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

[269] really the grave of Mitchell, the remains of Shepard probably rest near it, because the widow of these two pastors, as well as their bereaved and grateful church, would naturally desire that their bodies should rest near each other. It may also be safely supposed that Dunster was buried near the same spot; for where could his friends desire to place his body rather than near that of his former pastor and beloved co-laborer, Mr. Shepard, the only clergyman who had previously been laid to his rest in that cemetery? This supposition is to some extent rendered more probable by the proximity of the graves of the great-grandchildren.

For three years after the death of Mr. Mitchell, the church remained destitute of a pastor; during which time President Chauncy appears to have partially performed the duties of that office. The committee appointed by the town for that purpose voted, Dec. 20, 1669, that “fifty pounds be paid to Mr. Chauncy and such as labor among us in preaching the word,” and “thirty pounds to Mistris Mitchell,” and Dec. 23, 1670, forty-five pounds were in like manner granted to Mr. Chauncy, and thirty pounds to Mrs. Mitchell.¹ In the mean time the town and church were not idle or inactive. Thus it is recorded, Feb. 8, 1668-9. “For catechising the youth of this town; Elder Champney, Mr. Oakes, are appointed for those on the south side the Bridge. Elder Wiswall, Mr. Jackson, and John Jackson, for those at the new church. Deacon Stone, and Deacon Chesholme, for those at the remote farms. Lt. Winship, William Dixon and Francis Whitmore for those on west side Winottime. Deacon Stone and Deacon Cooper, for those families on the west side the common, and for Watertowne lane, as far towards the town as Samuel Hastings.² Thomas Danforth and Thomas Fox, for those families on the east side the common. Richard Jackson and Mr. Stedman, for those families on the west side of the town: Captain Gookin and Elder Frost, for those families on the east side of the town;—Water Street, leading from the meeting-house to the waterside being the partition.” Again, May 10, 1669, “The Selectmen, taking into consideration, upon the complaint of some of the idleness and carelessness of sundry persons in the time of public worship, upon the Sabbath day, by keeping without the meeting-house, and there unprofitably spending their ”