Old Dunbar Parsonage Almost Harbored a Refugee

Samuel Danforth, Esq., who in early manhood was one of the proprietors of the first gristmill in Canton on the approximate location of the present Plymouth Rubber Co., left Canton around 1727 for greener fields and rose high in legal offices, eventually being appointed a mandamus councilor in Cambridge in 1774. He was a prominent Tory, a political opinion he finally relinquished, along with his office, which he was obliged to renounce publicly on the steps of the Court House in Cambridge, in the presence of a multitude assembled to witness his recantation. Henceforth he spoke of the British as "the enemy" and wrote a letter to his brother-in-law, the Rev. Samuel Dunbar, in 1777, asking for refuge for himself, his daughter, and cherished belongings, if the British invaded Boston. It seems strange from our modern point of view that Canton, less than 15 miles from Boston, would be considered far enough away for such a haven; once more we must imagine how difficult even a short journey could be over the poorly paved roads of the Revolutionary era.

Excerpts from Mr. Danforth's letter indicate the feeling of distance between Boston and Canton though of course the writer was then an old gentleman who would not be doing unnecessary traveling. He says in part:

"Rev. Dear Sir, - Many years have elapsed since I had the pleasure of seeing and conversing with you, altho' it not be long since I heard of your good state of health by my cousin Mr. Elijah Dunbar. I presume your visits to Boston are but rare, and more so to Cambridge, else I should have seen you --My advanced age has more lately prevented my riding out to visit my friends who live at any distance from me--

"I condole with you on occasion of the perplexity and unhappiness of the present times; and when they will be better. God only knows. The present aspect of things, if reports can be depended on, seem to presage times near at hand more difficult and distressing. Under an appreciation that the Town of Boston may be invaded by the enemy, soldiers are ordered to be raised for its defense, and some of the inhabitants are sending some of their most valuable effects into the country; and I have thought it advisable to do the like with respect to some part of my goods, lest in case the town should be invaded, bombarded, and set on fire, I should lose the whole; and whereas I do not think of a more safe and secure place wherest to lodge them than at your house, I would request of you the favor to receive two or three trunks into your house, if it may be done without incommoding of you……and if you should know of any one of your neighbors coming to Boston with cart, in whom we may confide for safe conveyance, that you would be so good as to desire him to call at my lodgings in Hanover Street----

"And as, in case Boston should be invaded, I purpose to move with my daughter into the country, I would gladly know whether in such case you could possibly accommodate me with one room in your house. If this meets, you will lay me under the greatest obligations to you, and I will make you all reasonable satisfaction therefore……"