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 54
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F. . H. Knight, a native of Lexington, was educated at Hancock Academy, N. H. ; was five years with Jewett & Prescott, Boston ; has
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OF THE TOWN OF READING.
been in his present business since 1851, first with Bates & Goldthwait, and since 1861, one of the firm of Goldthwait, Snow & Knight, carpet dealers. He came to Reading in 1862.
Henry Manley, born in Bridgewater, Aug. 31, 1841, graduated at the Normal School in that town, July, 1860. Taught in South Scituate and Easton. Was corporal in Co. K, 3d Mass. Vols., at Newbern, N. C., and vicinity, nine months in 1862-3. In 1864 he went, via Rio Janeiro, to the Cape of Good Hope, where he carried on the business of photography for nearly two years. Since February, 1869, he has been employed as assistant engineer of the city of Boston, and now has charge of the construction and repairs of the bridges within the city limits.
Wm. H. Nash, born in Wakefield, Dec. 17, 1827, soon removed to Salem, and received his education in the city schools. Came to Read- ing, 1843. Has done business in Boston several years.
Jas. D. Norris was in the gents' furnishing trade here from 1870 to 1873, first on Main, and then on Haven Street, Simes's Block. He sold his business here to Francis Bartley in 1873, and is now engaged with Lucius Turner and Milton D. Kingman, in Boston, as jobbers and manufacturers in the same business.
S. D. Niles, born in Orford, N. H., Oct. 22, 1829, was employed in Atlanta, Ga., seven years in teaching, and subsequently several years in the wholesale produce business. On the breaking out of the rebellion, misjudging as to the extent to which the rebels would carry their extreme measures, he was shut in, like many others of Northern sentiment and sympathies, to take his chances under rebel rule. In order to escape service in their army, he purchased a mill and be- came a miller to take advantage of the exemption that that afforded from military service. When that, by change of law, would no longer protect him, he purchased a newspaper office, and became an editor, which for a time secured him from being drafted. When Gen. Sher- man took Atlanta, he established his head-quarters upon Mr. Niles's premises. Mr. Niles had changed his property as far as he was able into gold, which was secretly buried in his garden. It so happened that the tent of Gen. Sherman was erected directly over it. During the continuance of the firing Mrs. Niles sometimes abandoned their house and sought protection from the flying balls among the large trees near by. Mr. Niles became well acquainted with Gen. Sherman and his staff, among whom was Gen. O. O. Howard. The firing of cannon was heard one night in the far distance, and about two o'clock in the morning Gen. Sherman sent a messenger requesting the attendance of
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Mr. Niles He referred to the firing, and inquired of Mr. Niles his opinion as to where it was. The answer was satisfactory, and the Gen- eral replied that it relieved him of a burden of anxiety.
Before Gen. Sherman left Atlanta on his march to the sea, he gave Mr. Niles and family a pass that enabled them to escape from their captivity ; and after passing through many perils, they reached their friends in this vicinity. Mr. Niles purchased his present residence in March, 1865, and has since been variously employed in Boston.
Charles H. Nowell, pay-master of the Boston and Maine Railroad corporation, removed to Reading, March, 1872. He was born in Lowell, October, 1843, and graduated at the high school in that city.
S. G. B. Pearson, native of Wilmington, was a dealer in produce and provisions in Lawrence for eight years. Has been in Boston since 1866, dealing in hides. Came to Reading in 1869.
William S. Pease, born in Shrewsbury, Mass., 1830; graduate of Leicester Academy, 1845 ; has been variously employed as agent in New York and Boston. . Removed to Reading, 1866.
William Proctor, born Oct. 5, 1826, in Deptford, Kent County, Eng- land, - the place where Peter the Great learned ship-building. Mr. Proctor served his apprenticeship in London at boot and shoe making, was in Nova Scotia three years, came to Boston, 1845, to Reading, 1851. Before coming to this country he served as non-commissioned officer in the rifle brigade, belonging to a regiment which went through the Crimean war, and had just returned to England from the Ashantee was. He was naturalized in 1849, and during our war of the rebellion was on every town committee here having in charge the supplying of men for service. He was representative from this district in the Legis- lature of 1866. He has been prominently engaged in promoting public improvements and the building of dwelling-houses in this town. He was one of the originators of the Reading Savings Bank, of which he has always been a trustee ; and also of the public library, of which he is likewise a trustee.
