USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Hudson > Abstract of the history of Hudson, Mass. : from its first settlement to the centennial anniversary of the declaration of our national independence, July 4, 1876 > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 H867h
Gc 974.402 H867h 1164597
M. L
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01100 0723
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/abstractofhistor4187huds
Charles Hunsere
ABSTRA
HISTORY
JULY + ITD.
WITH THE ACTION -Y TE
ABSTRACT
OF THE
HISTORY OF HUDSON, MASS.
FROM ITS
FIRST SETTLEMENT
TO THE
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF OUR NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE,
JULY 4, 1876.
BY CHARLES HUDSON.
WITH THE ACTION OF THE TOWN, AND THE PROCEEDINGS AT THE CELEBRATION.
PUBLISHED BY VOTE OF THE TOWN. 1 877.
T.R.MARVIN &SON.
PRINTERS
BOSTON.
PROCLAMATION.
1164597
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, A Joint Resolution of the Senate and House of Repre- sentatives of the United States was duly approved on the thirteenth day of March last, which Resolution is as follows :
" Be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, that it be and is hereby recommended by the Senate and the House of Representatives, to the People of the several States, that they assemble in their several counties or towns, on the approaching Centennial Anniversary of our National Independence, and that they cause to have delivered on such *day an Historical Sketch of said county or town, from its formation ; and that a copy of said sketch may be filed, in print or manuscript, in the Clerk's office of said county, and an additional copy in print or manuscript be filed in the office of the Librarian of Congress, to the intent that a complete record may thus be obtained of the pro- gress of our institutions during the first Centennial of their existence :"
And Whereas, It is deemed proper that such recommendation be brought to the notice and knowledge of the People of the United States, Now, therefore, I, ULYSSES S. GRANT, President of the United States, do hereby declare and make known the same, in the hope that the object of such Resolution may meet the approval of the People of the United States, and that proper steps may be taken to carry the same into execution.
Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the twenty-fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six, and of the independence of the United States the one hundredth.
U. S. GRANT.
By the President.
HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State.
1.20
4.50
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION BY THE TOWN OF HUDSON.
AT the instance of citizens interested in the due observance of the Centennial Anniversary of our National Independence, the following article was inserted in the annual town meeting warrant for 1876, to wit :
"To see if the town will take any action respecting the cele- bration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Nation's Indepen- dence, or do or act anything towards preserving the history of the first years of the existence of the town as a separate municipality."
Under this article the following persons, viz : FRANCIS BRIG- HAM, FRANK H. CHAMBERLAIN, DAVID B. GOODALE, JAMES T. JOSLIN, EDMUND M. STOWE, JAMES L. HARRIMAN, RUSSELL B. LEWIS, WM. F. TROWBRIDGE, GEORGE HOUGHTON, FRANCIS D. BRIGHAM, CHARLES H. ROBINSON, and BENJAMIN DEARBORN, were chosen a committee, and were " instructed to take into consideration the matter of holding a public meeting of the citizens of the town on the Fourth of July next, for the purpose of celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of the Nation's Independence by an Historical Address, or otherwise, whereby the history of the first decade of the town may be preserved, and, if considered necessary, request the Selectmen to call a meeting of the town for the consideration of any report which said committee may submit for its consideration."
This committee organized by the choice of FRANCIS BRIG- HAM, Chairman, and FRANK H. CHAMBERLAIN, Secretary. After mature deliberation it was decided to hold a public meet- ing at the Town Hall, on the forenoon of the fourth day of July, and that the Hon. CHARLES HUDSON of Lexington, be
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invited to deliver an Historical Address on that occasion ; and that such other musical and literary excrcises be supplied as the committee on invitations and literary exercises might determine.
The following members were chosen that committee :- JAMES T. JOSLIN, JAMES L. HARRIMAN, FRANK H. CHAMBER- LAIN.
The correspondence with the Hon. CHARLES HUDSON, together with the order of exercises in the hall, and the report of the proceedings herewith printed, sufficiently attest the labors of this committee.
CORRESPONDENCE.
HON. CHARLES HUDSON,
HUDSON, JUNE 3, 1876.
Dear Sir: - Agreeably to the recent Proclamation of the President of the United States, requesting the towns and cities to celebrate the approaching Centennial Anniversary of the Nation's Independence, the citizens of the town of Hudson contemplate such observance of the day, thereby to perpetuate, by appropriate exercises, such local incidents and events as may be gathered into an Historical Address for the benefit of coming generations.
