number 59 were males and 62 were females. From a course of observations made in the eastern part of this state and in several towns in Massachusetts, it is found that the proportion of those who die below the age of 16 is the same as those above 16. This will not however apply to the number of deaths in this town during the above period, though it might for a longer time. Of the 225 who have died, 100 were under the age of 16, and 125 were above that age, leaving an excess of 25. Under the age of 20 years, 106 have died, and above 20, 119 have died. Under the age of 25, 117 have died, and above, 108. Of those who attained the age of 60 years and upwards, 6 died in January, 4 in February, 6 in March, 7 in April, 7 in May, 3 in June, 6 in July, 4 in August, 5 in September, 4 in October, 2 in November, and 4 in December. Of those above seventy years, 12 died in winter, 10 in the spring, 11 in the summer, and in autumn. Of the above number, (225) the writer has ascertained as many as 40, which have died of consumption, and this, doubtless, is near the correct number. Of these, 11 died in the winter, 10 in the spring, 13 in the summer, and 6 in the autumnal months. It has been remarked that complaints of the pulmonary kind are more frequent, and prove more fatal, after a winter of extreme cold. This remark is, probably, true, if the extreme cold is succeeded by a warm and early spring. The human constitution, braced by cold, cannot with impunity bear the subsequent relaxation, especially when there is a predisposition to such complaints. It may be interesting to examine how far this observation will apply to the period embraced in the foregoing tables. The winters of 1806-7, and 181112 were in a peculiar manner distinguished by their extreme cold. A greater degree of cold occurred in 1807, in several places, than had taken place for fifteen years previous. For more than a month the ground was covered with ice, and the winds, wafted over so large a portion of it, were peculiarly piercing and severe. It cannot with truth be said, that the succeeding spring was forward, though it is recollected that the early part of it was warmer and more relaxing in proportion to the season, than the latter part. If we recur to the first table, we shall find the number of deaths 27, of which nine, exactly one third, died of consumption. Pulmonary complaints were very frequent this year. The hooping cough and influenza prevailed. The winter of 1811-12 is more fresh in our recollection. There was a greater degree of cold this year than was ever before known in many places, and this cold continued a considerable time with but little intermission. The early part of spring was warm and pleasant. If we again recur to the foregoing Table, we shall find the number of deaths in 1812 to be 18, of which number six died of consumption ! Amherst, June 2, 1815. REV. SIR, Amherst, N. H. June, 1815. I beg the liberty of correcting one or two errors which I find in the first communication, page 162. I have said that "it appears from the records, that Billerica was granted by Henry Dunster, Richard Champney, Edward Goffe and John Bridge to Ralph Hill, sen. William French," &c. Such indeed it did appear to me, and might appear to any person, who cursorily examined the records. Upon a subsequent examination, I find that the former gentlemen were appointed by the town of Cambridge, commissioners to make propositions to the inhabitants of Shawshin, who had requested immunities and freedom from all publick rates and charges at Canıbridge. The manner in which these propositions of the commissioners were inserted in the records led me to believe that they were the grantors of the town. Since I formed that opinion, I have obtained a transcript of the grant of Shawshin (Billerica) to Cambridge, of which I subjoin a copy. "At a Generall Court held at Boston on adj. 14 June, 1642. All the land upon Shawshin river and between that and Concord river and between that and Merrimac river (not formerly granted by this Court) are granted to Cambridge soe as that they erect a village there within five yeares and soe as that it shall not 'xtend to prejudice Charlestown village, or the village at Cochittuate (Where was Cochittuate ?) nor the farmes formerly granted to the now Gov. of 1260 acres and to Mrs. Winthrop ; & Mr. Flint & Mr. Stephen Winthrop are to set out their head line toward Concord.” In a subsequent grant Shawshin was granted to Cambridge without any condition of making a village there, provided the Church and present Elders continue at Cambridge. A few years after this grant, the inhabitants of Shawshin obtained of the inhabitants of Cambridge a deed, which is called in the records the "great deed," which was acknowledged by Thomas Danforth of Cambridge, and appears to have been recorded. This is signed by a considerable number of the inhabitants of Cambridge, but it is difficult, perhaps impossible, to decypher all their names. With this, I communicate a Bill of Mortality for this town which has cost me much labour to collect and arrange in its present form. In discriminating their ages, I have been more particular than usual. I think we cannot be too particular in this respect. To your judgment, Sir, I submit the propriety of publishing it, with the accompanying remarks. In a note, I have corrected a few errors in the "Sketch of Amherst," Ι took much pains to have it correct, but I find a reliance on verbal information respecting dates cannot always be had Dr. Belknap places the death of Mr. Wilkins in 1784 and the ordination of Mr. Barnard in 1779, and these errours, though trivial are transmitted to a second edition. I am certain the boundaries with my correction will be correct. I have the original Charter before me. With much respect, Your very obedient servant, Rev. Dr. Holmes, Cambridge. JOHN FARMER. 1 CATALOGUE OF MINISTERS IN THE PROVINCE OF NEW ORDINATION ANNEXED. 1715, Jos. Adams, Newington. 1740, Abner Bailey, New Salem. 1737, Nath. Merrill, Notting ham-west. 1765, Gyles Merrill, Plastow. 1756, Sam. M'Clintock, Greenland. 1737, David M'Gregore, Londonderry. 1760, Mitchell, P. Pemb’ke. 1758, Benj. Butler, Nottingham. 1755, Joseph Prince, Barrington. 1748, Daniel Rogers, Exeter. 1757, James Scales, Hopkinton. 1758, Josiah Stearns, Epping. 1761, Clement Sumner, Keene. 1766, Eben. Thayer, Hampton. 1762, Amos Tappan, Kingston. 1761, Abiel Foster, Canterbury.1752, Nathan Trask, Brentwood. 1766, Avery Hall, Rochester. Hampton. 1752, Henry True, Hampstead. 1734, John Wilson, P. Chester. 1752, Samuel Haven, Portsm. ter. broke. 1763, Jona. Livermore, Wilton. * Now Concord, in Rockingham County. Notes. Of the above catalogue, which is principally derived from Mein and Fleming's Register for 1768, no more than five continued in the ministry at the close of the century. At present, there are only two, the Rev. Bunker Gay, of Hinsdale, who graduated at Harvard College in 1760, and the Rev. Joseph Kidder of Dunstable, who received a degree at Harvard in 1784. The number of ministers in the province in 1741 was about 27; in 1767, according to the above, 64; in 1800, there were about 129, and now, (1815,) there are of all denominations, according to the New Hampshire Register, 144. The number of inhabitants in New Hampshire in 1767, has been estimated at 52,700. There were in this year, 9 regiments of foot, and 1 of horse guards, 80 Justices of the Peace, and 31 Representatives to the General Court. In 1800, when the number of inhabitants was 183,858, there were 31 regiments of foot, 472 Justices of the Peace, Representatives, and 92 attornies. In 1815, there are 37 regiments, 1004 Justices of Peace, 184 Representatives, and 162 Attornies. Amherst, N. H. Sept. 23, 1815. HISTORY OF FREE SCHOOLS IN PLYMOUTH COLONY, 'AN historical research on publick schools coming with- In the former, the first notice on the subject occurs in "court proceedings," under the year 1663, in these words: "It is proposed by the court unto the several townships in this jurisdiction, as a thing that they ought to take into their serious consideration, that some course |