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Somerville Board of Trade Somerville, Mass.
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION 10
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01068 8338
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/somervillemassbe00some
SOMERVILLE
BOARD OF TRADE
0000000
00000
BOARD
E
ORGANIZED OF
SC
TRADE.
SOME
MARCH.I. 1899.
MASS.
000
0000
ILLE
THIS BOOK IS ISSUED UNDER ITS DIRECTION AND AUTHORITY
SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS
1912
COPYRIGHT, 1912, BY Alphonso Martin Sons
1485703 SOMERVILLE, MASS.
THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF SEVEN HILLS - ITS HISTORY AND OPPORTUNITIES
HAS SUPERIOR CIVIC ADVANTAGES - A PATRIOTIC PROGRESSIVE AND PHILANTHROPIC CITIZENSHIP A CITY OF LOVELY HOMES - PROSPEROUS MANUFACTORIES - FINE SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES
Unexcelled Railroad Facilities and Nearness to Steamship
Wharves Give Adequate and Prompt Transportation, Both Domestic and Foreign.
Issued under the Direction of the Somerville Board of Trade
SOMERVILLE, MASS. A. MARTIN & SONS, Publishers
1912
OLD POWDER HOUSE. Built 1703
CONTENTS
WHAT WE ARE - WHAT WE DESIRE Relating to the Somerville Board of Trade.
OUR HISTORY
MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION Mayor, Aldermen, City Departments, Etc.
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES Steam Railroads, Steamship Lines, Electric Railroads.
MANUFACTURERS AND BUSINESS INDUSTRIES
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SOMERVILLE AS A CITY OF HOMES
OUR CITIZENSHIP
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETIES
Church, Social, Fraternal, Etc,
PREFACE
T HIS book, prepared and issued under the direction of the Somerville Board of Trade of Somerville, Mass., is offered in behalf of her progressive, intelligent, patriotic, and thrifty citizens to those who in any way have an interest in a prosperous, well-governed municipality of beautiful homes, great civic advantages, and successful business enterprises.
Opportunities for homes and business purposes in Somer- ville have been notably utilized in the past, but have not yet reached full capacity. Her situation, surroundings, conven- ience to all things necessary for the economical and suitable conduct of business have attracted many large and flourishing enterprises. There is yet a chance for others.
We trust the manufacturer or business man desiring a new location where intelligent help, free from labor disturbances, is always obtainable, and the home seeker desiring healthful and refined surroundings, will be interested and convinced by read- ing this book that Somerville is an ideal place to locate.
Associations and environments, such as here presented, created as they have been through enterprise, industry, and square dealings on the part of her citizenship, makes Somer- ville a most delightful place in which to live and transact business.
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HON. CHARLES A. GRIMMONS President Somerville Board of Trade
ALBERT L. HASKELL Secretary
WHAT WE ARE - WHAT WE DESIRE
CHAPTER I.
An Organization of Influence - Decision on Public Matters Awaited with Interest -- Invites and Welcomes Industries and Individuals who will Promote Peace and Prosperity.
OUR CONSTITUTION
This Association shall be designated as the Somerville Board of Trade.
The purpose of this Association is to concentrate the power and usefulness of the various interests of the city in one corporate organization, in order to secure harmony of action in the proper consideration of questions especially pertaining to the material interests of the city-at-large.
Members of this Board shall be male residents of Somer- ville, who are either real estate owners or in business for them- selves therein.
The first meeting of the Somerville Board of Trade was held in the Hill building, Union square, March 1, 1899. The Board moved to their present location, Highland avenue, Cen- tral Hill, January 12, 1903, in order to be centrally located for the convenience of all members.
The Board's affiliation with the Massachusetts State Board of Trade brings it in close contact with fifty-eight business as- sociations in the commonwealth. The interchange of views on civic and industrial matters that come before this federation of trade organizations is of great benefit to each constituent society.
Since the organization of the Board there has been con- stantly manifested among the members a desire and determina-
(
JOHN H. SMITH Vice-President
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SOMERVILLE BOARD OF TRADE.
tion to promote the welfare of the Board along industrial, com- mercial, and social lines, and to extend its influence toward the uplift of community interests. That it has succeeded in its endeavors is shown by results which have been of inestimable importance to the municipality and beneficial to every resident of our ever-advancing city.
