Brief history of the town of Maynard, Massachusetts, Part 4

Author: Gutteridge, William H
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Maynard, Pub. by the town
Number of Pages: 136


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Maynard > Brief history of the town of Maynard, Massachusetts > Part 4


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).


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Joel F. Parmenter, who took the Daniel Whit- ney farm after John Whitney, had several sons. Daniel and his son carry on a farm and general teaming business on Concord Street Richard, one of the overseers in the mill, purchased the Kent house on Summer Street, where he now lives; he has three daughters. Harry and Jonas reside in Worcester.


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Jonathan P. Bent owned one of the largest stock farms in this vicinity, coming to the east part of Stow from his native town of Sudbury in 1847, the year which saw the beginning of the Assabet Mills, and purchased the "John Conant" place at the head of Summer Street. This house was one of the oldest land marks of the town, having been built more than one hundred and fifty years and the two magnificent elms which shaded the buildings were said to be the largest and oldest of their kind in Eastern Massachu- setts. Mr. Bent was active in town affairs, being on the Board of Selectmen and holding other offices for more than twenty years. He was a member of the Committee who drew the lines for the new town and his farm marked one of the boundaries. He was one of Maynard's first selectmen and continued as such several years. He died in 1892 survived by five child- ren,-Mrs. Helen Curtis and Sara W. of this town; Mrs. Wm. Andrews of Lowell; John G. Bent, who died in Pasadena, Calif., n 1918; and James R. Bent, a prominent citizen, who died here May 1920. All the buildings of the homestead, together with the trees, were burned in December 1912. A local paper says of them "Older residents of the town remember that one of the finest bits of scenery in the old days was to


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JONATHAN P. BENT PLACE


stand on the hill and look down the valley in its excellent state of cultivation and which was only outrivalled by the spectacular finish of the prop- erty on Sunday evening." James left one son, Whitney and a daughter Pauline, wife of Carl Persons, son of Charles H. Persons, and who is a prominent physician in New Bedford.


Thomas H. Brooks, who lived on Summer Street, belonged to a family actively connected with our early history. A son Thomas went to Montevideo, where he married and engaged in business; another son, Luke S. carried on the home farm until his death, specializing in fruits,


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both here and in Florida, and is survived by his widow Josie. A daughter, Mary Jane married Joseph W. Reed of Acton, a Harvard graduate and able lawyer; their son Brooks Reed has an art gallery in Boston.


George F. Brown is the son of Ezekiel Brown, a farmer on Acton Road; he married Mary Eliza Whitman and had one daughter Alice, wife of Irving Howe. They occupy the old homestead which was erected about 1830.


Silas P. Brooks, a brother of Thomas H., had a farm on Summer Street, corner of Summer Lane; he had one son and three daughters; Minnie mar- ried Frank D. Gilmore and a son and daughter survive them; Lydia, is the wife of John O. Thompson, and they have two sons, George and Eugene, both married; Mary lives with her sister Lydia.


George Flood, one of the early mill operatives, left two sons who were prominent in town affairs for years. John W. held various town offices, was a deacon in the Congregational Church, active in Sunday School work and a member of the first Sunday School started in the old depot. He is survived by his widow and one son Hart- well, a graduate of Dartmouth. The other son George held town office, was postmaster and ran a livery stable in what is now called Pastime Hall.


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He was taken prisoner in the Civil War and endured the horrors of Libby Prison for four months; one daughter, Effie Starr King survives him.


Joseph Adams, another old mill man, served in the Civil War and returned with one arm missing; his three daughters still claim their home here and a son Joseph lives in Winchester; George, the elder son, was for years Superintendent of the Westboro Insane Hospital, and William re- sides in Maine.


William Cullen, who lived on Glendale Street, is survived by three daughters, Mrs. John King, Mrs. Edward Doherty and Mrs. Michael Kelley of Concord Junction.


William H. Gutteridge came here in 1863, although his parents, Robert Tanget Gutteridge and Mary Wood worked here in 1847 before their marriage. Mary boarded with Mr. Maynard and wound the first bobbin in the Assabet Mill. Robert was a carpet weaver, and after their marriage went to Fremont, N. Y. where their children were born; Mary (Stuart) has lived for years in San Francisco and William has been Paymaster at the Mills since 1882. He held the office of Town Treasurer several years and was succeeded by his son George H. the well known


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jeweler; another son Clarence is an electrician in Lawrence.


