USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Billerica > Celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Billerica, Massachusetts, May 29th, 1855 > Part 9
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Cold Water .- We never want cash to buy it; we are never ashamed to ask for it, and never blush to drink it.
Manual Labor .- The stepping stone to virtue, health, happiness and independence.
Letters were received from Governor Gardner, Hon. Edward Everett, Hon. Henry C. Whitman, Augustus Whiting, M. D., Henry Blanchard, M. D., Prof. Al- pheus Crosby, Benjamin F. Bowers, M. D., Henry B. Judkins and others.
The following original Hymn, composed for the oc- casion by Miss E. A. FOSTER, was read by Rev. George Proctor, and sung in the tune of Auld Lang Syne :-
The Past, the Past, the mighty Past ! We've shadowed forth to-day ; Of deeds long since performed we've heard - They may not pass away.
The great and good have lived and died, The great and good are gone ;
But now with blessings they are named - Their praise is breathed in song.
We view our happy, peaceful Land, In future promise fair ;
Yet boast not ! 'tis the giant Past
Which makes us what we are.
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This day's return the stoutest heart Can ne'er expect to see, But deeds will live, will live my friends, To bless futurity.
And we will part with joy, my friends, With hopeful joy and trust, That deeds we do may live to bless When we shall sleep in dust.
Father, from whom all blessings flow, Draw us still nearer thee ; Make us to know, to feel thy power, Thy care and goodness see.
Benediction by Rev. HOMER SEARS.
CORRESPONDENCE.
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REV. JOSEPH RICHARDSON :-
Dear Sir :- At a meeting of the Como mittee of Arrangements, held this morning, the following vote was passed unanimously :-
Voted, That the thanks of the Committee be presented to the Rev. JOSEPH RICHARDSON, for his learned, eloquent, and interesting Ad- dress, delivered on the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Incorpora- tion of the town ; and that he be requested to furnish us a copy for the press.
J. G. D. STEARNS, JOHN BALDWIN, WILLIAM II. ODIORNE, THOMAS TALBOT, THOMAS B. EDMONDS, JEREMIAH CROSBY, AMOS SPALDING, JAMES R. FAULKNER,
Committee.
BILLERICA, MAY 30th, 1855.
BILLERICA, MAY 30th, 1855.
Gent. Com. Arrangements :-
Sincerely I thank you for your kind appreciation of the Address. I submit it to your disposal.
Very respectfully yours, J. RICHARDSON.
A similar communication was addressed to DANIEL PARKER, M. D., in compliance with which he fur- nished the Committee a copy of his Poem for publi- cation.
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The Committee of Arrangements appointed Rev. J. G. D. Stearns, Thomas Talbot, John Baldwin, jr., Dea. Amos Spalding, and Gardner Parker, a Commit- tee to print the Address, Poem, and all other matters which might be thought expedient, and directed them to print a thousand copies. They also voted that the balance of money appropriated by the town, remain- ing in the hands of the Treasurer after all bills are paid, be appropriated towards defraying the expenses of the printing.
An excellent degree of harmony characterized all the meetings of the Committee of Arrangements, and they endeavored to the best of their ability to fulfil the honorable duty imposed upon them. Their exer- tions receive an ample reward in the general satisfac- tion which has been expressed in view of the Centen- nial Celebration, and in the conscious pleasure which they feel in transmitting a memorial of the past and present to future times.
APPENDIX.
HISTORICAL ITEMS.
NAME .- To the original inhabitants the town of Billerica appears to have been known by the name of Shawshinock, or Souhegenock, a name applied to the river Shawshin in an ancient plan. It was the twelfth original town settled in the County of Middlesex. In the old records it is spelt Billircikey, Billirikeyca, Billireca and Billericay, from Billericay, England, whence the present name of the town is derived.
HOUSE LOTS .- The town was divided into lots by Jonathan Dan- forth, one of the earliest settlers, and one of the committee for loca- ting the house lots. These lots were denominated ten and five acre lots .- a ten acre lot, or single share, containing one hundred and thirteen acres of upland and twelve acres of meadow ; and a five acre lot, or half of a single share, containing half the quantity. Proprie- tors of not more than ten acre privileges could not, without permission of the town, dispose of their privilege to any person, not even to their children, unless the town had refused to make them a grant. No in- habitant or proprietor was allowed to bring in, or entertain in town any person as a servant, without giving bonds to the constable to se- cure the town from all damage they might sustain by such servant. In case of refusal to give bond, a forfeiture of twenty shillings per week was incurred.
