USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Boxborough > Boxborough: a New England town and its people > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
The present membership is fifty-four. The organization holds its meetings at the town hall the second and fourth Friday of each month from October to March inclusive, the remainder of the year, one meeting upon the second Friday of each month.
The objects of the Grange are to educate and elevate all those who become members of it. The order of exercises at the meetings consists of readings, recitations, essays, music, or discussions upon the various agricultural subjects.
FARMER'S CLUB.
Boxborough Farmer's Club was organized Mar. 2, 1874, at the house of Mr. E. B. Cobleigh, by the following choice of officers : president, E. B. Cobleigh ; vice-president, D. W. Cob-
73
Farmer's Club.
leigh : secretary, A. W. Wetherbee : treasurer, N. E. Whitcomb. These officers must have been faithful to their duties, for they were repeatedly chosen and served continuously until 1881, when a new board was elected. At first, they held their meetings once a week, through the winter season, at the housese of the members - later, once in two weeks, a part of the time at the Town Hall, and agricultural questions of interest and importance were freely and helpfully discussed. Quite a number of open meetings have been held for which pleasant and profitable entertainments have been prepared. It is cus- tomary for the Club to have a biennial fair and dinner, at the Town Hall, a custom originating in 1874, the same year the organization began its existence, and which (the first fair having been pronounced a " decided success ") has been kept alive ever since.
The Club has also been accustomed to give an annual oyster supper and entertainment. The first one was given in 1876, the second year of its organization.
We give a list of officers during the seventeen years of the Club's existence.
PRESIDENTS.
E. B. Cobleigh,
10 years. A. Littlefield, 1 year.
George F. Conant,
1 year. C. T. Wetherbee, 3 years.
J. H. Orendorff,
I year. C. H. Burroughs, I year.
J. F. Hayward,
I year.
VICE-PRESIDENTS.
D. W. Cobleigh,
9 years. N. E. Whitcomb, 6 years.
S. H. Hoar,
I year. G. Veasie, 2 years.
SECRETARIES.
A. W. Wetherbee,
17 years. R. T. Cobleigh, I year.
TREASURERS.
N. E. Whitcomb, 8 years. E. B. Cobleigh,
2 years.
D. W. Cobleigh,
5 years. J. H. Orendorff, 2 years.
Wm. Moore, I year.
There are sixty-five names on the membership list at the present time.
74
Borborough : a New England Town and its People.
LADIES' CIRCLE.
The Ladies' Social Circle, an important accessory in the work of the Congregational Church, was organized April 23, 1842, and is now, therefore, nearing the farther shore of half a century of benevolent work. The first meeting - at which a constitution was adopted - was held at the house of Rev. J. D. Farnsworth. The following articles of this code of laws may be of interest :
Article 1. This Society shall be called the Boxborough Female Sewing Circle.
Article 2. The object of this Society shall be to do good by raising and appropriating funds for benevolent purposes, by the avails of our labors and industry, and by the contribution of money.
Article 3. Any female may become a member of this Soci- ety by paying annually the sum of twenty-five cents. and regu- larly attending the meetings. Children under sixteen years of age may become members by paying annually twelve and one- half cents.
The society organized with thirteen members, whose names are hereby given : Rebecca M. T. Farnsworth, Dolly H. Wright, Hannah W. Cobleigh, Maria Stevens, Mary Ann Hayward, Susan Hayward, Harriet A. Hayward, Anna Hayward, Sophia L. Hayward, Eliza Ann Hayward. Sophia Stevens, Louisa S. B. Wetherbee, and Lucinda Wetherbee.
May 10, 1842, the Society met at Mr. Farnsworth's and elected its first officers ; viz., Mrs. R. M. T. Farnsworth, presi- dent ; Mrs. H. A. Hayward, vice-president : Mrs. H. A. Hay- ward, secretary ; and Miss Mary A. Hayward, treasurer.
June 13, 1855, the name of the organization was changed to Boxborough Social Circle, and the Society reorganized with thirty-nine members, the names of eleven gentlemen appearing on the list at this time. At this meeting, beside other changes. Article 2d of the Constitution was revised so as to read : " The object of this Society shall be to raise funds to repair our church."
