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 44
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" He bids us make his glories known, - His works of power and grace : And we'll convey his wonders down, Through every rising race.
"Our lips shall tell them to our sons, And they again to theirs, That generations yet unborn May teach them to their heirs.
" Thus shall they learn, in God alone, Their hope securely stands ; That they may ne'er forget his works, But practise his commands."
The Rev. Dr. Flint, a native of Reading, then delivered an address, which enchained the audience for two hours. He gave a minute his- tory of the place, from its settlement to the present time, so far as the time would permit. The address was followed by a poem, which occu- pied one hour in the delivery, by Hon. Lilley Eaton, of South Reading. He retained the attention and sustained the interest of the audience to its close.
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OF THE TOWN OF READING.
The following stanzas, selected from an ode written by Rev. Dr. Flint for a celebration at Plymouth, were then sung by the choir in excellent style.
" Come, listen to my story, Though often told before, Of men who passed to glory, Through toil and travail sore ; Of men who did, for conscience' sake, Their native land forego, And sought a home and freedom here, Two hundred years ago.
"Dark was the scene and dreary, When here they sat them down Of storms and billows weary, And chilled with winter's frown. Deep moaned the forest to the wind, And howled the savage foe, While here their evening prayer arose, Two hundred years ago.
" Of fair New England's glory, They laid the corner-stone ; - This deed, in deathless story, Their grateful sons shall own. Prophetic, they foresaw, in time, A mighty State should grow From them, a few faint pilgrims here, Two hundred years ago.
" From seeds they sowed, with weeping, Our richest harvests rise ; We still the fruits are reaping, Of pilgrim enterprise. Then grateful, we to them will pay The debt of fame we owe, Who planted, here, the tree of life, Two hundred years ago.
" As comes this period, yearly, Around our cheerful fires, We'll think, and tell, how dearly Our comforts cost our sires. For them, we'll wake the festive song, And bid the canvas glow, Who fixed the home of freedom here, Two hundred years ago."
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The benediction was pronounced by Rev. Peter Sanborn, of Read- ing.
The procession then proceeded to a spacious pavilion, erected near the meeting-house, where sixteen hundred persons, " men, women, and children," were seated, and, after the invocation of the blessing of God, by Rev. Micah Stone, of Brookfield, a native of Reading, re- freshed themselves with the good things provided for the occasion by John Wright, Esq., of Boston, one of the best caterers for such festi- vals. When ample justice had been done to the viands, the President of the day, Caleb Wakefield, Esq., in 'a few remarks, bade all a hearty welcome to this fraternal meeting, and concluded with the following sentiment : -
The day we celebrate. Sacred to the memory of our fathers - while we call to mind their trials and virtues, let us not forget their good example.
The "regular " and other sentiments, which follow, were interspersed with music from the bands, some excellent glees, by the " Croton Glee Club," from Boston, and a song in fine style by Mr. Reed, the leader of the choir, in the chorus to which the multitude joined.
REGULAR TOASTS.
I. The day we celebrate. An unfrequent visitant - may its centen- nial return, till time's remotest century, mark, among our population, an increase of knowledge, morality, and virtue, of at least an hundred per centum.
The Old Men and Women present on this occasion. " The glory of children are their fathers " and mothers - and now, that they are old and gray-headed, let us pray that " God will never forsake them."
3. The " May Flower," that arrived at Plymouth in 1620. Its peta- lous leaves shed a fragrance all over the land, richer than the gales of Arabia ; its seeds, sown in the soil, produced the glorious tree of civil and religious liberty, and the more glorious fruits of wisdom and virtue. Reading planted in May, was a May flower, of the same old stock; its blossoms are fair and its fruits rich - it has proved centennial, may it likewise prove perennial.
4. The Farmers of Reading in the days of the Revolution. They were great in the pasture, but greater in the field- and when they put their hands to the plough, whether agricultural or military, they turned the sward handsomely, and never looked back, but "put her straight through."
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5. Old 'lection day. What glorious, happy times we used to have on this old, joyous anniversary! And, although our rulers have buried this old State holiday beneath the snows of January, yet, as it is our own municipal anniversary, we will still celebrate it once a century, hit or miss.