The valuable service, continued thought and conscientious effort rendered by officers and committees, as well as by those having charge of special measures, finds reward in advantages secured and good achieved for their fellow-citizens,
The Board can justly claim much satisfaction and feel a sense of pride when it considers the part it has had in bringing about the consummation of many improvements. The work of past years has demonstrated the worth of a Board of Trade in our city, not only in its relation to the activi- ties of the municipality, but the more direct value to the indi- vidual owners of property and the business man. The influ- GEORGE W. SNOW Treasurer ence of the Board is recognized by all the citizens, without re- gard to localities, and its decision on matters of public import is always awaited with interest.
Frequent meetings are held at which men of prominence are invited to be present and discuss any great problems affect- ing city or state, which are likely at some time to demand the attention and call for a decision by all the people. As an indi- cation of its usefulness to the community, attention is called to the part it has had in bringing about the consummation of noted public improvements. The Board justly claims much satisfaction in the acceptance by the creating power of many propositions put forth for the advancement of our fair city and the comfort, convenience, and necessities of its people.
Ever since Somerville became incorporated as a city efforts had been made to have a memorial erected to the men
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SOMERVILLE BOARD OF TRADE.
who participated in the War of 1861-1865. Petitions to city governments were unheeded on the plea of insufficient funds. In 1907 Willard C. Kinsley Post, 139, G. A. R., requested this Board to further the project and become actively engaged in forwarding the movement. Alderman William M. Armstrong delivered an earnest address at a meeting of the Board, and the claims of the men who gave their lives to perpetuate the insti- tutions of our country were set forth by a delegation of veterans from Willard C. Kinsley Post. The Board heartily endorsed the project, and voted to appoint a com- mittee of twenty-one, three from each ward, to further the plan. This committee met in the parlor of the Y. M. C. A., and adopted a resolution favoring the appropriation by the city of $20,000 for a soldiers' monument. Mayor Grim- mons invited the committee to a conference which re- sulted in an order offered in the Board of Alder- inen appropriating the sum desired. After the passage RICHARD Y. GOOD Vice-President of the order, the Mayor appointed an advisory committee of ten, of which our then president, Francis H. Boyer, and our vice-president, Represen- tative Sidney B. Keene, became members. This committee received a large number of artistic designs, drawings, etc., and, aided by an expert, their selection met with much public favor. The completed memorial is handsome in design and replete with suggestions of patriotism, devotion, and sacrifice. The box placed in the corner stone contains a copy of the annual report for 1907, with a statement of the Board's interest and a list of its members,
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SOMERVILLE BOARD OF TRADE.
Central Hill Park is a most beautiful spot and of great his- toric interest. The retention of this park as an open pleasure resort is one of the Board's accomplishments. The abolition of all dangerous railroad crossings, of which there were at one time many, on account of the several lines of railroad through our city ; increased facilities for our high schools by additions to school buildings; the reduction of rates for fire insurance ; opposition to an extension of elevated structures within the limits of the city ; the use of non-inflammable roofing for build- ings; the securing of postal facilities in outlying districts; the improvement of approaching avenues of the city; calling the attention of business men to the use of the shore lands of Mystic river for commercial purposes ; to- gether with other questions, were favorably discussed and influenced.
BENJAMIN F. FREEMAN Vice-President
The Board of Aldermen in December, 1910, passed an order creating a committee to consider the subject of re- vision of the city charter. This committee included in its membership two mem- bers of the Somerville Board of Trade, and the Board elected to represent them ex-Representative Wil- liam L. Waugh and Secre- tary Albert L. Haskell.
The Board adopted reso- lutions favorable to unlimited arbitration. and forwarded the same to the headquarters of the World's Peace Foundation. A reply was received from that body expressing appreciation of the action of the Board.
The pleasant social relations enjoyed, the frequent earnest meetings, free from selfish personal desires, seeking only the
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SOMERVILLE BOARD OF TRADE.
"greatest good for the greatest number," have made the Board meetings a power for good. During the Board's existence the prosperity of the business men and property owners of our community has ever been kept in view and measures affecting their interests carefully investigated. The success of mer- chants, the prosperity of manufacturers, and the protection of real estate values are vitally associated with the highest civic advancement. To this purpose the Board owes its formation, and its loyalty has never been questioned.
