USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > History of the town of Acton > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49
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ENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01101 2355
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF ACTON
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FRONTESPIECE Acton Common at the time of the completion of the library
HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON,
By
HAROLD R. PHALEN
Copyright, 1954 by Harold R. Phalen All Rights Reserved
Printed in United States of America Limited Edition
Middlesex Printing, Inc. Cambridge, Mass.
7.50
Fordead .. 4-16-6 x
1253512 To
WEBSTER SANDERSON BLANCHARD
1894 - 1953
Native son of Acton - life long friend outstanding citizen and gentleman, whose interest and advice were a constant inspiration, this volume is dedicated.
FOREWORD
The compilation of this work was greatly facilitated by the fact that the minutes of every Acton town meeting, both annual and special, together with the acts of the selectmen, are extant and legible. For a short period just previous to the incorporation of the town, when, as Concord Village, it held its own meetings and elected its own clerk, the data is by its very nature less fulsome.
The secondary sources consist largely of the following six books:
1. History of Concord by Lemuel Shattuck (1835),
2. Acton in History, a sixty page excerpt by Rev. James Fletcher and and others, from a composite history of the Middlesex County, (1890),
3. Historical Papers, vol. 2, a volume of historical papers with un- numbered pages, in the Acton Memorial Library.
4. A volume in the Acton Memorial Library catalogued as a scrap book.
5. Memorial to Luther Blanchard, by Alfred S. Hudson, (1899),
6. Battle of April 19, 1775, by Charles L. Coburn, (1921).
Other sources consisted of the printed town reports; heirlooms in the form of family scrapbooks; files of the Boston newspapers, the Acton Patriot, verbatim personal recollections, and a few magazine articles which are clearly identified in the proper context.
PREFACE
The writing of the history of a small New England town is perforce a labor of love. The scope is too restricted and the possible circu- lation too meagre to engender any visions of pecuniary reward. Re- muneration must come in the form of personal satisfaction that the tale has been told, so far as the talents of the author permit, coupled with the hope that there will be those who find it instructive and pleasing because in some manner it impinges upon their lives.
It would appear upon superficial consideration that a lack of facts would be an ever persistent annoyance in the case of a minor rural community. Acton is an amazing exception. The difficulty at all stages has been a plethora of facts. Thanks for this situation are due the town clerks of the past who through the years have been unusually assiduous in the completeness and the preservation of the details. Acton records never have been burned, carelessly thrown away, or maliciously destroyed, as has been the case in diverse sections of the country.
As the data was assembled it became apparent that any fulsome treatment of the material was impossible within the compass of a single volume of comfortable size. Furthermore the modern reader is not intrigued at the prospect of an encyclopedic discussion of everything and everybody. The author perforce had to decide whether to be biographer or historian. Whereas the historian reaches wide to embrace all the facts he can, the biographer focuses his attention upon an individual and his intimates. The historian, as a rule, is chiefly interested in recreating the past in terms that explain the present. To the historian individuals are significant primarily for what they reveal of larger trends and how they bespeak the mores of their day and time. The writer chose the latter course.
The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance that has come to him from numerous friends who have been helpful with their time, their ideas, and in many cases the loan of irreplaceable family re- cords and priceless documents.
Among these should be cited a small coterie, all now deceased, most of whom never expected to have their names associated with a written history of the town but who, all unconsciously, had a tre- mendous impact upon the avid interest of the author as he chatted often with them during his earlier years. The group ran the whole gamut of education and philosophic outlook but the members had certain important things in common, namely, an amazing familiarity with Actonaria - not all of it printable in a dignified resume - a stout loyalty to the town and a competence as raconteurs. In addition to the author's parents the list includes his grandmother, Lucetta Avery Reed, whose countless hours of reminiscing with Mr. Moses
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Taylor went on for years in the evening of their lives as he stopped by on his daily trek to the village store of his son; Rev. Frederick Brooks Noyes, who grew up in the shadow of the monument; Asaph Parlin, whose ancestors helped build the first meeting house; Luther Forbush, the past master of the tall tale and the shady anecdote; Reuben Law Reed, the living repository of Revolutionaria; and the inimitable Nelson Tenny.
Without the more than one hundred and forty persons with whom the author carried on correspondence in varying degree the project could not have been successful. To them sincere albeit inadequate appreciation is hereby rendered.
