USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Wellesley > Epitaphs from graveyards in Wellesley (formerly West Needham.), North Natwick and Saint Mary's churchyard in Newton Lower Falls, Massachusetts; with genealogical and biographical notes > Part 8
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She was b. June 25, 1796, dau. of 262 and 263.
(Willow and urn.) 267
SACRED | To the Memory of | MRS. GRACE FISK, | Wife of Mr. Enoch Fisk j;, \ who died Oct. 31, 1822 : | Æt. 41.
With patience Lord I bore thy hand, Till death hath sett me free ; Resign'd my breath at thy command, Hopeing to dwell with thee.
She was b. in Weston, Dec. 2, 1781, dau. of Joseph and Elizabeth (Stratton) Seaverns, m. Enoch Fisk, Jr., Nov. 4, 1805 (Weston T. Rec.), int. Oct. 7, 1804. (Need. T. Rec.)
Mrs. Fisk was sister of Peter Lyon's second wife. (See p. 33.) Fisk and Fiske appear to be equally correct ; the latter form is the more common to-day.
268 (Obelisk. Willow and urn. Obelisk.)
SACRED | To the Memory of | MR. ENOCH FISK IL | who died | Sept 10, 1827 : | Æt. 46. From me this solemn truth receive, Near to the opening grave you stand ; Death will not grant a long repreive, The end of all things is at hand.
He was b. Jan. 28, 1781, son of 262 and 263.
He was hogreave in 1805, '08, '19. The births of two of his children are recorded in Needham.
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Woodlawn Cemetery
269
(Urn.) ,
ERECTED | IN memory of | William Fuller Esq. | who died Jany 17, 1802 : | Æt. 59.
Beneath this Stone I rest my head, In slumbers sweet, Christ blest the bed, Weep not for me my pains are d'er, We soon shall meet to part no more.
He was b. Mar. 10, 1743, son of Robert, Jr., and Sarah (Eaton) Fuller.
His ancestors are buried in Needham. (Need. Ephs.)
William was a farmer, and was selectman 1775-81, '83- 86, '88-92, '94-96, '98, 1800, 'OI, assessor 1783, '84, '89, elected representative to the General Court May 17, 1782, and declined, but served in 1789, '90. Since 1831 the rep- resentative to the General Court has been chosen in Novem- ber, but prior to that date the election was in the spring. Mr. Fuller was on the committee to reckon with the town treasurer 1780, '98, 1800, fence viewer 1785, district school committee 1797, '98, 1800.
On April 19, 1775, William Fuller was a sergeant in the West Company, and there is a bronze S. A. R. marker on his grave.
On February 17, 1777, "Liet" William Fuller and "Liet" Ebenezer Fuller were of the committee of five chosen "To See what has been paid, and who has Done a turn or part of a turn, Perfonally," and March 9, 1778, William was one of the committee of five to see what the town "Shall allow to a man that Shall be Drafted or Goes Vollentery in to the Pub- lick Service of the war." On August 2, 1779, he was one of the committee of seven "to State the articles of marchandize and Cuntry Produce &c."
In 1792 he was on the committee to petition for the divi- sion of Suffolk County, and August 4, 1794, on that in refer- ence to "an allowance being made to those men that are Drafted as minute men."
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On March 14, 1796, he was chairman of the committee of three "to open the Bridle way acrofs Chestnut Hill," and March 9, 1801, chairman of the committee of five "to renew the bounds round the lot of Land lying in Dover." This refers to the Dwight school land, still owned by the town.
" Squire " Fuller was justice of the peace 1795-1802, mod- erator of many town meetings, and was a leader in the com- munity. He was the first clerk of the West Precinct, and served from January 19, 1775, until his decease. He served with Joseph Mudge, Jr., and Jonathan Kingsbury on the first board of assessors chosen by the West Precinct, March 5, 1778, and in 1780 Lieut. William Fuller was moder- ator of one of its meetings, and 1791-1801 William Fuller, Esq., was on its precinct committee. Service as precinct assessor will not be mentioned in this work unless for some special reason, such as the failure to elect a precinct com- mittee in a particular year, which gave the assessors addi- tional importance.
