USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Billerica > Celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Billerica, Massachusetts, May 29th, 1855 > Part 5
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
That old antiquity grasp by its beard Demanding why it should be longer feared. A brighter light to-day than ever shone, Shines clear to souls who faith in Progress own : Who mind the loud cock-crowing now to rise, And greet this light with more clairvoyant eyes ; Clairandiant ears for revelations new, Which come to faithful souls upright and true. These must go on ! no power can bind this law ! As well move back Niagara with a straw.
.
72
Right forward ! upward ! points your destiny, And onward ! onward ! through eternity ! BE good and you'll SEE ' good in every thing ;' To preachers true the stones will sermons bring. ' A manufactory of souls,' the earth they'll see, Whose ' store-house ' in the Spirit Land must be. There must the ' Harvest-home ' be stored some day, Into the ' House not made with hands ' away. Man's life is NOT a 'fleeting sham or show,' Where he ean nothing but delusion know. The worth of human souls ! who that can tell ? One might compute the universe as well ! Could man but know what else he was but sinner, . He might invite the universe to dinner !' That knowledge ! O get that ! the thing you need ! Then you yourselves and all things else may read. A thought of God in vestments clothed is man As feathered birds are ' songs with wings.' A key stone to the arch that heavens span, And to himself he draws and binds all things."
XXV.
" Your birth-place once was home to me, And so will long remembered be. A long half-century and more, The bread of life I spread before Your fathers there. Through weal and woe, I pointed them the way to go, As well as by my light I could, But not so faultless as I should, Could I have known what now I know, About soul-saving there below.
XXVI.
I loved that bright, that pleasant spot, Where fortune fixed my favored lot. I loved the stern old patriots there, Who did for freedom quite their share.
73
Who constant as the day came round, Were faithful to their worship found. (To name them all would take too long, Should that be either right or wrong.) I loved the faithful worthy men And women I had charge of then. I loved their dwelling places old, Where oft I've heard their stories told, About the long war's bloody strife, And how the British run for life. About old Europe's bloody creeds, And of their own great-daring deeds. I loved the grand old trees near by With leafy arms stretched up so high. I loved your rivers, pretty streams, Of which you've had such pleasant dreams. I loved their dear associations, And never tired of their relations. I see them now and love them too, So all your spirit kindred do. The spirit ne'er can be in truth, So old as to forget its youth."
XXVII.
" A few more words and we will close, And of this talk, for now, dispose. Take my advice,- early and late, The flower of reason cultivate. In superstition's wilderness, It blooms the waking soul to bless. The monstrous genii of the Past, To fright and kill, have loomed their last. New Revelations now abroad, Must take their places, and keep ward, That tales of them no more are told, To frighten children young or old. Let no horizon henceforth of them show A trace. Down to oblivion let them go !
6
74
And perish in their night of ignorance, To faster Reason's risen day advance. Pure Reason's standard, aye to nature true, May well point the way you should pursue. No other way can take you right to Heaven,- All gospels to adjust, this light was given."
XXVIII.
"Speak out your thoughts in words like cannon balls, Full charged with Truth to beat down error's walls. Ne'er mind the cloth, or milk-and-water fare, There'll compensation come enough somewhere. ~ What though for bread your children plead in tears ; What's that short pain, to joys of endless years ? You'll better know, some day, how things to share, There's quite enough for all, and much to spare. Your hard life-battle that seems now so rough,. When you get here, will all look well enough. The horse you ride was not for market raised, He bears no harness, so is seldom praised. The nag that heeds ' Miss Grundy's' bit and rein, Will praise and provender much faster gain. Yes ! yes ! speak out the Truth ! 'tis worth your while, Though 't takes strong teeth to stand old Michael's file."
XXIX.
" When Billerica's next century-day comes round, May she in righteousness and truth be sound. May this be said :- She saw the herald star, That spoke a better day, when craft and war Would cease, and men BE men of honor high, And soul ; and such as had no souls, would die. Iler honest industry her comforts brought, And wisdom's words for her salvation wrought. She looked straight forward by the light of Heaven, Turned open ears to all its councils given. She had for human rights supreme regard, And practiced virtue for its own reward.
