USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Genealogical history of the town of Reading, Mass., including the present towns of Wakefield, Reading, and North Reading, with chronological and historical sketches, from 1639 to 1874 > Part 25
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235
OF THE TOWN OF READING.
Mr. Slack resigned the parish on Trinity Sunday, June 1, 1873, having removed to Salem.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF READING,
Was organized Thursday evening, Feb. 27, 1873. Application for this object had been made the year before to the Presbytery of Bos- ton, sitting at East Boston. Accordingly, a committee consisting of Rev. Abraham S. Gardiner, of Jamaica Plain, and Rev. Wm. A. Mc- Corkle and Elder Reuben Crooke, of Boston, was appointed to visit the field and to report at the next regular meeting of Presbytery. During the summer of 1872, Rev. A. S. Gardiner preached several times at Reading, and in the fall following accepted an invitation to take charge of the new enterprise with a view to its development into a Presbyterian church. At the fall meeting of Presbytery held at New Boston, N. H., Rev. Mr. Gardiner resigned his place on the Presbyte- rial Committee, and was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Dunn, of Boston. The committee made a report, and were then directed to revisit the field, and, the way being clear, to organize a Presbyterian church. During the succeeding winter the services continued to be conducted by Rev. Mr. Gardiner.
The church at its organization consisted of twenty members. Messrs. Sherman Case and Chas. C. Frost were elected and ordained Ruling Elders. Rev. Abraham S. Gardiner was unanimously chosen pastor.
At the meeting of Presbytery held at the Third Pres. Ch., Boston, in April following, the church was enrolled, and arrangements were made for the installation of the pastor elect. By invitation the instal- lation took place at the Bethesda Congregational Church, Wednesday evening, May 7, 1873.
The congregation was incorporated as a society during the follow- ing June. In July and August, steps were taken towards the erection of a suitable edifice for public worship. A committee consisting of Messrs. C. C. Frost, J. T. Norris, and Milton Kingman, was appointed, Aug. 25th, to procure plans, etc., and to publish proposals for building. On the report of the committee, the building of the church was awarded to The Sturtevant Manufacturing, Building and Contracting Co., Bos- ton. The use of an eligible lot on Woburn Street was granted for a term of years to the society by Benjamin Boyce, Esq., of Reading. The structure was commenced October, 1873, and was dedicated to the service of God, Thursday evening, Feb. 26, 1874.
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GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
HISTORY OF THE BETHESDA CHURCH AND SOCIETY, OF THE TOWN OF READING.
THE BETHESDA SOCIETY.
On account of existing circumstances in the First Congregational Society in the South Parish, in Reading, it was thought best that another Orthodox society should be formed. A paper dated Jan. 25, 1849, was drawn up, inviting all who wished to unite in forming such a society, to subscribe their names. Timothy Wakefield and sixty-five others subscribed, and on the 9th of April, 1849, met at the house of Henry F. Parker for taking measures to carry their plans into effect. William Wakefield was chosen moderator, and Oliver Peabody, clerk ; and a committee of ten, Aaron Parker, chairman, was appointed to make application to a Justice of the Peace for a warrant to call a meeting for organizing a society. The warrant was issued by A. A. Prescott, Esq., calling a meeting April 23, 1849, which met at Academy Hall.
Capt. Timothy Wakefield was chosen moderator; Oliver Peabody, clerk ; Timothy Wakefield, Aaron Parker, John H. Bancroft, assessors ; Milo Parker, treasurer and collector. It was voted to call the new organization " The Bethesda Society."
Oliver Peabody continued to serve as clerk till his decease in 1855. His successor was Stillman E. Parker, who has served till the present time. Aaron Parker served as treasurer, 1850-1 ; Loea Parker, 1851-7 ; Milo Parker, 1857-'63, '65, '66 ; M. M. Temple, 1863-5 ; D. Myron Damon, 1867-8 ; Hiram Barrus, 1869-'74.