(Willow and urn.) 270
SACRED | To the Memory of | MRS. SARAH FULLER, | Wife of | William Fuller Esq,, | who died April 26, 1820 : | At. 69.
Sweet soul, we leave thee to thy rest, Enjoy thy Jesus and thy God, Till we from bands of clay releas'd, Sing out and climb the shining road.
She was b. June I, 1751, dau. of Ebenezer and Lydia (Woodward) Hunting, and sister of 140, m. William Fuller June 8, 1769. Mrs. Hunting was probably identical with Lydia, bapt. Sept. II, 1726, dau. of Benoni Woodward.
271
(Willow and urn.)
Sally Fuller, | Daut of Willm Fuller Esq | And Sarah his wife, | Died June 8, 1784 : | Æt. 4 months.
A pleasant plant a blooming flower Cut down & wither,d in an hour.
Sally's birth is not recorded in the town records.
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Woodlawn Cemetery
272 (Cherub's head and wings.)
Sacred | to the memory of | M! Luther Fuller | who died Auguft 6, 1798. | Ætatis 25.
Could grateful love recall the fleeting breath, Or fond affection foothe relentless Death. Then had this Stone ne'er claim'd a focial tear, Nor read to thoughtlefs man a lesson here.
He was b. May 5, 1774, son of 269 and 270.
273 (Lamp, urn, olive tree, lamp.)
IN memory of | John W. Fuller, | Son of M. Luther Fuller & Mrs | Abigail his wife ; who died | October 28th 1796; in | the 3ª year of his age.
Farewell dear child, a Short farewell, Till we shall meet again above ; In the Sweet groves where pleasures dwell, And trees of life bear fruits of love.
The child's birth is not recorded in the town records.
274
(Willow and urn.)
IN Memory of | MR. ASA FULLER, | who died | Nov! 12, 1808. | Æt. 27.
Stop here my friend & drop a tear Think on the dust that slumbers here And when you read this date of me Think on the glass that runs for the.
He was b. Oct. 3, 1781, son of 269 and 270. He was a hogreave in 1807.
275
(Willow and urn.)
In memory of | LIEUT. WILLIAM FULLER, | who died | June 8, 1827, | aged 57 years.
He was b. Apr. 12, 1770, son of 269 and 270.
He was hogreave 1793, Brick district school committee 1800, '14 ("L'" the latter year) ; "Ens"" William Fuller was surveyor of highways 1803, and in 1819 he held that position, but was no longer called "Ens" ." Field driver 1803, '06, '14.
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Wellesley
276
(Willow and urn.)
IN MEMORY OF | MRS. REBECA FULLER, | Wife of | Mr. William Fuller, | WHO DIED | Dec. 5, 1843, | Æt. 71.
She was b. Mar. II, 1772, dau. of 44 and 45.
" Becca " Bullard m. William Fuller, Jr., Jan. 6, 1793. (Ch. Rec.)
277
(Willow and urn.)
CAPT. | JONATHAN FULLER | died | April 27, 1853, | Æt. 81.
He was b. Apr. 7, 1772, son of 269 and 270.
He was a "L"" as early as 1807, when he was field driver and tythingman, surveyor of highways 1811, '18, '33, select- man 1813-16, '22-24, '28, '29, West district school committee 1817, '21, '24, '26, prudential school committee 1834, fence viewer 1829, town agent 1835, chosen to act with the asses- sors in taking the general valuation in 1835.
On October 27, 1816, he was appointed one of the com- mittee which reported May I, 1817, in favor of a division of the town, and in 1825 he was on a similar committee, consist- ing of ten, and May 23, 1825, the town voted for division.