WOLVES .- The town being infested with wolves, the inhabitants ordered that a bounty of twenty shillings should be paid to any per- son, either English or Indian, who should kill a wolf within the limits of the town, and present the head thereof to the constable.
CEMETERIES .- The South burial place was located in 1663. It originally contained half of an acre, and was the gift of Ralph Hill,
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senior. Since that time it has been enlarged twice, and three addi- tional burial grounds located ; still the old South yard is nearly filled, and the town stands much in need of a new and larger cemetery for the repose of the dead.
The following inscriptions were copied from monuments in the South yard :-
Here lyes ye Body of ye Reverend Samuel Whiting, pastor of ye church of Christ in Billerica, Aged 80 years, deceased February ye 28, 1712.
Beneath this monumental stone are gathered the ashes of the Rev- erend Samuel Ruggles, late pastor of the church at Billerica, who having finished the work appointed for him by God, departed in 1749, on the 3d day of March. He was about 68 years of age, and had faithfully discharged the ministerial office for almost 41 years.
Here lye the remains of the Reverend John Chandler, sometime pastor of the church in Billerica, who departed this life November the 10th, A. D. 1762, in the 39th year of his age.
Beneath this stone rest the remains of the Rev. Henry Cumings, D. D., late pastor of the church and Christian Society in Billerica. Born Sept. 25th, 1739 ; ordained Jan. 26, 1763; died Sept. 5th, 1823. Possessing intellectual powers of the highest order, he was eminently learned, pious and faithful, and by his life and example, illustrated and recommended the doctrine and virtues he taught and inculcated. In grateful remembrance of his distinguished virtues, this stone is erected by the people of his charge.
Here lies ye body of the widow Lydia Dyar of Boston, the place of her nativity, where she left a good Estate and came into ye country May 22d, 1775, to escape ye abuce of ye Ministerial Troops sent by George ye 3d, to subject North America. She died July 28th, 1776, aged 80 years.
The sweet remembrance of the just Shall flourish when they sleep in dust.
Thaddeus Brown, M. D., Died September 28, 1839, Aged 37 years. By his discriminating judgment as a physician, he had ac- quired the public confidence, while by his amiable deportment and reetitude of character, he had secured the attachment of many friends, one of whom* has caused this stone to be erected to his memory.
Joseph F. Hill, M. D., died Nov. 9, 1319, JE 41.
The late lamented Zadok Howe, M. D.
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Zadok Howe, Born in Bolton, Ct., Feb'y 15th, 1777, Died at Billerica March 8th, 1851. The faithful citizen and distinguished physician. The Town of Billerica, in token of their regard for his long and skilful services, and their gratitude for his munificent legacy for the endowment of a High School, erected this monument 1852.
INDIANS .- On the :d of August, 1675, Timothy Farley of this town, was killed at Quaboag, now Brookfield, in an engagement with the Indians.
In the year 1684, an Indian title of the township was obtained at four Indian meetings, though any instrument purporting to be an In- dian deed is not to be found. The consideration made to the Indians for their title cannot be ascertained, but the charges arising from making the purchase were fifteen shillings. In one of the Indian skirmishes, a party of our men took refuge in a barn, at which the Indians discharged their guns. Fortunately, the beseiged received no harm, as the balls went over their head. A board, taken from the barn, containing ten or more of these bullet holes, is now in pos- session of Mr. T. Foster Farmer.
ACADEMIES .- In 1797 an Academy was erected under the direc- tion of Ebenezer Pemberton, A. M., LL. D., known as the Pember- ton Academy. It prospered under his care, but was discontinued in 1808.
The Billerica Academy was incorporated under the charge of fifteen trustees, January 31st, 1820, and dedicated with religious services October 29th, 1821. In 1836 the trustees surrendered their charge for want of sufficient encouragement.
The Howe School was incorporated February 27th, 1852, and ded- icated with appropriate exercises May 31st of the same year. This Seminary has been established by its founder on a permanent basis, and has successfully commenced a career of usefulness which will bless the present and future generations.
HISTORY .- John Adams remarked, "that no one could under- stand or account for our history, without comprehending our towns -- so grand has been the educational work, which they have performed." A strong desire has been expressed that the history of Billerica might be written. John Farmer published a history in 1816, which is near- ly out of print. The Centennial Address is rich in historical infor- mation, and valuable facts will be found in other parts of this work.
