USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > The history of Melrose, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts > Part 1
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1900
Class : 14 Book _M 5 76 LA Copyright N.º
COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT,
Elbridget. Toss. 1
THE
History of Melrose.
County of Middlesex,
Massachusetts,
BY
ELBRIDGE HENRY GOSS.
OF ROSE
CIT
N
LROSE
101 EXPLORED 1628 .
CHARLESTOWN 1629 POND FEILDE 1638
...
· MALDEN .
NORTHEND
1649
850 006
IN PORATED
PUBLISHED BY THE CITY OF MELROSE. 1902.
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS,
Two Copies Received MAY 5 1903 Copyright Entry Jeb. 20-1903 CLASS a XXQ. No. 53502 COPY B.
Copyright, 1903 By ELBRIDGE HENRY GOSS.
YHARBU GHT 28380000 0
MELROSE, MASS. : A. W. DUNTON & Co., Printers.
0
to (my Wife.
.
.
PREFACE.
M ORE or less had been written about the History of Mel- rose, before this work was undertaken. The Town's action in the Civil War I had recorded in The Melrose Memorial : The Annals of Melrose, in the Great Rebellion of 1861-65, published in 1868; a short history of the town pre- pared for Samuel Adams Drake's History of Middlesex County, in 1880; and another for J. W. Lewis & Co.'s History of Middle- sex County, in 1890.
Notwithstanding this, there came to exist a desire on the part of many citizens, that a more thorough and complete history of our municipality be written. Possibly this wish was stimulated by the near approach of the time when Melrose would become a city, and, of the completion of the first half century since it was incorporated, May 3, 1850. But, be it remembered, the history of our territory reaches back over two and a half centuries.
Early in the year 1898, in accordance with this often expressed wish, Franklin P. Shumway obtained the following names to a petition, requesting that the History of Melrose be written:
Franklin P. Shumway.
Allen C. Goss.
Charles H. Adams.
Charles A. Patch.
Mary A. Livermore.
Harry W. Sawyer.
Moses S. Page.
Henry M. Sylvester.
Levi S. Gould.
Joel C. Page.
Sidney H. Buttrick.
George L. Morse.
William E. Barrett.
Henry A. Leonard.
Frank W. Hunt.
Fernando C. Taylor.
Royal P. Barry.
Daniel Norton.
Leonard S. Leighton.
B. Marvin Fernald.
Harry A. Batchelder.
Alonzo G. Whitman.
John Larrabee.
Rev. Daniel P. Livermore.
Wingate P. Sargent. Daniel Russell.
Rev. Thomas Sims, D. D.
Rev. Burke F. Leavitt.
vi
PREFACE.
Oliver A. Roberts.
Rev. Clifton Fletcher.
John W. Farwell.
Rev. Joseph K. Wilson. Rev. George N. Howard.
John O. Norris.
L. Frank Hinckley.
Alonzo V. Lynde.
Benjamin F. Robinson.
Charles H. Isburgh.
George E. Munroe.
Nathan D. Blake.
Jesse A. Dill.
Dr. Julius S. Clark.
Norman F. Hesseltine.
Dr. Ernest S. Jack.
Curtis C. Goss.
Albert B. Franklin.
Francis S. Hesseltine.
Alonzo A. Knights.
Charles C. Barry.
Frank L. Washburn.
John Buffum.
Royal B. Leighton.
Seth E. Benson.
George L. Wildes.
George C. Stantial.
The next action was taken at a Town Meeting, held April 4, 1898, when Mr. Shumway offered a vote which is embodied in the following letter:
TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE. MELROSE, MASS., Apr. 21, 1898.
Elbridge H. Goss, Esq.
DEAR SIR :- At the Annual Town Meeting you were unanimously invited to write a history of the Town of Melrose, under the following vote :
That the Town invite, and authorize Mr. Elbridge H. Goss to write an illustrated history of the Town of Melrose. That the Town grant him full access to, and the privilege of copying or reproducing any records, maps, illustrations, &c., from the Town records and files, that he may desire, on the condition that he shall not receive any compen- sation from the Town for his services.