The treasurer's books show that several hundred dollars were contributed toward the recent repairs upon the church, that the
75
Ladies' Circle.
young people -- banded into a society among themselves - gave the pulpit furniture, and items of substantial pecuniary aid mark the records all along the way, especially during the later years. In earlier times work for the needy ones more particu- larly filled up the hours of the Circle afternoon, and during the late war, much was done to assist the soldiers by the ladies of this society, but now that work on this line is less called for, their energies have been expended in raising money for church expenses and church work. We quote the following from the treasurer's book : " April, 1884, Paid toward minister's salary, $35.93; 1885, 3 dozen chairs, $18.00 ; tin roofing, $16.50 ; fuel for church, $12.84; 1886, toward note, $75.00; 1887, plating knives and forks, $14.40 ; coal, $14.27; 1888, painting parson- age, $50.00 ; coal, $14.07; 1889, painting church, labor, paint, brushes, etc, $48.60 ; 1890, lumber, nails, work, etc., for three sheds, $84.86." These items are interspersed amid numerous smaller items, showing that the financial assistance rendered the church in this way has been considerable. The credit side of the account shows that funds for these purposes were raised from suppers. festivals, entertainments, membership fees, work, etc.
" In Memoriam," by Mrs. C. A. Nelson, under date of 1881 of the secretary's books, will show something of the character of these devoted workers. She writes : "Since our last record was made, one of our members has passed from earth to heaven. We all know of the weary days and nights of suffering which for many long weeks has been the lot of our sister. Mrs. Cath- arine W. Hayward. Some of us know something of her quiet resignation and patient waiting for the coming of her Lord.
" Her name appears upon almost the first page of this book, and occurs with much frequency all through its record of forty years, many times as one of its chief directors. Always a ready cheerful worker, delighting in any service for God and His church, we turned often and instinctively to her to lead the way in all good and wise enterprises which our Circle wished to undertake for the church or the poor and needy.
76
Boxborough : a New England Town and its People.
" During the months that we were working to accomplish all we might in the way of raising funds for the furnishing of our repaired church. or making ready the carpet purchased for it, Mrs. Hayward was full of zeal and good works, and their per- fume seems not yet to have departed from the Sanctuary which she loved and labored for.
" In September, Mrs. Joseph K. Blanchard, for nearly forty years a member of this Circle, and for a longer time of the church, passed to her rest after very brief sickness, a true · Mother in Israel,' a woman of faith and prayer, and beloved of her God. 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." We trust, though at times we hardly see it, that it is expedient for us that they are gone away, if only we will not hinder the Lord from sanctifying our loss to all our souls; for hearts that are never bruised and sorrowful feel no need of the Comforter. 'Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth.'"
Again, in 1888, another token of remembrance is recorded : "Since our last meeting one of our band, Mrs. Stevens Hay- ward, has left us and gone to her reward. She had been among us over forty-five years, and usually a member of this society. We shall miss seeing her face at these gatherings. She was one who enjoyed such occasions, although her health was such that much of the past year she was unable to be present with us."
The records all the way along speak to us of earnest endeavor and faithful service rendered to the Master.
The following names are recorded as officers of this Society.
PRESIDENTS.
Mrs. R. M. T. Farnsworth, 6 yrs.
Mrs. D. Mc Clenning, I year.
Mrs. R. E. G. Luce, 3 years.
Mrs. John Wetherbee, I year.
Mrs. C. W. Hayward,
5 years.
Mrs. N. Thompson, 2 years.
Mrs. A. Jackson, I year. Mrs. M. E. Wood, 4 years.
Mrs. J. K. Blanchard, I year. Mrs. George Dustan, 3 years.
Mrs. S. J. Holbrook, I year. Mrs. George A. Perkins, 4 years.
VICE-PRESIDENTS.
Mrs. H. A. Hayward, 2 years.
Mrs. B. S. Mead,
2 years.
Mrs. C. W. Hayward, 6 years. Mrs. E. W. Hayward, I year.
Mrs. S. A. Whitcomb, 3 years.
Mrs. M. E. Wood, 8 years.
77
Missionary Society and Y. P. S. C. E.
Mrs. M. C. Davis, 3 years. Mrs. N. F. Whitcomb, 6 years.
Mrs. M. Stevens,
I year. Mrs. C. A. Nelson, I year.