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Some genealogical family registers have been carefully prepared in town. Such registers, including biographical and other incidents, would be invaluable, and their value would increase with the lapse of years.
REVOLUTIONARY ITEMS.
The honorable part which Billerica sustained in the great revolu- tionary struggle of our fathers has been fitly presented in the Address. A few additional items are here inserted.
On the 8th of March, 1775, Thomas Ditson, jr., a plain, honest farmer, in Billerica, went to Boston to sell a load of vegetables and purchase a gun. At that period the country people, in anticipation of the approaching contest, " were accustomed, when they could get a chance, to supply themselves with muskets, to shoot foxes or red coats - as the case might be - much to the annoyance of the ruling powers." Col. Nesbit directed a soldier to sell one of the country- men a musket. The soldier, meeting Ditson in search of one, " con- ducted him to his own quarters, and there, having beguiled him out of five dollars on pretence of selling him a gun and equipments, set up a hue and cry, that there was a rebel purchasing king's arms of a king's soldier."* On this pretence, or, as Frothingham says, t on the pretence that he was tempting a soldier to desert, Ditson was seized by a sergeant and party, hurried to the barracks, tarred and feathered from head to foot, placed in a cart, and drawn through the streets surrounded by a party of officers and soldiers of the 47th regiment under Col. Nesbit, to liberty tree, where they let him go. On this occasion the tune of Yankee Doodle was played in derision.
* Snow's History of Boston. t Seige of Boston.
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For this outrage the Selectmen of Billerica demanded satisfaction of General Gage, declaring that if the intercourse with Boston was to be thus interrupted they should "hereafter use a different style from that of petition and complaint." Trumbull has immortalized Nesbit :---
Oh what a glorious work to sing
The veteran troops of Britain's king; Adventuring for the heroic laurel With bag of feathers and tar-barrel ! To paint the eart where culprits ride, And Nesbit marching at its side. Great executioner and proud,
Like hangman high on Holborn road ;
And o'er the slow drawn rumbling ear, The waving ensigns of the war.
'Gainst Yankees thus the war begun, They tarred and triumphed over one ; And fought and boasted through the season, With force as great and equal reason.
The British soldiers commemorated the event in doggerel com- mencing -
"Yankee Doodle came to town to buy a firelock,
The British tarred and feathered him, and so they will John Hancock."
Ditson succeeded, after all, in procuring a musket, and fought with it the battles of his country.
April 19th, 1775 .- While the enemy were retreating from Con- cord, Lieut. Asa Spalding, of Billerica, discovered a British soldier preparing to fire at him, from near a tree. Spalding fired first, and the soldier fell. On his return, visiting the spot, he there found the dead body of a British grenadier. During the day he captured a stray Regular, whom he brought home and kept some months. An idiotic pauper residing in his family, supposing that all Britons should be killed, made an unsuccessful attempt to cut him down with an axe.
The first patriot who fell at the battle of Bunker Hill, was a young man by the name of Asa Pollard, belonging to Billerica. The man- ner of his death is thus related by Col. Prescott -- " The first man who fell in the battle of Bunker Hill was killed by a cannon ball which struck his head. He was so near me that my clothes were be- smeared with his blood and brains, which I wiped off in some degree
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with a handful of fresh earth. The sight was so shocking to many of the men that they left their posts and ran to view him. I ordered them back but in vain. I then ordered him to be buried instantly. A subaltern officer expressed surprise that I should allow him to be buried without having prayers said. I replied, ' this is the first man that has been killed, and the only one that will be buried to-day. I put him out of sight that the men may be kept in their places. God only knows who or how many of us will fall before it is over. To your post, my good fellow, and let each man do his duty.' HIe was struck by a cannon ball thrown from the line of battle ship Som- erset."
Gen. Ebenezer Bridge, (son of Rev. Ebenezer Bridge, of Chelms- ford ), a graduate of Harvard University, was, in 1775, a resident in Billerica. In the month of May he was elected Colonel of the 27th Regiment of foot in the continental army, and engaged in the bat- tle at Bunker's Hill 17th of June, where he received two slight wounds.
Col. Moses Parker, of Chelmsford, a veteran of the French War, was at that time chosen Lieut. Colonel. IIe was wounded at Bunker's Hill, and carried prisoner into Boston, where he died in prison July 4th.