Attest :
Respectfully yours, W. DEHAVEN JONES, Town Clerk, pro tem.
The task thus imposed upon me, in such a complimentary manner, by both town and citizens, became a command ; and, although undertaken with some hesitancy, has proven to be a pleasant work; and I have executed it to the best of my ability. It is now submitted to my fellow-citizens with the hope that the record is one which they may peruse with some degree of pleasure and satisfaction.
For very many items concerning the early history of the town of which the "North End" or "North Malden" was
vii
PREFACE.
quite an important part, I am indebted to that very excellent History of Malden, recently issued, by Deloraine P. Corey; a most thorough, exact and pains-taking historian; one who is full of antiquarian zeal, who possesses a masterly knowledge of the local affairs of his native town, and, withal, who controls the " pen of a ready-writer." For these reasons the citizens of Malden are in possession of a work of superior value; onc they may well take pride in.
I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to the papers and memoranda left by the late Artemas Barrett; although in a somewhat disconnected and unsatisfactory state, still I never could have written what I have about the original families that occupied this territory without the aid thus rendered. Other citizens have aided with documents, facts communicated, and old papers; among them Hon. Levi S. Gould, George A. Fuller, Maurice G. Cochrane, Edwin C. Gould and the late D. Alvin Lynde.
For the photographs for the half-tone illustrations, I am indebted to several of my fellow citizens; among them, Dr. John Dike, Walter C. Stevens, Walter L. Wedger, Dexter Pratt, Rev. Edwin C. Bolles, D. D., Henry Lynde, Hon. Levi S. Gould, William R. Lavender, Archie B. McIlwraith, William L. Kirmes and William L. Kershaw; and to Charles H. Adams for the use of a number of plates from Melrose : Town and City.
For kindly aid I am also indebted to our City Clerk, W. De Haven Jones, and his assistant, Victor C. Kirmes; and to many of the officers of our various institutions my ackowl- edgements are due.
The history having been written the next thing to be done was its publication. A committee of the Board of Aldermien, consisting of Oliver B. Munroe, William A. Carrie and Edward S. Page, having been appointed to consider the] matter, made its report June 9, 1902, which was accepted and adopted. It embodied the following vote:
Be it ordered, That the sum of fifteen hundred dollars is hereby appropriated for the printing, publication and sale, under the direction of the Trustees of the Public Library, of one thousand copies of a History of Melrose, compiled by Elbridge H. Goss; that the aforesaid amount so appropriated is for a temporary loan and in anticipation of the taxes of the municipal year of the city of Melrose, commencing January 1, 1902, and is expressly payable therefrom ; that the treasurer
viii
PREFACE.
is authorized and directed to borrow the sum of fifteen hundred dollars for the purpose aforesaid and make and deliver therefor a note or notes of the city of Melrose payable in not exceeding one year from the date thereof at a rate of interest not exceeding four per cent .; and that all moneys received from the sale of said work, after the payment to the city of whatever sum of money may be expended in the publi- cation of this work, and the payment of a reasonable selling commis- sion, shall be used by said Trustees for the purchase of books for the Public Library.
In accordance with this vote the Trustees of the Public Library made a contract with the house of A. W. Dunton & Co. for the printing and publication of the work, which was dated June 30, 1902; to which date this History, as regards our local institutions has been completed.
Melrose is the youngest city in the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts. From a small, sparsely settled town, it has grown, during its little more than a half century, to be an influential city of more than thirteen thousand inhabitants. Its history as a municipality has been eminently patriotic, noble and prosperous. Honesty and integrity have characterized its citizens. Its religious and educational interests are well established and liberally sustained. May the coming years be, by God's good guidance, equally blessed with peace, happiness and prosperity.
ELBRIDGE H. Goss.
MELROSE, June 30, 1902.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
EARLY EXPLORATION.