75
Her homes were happy, full of joy and gladness, And righteousness relieved them all of sadness. She had of blessings many showers, And strewed her paths with fragrant flowers. Eyes right ! on nature's Open Book she stood, And worshipped God, and every thing was good. There some great Truth she read in every line, And found her Revelations all Divine."
XXX.
HIe paused,- then spoke some moments with his friends, Then said to me -" before our meeting ends I'll say, your Jubilee we shall attend,- The spirit world will delegations send. We love to linger round that dear old spot,
Once known and loved, can never be forgot.
Your fathers, kindreds, friends, we'll be there then, So see that you conduct like worthy men." He passed away, and shortly I awoke, And found I'd written all the words they spoke.
I looked them over, jumped and run, So glad to find my Poem done.
After the Poem, a recess of thirty minutes took place, when the procession was again formed, of the invited guests and others holding tickets, under the direction of the Chief Marshal, and escorted to the table which had been amply spread under the tent by A. W. Leonard, of Lowell, and again called to order by the President. The Divine blessing was invoked by Rev. GEORGE PROCTOR, of Billerica, and nearly a thousand persons sat down to the repast.
EXERCISES AT THE TABLE.
After ample justice had been done to the viands upon the table, and the wants of the inner man fully refreshed, the President calling the assembly to order, desired their attention to the regular sentiments, which were then read by the Toast-masters, and responded to in the following order :-
REGULAR SENTIMENTS.
No. 1 .- The day we celebrate.
Response by the Band.
No. 2 .- Our Ancient Commonwealth .- We render to our Pa- rent State the gratitude of our hearts, and we pledge our highest en- deavors to advance her interests, and keep her reputation unsullied.
Responded to by Hon. GEORGE S. BOUTWELL, of Groton.
Mr. President :- It seemed to me proper that the distinguished gentleman who specially represents the Commonwealth should respond to this sentiment ; but the Committee of Arrangements have been pleas- ed to think otherwise, and on this occasion and in this , matter I am their servant and submit to their opinion.
The character of the State is some part of the char- acter of every citizen ; and the character of each citi- zen is some part of the character of the State. Men al-
77
ways differ concerning their own age, their own coun- try, their own neighborhood; but when events be- come historical, disputes are less frequent and are usually settled in a purer spirit. Massachusetts has a distinguished reputation and this we are to keep unsullied. It is not indeed possible that any people can be right at all times and upon all subjects; but the general historical judgment of the world is not fixed by these exceptional circumstances so much as by the common course of events.
Massachusetts has been fortunate ; yet the charac- ter which she in two centuries has formed is not the result of any single fact in her history, but of the hap- py combination of high qualities of citizenship, gov- ernment and religion. We have had a free religion, a system of free schools, a substantial equality of po- litical rights, and moreover labor has always been spared the taunt of servility to which it is subject in aristocratic and slaveholding countries. On this basis Massachusetts has built up her character, whatever it is ; and on this basis that character is to stand. We do not so much need new systems or new principles of policy as a more rigid adherence to the systems and principles already established.
No. 3 .- The Plough .- Its one Share in a bank of earth is worth ten in a bank of paper.
Responded to by Hon. SIMON BROWN, of Concord.
Mr. President :- It is always gratifying to me to speak of my favorite Art - and it is particularly so on such an occasion and before such an audience as this. I call it an Art ; but it is not purely so, because to be a good farmer requires some knowledge of many of
.
-
78
the sciences, as well as of the Arts. The mechanic is greatly aided by strict mathematical guides, and the professional man is surrounded by forms and rules which lead him along in the same course which others have trod for thousands of years. But it is not so with the farmer. There are few rules to guide him, and little that he does at one time is positively relia- ble at any other, because the circumstances under which he labors are so variable. He enters his fields with the great book of Nature open before him, am- ple in her page, and full of interesting and important teachings ; but without many of those helps, the ef- fect of study and experiments of ages, reduced to strict- ly arbitrary rules, and which, carefully followed, will produce a well-known result.
No man, therefore, needs a sound and ripe judg- ment, a clear and comprehensive intellect, and a gen- eral knowledge of mechanics, of the physiology of plants and animals, of botany, of meteorology, geolo- gy, and something of the laws of trade and political economy, more than the farmer. The manner of cropping his fields this year may not precisely answer for the next, because the season may be of a widely different character, and thus require a different mode of treatment. He must lean upon a well-balanced judgment, and the great truths of Nature, stored up by experience and observation.