J. H. Bancroft served as collector, 1865-8 ; Stillman M. Pratt, 1868- 70 ; Geo. A. Richardson, 1870-2 ; Milo Parker, 1872-4. A large num- ber of persons have served as assessors, but only two or three have held the office for more than three years" each. Joel M. Howard was elected 1860 to 1864, five years in succession, a longer term than has been served by any other person. The present assessors are Joshua Clark, S. E. Parker, and Joseph S. Temple.
THE MEETING-HOUSE.
At the meeting for organizing the society, a committee was appointed to consider and report upon the matter of building a house of worship. This committee reported at a parish meeting held May II, that they had viewed several lots of land that could be obtained for a church site, giving description and terms. The parish decided to accept that
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OF THE TOWN OF READING.
whereon the church now stands, which was donated for that purpose by Rev. Peter Sanborn, for which a vote of thanks was passed. Timothy Temple, Wm. J. Wightman, Mark M. Temple, Samuel W. Carter, and Wm. Wakefield, were appointed building committee. The style of house approved was "similar to the Baptist meeting-house in Malden, with a steeple like one in Haverhill," at an estimated cost of $7,500. The original lot of land was enlarged by subsequent purchases from Mr. Sanborn, for which $300 were paid.
Nov. 5, 1849, the parish voted to reserve a pew for the pastor and one for the Rev. Mr. Sanborn, during his life, and to sell the rest at auction ; the choice money to be reserved for the purchase of a bell, provided there be no means of otherwise obtaining one.
The whole cost of building amounted to $13,138.93. The pews were appraised at $13,550. There were received from sales $11,919.54, leaving a sufficient number of pews unsold to pay, if sold at their appraised value, more than twice the amount of remaining indebted- ness.
The committee close their final report, March 20, 1851, saying, “ As we look back upon our past labors and contemplate the great and numberless blessings that God, in his divine goodness, has conferred on this society during the past two years, we would, with feelings of deep humility and gratitude, acknowledge that from God alone have we received all these mercies and blessings, and would say, 'O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men.' "
The house was dedicated Jan. 1, 1850, with the usual services in connection with the settlement of the first pastor.
At a meeting held Jan. 14, 1850, it was voted to purchase a bell. The bell was procured at a cost of $637.84. It weighed 1,934 pounds.
At the annual meeting in March, 1866, plans were adopted for enlarging the church by an addition in the rear, which were carried into effect during the year. The extension gave room. for the pastor's study, the choir and organ back of the pulpit, and a small room for meetings. The expense was a little over $6,000.
ORGANIZATION OF BETHESDA CHURCH.
An ecclesiastical council was called to act on the application of those who desired to form a new church, April 17, 1849.
The council met at Academy Hall, in Reading, and organized by choosing Rev. Reuben Emerson, of South Reading, moderator, and Rev. A. W. McClure, of Malden, scribe. ·
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GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
The request of the applicants to be organized into a new church and their reasons for desiring a new organization, were presented by Timothy Wakefield, Jr., Mark M. Temple, and John Cheney, a com- mittee chosen for that purpose. The reasons being approved by the council, it proceeded to the organization of the church, after the follow- ing order : -
I. Reading of the minutes by the Scribe.
2. Introductory prayer by Rev. Mr. Paine, of Holden.
3. Sermon by Rev. Dr. Kirk, of Boston.
4. Constituting prayer by the Moderator.
5. Consecrating prayer by Rev. Dr. Emerson, of Salem.
6. Right hand of fellowship by Rev. Dr. Edward Beecher, of Boston.
7. Concluding prayer by Rev. Dr. Smalley, of Worcester.
The services were held in the Baptist church. Four others joined the applicants, making the whole number constituting the church, ninety members.
The first meeting of the church for business was held April 26, 1849. M. M. Temple was moderator ; S. E. Parker, clerk, which office he still retains ; Dea. Jabez D. Parker, treasurer, who served till 1858 ; S. E. Parker then held it till 1862; J. M. Howard till 1865 ; Dea. Milo Parker from that date to the present - January, 1874.