PAGE
Captain John Smith's voyage of 1614 - His description of New England - Visits of other navigators - The Northmen - Myles Standish - New England grants- Inland exploration - Our territory visited - The Spragues - Description by Gov. Win- throp, Rev. Francis Higginson, Thomas Morton, and others - Home of Nanepashemit and other Indians . I
CHAPTER II.
TERRITORY.
Charlestown subdivided - Territory deeded by Squaw Sachem and Webcowet - Mystic Side incorporated as Malden - The Commons divided -Greenwood set off to Reading, the High- lands to Stoneham - Melrose incorporated - Its territory - Summits - Cascades - Ponds - Villages - Railroads - Our names - Deprivations of early settlers
IO
CHAPTER III.
ROADS, STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.
First road, Winnesemett to Reading - Petition of Thomas Lynde for change of location- Tufts 1795 map - Roads laid out - Streets - Sidewalks - Picture of in former days . 41
CHAPTER IV.
OLD FAMILIES AND HOMESTEADS.
The Lyndes - Spragues - Greens - Barretts - Uphams - How- ards - Vintons- Emersons - Boardmans - Hemenway . 58
x
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
PAGE
The First Methodist Episcopal Church-Orthodox Congrega- tional Church - Highlands Congregational Church - First Baptist Church -Fells Baptist Church - Highlands Baptist Church - First Free Baptist Church - First Universalist Church -Trinity Episcopal Church - Unitarian Congregational Soci- ety-Liberal Christian Union Church-Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church - Old-time Church Going . 136
CHAPTER VI.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
Early Malden Schoolmasters - First School - Nathaniel Jenkins, Jr. - First Schoolhouse - Robert Gerry -Old High School - Franklin - Whittier -Converse - Ripley - Lincoln - Wash- ington - New High School - Dedication - Maker Tablet - School Committees .
. 185
CHAPTER VII.
MILITARY HISTORY.
Wars - French and Indian - King Philip's - King William's - Drafting - The Revolution - Malden's patriotic Resolutions and Instructions - The Lexington Alarm - Rolls of Minute- Men Companies - Service of North Malden men - The Civil War, The Great Rebellion of 1861-5-Town Action - First enlistments- Rallying Committee - Recruiting Committees - Drafts- War subscriptions- Number of men furnished - Surplus - Relief of soldiers and their families - Various con- tributions - Roll of soldiers and sailors - Minute-men medals - Battery C. - Spanish-American War - Army enlistments -- Navy enlistments- Army Christian Commission - Y. M. C. A. Army Christian Commission 206
CHAPTER VIII.
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.
U. S. Grant Post 4, G. A. R. - Letter of U. S. Grant - Memorial services - Veteran bounty bill - Woman's Relief Corps No. 16 - William Francis Barry Camp No. 79, Sons of Veterans - Ladies' Aid Society, No. 23 - Soldiers' memorials - Soldiers' monument
. 254
CONTENTS. xi
CHAPTER IX.
FIRST AND LAST TOWN MEETING.
PAGE
First meeting May 6, 1850-Town officers - Salaries -Town meetings - Last meeting Nov. 9, 1899 - Final action . . 264
CHAPTER X.
CITY OF MELROSE.
Action contemplating change from town to city - Legislative action - Charter granted - First election - Officers elected - Second and third elections - Officers elected - License Question 268
CHAPTER XI.
TOWN AND CITY OFFICERS.
Provisions of city charter - Town moderators - Gould testimo- nials - List of selectmen - Town and city clerks- Treasurers- Collectors - Auditors -Town and City counsel- Sinking fund commissioners - Registrars of voters - Members of Congress - Senators - Representatives - Other officers . . 277
CHAPTER XII.
SPOT POND WATER WORKS.
Spot Pond Water Company franchise-Commissioners - Contract for works- List of water bonds- Sinking fund - Franchise damages - High service system - Metropolitan water system - Town action - Settlement correspondence . . 290
CHAPTER XIII.
SEWERAGE.