6. Our Shoemakers, male and female. May the men be of prime stuff and bottom- of first rate souls - of good understanding - may the rubbers of life make them pliable, strong, and water proof. May the ladies not be too high in the instep, but may they always be trimmed with the ornaments of modesty, quietness. and meekness, which in Heaven's market are all of great price, and surmounted always with handsome beaux ; and may both male and female be cemented together with the wax of lasting friendship - well bound by the golden cords of love, and tied together by the silver clasps of wedlock - never giving or receiving kicks, but always abounding in a plenty of kacks.
7. Old Methuselah. When this old antediluvian had lived nine hundred years, and found some thirty generations of his posterity still living around him, what a glorious centennial celebration he might have got up.
8. Our Cabinet Makers. May the tablets of their hearts be inlaid and veneered with virtue, humility, and wisdom - their tongues always speak the unvarnished tale of truth - their reputation be unstained- may they be firmly united by the glue of friendship- recline upon the sofa of competence- sleep upon the couch of contentment and happiness ; - and whether they shall sit in the great chair of state, or be engaged in making and rocking the cradles of innocence, may everything be done like clock work.
9. The town of Reading. Instead of again dividing her territory into two districts, she has decided that, for a while longer, Wood End must endeavor to "make both ends meet."
IO. Our farmers. May they see a luxuriant crop of Olive plants springing up in their own good soil - may these plants be well cultivated - always enriched with education, watered by the dews of temperance, warmed and enlightened by the sun of science ; and preserved by the pure moral atmosphere which their parents and friends shall exhale around them, from the worm of the still, from the slug of indolence, from millers, and all other noxious insects ; and, in due time, may, these plants be interchangeably ingrafted, and then may they "bud and blos- som like the rose, and bring forth fruit even to old age."
II. Old Bachelors. They are like some of the old apple and pear trees, planted by our ancestors, some of which are still standing among
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us, all covered with moss and thorns, whose fruit, if they bear any, is scattered, sour, and worthless ; and, just like these same old crab-trees, they ought to be grafted with scions of the lady apple, the belle flower, the sweeting, the catherine, the julienne, etc., or, if they refuse to sub- mit to this, they should be forthwith transplanted into the deserts of Africa.
I2. Time. Swifter than a steam locomotive- swifter even than the passing of a lightning's flash, it flies along its track to eternity - may all of us obtain seats in that train, that runs up the shining way - whose conductor is God, whose depot is Heaven.
13. The Ladies of Reading, from its earliest settlement to the present time. We have heard that some of our earliest settlers were accused of witchcraft ; whether they were guilty or not, we know not ; but one thing we do know, viz. that, in these modern times, conclusive evidence has been given by many a Swain and Batchelder, by some Parsons and many other Persons in town, that in melting Harts of Flint and Stone, the ladies of the present day have a most Wiley and bewitch- ing power.
The following were among the volunteer sentiments offered on the occasion.
The oldest Minister of this town. As was the outward man in 1790, so is the inward man in 1844, active and vigorous. "The fathers, where are they?" Oh ! gone. "The prophets, do they live forever ? " Why, how changed !
The Rev. Peter Sanborn, who was settled in Reading in 1790, and who is now nearly fourscore years old, in responding to this sentiment, drew an interesting contrast between the town as he first knew it, and its present condition, and closed with the following : -
Our Children and their Descendants. May they shun all the vices, and cherish all the virtues, of their fathers.
By the Orator of the day. The fairer and better half of the towns of Reading and South Reading. The worthy daughters of worthy mothers - may they be the mothers of daughters as worthy.
By Rev. Micah Stone. Dear Old Reading. Although long absent, I love thee still, my native place.
" There is Bunker Hill, and there it will remain forever." The fire of patriotism lighted in 1775 does not cease to burn in the bosoms of her sons at this day.
This called up Richard Frothingham, Jr., Esq., of Charlestown,
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who responded in an interesting historical speech, and offered the fol- lowing : -
New England Towns. Nurseries of public spirit and political inde- pendence -their records contain full details of the art as practised by conscience-governed and liberty-loving men, of making a small people a great nation.
Hon. David P. King, our Representative in Congress - ever watch- ful of the interests of his constituents.
A letter from Mr. King was read, concluding with -
The Descendants of the Worthies of Reading. May it ever be remem- bered by them, that an honorable ancestry is best commemorated, and most honored, by the patriotism and virtues of their posterity.
Salem, the oldest town of Massachusetts Colony. Her sons inherit the energy of their sires.