In particular, for certain specific data, indebtedness is acknowl- edged to Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Allen; G. C. Bartlett, Assistant Town Clerk, Newport, Vt; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Billings; Mr. and Mrs. Webster Blanchard; Mr. and Mrs. Prentice Blood; Mrs. Robert Bond; C. P. Burrill, Boston ; Alderman L. C. Caffrey, Wembley, Middlesex, England; Augustine B. Conant; Grace Patten Conant, Littleton; Mrs. C. Elizabeth Cook; Lowell H. Cram; Arthur F. Davis, Librarian Emeritus, Acton; Dr. Wendell F. Davis; Mrs. Margaret Thatcher Drury, Librarian, Littleton; Herbert Ganter, Archivist, College of William and Mary; John S. Hoar; Eleanor Jones, Town Clerk, May- nard; Elmer Joslin, Superintendent of Highways, Concord; Frederick S. Kennedy, Cemetery Superintendant, Acton; Mrs. Carrie Kimball; David Kinsley; Rev. William A. Knight, Framingham; Evelyn A. Knowlton; Mary H. Lothrop, Librarian, Acton; Mrs, Bertha Lowden; Theron A. Lowden; John Littlefield; Julia McCarthy; Florence A. Merriam; H. Stuart McGregor, Chief of Fire Department, Acton; Virginia Milberry; F. A. Persons, Greenfield; Edith C. Pitman, Colorado Springs; V. Elsie Phalen, Wallaston; Gladys V. Pratt, Librarian, Framingham State College; W. Arthur Rayner; Mrs. Marion Reed, Ralph Richardson, Ayer; Chester B. Robbins; Fred L. Robbins, Albany, Georgia; Clara Sawyer; Eleanor L. Smith, Librari- an, Stow; Florence Smith, Town Clerk, Boxborough; Mrs. Charles E. Smith; Mrs. Andrew Torsleff; Horace F. Tuttle; Mrs. Bertha White; Professor Leonard D. White, University of Chicago; Waldo E. Whit- comb; Mr. and Mrs. Oliver D. Wood. Mention must also be made of the generous cooperation of the officials of the Dewey and Almy Chemical Company, the Sir Steak Machinery Company, the Air Pro- duction Corporation, and the Rex Corporation.
Very material assistance was rendered by the research department of the Boston Public Library, the Office of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts, and the Offices of the Secretaries of State of Mass- achusetts and Louisiana.
The photographic work entailed in the difficult reproduction of the several valuable documents and pictures was handled most adeptly
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by Mr. James Mays and Mr. Thomas Williams of the Colonial Williamsburg Corporation and Mr. Charles Hanson of Concord, photographer for the Arthur D. Little Company of Cambridge. Chief of Police Micheal Foley, whose hobby has been the means of em- bellishing the covers of the recent Acton town reports, was most accomodating in connection with certain of the exterior scenes.
One happy circumstance was the gracious willingness of Professors Lyman H. Butterfield and Douglass G. Adair, who function jointly in the department of History of the College of William and Mary and on the editorial staff of the Institute of early American History and Culture in Williamsburg, to advise respecting text, publisher, and format.
The sponsors and the author respectfully submit this volume to the citizens and friends of Acton as the fulfillment of a public service.
Williamsburg, Va. September 15, 1953
HAROLD R. PHALEN
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF ACTON
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Settlement to Incorporation . page 1
PART II
1735 to 1750
· page 28
PART III
· page 48 1750 to 1800 .
PART IV
1800 to 1850 .
· page 111
PART V
· page 159 1850 to 1900
PART VI
· page 288 1900 to 1950
Appendices
· page 367
. · page 445 Index to Topics
Index to Persons
. · page 455
INDEX TO APPENDICES
I. Agreement between the Town of Concord and Thomas Wheeler.
II. List of Proprietors of Concord Village as of 1697/98.
III. List of Selectmen, Town Clerks, Town Treasurers, 1735-1950.
IV. Minister Rates for 1761.
V. Data relative to early school teaching.
VI. List of Acton men in the Revolution.
VII. Partial record of service of Acton men in the Revolution.
VIII. List of Acton physicians.
IX. First fifteen deacons of the Acton Church.
X. Acton men in the legislature.
XI. First fifteen Acton men to receive a college degree.
XII. Depositions of Thomas Thorp, Solomon Smith, Charles Hand- ley, Hannah Davis, and Bradley Stone concerning the events at Concord Fight.