The Haynes brothers, Abel G., Warren A., Alfred T., and Asahel came from North Sudbury in the sixties, opened a grocery store in the old Union Hall Building where the Mossmans and George T. C. Holden had previously had charge. Later they located in the old I. A. Prouty store (now 139 Main Street) where they also kept the Postoffice, moving a few years later to Riverside Block. Asa afterwards entered the clothing business and Alfred conducted a furniture busi- ness. Abel has one daughter, wife of Arthur E. Walker, treasurer of the Assabet Institution for Savings. Alfred has two daughters, Mrs. Clar- ence S. Bodfish and Mrs. Charles Wilcox.


Walter Whitman of Lincoln Street, is a grand- son of John Whitman mentioned elsewhere and has in his possession a good map of Stow dated 1830.


Mary, Nellie and Annie Joyce, long time resi- dents of Spring Lane are daughters of John Joyce who came here when the mill dam and railroad were under construction, as did Timothy Moyni- han and Michael Sweeney. Mr. Moynihan is survived by a son Timothy B., our Asst .- Post- master and daughters Minnie, Lena and Lucy (Sullivan); also John who resides in Brockton.


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JOHN DEAN HOUSE


Michael Sweeney had three sons-James, now deceased, was a prominent lawyer; Charles, who occupies the old homestead on Main Street, and Thomas, residing on Lincoln Street, have grow- ing families-Thomas sending two sons to service in the World War.


Cornelius Mahoney was early on the ground, taking a farm on Waltham Street, which is now covered with dwelling houses. He is survived by two sons, Cornelius and John.


Daniel Reardon, whose farm adjoined Ma- honey's, and now a part of the New Village, was an early settler. His son John H. of Cambridge


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is a frequent visitor; his daughter, Mrs. Patrick Lawton has two sons, John and Frank, well known newspaper men.


The Crowley family is represented by Michael J., and his sons and daughters. The Long fam- ily by Nellie Long. The Thomas Deane family, by two daughters, Mrs. Hugh Miller and Mrs. William H. Priest.


John Dean, who lived on the Acton Road, left a son, Thomas of Concord Street and daughters of whom Lizzie, Jennie, Emma and Margaret (Whitney) reside in Maynard. Mr. Dean suf- fered death at the hands of Lorenzo Barnes. A clipping from a Boston paper says-"The last execution by hanging in Massachusetts was in the jail at East Cambridge on March 4, 1898, Lorenzo Barnes was hanged for the murder of John Dean, a Maynard farmer, on December 17, 1896."


Bernard McCormack came here in 1856 and lived on Park Street, where his daughters Mary J. and Sarah reside. He was the father of George and grandfather of Frank, our genial barbers. Roy, son of George, served in the World War.


Levi R. Cheney is the only one of a once large family now with us and was born in the old house on Summer Lane, now occupied by James Stott.


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MR. AND MRS. LEVI R. CHENEY


He attended the Northwest district school and has held town office at various times. He has two sons and two daughters-Ralph, one of the Harvard College faculty; Howard, living in Worcester. Levi has a brother Edward in Nashua, and a brother Henry is survived by James, named for his grandfather, a carpenter of former days. Levi and Mary Billington were the first couple married in this town, according to the records.


John Sanders, an old time teamster and livery stable keeper, before the days of railroads and autos, kept a stable on Waltham Street, No. 26, and later on Main Street, and hauled freight


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between here and Boston. Mrs. Mary Jannell is the only one of the once large family now liv- ing here.


Timothy Buckley, an old time resident on Summer Street, and for years coachman for Lorenzo Maynard, recently returned to town where he feels most at home.


William White came about 1859; one of his sons, John H., husband of Julia Buckley, lives on Percival Street, and has a large family, and was coachman for Amory Maynard for a number of years. One of his sisters married John Moyni- han of High Street, their three sons being in the World War, Sergeant William also being on duty on the Mexican border.