A letter was here read from Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, of Salem, whose mother was a native of Reading, and daughter of the Rev. Richard Brown, the fifth minister of the first church in Reading -concluding with the following sentiment : -
Our Ancestors, -" who left their pleasant homes in England," and came to "this outside of the world " for "freedom to worship God." The sequel has shown, that Johnson, in his "Wonder-working Provi- dence," spoke in the spirit of prophecy, when he said, " Time shall dis- cover the wisdom with which they were endued ; and the sequel shall show, that their policy overtopped all human policy of this world."
The Clergy. Trusty sentinels, now on our spiritual walls - " Watch- man, what of the night ! "
To this sentiment, the Rev. Aaron Pickett, of Reading, responded in a short but eloquent speech.
By Capt. A. Foster, of South Reading. The surviving Soldiers of the American Revolution. Though not members of any Peace Society, yet they were strong advocates of pacific principles ; and as they were in olden time, so they are now, still determined to maintain peace under all circumstances and at all hazards, even though they should shoulder their guns and fight for it.
The Physicians of Old Reading, - at the head of whom stood His Excellency John Brooks, and the Hon. John Hart-may their pre- scriptions prove as efficacious as that of the doctors of the Revolution, when, after a consultation, they told John Bull, "that a limb must be amputated."
Dr. Horace P. Wakefield, recently of Oakham, and a native of Read- ing, responded to this sentiment, and offered the following :-
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The sovereign remedy of Uncle Sam for John Bull-Lead pills, followed with sulphur and nitre - if found to operate well, double the dose.
School Masters. In olden time, we used to hire our teachers from Cambridge, Boston, Charlestown, and other large towns, and pay them ninepence a day, and some of them were dear at that ;- at the present time, we send out to those old seats of learning, teachers of our own raising, who command their thousand a year, and are cheap at that.
Paul H. Sweetser, Esq., a teacher of a public school in Charlestown, and a native of Reading, was called up by this sentiment, and made an animated speech, closing with,
The old town of Reading. For two centuries her course has been onward and upward -may her motto ever be excelsior.
The Boston and Maine Railroad Extension Company. May their suc- cess be equal to their enterprise. "Look out for the engine while the bell rings."
The late Members of the Executive Council, Hon. Edmund Parker and Hon. Thaddeus Spaulding. Their memories are engraven on the hearts of their fellow-citizens.
By Rev. William Wakefield, Jr., of Reading. The third Centennial Celebration, May 29th, 1944. May those who shall, one hundred years hence, gather around our wasting dust, have cause to remember us with such affection as we bear to our good old fathers ; and bless God that they were descended from men who were not degenerate, who lived for their children, and their children's children.
Francis A. Fabens, Esq., formerly of Reading, transmitted the fol- lowing sentiment : -
The town of Reading. May we so administer the inheritance which our fathers have left us, that our children, on some future occasion, may take as much pride in recalling the events of our local history, as we to-day are able to do.
By Rev. Reuben Emerson, of South Reading. Th risen and rising generations. May they imbibe the principles and adopt the prac- tices of their venerable fathers and mothers, which, under God, have raised us up to what we are, with full assurance that the causes which, in their unrestrained operation, have given us the elevation we glory in, can only perpetuate, by their continued operation, the inestimable priv- ileges, civil, social, literary, moral, and religious, the inestimable bequest of their fathers.
By James Eustis, Ist Vice President of the day. The Press. May its mighty power ever be used in the dissemination of truth.
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OF THE TOWN OF READING.
John Prentiss, Esq., editor of the Keene, N. H., " Sentinel," a native of Reading, and only surviving son of the late Rev. Caleb Pren- tiss, of Reading, rose, and after some remarks, offered the following : -
Old Massachusetts and her glorious institutions.
This called forth a letter from His Excellency Governor Briggs, and the following sentiment : -
The ancient town of Readin . After two hundred years of progress in the cause of education, and of civil and religious freedom, the sen- tinel from her watch-tower proclaims " All's well ": may the same cheerful cry be heard on the morning of her third centennial birthday.
By the poet of the day. The Readings -
South, and West, and North - Three sisters born at the same birth - Have met to-day, 'mid joy and cheer, To celebrate their natal year ; And tho' their age is now ten score,
They 're fairer now than e'er before ; And tho' they ne'er had spouse or brother, Yet thousands joy to call them mother ; Long may these sisters fair, survive, Together live, and love, and thrive,
Rear up the children for all uses,
To make the bureaux and the shoes'es.