Our late Gov. John Brooks was at the same time elected Major. They were chosen and commissioned at the public house of Capt. Solomon Pollard, now the residence of Mr. Abel Spalding.
Roll of Capt. Jonathan Stickney's Company of Volunteers in Col. Bridge's Regiment.
They were all " Billerica men " excepting Jacob Danforth from Hollis, and John Fry from Andover.
Jonathan Stickney, Captain.
Elijah Danforth, 1st Lieut. Sergeants.
John Lewis, 2d Lieut.
Corporals.
Timothy Whiting,
Samuel Hill,*
Simcon Stearns,
Samuel Kidder,
,
Samuel Russ,
Samuel Rogers,
Thomas Richardson.
Samuel Sprake.
Drummer, Ebenezer French.
Fifer, John Whiting.
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Privates.
William Baldwin,
John Danforth,
Asa Pollard, * Solomon Pollard, jr.,
Benjamin Baldwin,
Jeremiah Baldwin,
Benjamin Davis, Jesse Danforth,
Jeremiah Reed,
Ebenezer Richardson,
Benjamin Baldwin, jr. Benjamin Eastey,* Josiah Beard, Nicholas French,
Nathaniel Richardson,
Abijah Beard,
John Fry,
Benjamin Sprage,
Benjamin Bowers,
Edward Farmer,
Asa Spalding,
Samuel Bridge,
John Foster,
Samuel Trull,
Abijah Blanchard,
Timothy Gray,
John Trull,
Paul Blanchard,
Isaac Holt,
Timothy Toothaker,*
Timothy Crosby,
Jeremiah Hill,
Timothy Whiting, jr.,
Samuel Cory,
Seth Leviston,
Isaac G. White,
Silas Chamberlain, Isaac Leviston,
Samuel Walker,
Josiah Danforth,
David Leviston, Joel Walker,
Benjamin Dutton,
Joseph Mace,
Joseph Wilson, -
Jacob Danforth,
Joseph Osgood,
John Wilson. -
Benjamin Dows,
Jonathan Pollard,
Names of Billerica men enlisted in other Companies belonging to Col. Bridges' Regiment :--
Cupt. John Harnden's Company of Wilmington. Benjamin Lewis, Corporal. Daniel Killom, Corporal. William Danforth, Drummer.
Privates .- Jonathan Fiske, Josiah Blanchard, Timothy Blanchard, Jotham Blanchard, Benjamin Wilson.
Capt. John Ford's Company of Chelmsford .- Robert Angier. Cupt. Benjamin Walker's Company from Chelmsford.
Capt. Walker was wounded at Bunker Hill, carried prisoner to Boston, and died in prison in August.t
Justus Blanchard, William Colwell, Samuel Fletcher, Ezekiel Walker ; Jacob Crosby, mortally wounded.
It is believed that a Volunteer Company from Billerica was at the capture of Burgoyne ; probably in Col. Jonathan Reed's Regiment. " A Muster Roll " of the company we have not found.
* Killed at Bunker Hill.
+ Capts. Walker and Ford had been tried soldiers in the French War. Ford was a man of great muscular strength, and attempted to bring Walker from the hill. But the enemy were upon them. "Leave me," said Walker, "or we shall both be taken." "I left him," said Ford, " but I cried like a child."
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CIVIL OFFICERS AND PROFESSIONAL MEN.
Members of the Constitutional Conventions.
Rev. Henry Cumings, 1779, Hon. Joseph Locke, 1820, Thomas Talbot, 1853.
Member of the Governor's Council .- Hon. Joseph Locke. Senator .- HIon. Isaac Stearns. Representatives to the General Court.
Previous to the year 1669, this town was represented in the Gen- eral Court by Humphrey Davie, of Boston ; and for his services " the town ordered the selectmen to procure a fat beast (with some of the town's land ) and send it to Mr. Davie as from the town, by way of thankfulness to him for his good service for the town." In 1684, Jonathan Danforth was chosen deputy to a "special General Court." This is the first notice upon the records of a resident being chosen ; since that time the following gentlemen have each served the town as a Representative :-
Ralph Hill, William Tompson,
Thomas Summer,
Joseph Tompson,
Edward Farmer,
Michael Crosby, jr.,
Samuel Manning, Jonathan Bowers,
Daniel Wilson,
Thomas Richardson,
Oliver Crosby,
Henry Baldwin,
John Stearns, James Abbot,
Thomas Spalding,
George Brown,
John Parker,
Samuel Foster, John Eames,
Oliver Whiting,
Joseph Locke, Dudley Walker,
Gardner Parker,
William Patten, /
Josiah Crosby, jr.,
Harvey Crosby,
Benjamin Tompson,
Samuel Whiting, John Baldwin,
Reuben Chamberlain,
Jacob French,
Thomas Talbot,
Enoch Kidder,
Marshall Preston, Henry Rice,
Thomas Kidder,
Zadok Howe,
Daniel Floyd
William Stickney,
Josiah Rogers,
Charles II. Hill.