Dr. A. C. Smith, a native of Unity, N. H., graduate of Baltimore Med. College, attended medical lectures at Dartmouth, 1838-9, and was in practice in Haverhill four years. Losing faith in drugs, he gave up his profession and became a teacher in Salem. Receiving an invitation from Rev. Dr. Stearns and others in 1845, he accepted the appointment of master of the Webster School in Cambridge, which he retained nearly thirty years. He had under his superintendence from six hundred to seven hundred pupils, and twelve assistant teachers. He removed to Reading in 1873, having formerly resided here a few
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years. He is still employed as teacher of penmanship in the Cam- bridge schools.
Charles D. Thomas, born in Williamstown, Mass., Nov. 16, 1831 ; received education at Mills' High School, and at Williston Seminary, Easthampton, Mass. ; was engaged in 1857 in making a preliminary survey of Pacific Railroad, and in 1858, with Mr. Haupt, on the Troy and Boston Railroad ; was assistant storekeeper in the Boston Custom House from 1861 to 1870, when, upon the decease of E. M. Brown, storekeeper, he was promoted to the vacancy, which position he still holds. He came to Reading in 1861 with Mr. Brown, who was a resi- dent here for nearly ten years. Mr. Brown was a graduate of Williams College in 1843, and among other important positions held by him, was assistant sergeant-at-arms in the State House in 1859-60-61, and was clerk of the State Valuation during a portion of the time. He was for several years a member of the Republican State Committee. He was appointed storekeeper in the Custom House 1861. He was a man widely known and much respected.
G. M. Wethern, dealer in millinery goods, has a store in Boston ; came to Reading 1872, and now occupies the house built by himself on Prospect Street.
Col. Carroll D. Wright, born in Dunbarton, N. H., July 25, 1840 ; removed to Reading in 1856 ; received his education in Reading High School and in academies at Washington, and Alstead, N. H., and Ches- ter, Vt., and engaged in teaching ; read law with Hon. W. P. Wheeler, of Keene, and afterwards in Boston with T. Willey, Esq. In August, 1861, he enlisted in 14th Regiment N. H. Volunteers, and was commis- sioned lieutenant by Gov. Berry ; was commissary of brigade at Pooles- ville, Md. ; officer in charge of central prison, and adjutant to provost- marshal, Washington, D. C. ; aid-de-camp to Gen. Martindale, military governor of department of Washington, and there had charge of all guards at bridges, ferries, etc., in and around Washington. In October, 1863, was appointed adjutant of his regiment, and was employed as assistant adjutant general in district of Carrollton, La., and of the Ist brigade, 2d division of the 19th corps, in Louisiana, and during Sher- man's campaign in the Shenandoah in the autumn of 1864, when he was commissioned colonel. He was admitted to the bar in Keene, N. H., October, 1865 ; and in August, 1867, to practise in the courts of Massa- chusetts, and of the United States. He was elected to the State Senate from the Middlesex Sixth District in 1871, and again in 1872. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs, he remodelled the militia system of the State, which was adopted by the Legislature.
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4
In 1873, Col. Wright was appointed by Gov. Washburn chief of the Bureau of Statistics of Labor. His first official report to the Legisla- ture of 1874 is a work that gives evidence of extensive research, and a full comprehension of the duties involved in the position he holds.
Col. Wright has attained a deserved reputation as a lecturer. He has thoughts, and has the happy faculty of presenting them in an at- tractive manner.
George E. Abbott, architect, has an office in Pemberton Square.
E. S. Batchelder, salesman, with Rogers & Co., came from Exeter, N. H. ; has resided in Reading several years.
Osgood Eaton, tuner, has been for several years with Mason & Hamlin, organ manufacturers.
Luther Elliott, broker, has resided here several years.