The escort of the day. Like the volunteers of this town, under the command of Governor, then Captain Brooks - ever ready at a min- ute's warning. With such soldiers for her defence, our country fears no enemy.
Captain S. Blanchard, of the " Brooks Phalanx " of Medford, gave, in reply : -
The minute men. The first to peril their lives for their country's safety, the last to prove recreant to her glory.
The following letter, with the sentiments, was received from Rev. James N. Sykes, formerly of Reading : --
CALEB WAKEFIELD, Esq. :
BRISTOL, R. I., May 24, 1844.
Dear Sir, - Accept my thanks for the invitation presented me by your committee, to unite with you in your celebration. To be absent is a sacrifice which a stern neces- sity imposes on me. A compliance with the invitation would be every way grateful to my feelings. Such a service is honorable. It is filial to observe it. It is wise to note those days on the dial-plate of time which have been peculiarity set apart by the Providence of God. Our republican simplicity has prevented such from becoming too numerous ; and, while other countries have devoted each day in the year to some pious saint or impious hero, until, for want of room, they have given one
-
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to " All Saints," ours has been peculiarly sparing of such favors. This is not for lack of stirring incident or noble names. We are rather parsimonious of our honors, and I therefore rejoice in each attempt to rescue us from a dishonorable exception. There is something amiable in such a gathering. It is a pilgrimage to the tombs of our sires, which the voice of nature so loudly inculcates that she compels the half- civilized Chinese annually to present his offerings on the grave of his fathers. Our industry may apologize for a more rigid economy of time than he employs, but it cannot let us do less than once in [a century to fulfil the office. It is well that we remember the past. In reality, it draws for a moment aside the curtain that hangs before the future. From the deep recesses of the past there comes up a voice sol- emnly reminding us that " that which hath been, is that which shall be"; that our swift career is towards the grave, whither our fathers have gone ; it tells " what shad- ows we are, and what shadows we pursue."
I have walked among the graves on your green hills ; have paused to spell out the names of your honored dead; and, in the solitude of the city of the dead, have con- templated the history of those who were actors on the stage before us. On such an occasion as this, their memories must come up fresh in the mind, as when one stands by the gray and time-worn monument. Let us not turn away until we have learned some useful lesson.
I had almost forgotten that I was writing to an individual, and have unconsciously fallen almost into a speech, when you asked only for a sentiment. I hasten to make amends by offering one.
To the dead of Reading. Their memory is their most enduring monument - their deeds their noblest epitaph.
I can hardly consent to leave the living so cavalierly. Presuming not less on the richness of what your orator shall give you in his oration, than relying on the memory of one of her most distinguished writers and sons, Rev. Timothy Flint, I venture the following : -
Old Reading. She has more than renewed the prodigy of the wonder-working rod .. This drew only water from the rock - she, honey from the Flint.
Very respectfully yours,
JAMES N. SYKES.
By Joshua Prescott, Esq. - Two hundred years ago this day the town of Reading was incorporated, being settled by the descendants of- Puritans, whose love of liberty, pure patriotism, and equal rights, has been handed down and maintained from generation to generation, to the present time ; and when the genius of liberty shall be forced to take her flight (which we pray God may never happen) from these United States, may she love to linger in this town, being cherished and loved so long as there shall remain a single inhabitant in it.
By John Weston, Esq. - The pilgrims, our ancestors. May we imi- tate their virtues and shun their vices.
By Hubbard Emerson, Esq., of Lynnfield - The Genealogical Tree of the Ancestors of Reading. May it continue to bud and blossom ; and the fruit thereof never fall until it is ripe for the harvest.
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OF THE TOWN OF READING.
The Memory of Col. Daniel Flint, a Revolutionary Soldier. One whose numerous virtues, as a Christian and peace-maker, are still held in estimation by all who knew him. May the earth rest lightly on his ashes.
By Dr. Joseph Poland .- Our Social, Civil, and Religious Institutions. They cost great efforts, great suffering - much treasure, much blood ; but not one half what they are worth.
George Bancroft, the accomplished historian of the United States. Although sprung from us, he belongs to the nation.