Mrs. J. Whitcomb,
I year.
TREASURERS.
Miss Mary A. Hayward, 2 years.
Miss Lucinda Wetherbee, 3 yrs. Miss Susan T. Farnsworth, 1 yr. Miss Anna Hayward, 5 years.
Miss M. M. Wetherbee, 1 year.
Miss Maria Whitcomb, 1 year.
Miss Lucy A. Blanchard, 3 years.
Mrs. A. W. Wetherbee, . I year. Mrs. Minnie L. Kingsbury, 7 yrs.
Miss Mary E. Hager, 7 years. Mrs. Chas. L. Woodward, 1 yr.
SECRETARIES.
Mrs. H. A. Hayward, I year. Mrs. Alice. Hayward, I year.
Mrs. L. S. B. Wetherbee, I year.
Miss C. A. Blanchard, 4 years.
Miss Mary A. Hayward, 8 years. Mrs. Chas. L. Woodward, 4 yrs.
Mrs. Mary H. Stevens, 1 year.
Miss Mary E. Hager, 4 years.
Miss M. M. Wetherbee, 1 year.
Mrs. E. C. Mead, 7 years.
The Society holds its meetings the first Thursday of each month.
MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
A missionary society of fifteen members was formed Dec. 1, 1887, which holds its meetings once a quarter in connection with the Circle. Mrs. G. A. Perkins, president, and Mrs. S. B. Hager, secretary and treasurer, have continued in these positions ever since the organization of the society. Though the number of members is small a goodly sum of money is appropriated toward the cause of missions each year.
Y. P. S. C. E.
A Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was also organized three or four years ago among the young people of the church, which holds its meetings Sunday evenings in the vestry, before the regular prayer meeting.
TAX PAYERS.
The following is a copy of a list of the tax payers of Box- borough in 1789 :-
Names.
Polls. Real.
Personal.
Dea. Oliver Mead,
I 297
28
Ins. Samuel Wetherbee,
.
I 300 22
78
Boxborough : a New England Town and its People.
Polls.
Real. Personal.
Names
I
14
Simeon Wetherbee,
I 230
25
Silas Wetherbee,
1
135
14
Isaac Batchelor,
1
I35
I7
Levi Wetherbee,
I
195
21
John Burges,
I
I35
22
Henry Coolledg,
I
James D. Coolledg,
I
480
40
Silas Stone,
2
375
57
Benjamin Stevens,
I
1 12
22
Capt. Oliver Taylor,
1 190
22
Lt. Solomon Taylor,
190
22
John Taylor,
1
8
3
Abel Whitcomb,
2
300
33
Lt. James Whitcomb,
1 I
180
24
Eleazer Stearns,
O
60
David Stearns,
I 60
6
Jonathan Stearns,
2
60
12
Joseph Meed,
O
Jonathan Croutch,
I
Leonard Whitcomb,
1
75
2
Jonathan Croutch, Jr.,
I
90
15
Ens. Timothy Croutch,
I
384
2 T
Lemuel Sawyer,
2
156
I I
Oliver Sawyer,
I
Joseph Sawyer,
2
90
6
James Robins,
I
25
5
Jotham Whitcomb,
I
20
2
Ens. Benjamin Robins,
16
Jacob Robins,
David Croutch,
6
Dea. Phinehas Farbank,
5
Capt. Joseph Farbank,
8
Silas Rand,
18
Dea. Amos Farbank,
8
John Sawyer,
Eliphelit Wood,
4
I
Oliver Sawyer, Jr.,
26
Samuel Meed,
56
Sam'l Wetherbee, Jr.,
I
79
Tax Payers.
Names.
Polls. Real. Personal.
Isaiah Whitney,
19
John Codman, Esq ..
60
Lt. Nathaniel Longley,
6
Jeremiah Priest,
I
Wid. Mary Priest,
25
2
Joseph Houghton,
40
5
Joseph Willard, guardian,
3
Oliver Houghton,
1
40
6
Samuel Worster,
I
36
Prince Chester,
20
1
Aaron Whitney,
9
John Croutch,
2
60
5
John Croutch, Jr.,
1
3
Allin McLain,
O
10
John Lomas,
IO
Timothy Shattuck,
I 12
2
Wid. Anna Houghton,
12
1 1
Wid. Anna Robins,
5
Jacob Warren, Heirs,
8
Thomas Gates,
1 2
Doct. Daniel Robins,
I
74
8
John Robins,
4
Jeremiah Priest,
I
Richard Goldsmith,
9
Daniel Robins,
I
David Dickerson,
I
Sampson Worster,
O
Elias Warner,
O
Elijah Priest,
I
For 1844, - fifty-five years later, -the Resident list is as follows :-
Total Tax.