John C. Gleason, bookkeeper with F. Harnden.
Dudley F. Hunt, of the firm of F. W. Hunt & Co., came to Reading in 1873.
Edmund A. Hyde, firm of Cutter, Hyde & Co., fancy goods and toys, was a native of Bangor, Me. ; has been in Boston about eighteen years ; came to Reading 1870.
Wm. M. Horne, iron dealer, came to Reading in 1873.
Charles H. Lang, Jr., clerk, with the Wakefield Rattan Co.
J. Mitchell, Jr., bookkeeper, with Rogers & Co., born in Wellfleet ; came to Boston about fifteen years since, and to Reading in 1871.
Walter H. Perkins, clerk, with H. C. Thacher & Co.
Harley Prentiss is employed as chief clerk in the freight department of the Fitchburg Railroad Co.
Geo. A. Parker is bookkeeper, Clark & Co., on India Street.
Galen A. Parker, bookkeeper with Kelham, Fitz & Co.
O. A. Ruggles, salesman, with Calder & Otis.
Henry Robinson, firm of E. Thompson & Co.
Wm. S. Richardson, clerk, with Geo. P. Banchor.
Frank M. Smith, clerk, with Frye, Phipps & Co., born in Lowell ; has been eight years in Boston ; came to Reading in 1869.
Daniel Stockwell, general insurance business, came to Reading in 1870.
Wm. M. Weston, broker, dealer in watches, jewelry, etc., has long resided in Reading.
PHYSICIANS.
Dr. F. F. Brown was born in Sudbury in 1834 ; graduate of Amherst College, 1855 ; teacher three years ; studied medicine at Harvard and
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at Berkshire Medical Institution ; was assistant surgeon in the 48th Massachusetts Regiment in 1862-3 ; came to Reading in April, 1864.
Dr. E. G. Barton, surgeon dentist, a native of Moriah Centre, N. Y., graduate of the Boston College of Dental Surgery ; came to Reading in 1870.
Dr. Sarah A. Colby, born in Sanbornton, N. H. ; graduate of Phil- adelphia Medical College, 1861 ; was for several years in general prac- tice in Manchester, N. H .; removed to Reading Sept. 30, 1869 ; and opened an office in Boston, to which her present practice is con- fined.
Dr. J. H. Hanaford was born in New Hampton, N. H., in 1819. He pursued his preparatory studies at the institute in that town, and in Pem broke, N. H. ; graduated in New York city ; practised medicine at Nan- tucket six years ; at Beverly, seven; at Reading, ten. He has been employed as editor and correspondent of several newspapers and literary publications ; and is the author of " Ocean Melodies," and "Lights and Shadows of Sailor Life," published in Boston. Has taught in schools of all classes. His wife, Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford, a relative of Dr. Franklin, was born at Nantucket in 1829, and was married at the age of 17. She has been editress of "Ladies Repository," and " Myrtle," published in Boston ; and employed also as teacher. She is more ex- tensively known as a preacher. She was settled first, at Hingham; then at Waltham ; afterwards at New Haven ; now at Jersey City. Her published works are, "The Captive Boy," " The Young Captain," "Our Martyred President," "Life of Abraham Lincoln," "Frank Nelson," "Field, Gunboat, Hospital, and Prison,". "The Soldier's Daughter," " The Life of George Peabody," "From Shore to Shore," "The Life and Writings of Charles Dickens."
Howard A. Hanaford, son of Dr. J. H. and Rev. P. A., graduate of Tufts College, preaches at Wellfleet, Mass.
Dr. Samuel H. Elliott, surgeon dentist, born in Haverhill, Mass .; resided in. Lowell fifteen years ; followed his profession in Lawrence eleven years ; in Haverhill, twelve ; removed to Reading in November, 1869. Retired from practice.