John Callahan, a veteran of the Civil War, who lived where the Haynes Lumber Yard now is, left a son, and a daughter Mary, who married George Swanton.


Thomas Wouldhave, the first druggist, was one of the early mill men; his son Robert is in the west; a grandaughter, Mrs. Jennie Parrish and a grandson, William McGarry reside here. Mr. McGarry has in his possession a rare old map of Sudbury.


Harry A. Chase was the first child born in the town who is with us to celebrate the fiftieth anni- versary.


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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.


At the annual town meeting, March 7, 1921, it was voted to celebrate in an appropriate manner on April 19, the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the town. Moderator Horace F. Bates and Clerk Frank E. Sanderson were in- structed to appoint a committee of twenty-one, who were to meet and add to their number suffici- ent to create a good working force and carry out a definite program, which being done, the follow- ing committees were appointed:


General


Postmaster Arthur J. Coughlan, Chairman Town Clerk Frank E. Sanderson, Secretary Charles H. Persons, Treasurer


Music.


Edwin Carlton, Frank S. Binks, Charles B. Keene, Fred W. Taylor. Gavin Taylor.


Community Singing. Mrs. Howard A. Wilson, Mrs. Albert W. Haynes, Mrs. Ralph Case, Mrs. Brooks Reed, Mrs. Irving Howe.


Invitations. George H. Gutteridge, Mrs. John Horan, Mrs. Irving Howe,


P. J. Sullivan, Fred W. Taylor.


Printing. Frank F. Sanderson, William Naylor, Alfred E. McCleary,


Wallace C. Priest, John Higgins.


[10]]


History. William H. Gutteridge, Mrs. John Horan, C. J. Lynch.


Honorary Membership. Charles H. Persons, Mrs. Frank Sanderson, Mrs. John Horan, William H. Gutteridge, Albert Batley. Sunday Observance. Albert Batley, William H. Gutteridge, James J. Morgan.


School Observance.


William H. Millington, Horace F. Bates,


James J. Hilferty,


Miss Alice W. Nagle, Mrs. Ralph Case.


Press. C. J. Lynch, B. J. Coughlin, Frank Lawton, Robert Lester,


Hjalmar Linden.


Speakers. Howard A. Wilson, Albert Batley, Oswald C. Drechsler,


Charles H. Persons, George H. Creighton.


Program. A. J. Coughlan, F. E. Sanderson, William Naylor, B. J. Coughlin, C. J. Lynch.


Decoration. F. S. Binks, Thomas F. Parker, P. J. Sullivan, Edward J. Flaherty, Charles Williams, John Zaniewski.


Parade. Arthur J. Coughlan, James J. Morgan, Harold Sheridan, Allie Peterson, Charles B. Keene, John J. Gallagher.


Reunion. Mrs. Frank E. Sanderson,


Mrs. John Horan,


Mrs. John Maley,


Mrs. Irving Howe, Mrs. Arthur J. Coughlan, Mrs. Brooks Reed, Mrs. Albert W. Haynes,


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Mrs. Howard A. Wilson, Miss Alice W. Nagle, Miss Laura E. Woodart, Mrs. Ralph Case.


Reception.


Howard A. Wilson, Oswald C. Drechsler,


Charles H. Persons, George H. Creighton, Albert Batley, P. J. Sullivan


Haynes, Abel G. Holt, Abner D.


Haynes, Alfred T.


Haynes, Albert W.


Hooper, George B.


Jablonski, Francis, Rev.


Alfred E. McCleary,


Frank S. Binks,


Lawton, Catherine, Mrs. Litchfield, William F.


Maynard, Amory May, Julia, Mrs.


McPhail, Margaret, Miss Morse, Eliza, Mrs.


Naylor, Mary A., Mrs.


Newton, Lucy A., Mrs.


Papineau, Arthur B., Rev.


Peters, Mary S., Mrs.


Parmenter, Washington Reed, Mary J., Mrs. Shea, Hannah Mrs.


Vaananen, Johannes, Rev.


Whitney, Eliza, Miss


Governor Channing H. Cox has accepted our invitation; Congressman John Jacob Rogers, State Senator John M. Gibbs and Wm. M. Wood President of the American Woolen Co. are also expected.