Timothy Danforth,
Town Clerks of Billerica from A. D. 1657 to 1855.
Years in Office.
Years in Office.
John Parker,
Joseph Tompson, 9
William Tay,
1 John Stearns,
Jonathan Danforth, 20
Oliver Whiting, 17
Samuel Manning, 8 John Needham, 2.
John Blanchard,
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Years in Office.
Years in Cffice.
Benjamin Tompson, 4
Jacob Richardson, 5
Joshua Abbot, 31
Blaney Abbot, 5
William Stickney, 12
Jeremiah Patten, 1
Joshua Abbot, 15
Jeremiah Farmer, 2
William Bowers, 1 Samuel Whiting, 5
Oliver Crosby, 14 Marshall Preston, .28
James Abbot, 1
John Baldwin, jr .*
Justices of the Peace and Quorum.
Isaac Stearns.
Joseph Locke.
Justices of the Peace.
Oliver Whiting,
Josiah Crosby,
John Baldwin, jr.,
Edward Farmer,
Joseph Blanchard,
William IT. Odiorne,
Jonathan Bowers,
Francis Faulkner,
Isaac Holden,
James Abbot,
Marshall Preston, Jonathan Hill,
Samuel Whiting, John Baldwin,
Henry Crosby,
Benjamin Tompson, Zadok Howe,
Benjamin L. Judkins,
William Tompson, Sewall Stearns, Joseph A. Burt,
John Parker,
Samuel Rogers, Amos Spalding,
Blaney Abbot,
Dudley Foster,
George II. Whitman,
Dudley Walker,
Luther W. Faulkner, Azel W. Patten.
Timothy Farnham, John Eames,
Physicians who have Practiced in Billerica.
Roger Toothaker, 1st, 1660,
Joseph Foster,
John Kittredge, 1675,
Rufus Kittredge,
Roger Toothaker, 2d,
Josiah Batchelder,
Roger Toothaker, 3d,
Zadok Howe,
- Manning,
J. W. Hood,
Roger Toothaker, 4th,
Thaddeus Brown,
Timothy Danforth,
Joseph F. Hill,
William Bowers,
Daniel Parker,
Isaac Hurd,
Augustus Mason,
William Wilkins, .
Hezekiah Bickford,
Jacob Kittredge,
William Grey.
Natives of Billerica Practising elsewhere.
Augustus Whiting, Benjamin F. Bowers, George Faulkner, Josiah Bowers, Henry Blanchard, Josiah Bowers.
* Chosen March, 1819.
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Counsellors at Law'in Billerica
Samuel Dexter, Joseph Locke, Marshall Preston,
William Crosby, Timothy Farnham, George II. Whitman.
Natives of Billerica located elsewhere.
Artemas Rogers, IIenry C. Whitman,* Henry .B. Judkins, George II. Preston.
A LIST+ OF THE NATIVES OF BILLERICA WHO HAVE RECEIVED COLLEGE DIPLOMAS.
* JOHN WHITING, A. M., graduated at Harvard University 1685,- son of Rev. Samuel Whiting,- ordained at Lancaster about 1691; born Aug. 1st, 1664 ; killed by the Indians 1697,- aged 33.
* JOSEPH WHITING, A. M., II. U. 1690,- supposed to be a broth- er of the preceding; born Feb. 7th, 1669; died Sept. 6th, 1701,- aged 32.
* JOSIAH STEARN3, A. M., II. U. 1751,- son of John Stearns,- ordained at Epping, N. II., March Sth, 1758 ; born Jan. 20th, 1732; died 1788,- aged 56.
* JONATHAN KIDDER, A. M., H. U. 1751,- son of Thomas Kid- der, Esq ,- a schoolmaster many years in his native town ; born March 26th, 1728 ; died March 18th, 1805,- aged 77.