Dr. F. B. Kimball, born in Bridgeton, Me., March 27, 1829 ; graduated at Harvard Medical College 1858 ; practised in Kennebunk three years ; was three years with 3d N. H. Reg. Vols., and as surgeon had charge of hospital six months at Beaufort, S. C., and subsequently of Marine Hospital at Wilmington, N. C. He was at the taking of Morris Island ; at the bombarding of Fort Sumter, and the attacks on Battery Wag- ner, and at the taking of Fort Fisher, where the carnage compelled
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twenty-four hours unremitting labor at the operating table. After the war he practised in Manchester, N. H.
In September, 1869, he came to Reading, where he still resides ; and, in addition to the usual duties of his profession, occupies the chair of Instructor of Histology in the Medical Department of Boston Uni- versity.
YOUNG AMERICA IN BUSINESS.
Barrows & Foote (Morton, son of Rev. Dr. Barrows, and Perley, son of O. Foote, Esq., minors) have a printing-press in Reading, and fur- nish bill-heads, business cards, etc., doing their work in a very neat manner.
[The Barrows and Barrus families in this country are nearly all de- scended from John Barrow, of Plymouth, in 1665-92. He had Robert, who remained in Plymouth, and Benajah, Joshua, and Ebenezer, who went to Attleboro'; and Deborah, who m. 1687, Archippus Fuller, of Plympton, and Mary, who m. 1698, John Wormall, of Duxbury.
Robert had John, a portion of whose descendants lived in Roches- ter ; Capt. George, b. 1670, ancestor of the Plympton families ; Dea. Samuel, of the Middleboro' branch; Elisha, of Rochester; Robert and Thomas, of the Mansfield, Conn., line.
Capt. George had Samuel, b. 1700, who had Noah, b. 1727, and Samuel, b. 1733.
Noah had William, father of Rev. Dr. Barrows, of Reading ; Samuel had Lazarus, who had Levi, father of Hiram Barrus, of Reading.]
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CHAPTER XIII.
BURIAL-GROUNDS.
FOR many years after the first settlement of the town, the "Com- mon," so called, in the First Parish, extended northerly from its present limits to the "Great Pond," and included all that territory that lies west of Main Street, and between what is now Church Street and said pond, as far west as the homestead of the late Col. James Hartshorn. That portion of this territory which was recently occupied by the town house and engine house, and including the town-house lot, and perhaps a part of the adjoining blacksmith's shop lot, was the earliest burying- place of old Reading. Here, for about fifty years, was the only place of interment for the fathers and mothers of the first generation of set- tlers, with the children who early died.
Many of these first graves, it is presumed, were without monuments, and as the ground was for a long time unfenced, many of the grave- stones, earliest erected, were broken down and destroyed. The land around the graves was subsequently sold, the purchaser being bounded by the graves. In process of time, therefore, the portion of land allowed as grave-yard was reduced to very contracted dimensions, and much of the land occupied by the dust of our ancestors was disturbed by the plough of the agriculturist, and yielded a crop that made literal the figurative language of Scripture, that " all flesh is grass."
Upon the erection of the town-house, in 1834, the town of South Reading purchased what was the town-house lot, or so much thereof as had not been sold, took up the old gravestones, many of which were broken and defaced, and placed them in a continuous row on the east- erly side of the lot ; and, if the particular dust which they memorialized did not lye beneath them, it is certainly true that the stones did lie above them.
The following are some of the more noticeable inscriptions upon these old gravestones : -
" Memento te esse mortalem."
" Fugit Hora. Vive memor læthi. Fugit hora. "C. ye 2d.
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" Here lyes the body of Capt. Jonathan Poole, who deceased in the 44th year of his age, 1678.
" Friends sure would prove too far unkind, If, out of sight, they leave him out of mind ; And now he lyes, transform'd to native dust,
In earth's cold womb, as other mortals must.
It's strange his matchless worth intomb'd should lye, Or that his fame should in oblivion dye."
NOTE. - This stone contains the oldest date and the most artistic and elaborate work of any of the old monuments in this yard, representing, in relief, swords, hour- glass, coffin, spade, pickaxe, cross-bones, etc.
" Memento te esse mortalem. "Fugit hora. Vive memor læthi. Fugit hora.
" Here lyes the body of John Person, Senor, aged 64 years. Deceased April 17, 1679."