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Angell, David M.,Rev. Brooks, Mary, Mrs.


Brown, George F.


Brown, Georgianna, Mrs. Crowley, Edward F., Rev. Chase, Harry A.


Cheney, Levi R. Cheney, Hannah S., Mrs. Callahan, Dennis Chlonis, John, Rev. Coughlin, Daniel Fowler, Herbert


Edwin Carlton, James J. Morgan. Charles B. Keene, O. S. Fowler, W. B. Case.


Honorary Members of the General Committee. Atiyeh, Elias N., Rev.


We close our tale of the chronicles of Maynard with these words of Bacon-"the sweetest canti- cle is 'Nunc Dimittis,' when a man hath obtained worthy ends and expectations, death hath this also that it openeth the gate to good fame and extinguisheth envy. 'The same person shall be beloved when dead.' "


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APPENDIX.


(From The Hudson Pioneer, Sat- urday Morning, Apr. 29, 1871.) INAUGURAL CEREMONIES AT MAYNARD.


On Thursday of this week the new town of Maynard held its first town meeting in Riverside Hall. At one o'clock the meeting was cal- led to order by J. W. Reed, Esq., who read the warrant, and called upon the meeting to bring in their ballots for Moderator, the choice being Asahel Balcom, by a unani- mous vote.


Some appropriate remarks were made by Mr. Balcom, after which the voters pro- ceeded to choose the neces- sary town officers. E. R. Chase was declared elected Town Clerk, receiving 100 of the 103 votes cast. Mr. Chase was immediately sworn and entered upon the duties of the office. On motion of Mr. Ephraim Stone, it was voted to bring in names of Selectmen on


oneballot. Choice was made of Asahel Balcom, Henry Fowler, Jonathan P. Bent; Assessors-Asahel Balcom, Benj. Conant, Thos. H. Brooks. Treasurer-Lor- enzo Maynard. Constables, Fred Fletcher, Wm. Max- well, Thomas Farrell, The Selectmen will act as Over- seers of Poor. Voted that the Collector should be chosen by nomination. Lor- enzo Maynard being the choice. At this point, in consideration of the lateness of the hour, and the public demonstration to be made, it was voted to adjourn the meeting to Saturday, May 29, at 3 o'clock, P. M.


Immediately upon the ad- journment, the Marshal of the day, J. P. Foster, assis- ted by aids, W. M. Harding, John Hickland, E. R. Chase John Little, proceeded to form the line of procession in the following order: First


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division, Escort Henry Wil- son, Encampment 86, G. A. R., Eagle Cornet Band, Iola Lodge, I. O. G. T., and mill operatives. Second divis- ion, Amateur Brass Band, St. Bridget Temperance and Benevolent Society, Public Schools, citizens and visitors in carriages bringing up the rear.


The procession presented a very fine appearance, and numbered over 1000. At intervals along the line the stars and stripes and the standard of the St. Bridget Society fluttered gayly in the breeze, adding greatly to the liveliness of the scene. After the delay incident to such occasions, the signal gun was fired and the line started off under the in- spiring strains of a popular national air, down Main St. past the Glendale House to Nason St. and Main St., and passed up to the west end of the village. Here, after a short halt, it retur- ned left in front to Riverside Hall, where it was dismissed


by the Marshal, with the request that as many as could would meet at River- side Hall in the evening for a continuation of the cere- monies, consisting of music by the bands, singing by the Glee Club, and speeches by Rev. W. Hazelwood, John Hillis, Esq., J. W. Reed, Esq., Henry Fowler, and other citizens of the town.


On account of the rain which set in at night, the proposed display of fire- works was postponed. As one of the attractions of the day, it was proposed to raise a flag staff on Pomp- siticut hill by Messrs Benj. Smith, Chas. Maynard, J. K. Harriman and Andrew McEachron, and promptly carried into effect by these gentlemen. At the appoin- ted time, at the signal dis- charged from an ancient piece of artillery, a large flag was flung out from the staff welcoming all to the gala scene over which it floated. At six o'clock the bands, and the gunners accompanying


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the field-piece, were invited to partake of an ample col- lation prepared for them at the Glendale House, by the gentlemanly proprietor, Mr. W. F. Wood.


