deputies, and make return of their survey to the next General Court of
Elections, who may take order therein as they shall see meete, their
brethren the deputies hereto consenting.

EDWARD RAWSON _Sect'y._

WILLIAM TORREY _Cleric._ Consented to by the deputies.


[Illustration: FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.]

[Illustration: FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH.]

[Illustration: PLAN OF WORCESTER 1673 TO 1675.]

At that time several persons occupied lands that had been granted them,
and built houses. This infant settlement was strangled almost at its
birth by the outbreak of King Philip's War, which spread in that year
throughout Massachusetts. The colonists, few in number, and without
adequate means of protection against the hostile savages, soon abandoned
their buildings, which were burned by the Indians, December 2, 1675. In
1684 some of the former proprietors returned to their lands, accompanied
by new settlers, and a second plantation was formed; this time under the
name of Worcester. The records relating to the fortunes of this
plantation are very meagre; but it continued to exist till 1700, or
1702, when, during the progress of the French and Indian hostilities,
owing to its exposed position, it was again deserted by its inhabitants.
One man only, Digory Serjent, remained with his family, refusing to give
up to the Indians the fields his labor had brought under cultivation.
For a time he was unmolested. The authorities sent messengers to warn