* JOSEPH KIDDER, A M., H. U. 1768,- son of Capt. Enoch Kidder,-ordained at Dunstable, N. II., 1767 ; born Nov. 18th, 1741; died 1818,- aged 77.
* WILLIAM BOWERS, A. M., II. U. 1769, M. D.,-son of Capt. William Bowers, - a practitioner in his native town ; born April 20th, 1744; died 1820,- aged 76.
* Hon. Henry Cumings Whitman,- son of Rev. Nathaniel Whitman, -Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio.
t Farmer's list revised and continued.
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ANDREW BOWERS, A. M., II. U. 1799, Esq.,- son of Capt. Josiah Bowers, - a Representative several years to the General Court of New Hampshire from Salsbury ; born Sept. 17th, 1758; died 1832,- aged 74.
DAVID ABBOT, A. M., HI. U. 1794,- son of Mr. David Abbot ; born Dec. 18th, 1770 ; died April 9th, 1804,- aged 33.
JAMES BOWERS, A. B., H. U. 1794,-son of Capt. Josiah Bowers,- ordained over the Episcopalian Society in Marblehead ; born Aug. 22d, 1763; died 1834,-aged 71.
* WILLIAM CROSBY, A. B., II. U. 1794, - son of Hezekiah Cros- by,-Counseller at Law in Belfast, District of Maine ; Senator for this District to the Massachusetts Legislature ; Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, Third Eastern Circuit ; born June 3d, 1770; died March 31st, 1852,- aged 82.
* OLIVER CROSBY, A. M., II. U. 1795,- son of Major Oliver Crosby, - Counsellor at Law and Justice of the Peace at Dover, N. II. ; born March 17th, 1769; died 1851,- aged 82.
* HENRY CUMINGS, A. M., II. U. 1795,- son of Rev. Henry Cumings, D. D.,- some years an instructor of youth ; born Sept. 9th, 1774; died 1829,-aged 55.
JOSEPH RICHARDSON, A. M.,-son of Joseph Richardson, - grad- uated at Dartmouth College 1802 ; ordained in 1806 over the church in Hingham to whom he has ministered for almost half a century ; author of several valuable publications ; Representative and Senator in the legislature of Massachusetts ; member of the Constitutional Convention of 1820 ; Representative to Congress, and Orator at the Billerica Centennial Celebration.
ARTEMAS ROGERS, A. M., II. U. 1809,- son of Josiah Rogers, - was many years Counsellor at Law in Henniker, N. II., and after- wards in Massachusetts.
* FREDERICK AUGUSTUS PARKER, A. B., II. U. 1813, M. D.,- son of Col. John Parker,- born Dec. 21st, 1789 ; died April 23d, 1827,- aged 37.
AUGUSTUS WHITING, A. M., II. U. 1816, M. D., - son of Dea. Samuel Whiting,- is located in Charlestown.
JOSIAH BOWERS, M. D. Yale College 1816,- son of Benjamin Bowers,- is located in New York City.
* In the above List the names of those who have deceased are marked with a star. Their average age is sixty-five.
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MICAJAII ROGER?, A. M., H. U. 1817, -- son of Josiah Rogers,- was several years teacher in Maryland ; now a planter.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BOWERS, jr., M. D. Yale 1819,- son of Benjamin Bowers,- is located in New York City.
ABEL PATTEN, A. B., D. C. 1827 ; is pastor of the Congregation- al Church in Pittsfield, Vt.
TIMOTHY STEARNS, A. M., - son of Timothy Stearns, - graduated at Amherst College 1833 ; lately pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Kingston, Ohio ; now preaches to the Presbyterian Church, Mt. Pleasant, Henry Co., Iowa.
DANIEL PARKER, M. D Bowdoin College 1833 ; the author of the Centennial Poem ; is a practitioner in his native town.
HENRY BLANCHARD, A. M., H. U. 1834, M. D.,- son of Joseph Blanchard, Esq., - is located at Marshfield.
BENJAMIN ADAMS SPAULDING, A. B., II. U. 1840,- son of Mr. Samson Spaulding, - is pastor of the Congregational Church, Ot- tumwa, Wapello Co., Iowa.
GEORGE FAULKNER, A. B., II. U. 1844, M. D.,- son of Franeis Faulkner, Esq., - is located at Jamaica Plain.
GEORGE HENRY PRESTON, A. M., H. U. 1846,- son of Marshall Preston, Esq.,- is Counsellor at Law in Boston.