The cannon procured for the occasion from Concord, a relic of the Revolutionary War, is a six-pounder brass piece, which was placed in position at the west end of the "old north bridge," and did its share in repelling the regulars on that memorable morning in April, 1775. Per- haps from its brazen throat echoed back a hearty "amen" in thunder tones, to the sharp ringing crack of that musket whose voice "was heard round the world." Engraved on this gun of "the olden time," was the following inscrip- tion :


"The Legislature of Massa- chusetts consecrate the name of Major John Butterick and Capt. Isaac Davis, whose valour and example excited their fellow citizens to a successful resistance of a superior number of British troops at Concord bridge the


19th of April, 1775, which was the beginning of a contest in arms that ended in American Independence."


A very noticeable feature of the day was the quiet and good order everywhere ob- served which was highly commendable. The people of Assabet were celebrating the anniversary of the Con- cord fight, and the march of the 6th Regiment through Baltimore when the news was flashed over the tele- graph wires that at twenty minutes past five of that day the charter of their town was signed and sealed.


The fire-works will be given this (Saturday) eve- ning.


Assabet has got divorced from Stow, and repudiated even her maiden name. This act is in keeping with modern developments of womankind, showing as it does a natural desire for in- dependence coupled still with a lurking fondness for the masculine gender. The new town takes the name of Maynard. There is pro-


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bably some pecuniary mo- tive to the christening, though we only know that the outside public is a little discommoded by the change. Missives still come to our postoffice labeled "Felton- ville." We don't blame the people of Groton Junction Village for preferring a brief- er appellation. "Ayer" is better for tongue and ear, and for superscriptive dis- posal it is deft enough. But the nascent vogue of nam- ing towns by monetary im- pulse is mischevious by its indifference to verbal taste. There is always something in a name, even though carelessly applied. Doubt- less Miss Assabet,alias Mrs. Stow, has a proper reason for her predilection. Mr. Maynard is the chief foun- der of the community now incorporated in his name. He is a taking man withal, and his personal christen- ing of the new town is a popular acknowledgment of his agency in its birth and breeding.


(April 30, 1902.) PATRIOTIC EXERCISES.


Held at Union Congregational Church, Sunday, April 20.


Patriotic exercises were held Sunday evening in the Union Congregational church in memory of the minute men of Maynard, once a part of Sudbury and Stow, who responded to the Lexington alarm April 19, 1775, and the continental soldiers who served in the revolution.


A service of patriotic songs appropriate to the occasion, including Psalm 60, Watts select hymns, which were sung at the fun- eral of Capt. Isaac Davis, Abner Hosmer and James Hayward, was rendered by the choir. The pastor, Rev. Charles H. Washburn, read a selection from the old bible used by Wm. Reed, chairman of the provincial committee at a Congress held at Watertown, April 30, 1775; and then with a few remarks introduced the


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speakers, chief among whom was Reuben L. Reed of South Acton, a prominent "Son of the American Rev- olution," who in his remarks brought out many interest- ing facts relative to history in this locality, many of which have never before been published.


Maynard is known before the public as a new town, but having been set off from the historic towns of Sud- bury and Stow on April 19, 1871 has a very interesting history and the confines of the present town furnished the first blood spilt at Con- cord, April 19, 1775.


King Philip's Indian tribes occupied the north part of Sudbury now May- nard and some of the des- cendants of the most prom- inent minute men of that town are now prominent business men and citizens of Maynard.


An interesting discovery has been recently made of some Indian graves on the land of Abel G. Haynes, able and respected farmer,


which it is expected will throw some light on the early history of the town and which are now being carefully investigated. Sud- bury had the largest num- ber of men in proportion to its inhabitants in force on April 19, 1775, and it is claimed that it lost the old- est man killed on that mem- orable day. Some tried to reason with him (Josiah Haynes) but he said that he would go if the highway was filled with the king's soldiers. He was killed in the road, and Asahel Beed was taken prisoner and bru- tally murdered. At the battle of Bunker Hill, Sud- bury took a prominent part. Mr. Reed declares it to be a tradition of his grandmother that so few men were left in Sudbury that the old men took the women and child- ren to the garrisons for fear of the Indians.


