The history of Lynn - Lynn Massachusetts Genealogy Project

1633.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 45ed to the mill, before any meadow in the town was granted toany man, (we mowing all common then,) and this I teslilie that1 kept the key of" the old since lor Mr. South, wliich is sinceabout 27 or 28 years ago."^The following description of ancient Saugiis and Nahant isextracted from " Nev^ England's Prospect," written this yearby William Wood ; which, he says, was undertaken, " becausethere hath been many scandalous and false reports pastupon the Country, even from the sulphurous breath of everybase ballad monger."" The next plantation is Saugus, sixe miles Northeast fromWinnesimtt. This Towns is pleasant for situation, seated atthe bottom of a Bay, which is made on the one side with thesurrounding shore, and on the other side with a long sandyBeach. This sandy Beach is two miles long at the end, whereonis a necke of land called Nahant. It- is sixe miles in circumference,well wooded with Oakes, Pines, and Cedars. Itis beside well watered, having, beside the fresh Springs, agreat Pond in the middle, before which is a spacious Marsh.In this necke is store of good ground, fit for the Plow ; but forthe present it is onely used for to put young Cattle in, andweather goates, and Swine, to secure them, from the Woolues ;a few posts and rayles, from the low watar markes to the shore,keepes out the Woolves and keepes in the Cattle. OneBlacke William, an Indian Duke, out of his gpnerosity, gavethis place in general! to this plantation of Saugus, so that noother can appropriate it to himselfe." Vpon the South side of the sandy Beach the Sea beateth,which is a true prognostication to presag>e stormes and fouleweather, and the breaking up of the Frost. For when astorme hath.beene, or is likely to be, it will roare like Thunder,being heard sixe miles ; and after stormes casts up great storesof great Clamnies, which the Indians, taking out of their shels,carry home in baskets. On the North side of this Bay is twogreat Marshes, which are made two by a pleasant River whichrunnes between them. Northward up this river goes greatstore of Alewives, of which they make good Red Herrings ;insomuch that they hav^e been at charges to make them awayre, and a Heriing house, to dry these Herrings in ;thelast yenre were dried some 4 or 5 Last,^ for an experiment,which proved very good ; this is like to prove a great inrich-1 Depo. 24 May 1677. 2 Nahant. 3 About 150 barrels,