On April 6, 1818, he was on a committee of six "to repair the several School houses," and in 1832 on the committee to reckon with the town treasurer. From 1831-35 he was on the committee of the West Precinct. In the later town records the omission in some instances of his military title suggests that possibly Jonathan Fuller, Jr., may have been intended.
278
(Willow and urn.)
SACRED | To the Memory of | MRS. MARY FULLER, | wife of | Capt. Jonathan Fuller ; | Died April 19, 1836, | At. 63.
She's gone from earth -the meek afflicted one.
To rest from all her toil ; her work is done; Her virtues still will live they cannot die, For they, on earth, but ripen for the sky.
She was b. Oct. 14, 1772, dau. of Timothy and Dorothy (Colburn) Broad, m. Jonathan Fuller June 9, 1794. (Ch. Rec.)
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Woodlawn Cemetery
279 IN | memory of | Francis Fuller, | Son of M. Jonathan Mrs | Mary Fuller, who died May | 13, 1798, aged 2 years & II Months.
Friend drop a tear d'er his Short grave, Lament in him an early doom, Be ftill and know his maker gave, And call'd him to his Heavenly home.
Francis was b. June 10, 1795.
280 In | memory of | Rebecca Fuller, | Daughter of M. Jonathan & | Mrs Mary Fuller, who died | July 19, 1802 : | Aged 8 months.
er A lovely plant, a blooming flow Cut down and wither'd in an hour.
Rebecca was b. Nov. 15, 1801 (T. Rec.), bapt. Feb. 7, 1802. (West Ch. Rec.)
(Willow.) 281
In Memory of | WILLIAM FULLER, | Son of Mr. Jonathan, | & Mrs. Mary Fuller ; | who died Dec. 13, 1805 ; | At. 1 year & 8 mo.
Sweet shall my rest in Jesus be ; Since He has conquer'd death for me.
William was b. Apr. 2, 1804 (T. Rec.), bapt. May 27, 1804. (West Ch. Rec.)
(Willow and urn.) 282
SACRED | To the memory of | MR. ALVEN FULLER, | who died | Mar. 17, 1859, | Æ. 73 yrs. 8 mos.
He was b. July 16, 1785, son of 269 and 270. He is called Alvan in the town record of births.
He was hogreave 1810, '22, fence viewer 1819.
On April 21, 1799, Alven, Sarah, Clarissa and Cleora, chil- dren of William and Sarah Fuller were bapt. (West Ch. Rec.)
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Wellesley
283 (Willow and urn.) SACRED | To the Memory of | MRS. ANNA FULLER, | Wife of | Mr. Alven Fuller ; | who died Aug. 24, 1819 : | At. 32.
My living Children all draw near, Perhaps my death deserves a tear : Here lies a kind and tender breast, That gave you succor sleep and rest :
Here rests a kind and folded arm, That guided each of you from harm ;
Here rests my frame in sable ground, Where each of you must soon be found.
She was b. Dec. 5, 1787, dau. of 262 and 263.
Alvin Fuller m. " Nancy " Fisk Nov. 12, 1809 (int. Sept. 23).
284
(Willow and urn.)
In Memory of | PERSIS WARE, | Daughter of Alven & Anna Fuller; | Died March 3, 1835 : | Æt. 17 years.
Go home my friends wipe of your tears, My dust lies here till Christ appears ; To relms above my spirit flies, To meet its Saviour in the skies.
Persis was b. Sept. 15, 1817 (T. Rec.), d. Mar. 2, 1835 (West Ch. Rec.), bapt. Nov. 30, 1817. (West Ch. Rec.)
285 (Willow and very small urn.)
SOPHIA, | wife of | Alven Fuller, | died Mar. 1, 1859, | aged 70 yrs.
She was 71 yrs., 6 mos., 3 dys., and was b. in Southborough, dau. of Samuel and Lucretia Chamberlain. The intention of marriage of Alven Fuller and Sophia Chamberlain of South- borough was recorded Oct. 13, 1821. . (T. Rec.)
The remains of all these Fullers are in a lot in the north- erly part of Woodlawn, but they originally rested near the church in the old graveyard.
