body and mind obliged him to desist. He died, June 17, 1782, at Cambridge, but the people of his parish bore his remains to Charlestown and buried them.

1746.

The officers of the Artillery Company elected in 1746 were: Daniel Henchman (1712), captain; Ebenezer Storer (1732), lieutenant; Joseph Jackson (1738), ensign. John Nichols (1740) was first sergeant; Thomas Snow (1741), second sergeant; Joseph Butler (1742), third sergeant; Joseph Belknap (1742), fourth sergeant, and John West (1745), clerk.

March 31, 1746, Gillam Phillips (1714) proposed to the town to straighten Pudding Lane, near the town-house, by taking part of his land on the westerly side of his lane, which he was willing to give to the town. His proposal was accepted.

The collectors of taxes for this year were Capt. John Goldthwait (1720), Joseph

Rev. Thomas Prentice. AUTHORITIES: Budington's Hist. of First Church, Charlestown; Paige's Hist. of Cambridge; Mem. Hist. of Boston, Vol. III.

"Monday last [June 3, 1745], being the anniversary Day for electing the officers of the ancient and honourable Artillery Company of the Province, the Rev. Mr. Prentice, of Charlestown preach'd

before His Excellency, His Majesty's Council, and the said Company, after which the Company made Choice of the Hon. Jacob Wendell Esq (1733] Colonel of the Regiment in Boston, Capt; John Carnes [1733] for their Lieutenant and Capt John Codman [1733] their Ensign."-The Boston Evening Post, June 10, 1745.

White (1722), Capt. Andrew Cunningham (1720), Benjamin Edwards, Elias Dupee, father of Elias (1763), and William Larrabee.

April 8, 1746, it was determined by the town to place a battery of eight guns on Long Wharf, and one of four guns on Clarke's Wharf. May 14, 1746, Col. Jacob Wendell (1733), Samuel Welles, Col. John Hill, Col. William Downe (1716), John Fayerweather, and Isaac White (1733) were appointed a committee to have the twelve gun carriages "made and finished."

There was a project for reducing Canada, in 1746, by Great Britain and the colonies. Men were liberally voted by the colonies: Massachusetts voted, May 31, 1746, to raise three thousand men, and actually enlisted two thousand. Great Britain did not send the promised fleet and army, and the levies for Canada were kept on foot until October, 1747, when they were dismissed. This proposed expedition cost Massachusetts sixtyeight thousand pounds before May, 1747, and much additional afterward. The troops. were used in defending the frontiers.

There was much excitement in the colony, in the fall of 1746, caused by the intelligence that a large French fleet, having an army on board, all under the command of the Duke d'Anville, was on its way to attack Boston. The Essex regiments were ordered to Salem for the defence of that place. Within three days, from eight to ten thousand men assembled in Boston armed for its defence. One company, from Brookfield, made the march of seventy miles in two days, with provisions upon the back of each member estimated at the weight of a bushel of corn. William Prescott, of immortal fame, was clerk of the Groton company, which arrived in Boston in September, 1746. The alarm, however, proved to be false. The French expedition failed on account of the loss of vessels by tempests, and of men by a "pestilential fever." No roster of volunteers in this colonial army is known to exist; but, doubtless, as on every other occasion of alarm or war, the members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company were prompt to respond to duty's call, and ready for any emergency.

The members of the Artillery Company recruited in 1746 were: John Austin, Samuel Hendley, Alexander Hill, Thomas Lawlor, Samuel Livermore, and Samuel Swift.

John Austin (1746), carver, of Charlestown, son of James and Mary (Tufts) Austin, was born in that town Nov. 28, 1722. He married Susanna Schreech, Sept. 27, 1750. His parents died when he was young, and he was therefore compelled to care for himself. He learned the carver's trade, and became an expert workman. Oct. 1, 1770, he removed to Boston, and resided there until his decease, which occurred about 1786, in which year the property he left was divided among his children.

His son, John, born April 17, 1756, was a soldier in the Revolution. He was a conductor of military stores from Jan. 1, 1777, and was commissioned second lieutenant in Col. Crane's regiment of artillery, May 17, 1780. In 1800 he was a tailor, on Lynn Street, Boston. John Austin (1746) was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1753.