Total Tax.
Simon Blanchard, $16.50
Garret J. Bradt, $7.44
Joseph K. Blanchard, 3.77
Wm. P. Brigham, 3.05
John Blanchard, 4.64
Barnard Battles, 3.27
Luther Blanchard, .48
Lyman Bigelow's Heirs, 13.22
Joseph Blanchard, .50
John S. Brooks, .50
Joseph Blanchard's Heirs, 4.60
Lucy Chester, 1.17
Marshall Blanchard. 1.71
Prince J. Chester, 1.34
80
Boxborough : a New England Town and its People.
Total Tax.
Total Tax.
Jas. S. Chester,
$1.35
Benj. W. Priest,
$2.88
George T. Chester,
.07
Jerome Priest,
3.18
Daniel Cobleigh,
4.53
Dio (). Page,
2.25
John Cobleigh,
.50
Nathan Patch,
2.67
Jonathan Crouch,
.58
Benj. H. Patch,
.50
Daniel McCarthy,
2.06
Jona W. Patch,
1.11
W'm. Davis,
2.03
Isaac Patch,
6.59
Benjamin Draper,
5.20
Liberty C. Raymond,
.64
Leander G. Dustan,
.60
Samuel Sargent,
2.78
Wm. H. Emmons,
2.90
Samuel Sargent, Jr.,
1.64
John Fletcher,
5.30
William Stevens,
3.01
James D. Farnsworth,
.64
Oliver W. Stevens,
3.21
Lewis H. Graham,
6.23
Levi W. Stevens,
5.23
James C. Graham,
2.84
James Stevens,
.54
James Hayward,
10.49
George A. Stevens,
1.87
Stevens Hayward,
5.13
Jasper Stone,
9.13
Stevens Hayward, 2d,
1.67
Henry Smith,
.50
Ebeneazer Hayward,
9.89
Varnum Taylor,
3.17
Albert Hayward,
1.48
Samuel Hill Taylor,
.50
Samuel Hayward,
9.35
Geo. B. Talbot,
2.2I
Joseph Hayward,
1.64
John Wetherbee,
1.97
Martin Hayward,
.56
John Wetherbee, Jr.,
3.45
Arnold Hayward,
.50
John Wetherbee, 2d,
7.10
Paul Hayward's Heirs,
3.90
John R. Wetherbee,
.50
Solomon Hager,
.50
Oliver Wetherbee,
3.45
George Hager,
2.32
Simeon Wetherbee,
5.32
John Hoar,
3.53
Emory Wetherbee,
.56
Cephas Hartwell,
1.04
Samuel Wetherbee,
8.70
Phinehas W. Houghton,
3.10
Silas Wetherbee's Heirs,
7.71
Tower Hazard,
1.60
Moses Whitcomb,
6.72
Stillman Jewett,
.70
Moses Whitcomb, Jr.,
4.13
Edmund Lawrence,
3.56
Daniel Whitcomb,
.93
Lankford Lawrence,
.60
Ephraim Whitcomb,
8.66
Henry G. Lewis,
.76
Ephraim Whitcomb, Jr.,
.50
James Mace,
8.18
Joel Whitcomb,
.50
Oliver Mead,
10.89
Joab Whitcomb,
.50
Samuel Mead,
4.06
Peter Whitcomb,
6.98
Nathaniel Mead,
3.27
Peter Whitcomb, Jr.,
3.28
Sampson Moore,
1.OI
Granville Whitcomb,
.96
Benjamin Priest,
2.86
Merrill Whitcomb,
.62
81
Tax Payers. 1889.
