Historic leaves, volume 3, April, 1904 - January, 1905

‘ [54] near Alewive meadow, having Thos. Brigham on the north.’ This lot must have included the site of the poorhouse, and probably the S. W. rock, and by its boundaries it contributes to the identification of Brigham's ___location, which had been ascertained from other evidence.

I have perambulated the territory described here by Mr. Morse, yet without my assurance I think you would readily conceive that the second homestead of the Brigham family in this country is none other than our own Clarendon Hill, and that ‘The Rocks,’ so celebrated in our family history, are now serving the humble purpose of the city stone quarry. The house, I take it, was only a few yards, or rods, south of the present crown of the quarry, and commanded a view straight across the meadow to Fresh Pond. As the pious Morse says:—

‘Here lived Thomas Brigham, contented with his portion of good things, which the millionaire is not. Here he read his Bible and communed with his Redeemer. Here he interceded for his race, completed his victory, and left for his coronation. Hallowed be the place; hallowed his memory! Here let his children assemble to praise and pray, know and be known; and build up a friendship strong and enduring as “The rocks.” ’

Thomas Brigham died in the Somerville homestead, if I may so call it, December 18, 1653, aged fifty years. His estate became involved, perhaps through business reverses—it is suggested because the erection of a grist mill on Charles river ruined his windmill—yet it was more than respectable for the time. After the final settlement, there remained his lot on Charles river, valued at £ 40; upland and meadow in the hither end of Watertown, valued at £ 60; ten acres in Rockie Meadow, valued at £ 15; and a house lot of four acres, with house and barn, estimated at £ 70. He left a spacious house, containing hall, parlor, kitchen and two chambers, all completely furnished and stored with provisions.

His personal property included many articles of luxury, and his wardrobe was that of a gentleman. He had two bound ‘servants, five horses, fourteen sheep, and ten cattle,’ and his inventory footed up £ 449 4s. 9d., or about $8,000 in our present currency,