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 41
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"6th. That it be recommended to have a town committee to visit the families of those who may be called into the service of their coun- try, to see that they have the comforts of life, and administer relief to those who may be destitute of them, without an application for that purpose.
" 7th. That it be recommended to the officers and soldiers of the militia to meet often, for the purpose of exercise, and acquiring those habits of discipline, without which they cannot hope to conquer.
"8th. That it be recommended to have signals agreed upon, to give speedy notice in this town of an attack upon the navy-yard, or its vicinity, that every man may have an opportunity to display his
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valor, and aim at least one blow to avenge the many wrongs of our much injured country.
" Lastly, As it is a maxim too often verified in this country, 'to promise and not perform,' so let us resolve, but only this, to perform more than we promise, and may the God of armies so enable us ! "
The town of Reading, then including the present town of North Reading, being mainly Federal in its politics, was opposed to the war, not but what they felt the insult to the American flag, and the im- pressment of sailors from our merchant ships, as sensibly as others, but they were in favor of obtaining relief and redress by some other mode than by war. At a meeting of the town of Reading, held July 13, 1812, " the question was put whether the town was in favor of a war with Great Britain, and no man voted in favor of said war." A committee of seven were appointed to prepare resolutions in relation to the war. This committee reported ; their report was accepted, and recommitted to be corrected and published. There is no record of any further action by the town in the matter. The resolutions, which were doubless condemnatory of the war, appear not to have been published, and no copy thereof is preserved.
Although it appears by the above action that the people of Reading did not favor the declaration of war, yet we find them active and ready to respond to all the requirements of government ; their love of coun- try inducing them to support the war when once declared, whether " right or wrong." This is shown in the following vote, passed Sept. 9, 1814: -
" Voted, That the soldiers that were detached last shall have their wages made up to fifteen dollars per month ; and that if the whole of the militia should be called out, they should have their wages made up to fifteen dollars per month, also."
, Prior to the incorporation of the town of South Reading, it had been the practice from time immemorial, for the schools in the First Parish to be supplied with wood from the parish wood-lot. After said incorporation, the town claimed the right to continue to supply the schools with wood from the same source. To this the parish objected. The town persisted, however, and employed Jonas Parker to cut and bring from the parish, or ministerial wood-lot, wood as usual for the schools. Whereupon the parish prosecuted the town through the town's agent. The case was carried to the Supreme Court, and the following report of the town's agents will show with what result : -
"The agents of the town to defend an action brought against Jonas Parker, for trespass, report : That after a hearing before the Supreme
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Court, the case was decided in favor of the plaintiffs, and as the parish had a legal claim to the wood-lot by right of possession, your agents thought it most prudent not to make any further attempt to defend said action. And while they regret that the expense was considerably en- hanced by chicane and huggermugger, it is with pleasure they exon- erate the agent of the parish from that duplicity and indecorum which are too common among contending parties.
BENJAMIN BADGER, NOAH SMITH, Agents."
LEMUEL SWEETSER,
A proviso added to the last section of the act incorporating the town of South Reading, inserted, it is said, in the latter stage of its pas- sage, at the suggestion of the sagacious representative from the north part of Reading (the south part not being represented), made the new town liable for a share of the expenses of supporting the bridges over Ipswich River. The people of South Reading felt that this pro- vision was unjust, and ought not to have passed, and were about to petition the Legislature for its repeal, but fortunately were able to effect - a settlement by compromise, as the following document will show : -
" To the inhabitants of South Reading, in legal town meeting assem- bled : Their agents, chosen to defend the action brought by the inhabi- tants of Reading against them (to obtain the sum of $1,943.53, debt and damage), and to make any agreement relative to the same, etc., make report : That on the 11th of November, instant, they were enabled to make a settlement with Reading upon the following terms, to wit : The inhabitants of Reading, by their committee or agents, made a release to the inhabitants of South Reading of all duties imposed upon them, and all actions and demands arising by or from the act to establish the town of South Reading ; and in consideration thereof, your agents made a note, promising in their behalf to pay to the treasurer of Reading, or his successor in office, the sum of five hundred dollars, in one year from the date thereof, with interest till paid, and subscribed by a major part of us, and all of us who were present. Each party is to pay its own expense about the suit. That said sum is more than in equity should have been paid may be true, but the laws wisely execute contracts as they are, leaving it to the caution of individuals to make them at first what they ought to be. Your agents are fully satisfied that said sum is as little as the inhabi- tants of Reading would have taken; and from the best advice we could obtain (and the first counsellor in the Commonwealth has been consulted for that purpose), it is considerably less than by law would
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have been recovered. The expense of further litigation has thus been saved to our constituents, who have thus far become exempt from pay- ing their further devoirs to the "genius of law," the terrors of whose frowns they seem rather to have contemplated, than the scales of jus- tice that balance in her hand. If we have been instrumental in plucking one feather from the bird of discord, we sincerely hope it may prove the harbinger to our society of future peace.