The church voted June 5, 1849, to call Rev. Edward W. Clark to the pastorate. Dea. J. D. Parker, Dea. David Emerson, and Oliver Peabody were appointed to unite with the parish committee in extend- ing the invitation to Mr. Clark. The call was accepted and a council met Jan. 1, 1850, for his ordination and for the purpose of dedicating the church edifice.
Rev. R. Emerson, of South Reading, was moderator of the council, and Rev. Jonathan Edwards, of Woburn, scribe.
The invocation and reading of the Scriptures were by Rev. W. S. Coggin, of Boxford ; dedicatory prayer by Rev. A. B. Warner, of Med- ford ; dedicatory hymn by Rev. E. W. Allen, of N. Reading ; sermon by Rev. Dr. Edward Beecher, of Boston ; ordaining prayer by Rev. R. Emerson ; charge by Rev. A. W. McClure, of Malden ; right hand of fellowship by Rev. J. M. Steele, of South Woburn ; address to the people by Rev. I. P. Langworthy, of Chelsea ; concluding prayer by Rev. J. Edwards.
The whole number of communicants at this time was 101. During the year following, a revival added 38 members to the church, by pro- fession, and several were received by letter. The relations between
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OF THE TOWN OF READING.
pastor and people appear to have been unusually tender and sympa- thetic, but in consequence of failing health he asked for a dismission, April 23, 1853. The people acceded to his request, passing at the same time resolutions of regret, esteem, and sympathy. The pastoral relation was dissolved by mutual council, May 9, 1853. The whole number of additions to the church during his pastorate was 67.
On the 6th of July following, Rev. W. H. Beecher was invited to fill the vacant office. He accepted, and was installed Sept. 14, 1853. Rev. T. K. Beecher preached the sermon ; Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher made the installing prayer ; Rev. Dr. C. E. Stowe gave the charge to the pastor ; Rev. Edward Beecher, the charge to the people ; and the right hand of fellowship was by Rev. W. I. Budington. Rev. James C. Beecher was present as a delegate.
The pastorate of Mr. Beecher was not long continued, but thirty per- sons were added to the church during his connection with it. There was not that harmony of sentiment between himself and people that was enjoyed during the ministry of his predecessor, and in March, 1856, steps were taken to sever the connection. He was dismissed before the middle of May following, but the exact date does not appear.
On the 7th of October, 1856, a call was extended to Rev. William H. Willcox, of Kennebunk, Me, which was declined. This was re- newed in the following April, and accepted. Dea. M. M. Temple, William Balch, and S. E. Parker were appointed to represent the church before the council, which convened July 2, 1857.
Rev. Dr. J. P. Cleveland presided, and Rev. Edward W. Clark served as scribe. Rev. J. P. Gulliver preached the sermon. The installing prayer was by Rev. S. Harding ; charge by Rev. Dr. Cleveland ; right hand of fellowship by Rev. G. B. Willcox ; address to the people by Rev. Mr. Clark ; concluding prayer by Rev. R. Tolman ; benediction by the pastor.
The connection thus consummated has been a long, successful, and happy one. A remarkable degree of harmony has prevailed, and suc- cessive revivals have largely increased the membership of the church. The whole number added since the settlement of Mr. Willcox is 246. The present number of members belonging to the church is 259. Thirty of the original members still remain. The entire number who have belonged to the church is 453.
Mr. Willcox has been settled over this church nearly seventeen years - a period longer than that of any other present pastorate in the Woburn Conference ; longer than any in Middlesex County, save two ; or in the State of Massachusetts, excepting less than fifty.
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GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
Rev. Mr. Willcox was born in New York city, Jan. 28, 1821, and fitted for college in the city schools. He graduated from New York University in '1843; from Union Theological Seminary in 1846; preached two years in Norwich, Conn. ; was settled in Kennebunk in 1852, where he remained till his removal to Reading.