Wid. Sally Whitcomb, $1.18 Jacob Littlefield, $2.44
J. Lyman Whitcomb,
3.12
Oliver W. Whitcomb, .50
Peter Wheeler,
3.70 Hiram Davidson, .50
Joel Wright, 1.22
Wid. Lucy Hayward, 3.52
Joel E. Wright,
.50
William Withington, .90
Carshena Wood,
5.24. Abel Howe,
.50
John H. Wood,
.50
William Williston. 6.25
Joshua R. Russell, .50
For 1889, one hundred years later than the first record, we have the following names from the assessor's books :
E. B. Cobleigh.
Wm. Moore.
Wm. Withington. James S. Braman.
Jerome Priest.
S. N. Wetherbee.
Andrew Crouch.
Uria Stone.
Morris Griffin.
J. H. Whitcomb.
Ed. Griffin.
E. C. Mead.
John Griffin.
C. H. Blanchard.
N. E. Whitcomb.
J. B. Loscow.
Chas. Brown.
J. B. Perkins.
Oliver Mead.
Albert Perkins.
Emery Mead.
A. Littlefield.
Walter Mead.
George Blanchard. '
Oliver Stevens.
John Blanchard.
Philip Cunningham.
Simon Hartwell.
Newell Chester.
Jerome Whitney.
Mrs. Mary Willis.
Granville Whitcomb.
James S. Chester.
W. White.
Giles S. Chester.
Alvin Parker.
Simeon Wetherbee.
O. Ewings. J. S. Wright. W. H. Gooch.
Amasa A. Richardson.
Lewis W. Richardson.
Ephraim Cobleigh.
J. W. Hayward. Dea. M. E. Wood.
Nelson Cobleigh. A. W. Campbell.
Mrs. E. A. Hayward. M. Coffey.
Geo. F. Keyes.
Chas. H. Veasie. Veasie Heirs.
John Coffey.
John McGrath.
D. W. Cobleigh.
Stevens Hayward.
R. Y. Nelson.
John Sherry.
82
Boxborough : a New England Town and its People.
C. H. Burroughs.
Mrs. D. W. Cobleigh.
J. R. Hayden.
J. A. Walker.
Peter Whitcomb.
J. F. Hayward.
George A. Perkins.
B. S. Mead.
Steele Brothers.
B. S. Hager.
Mrs. E. L. Battles.
W. A. Perkins.
John Bezanson.
James Profit.
George W. Burroughs.
George W. Stone.
W. H. Brown.
T. C. Steele
George W. Barnard.
John Tracy.
Mrs. Ann Cobleigh.
Daniel Whitcomb.
Harriet Cobleigh.
Betsey Whitcomb.
Thomas Connors.
Whitcomb and Hager.
Chas. Cameron.
Arthur H. Wetherbee.
James Croft.
Caroline B. Wetherbee.
Mrs. R. J. Ewings.
Betsey Walker.
Jerry Griffin.
Andrew M. Walker.
Mary Griffin.
E. W. Whitney.
Michael Griffin.
E. C. Society.
John Gooch.
Chas. Williston.
Charles H. Griffin.
D. W. Cobleigh, Veasie Prop'ty.
J. Q. Hayward.
Peter Whitcomb, Adm.
W. J. Hayden.
Burpee Steele.
Charles Myers.
Church Steele.
Arthur McGinis.
J. Littlefield Estate.
Alex. MacDonald.
E. L. Woodward.
Miss Sarah Hager.
S. B. Hager.
Mrs. E. B. Hager.
W. H. Furbush.
Edward Wetherbee.
S. P. Dodge.
C. T. Wetherbee.
R. T. Cobleigh.
Silas Hoar.
John R. Cobleigh.
J. H. Orendorff.
CENSUS.
From the State Census for 1885, we quote the following items :
Stanley A. Barton.
A. W. Wetherbee.
A. J. Chester.
Thomas Redwood.
George Brown.
Mrs. J. E. Shufelt.
83
Census.
Unmarried men from 19 to 80 years of age
24
Married men from 19 to 80 years of age 76
Boys 19 years of age or under 61
Men So years of age and above
2
Females unmarried, 19 to 80 years of age
22
Females married, 19 to 80 years of age
75
Girls 19 years of age or under
62
Women 80 years of age and above
3
Widowed
23
Total
348
Males
I73
Females
·
175
348
Number of Voters
97
Number of Families (average size 4.14)
84
Number of Dwelling-Houses
76
Farmers
69
Farm Laborers
38
House Wives
73
Paupers
I
PRODUCTIONS.