All which is respectfully submitted by your agents.
WILLIAM NICHOLS. NOAH SMITH. JAMES GOULD. SAMUEL EVANS, JR.
Nov. 15, 1813.
Thus was the last root of bitterness which grew out of the separa- tion of the old town plucked up, and that peace so sincerely hoped for by the agents above mentioned, has ever since reigned between these sister towns.
South Reading commenced printing its town expenses.
South Reading voted that the Universalist society may occupy the Centre school-house "one Sabbath in a month, next preceding the full of the moon."
Thomas Swain, a noted schoolmaster, died.
1814 .- In districting the State for representatives in Congress this year, the town of South Reading was included in the Essex North District. Whereupon, the town of South Reading petitioned the Legis- lature as follows : "The undersigned, being a committee, duly chosen for that purpose by the town of South Reading, in the County of Middlesex, in their behalf beg leave to represent : That by an act of the General Court, passed June 14, 1814, the said town of South Reading was set off from Middlesex District for the choice of a representative in the Congress of the United States and annexed to Essex North Dis- trict for that purpose ; that although the territorial limits of said town adjoin those of three other representative districts, still they are totally disconnected with, nor do they in any one point adjoin the territorial limits of the residue of Essex North District ; that a territorial space nearly four miles in breadth, composing parts of two representative districts, intervenes and severs said town from the main body of the district, with which it must unite in giving its votes ; that the inhabi- tants of said town, in their common transactions of life, are equally
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disconnected with the other inhabitants of said district, as their terri- torial limits ; that, from their local situation, they have never had any concern in common, whether of a political, comitial, municipal, mili- tary, commercial, or private nature, nor any other community of inter- est whatever, with the rest of said district. or any part thereof ; that they are entire strangers to the interests of said district, strangers to its inhabitants, and strangers to the persons, characters, and qualifica- tions of its candidates for election ; that said district, as at present constituted, does not indeed resemble the far-famed " Gerri-mander " of former days, nor does it resemble the curvilineal turnings and twistings of the extreme end of the present Suffolk District, but, unlike any- thing that has ever existed, it departs from nature's principle of organ- izing beings, and possesses the rare attribute of existing in two places at one and the same time.
Wherefore, said inhabitants of South Reading, unwilling to believe that those, who have so liberally censured others, should themselves so soon be guided by the narrow views of party ; unwilling to believe that any unforgotten grudge to the little town of South Reading should contribute to produce the singular distinction, it has so injuriously received ; and fully confident in the justice and propriety of their petition, beseech your honorable Court to re-annex them to the Middle- sex District, with whom they have ever been in the habit of transacting their business, and with whose interests and inhabitants they are per- sonally acquainted. And as in duty bound will ever pray."
This petition was signed by Wm. Nichols, Lemuel Sweetser, and James Gould, Committee.
The said petition was granted, and the town was re-annexed to Middlesex District.
1815. - This year the people of South Reading celebrated the return of peace with England, by an oration, public festival, and other demon- strations.
The oration was delivered by Charles G. Haines, Esq., the teacher of the town school, a young man of talent and oratorial gifts, who was afterwards Attorney-General of the State of New York. His address was eloquent and patriotic, and " received the reiterated plaudits of a numerous audience."
