a grandson of Captain John and son of Colonel John Gorham, he was granted land in Narragansett, No. 7, or Gorhamtown, now Gorham, Me., and his time and money were freely spent in the settlement of that place to his own pecuniary loss, and insolvency of his estate at his death in 1746. At Gorham, Me., on the town monument, may be seen a quotation from the letter of Captain John Gorham, written in 1675, to Governor Winslow, in which he offers to serve God and his country as long as he had life and health, which he literally fulfilled, in his death during the war. Of the children of Colonel Shubael Gorham, the eldest son, John, born December 12, 1709, was the captain of the second company in his father's regiment, and lieutenant colonel at Louisburg in 1745, and succeeded him as colonel. He left Barnstable in 1742, and resided in Falmouth, now Portland, Me., and about 1750 went to England as agent, and to advance his claim for expenses in the late war. He died there in a few years, and his widow married in 1654, and settled in Gloucester. Their daughter's portrait (Mrs. Elizabeth Gorham Rogers), painted by Copley, was recently exhibited in this city at the Loan Exhibition.

The most distinguished service of Colonel John Gorham was as captain of a company of Indian rangers at Annapolis, in 1744, and as member of the governor's council of Nova Scotia from 1749 to 1751. His death is supposed to have been by smallpox in London, while attempting to obtain justice for his expenditure and share in the capture of the fortress of Louisburg; a fate which befell his brother officer and promoter of the expedition, Colonel William Vaughan, who, with others, attempted to obtain a recompense for their expenses and hardships, which in some cases was not received by their heirs till half a century had elapsed.

David, son of Shubael, was also a soldier at the siege of Louisburg, in 1745, and performed other military service; he was also registrar of probate for many years; he also attained the rank of colonel in the militia. His son, Hon. William Gorham of Gorham, Me., was prominent in the Revolution, and afterward held the office of judge of probate and of the Court of Common Pleas.

Joseph, another son of Shubael, was at Louisburg, and in 1749 lieutenant of rangers, being raised to major in 1760, and lieutenant colonel in 1771. In 1766 he became of the council of Nova Scotia, and for many years was lieutenant governor of Placentia, Newfoundland. He also had great influence over the Micmac Indians in Nova Scotia.

John Gorham, son of Lieutenant Colonel John, and brother of Colonel Shubael, had sons Joseph, Benjamin, etc. Benjamin married Mary Sturgis. Their son, Sturgis Gorham, had a daughter, Mary Sturgis Gorham, who married John Palfrey, Esq., and was mother of Hon. John Gorham Palfrey.

The structure which sheltered the birth of many of the characters in the early history of the Commonwealth and the nation who have been mentioned in this sketch, is deemed a fitting spot to be so marked that future generations will have preserved to them the memory of active and principal participants in turning points in the nation's history. BOSTON WALTER K. WATKINS

BARNSTABLE GORHAMS

In the eastern part of the town, on the north side of the road, and several houses west of the Yarmouth line, stands an old house, formerly owned by the Gorhams, now owned by Mr. Gilmore.

Lieutenant Colonel John Gorham, in his will dated 1716, says: "I give to Shubael the house in which he now lives, and the lands called Stony Cove lands." Colonel Shubael and his sons, Colonel John and Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Gorham, took part in the siege of Louisburg.

Among those who have lived in the old house were: Colonel David Gorham, son of Colonel John and his wife, Elizabeth Allen, and Dr. John Davis; also his son, Job C. Davis, Esq., for many years register of deeds.

"It is one of the most interesting relics of old times that Vandalism, under cover of improvement, has permitted to remain, interesting from its family associations and the style of domestic architecture and interior finish." It is the oldest of four houses now standing which were built by the Gorhams in early times, all of them upon the farm once owned by Captain John Gorham, who settled in Barnstable in 1652.

The Gorhams took a very important part in the Colonial Wars. In volume 67, Massachusetts Archives, there is a letter from Captain John Gorham, written to Governor Winslow, in 1675. Captain Gorham's son John was in his company of soldiers during the war with King Philip and his tribe.

In volume 30, page 500, Massachusetts Archives, there is a letter written by Lieutenant Colonel John Gorham, to Major Walley in 1697. Lieutenant Governor Stoughton, in his instructions to Major Church, August 12, 1696, says: "You are to advise as you can have occasion with Captain John Gorham, who accompanies you in this expedition and is to take your command in case of your death." Lieutenant Colonel Gorham was second in command in the fourth and fifth expeditions against the French and Indians. His monument is near the Unitarian meeting house in Barnstable.

June 1, 1744, a joint committee of war was called with Sir William Pepperrell of Kittery, president of the council, at its head, five hundred men were impressed, two hundred were dispatched to reinforce Annapolis, which was understood to be threatened by the Indians.