From the Stow side of Maynard it is recorded that Daniel Conant, an honor-


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went forth to battle on that memorable morning. Hewas the grandfather of Hon. Wm. Wilde of Acton, who is worthy of remembrance for his noble and charitable deeds and his presentation of a memorial library to his native town, the greatest gift Acton has ever received.


Daniel Conant was among the minute men at Concord and Lexington, and said to have been at the North Bridge, as there were a num- ber to whom just credit has never been given. Tradi- tion says that the minute men from Sudbury and Stow entered Concord over the South Bridge. He was wounded on that day but recovered and afterwards rendered valuable service to his country. His most meritorious deed was when he and his neighbors march- ed to Bennington, Vt., under command of Capt. Silas Taylor of Stow, arriving there just in time to be ordered to the front and participate in the surrender


of Gen. Burgoyne. His re- ception on his return home to Stow, with a detachment of English soldiers as prison- ers of war is recorded in the town annals as one of its most important incidents


He was sergeant in Silas Taylor's regiment. A com- pany of men was also made up from Sudbury, Stow and Winchendon, who were at the battle of Bunker Hill in Col. Prescott's regiment under command of Capt. Samuel Patch, and cannon balls used at that battle are still preserved at Stow. When the Sons of the Am- erican Revolution detailed Reuben L. Reed of Acton (originator of the plan) to mark the graves of revolu- tionary soldiers, the work was first begun in Acton and Stow.


Rev. J. B. Moulton of Stow, grandson of General Moulton of New Hamp- shire, famous in the Ameri- can Revolution, made the prayer at the grave of Dan- iel Conant. Mr. Reed said


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that the words were the same used by Rev. James Fletcher at Acton, "God watched over our ancestors, supported them through their struggle for liberty and blessed their deeds by estab- lishing a free government, so he prayed that God would watch over and sup- port the descendants of those men who are striving to keep alive the memory of the patriotic deeds of those heroes." His prayer has been answered and thous- ands of graves have been honored by flag holders and today Old Glory floats over their graves through- out the United States and Paris, France.


(1901)


First Trolley Car in the Busi- ness Section of the Town.


Maynard, Aug. 19. About noon today the residents of this town were treated to a sight most pleasing, and one for which they have impa- tiently awaited-the appear-


ance of an electric car in the business section.


A car decorated with flags in honor of the great event was sent to Concord with the following invited guests: Selectman and Mrs. Abel G. Haynes, Selectman and Mrs. P. J. Sullivan, Select- man Roland P. Harriman of Stow, Amory Maynard, E. B. Hooper, Selectman John H. Studley of Concord, directors Charles W. Ship- pee, Charles H. Persons, Julius Loewe and Frank P. Bond. Dr. and Mrs. F. U. Rich, Dr. Daniel Goodenow, Rev. J. A. Crowley, Mr. and Mrs. O. S. Fowler, Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Litchfield, Treas. George H. Gutteridge, Er- nest Johnson, B. J. Cough- lin, A. E. Newton, W. W. Oliver, David Henderson, Samuel G. King, T. F. Par- ker, Frank R. Conner, Mrs. George Flood, Mrs. J. W. Ogden, Mrs. W. F. Ham- mond, H. L. Carter, James Carney, A. H. Haynes, Mrs. Luke S. Brooks, Miss Mary E. Shea, Mrs. Emory Wal-


ker, Mrs. Arthur E. Walker, Mrs. Alonzo Warren, Chas. Warren, George H. Creigh- ton, Dr. B. D. Blanchard.


The enthusiastic passen- gers were greeted with cheers throughout the en- tire route.


AMORY MAYNARD DEAD.


Sketch of the Life of a Promi- nent Manufacturer.