Butter (sale and use), 7,796 lbs. value $ 2,207.00
Milk, 249, 974 gals. value
28,624.00
Cream, 233 gals. value 188.00
Canned fruit (use) 4, 677 lbs. value 493.00
Eggs, 12,203 doz. value
2,950.00
Poultry dressed, 2,680 lbs. value
470.00
Firewood (sale and use) 563 1-2 cords, value
1,837.00
Lumber, 269 M ft. value
2,577.00
Indian Corn, 2,815 bu. value
1,725.00
Fruits, Berries, Nuts, total value .
6,468.00
Hay, Straw, and Fodder, total value
24,651.00
Beef, Pork and Veal, total value
3,919.00
Vegetables, total value
6,695.00
All other products
9,545.00
Total
$92,349.00
.
.
.
.
84
Boxborough : a New England Town and its People.
TEMPERANCE.
Boxborough is decidedly a temperance town, having voted " No License " ever since the Local Option Law has been in force.
TOWN FARM.
Sixty years ago or more, the town bought the small place where Mr. Edward Wetherbee now lives, for the use of its poor, Mr. Abel Davis and wife, an aged couple who were able to per- form the daily work of the farm and household, but were deficient in this world's goods. They remained here several years until the death of Mr. Davis, who accidentally fell from an apple-tree and was found with his neck broken. The town soon disposed of the farm, and since that time the indigent ones have been cared for in private families, wherever it could be done the most reasonably, the town paying the expense.
85
CHAPTER VIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
BIGELOW FAMILY - BLANCHARD FAMILY- JAMES S. BRAMAN - CHARLES H. BURROUGHS - CHESTER FAMILY.
IN this age, when not only the history of towns. but family history, is of such wide-spread and enduring interest, a short sketch of some of the older residents may not be out of place. We notice, in the early records of the town, the names of Cobleigh, Wetherbee, Taylor, Mead, Whitcomb, Hayward. Blanchard, Hager, Stevens, Chester, Wood, Patch and Hoar, whose desendants are still with us; while others, as Bigelow, Hazzard. Stone and Conant, although none of these now remain, are of equal interest.
THE BIGELOW FAMILY.
[From Genealogy of the Bigelow Family.]
Lyman Bigelow of Boxborough, Mass., son of Gershom and Mary (Howe) Bigelow, was born in Marlborough, April 25, 1795 ; married, April 15, 1819, Jane Brigham, daughter of Jedediah and Lydia (Boyd) Brigham, born in Marlborough, April 23, 1798.
They moved to Boxborough, where he engaged in the mer- cantile business and quickly became a leading citizen in town ; was selectman for many years, represented the town in the General Court and served in many other town offices: was postmaster for a long time, and died in Boxborough, March 13. 1842. His widow survived him over forty years, and died in Norwood, Mass., January 26, 1886.
86
Boxborough : a New England Town and its People.
Their children were : Jane E., born Feb. 5, 1820 ; died at Norwood, Mass., Feb. 13, 1888 ; married twice, first to James Brown, second to Hon. Jos. Day.
Mary Louise, born Dec. 15, 1821 ; died at Norwood, Mass., March 29, 1888 ; married Rev. Josiah W. Talbot.
Augusta B., born Sept. 10, 1823 ; died, Sept. 1, 1852; married George B. Talbot.
Caroline, born Oct. 29, 1825; died, Jan. 29, 1851 ; married Cephas Hoar.
Lyman Waldo, born March 7, 1828 ; died Dec. 6, 1886 ; married Catherine B. Howard.
Lindolf Willis, born August 16, 1836 ; died Sept. 7, 1856.
Lyman Waldo Bigelow obtained his education in the district schools of Boxborough and at the Lawrence Academy in Groton; at the completion of his studies he engaged in business in his native town. In the spring of 1853, he removed to So. Dedham (now Norwood) and engaged in the business of a general country store. By sound business principles and the most unswerving honesty and integrity he built up a large and prosperous business, which at the present time is carried on by his two oldest sons.