A sumptuous feast was spread in Hale's hall, to which a procession of citizens, escorted by the "Washington Rifle Greens," Capt. Hay, repaired ; after partaking of the feast, they enjoyed, amid the roar of cannon and the flow of wine, the following flow of soul : -
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"Our country. - The clouds that darkened her sky are bursting asunder."
"The Administration. - Thorns and briars have beset their path, - but they have overcome them."
" The President of the United States. - Posterity will do him jus- tice."
"The victory at New Orleans. - Though gained since the signing the Treaty, yet for our country's glory, the blood there shed was not spilled in vain."
" Our Naval Victories. - John Bull, by his wincing, shows how they hurt him."
"Jackson, Brown, Macomb, and others. - Well done, good and faith- ful servants."
"The Navy. - It has fought itself into favor."
" The Legislature of Massachusetts, the Hartford Convention, and the Commissioners at Washington. - All of a Piece."
"Europe. - A great Checker-board; to get crowned is the object of all."
"The Algerines. - We owe them a tribute? No! Chastisement ? Yes! and we have now leisure to give it them."
" The Fair Sex. - Peace, without fighting for it."
" The company of 'Rifle Greens,' who have honored us with their presence. - On Dorchester Heights ready to measure strength with their enemies ; here, ready to measure bumpers with their friends." 1
(By Joseph Spear, Esq.) "The Orator of the Day. - He has done honor to his honors."
(By C. G. Haines, Esq.) "The British Lion. - We have hunted him, - to his den."
(By B. Badger, Sen.) Strong's Bull-work .* - May the work of John Bull, the Pope, and the Devil never more disturb this happy land."
The following ode, composed for the occasion, was sung : -
" Long did the world, to fruitless war, Drive furious on Bellona's car ; And countless numbers of our race Sunk joyless in death's cold embrace ; When, from the crystalline abode, Encircling 'round the throne of God, A gentle spirit downward bends
Her cheering course, and man befriends.
* Gov. Strong had called England the "bulwark of our religion".
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No more the jarring trumpet's voice, No more the murderous cannon's noise, The orphan's cry, the widow's tear, No more with pain shall strike the ear. Enough, for injur'd country's name, Is done to honor and to fame ; She comes, - the hostile contests cease, -- All hail, sweet cherub, Heaven-born Peace !"
In September of this year occurred the "Great Gale." Many build- ings were blown down, the lofty spire of the Congregational church, in South Reading, was blown off, many shade and fruit trees were uprooted, and an immense amount of wood and timber prostrated.
1816. - A young woman by the name of Perry hung herself, this year, in a garret in the south part of the town.
1817. - Pomp Putamia, a very respectable negro, died, aged 59 years. His property, after the decease of a sister, he devised to chari- table purposes.
Andrew Oliver, said to be one of those engaged in throwing the tea into Boston Harbor at the beginning of the Revolution, died in this town, aged 70 years.
There were earthquakes in September and October of this year.
This year, the first stage that ever passed through this town, regu- larly, commenced running once a week.
1818. - Rev. G. F. Davis was this year settled over the Baptist church and society.
This year, the town voted "that no theological catechisms shall be taught in any schools supported by the town."
1819. - In May of this year, town voted to build a town house ; and in June they reconsidered the vote.
Rev. Cyrus Pierce was ordained at North Precinct.
Į820. - July 4th, Independence was celebrated on Rabbit Island, and an oration was there delivered by William Nichols, Esq.
In December, the Baptist meeting-house was removed from the place of its erection (on Salem Street) to the spot it afterwards occupied on the Common, the land having been generously given in exchange for the land on which it formerly stood, by Col. Lemuel Sweetser.
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1822. - An addition was this year made to the Baptist meeting- house, and a cupola erected.
School houses in the east and west districts were erected this year.
Joseph Wells, aged 14 years (son of the Hon. Charles Wells, late mayor of the city of Boston), was drowned in the pond while bathing. A great mortality prevailed, and forty-two persons died during the year.
1823. - Jan. 20th, the dwelling-house of Zeba Bartlett (which stood where Mr. Henry Knowles' house now is) was burned.
The newer half of the Centre school-house was erected this year.
Three hundred dollars, which was the usual sum, was raised for schooling.
