pamphleteer of the day, however, accused him of being no better than others, and alleging that whatever saving he effected went to swell his own coffers.  Willard’s name stands prominent among the “Fifty-five” who, in 1783, asked for large grants of land in Nova Scotia as compensation for their losses by the war.  He chose a residence on the coast of New Brunswick, which he named Lancaster in remembrance of his beloved birthplace, and there died in May, 1789, having been for several years an influential member of the provincial council.  His family returned to Lancaster, recovered the old homestead, and, aided by a small pension from the British government, lived in comparative prosperity.  The son Samuel died on January 1, 1856, aged ninety-six years and four months.  His widowed sister, Mrs. Anna Goodhue, died on August 2, 1858, at the age of ninety-five.  Memories of their wholly pleasant and beneficent lives, abounding in social amenities and Christian graces, still linger about the old mansion.

Levi Willard was three years the junior of Abijah.  He had been collector of excise for the county, held the military rank of lieutenant-colonel, and was justice of the peace.  With his brother-in-law Captain Samuel Ward he conducted the largest mercantile establishment in Worcester County at that date.  He had even made the voyage to England to purchase goods.  Although not so wealthy as his brother, he might have rivaled him in any field of success but for his broken health; and he was as widely esteemed for his character and capacity.  At the outbreak of hostilities he was too ill to take active part on either side, but his sympathies were with his loyalist kindred.  He died on July 11, 1775.  His partner in business, Captain Samuel Ward, cast his lot with the patriot party, but his son, Levi Willard, Jr., graduated at Harvard College in 1775, joined his uncle Abijah, and went to England and there remained until 1785, when he returned and died five years later.

Abel Willard, though equally graced by nature with the physical gifts that distinguished his brothers, unlike them chose the arts of peace rather than those of war.  He was born at Lancaster on January 12, 1731-2, and was graduated at Harvard College in 1752, ranking third in the class.  His wife was Elizabeth Rogers, daughter of the loyalist minister of Littleton.  His name was affixed to the address to Governor Gage, June 21, 1774, and he was forced to sign, with the other justices, a recantation of the aspersions cast upon the people in that address.  He has the distinction of being recorded by the leading statesman of the Revolution—­John Adams—­as his personal friend.  So popular was Abel Willard and so well known his character as a peacemaker and well-wisher to his country, that he might have remained unmolested and respected among his neighbors in spite of his royalist opinions; but, whether led by family ties or natural timidity, he sought refuge in Boston,