Metropolitan sewerage system act - Town action - Sewer coll- missioners - Sewer bonds - Table of sewers built - Cost ap- portionment - Cost of sewer system - Miles constructed Sinking fund - Annual payments 301
xii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIV.
DRAINAGE AND HEALTH.
PAGE
The Dyer dam trouble - Town action - Legislative action, 1869 - County commissioners' hearings - No damages awarded - Spot and Ell pond brooks widened and deepened - Further town action - Correspondence - Legislative action invoked - Surface drainage system instituted - Board of Health estab- lished - Members- Good health of Melrose · 397
CHAPTER XV.
PARKS AND BOULEVARDS.
Home Association lands- The Melrose Common - Park com- missioners elected - Barry Park - Sewall Woods Park - Ell Pond Park - New boulevard proposed - Park properties- Middlesex Fells . 318
CHAPTER XVI.
CEMETERIES.
The Village Burial Ground - Wyoming Cemetery - Pratt Farm - Cemetery trust funds - Jewish Cemetery · 328
CHAPTER XVII.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
The first association - Present one organized - Y. M. C. A. Building - Woman's Auxiliary - Fairs . · 336
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE MELROSE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.
Organization and Officers- Fairs - Hospital Sundays - Hospi- tal Guild - Hospital Home - Nurses' Home . 341
CHAPTER XIX.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
When and how founded - Franklin Fraternity Gift - Trustees - Donations - Bequests - The Carnegie Gift - Site chosen for new library . .
. 336
CONTENTS. xiii
CHAPTER XX.
LITERARY AND MUSICAL ASSOCIATIONS.
PAGE
The Franklin Fraternity - Shakespeare Club - Woman's Club- Highlands Woman's Club- Education Society - Roundabout Club - Unity Club - Centennial Club - Avon Club - Melrose Lyceum - Amphion Club - Choral societies - Bands-Orches- tras - Geraldine Farrar - Walter Emerson 355
CHAPTER XXI.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Adams - Austin - Babson - Burnham - Dorchester - Drake - Eddy - Gooch - Heywood - Kidder -Leighton - Livermore - Lockwood - Nash - Noyes - Peck - Pool - Roberts - Sewall- Torrey - Wright - Gould - Melrose Bibliography . 367
CHAPTER XXII.
NEWSPAPERS.
The Melrose Advertiser - Melrose Journal - Melrose Reporter - Free Press - Enterprise . 383
CHAPTER XXIII.
FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
The Old Endeavor Engine- The Grundy Hose Co. - N. D. Blake Hose Co. - Gamewell alarm system - Central Fire Station - Steam fire engine - Hose companies - Police officers - Police association · 388.
CHAPTER XXIV.
CITY HALL, CLOCKS AND SEALS.
Cost of hall- Dedication - Flagg Staff - First, second and third town clocks - Water Bond seal - Town seals - City seal . 394
CHAPTER XXV.
VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS.
Melrose Savings Bank - Melrose National Bank - Melrose Co- operative Bank - Post Offices - Street railroads - Telegraph - Telephone - Street lights - Electric light plant - Pounds Field drivers - Fence viewers - Stone crushers- Drinking fountains . 402
xiv
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXVI.
CHARITABLE AND IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS.
PAGE
Melrose Charitable Association - Board of Associated Charities - Melrose Improvement Society - Highlands Improvement Association . · 4II
CHAPTER XXVII.
ANNIVERSARIES.
The 50th Anniversary - 100th Anniversary - Malden's 250th An- niversary - Old Home week- Dedication soldiers' monument . 415
CHAPTER XXVIII. TEMPERANCE MATTERS.
Early action - Siloam Temple of Honor -Siloam Social Temple - Woman's Christian Temperance Union - St. Mary's Catho- lic Total Abstinence Society - Early votes of Malden . 425
CHAPTER XXIX.
SOCIETIES - ASSOCIATIONS - CLUBS.
