In the Year 1633. there was erected between Charles-town and Water-town, a Place call’d New-town, and by the Indians, Amongcangen, since nam’d Cambridge, being the tenth in order: It is in form like a List of Broad-cloth, reaching to the most Southerly part of Merrimeck River; it hath comely and well order’d Streets, and two fair Colledges; the first call’d Harverd Colledge, from Mr. John Harverd, who at his Death gave a thousand Pounds to it; to the other Mr. John Harnes was the chief Benefactor. This Town was appointed to be the Seat of the Government, but it continu’d not long.
Ipswich.
The eleventh call’d Ipswich, or Sawacatuc by the Indians, is situated on a fair and delightful River, issuing forth from a very pleasant Pond, and afterwards breaking its Course through a hideous Swamp of large extent; it lies in the Sagamoreship, or Earldom of Aggawan, now by the English call’d Essex.
Newbury.
Twelve Miles from Ipswich, near upon the Streams of Merrimeck River, is situated the twelfth, call’d Newbury.
Hartford.
The People of New-town, or Cambridge, upon their removal of the Plantation of Canectico, passing up the River, built a Town, which they call’d Hartford, the thirteenth in number, divers others coming in the room of those that departed from Cambridge.
Concord.
The fourteenth, seated upon a fair fresh River (whose Rivulets are fill’d with fresh Marsh, and her Streams with Fish, it being a Branch of that large River of Merrimeck Allwives) is built in the Inland Countrey, and call’d Concord: It consisted at first of above fifty Families: Their Buildings are for the most part conveniently plac’d on one streight Stream under a Sunny Bank, in a low Level. The People that first set forth to build this Town, sustain’d great hardship and misery, by reason of the uncouth Ways, and extremity of the Weather, it being the first Inland Town that was built.
Hingham.