If I desired to pass an encomium upon Agriculture, I might with propriety point to these substantial homes around us, these churches and school-houses, springing as they have, from the products of your still fairer fields. Or I might contrast it with that which
1
79
sustained your ancestors nearly two hundred years ago, when these roads were at best but bridle paths, and your gardens and fields were occupied by the grim forests, never lighted but by the council fires of the Indians who occupied them before you. These changes have been wrought with carefulness and toil through long years of economical industry, and a practice of the stern virtues implanted in your bosoms by the noble men and women whose memories you celebrate to-day.
What if one of the dwellings which stood on this plain had been protected from the elements, with all its household goods, its furniture, bedding, wearing apparel, together with the means of travelling which they then possessed, and could be visited and seen by us to-day, would not your admiration be tempered with gratitude to Him who has led you along to these pleasant places, and crowned your labors with peace- ful abodes and the fulness of domestic comforts ?- From those faint and boding beginnings, have sprung this little republic with all its social enjoyments, so unlike the garrisons and perils which surrounded your ancestors two hundred years ago !
How would the fabrics of the farmer's family, then, -the homespun woollen gowns, dyed in the chimney corner, and the checked linens, both for dresses and aprons, compare with the glossy silks, Thibets, and muslin delaines, together with the rich shawls, satin cloaks, and elegant Talma capes and Honiton laces, that I see around me to-day ! There were then no Lowell or Manchester, turning out thousands of yards of cotton cloth an hour, to clothe and civilize the world
80
- or carpet looms to weave the finest wool into fabrics as soft as the thistle's down, and with colors as bright as the butterfly's wing, to soften the footstep upon the floor, or shut out rude winter winds.
So was the style of living and travelling as different as the style of dress. Plain meats and vegetables,- the turnip instead of the potatoe,- and principally rye and barley bread, made up the sum of their frugal meals,- and there was less dyspepsia and desponden- cy in those than in our more artificial life. Men and women travelled on foot, or at best, on horseback, two or three upon a single beast, through lonely and intri- cate paths, when necessity, of one sort or another, compelled them to visit some of the earlier and more populous settlements. Now, we think it a hardship if our horses do not accomplish ten miles an hour, in carriages so set upon springs of steel, and so cushion- ed as to roll us along as though reclining on beds of down; or, in locomotive houses, at forty or fifty miles an hour, while we eat, drink, smoke or sleep at will, lounge away the time in listlessness, or grumble at the speed which only conveys us sixty miles an hour ! In mid-winter we sit in churches at summer temperature, where, perchance, flowers bloom and shed their fra- grance around the worshippers, while soft and entranc- ing music floats through the vaulted aisles.
In the fields the contrast is as great in the imple- ments with which they cultivated the soil, as in any thing else. Shovels and ploughs of wood, heavy and cumbrous harrows and carts, and hoes and scythes, exhausted the strength to wield them which should have been devoted to moving the soil. But in the
1
81
face of these discouragements, the stern old Puritans succeeded in all they undertook; they were methodi- cal, and earnest, and persevering. If separation from friends, grim woods, coarse, and sometimes scanty fare, and savage hate, could not daunt them, neither could the common deprivations and embarrassments of their position, fail to stimulate their exertions. Faith led them here, and it did not desert them when sore and grievous trials pressed them on every side.
" The Plough .- Its one share in a bank of earth is worth ten in a bank of paper."-This sentiment, upon which you have been pleased to call me up, suggests more topics than time will allow me to touch upon now. The one share with which your fathers wrought, was but an indifferent affair; we have not only im- proved greatly upon that, but have added another, so that while shares in banks of paper, in railroads, in manufactories and mining companies, are uncertain, unprofitable, or ruinous, the Plough, with its two shares, is upturning the soil to the sun and air, and doubling the ordinary profits of the fields.
Mr. Brown alluded to several other topics of an in- teresting nature, which we have not been able to col- lect.