286-288 (East face of a monument.) BENJAMIN FULLER | 1782-1857. SUSAN JACKSON | HIS WIFE | 1783-1857. (West face.) EDWARD A. | OUR SON | 1840-1842. FULLER
There are other names on this monument.
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Woodlawn Cemetery
Benjamin was b. in Charlestown, N. H., d. Sept. 26, 1857. He was a farmer. Chosen deacon of the Congregational Church at West Newton (Second Church) October 31, 1817, and was dismissed, with his wife, to the Church in West Needham, August 10, 1828. Resigned as deacon July 6, 1828. Clerk of the West Church July 9, 1833-October 2, 1833, one of the West Precinct committee 1828-30, '46, its collector 1829, and moderator of its meetings in 1835, '39, 43, '46. He was selectman 1829, '31, tax collector 1832.
Edward Augustus was b. Apr. 3, 1840 (T. Rec.), bapt. Sept. 6, 1840 (West Ch. Rec.), d. Feb. 25, 1842, son of Au- gustus and Susan S. (Fuller) Fuller, who were m. Dec. I, 1836. She was a dau. of 286, and d. May 16, 1897.
Augustus Fuller was b. Oct. 24, 1814, d. Oct. 3, 1893, son of 277 and 278, and was a deacon of the West Church November 28, 1849-January 16, 1885, and clerk of the church from January 19, 1848-January 24, 1883. He was one of the committee of the West Precinct 1843-45, '53-58, assessor, there apparently being no committee, 1862-65, '68, '69, mod- erator of six or more meetings of the precinct 1852-66, and of its last and final meeting April 4, 1870. Augustus Fuller was bapt. Dec. 18, 1814. (West Ch. Rec.)
289-290
(South face of a monument.)
SARAH A. FULLER | DIED MAY 5, 1842 | AGED 3 YRS. & 5 MO. (North face.)
PHINEAS WITHINGTON | DIED JAN. 1, 1829 | AGED 65 YRS.
There are other names on this monument which is distinct from the one in memory of 286-288.
Sarah Ann was b. Dec. 24, 1838, dau. of Jonathan, Jr., and Sarah Ann (Withington) Fuller, who were m. Jan. 6, 1830 (int. Dec. 19, 1829).
Jonathan Fuller, Jr., was hogreave 1830, prudential school committee 1836, '38, selectman 1837, '53-57, six years, and
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Wellesley
representative to the General Court 1856. From 1836-38, '61 he was on the West Precinct committee, and its modera- tor 1842 (more than once), 1849, '58-61, '69. He died Mar. 19, 1883, aged 76 yrs., 6 mos., and his wife, Sarah A., d. May 21, 1884, aged 78 yrs. Their names and that of their son Henry Augustus, who was b. Oct. 28, 1830, d. in Salisbury, N. C., Feb. 10, 1865, are on this monument. Henry A. was in the 20th Regiment of Mass. Vols. in the Civil War.
Phineas Withington was dismissed from the First Church in Roxbury to the West Church in Needham April 6, 1828.
291-293 (North face of a monument.) C
LEWIS CLARK | OCT. 26 1785 | OCT. 10 1829
HANNAH CLARK | FEB. 26 1788 | JUNE 7 1865
REUBEN ALLEN CLARK | JUNE 19 1828 | APRIL 12 1829
There are other names on this monument.
Lewis was son of William and Caty (Glover) Clark, who had six children whose births are recorded in Needham.
Caty Glover was b. in Dedham, m. William Clark June 22, 1782. (Ded. T. Rec.)
The births of five children of Lewis Clark are recorded in Needham. Hannah Kingsbury, his wife, was sister of 60, and m. Lewis Clark Feb. 23, 1812 (int. Feb. 6). Reuben Allen was son of Lewis and Hannah.