The visit to our city of Hon. William H. Taft, President of the United States, July 4, 1910, was an occasion of great pleasure. Under direction of Mayor Woods, ably assisted by the Fourth of July Association, and a committee of prominent citizens, an excellent programme was arranged and very creditably carried out. The Somerville Board of Trade con- tributed towards the financial expenses, and members partici- pated in the various activities of the day.
The Board has reason to feel proud of the honor con- ferred on one of its members, Hon. Robert Luce, in his elec- tion to the office of Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts.
The Somerville Board of Trade invites and welcomes any industry or individual whose coming here will promote peace and prosperity. Here we have every convenience and comfort desired, with room for many more who are seeking locations for business or homes for their families.
The following officers have served the Board :-
PRESIDENTS
Frederick A. Higgins 1899
Frank E. Fitts. 1900
Joseph J. Giles . . 1901
William E. Whitney 1902
William M. Armstrong
1903
Arthur P. Vinal. 1904
Joseph S. Pike. 1905-1906
Francis H. Boyer 1907-1908
Sidney B. Keene. 1909-1910
Hon. Charles A. Grimmons 1911-1912
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SOMERVILLE BOARD OF TRADE.
SECRETARIES
Edward A. Binney 1899-1901
Frederick A. Higgins 1902-April, 1903
Albert L. Haskell. April, 1903 ----
TREASURERS
William E. Plumer 1899
Dana H. Blethen
1900-1901
William E. Plumer
1902-1908
George W. Snow. 1909-
THE ORGANIZATION, 1912
President, Hon. Charles A. Grimmons.
Vice-presidents, Benjamin F. Freeman, John H. Smith, and Richard Y. Good.
Secretary, Albert L. Haskell.
Treasurer, George W. Snow.
Directors, George E. Day, William L. Waugh, Judson B. Young, Harvey E. Frost, and Clarence R. Holmes.
Representatives to Massachusetts State Board of Trade, Albert L. Haskell. George W. Snow, and Sidney B. Keene.
POINTS ABOUT SOMERVILLE WORTHY OF YOUR ATTENTION
Its natural beauty.
Its superb location.
Has superior police protection.
High standard of its citizenship.
Nearness to the city of Boston. The banner no-license city of the state.
Ninety miles of water mains and sewers.
Excellent schools, churches, and societies.
Territorially 4.2 miles long, 2.1 miles wide. There are fourteen parks and playgrounds. Thirty churches, including all denominations.
A city of about 80,000 prosperous inhabitants. A brilliant record of progress and development. A city most honestly and economically governed. Twenty-eight public schools and two parochial schools. Brilliantly lighted at night by about 1,000 electric lights. Its transportation facilities second to no city in the state. Ninety miles of fine streets and three miles of boulevards.
WILLIAM L. WAUGH
JUDSON B YOUNG
GEORGE E. DAY, Chairman
HARVEY E. FROST
CLARENCE R. HOLMES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEMBERS
Abbott, William C. Adams, Frank H. Adcock, John H. Aldrich, Albert C., M. D. Allen, Fred
American Tube Works
Armstrong, William M.
Arnold, E. Olney
Curtis, Edmund W. Cutler, James R. Dame, Levi A.
Ashton, Albert C.
Bancroft, Edward A.
Davenport, Edward A.
Barker, William F.
Barker, Edgar C.
Bartley, James
Bateman, Frank E., M. D.
Bean, J. Arthur
Belding, Oscar H.
Bennett, Daniel J.
Bennett, J. S.
Donovan, William R.
Dorman, Bernard R.
Downing, John F.
Doyle, Edward W.
Dresser, George H.
Durell, Julius A.
Binney, Edward A. Board, R. V.
Dusseault, John H. Dutton, Frederick A.
Booth, Edward C., M. D.
Bowen, Cornelius F.
Bowen, Lorenzo W.
Bowlby, James L.
Bowman, Herbert E.
Boyer, Charles W.
Bremner, John A.
Farrell, Robert J.
Brine, John H.
Fisher, Edmund H.
Fisher, Myron C.
Fisk, Ellsworth
Fiske, Albert
Fitz, Charles E. Fitzgerald, James
Fitzgerald, John
Fitzpatrick, Michael
Flaherty, James P.