XIII. Complete list of the moderators presiding at annual town meetings from 1735 to 1950.
XIV. Brief sketches concerning the Acton churches.
XV. Speech of Luther Conant concerning the services of Acton men in the Civil War subsequent to the return of the 6th regiment.
XVI. Acton men who died while in service in the Union Army.
XVII. Acton men in the Union Army who survived the War.
XVIII. Men not of Acton who enlisted at diverse times and places to the credit of Acton.
XIX. Muster roll of Co. E, 6th Mass. Volunteers (Capt. Daniel Tuttle) which responded to Lincoln's first call for volunteers 1861.
XX. Muster roll of nine months men, Co. E., 6th Mass. 1862 (Capt. Aaron Handley)
XXI. Acton citizens who served in World War I.
XXII. Acton citizens who served in World War II, and in the Merchant Marine at that time, and up to and including the Korean conflict.
XXIII. Population data.
XXIV. Analysis of the conflicting data concerning the southerly and westerly boundaries of Concord Village.
Part I Settlement to Incorporation
This is the story of Acton for three hundred years. As such it is a record of change at a constantly accelerated pace. Within one lifetime things have happened at an amazing rate to the type of society em- braced in the term "Old New England". The last of the strain of folk known as "Yankees" are passing into the burying grounds where their dust mingles with that of those who fought at Bunker Hill, on the Plains of Abraham, and with the braves of King Philip. Many of the family names that were once synonymous with integrity, initiative, and civic responsibility and were predominant on church records and voting lists have been thrust by the inexorable glacier of time into the limbo of forgotten things. The acres which once they tilled are peopled by those not only strangers to the locality but in many instances to the country and the language as well.
The rapidly changing scene serves but to throw into more promi- nent relief the rural New Englander of a former era. He was a product of a set of circumstances that induced a culture, that defined a mores, which, quite apart from the question of merit, was unique, interesting, and worthy of record. Even though the charges of provincialism and eccentricity be proved there remains withal a charm that ceaselessly tugs at the heart strings of the native of the section.
The wanderer may seek and attain success in the uttermost parts of the earth. He may marry, rear a family and even lay away dear ones in that distant spot. Nevertheless there will come at times in tumult- uous procession visions of arching elms over shady streets flanked by well clipped lawns, of painted cottages with cool green shutters, of meticulously stacked wood piles, and white church spires rising aloft to catch the last brightness of the sunset glow. Anon the picture may change to a stone walled pasture at dawn where juniper and barberry and sweet fern sprawl athwart a stony hillside spotted with night webs; or it may show a dusty highway, slightly travelled, where the braver weeds grow in two narrow ribbons and on either side thrive raspberries, wild grapes, and goldenrod or possibly pitcher plant, cranberries and sweet flag.
For some this vision will arouse memories of former years. For them these pages are written. Possibly the casual stranger will now and then be intrigued as well. The town has played a worthy role in the saga of the nation. Its story deserves to be told in full by a sym- pathetic pen.
The township of Acton, County of Middlesex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is located approximately twenty five miles northwest of Boston. It is an eleven sided polygon having a maximum width of
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four miles and a total span of six and six tenths miles in maximum length. The area is eighty five acres in excess of thirteen thousand or about twenty and a third square miles.
This tract of land, although never within the original boundaries of Concord, was for some seventy years an adjunct thereto as a land grant and was locally designated as the New Grant or as Concord Village. In consequence the early history of Acton is inextricably involved with that of the elder community and any study of Acton must induce an investigation of Concord conditions and the person- alities instrumental in effectuating the land grants and the subsequent incorporation of the town as an independent unit.
Concord was incorporated in 1635 at which time the General Court ordered that there should be a "plantacon att Musketequid & that there shall be 6 myles of land square to belong to it". The original grant was laid out in what was supposed to be a square. No other grants had been made in that general area and consequently it was not deemed necessary to notify any adjoining owner of the run- ning of the lines. Therefore the simplest possible form was adopted.
The beginning corner was identical with the present Concord, Sudbury, Maynard, Acton corner which lies just a few rods south of the dam in the Assabet River for many years known as the Powder Mill dam inasmuch as the American Powder Company utilized the water privilige for the manufacture of explosives. A third class country road leads directly southward from the dam, rises along a gentle incline and shortly forms a Y. The corner stone, of split gran- ite and in excellent preservation, stands just a few yards along the left branch of the Y. It is well covered with painted dates indicating that acording to New England custom the representatives of the respective towns have met there to witness that the monument is visible and in proper position.