The committee chosen to make the necessary arrangements, and especially to select some suitable person to prepare such an Address, unanimously agree that no person could be found better adapted, both on account of early associations, and subsequent education and training, than yourself, to perform this important work. Should your health, in your advanced age, permit of your engaging in this task, we trust that you will consent to accept this cordial invitation to garner the existing material and collate it as the initial history of the town bearing your name, and whose territory was the theatre of your youthful aspirations and experience. By so doing, we feel that, in the ripeness of years and in the light of a long and useful public career, you will add another important historical production to the catalogue of those of which you are already the author.
Trusting you may find it convenient to furnish us an early and favorable reply, we remain your friends and co-laborers in the interests of patriotism and a common humanity.
JAMES T. JOSLIN, J. L. HARRIMAN, Committee.
F. H. CHAMBERLAIN,
.
7
LEXINGTON, JUNE 7, 1876.
Gentlemen: - In reply to your flattering note of the 3d instant, inviting me to be with you on the 4th of July next, prepared to give an Historic Address on the situation of your town, I must say frankly that my age and infirmities are such, that I am almost afraid to comply with your request ; and did it come from any other town, I should decline at once. But as it comes from a town in whose welfare I feel a special interest, I have concluded to accept your invitation. And as old age is said to be narrative, I will endeavor to collect what facts I can, trusting that I shall have your aid and co-operation in furnishing materials for an Historical Abstract of your town. I see in advance a very great embarrassment, as all your early history is so blended with that of Marlborough, that it will be impossible to give anything like a full and distinct history of your town before its organization.
I am, gentlemen, very respectfully, Your friend and serv't,
JAMES T. JOSLIN, J. L. HARRIMAN,
CHARLES HUDSON.
F. H. CHAMBERLAIN, Committee.
SUB-COMMITTEES.
The committee on singing, RUSSELL B. LEWIS, Chairman, did their work most successfully. The committee on finance, EDMUND M. STOWE, Chairman, succeeded in raising funds, so that no appropriation was asked from the town.
THE CELEBRATION.
From the original idea of exercises in the hall only, the festival grew to one of more general importance, and finally assumed the full proportions of an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration, with the ringing of bells, firing of cannon, street pageant, and a good time generally. To the credit of the town let it be said, however, and may the fact never be for- gotten, the people as a whole seemed impressed with the grav- ity of the occasion to the extent, that all unseemly indulgence and excess were avoided, and a commendable respect and decorum ruled the day. The Sabbath Schools and Chorus added grace and melody to the general harmony. which pre- vailed.
So successful was the celebration that the town, at the fol- lowing November meeting, voted that the aforesaid general
8
committee cause the oration, and such other matter connected with the celebration as the committee might deem advisable, to be published in pamphlet form, for the use of the town. At the same meeting the town voted unanimously, that the thanks of the citizens be extended to the Hon. CHARLES HUDSON and Miss PHÊBE A. HOLDER, for gratuitously contributing the Address and Poem.
A very correct idea of the manner in which the day was observed by the citizens, in pursuance of the programme arranged by the committee, may be gained from the following abstract from the report of the proceedings made by STILLMAN B. PRATT, of the Marlborough Mirror-Journal.
PROCESSION.
After describing the events of the morning in which the Antiques and Horribles were the chief attraction, the report says : -
"The regular procession as marshalled by Col. W. E. C. Worcester and his aids, Capts. A. S. Trowbridge, and Joseph W. Pedrick, was a fine turn-out and elicited general admiration. This was the order of formation :
Police Escort. Marshal and Aids. Division 1 -F. E. Emery, Commanding. Co. I., Hudson Light Guard. Reno Post 9, G. A. R. Division 2 - R. H. Brigham, Commanding. Eureka Engine Co. Relief Hook and Ladder Co. Independent Hose Co. Juvenile Buckets and Rescues.
Division 3- W. B. Brigham, Commanding. Waldo Lodge, K. of P. Committee of Arrangements. Town Officers. Orator and Invited Guests. Sunday Schools. Division 4 - W. McKee, Commanding. Trades and Industries. Hudson Farmers' and Mechanics' Club, with two yokes of oxen draw- ing members and implements and utensils.
