From
The Ipswich Chronicle, September 16, 1882.
THE
DENISON MEMORIAL.
CHARLES
A. SAYWARD, ESQ.
A
very interesting service will be held at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening of
next week commemorative of Major-General Daniel Denison, who was one of the
early pioneers of the Town. He was the son of William Denison, of Roxbury, and
was born probably in England about 1612. He was admitted a freeman in Boston
April 1, 1684, and appears to have come to Ipswich soon after; for in 1635 the
town granted him “an house lot near the mill, containing about two acres,
which he hath paled in and built an house upon.” The lot comprised part of the
land between Market, Union and Winter streets. He was a military man, and had
undoubtedly served in the army before he came to this country. The people of the
town soon became aware of the value of his experience and knowledge of military
affairs, and took great pains to retain him among them, for in 1648, the
residents of Ipswich agreed to give him £24 7s
per year so long as he would remain their leader. This sum was raised by
subscription, and the list was recorded upon the town books. One hundred and
fifty-five persons subscribed for that purpose.
He
also became very prominent in Colonial affairs. He was Major General for eleven
years; and also served on several important commissions. In 1658 he had a grant
of “one-quarter of Block Island for his great pains in revising, correcting
and transcribing the Colonial Laws.
He
died September 20, 1682, and was buried in the High Street burying ground, where
his ashes now repose.
It
is creditable to our town that we have among us those who are ready to revive
and keep fresh the memory of those who labored, suffered and endured in laying
the foundation upon which their descendants have built so well. The subject will
take us back into the early history of the town, and bring vividly to mind the
early struggles and trials of those who first broke the wilderness and commenced
the settlement of Ipswich.
We
hope our citizens will attend the Memorial; and that it may create an interest
in our local history, and stir our people to undertake the celebration of the
Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town. Fifty
years ago, when Rufus Choate was in his prime, the town observed the Two
Hundredth Anniversary, and Mr. Choate delivered the Oration. The present
generation ought to be able to do as well, and keep the story of the fathers
fresh.