Deacons. - When Chosen.
Jabez D. Parker, April 26, 1849 ; David Emerson, April 26, 1849 ; Mark M. Temple, Feb. 9, 1854 ; Stillman E. Parker, Feb. 9, 1854; Milo Parker, Feb. 14, 1861 ; Joel M. Howard, Feb. 14, 1861 ; D. My- ron Damon, Jan. 22, 1867 ; Hiram Barrus, Jan. 21, 1869.
Dea. David Emerson died July 7, 1866 ; Dea. J. M. Howard died Feb. 20, 1865 ; Dea. D. M. Damon resigned Feb. 27, 1873.
The Choir.
Messrs. Roswell N. Temple, as leader, and David G. Richardson, as organist, have been connected with the choir from its first organization in 1849. The society purchased its present organ in 1854 of Mr. Thomas Appleton. The choir has been remarkably harmonious in feeling and performance, and few choirs in the State, probably, have fulfilled their duties more to the satisfaction of all concerned than the Bethesda choir.
Conclusion.
The troubles which caused the separation of the Bethesda from the Old South Church have been amicably adjusted, and the most cordial harmony prevails between them. One in sentiment, one in principle, one in purpose, may their union be perpetual.
The Bethesda Sabbath school has neariy 300 members, and its his- tory is coeval with that of the church. Dea. S. E. Parker was its first superintendent, and, excepting the years 1859, '60 and '61, when Sam- uel W. Parker was chosen, he has continued to fill the position to the present time. David G. Richardson has had charge of the singing during the whole time. The other officers for 1873-4 are Joshua Clark, assistant superintendent ; Hiram Barrus, secretary and treasurer.
METEODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY, READING.
The first effort of the friends of Methodism for planting a church here was made in the autumn of 1866. Father Merrill (Rev. A. D.) spent a few weeks here, preaching three times in Lyceum Hall, and once in the Old South Church. Rev. Andrew Gray, then stationed at Wakefield, was then employed, and preached regularly in Lyceum Hall once each
24I
OF THE TOWN OF READING.
Sabbath during the winter. He formed a class, and organized a Sab- bath school. The annual conference, in the spring of 1867, appointed Rev. Daniel Atkins as the successor of Mr. Gray. Mr. Atkins con- tinued the work here, and on the ninth of June the church was organ- ized with nineteen members and eleven probationers. Rev. Stephen Cushing was appointed by the Conference in April, 1868, to preach for the year, which he did, but resided in Boston. Rev. H. D. Weston succeeded in April, 1869. Measures had been already initiated for building a house of worship. In February of that year the estate lying southerly of Lyceum Hall building had been purchased for $3,800, whereon to locate the church. It was duly erected, and the house was dedicated July 1, 1870. Rev. J. N. Short entered upon the pastorate of the church April, 1871. His labors were so efficient and satisfactory that his term of service was extended to three years, - the longest term allowed a minister by the Conference in one locality. The church has now II0 members and 24 probationers. The Sabbath school reg- isters 204 names, with an average attendance of about 125.
The original board of stewards was Luther Hutchins, Robert Bowser, Myron Billingham. The present board : Charles H. Moulton, William Johnson, H. Copeland, R. Bowser, H. F. Parker, H. E. Dunbar, Edward Parker, Edwin Bassett.
The present board of trustees is Henry Towle, Asa R. McIntire, Simeon Perry, Robert Bowser, C. H. Moulton, Wesley Nason, Luther Hutchins, William Johnson, Jacob Graves. All these persons, except the two last named, constituted the original board.
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GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
CHAPTER V.
EDUCATION.
THE first settlers of Reading appear to have been people of moderate means and narrow incomes. Their first business in thus locating in this wilderness, was of course and of necessity to erect humble domi- ciles, and adopt measures to secure subsistence for themselves and families. But like the early settlers of most other towns in New Eng- land, at that date, having left their native land to find a place where they might worship God in peace, their next thought was to establish a church and build a sanctuary, where the holy ordinances should be publicly administered.
