The wise forethought of the company in London, at the outset of its operations, in providing for all that was needful to the establishment and welfare of the colony, has already been described.  It was most strikingly illustrated in the careful selection of the first emigrants.  Men were sought out who were experienced and skilful in the various mechanic arts.  In the early population of Salem Farms, every species of handicraft was represented.  When the number was less than a hundred householders, there were weavers, spinners, potters, joiners, housewrights, wheelwrights, brickmakers and masons, blacksmiths, coopers, painters, tailors, cordwainers, glovers, tanners, millers, maltsters, skinners, sawyers, tray-makers, and dish-turners.  Every absolute want was provided for.  These trades and callings were carried on in connection with agricultural employments, and their continuance kept carefully in view by the heads of the principal families.  John Putnam not only gave large farms to each of his sons, but he trained them severally to some mechanical art.  One was a weaver, another a bricklayer, &c.  The farmer was also a mechanic, and every description of useful labor held in equal honor.

Another marked feature of this people was their military spirit.  They were kept in a state of universal and thorough organization to protect themselves from Indian hostilities, or to respond, on any occasion, at a moment’s warning, to the call of the country.  The sentinel at the watch-house was ever on the alert.  Authority was early obtained from the General Court to form a foot company.  All adults of every description, including men much beyond middle life,—­every one, in fact, who could carry a musket, belonged to it.  Its officers were the fathers of the village.  Every title of rank, from corporal to captain, once obtained, was worn ever after through life.  Jonathan Walcot, a citizen of the highest respectability, who had married as a second wife Deliverance a daughter of Thomas Putnam, and was one of the deacons of the parish, was its captain.  Nathaniel Ingersoll, the other deacon, is spoken of from time to time as corporal, then sergeant, and finally lieutenant.  He served with that commission till late in life, and was always, after attaining that rank, known as either Lieutenant or Deacon Ingersoll.  The eldest son of Thomas Putnam, a leading member of the church, a man of large property, and the clerk of the parish, was one of the sergeants, always known as such.  In our narrative, with which he will be found in most unfortunate connection, I shall speak of him by that title.  It will distinguish him from his father.  This “company” had frequent drills, probably from the first, in the field left by will afterwards for that purpose by Nathaniel Ingersoll.  Often, no doubt, it paraded on the open grounds around the meeting-house, or in the fields of Joseph Hutchinson after the harvest had been gathered.  It marched and countermarched along the neighboring roads.