Ebenezer and John [Clark] were in the East Company April 19, 1775, and Ebenezer, Jr., was the drummer for the com- pany. John and Ebenezer, Jr., rendered considerable service later in the war. (See Mass. S. and S. in Rev.)
294 MARY JANE DIX, | Wife of | L. Allen Kingsbury, | DIED | Oct. 14, 1854, | Aged 35. Not lost but gone before.
Luther Allen Kingsbury, son of 318 and 319, was b. Mar. 9, 1818, m. Mary Jane Dix Nov. 30, 1848 (int. Oct. 21). He was then (1848) of Wrentham.
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Woodlawn Cemetery
Luther A. was on the school committee 1856, '57, '65, elected for three years in 1866, was chairman 1867, '68, and resigned in 1868.
For an account of him as a teacher see Ded. Hist. Reg., Vol. IX, p. 50.
295
ELIZABETH D. DIX, | DIED | Mar. 20, 1865, | aged 66 yrs.
She was 66 yrs., 3 mos., 15 dys., and was b. in Newton, dau. of Joseph and Elizabeth (Brookhouse) Craft ; dismissed from Park Street Church in Boston to the West Church in Needham September I, 1830; m. Samuel W. Dix.
296 SAMUEL W. DIX | died | Oct. 7, 1849, Æt. 61.
He was b. in Newton, son of Samuel.
Samuel Dix of Waltham and Hannah Day were m. Aug. 3, 1773. (T. and Ch. Recs.)
Samuel W. Dix held minor town offices in Needham, and in 1832 was on the committee to reckon with the town treas- urer. In 1822, '23 and '25 he was one of the West Precinct committee.
297-304 (South face of a monument.)
EMERY FISKE. | BORN FEB. 27. 1803. | DIED MAY 17. 1868. | HIS WIFE | EUNICE MORSE FISKE. | BORN APRIL 1. 1799. | DIED SEPT. 27. 1886.
FISKE
(West face.) 1829-1842
EMERY | EUNICE L. | EMERY A. | GEORGE H. | SARAH E. | DAVID | INFANT CHILDREN OF | EMERY & EUNICE M. FISKE.
Emery Fiske was b. in Framingham, son of Moses (358) and his wife Sybil (Jennison) ; Emery was a prominent citizen
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of Needham, and a Democratic leader. He was selectman 1838-40, assessor 1840, representative to the General Court 1840, '41, delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1853, and held many minor town offices. For a sketch of his life and a portrait see the History of Norfolk County, 1884, p. 488.
His wife was b. in Natick, dau. of Adam and Lydia (Bacon) Morse, and taught school in Natick in her younger days. Emery and Eunice (Morse) Fiske had seven children whose births are recorded in Needham. Their son, Joseph Emery (H. U. 1861, later A. M.), was a captain of artillery in the Civil War, selectman 1873-76, representative to the General Court 1874 and senator 1876, '77, member of the school com- mittee 1876-April, 1881, and chairman in 1876. He has also held the more important town offices in Wellesley, including the chairmanship of the school committee for some years, is a gentleman of historical tastes, and resides at the Fiske homestead. For biography and portrait see " One of a Thou- sand," 1890.
Of the children whose names are on the monument, Emery was b. Aug. 9, 1829, Eunice Loretta was b. June 15, 1831, Emery Adams was b. Apr. 5, 1833, George Henry was b. Sept. 28, 1836 (T. Rec.), d. June 22, 1837, aged 8 mos. (West Ch. Rec.), Sarah Elizabeth was b. June 16, 1838 (T. Rec.), bapt. Sept. 2, 1838. (West Ch. Rec.)
305-11 (North face of a monument.)
SOLOMON FLAGG | DIED MAY 20, 1892, | AGED 87 YRS.
ELIZA H .- HIS WIFE, | DIED APRIL 7, 1875, | AGED 73 YRS.
CHARLES H. FLAGG | THEIR SON | DIED JUNE 2, 1829, | AGED I YR. 2 MOS.
FLAGG
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Woodlawn Cemetery
(East face.)
