entertained the thought of independence as a contingency which might occur, certainly no one avowed it. The patriots fondly indulged the hope, rather, that in the repeal of the Stamp Act all their trials were ended, and that the oppressive policy of the British ministers toward America had been reversed. But their joy was short-lived, and by the passage of the act imposing a duty upon tea and other articles passed in June, 1767, the series of measures was continued which brought on the Revolution.

As the conflict approached, the Pillar of Liberty naturally ceased to be an object of interest. Dr. Ames records, "May 11, 1769. The Pillar of Liberty was overthrown last night." Perhaps this was due to the revulsion in popular feeling. It is not certain that it was afterward replaced. But there were those living not many years since, who remembered in the last decade of the eighteenth century both pillar and bust lying upon the ground, and the latter being kicked about by the boys of that period. It is certain that no one took pains to preserve them, and they are now irrecoverably lost.1

At the decease of Dr. Ames, he, having no issue, gave all his property by will to his wife's niece Hannah, daughter of Jeremiah Shuttleworth. After the decease of Dr. Ames' widow in 1826, she sold the house, and it is supposed that it was probably the money ($2,300) from that sale, that she deposited about 1830 in the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Co. This fund she never disturbed but allowed it to accumulate, and at her death (Feb. 22, 1886, aged 86 years) that company paid her executor as the amount due thereon, over $40,000. From this a legacy of $10,000 was paid to the Dedham Historical Society to

'The image of Pitt also ceased to be an object of interest in other places. The writer remembers seeing when a boy, the headless, and armless remains of a statue of Pitt standing outside, and behind the railing of the "Fifth Ward Hotel," on West Broadway in New York City; naught remaining to give it any dignity save the marble Roman toga in which it was clad.

build its building, and a legacy of like amount to the Dedham Public Library.

From this source the Dedham Historical Society obtained the land on which their building is located-and where the house of Miss Shuttleworth formerly stood-and all the valuable papers, diary, and the complete set of almanacks formerly owned by Dr. Ames, which is now believed to be unique.

Society Building erected 1886-7, from the bequest of Hannah Shuttleworth.

Fisher Ames, a younger brother of Dr. Nathaniel Ames, was not given to astronomy or almanacks, but was a lawyer of prominence in Massachusetts; and during the period before, and during the Revolution was active in maintaining the spirit of independence, and at the conclusion of the struggle was one of the master minds in the formation of the Constitution, and our present form of government.

His residence was erected in 1795, and he deceased there on July 4, 1808, aged 50 years. The house and grounds are now owned by Fred. J. Stimson, Esq., known to the literary world as "J. S. of Dale." The house, while the old frame is still in it,. has been completely changed in both internal arrangement and exterior appearance.

The site of the Law Office of Fisher Ames, built in 1794, was on the corner of Court and High streets, near the Pitt's Head. The building was afterward remodelled and reconstructed as a dwelling-house. It was removed when the new Court House was built, and again when the Dedham Bank building was erected. It was a perfect sample of the old time country lawyer's office. After the death of Fisher Ames it was occupied by his son, John Worthington Ames, and then by James Richardson; and subsequently by Theron Metcalf, afterward Judge of the Supreme Court. The late Ex-Governor Clifford, Judge Seth Ames, and many other lawyers of eminence in this and other States there read law with Judge Metcalf.

AROUND this caravansary now known only by tradition-it

having been swept away by the march of improvement in 1817, after Mrs. Woodwards death-centers much of the historic interest of early Dedham and the Ames family.

It stood on the estate owned at the time it was taken down by Fisher Ames, and here both he and his brother Nathaniel were born.

This house had been a tavern continuously over one hundred years, Lieut. Joshua Fisher, the original proprietor, was licensed by the General Court, Oct. 20, 1658 "to sell strong waters to relieve the inhabitants, being remote from Boston, for one year." The Lieutenant, besides his military occupation, was a surveyor, an apothecary, and an inn-holder. Capt. Joshua Fisher1 succeeded his father as an inn-holder. He died March

1 He devised this estate to his wife Hannah for life, and reversion to his daughter Mary, and she became the first wife of Dr. Nathaniel Ames, the elder, whom she married Sept. 14, 1735. At this time the old tavern was raised six inches above its foundations, the walls filled with brick; it was fitted with closets, and completely finished "to the turning of the keys, inside and out."

The tavern was known as the "Ames Tavern" until about the time of the Revolution, when it became known as " Woodward's Tavern," or "the Sign of the Law Book."

The illustration fronting the title, represents the building as it appeared at the time of its demolition, and for some years previous thereto. The sketch was made from the description given by several of the oldest inhabitants of Dedham, two of whom, aged about ninety-three years (twins) and one other also living in the possession of all her faculties, at the

II, 1730. The site of the tavern was near the corner of High and Court streets, fronting on High street (see map). In the journal of Madam Knight kept by that lady during her journey from Boston to New York, 1704, Dedham is mentioned as one of the towns through which she passed. She called on the Rev. Joseph Belcher the minister of Dedham since Nov. 29, 1693, and later in the day dropped in at the Ames Tavern (then the Fisher Tavern kept by Capt. Joshua Fisher) in search of a guide for a further journey the same night. There was a drinking room in the brew-house, and one small beer vessel which perhaps is what Madam Knight styles "the pewter engine," to which their lips were tied at the time of her visit.

When Madam Knight returned Mar. 2, 1705, she again passed through Dedham, this time partially on foot (her horse having given out) and partly by water, she having met with a mishap at the causeway (see map) on account of Dwight's brook having exceeded its license.

In later years when Dr. Ames was mine host, the repute of its larder, (and probably also the "tap,") was unquestionably good, despite the attractions of the rival establishment of "Gay's." The letter of Ezekiel Price, (a person from his association and employment eminently capable of judging) will serve to interest those who are curious as to the cuisine of the early days.1

These three persons well connected therewith. The

remarkable age of one hundred and three. remember the old house and many traditions room at the left of the entrance as we face the picture, was evidently the "tap room" in ancient times-the windows being screened on the inside with wooden shutters as would be proper-an heart-shaped opening being cut in each to adınit the light. When the room was lighted at night, these "heart openings" were made more distinct, and "late-at-night" neighbors journeying homeward would remark, "See the light shine through Mrs. Woodward's heart."

1EZEKIEL PRICE, before the Revolution was the confidential Secretary of several of the governours of the province.

Soon after independence was declared, he was appointed Clerk of the Courts of Common Pleas & Sessions for the Co. of Suffolk; in which