HENRY BRIDGE JUDKINS, LL. B., - son of Benjamin L. Judkins, - student at law II. U. 1850 ; is Counsellor at Law in Amboy, Lee Co., Illinois.
JOSIAHI BOWERS, M. D. Philadelphia 1854, - son of Joseph Bow- ers, - is located in Smithtown, Long Island, New York.
CHURCHES.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL. The first meeting-house erected in Bil- lerica was completed about 1660. The second was erected July 16, 1694 ; the inhabitants having worshipped in the old one about thir- ty-four years. In 1738 the third meeting-house was built and conse-
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crated to divine worship. In 1797 the fourth meeting-house, 68 feet in length and 51 in breadth, was erected,, and dedicated to Christian worship, by appropriate religious exercises on the 7th of January, 1798. This edifice is still standing near the spot where the first meeting-house was erected. The situation is a pleasant and delight- ful one, and commands an extensive and beautiful prospect. In 1844 it was turned partially round, and two of its porches removed, in or- der to make a more modern building, which the progress of the times seemed to demand. The ornamental and handsome spire is still re- tained, which is seen, and attracts the attention of the traveller for many miles as he approaches the town. A new bell weighing one thousand pounds was placed in the tower the same year, the old one having been broken by the boys, in manifesting their patriotism, up_ on the occasion of the previous anniversary of the National Jubilee.
Ordained Pastors of the First Church in Billerica, with the times of their ordination and removal.
Samuel Whiting, ordained November 11th, 1663 ; died February 28th, 1712,- aged 80.
Samuel Ruggles, ordained May 19th, 1708; died March 1st, 1749,- aged 67.
John Chandler, ordained October 21st, 1747 ; dismissed June 5th, 1760 ; died November 10th, 1762,- aged 39.
Henry Cumings, ordained January 26th, 1763 ; died September 5th, 1823,- aged 84.
Nathaniel Whitman, ordained January 26th, 1814; dismissed March 30th, 1835.
William E. Abbot, ordained February 8th, 1837 ; dismissed Feb- ruary 10th, 1839.
Theodore II. Dorr, ordained May 28th, 1839; dismissed May 28th, 1843.
The pulpit has been supplied, during the interval, by several individ- uals for longer or shorter periods, none of whom have been here ordain- ed. It is filled at the present time by the Rev. Nathaniel O. Chaffee."
BAPTIST. The Baptist Society in Billerica was organized April 25th, 1828. The Baptist Church was constituted the 30th of Sep- tember following. Religious services on the occasion were in the First Congregational Church. For three years the Society worshipped in the " Fordway " school-house. In 1831 a meeting-house was erect-
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ed, 50 feet by 40 feet, near the " Corner Bridge." In 1844 this house was removed to the centre of the town, and subsequently ex- tensively repaired.
Jedadiah W. Sargent, the first pastor, was ordained January 14th, 1835. In 1837 he was succeeded by Rev. Jonathan E. Forbush, who was followed in the pastoral office by Rev. Messrs. Warren Cooper, George W. Randall, and Benjamin Knight.
September 28th, 1845, Rev. Benjamin Putnam became pastor, and so remained until he died, much lamented, December 31st, 1850. Rev. Z. P. Wilds was his successor. At the end of two years he left, and was followed by Rev. Homer Sears, the present supply.
ORTHODOX. The Orthodox Congregational Society was formed January 17th, 1829, and the Church was organized on the 30th of April. The meeting-house, 60 by 46 feet, was raised October 28th of the same year ; dedicated to divine worship January 13th, 1830, and repaired in 1850. The following is a list of the pastors of the church, the pulpit having been supplied during the intervals by vari- ous ministers :-
John Starkweather, ordained April 22d, 1830 ; dismissed August 24, 1831.
Joseph Haven, installed June 8th, 1836; dismissed September 27th, 1840.
Benjamin Ela, ordained April 29th, 1841 ; dismissed May, 1812. J. G. D. Stearns, the present pastor, ordained May 20th, 1843.
UNIVERSALIST. The Universalist Society was organized January 10th, 1842, and the house of worship erected the same year. Rev. Varnum Lincoln, the first pastor, was ordained September 8th, 1843. The church was gathered January 7th, 1844. Mr. Lincoln remained with the Society two years ; and for two years following his resigna- tion, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. S. P. Landers, then of West Cambridge.
In 1847 Rev. George Proctor became pastor of the Society. In 1853 Mr. Proetor removed to Clintonville, and was succeeded by Rev. P. Hersey. In 1855 Mr. Hersey having resigned his charge, Mr. Proctor at the invitation of the Society again became their pastor.