CHARLES G. FLAGG | DIED JAN. 13, 1860, | AGED 25 YRS. WILLIAM S. FLAGG | THEIR SON | DIED JAN. 14, 1886, | AGED 29 YRS. 6 MOS.
(South face.)
SOLOMON FLAGG | DIED FEB. 14, 1837, | AGED 63 YRS. ESTHER -HIS WIFE, | DIED SEPT. 11, 1866, | AGED 92 YRS.
Solomon (305) was b. in Boston, Aug. 24, 1804, son of 310 and 31I.
He made his first appearance as a town officer when he was chosen hogreave in 1828, was highway surveyor 1835, '63, '64, and other years, fireward 1838-40, '43, '44, on the committee to reckon with the town treasurer 1838, tything- man 1841, '42, '49, sealer of bread 1843, '61, surveyor of wood 1863. These are a few of the minor town offices which Mr. Flagg held, and he served on many committees of the town.
On March 7, 1831, he was chosen one of the eight inspect- ing school committee, and was also on the school commit- tee 1845-51, '57-61, October 13, 1862-March, 1863, Novem- ber 30, 1863-March, 1865, elected in 1865 for a three-year term and declined, '70-81, a total service of twenty-seven years, counting 1862 and 1863, assessor 1832, '33, '36, '45, '57-59, '61-74, and chairman of the assessors '61-64, '68-74, making a service of twenty-one years, selectman April 1, 1833 (succeeding his brother William, who resigned), '42, '43, 46-49, town clerk from August 19, 1850-April, 1881, town treasurer from May, 1859-April, 1881, representative of the town in the General Court in 1834 and of the district in 1861.
Mr. Flagg was also town clerk of Wellesley 1881-March, 1888. For many years he was a justice of the peace. He taught school thirty-eight years in Needham, Dover, Natick and Sherborn. In his youth he beat the drum for musters and on other occasions, as his father had done, and for fifty
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years he led the choir of the church in the West Precinct. Mr. Flagg was often called upon to sing on public occasions, and the writer remembers hearing him sing "Perry's Vic- tory." He was also prominent in the Sunday School, and was treasurer of the West Precinct April 13, 1837-March II, 1861, clerk of the church May 31, 1842-October 6, 1842, and of the Wellesley Congregational Society December 19, 1864- April 15, 1889. He was one of the West Precinct committee 1836, '47-52, '61, assessor, when apparently there was no committee, 1862-65, moderator of the precinct meetings 1847, 53,'57,'59.
There are very few records of public service equal to Mr. Flagg's, either in Needham or elsewhere.
For a sketch of his life and a portrait see the History of Norfolk County, p. 489. There is also a brief account of him in " One of a Thousand," 1890. For length of service in town affairs his only rival appears to be Captain Robert Cook, of whom I will now give some account.
On January 1, 1700/1, the selectmen of Dedham consented to the purchase by Robert "Cooke " of Dorchester of 40 acres of land "granted to William Nahaton neer the vper falls." The surname of this Indian is spelled in eight different ways in the Dedham town records 1680-84.
Captain Cook was a petitioner for the incorporation of the town 1710, selectman 1711-15, '18-21, '23, '24, '27-31, '34, 35, '37, '39-47 (twenty-eight years), assessor twenty-five years when the selectmen were also assessors, and in 1733, '38 (in all twenty-seven years). No assessors were chosen in 17II, and there was a separate board in 1741 and '42. He was representative to the General Court in 1712, the first from Needham, also in '26, '39, town treasurer 1712, '16, '18, '33- 35, '39-45 (thirteen years).
On May 21, 1714, " Leuint " Robert Cook was chosen mod- erator, the first recorded choice of a moderator in Needham ; he was again moderator March 6, 1716, the second time that an election of this official is noted in the town records, and
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Woodlawn Cemetery
also at subsequent meetings. The moderator was chosen " by paper Vots " as early as 1720. For gravestone of his wife see Need. Ephs., p. 5.