Samuel Hendley (1746), distiller, of Charlestown, son of Samuel Hendley, Esq., of Charlestown, was born in 1718. He married, (1) Oct. 29, 1741, Elizabeth Cheever, daughter of Ezekiel (1733); (2) Oct. 4, 1762, Katharine Russell, who died Aug. 19,

John Austin (1746). AuthorITIES: Wyman's Charlestown Genealogies and Estates; Memorials of the Mass. Society of the Cincinnati.

Samuel Hendley (1746). AUTHORITY: Wyman's Charlestown Genealogies and Estates.

1812, aged seventy-one years. He died Aug. 29, 1795, aged seventy-seven years. His daughter, Rebecca Tyng, married Hon. John Soley, son of John Soley (1757).

Col. Samuel (1746) became a member of the church at Charlestown, Aug. 11, 1751. He was treasurer of that town for many years, and was very wealthy. He was a soldier prior to the Revolution, and during the war rose to the rank of colonel. In Frothingham's "Siege of Boston," pages 287 and 288, he speaks of the attempt of the Americans to burn the houses remaining in Charlestown, used by the British. The enterprise was undertaken one evening, Jan. 8, 1776, when Gen. Howe was present at a theatrical entertainment in Boston, which presented "The Blockade of Boston." The effort on the part of the Americans proved successful, and Major Hendley (1746), with the other commanders, was "much praised for his good conduct on this occasion, and was thanked in the general orders of the next day." His will, dated Dec. 28, 1789, was probated Sept. 5, 1795. The inventory amounted to ten thousand five hundred and sixty-six pounds.

Alexander Hill (1746), merchant, of Boston, son of Arthur and Rebekah Hill, was born in Boston, Aug. 23, 1722. He was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1749. Mr. Hill (1746) was chosen clerk of the market in 1748, and scavenger in 1752 and 1755. March 5, 1774, he was one of a committee chosen "to look into the law relative to scavengers, and get such amendment made as is necessary." He was chosen to visit the schools with the justices and prominent gentlemen of the town. He performed that service July 1, 1761, June 29, 1762, June 26, 1765, and July 7, 1773. He was warden in 1764, and one of the firewards from 1769 to 1773 inclusive. He was doubtless a good accountant, since, from 1769 to 1775, he was quite often chosen to audit accounts; viz., accounts of the town treasurer, of the manager of the granary, and of the overseers of the poor.

March 13, 1770, an article in the town warrant relative to the "non-importation of tea, etc.," came up for action, when Mr. Hill (1746) was chosen one of the committee to draw up an agreement for the shopkeepers who dealt in tea to sign, which provided that they would "not dispose of any more tea until the revenue acts were repealed.” Nov. 2, 1772, when the town and Gov. Hutchinson were holding correspondence, Mr. Samuel Adams moved, in town meeting, "that a Committee of Correspondence be appointed, to consist of twenty-one persons, to state the rights of the colonists and of this province in particular, as men, as Christians, and as subjects; to communicate and publish the same to the several towns of this province and to the world as the sense of this town," etc. Alexander Hill (1746), Major Nathaniel Barber, Jr. (1758), Major Richard Boynton (1759), with Otis, Adams, Warren, and others, were members of this committee.

The town records clearly show that Mr. Hill (1746) was an earnest patriot, and sought to make successful the colonial cause. His residence was on Clark Street, back of the New North Meeting-house, and opposite Oliver Everett's, "No. 23." Mr. Hill's (1746) house is still standing.

Alexander Hill (1746). AUTHORITY: Boston

Records.

"Hon. Edward Everett was a son of Rev. Oliver and Lucy (Hill) Everett. She was a daughter of Alexander Sears and Mary (Richey) Hill,

and a granddaughter of Alexander Hill (1746). Alexander Sears Hill graduated at Harvard College in 1764, and died in 1771. Lucy Hill was, after his death, placed under the care of her grandfather.". Boston Advertiser, Jan. 16, 1865.