Freemasons - Odd Fellows- Daughters of Rebekah - Athletic Club - Melrose Club - Highland Club - The Stone Fort- Bellevue Golf Club- Daughters of the American Revolution - Daughters of the Revolution - Sons and Daughters of Maine -Amateur Gardeners' Society- Boys' Brigade - Fraternal and benevolent societies 431
CHAPTER XXX.
POLITICAL.
Australian ballot - Precincts and wards- Parties- Union League - Municipal League - Public Franchise League . 446
CHAPTER XXXI.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Widening of Main Street - List of signers - Eleanor Brown Toothaker Fund - Memorial services - The Stars and Stripes -Curfew bell-" 49ers "- Slavery - Revolutionery incidents - The Malden Beacon - Action concerning tea - Recruiting committee - Old customs - Addenda 450
APPENDIX.
A. ACTOF INCORPORATION · 477
B. REPORT OF ADJUSTMENT COMMITTEE 478
C. ACT TO ANNEX PART OF STONEHAM TO MELROSE . 482
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR, with autograph signature, Frontispiece.
PAGE THE CASCADE. From plate in Metropolitan Park Commission- ers' Report of 1903, by permission, facing
26 SPOT POND BROOK CASCADE. From photograph by Archie B. McIlwraith 27 THE GOULD HOMESTEAD, at Spot Pond. From sketch by Miss Hannah Lynde
34
SPOT POND-1876. From photograph by E. C. Swain, facing . SPOT POND-1902. From Metropolitan Commissioners' Report, PLAN OF MALDEN, by Peter Tufts, Jr., 1795, reduced. By per- mission of Deloraine P. Corey . 50
34 35
ENSIGN THOMAS LYNDE HOMESTEAD - 1670. From pho- tograph by Dr. John Dike
61
BOSTON RUBBER SHOE COMPANY'S WORKS. From plate kindly furnished by the Company
67
VIEWS IN PINE BANKS PARK. From plate of the New England Magazine .
68 OLD CORN, OR SAMP MILL. From photograph by Archie B. McIlwraith
69
WARREN LYNDE HOMESTEAD. From photograph by Henry Lynde
72
JOSEPH LYNDE HOMESTEAD. From photograph by Walter C. Stevens
73
JOHN LYNDE HOMESTEAD. From photograph by Robert J. Chute
74 OLD JOHN GREEN HOMESTEAD. From daguerreotype, kind- ness Dexter Pratt
92
PLATTERS AND WINE GLASSES. From photograph by Rev. Edwin C. Bolles, D. D. .
93
PARLOR AND CORNER BUFFET. From photograph by Archie B. McIlwraith, 97
OLD AMOS UPHAM HOUSE. From photograph by Dr. John Dike III INTERIOR OF AMOS UPHAM HOUSE. From photograph by Mrs. Addie K. Robinson, 113
xvi
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
JESSE UPHAM HOUSE. From photograph by Dr. John Dike . II5 DOLLY UPHAM HOUSE. From photograph by William R. Lavender . OLD HOWARD HOUSE. From photograph by Robert J. Chute 119
I18 PRATT FARM HOMESTEAD. From photograph by kindness of Sidney H. Buttrick I2I RICHARDSON HOUSE AND TOWER. From photograph by Walter L. Wedger . . I25
VIEW CORNER FRANKLIN AND GREENWOOD STREETS. From photograph by Walter L. Wedger I26 EZRA VINTON HOMESTEAD. From photograph, kindness of Miss Sarah A. Chever . I27
INTERIOR OF EZRA VINTON HOUSE. From photograph by
Mrs. Addie K. Robinson I28
THE CLEFT BOULDER.
Ilwraith From photograph by Archie B. Mc-
129
EZRA WAITE HOUSE. From plate, kindness of Frank A.
Wood ward
I32
THE EMERSON TAVERN. From drawing in possession of
Charles P. Lynde.
133
ABIJAH BOARDMAN HOUSE. From plate, kindness of Frank A. Woodward .
