Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

June 17, 1700. The General Court granted five pounds, to aid in repairing the road to Connecticut, “especially betwixt Wooster and Brookfield,” which was described as “much incumbered with trees fallen, and many rocky swamps, and other obstructions to travellers, drovers, and others, to the hazarding life or limb of both men and horses.” ² Six years earlier, Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth, afterwards President of Harvard College, accompanied the commissioners appointed to treat with the Maquas or Mohawks, at Albany, and travelled over this road to Brookfield, then generally called Quaboag: “Capt. Sewal and Major Townsend, being commissioned to treat with the Mockways, set out from Boston about half an hour past twelve, Monday, August 6, 1694. Several gentlemen did accompany them to Watertown, and then returned. At Watertown we met with Lieutenant Hammond and thirty troopers, who were appointed for a guard to Springfield. We came to our first stage at Malberough, about half an hour past eight in the evening. We lodged at Abraham How's,³ and thence set forward the next morning about half an hour past seven of the clock. There was nothing remarkable this day, but only Mr. Dwite, of Hatford, did accidentally fall into our company, and after the same manner, scil. accidentally, he and his horse both together fell into a brook; but both rose again without damage. This day we dined in the woods. Pleasant descants were made upon the dining room: it was said that it was large, high, curiously hung with green; our dining place was also accommodated with the pleasancy of a murmuring rivulet. This day, some of our company saw a bear; but being near a thick swamp, he escaped our pursuit. Towards night we heard (I think) three guns; but we knew not who shot them. Our whole company come this day to Quaboag, about sundown, not long before nor after.” ⁴ The easterly section of this road is mentioned by Pemberton, under date of Sept. 30, 1783, in his manuscript “Chronology,” preserved in the library of the Mass. Hist. Society: “A gentleman of this State remarks, ‘that soon after the settlement of our Fathers at Boston, the persons appointed to explore the country, and lay out public roads did it as far as the ’”