Established in 1630; Watertown was among the original six towns of Massachusetts. Its early history was marked by frequent disputes; a penchant for questioning authority; and an atmosphere of tension and discord. In recounting the story of Watertown's formative years; Roger Thompson examines how the community managed to avoid descending into anarchy. He also explores the ways in which English settlers preserved their habits of behavior in a new-world environment; even as they were obliged to innovate and embrace change.Thompson describes Watertown's early government; its relations with Native Americans and neighboring communities; its religious and economic affairs; and the day-to-day experiences of its people. Conflict occurred over a wide variety of issues: land allocation; administrative accountability; religious orthodoxy and exclusivity; generational and gender differences; livestock and fencing; haves and have-nots. Thompson brings these disputes to life through a series of vivid case studies drawn from the unpublished Middlesex County Court Records. Among others; we meet John Sawin; who despite his best efforts at subterfuge was convicted of stealing and selling a neighbor's horse; Susanna Woodward; whose pregnancy resulted in a fiercely contested paternity case; and Edward Sanders; whose punishment for child abuse was both a whipping and a ruling that when in public he must "wear a rope round his neck openly to be seen hanging down two feet." Throughout the book; the same themes reappear: continuity and change; the persistent conflicts of the first two generations; and the countervailing forces of communal cohesion.
#3193353 in Books 2003-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.03 x 6.30 x 9.10l; .0 #File Name: 155750413X261 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. For Monitor Afficionados OnlyBy Maurice CoryIf you are fascinated with John Ericsson (a real character AND a geniius --do they make them like that anymore?)and his Monitor; you will love this book. Nothing left out here. Sometimes it veers on the minutae of recovery too much and the writing tends to be dry and who needs the experience of an 8th grade class writing for recovery? But the references are great for further reading.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great little book on ironclads!By Vicki WyrickMy husband loves it. My husband is a civil war enthusiast and it's hard to surprise him! always rocks!6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. One of the finest nautical book everBy D. BrightThe USS Monitor was a very revolutionary vessel that was the prototype for all military vessels today. The discovery of the Monitor was not by salvors or divers that regularly dive the Graveyard of the Atlantic but was found by a group of geological and oceanographic scientists that were conducting topographical measurements on the ocean floor. The wreck was discovered in 1973 by the lead scientists Robert Sheridan; Harold Edgerton; Gordon Watts and John Newton and several members from Duke; University of Delaware and University of Rhode Island. One of the best nautical books that you will ever read is Robert Sheridan's book on the discovery of the Monitor entitled Iron from the Deep - The Discovery and Recovery of the USS Monitor. The interactions between the the academic world; the military and the government is a a unique glimpse into the maniacal world of bureaucracy and ego. Although there is a fair amount of science; it is extremely interesting and lends credibility for the discovery and identification of the Monitor. I find it quite interesting that the story of the finding and recovery of the Monitor has always downplayed the role of these fine scientists. Hopefully; with the new Monitor Center; their scientific exploits and their significant role in the discovery of Monitor will be captured for the generations of future marine scientists. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in shipwrecks.