METHODIST. The First Methodist Episcopal Society was organized in North Billerica January 28th, 1854. Rev. Nathaniel II. Martin preached three months after its organization, and was succeeded by Rev. Horace F. Morse, who still officiates.
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151 POPULATION AND OTHER STATISTICS.
The number of inhabitants of Billerica in 1790 was 1200; in 1800, 1383 ; in 1810, 1289 ; in 1840, 1636; in 1850, 1646. The num- ber according to the census of 1855 is 1772,- males 879; females 893.
Agriculture is the employment of a large portion of the people, and the town is well situated for that purpose. It contains many very valuable farms, and nearly all the varieties of soil. Much attention has been given to the cultivation of fruit, - large quantities of which are annually raised. There are several fine nurseries in the town, upon which much labor has been bestowed, that the best varieties might be obtained.
The location of the place is a delightful one, and considered remark- ably healthy ; and can probably boast of as many aged people, accord- ing to its population, as any other town in the State. The oldest couple in the town is Mr. John Burrows and his wife Bridget; he being 98 years of age, and she 100. They have lived together 79 years. They are natives of Ireland, and reside with their son, Val- entine Burrows, at North Billerica.
Billerica became a Post town about the year 1790. Jonathan Bowers, Marshall Preston, and John Baldwin, jr., Esqrs., have been post-masters. The present post-master is William II. Blanchard.
In 1853 a post office was established in North Billerica, and Joseph A. Burt, Esq., was appointed post-master. James Faulkner is his successor.
About twenty years ago Jonathan Hill, Esq., erected a shop on a small stream, in the South part of Billerica, for the manufacture of machinery. It has been in successful operation to the present time. In 1853 he sold the property to Mr. Charles H. Ilill.
A. II. Patten & Sons, on " Content Brook " in the East part of the town, ten years since commenced the manufacture of cabinet fur- niture. In 1854 they made thirteen hundred bureaus and secretaries.
The Messrs. Faulkner, at North Billerica, for many years have been engaged in the manufacture of flannel. They now make twelve hundred yards daily.
MIDDLESEX CANAL. " The Middlesex Canal Company " was in- corporated in 1793. It extended from Chehnsford to Charlestown, and was twenty-seven miles long. It was the first canal of much
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magnitude in the United States. It passed through Billerica on a level with Concord river, from which stream it received all its water ; the descent to the Merrimack being twenty-five feet, and to Charles river one hundred and seven feet. It was opened in 1804. The en- tire cost of it was nearly three-fourths of a million of dollars.
Large quantities of lumber, wood, ship timber, &c., were floated down the Merrimack and taken on the Canal to Medford, Charles town and Boston. In return, merchandise of much value, was con- veyed to the towns near the Canal and into the interior of New Hamp- shire. A " Packet boat " passed the Canal daily to accommodate passengers. Though beneficial to otber towns, it evidently retarded the growth of Billerica, as otherwise the water might have been ap- propriated to manufacturing purposes. A large amount of bricks, lime, slate-stones, and other materials, of which the first factories, dwelling-houses and other buildings in Lowell were constructed, was received by the Canal. At length Railroads superseded the Canal, and it fell into disuse .* In 1852 the proprietors sold the " water privilege," and their other property at North Billerica, to Messrs. C. P. Talbot, of Lowell, and Thomas Talbot, of Billerica, who had al- ready commenced the manufacture of dye woods, drugs and chemicals in that place. They enlarged their works, and now manufacture about $150,000 worth of dye stuffs and drugs, and about $40,000 worth of Chemicals annually. Messrs. C. P. & Thomas Talbot have pro- jected a flannel Mill at North Billerica, the foundations of which are now laid. When completed, it will produce 2400 yards of flannel per day.
The statistics and the general condition of the Common Schools in Billerica may be seen from the School Report, which, for the last three years, have been printed and circulated in all the families in town.
* About 1795 the first stage coach passed through Billerica. "It was a two horse covered vehicle, owned and driven by Mr. Joseph Wheat, and ran from Amherst, N. Il., to Boston and back again once a week. It stopped at Billerica over night, making the trip both ways in about four days. The same team per- formed all the journey." For several years before the construction of the Boston and Lowell Railroad, from twelve to sixteen stages passed through Billerica daily, Sundays excepted.
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