RICHARD PORTER, Settled in Weymouth, Mass., in 1635. In the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 25, page 13, is a "list of passengers at Weymouth, England, March 30, 1635, bound for New England," in which is the name of Richard Porter. In this list, also, are the names of other men, who settled at Weymouth, some of whose descendants of the same names continue there until this day. Rev. Joseph Hull, minister; Massachiel Barnard, of Badcomb, in the county of Somerset; John Whitmarsh, William Reed, of Badcomb; Zechary Bicknell, Henry Kingman, Thomas Holbrook, Robert Lovell and others. "July 8, 1635, the General Court granted leave to Mr. Hull, a minister, and twenty-one families, to sit down at Wessaguscus." September 2d, 1835, the General Court changed the name of Wessaguscus to Weymouth, so named, no doubt, for Weymouth, England. During the late war, the selectmen had occasion to look up the incorporation of the town, and found no other authority to act as a town, than this. For two hundred and forty-three years, Weymouth has been the only ancient town in Massachusetts, with possibly one exception, which has preserved its original boundaries. Nothing has been added, nothing taken away. Long may the old town continue before it is cut up into insignificance. The town records of Weymouth, prior to 1648, are very meagre. In that year and in 1654, 1661, 1663, and 1668, grants of land were made to Richard Porter. For many years he was continually in office as selectman, constable, and upon committees; he was a member of the original church, and the name of "brother Richard Porter" often occurs on the old records. He lived not far from where the meeting house of the North Parish, in Weymouth, now stands; probably between there and the old burial ground. In 1651 a road was laid out between Richard Porter's meadow and Stephen French's land. In 1663 the town voted "that the flats upon the back river shall be let out for town's use for the ensuing year, for the thatching of houses, and this to be done by the selectmen. By flats we understand all these flats on this side of river, begining at Snooke's Marsh until you come to the upper end of Richard Porter's marsh." In 1673 Abiah Whitman and Thomas Hunt, were appointed fence viewers for "middle of the town so far as the brook that runs by Richard Porter's house." In 1661 brother Richard Porter, John Rane, John Bicknell, Stephen French, and John Porter, chosen committee to repair meeting house. "Bro. Bicknell, for making the meeting house tite, 3 pounds." The name of his wife was probably Ruth, and he was probably married after arriving in this country. On Boston records is the following birth: "Ruth, daughter of Richard Porter, born at Weymouth, Oct. 3, 1639." He died between Dec. 25, 1688, the date of his will, and March 6, 1689, the date of the inventory of his estate. I give a copy of his will which I found in the Suffolk Probate office, unrecorded.