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Mowing Machine, Tedder and Rake, - Captain F. Brigham. C. G. Brigham's Hothouse team full of Plants and Shrubs. James Jillson's team with taxidermic specimens and work in progress in stuffing a goat.
Geo. W. Davis, with two teams, one laden with bbls. of flour and the other with bags of meal. Milkmen's Wagons.
A turnout of Market Carts of Messrs. Arnold, Chase, Coodwin, Pol- lard and Smith & Holden, A. L. Maynard, Stoves, etc.
J. Jandron, Blacksmith team, with anvil, bellows, forge, etc., and two men at work.
EXERCISES AT .THE TOWN HALL.
At ten o'clock, Town Hall was well filled. The exercises were of a high order, and promptly carried out. The gallery was occupied by the chorus, under the direction of R. B. LEWIS, and the Sunday School children. On the platform, besides the town officers, officers of the day, etc., etc., there were a large number of old gentlemen, including among their number the following :
W. P. Holden, 77 ; E. Whitney of Stow, 64 ; Elijah Hale of Stow, 88 ; Otis Heywood, 84 ; Silas Priest, 76 ; Joseph Dakin, 70 ; Rev. R. S. Persons, 67 ; Joel Wilkins, 81 ; Wm. Stone, 78; Daniel Farnsworth, 70; Charles Brigham, 60; John Rice, 68 ; Isaac Hall, 80; Hon. Chas. Hudson, Lexington, 81 ; Elisha Gates, 82 ; Peter Foran, 78.
On either side of the platform were the plows of 1776 and 1876.
After invocation by Rev. W. H. S. VENTRES, Capt. FRANCIS BRIGHAM, Chairman of the Committee, called the meeting to order, and on account of his feeble health requested J. T. JOSLIN to preside. On assuming the position of presiding officer, Mr. JOSLIN congratulated the assembly upon the auspi- cious circumstances under which they were convened. The heavens and the earth vie with each other to make the occasion memorable. We have arrived at the first centennial mile-stone in our country's career as a separate and independent nation.
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It is fit and proper that we should lay aside our ordinary avocations, and in this public hall, dedicated to the common weal, celebrate with music, songs, and oration, the hundredth anniversary of our national existence. The history of the past century is remarkable. From thirteen feeble and struggling colonies, we have become a powerful nation, with nearly thrice as many States. The physical and political growth of the nation is typical of its advance in Science, Literature, and the Mechanic Arts. He closed his introductory remarks by read- ing the following original
PROLOGUE.
ALL hail ! Thrice hail ! ! Great day of Jubilee ; Deep bells and booming guns have welcomed thee. Assembled now, let u's recall the story Of Freedom's march through conflict on to glory. Where once the savage bear and fierce wolf ran, To-day appear the wondrous works of man. Where once the dark primeval forests stood, To-day resound the songs of brotherhood. Two hundred fifty years this change have wrought, The wilds untamed, to happy homes are brought. Of this brief span, one hundred fifty years, Our sires, to conscience true, 'mid many tears, Laid the foundations of this mighty land, And set the church and school on every hand. Another hundred years, recorded now, By God's great love were given, wherein the vow The Fathers made to build a temple fair, Unfinished then, descending to the heir, The sons, by filial love inspired, might raise, Sacred to justice and Jehovah's praise. Completed is the work. May it endure Steadfast and strong, permanent and secure.
Singing followed from the Sunday School children, and the reading, in fine style, of the Declaration of Independence by Rev. A. W. MILLS. After music by the Marlborough Brass Band, the following original hymn by Rev. HILARY BYGRAVE, was sung by the audience. to the tune America.
II
CENTENNIAL HYMN.
Guided by freedom's ray, The Fathers made their way, Across the sea. Leaning on God's strong hand, They sought a distant strand, And found this goodly land, Where all are free.
For years they toiled and prayed. Thro' sunshine and thro' shade, To found a state. A state, where all should be
Members of one family- A pure democracy, With each man great.
Against Britannia's power, They raised a mighty tower, Of patriot men. And victory crowned their wars,
For just and equal laws,
And freedom's holy cause ; Thank God ! amen !
The nation grew apace, Contesting in the race, With other lands. And now a century old, With stores of lore and gold, And deathless deeds untold, Honor'd she stands.
And may she still contend, And evermore ascend, To higher things. Till all the world shall say, That we have won the way, To that supremest sway, Which freedom brings.