Flemming. W. Fred Fletcher. George S.
Flint, Warren F. Flynn, William H.
Folsom, Charles C. Folsom, Henry H. Forg, Herman
Forg, Peter Freeman, Benjamin F.
Frost, Harvey E.
Frye, Daniel M. Fuchs, Charles A.
Fudge, Edward J.
Fuller, Frederick C.
Brown, William I.
Bryant, Charles F.
Burns, Charles A.
Butler, James A.
Cambridge, Ernest J.
Campbell, John W. Carpenter, Allen F. Carter, Horace C.
Carvill, Alphonso H., M. D.
Chamberlin, Horace A.
Chandler, Leonard B. Chisholm, Jotham M.
Chmiel, John Clark, Charles S. Clevenger, Loren A., D. D.
Codding, Oscar W. Coffin, Edward B.
Cogswell, William J. Cohen, Joseph Colgan, John Coliten, Edward Connelly, John L. S.
Conwell, Leon M. Cook, Frederic W. Cotter, Laurence V.
Craig, Isaac S. Cummings, William G. Cunningham, Thomas A.
Davenport, Howard H.
Day, George E. Dayton, John B.
Delano, C. Stuart
Dervin, L. J., M. D.
Doe, Reginald W.
Donegan, James E.
Bennett, William F.
Berry, Arthur W.
Berry, Charles M.
Berry, William H. Biller, A.
Eldridge, Roswell S.
Elkins, John F.
Elliott, Charles J.
Elliott, George E.
Emery, W. M.
Farnum, Daniel S.
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SOMERVILLE BOARD OF TRADE.
Gardner, Gerald A. Garland, Francis P.
Kauler, John E.
Garland, J. A.
Keating, Patrick
Gendron, Joseph E.
Keene, N. A.
Gibson, Arthur A., M. D.
Keene, Sydney B.
Gilliatt, Charles L.
Kelley, Dennis Kennard, William W.
Glines, Edward Goldthwait, Clarence W. .
Kerner, Louis
Good, Richard Y.
Kiley, James A. Kimball, M. A.
Gordon, Arthur C.
Kingman, Herbert S.
Gordon, Walter
Lang, Albert N.
Grimes, Herman A.
Lapham, F. De Witt
Grimmons, Charles A.
Lawson, Peter P.
Grover, Nelson H.
Lewis, Martin D.
Hafford, Benjamin R.
Lewis, Thomas M.
Hall, Quincy G.
Lingley, Oscar J.
Hall, William Franklin
Littlefield, Walter T.
Hallett, George C.
Loveless, Wallace E.
Handy, Daniel N.
Lord, David D.
Hanscom, Frederick A.
Lovejoy, George S.
Hanson, William J.
Luce, Robert
Harney, Joseph F.
MacKay, Duncan A.
Maguire, James H.
Harper, James
Makechnie, Ernst
Hartwell, Haywood
Haskell, Albert L.
Martin, Alphonso
Mason, Seth
Hause, J. F.
Maynard, George H.
Maynard, Herbert F.
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Hemingway, H. S.
McFarland, Chester S.
Heughins, Herbert A.
McGann, John F.
Hicks, Edward F.
McLean, John C.
Higgins, Frederick A.
McLean, J. Edward L.
Higgins, John J.
Mentzer, Walter C.
Hight, Herbert C.
Miller, Thomas
Hight, Ralph A.
Mixer, J. Frank
Hildred, Charles R.
Morrill, Ferdo A.
Hincks, David A.
Mosher, Andrew I.
Hines, Alfred H.
Mulcahey, Daniel B.
Hodgdon, Charles W.
Nelson, Nils
Hogan, Richard F.
Newcomb, Jesse S.
Newsom, James E.
Newton, Frank L., M. D.
Newton, Frederick H.
Nichols, Ralph G.
Niles, John G.
Howe, William S.
O'Brion, Fulton
Osborne, Herbert F.
Hughes, George F., M. D.
Patten, Mark W. Pearson, Arthur G.
Hunter, William H.
Hurd, Thomas A. Hurley, J. J. Hutchins, Elmer N. Hyde, E. R. Johnson, Frank O.
Peck, Adney M. Pendergast, George H.
Penney, Leander A.
Perkins. George W. Perry, Robert R.
Pike, Joseph S.
Plumer, William E.