135 METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND PARSONAGE. From plate, kindness of the M. E. Church . 140 ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. Froni oil paint- ing by T. C. Bartholomew 146 ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. From photograph by A. Shepherdson I49 BIRTHPLACE OF CHURCH. From plate, kindness of Highlands Congregational Church . 156 graph by A. Shepherdson 159
HIGHLANDS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. From photo- FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. From photograph by William L. Kirmes . 162 MELROSE HIGLANDS BAPTIST CHURCH. From photograph by A. Shepherdson 165
MELROSE HIGHLANDS FIRST FREE BAPTIST CHURCH. From photograph by A. Shepherdson . 167
FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. From plate, kindness of Charles H. Adams . I70
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH. From photograph by William R. Lavender 174 THE MELROSE ABBEY STONE. From photograph by Archie B. McIlwraith .
176
xvii
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
UNITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. From plate, kind- ness of the Church
179 ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. From photograph by A. 182
Shepherdson .
THE JENKINS DESK. From photograph by Archie B. McIlwraith 189
THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE - on 1653 road . 190 THE OLD HIGH SCHOOLHOUSE. From photograph by Walter C. Stevens 192
FRANKLIN SCHOOLHOUSE. From plate by kindness of the School · 195
WASHINGTON SCHOOLHOUSE. From photograph by A. Shepherdson . 196 LINCOLN SCHOOLHOUSE. From plate, kindness Charles H. Adams · 197
HIGH SCHOOLHOUSE. From photograph by A. Shepherdson 199 MEDAL OF THE MINUTEMEN OF 1861. From photographi by Archie B. McIlwraith . 2.45 REAR ADMIRAL N. MAYO DYER. From plate, kindness of Charles H. Adams . 249
DYER SWORD AND SCABBARD. From photograph by Mrs. Addie K. Robinson 250
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC BADGE. From plate, kindness of U. S. Grant Post 4 257
THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT. From photographi by Archie B. McIlwraith 263 THE LAST BOARD OF SELECTMEN. From plate, kindness of Charles II. Adams 266
THE CHARTER PEN. From photograph by A. Shepherdson 270 HON. LEVI S. GOULD. From photograph by Elmer Chickering, 272 HON. JOHN LARBABEE. From photograph by A. Shepherdson, 274 TOWN TESTIMONIALS TO HON. LEVI S. GOULD From photographs, kindness of Mr. Gould · 279
THE RAVINE ROAD. From photograph by Archie B. McIlwraith 324
THE Y. M. C. A. BUILDING. From photograph by William L. Kershaw . 337
MELROSE HOSPITAL. From plate, kindness of Charles H.
Adanis 343
THE AMPHION CLUB. From photograph by Eliner Chickering, 364
HON. DANIEL W. GOOCH 370
MRS. MARY A. LIVERMORE . 373
HON. SAMUEL, E. SEWALL. From plates, kindness of Charles H. Adams 379
xviii
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
OLD ENDEAVOR ENGINE. From a dagnerreotype in possession of Fire Department 389.
THE CENTRAL FIRE STATION. From photograph by A.
Shepherdson 391
CITY HALL. From photograph by Archie B. McIwraith 395
FIRST TOWN SEAL . 399
SECOND TOWN SEAL 400
WATER BOND SEAL 40I
CITY SEAL .
40I
THE SOUVENIR PLATE. From plate, kindness of Deloraine P. Corey 421
MASONIC TEMPLE
433
HOME OF THE MELROSE CLUB . 436.
HIGHLAND CLUB HOUSE. From plates, kindness of Charles H. Adams .
437
THE STONE FORT. From photograph, kindness of Charles E. French 438
THE FIRST MALDEN PIANO 475
4
FACSIMILES.
Original report of running Stoneham and Malden bounds 16.
Vote concerning Division of the Commons. 18
Assessors' Report for Melrose in 1849, reduced 21
Petition of Ensign Thomas Lynde 46
Receipt of Ensign Thomas Lynde's heirs
63
Page from Rev. Joseph Emerson's Sermon 64
Page of Melrose Advertiser, reduced
384
AUTOGRAPHS.