Nothing remains today to justify the choice of this spot as a start- ing point. There is no conspicious feature in the topography, no ledge outcrop, no glacial boulder of importance, not even the junction of two insignificant streams.
Be that as may, here the early surveyors started and measured to the best of their ability a line six miles long which was to serve as the northwestern boundary of Concord and, a century later, as the southeastern boundary of Acton. Subsequent measurements show the distance to be six miles plus a hundred and forty two rods. In fact all four sides of the Concord grant were about two thirds of a mile in excess. Too much attention must not be paid to this discrepancy since such instances were not uncomon during the period when land was readily available. It was a practice of surveyors to throw in extra territory for good measure as compensation for portions that were swampy or barren.
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Within the area defined and round about it there dwelt several hundred Indians.1 These had to be paid not only for the land itself but there also had to be reimbursement for the rights to the shad, salmon, alewives and beaver that abounded in the streams. Accord- ingly in 1636, at the house of Rev. Mr. Bulkeley, a treaty was made with the Indians and signed by Squaw Sachem, Tohuttawun Saga- more, Muttunkatucka and others whereby the so-called six mile square was ceded to the English "undertakers".
The details of the tribulations of the infant settlement are not pertinent to the history of Acton. Suffice it to record that they were numerous and severe. Nevertheless the spirit of the frontier could not be throttled and hence we find that in 1639 when Thomas Wheeler and others came to Concord they found the most convenient and pro- ductive land already taken. It is difficult for the reader who is ac- quainted with the fertility and extent of the modern Concord truck farms to understand the need for additional acreage for the sparse population of that early day. The concept of intensive agriculture had not then developed and in consequence Wheeler and his com- panions, observing that to the northwest lay many acres of open meadow with abundant grass, petitioned the General Court in 1642 for a grant of land.
Apparently this petition was not acted upon favorably until about 1650 at which time a grant was made with the proviso that the peti- tioners immediately avail themselves of the opportunity.
Due to procrastination or for other reasons not recorded no settle- ment was made on the grant up to 1654. In the meantime the town of Chelmsford had been laid out and incorporated and the Nashoba Plantation had been alloted to the Indians. This nibbling at the re- maining free territory appears to have disturbed those desirous of expansion to the extent that in 1654 Robert and Elizabeth Blood petitioned for a grant (Mass. Archives, v. 39, p. 858). The General Court ordered that the interested parties make a return to the Court of "what quantitie of land yet remaynes vndisposed of, which they desire", (Mass. Records, ii, 364). The following return was made in May of 1655:
To the Honored Generall Court assembled at Boston. The returne of the number of acres of land as an addition
1 Indian relics have been found in diverse parts of Acton. Fletcher mentions arrowheads on Strawberry Hill. Some particularly fine specimens were dug up in the garden of Mr. Frank Fiske and sufficient artifacts of diverse sorts were ploughed up years ago about a thousand feet to the rear of the residence of Mr. Luther Conant to justify the conclusion that an Indian village had once been located there. In South Acton, in a moist place in the woods not far from the old Piper Lane roadway, lies an Indian grinding stone of unusual size. The surface is from one half inch to seven inches above ground. The hollowed bowl is thirty seven and a half inches by thirty one and a half inches and the depth is ten and a half inches. The dimensions are due to the kindness of Miss Florence Merriam.
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to the Towne of Concord according to the order of the General Court in 1654.
Whereas the Court was pleased to graunt to our Towne a village some four years since upon condition they should improve it before others, but neglecting theire opportunity, the plantation of Chelmsford having taken a good part of the same, also Nattatawants having a plantation granted to him which takes up a good some also, we whose names are subscribed have taken a survey of the rest remayning, and wee find about seven thousand acres left out, of which Major Willard hath two thousand except a little part of one end of his farme which lyes in the place of parcell of vacant land, that was since given to Shawshine, this tract of land being by the last Court granted to our Town on this condition that at this Court we should acquaint the Court of the quantitye of what we have.