Harney, William T.
Mann, Alfred E.
Haskell, Otis S. M.
Hayden, Joseph O. Herbert, John
McCaffrey, Charles F., M. D.
Holmes, Clarence R.
Hood, Charles H.
Horne, E. Howard, Charles W. Howard, J. Walter
Hughes, Albert E.
Jones, William P. Joslin, Charles L.
Kaan, Frank W.
Glidden, Walter S.
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SOMERVILLE BOARD OF TRADE.
Price, Lewis V. Pride, Alfred M. Pride, Edwin L.
Proctor, George O. Rafferty, Patrick H.
Thompson, William J. Tomfohrde, Richard
Raymond, Loring H., M. D.
Twombly, Benjamin R.
Reed, Nathan H.
Reynolds, Lewis J.
Rhodes, Harry L.
Rice, W. M.
Rich, Sewall M.
Vorce, Martin E.
Wall, William E.
Robinson, George D. B.
Watkins, Albert L.
Watson, Daniel E.
Rochussen, Edward L.
Sanborn, Clifton E.
Wedgwood, Anson B.
Wellington, J. Frank
Wentworth, Louis H.
Wentworth, L. Roger
Shea, Charles H.
West, Edward B.
Shepard, Amos W.
White, J. Harvey
Shepard, Frank R.
White, Michael W., M. D.
Sibley, Edwin D.
Whitney, John W.
Simpson, Charles R.
Whitney, William E.
Skelton, George J.
Wilkins, Frank D.
Smith, Charles H.
Willoughby, George T.
Smith, John H.
Wilson, Thomas M.
Smith, William H.
Wilson, Francis M.
Snow, George W.
Wilson, John R.
Snow, Walter H.
Winchenbauch, Merton L.
Wood, Charles H.
Stevens, John A.
Wood, George W.
St. John, Austin W. Stodder, Frederick M.
Woodbury, C. A.
Woods, John M.
Stolar, Anthony
Wright, L. A.
Stone, Frederic W.
York, James M.
Young, Judson B.
Sturtevant, Lindley J.
Sturtevant, Malcolm E.
Sturtevant, Ralph M.
Sutherland, Thomas H. Taylor, James C.
Tyler, Arthur B. Underhill, Charles L.
Van Iderstine, Harry Vinal, Arthur P.
Richmond, Harris M.
Rideout, Ray R.
Ward, Dana F.
Robinson, Samuel M.
Waugh, William L.
Sawin, Charles D., M. D. Shaw, Charles E. Shay, James J.
Stevens, A. M.
DWELL &
UNION SQUARE
OUR HISTORY
CHAPTER II.
Origin - Settlement - As a Town and City
Somerville was formerly a part of Charlestown (now a part of Boston), and was set off in 1842. The title to the territory of Somerville has royal and other authority. First, in the grant of King James I to the Plymouth Council; second, by grant of Plymouth Council, March 19, 1628, to the Massachu- setts Bay Company ; third, by royal charter, March 4, 1629, to the Massachusetts Bay Company; and fourth, a title rare, a deed from an Indian sovereign, "Squa-Sachem."
The first white men who wandered over Somerville soil were Standish and his exploring party from Plymouth in 1621.
Among the first Charlestown settlers to locate on Somer- ville territory were John Woolrich, Captain Norton,
Edward Gibones, William Jennings, and John Wignall, fol- lowed a little later by Richard Palsgrave, Edward Jones, and by the governor, John Winthrop, in 1631. A sketch of the pioneers of our town says: "John Woolrich was an Indian trader who 'built and fenced a mile and a half in ye maine,' who was prominent in affairs and was a representative to the general court in 1634."
John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Company who came over here, was granted the Ten Hills Farm of 600 acres in 1631. It embraced all the land between Broadway, Medford street, and the river. This was the gov- ernor's farm, where he built, lived, planted, raised cattle, and launched the first ship in Massachusetts, the "Blessing of the Bay," July 4, 1631. He was a man of liberal education and sterling worth. He died in 1649. He has been followed by other Somerville men who have been noted in council of city, state, and nation.
Major-General Edward Gibones, one of the most distin-
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SOMERVILLE BOARD OF TRADE.
guished early citizens, rose to the rank of major-general in the militia, being "a man of resolute spirit" and "bold as a lion." He represented Charlestown in the general court in 1635 and 1636, and died in 1654.