Col. Amos Boardman died, aged 68. He was a man who will be remembered for his public spirit, his military ardor, and particularly for the interest he took in our schools. He was for many years one of the school committee, and possessed a happy talent of waking up in the youthful mind a new and increased ardor for the ways of knowledge and literature.
Nov. 2Ist, died William Nichols, Esq., counsellor, aged 36 years. Esquire Nichols settled in this town in 1812 or 1813. was selectman for several years, and was a delegate to the Convention of 1820, for revising the State constitution. As a lawyer, he was of the first class. He was no pettifogger, for in all petty causes between neighbors, it was his usual practice to advise a settlement, choosing rather to forego the fees arising therefrom than to see his fellow-citizens engaged in these quarrels. He was a useful citizen, possessing the confidence and esteem of the people ; and, although his day was a short one, and his sun, which had shone brightly, set at last in a cloud, still he will be long held in respectful remembrance.
1824. - The bell, which formerly hung upon the Baptist meeting- house, was this year purchased.
The town voted " that the bell should be hung on the Baptist meet- ing-house, to remain there during the pleasure of the town, the town using it for all town purposes, as they see fit, and that the Baptist so- ciety have the privilege of using it for their religious meetings, the same as the Congregationalists use the other bell which is hung on their meeting-house."
The succession of discordant peals which were rung upon this bell for several years we will not now sound over again.
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1825. - May 16th, the house of David Wiley (on the site of his later house) was burnt.
The town's farm and almshouse were purchased.
1826. - June 28th, Capt. James Gould's barn was burnt.
1827. - School-house in South District built.
This year there was great commotion in the town, occasioned by the disagreement of the school committee in relation to the teacher of the Centre school. A master, who had been hired by one of the school committee and placed in the Centre school, was, after having kept a few weeks, ordered by a majority of the committee to leave the school-room, as they had provided another person to teach the school Upon this, the district were called together, and they almost unanimously requested the master to continue his school. He did so without further molesta- tion, the majority of the school committee concluding to wait until this school was closed before they introduced their master.
In the mean time, the district again met, and determined that the school should be continued after the term of the present teacher shall have expired.
Accordingly, two masters were placed in the same school at the same time, the one by a majority of the town's committee, and supported by them and others in person ; the other placed there by a committee of the district, and supported by them in person. A part of the scholars obeyed one master, and a part the other, and in this confusion, " worse confounded," each teacher endeavored to carry on the business of in- struction. The excitement arose to a tremendous and fearful pitch ; at length, the chairman of the town's committee, who was a lawyer, issued writs, in the name but without the authority of the town, against the committee of the district and the teacher they had placed in the school room, for trespass, attached their persons, and carried three of them, viz. Dea. Jacob Eaton, Lemuel Sweetser, and Thomas Evans, to Cambridge, and imprisoned them in the county jail.
The teacher of the district, with a majority of the scholars, soon after retired from the school, and left the teacher employed by the town com- mittee to continue the school.
The suit, thus commenced, was afterwards decided in favor of the defendants, and the cost of the suit was thrown upon the town. The town then sued the chairman of the school committee for the expense he had brought upon them, in issuing in their name, and without their
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authority, and recovered the amount and costs of prosecution, which ended this unhappy affair.
1828. - The South Reading Academy was incorporated, and opened for students in September.
Corporators. - Gustavus F. Davis, Burrage Yale, Lemuel Sweetser, Nathan Richardson, Lilley Eaton, Cyrus P. Grosvenor, James D. Knowles, Howard Malcolm, Nathaniel R. Cobb, Henry Jackson, James Loring, Lucius Bolles, Rufus Babcock, Jr., George Leonard, Michael Webb, Jr., Arthur Drinkwater, Charles O. Kimball, Bela Jacobs, John E. Weston, and Samuel S. Mallory.
Greenwood Street laid out this year.
1829. - Rev. G F. Davis, who had been pastor of the Baptist church for eleven years, was dismissed, and Rev. Joseph A. Warne was settled over that church.
South Reading Temperance Society organized.
1830. - This year, Rev. J. A. Warne was dismissed from the pas- toral care of the Baptist church.