Their first meeting-house was therefore built probably about 1644 (certainly before 1647), and its cost no doubt nearly exhausted their surplus resources. Their numbers for the first fifty years were few and scattered. To gain the necessities of life, to defend themselves against wild beasts and Indian foes, to reduce the rough and stubborn glebe, to maintain the public ministrations of the gospel, and to contend against poverty, sickness, and all those diseases that "flesh is heir to," in a new country and climate, required all the resolution, faith, indus- try, and economy, that our ancestors could command. But all these things they did perform, and performed them well. Consequently they had little opportunity or ability, for many of those early years, to do much for schools, Yet it is no doubt true, although we find no record thereof, that, during the first half century of our town's exist- ence, from the first settlement in 1639, although there was no public school, " they trained up their little ones in the 'nurture and admoni- tion of the Lord,' and, so far as possible, around their own firesides, and in each neighborhood, taught them the rudiments of the simple knowledge they had learned from their fathers."
The first reference to a school which we find upon the record, is in 1680, when it is said that the town was presented or complained of at the County Court for deficiency of a grammar school. This complaint no doubt induced our fathers to make new efforts in behalf of school- ing. They probably established some sort of a school at this time ;
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OF THE TOWN OF READING.
perhaps not a grammar or classical school, but a substitute therefor, taught by some of the best informed of their own citizens ; for we find that in 1692 the town ordered that the money received from the sale of the old meeting-house should be paid over to Master Brown, in part compensation for the school. This Master Brown was John Brown, Esq., who was one of the best educated of the early settlers (the min- isters excepted), and was long one of the most influential citizens. He was probably the first schoolmaster. In 1693, Dec. 8th, about fifty years after its incorporation, the town, for the first time, ordered "that there should be a Free school kept in the town," and appropriated seven pounds for its support ; " four pounds to be spent in the town (now Wakefield), two pounds for the West end (now Reading), and one pound for those north of Ipswich river (now North Reading ") ; and the selectmen were authorized to expend more money, in the same proportion, if they saw fit.
The first teacher of the free school was Nicholas Lynde, from Charles- town, who graduated at Harvard College in 1690. Several of the early masters were men of classical and liberal education.
There is no record of the erection of the first school-house. It was probably built by private contributions. It was no doubt erected soon after the establishment of the free school, and between 1694 and 1707 ; for in 1694 it appears that the town voted to pay 2s. 9d. to repair the house, in which Master Lynde keeps school; if this house had been a school-house, it would, it is most likely, have been so called. We may conclude, therefore, that it was some private building improved for the school temporarily. In 1707, the selectmen were asked to consider whether the school-house should be removed. So that a school-house had been erected between 1694 and 1707. This house stood on the parsonage lot of the present first parish of Wakefield, north of and near the former site of the parsonage house. It was a low, small-sized building, with a large fireplace in one corner. In 1759, the said parish (then including what is now Wakefield and Reading) raised £13 IOS. 4d. to repair it, but the repairs were not effected until 1765, when the house " was clapboarded, furnished with window shutters, a lock on the door and weather boards." In 1793 it was provided with a stove. This house was used for the school until 1799, when it was sold and became a part of the " Badger house," on Salem Street, now owned by Wid. Sarah (Newhall) Brown.
From the establishment of the free school in 1693 until 1720, the town appears to have hired the teachers and paid them. But there was but one teacher for the whole town, who taught in different parts
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GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
of the town, at such times of the year and for such terms as the selectmen should determine.
· Once, however, in 1708, there was added to the selectmen, to assist in superintending the schools, a committee, consisting of Capt. John Browne, Lieut. Hananiah Parker, and Ens. Nathaniel Parker. From ' 1721 to 1778, the care and support of schools seems to have devolved upon the separate parishes.