No. 4 .- The First Settlers of Billerica .- A hardy generation of worthy men and women ; their imperfections are buried with their dust, their virtues can never die.
Responded to by JOSEPH WHITE, Esq., of Lowell.
Mr. President :- I am not a son of Billerica. I am not even a resident of your beautiful town, and have no claim to respond to the sentiment just read in your hearing. Yet a happy connection with a de-
82
scendant of one of the original settlers of the place, impels me to respond with no ordinary pleasure to your call.
Sir, eloquent gentlemen, who have preceded me, have drawn the contrast between Billerica as she is to-day, and Billerica as she was two hundred years ago. Our eyes have been turned from the beautiful and populous village, and the broad cultivated town, and we have beheld the mighty forest crowning this hill, and standing thick upon the adjacent valleys - through which the wild beast wandered, and where the lithe Indian pursued his prey, by the banks of yonder silver stream, or speared the salmon at the falls of the " arrowy" Merrimack.
But, sir, a change was at hand. The little band of pioneers - the natives of another soil - were on their way from Cambridge. Soon the stroke of the axe re- sounded through the forest gloom ; the cabin smoke went up through the tall tree-tops ; the church and the school-house arose ; the hum of civilized life stirred the air, and the voices of prayer and praise went up to heaven. Thus, sir, as has been eloquently portrayed by the Orator of the Day, did these noble men, through long years of struggle - struggle with nature around them and with a cruel foe,- lay the solid foundations of this ancient town. Among these men was one - perhaps the earliest settler - of whom I would speak for a few moments. I refer to Jonathan Danforth.
Jonathan Danforth was the yougest son of Nicholas Danforth, and was born February 29, 1627, at Fram- bingham, Suffolk County, England. His father was a man of wealth and good standing in that town. "He
83
was of such repute, that it cost him a considerable sum to escape the knighthood which Charles imposed upon all of so much per annum." Nicholas Danforth, with his three sons, Thomas, Samuel and Jonathan, removed to New England in 1634, and settled at Cam- bridge. He died about four years after his arrival. His sons were men of ability, and lived to act no un- important part in the early history of the Province.
Thomas, who was born in 1622, resided at Cam- bridge. He was one of the ablest and most influen- tial men in the Colony, of his times. He was chosen Treasurer of Harvard College at its incorporation in 1650. In 1659 he was chosen Assistant, and re- elected for twenty successive years. In 1659 he was chosen Deputy Governor of the Colony and retained the office till 1686. During the same period he was also President of the Province of Maine. He was chosen one of the judges of the Supreme Court in 1692, under the new charter, and held that office till his death, November 5, 1699, at the age of seventy- seven. A brother judge thus sums up his character. " He has been a magistrate for forty years, was a very good husbandman, a very good Christian, and a good counsellor." Of his numerous family there are now descendants only in the female branches.
Samuel was educated at Harvard, and made one of the first five fellows in 1650. He was a clergyman and settled at Roxbury. He lived an honored and useful live, and died greatly lamented. His descen- dants are numerous.
Jonathan removed from Cambridge to Billerica in 1654. He was a skilful mathematician and surveyor.
84
He surveyed and divided this town into lots. He was much employed in locating grants of land, and new townships in this region. He was several times Deputy to the General Court. He was chosen one of the first selectmen, and continued in that office twen- ty-one years. He kept the town records for about the same period. He died in 1712, aged eighty-five years. He left two manuscript folio volumes, containing sketches of sermons, baptisms, admissions to the church, and other matters of great interest to the an- tiquarian. Most deeply must we regret on such an occasion as this, that they have been carelessly de- stroyed. Of a poem written in the quaint style of the times by his nephew, Rev. John Danforth, of Dor- chester, the following lines have been preserved by John Farmer :-
" He rode the circuit, chained great towns and farms To good behavior ; and by well marked stations, He fixed their bounds for many generations. His arts ne'er failed him, though the load stone failed, When oft by mines and streams it was assailed ; All this was charming, but there's something higher, Gave him the lustre which we most admire."
And this "lustre " was his piety and conscientious discharge of his religious duties. For more than a century after his death, the family of Mr. Danforth continued, with one exception, to be the largest in the town.