In 1872, when that part of Dedham was set off and incor- porated as the town of Norwood, he was chosen its first treasurer, which office he held up to the time of his death, Dec. 6, 1886. He was deeply interested in the welfare of the Universalist Church of which he was a member. The cause of temperance, as well as all other movements tending to improve and help society, found in him a staunch and willing supporter, both by his influence and means. He was thoroughly conscien- tious in all of his acts, which, together with his strict integrity and courteous manners, gained for him the highest respect from all elasses in the community where he so long resided.
THE BLANCHARD FAMILY.
Thomas Blanchard, and his son George, born 1616, came from near Andover, England, in the year 1639, on the ship " Jonathan," and settled in Charlestown, (now Malden) Mass.
L. WALDO BIGELOW.
SIMON BLANCHARD.
87
Blanchard Family.
Joseph, son of George Blanchard, born 1654, married Hannah Shepard. Joseph, son of Joseph and Hannah (Shepard) Blanchard, born May 7, 1686, married Elizabeth Whittemore and in 1717, or 1718, moved from Charlestown "through the Indian paths " to Littleton, - that part of Littleton which is now Boxborough, -and settled on the place now occupied by Albert Littlefield. They had two children, Jemima, born Dec. 21, 1721, and Simon, born Oct. 6, 1728. Jemima was un- married and died in 1790, aged sixty-nine years. Simon married Sarah , and they were the parents of four children, among whom were Calvin, born Feb. 27, 1754, and Luther, born June 4, 1756, the brothers whose names have become familiar to us through their participation in the fight at the old North Bridge, Concord, in 1775. Calvin married Abigail Reed of Westford. The foregoing information with regard to this branch of the early Blanchards was obtained from Mr. George D. Blanchard, of Malden, Mass., who has been engaged for several years in collecting genealogical records of the Blanchard family.
Calvin and Abigail (Reed) Blanchard were the parents of nine children, Abigail, Calvin, Luther, Simon, Jemima, who died in infancy, Joseph, Lucy, John and Susannah. Abigail married Reuben Hartwell, of Shirley; Calvin married (1) Hannah Hoar, (2) Nancy Warren, both of Littleton. Calvin and Hannah (Hoar) Blanchard had five children of whom two died in infancy. Jemima, their oldest child, married Mr. Parker, the father of James A. Parker of Littleton. Luther Blanchard (1782-1861) was unmarried and resided with his brother John at the old homestead until his death at the age of seventy-eight.
SIMON BLANCHARD.
Simon Blanchard, the third son of Calvin and Abigail (Reed) Blanchard, was born in Boxborough, Apr. 3, 1784. His father having been killed by a falling tree when Simon was only fifteen years of age, and the eldest son Calvin -as was the custom in those days in our own land, and as it is still
88
Boxborough : a New England Town and its People.
in Europe, - having taken possession of the ancestral home- stead and most of the property, Simon was thenceforth thrown upon his own resources. He first went to Littleton, where he learned the cooper's trade of Joseph Fletcher, grandfather of Mrs. Geo. W. Sanderson, who lived at that time on what is now the Tenney place at the centre. He remained there work- ing at his trade for seven years, until his marriage to Martha Shattuck (1788-1812) who was a descendant of Rev. Benj. Shattuck, the first minister of Littleton. They were married in the house now occupied by Mr. G. W. Sanderson, in the same room where a grandson, Arthur F. Blanchard, and Miss Charlotte T. Sanderson were united in marriage, Jan. 28, 1891. Returning to Boxborough, Mr. Blanchard settled upon the farm where his grandson, Herbert Blanchard, now lives. Here he continued to work at his trade while carrying on a small farm. Early going into hop-raising, a business then in its infancy but soon after extensively engaged in by many farmers and towns, he continued in the business until the total amount of his yearly productions in that line exceeded that of any hop-grower in New England. Every farmer in town cultivated them, and Boxborough was probably at that time the largest hop-growing town of its size in New England. In the meantime Mr. Blanchard had worked into dairying and fruit-raising to some extent, being prospered in whatever direction he lent his energies. He was a successful farmer, having by his industry and perseverance accumulated a property of some $70,000 at a time when a man would be as rich with $5,000 as he would today with $20,000. He added to his farm from time to time until it extended over four hun- dred acres and into Acton, perhaps the largest farm in the county. He erected the present buildings in 1833.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.