As Somerville was, from its early settlement by white people, a part of Charles- town, the general history of both up to the time of separation are identical. Charlestown settlers in 1629 were in all ten fami- --------- ----- lies. Our first inhabitants built around Town Hill,
now Bow street, near Charlestown City square. The grazing grounds for their cattle was in Somer- ville, or "without the Neck," and Somerville was Where the Blessing of the Bay was launched, July 4, 1631 in those early times known as the "Cow Commons," and later as the "Stinted Pasture." In the course of time about the whole of Somerville was enclosed with fencing or "pailing," as it was called, extending all along the Cambridge line, and between the common pasture and the Ten Hills Farm. The highways at that time were laid out by Thomas Graves, the first engineer in these parts, who came here in 1629. He traced the routes for our infant thoroughfares, Washington street and Broadway.
A sturdy and tireless race of early emigrants, fired with energy that knew no obstacles, soon had in operation many enterprises and what were then great public conveniences, roads were laid out, watering places located, landings built, bridges constructed over streams, and, where too wide for bridges, ferries established, The ferry from Charlestown to Malden, called "Two penny ferry," remained as the only direct means of reaching Malden until after the Revolutionary War.
Among the various trades and callings found in this section between 1630 and 1650 were: Cutting of posts, clapboards, and shingles ; raising of horses for export; farming; fishing of
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SOMERVILLE BOARD OF TRADE.
various kinds; rope and anchor making ; coopering ; tile mak- ing; brewing ; salt manufacturing; carpentering; ship build- ing ; wheelwright work; pottery; charcoal burning; all kinds of then known mill work, power being furnished by wind, steam, and tide mills.
A town government was very early organized, and local laws enacted for the control of church, school, and military matters, as well as civil and criminal. The town officers were
Site of Governor Winthrop House on Old Ten Hills Farm
the "Seven men" (selectmen), constables, highway surveyors, town clerk, herdsman, overseers of the fields, and chimney sweepers, and as the town flourished and increased there were added a town treasurer, town messenger, inspector of youth, tythingmen, surveyors of damnified goods, clerks of the market, packers of fish and flesh, corder of wood, culler of staves, sealers of hide and leather, measurers of salt and coal.
The freemen of the town could vote for governor and deputy, and for major-general, representatives, grand jury, and also for assistants or magistrates. The election of a magis- trate was by a ballot of corn and beans. Corn was for "yes," beans for "no." The penalty for fraud in voting was £10.
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SOMERVILLE BOARD OF TRADE.
Strict rules of personal conduct were in force, and parents who neglected to educate and "catechise" their offspring were made to answer in court. Sabbath-breakers, tipplers, and gamblers were sharply watched and severely punished.
While several settlers had as early as 1629 or 1630 located in Somerville, in the year 1633 the town gave liberty to any of its inhabitants to build outside the Neck, provided, etc., that it "bee not a shortening of the privileges of the Town," and in 1634 ten persons were granted "planting ground" on the "South Side of New Towne highway," forty-one acres in all. From this time on, settlements on Somerville land increased, and the records show many transfers of property in this part of Charlestown.
The first road in Somerville was Washington street, de- scribed in 1630 as a narrow and crooked "way to New Town" (Cambridge). The next was the easterly part of Broadway, called "the way to Mystick," connecting as early as 163?, by trail or by road, around the Ten Hills Farm.
The Stinted Common was apportioned in 1656 among the citizens of the town, and remained a cow pasture until 1681 and 1685, when it was cut into strips one-fourth of a mile wide and granted in lots to the inhabitants. The territory thus laid out extended from Washington street, Bow street, and Somerville avenue to Broadway, and from the present Charlestown line to Elm street.
Until 1632 its inhabitants sought religious consolation in Boston churches, but in this year they organized the "First Church of Charlestown," and their early meetings were held under "the shade of a great oak" that stood near the square, and shortly after the "great house," abandoned by the town, was purchased and fitted up as a meeting house. People from Somerville attended this church, and upon its roll are Woolrich and Jones, our earliest settlers. Church services lasted all day Sunday, and for those living at a distance the town built "Sabbaday houses of a convenient largeness to give entertain- ment on the Lord's day to such as live remote."
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