Tho. Brooke Joseph Wheeler George Heaward
Timothy Wheeler George Wheeler John Jones
Apparently the General Court attended to this matter with more than its usual dispatch since the following order (Mass. Records, v. iv, part i p. 237) appears under the date of May 29, 1655:
In ansr to the peticon of the inhabitants of Concord, the Court doth graunt them five thousand acres of land for feeding according to their peticon, provided it hinder not any former graunts.
In order to make clear where the land lay it was necessary to come to an agreement with the Indians and to have a survey and a return made by qualified surveyors, or artists as they were frequently called at the time. Consequently we find on page 160, vol. 1, of the Ancient Records of Concord the following:
An agreement betweene the Ingenes of Mashoba and the Towne of Concord as followeth:
In consideration, for the last grant of land to Concord, by the generall Court for an Inlargement to the Towne; the Towne of Concord doth give to the plantres of Mashoba fiveteen pounds at six a peny which giueth them full sartis- fection in Witnes whereof they doe set to there hands, this 20. of the 10. mo. 1660. In the psents of Joseph Wheler John Shipard John Jones
the marke -> of nssquan: the marke 2 of marchnt thoms, the marken & of Wabatut. the marke & of gret James natocotos & blind man. the marke of pompant, the marke of gomps. John Thomas and John tahatowon.
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From the above it appears that five years elapsed between the time the first grant was made by the Court and date of purchase from the Indians. In the meantime of course the settlers were moving in and taking actual possession of the land according to the pattern of the whole history of the negotiations with the aborigines. Before an adequate survey had been made the Court, upon further solicitation by the land hungry settlers, ordered an additional grant of five thou- sand acres on May 23, 1665 (Mass. Records, vol. iii, p. 387)
Seuerall of the inhabitants of Concord pfering a petition for the graunt of some land, in answer whereunto, the Court thinks meete to graunt them fiue thousand acors in the place mentioned in their pet., pvided it hinder not any former graunts.
On the 11th of October following the General Court issued an order for the survey but stipulated certain restrictions:
In Answer to the petition of Concord for an enlargement of their bounds: This Court doe Grant them a tract of land conteyned in a plott returned to this Court under the hand of Ensigne Noyes by estimation the whole being five thous- and acres. Whereof the Court reserveth two thousand acres to be layed out to either Indians or English as this Court shall see meete hereafter to dispose and grant and the re- maindr being about three thousand acres this Court doe grant to Concord so as the same doe not abridge any former grant made by this Court and It is ordered that Leiftenant Beers & Leiftenant Noyes lay out the same & make their retune to the next Court of Election.
In pursuance of this order Richard Beers (of Watertown) and Thomas Noyes (of Sudbury) laid out in 1666 the New Grant or Concord Village as it was called, comprising the present territory of Acton and portions of Carlisle and Littleton, and made their return the following year. It is difficult, if not impossible, to reconcile their report with the two grants of 1655 and 1665 and with the present boundaries of Acton. The intention seems to be clear but a close scrutiny of the details leads to a dilemma which will be discussed subsequently. As a first step it will be necessary to submit in toto the return of the surveyors.
At a General Court of Election heald at Boston 15th of May, 1667 Humbly sheweth this Honord Court that we Richard Beers of Watertowne and Thomas Noyes of Sud- bury, being appointed to Lay out & measure to the Inhab- itants of Concord a Tract or Tracts of Land, next adjoining to their first Grant in order to which (wee the abovesd) did Lay out & measure unto the Inhabitants of Concord
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their second Grant being five thousand Acres of Land granted in the year 1655 next Adjoining to their first Grant. Beginning at the southwest Angle of their old Bounds extending their sd Southerly Line upon a northwest point four degrees northerly (according to the meridian compass two miles & two hundred & eighty Rods, there making a right Angle on a bare hill, and from thence a line upon a northeast point four degrees easterly, two miles one halfe & fifty Rods, There meeting with Nashoba Plantation Line, Running the Line, of sd plantation to their Angle, one mile one Quarter & sixty Rods, nearest hand upon an Easterly point there making a Right angle, Runing a Line being the Line of the Indian plantation Two miles one quarter and sixty Rods, there being bounded by Chelmsford line and Billerica Line, as is more plainely de- scribed by a plott, in which plott is contained nine thousand and eight hundred acres of Land, one thousand and eight hundred being formerly Granted to Major Willard, the other eight thousand being Granted to the Inhabitants of Concord & Layed out the 5th of May, 66.
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