Jonathan Danforth, a descendant in the third gen- eration, removed from this town previous to the Rev- olution, first to Western, in Worcester County, and afterwards to Williamstown, in the County of Berk- shire. He commanded a company from that town in
1
85
the battle of Bennington. . His oldest son, Joshua, served through the war. His descendants are widely scattered in New England, New York and several of the Western States.
But, sir, I ask pardon for detaining you so long with these personal and family details. Yet allow me to re- mark that we cannot study the lives and the history of the families of the pioneer settlers of New England without great pleasure and advantage. We are de- scended from men of no ordinary mould. The set- tlers of New England were a peculiar people. They were the " seed wheat," sifted by the winds of perse- cution from the chaff of the Old World, and wafted across the sea, to be sown, broad cast, in the virgin soil of the New. They were educated men. From the University and the parochial school they brought hither the garnered science and liberal learning of their times. Above all, they had drunk deeply of the waters which flow fast by the Throne of God. They feared God, and therefore they regarded man. They were men of " progress,"- fully abreast, nay, far in advance of their times. They were just men,- just to themselves, just to the red man, just to poster- ity. They understood well their personal rights as Christian men, and as Englishmen. And these rights they were determined to enjoy at whatever hazard,- if not on the green fields of England, then on the bleak shores, and in the wild woods of a far off land. And here the foundations of their social fabric were laid, and their subsequent legislation,- all were based up- on the principles of justice. Strangely searching, nay, even meddlesome with individual affairs, and severe
86
as much of that legislation seems to be, yet after the closest scrutiny, it will be found everywhere penetra- ted with the spirit of a strict and impartial justice.
They were just to the Indian. They purchased and paid fairly for the lands they occupied. They la- bored for his welfare. One of their great objects in coming hither, was to proclaim the Gospel which they valued so highly to the " salvages." The purposes and the policy of the fathers of New England, with respect to their Indian neighbors, when most carefully exam- ined and thoroughly understood, may triumphantly challenge a comparison with the purposes and policy of any other class of men who settled on this continent.
They were just to their posterity. They lived not for themselves alone. They acknowledged their obli- gations to the future, and manfully strove to pay the debt. They sowed in tears, that we might reap with joy. They planted and builded, and we rest beneath the grateful shelter. They labored, and we have en- tered into their labors. They purchased with blood, and we inherit in peace.
And now, sir, as our hearts swell with gratitude to the Giver of all, that he has given us such an ances- try, and through them this " goodly heritage" which we enjoy, may the purpose of us all this day receive new life and power, to meet the responsibilities, and manfully discharge the duties which such an inheri- tance imposes. So shall we best honor the names and the memory of the fathers !
No. 5 .- Pastors of Billerica, deceased and living .- Trusty Watchmen on Zion's Walls - the expounders of Sacred Writ, and our guides to the better land.
It was expected that the Rev. NATHANIEL WHIT-
87
MAN, formerly for many years Pastor of the First Con- gregational Society in Billerica, would be present and respond to this sentiment ; but the following letter re- ceived from him, and read to the assembly, fully ex- plains the necessary cause of his absence :-
Citizens of Billerica - Friends of former and of later years :- You have politely and cordially extend- ed to me reiterated invitations to be with you on this interesting occasion. For these invitations I sincere- ly thank you. And were it consistent with duty, gladly would I be one of your company. That Prov- idence, which is ever perfect in wisdom and in good- ness, denies to me this gratification. The feeble state of my own health, and the dangerous sickness of a daughter, make it my duty to remain at home. Yet, that same Providence permits and calls me to be pres- ent with you in spirit. And thus present, friends, I am. Most cordially do I take by the hand one and all of you; I unite with you in reverently and grate- fully meditating on the past - I go with you into the future with a joyful trust in the God of our fathers. And I reciprocate congratulations with you on the re- currence of this Anniversary, so full of important sug- gestions, and inspiring promises ; - originating in no- ble principles and praiseworthy sentiments ; its cir- cumstances are auspicious and it is adapted to throw over your future condition, as a town, an influence, wide-spreading, genial and blessed. Present in spirit as I now am, the tear of grateful remembrance cannot but fall upon the grave of many a venerated and be- loved friend. I rejoice to render thus publicly, cor- dial thanks to the members of the several parties and
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.