(Special Dispatch to the Boston Herald)


Marlboro, March 5, 1890. Amory Maynard died at his home in Maynard at 7:10 o'clock this morning, pas- sing away very quietly. He had been incapacitated for any business for about seven years, and most of the time was confined to his home in charge of a male attendant. Monday forenoon, while attempting to ascend a flight of stairs in his resi- dence, he lost his footing and fell backward, striking on the side of his head. He was taken up unconscious. Medical aid was summoned and all efforts were made to restore consciousness, but


he never spoke afterward; his life gradually ebbed away. It is thought his funeral will be held Sat- urday, and that the mills, as well as all places of busi- ness in town, will be closed. The interment will occur in Glenwood cemetery, and the body is to be laid in the handsome tomb which he had constructed some time ago. He had accumulated a large property, estimated at a million dollars, through his own exertions, coupled with the efforts of his two sons, Lorenzo and William, to whom, it is said, the estate is bequeathed.


WERE EARLY SETTLERS.


Mary Gibson was Mother of First Man to Fall in Battle at Concord.


The history of Middlesex county records shows that the members of the Gibson family were among the early settlers in that part of May- nard which was formerly a part of the town of Stow. The family homestead was


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known as the Summer hill farm on the south side of Pomposetticutt hill, now owned by Lucius Maynard. According to very good authority, Mary Gibson, a daughter of the family, was the mother of Captain Isaac Davis, who was the first to fall at the old North bridge, in the battle of Concord, in 1775.


Tradition says that near the spot where the remains of the foundation are, on Pomposetticutt hill, the Indians held a consultation during King Philip's war, as to which town they would destroy, Concord or Sud- bury. One of the chiefs said: "We no prosper if we go to Concord. The Great Spirit love that people. He tell us not to go. They have a great man there. He


great pray." This was an allusion to Rev. Mr. Bulk- ley, the minister of Con- cord, who seems to have been known to the Indians as a distinguished man, and they feared his influence with the "Great Spirit." Hence Concord was spared and Sudbury suffered. Nearly 40 men from Stow took part in the battle of Bunker Hill.


While Maynard is ever modest in thrusting herself into the pages of history, still there is abundant evi- dence that her soil was as productive of patriots, and her past is closely linked with the great events of history, though at that time her land was a part of other towns, and did not bear the name of Maynard.


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INDEX.


American Legion 62-80


Free Delivery 72


American Woolen Co. 34-76


Genealogy 88


Anniversary


IOI


Great Road 22


Appendix IO5


Halls


64


Assabet Mfg. Co.


32


Highways


77


Assabet, How spelled


16 Honey Pot Brook 26


Assabet Village


7


Hotels


64


Balcom Place


18


Ice House


37


Bands


71


Incorporation


7


Banks


66


Indian Purchase


12


Bent Farm


92


Indian Relics 16


Boone, Mathew


15


Iron Works


73


Boone's Pond


32


Jewell's Mill


24


Brigham Place


18


Jethro, Peter


13


Brooks Place


22


King, Philip


I4


Brown, George F.,


Knight, William H.


26


house


17


Library


64


Brown, William and others


16


Mahoney and Brown Farms 41


Carpet Manufacture


30


Cemeteries


46


Main Street


38


Churches


54


Maynards, The 36


Civil War


78 Maynard, L. H. 22


Concord Street


25


Mill, Buildings


34


Fires


75 Mill, Insurance, etc.


76


Fire Department


44 Mill, Pond and Dam


30


First Town Meeting


IO Mill, The Failure


34


Fort Meadow


32 Nason and other streets 39


Fowler Farm


16 Newspapers 71


[ II4 ]


Land Purchases 28


Paper Mill Park, Public


24 Stores and Business 66


46 Stow, Town of 14


Parmenter Place


17 Streets


77


Pompasitticutt Hills


14 Sudbury, Town of


12


Population


77


Sudbury Street


38


Powder Mills


71


Thanksgiving Pond


26


Puffer Place


18


Town Boundary


73


Railroad


36


Town Clock


72


Reardon Farm


41


Town Colors


72


Revolutionary War


26


Town Farm


46


Russell Bridge


22


Town Officers


87


Schools


48


Vose Place


19


Sewage


45


Walnut Street


38


Smith Family


20


Water System


43


Smith Bridge


22


Watering Troughs


77


Societies


60


World War


79


Stage Lines


22-36


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