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Bought with a price so great, May we prize our estate,
With all its grace, And down the centuries roll,
The force of self-control,
And noble strength of soul, To bless the race.
Thro' all the coming time, May we live lives sublime, And free from stain, And ever strive to be Worthy our ancestry, And with humility, Press on again.
The Address of Hon. CHARLES HUDSON, printed on the following pages, was followed by the Poem prepared for the occasion by Miss PHEBE A. HOLDER. This was succeeded by speeches from ELBRIDGE HOWE, of Marlboro', and EDWIN WHITNEY, of Stow, who officially represented these towns as parent towns of the town of Hudson as originally incorporated. Then came speeches from citizens of Hudson, viz: K. H. PEDRICK, Rev. HILARY BYGRAVE, CHARLES BRIGHAM, Rev. A. W. MILLS, CHARLES H. RICE, Rev. W. H. S. VENTRES. The speaking was closed by STILLMAN B. PRATT, of Marlboro', who gave a brief interesting account of celebrations held in Marlborough when Hudson was a portion of that town, and consequently form an historical item worthy of preservation.
The 40th anniversary of American Independence was cele- brated in Marlborough, July 4, 1816. Three full militia companies took part. The oration was delivered in Rev. S. BUCKLIN's church, to a crowded house. Dinner was served at the east end of the old Gates House.
July 5th, 1841, a grand Washingtonian Temperance Cele- bration was held there. Another temperance celebration took place July 3, 1852, with addresses by Dr. A. A. MINER, on Union Common, and picnic on High School Common. The " boro " towns and Berlin united on this occasion.
The grandest celebration of all was the Bi-Centennial held July 13, 1860, with the oration by Hon. C. HUDSON under the
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big tent on Ockoocangansett Hill, the dinner and speeches in the tent near the South depot, and the picnic of 1300 children on Fairmount. Fifteen brass bands furnished music enough for a small peace jubilee.
July 4, 1865, was celebrated with oration and dinner, under a tent on the Old Common.
In all these Marlborough celebrations the people of Hudson have lent a helping hand and shown an active participation.
The exercises in the hall closed with a benediction by Rev. W. H. S. VENTRES, after which the officers and guests partook of a collation in the lower hall. Salutes were fired and bells rung at sunrise, noon and sunset. The evening fireworks on Mount Assabet were a surprise to all by their brilliancy and beauty. Capt. TROWBRIDGE was in charge of the artillery, and Dr. LONGENECKER of the fireworks. Not an accident occurred, nor was a single arrest. made. Indeed so few signs of drunkenness were never manifest before on Independence Day, the venders and drinkers of liquors both co-operating in putting this appetite for drink under subjection. It was altogether a day of which to be proud.
HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
BY HON. CHARLES HUDSON.
ANCIENT HISTORY is but a narration of wars and fightings, of blood and carnage, of lands desolated, of cities sacked, of towns wrapt in flames, and a public exhibit of suffering, barbarity and crime on a broad scale. The only relief from this wholesale slaughter, is found in the less public massacres, or cases where those who wore or who aspired at a crown, have caused their rivals to be cast into loathsome prisons to perish, or to be executed on the scaffold, or to be taken off by some hired assassin.
But among the proofs of advancing civilization is the change of feeling and taste on these subjects. Now, the horrors of war, " the confused noise, and garments rolled in blood," have lost their charms, and the mass of the people desire pictures less revolting. They prefer to contemplate the arts of peace, the diffusion of knowledge, the spread of justice and humanity -- in a word, the general advance of Christian civilization in the world. Every lover of his race must rejoice at this moral progress.
Not, however, that we would be unmindful of our country's welfare, or regardless of our own rights. As we love our country, we would protect and defend her
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interest and her honor. But the world is beginning to learn that an interchange of fraternal feeling, and a respect for the rights of others, is the wisest system of national defence, and will do more than fleets and armies to preserve the peace of the world ; and that true wisdom teaches that the sword, though valuable in its place, should not be drawn till all other means have failed.