It does not appear from the town or parish records what was the amount of the annual appropriations for schools during this time ; but money was obtained from some source, and schools kept, for we find, scattered along through the parish records of this period, sundry votes for repairing and removing school-houses, and directing when schools shall be bept. It is probable that the parish assessors, who appear to have been the acting school committee, ex officio, during the time, ap- propriated a part of the parish funds for this purpose. From 1693 to 172I, while the town superintended the schools, the price or salary paid to the master ranged from £30 to £43 per annum.
The total amount annually appropriated by the several parishes, from 1721 to 1778, while they had charge of the schools, does not appear, but may be inferred from what the town raised in 1720 (£43), and what the town raised after resuming the appropriations, say in 1782, (£80), averaging, probably, some £50 or £60 per annum. In 1778, the town resumed its care of the schools, and voted that the schoolmaster's salary be left to the selectmen ; but there is no record that they made any specific appropriation therefor until 1780. In 1780, the town voted " to raise £1,000 for hiring schooling," to be assessed with the ordi- nary charges, and that each parish draw their proportion out of the town treasury. It will be remembered that at this time the currency was greatly depreciated. The annual appropriations of the town for schools, from 1780 to 1811, inclusive, were as follows : -
In 1780, {1,000, depreciated currency, 1781, £6,000, equal to about £80 per annum.
From 1782 to 1791, inclusive, 1792 and 1793, £150 66
£80
66
1794 to 1802, inclusive, £200
1803 to 1806, £250
66 1807, $833 66
66
1808 to 1811, inclusive, $1,000
66
From 1693, while the town employed and paid the teachers, the school was kept at first three months in the town (now Wakefield) ; two months in the northwest part of the town (now Reading) ; and one
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OF THE TOWN OF READING.
month on the north side of Ipswich River ; and afterwards, until 1708, for such terms at each place as the selectmen should determine.
In 1708, the town voted "that the northwest corner of the town (now Reading) shall have the school in their end one quarter part of the time." About this time, 1708, it is supposed that the second school- house of old Reading, and the first of the present Reading, was built. It was located at the corner of what is now Woburn and Washington Streets. By whom this structure was erected and paid for is not known, probably by voluntary contributions. In 1749, it was removed to the common land, near Phineas Parker's. In 1781, upon a division of the school in the West Parish, it was removed to Capt. Tho. Eaton's land, nearly opposite to Jonathan Parker's corner, and there used as a school until 1798, when it was sold, moved across the road, and occupied as a dwelling-house by Amos Pratt, for about twenty years, and then removed to the north part of said parish, where it is now (1868) a part of the dwelling-house of Freeborn B. Smith. In 1781, the second school- house of said parish (now Reading) was erected by the parish, and was located on "land of Benjamin Nichols, near the corner of his land, where the road turns to go through the Sledge woods."
This house was sold in 1799, converted into a dwelling, and removed to Main Street.
In 1799, the First Parish (now Wakefield) built three new school- houses, - one for the Centre District, one for the West, one for the South, - and purchased a fourth one, that had already been erected by proprietors in the East District. The house built for the Centre Dis- trict was 28 by 24 feet, 12 feet stud, and cost about $500. It had a porch on the south side, a gallery inside for the use of the committee at exhibitions, and would seat, uncomfortably, about one hundred pupils. Although it lacked many of the comforts and conveniences that are thought necessary at the present day, yet, for the time when it was built it was a very respectable edifice. It was located at the northerly end of the Common, with windows looking out upon the highways on all sides of it, that the pupils might be well informed of passing events ; there were no shade trees near, or blinds thereon, to prevent the ingress of light or heat ; but there was a set of old-fashioned hay-scales, set up against one side of the house, with ponderous, gallows-like frame, and long iron chains, hanging and swinging therefrom, for the performance by the pupils at recess of gymnastic exercises ; and a great, creaking windlass within, to exemplify philosophic science ; with a blacksmith's shop near by, where the sparks and scintillations were ofttimes seen to
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