1831. - April 3d, Henry B. Gardner of this town died at Charles- town, from injuries received by falling from, and being run over by, a loaded wagon. He was an amiable and promising young man, and died lamented by all his acquaintances.
South Reading Lyceum organized.
In July of this year, two law cases, entitled " Emerson versus Wiley," which had been in court nearly six years, which had divided the town into two great parties, created a mighty excitement, and enlisted on both sides of the question a huge amount of anxiety, prejudice, rancor, and party feeling, were decided.
July 27th. - Widow of the late Dr. Stimpson died, aged 974 years.
1832. - Rev. James Huckins ordained as pastor of the Baptist church and society.
July 4th. - Celebration in memory of American Independence, with an oration by Robert Rantoul, Jr., Esq., and other appropriate exer- cises.
Here follow a portion of the sentiments offered on the joyful occa- sion : -
" Adams, Jefferson and Munroe. - Whose mortality upon this event-
.
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ful jubilee has contributed to render the day and their names immortal. As, in autumn, it sometimes occurs that the gale or whirlwind detaches from the trees its withered leaves and bear them onward and upward from our view, so these patriots of the Revolution, in the ripeness of age, exposing their pure spirits to the mighty gale and tempest of joy and triumph which fails not to sweep over our land on this glorious occa- sion, were caught up by the powerful breath, and in this chariot of Inde- pendence, borne on the rising columns of a nation's gratitude and a nation's rejoicings, were carried upward and onward, home to their native heaven."
" Education. - Let the rising generation receive at our hands a good education, and then rest assured that our free institutions will be safe in their hands, for a nation of scholars cannot be conquered ; they are invincible."
"Internal Improvements. - While we are constructing railroads and canals, and inventing steam-carriages to convey our bodies and our goods with convenience and despatch to, every section and every clime may we not be forgetful to construct also those moral and intellectual railroads and engines, whereby our minds may be transported, with swiftness and ease, along the pathway of liberty, of science, and of virtue, towards the perfection of freedom, of knowledge, and of happi- ness."
" The American Confederacy. - A plant on which we would invoke heaven to continue to shed down the combined and united influences of light from the East, to awaken and enliven it ; the heat of the South, to fructify and stimulate it ; the breezes of the North, to give it strength and stability, and the horticulture of the West, to nourish and improve it, - that it may continue in perennial greenness and beauty till time's latest hour."
" Domestic Manufactures. - May all our artists and mechanics be protected and prospered, especially such as shall convert our hickory wood into ramrods and gun-stocks, to be used against the savages, now coming down upon us from the Northwest, and such also as shall con- struct our houses and our cabinets of bricks, made from pure Clay."
" Charles Carroll, of Carrolton. - The last remaining star of that bright constellation of patriots, which, fifty-six years ago, this day, arose and shed forth, over this land, the glorious light of Liberty and Inde- pendence ; may his exit from our view be like the fair setting of the summer's sun, late, lingering, brilliant, and peaceful."
From an address delivered this year by the late Hon. Lilley Eaton, before the South Reading Lyceum, we make the following extracts : -
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OF THE TOWN OF READING.
" Present number of dwelling-houses . 163
barns .
.
.
.
IIO
horses . · IO6 66 polls . . 412
And the town stands now in the State valuation, at $247,084, and is iable to pay of a State tax, should one be assessed, $1.48 in very $1,000 assessed."
" The different parts of the town, when spoken of with reference to the residence of the people, are known by the following terms : 'The Common,' ' Fitch's Hill,' 'Leather Street,' 'Side the Pond,' 'Cowdrey's Hill,' 'La Fayette Street,' 'Eaton Street,' 'Water Street,' 'Little World,' 'West Ward,' 'East Ward,' and 'South Ward.'"
"The village, called the 'Common,' contains about twenty two-story dwelling-houses, all painted, most of them large and convenient."
1833. - Rev. James Huckins was dismissed from the pastoral charge of the Baptist church, and Rev. Mr. Newhall was settled.
In November of this year there occurred a most remarkable, as well as magnificent, display of "shooting stars."
South Reading M. and A. Institution was organized.
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