By the evidence above presented we know that Philip, after having resided at Beverly for some twenty-five years(1), became a resident of Hopkinton(2) (Massachusetts). In this town he lived many years, probably twenty-three years and here his life came to a close in 1743(3).
       While there is no record indicating the precise date at which Philip became a resident of Hopkinton, we know by a land-record(4) that he acquired land(5) there in May of 1720. By various indications(6) it seems a reasonable conclusion that he did not become a resident there until some two years later. That he was a citizen of Hopkinton some time before 1723 is plainly indicated by a record in the town-book(7) of Hopkinton this record(8) notes his appointment in January, 1724, to the office of “constable(9) for the west part of the town,” and scarcely would he have received such an appointment except he had been a citizen there for at least a year. By records(10) concerning the land acquired by Philip at Hopkinton we learn that it was part of a tract being leased to prospective farmers under terms that within a reasonable time would constitute ownership. That Philip fulfilled these terms we know by his will(11) which bequeathes this land to his family.
       What a prodigious task Philip had before him in seeking to make a worth-while farm out of this land is evidenced by the archives concerning the tract of which it was a part; for by a reading of these we learn that this land was not only entirely uncultivated, but was for the most part uncleared of its original growth. Accordingly although the amount of money needed to acquire the land was small, a considerable sum was doubtless required for clearing and preparing it for planting, and for the initial stocking of it. For meeting the expense of all this, Philip must have had at hand an appreciable reserve in money; for, as we know by deed-records, he did not sell any of his Beverly holdings until, as may be judged by above quoted record from the Hopkinton town-book, he had been a resident of Hopkinton for at least two years and during this time he was doubtless engaged in forwarding the preliminary work of this farm-making.
       By certain intimations from the records(l2) it seems a reasonable surmise that Martha did not join Philip at Hopkinton until a year or so after he became a resident there. Doubtless this time had been needed by Philip to make a portion of his land ready for family habitation. That Martha joined him some time in 1724 seems indicated by a record in the Hopkinton town-book(13) which states that on January 4th., 1725, Philip and Martha became members of the church at Hopkinton. Certainly then by this date the family had become well established as residents of Hopkinton. Of the family house-hold coming to this new Hopkinton home besides Philip and Martha, there were doubtless the two younger of the children, Thomas and Mary, then still in their teens(14); and perhaps also Isaac, the next older, who as seems likely by certain indications may have accompanied his father at the first of his residence at Hopkinton. The two older sons, John(15) and Joseph(16) had married, and as the records show did not then come to live at Hopkinton,

though they did later. The third child, Abraham(17), died when a child, above stated.
       In the town-book(18) of Hopkinton there are various records concerning Philip by which we learn that, besides serving as constable for a time, he rendered various other services to this community. There is a record noting his appointment with others to attend to “laying out of new roads” and there is one noting his appointment to see to collecting money “for providing pews for the church.” A record of considerably later date notes his appointment as a kind of custodian of the church building. By such records made in the old town-book of Hopkinton, more than two hundred years ago there is for us his descendants the pleasant evidence that our first American ancestor, Philip of Beverly and of Hopkinton (1698-1743) was a man whom his neighbors and associates regarded as capable and worthy of rendering service for the maintenance of the church and for the welfare and good order of the community.
       That this ancestor, Philip, made good with his own affairs may well be concluded by a reading of his will which is appended below. This will, written in 1739, was probated early in 1743 at which time, as may by this be judged, his death occurred. He was doubtless buried in the cemetery(19) which adjoined the church, though no marker indicating his grave can now be found. As we searched among the crumbling and weather-worn stones which marked the graves of that time we found some with their records entirely obliterated and we judged that of these there was one which had borne the names of Philip Cody and his wife Martha.

TEXTUAL NOTES TO SECTION VIII
1. A home-owner at Beverly from 1698-1723, and he may have resided there a year or so before purchasing a home.
2. Situated in Middlesex County of which Cambridge is county seat.
3. Will probated early in 1743.
4. See land archives at Cambridge.
5. One hundred acres then and more later for a record shows he sold thirty-five acres to John Milton in 1735; his will states his farm consists of one hundred acres. Will written in 1739.
6. Facts quoted later in the text indicates this q.v.
7. This old town-book barely rescued from destruction by fire is in the custody of the town hall at Hopkinton.
8. As not indexed one must read carefully to discover the name in these old records.
9. Of the office of constable in those days a New England historian writes: “He who filled this office was looked upon as the right arm of the King himself, a functionary treated with reverent awe, and obeyed with implicit reverence.” From a pamphlet concerning the early days of Farmington, Conn., published in 1841.
10. See land archives at Cambridge, Mass.
11. Appended below.
12. See Beverly church records showing that it was in the latter part of 1724 when Martha dismissed from the church at Beverly to the church at Hopkinton. Also, the fact above mentioned that their Beverly home was not sold until late in 1723.
13. See Hopkinton old town-book above referred to.

14. Thomas born June, 1707; Mary, born May, 1710, and Isaac born June, 1703, as per Beverly town-book records.
15. By land records we know that a lease in John’s name for one hundred acres of land was made at the same time as that of Philip’s lease; but by a Beverly church record (baptism in 1726 of his second child) he seems to have continued his Beverly residence until at least after that date.
16. Joseph was, married and settled at near-by Ipswich at about the time his father became a resident of Hopkinton.
17. See Beverly church records of that time.
18. See old town-book above quoted.
19. This old cemetery near the present church building of the church organization of that time, is practically at the centre of the Town of Hopkinton.