William F. Harnden, the originator of the Express system. Would we acquire the distinction of our former townsman, let us emulate his energy and enterprise.
By Calvin Temple. - The Inhabitants of old Reading. One hundred years hence, when our posterity shall ,celebrate the third centennial anniversary of the incorporation of this town, may we, -' by faith and patience," have obtained seats in that pavilion of God " not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
A little before the sun had hid his face beyond the western hills, this happy company, having enjoyed one of the most pleasant meetings that has ever fallen to their lot ; with no accident to mar their enjoy- ment, and naught to cast a gloom, save the thought that, before another anniversary of a similar character shall dawn on the mother, all her children that have participated in the joyous scenes of this shall be sleeping beneath the clods of the valley - adjourned for one hundred years !
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CHAPTER XI.
HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THE TOWN OF WAKEFIELD,
FROM 1844 TO 1874, WITH IMPORTANT TOWN ACTION, ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW STREETS ; AND LIST OF PROFESSIONAL SONS AND
GRADUATES OF READING AND WAKEFIELD.
1845. - The Extension of the Boston and Maine Railroad from Wilmington, through Reading, Wakefield, and Malden, to Boston, was this year completed, and passenger cars were first regularly run on July 4th.
The prediction of some of our leading citizens, made before the Legislative Committee, previously, "that South Reading would prob- ably furnish as many as thirty daily passengers," has been abundantly realized. (See Railroad Statistics, Chap. XII.)
Chestnut and Railroad Streets were this year laid out.
While workmen were employed in the removal of a portion of the hill, at the northerly end of "Smith's Pond," a human skeleton was discovered, a fuller description of which will be found elsewhere in this history.
March 3. - Town voted, "That the Superintending School Commit- tee be hereby authorized to establish an English High School, for the ensuing year, to commence as soon as may be feasible, to be taught by a competent master ; the scholars for which to be selected by said committee from the several Primary Schools, in accordance with such rules as shall be adopted for that purpose ; provided, that the whole of instruction, rent, and incidental expenses for said school, shall not exceed the sum of $600."
Also, voted, "That in the event such a High School is established, as above provided, the several Primary Schools may be taught wholly by female instructors."
August 18. - Town voted, "That the Selectmen, for the time being, , be a committee, from henceforth, to oppose by all legal measures, the drawing of either of the ponds belonging to this town, below their natural level."
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OF THE TOWN OF READING.
1846, December 26. - Town voted, " To proceed to ballot for a new Town name," with the following result : -
For Winthrop, seventy-one ; So. Reading, thirty-five ; Florence, six ; Shawmut, five ; Calais, five ; Lakeville, four ; Vernon and Greenville, one each.
Accordingly, a committee appointed for that purpose, petitioned the Legislature that the name of Winthrop might be assumed, instead of So. Reading, which petition was not granted.
This year, the Lakeside Cemetery Association was organized.
1847. - The academy building was purchased by the town for the use of the high school.
The town petitioned for a portion of Stoneham to be annexed thereto.
First steam mill in Reading erected.
Grove, Linden, and Bow Streets were laid out, and the several lines of road in the town were this year named, as follows : -
Ist. From Reading to Malden, through the centre of the town, "Main Street ";
2d. From Reading Line, near Jona. Brown's to the late Daniel Gould's estate, "Lowell Street ";
3d. From Eaton's corner, easterly, to Lynnfield Line, “Salem "Street ";
4th. From the pond through the Sweetser farm, "Cordis Street " ; 5th. From Elias Boardman's to E. S. Upham's, "Pleasant Street " ; 6th. From Thomas Skinner's to Thomas Green's, "Back Street"; 7th. From the Common to Adam Wiley's, " Mechanic Street";
8th. From rear of Jacob Eaton's old house to Sumner Pratt's, "Eaton Street";
9th. From Baptist Church to Leonard Wiley's, " Crescent Street " ; roth. From Fred. Slocomb's to Saugus Line, " Water Street " ;
IIth. From Paul Sweetser's corner to Saugus Line, "Nahant Street ";
12th. From Jotham Walton's corner, easterly, "Oak Street ";
I3th. From John Brown, Jr.'s, to Stoneham Line, " Brown Street "; 14th. From the Common, along by the Depot, to Stoneham Line, " Albion Street " ;
15th. From the Depot, northerly, to highway near J. W. Atwell's shop, "Railroad Street ";
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