PAGE
PAGE
William Bogle .
36 Richard Sprague 80
Gov. John Winthrop
.
43 John Sprague 88
Ensign Thomas Lynde
61 Jolın Upham
108
Joseph Lynde
66 Lieut. Phineas Uphai . 109
Joseph Lynde, son
66 Phineas Upham, son . IIO
Col. Joseph Lynde
71 Thomas Vinton . . 122
Benjamin Lynde
·
72 Nathaniel Jenkins, Jr. 189
John Lynde
·
73 Robert Gerry . 19I
William Sprague
· 79
Ulysses S. Grant · 255
William Mckinley 363 Last Board of Selectmen . . 267
ESCUTCHEONS.
Melrose Club . . 435 Knights of Columbus · · 444
Sons and Daughters of Maine . 442
Knights of Pythias . · 445
CHAPTER I.
EARLY EXPLORATION.
0 NE of the many voyages of the intrepid and heroic navigator, Captain John Smith, was made in 1614, when he first visited the New England coast. He sailed from London, in the month of April, with two ships and forty-five men. The object of the voyage was, "to take Whales, for which we had one Samuel Cramton, and diuers others expert in that faculty, and also to make tryalls of a Myne of Gold and Copper; if those failed, Fish and Furs were then our refuge to make our selues sauers howsoeuer."1
Not meeting with much success, and finding "this Whale- fishing a costly conclusion," and filled with his usual spirit of exploration, he says: "Whilst the Sailors fished, myself with eight others of them that might best bee spared," ranged up and down the coasts of Maine and Massachusetts, "in a small boat," visiting the various harbors and rivers. During this time, he continues: "I was up one riuer fortie miles, crossed the mouths of many, whose heads are reported to be great Lakes." When he entered Boston Harbor, he says: "I tooke the fairest reach in this Bay for a river, whereupon I called it Charles River, the name of our Royall King Charles."2
How far inland, around the Charles, Mystic and Malden Rivers, Captain Smith penetrated is not known. He may have visited our pleasant valley and its surrounding hills, but he has made no record of such an event. Without doubt he traversed a goodly portion of the territory of Charlestown and Malden, as three months were occupied in these travels and explora- tions. This is abundantly evidenced by the enthusiastic ac- count of what he had discovered, and the minute description of the country and its productions, which he had seen, and
1 Smith, The General Historie
of New England, 1606-1624, Arber Edition, 697.
2 Smith, The True Travels, Ad- ventures, and Observations of Cap- lain John Smith, Arber Edition, 949.
HISTORY OF MELROSE
which he wrote in 1616, after his return to London; and also by the fact that he constructed a map of the region he then visited, which he presented to Charles I. In this Description of New England, he says:
And then the Countrie of Massachusetts, which is the Paradise of all those parts. For heere are many Iles all planted with corne, groues, mulberries. saluage gardens, and good harbours. . .. And of all the foure parts of the world that I have yet seene not inhabited. could I haue but means to transport a Colonie, I would rather liue here than anywhere : and if it did not maintaine it selfe, were wee but once indif- ferently well fitted. let vs starue. . . . there is victuall to feede vs, wood of all sorts to build Boats, Ships. or Barks: the fish at our doores; pitch, tarre, masts, yards, and most other necessaries onely for making ? And here are no hard Landlords to racke vs with high rents, or extorted fines to consume us ; no tedious pleas in law to consume vs with their many years disputations for Justice : no multitudes to occa- sion such impediments to good orders, as in popular States. So freely hath God and his Maiesty bestowed those blessings on them that will attempt to obtaine them, as here euery man may be master and owner of his owne labour and land: or the greatest part in a small time. If hee haue nothing but his hands, he may set vp his trade: and by in- ' dustrie quickly grow rich : spending but halfe that time wel, which in England we abuse in idlenes, worse or as ill.
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