The Rev. Mr. Oaks, who preached in Needham for a few months following the incorporation of the town, stayed at the house of Ensign Cook.
Capt. Robert had five children whose births are recorded in Dedham, and three whose births are recorded in Need- ham.
On November 20, 1721, Capt. Robert Cook, Jeremiah Woodcock and Joseph Boyden were chosen custodians of " Eaight Score pounds," received by an act of the Great and General Court. These "Truftees " were under bonds, and the fund, which was applied to the "use of the Town & School," was expected to yield 5%. On January 28, 1722/3, Thomas Metcalf and Josiah Kingsbury, the town treasurer, were appointed to loan for interest the income of this fund, and £5 which were received by the selectmen on February 27, 1722/3, from John Gay of Dedham and Joseph Boyden of Needham, executors of the will of " Samell Aldrig Late of this Town," who gave the £5 for the maintenance of a school.
On May 16, 1726, the town considered propositions "to Grant Such Sums of Money for the Releft of the pore & for the Majntance of a School & for the Buildi,'g a School houfe." Stephen Bacon was to receive the money " Belong- ing to the Weft End of the Town for thare benefit of a school for the yeare 1725."
On May 17, 1727, two petitions were before the town ; the first, dated May 13, was signed by eleven citizens and was as follows : "To the Town of Needham Now Affembled in Town Meetting in as Much as the Wefterly inhabobats of this Town have som time fince bin at the Charg in purchafing & Moveing a Houfe to Keep Chool in for to Teach our Children to Reid and Wight [the latter word blotted] we therefore thinck it vay proper if the Town hall fee Meet to Eftablifh a place for fd houfe Neare the place where it Now
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ftandeth." The town favored a definite place for the build- ing provided the petitioners would pay for the necessary land.
The other petition was signed by Ebenezer Ware and twenty-six others, and requested the town to build a school house "Neare the Houfes of Capt John Fishers or father Millis." The vote was in the affirmative, but nothing further was done at this meeting. As the petitioners asked that the school house should be "att the Meetting Houfe," it would seem that Capt. Fisher then lived in its vicinity. The ques- tion of building a "chool houfe or houfen" was before the town at its meeting March 20, 1726/7, but no action was taken.
In the town report for 1867 is an account of the " School Land" given by Mr. Timothy Dwight of Dedham. This land is said to have been conveyed to the town by Henry and Seth Dwight after their father's decease, the latter having failed to execute his intended deed of gift.
On May 20, 1728, the town voted to "Difalow the Schoole House that was Granted for the westerly Inhabitance." There was much consideration of the school question at this period, and it was difficult to provide instruction for the children of the scattered inhabitants.
There was a petition, May 6, 1728, signed by Josiah Kings- bery and twenty-four other men living in the west part of the town, and a pledge to pay " M! William Chub" if he would build a school house between the houses of Nathaniel Bullard and Henry Pratt. On June 24, 1728, John Smith, Henry Pratt and Robert Fuller were chosen by the subscribers as asses- sors to apportion the expense. William Chub was their col- lector.
On March 1, 1731/2, the petition " of the Moft Eafterly or South Eafterly Inhabitants of the faid Town of Needham" was granted, and the town approved of the location which the petitioners, thirty in number, had obtained for a school house. The map of Metropolitan Boston, George H. Walker
-
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& Co., 1898, indicates the site of a school house in 1726 on or near the spot where is now the Shaw school at Wellesley Hills. The town records are rather meagre as to the school houses, and at certain periods the manuscript is hard to read.
"Gemima" Littlefield was a schoolmistress in Needham in 1730 and '31, and John Smith taught in 1731 and earlier. A complete account of the early schools and teachers would fill many pages.
The school terms in the last century were short, seldom more than two or three months.
There were two men named Robert Cook assessed in Needham 1724 -. On September 10, 1730, Robert Cook was appointed schoolmaster and was to receive £4. This was probably Robert, Jr., who was assessed in that year.
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