On this centennial year, when we are rendering our thanksgivings to the Author of all good for the pros- perity he has vouchsafed to us, and when we are inviting the nations to our shores to rejoice with us, not in our prosperity alone, but in the general peace of the world, and the march of liberal sentiments, it becomes us to contribute our share to swell the noble current of public feeling, and strive to promote the harmony and welfare of the nations. . We have, in fact, a double duty to perform - the duty which we owe to foreign nations, and perhaps the more delicate and difficult duty, which we owe to our late hostile brethren of the South. That we ought to receive in a cordial manner those who have submitted themselves and accepted the result of the late unfortunate struggle, there can be no doubt. But this duty is founded on high and patriotic principles, and should be performed in such a manner as to secure lasting harmony between the different sections of our country, and so render our Union more peaceful and prosperous.
If we assail our southern brethren with taunts and boasts that we have vanquished them in battle; or in that sickly sentimentality, of which we see some specimens, which approaches them, hat in hand, extol- ling their bravery, and humbly entreating them to come back into the Union, and live in peace with us, we sink our manhood, and justly forfeit the respect of all
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patriotic statesmen. Or, if we receive as due and enlightened submission, the haughty bravado of one who relies upon the fact that he has held a commission in the confederate army, or has fought under Davis, Jackson, or Lee, we are doing nothing calculated to gain the respect of the people abroad, or to render perpetual our free institutions. Enlightened patriotism requires that we should be forgiving, in all cases of penitence, and due submission.
We are assembled here to celebrate the birthday of the nation ; and this anniversary, always interesting, is rendered doubly so at this time, from the fact that we have had a full century of experience since our fathers announced to the world that we were a free and inde- pendent nation. The doctrines of human freedom, set forth in the instrument announcing our independence, commended themselves to the good sense of mankind ; but the question arose, whether there was intelligence and integrity enough in the people, to establish and carry forward successfully a system of self-government. Eighty years of general prosperity had satisfied most people that our system had proved a perfect success. We had enjoyed all the blessings of good government. We had had almost uninterrupted peace. The wars in which we had been engaged, had been of short duration and of no considerable magnitude ; and we had been able to meet each event, and turn it to a good account. Most people, therefore, were ready to say that the experiment of a free government had succeeded, and that we were prepared to meet any emergency that could arise.
But some of the wisest statesmen abroad, and even in our own country, were still of the opinion at the end of eighty years' experience, that our experiment was but
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half tried ; that we had shown that our institutions were adapted to a state of peace and prosperity, when things would take care of themselves ; but that they had not been tested by the trying ordeal of an oppressive and protracted war. Our government, we were told, was not strong enough for such a crisis, and our Constitu- tion gave us no power to control a State. Such doctrines were proclaimed boldly by the advocates of monarchical institutions, and were becoming popular in some sections of our own country. But a crisis arose, when these forebodings were to be met. Several States had passed ordinances of secession, and had seized the property of the United States ; and the imbecile then at the head of the nation, gave up in despair, saying we had no authority to coerce a State.
But the incoming administration was pleased to say, that we had nothing to do with States, as such ; that the general government could control its own subjects, and if rebellion broke out in any section of the country, the government had full authority to subdue the rebels, irrespective of the State to which they belonged. This doctrine met the crisis, and satisfied enlightened states- men that we had power by the Constitution to sustain the government-the power of self-preservation. When the people were summoned to maintain the integrity of the Union, and sustain the honor of our flag, which had been assailed by a portion of our own countrymen, they were found ready to obey their country's call. And when, for a short time, in some localities, a portion of the citizens hesitating to respond to the call of the Executive, a draft was ordered and for a limited period enforced, the people were convinced that the govern- ment had ample power to command the services of its own citizens.
There had been a misapprehension relative to the 3
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power of our government in time of war. As we had had no war since the adoption of the Constitution which put the extreme powers of the government in requisition, and the war power granted by the Constitu- tion had not been carried out by statutory enactment, it . seemed to be taken for granted that our government did not possess the extreme powers of a nation at war. But when the Constitution was read in the light of a civil war which threatened the life of the Republic, it was seen at once that it granted the war power as clearly as the peace power ; that Congress was empow- ered not only to regulate commerce, but "to declare war, raise and support armies, to provide and maintain a navy, and to make rules for the government of the land and naval forces ;" and all these forces were to be put at the disposal of the President, as Commander-in- chief.
As the Constitution gives no definition of the war power, and as we had not by legislation defined the extent of that power, we were required to look to the law of nations to ascertain its nature, extent, and limitation. And here we found the power ample, cen- tering in the great principle of self-defence or self- preservation.
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