November 9, 1744, Governor Shirley reported to the Duke of Bedford that the French officer Duvivier had retreated from before Annapolis, upon Captain Gorham's arrival with his company of Indian Rangers, from New England, and that Gorham had so used his command that the garrison was now entirely free from alarm.

In 1745, Captain Gorham was sent from Annapolis to Boston to raise troops. While there he was induced to join the expedition then fitting out against Cape Breton. He was appointed lieutenant colonel of the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment, commanded by his father, Colonel Shubael Gorham, and on the death of his father at Louisburg was promoted by Governor Pepperrell to be a full colonel. After the capture of Louisburg he returned to Annapolis, and was placed by Governor Shirley, in command of the Boston troops sent to Minas with Colonel Noble.

In July, 1749, he was a member of the Governor's council in Nova Scotia. His brother Joseph was a lieutenant of rangers under Governor Cornwallis in 1749, and later held the rank of lieutenant colonel in the regular army.

In 1749, Colonel John Gorham was sent to England, to explain the state of military affairs in the colonies. Governor Shirley, in a letter written to the Duke of Bedford, October 13, 1749, says "Captain Gorham's service I cannot too much commend to your Grace."

Colonel Gorham and his wife, Elizabeth Allen, were presented at

court. She was one of the most accomplished women of her day. The following letter, copied from the Massachusetts Historical Society's archives, is one of several written by him to Sir William Pepperrell:

In the Camp, May 7, 1745.

Hon. Sir: I beg the party from the grand Battery may be as private as possible in getting their boats ready and cannot be willing to proceed without Shaw, to be my pilot. If he is not come by land should choose to send a boat for him immediately and also the city may have as warm a fire as we can give them in different places, until one o'clock or two and then a cessation until they hear us engaged. Hope to have all ready, pray send Shaw.

Sir your most Obedient, Humble Servant,

JOHN GORHAM. There is in Stamford, Conn., a portrait painted by Copley in 1762 of Eliazbeth Gorham Rogers, daughter of Colonel John Gorham and his wife Elizabeth Allen. The original of this portrait was born in the old Gorham house, now standing in Barnstable, in 1739. This portrait is now on exhibition at Copley Hall, Boston, among those of famous and beautiful women. It is owned by Miss Louisa Low.

The Gorhams were descended from four of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower, namely: John Tilley and his wife, John Howland and his wife Elizabeth Tilley. The first John Gorham married Desire Howland, one of the first born in Plymouth.

[Gleaned from "Massachusetts Historical Society," "Massachusetts Archives," "Nova Scotia Archives," "Palfrey's History of New England," "Otis' Barnstable Families," "Gustavus A. Hinckley, Esq., of Barnstable," "Mrs. Ann Gorham Fish of Barnstable," "Major Nelson Gorham of Fulton, New York."-F. W. S.

NOTES BY THE WAY

FORMER PROFITS IN MISSOURI STEAM BOATS

Few people are aware of the former profits of Missouri River steamboating. No legitimate business-not speculative-probably ever paid like former steamboating on the Missouri. Capt. Joseph Kinney, who died about five years ago at his home at Old Franklin, opposite Boonville, cleared $56,000 on one round trip from St. Louis to Fort Benton, Mont., after the war. Capt. Kinney owned and commanded the Cora, which was named after one of his daughters. This boat's wreck lies in "Cora Chute," between St. Charles and the mouth of the Missouri River.

The La Barges and the Doziers, families of Missouri River steamboatmen, at times made from $25,000 to $35,000 in trips to Fort Benton. Capt. Edward Herndon, who ran into Kansas City for many years, and was well known here, made $60,000 on one trip to Fort Benton from St. Louis on the steamer William J. Lewis. This was about 1867. A company of Missouri people owned the boat. The round trip occupied about ninety days. The profit was something less than $700 a day.

John Campbell of this city was paid at the rate of $350 a ton, or 172 cents a pound, for taking government freight from St. Louis to Fort Benton. The rate was 72 cents from St. Louis to the mouth of the Yellowstone River, and 10 cents a pound from there to Fort Benton. There was a profit in a cargo of 300 tons of this kind of freight. Capt. Barnes, who for many years after the war ran the Columbian between St. Louis and Omaha, often cleared $10,000 on a trip. The Columbian's wreck is covered by sand, with an undergrowth of willows, at Buckhorn Point, near Brunswick.

Capt. Charles K. Baker, who died about six years ago at the home of his son, C. K. Baker, jr., near Westport, many times cleared thousands in a few weeks with different steamers which he owned. Among them were the Admiral, Minnehaha, and Sioux City. Capt. Baker was at one time paid $1,600 a month to take charge of the piloting of the M. S. Mepham, a large sidewheel boat. Capt. Baker employed an assistant at $100 a month, and made a monthly salary of $1,500 for