" Memento mori. Fugit hora.
" Here lyeth within this arched place the body of Deacon Thomas Parker, who was won of the foundation of the church, who dyed the 12th of August, 1683, aged about 74."
In 1688-9, the town erected its second church, and located it a few rods northwest of the present Orthodox church in Wakefield; and around this church, soon after its erection, in accordance with ancient custom, that has made church-yards and grave-yards synonymous terms, our fathers began to inter their dead, and thus and here commenced their second burial-ground. This ground has been enlarged from time to time considerably beyond its early limits. For more than one hun- dred and fifty years, it has been the chief place of sepulture for what is now the town of Wakefield. Here rest the ashes of the greater por- tion of its former inhabitants. Consequently it possesses a most lively interest, as the place where many a noble, many a beautiful, and many a loved form has been enshrined.
We shall, therefore, be excused for inserting a considerable number of its inscriptions. The earliest date upon any stone in this yard, is in memory of Lieut. Thomas Bancroft, aged 69, who deceased Aug. 19, 1691.
The first three ministers of the first parish were, it is believed, buried away from Reading ; the first at Watertown, the other two at Boston, among their relatives.
" The Rev. Mr. Jonathan Pierpont, late pastor of the church of Christ, in Redding, for the space of twenty years, Aged 44 years ; who departed this life June 2, 1709.
" A fruitful Christian and pastor, who
Did good to all, and lov'd all good to do ;
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A tender husband and a parent kind, A faithful friend, which who, Oh who can find ! A preacher that a bright example gave Of rules he preach'd, the souls of men to save ; - A Pierpont, all of this, here leaves his dust, And waits the resurrection of the just."
" Here lyes interr'd ye body of ye Rev. Richard Brown, ordained Pastor of ye Ist church in Reding, June 25, 1712. His character bespeaks him faithful in his preach- ing, impartial in his discipline, and exemplary in his conversation ; a man greatly beloved in his life, and much lamented at his death, which was Oct. 20, 1732, Aged 57 years."
" In this Sepulchre is reposited the mortal part of the Rev. Mr. William Hobby, A.M., late Pastor (the sixth in the order of succession) of the first church in the town of Reading, -learned, vigilant, and faithful; he was a preacher of the word of God, deservedly commended for his pure evangelical doctrine, replenished with erudition and piety, together with solid judgment and eloquence, being at length worn out with studies and labors, and most acute pains of long continuance, calmly resigning to the will of his Almighty Father, and earnestly aspiring after the Heavenly Habitation and Rest, he breathed out his soul into the hands of his Savior, June 18, Anno Christi 1765, Atat. 58 years. He left, to profit his bereaved flock, a written monument of sage advice, in which, though dead, he speaks, in solemn strains."
" Sacred to the memory of Rev. Caleb Prentiss, late Pastor of the first church in this town, who passed into the world of spirits, Feb. 7, 1803, in the 57th year of his age, and 34th of his ministry. Faith, piety, and benevolence, with a kindred assem- blage of Christian graces and moral virtues, adorned his public and private character, endeared his memory to a bereaved family, a mourning flock, his brethren in office, and all acquainted with his merits.
" He tried each art, reprov'd each dull delay, Allur'd to brighter worlds and led the way ;
Though gone, he is not dead, - no good man dies, - But like the day-star, only sets to rise."
" Here lyes ye body of Major Jeremiah Sweyen, Esq., who departed this life Aug. 13, 1710, in ye 69th year of his age.
"'The memory of the just is blessed.'"
" Here lyes interred ye remains of Doct. Thomas Sweyn, who departed this life Apl. 22, 1759, aged 53 years.
" An useful, beloved physician, - an extensive blessing in life, and much lamented in death."
" In memory of Doct. Thomas Swain, who departed this life Oct. 26, 1780, Aged 30 years.
" Blessed with a penetrating genius, improved by application, he was a skilful and successful Physician, highly esteemed and beloved.
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" Death, fearing the loss of his empire over the children of men, pointed a fatal dart, cut down this rising Genius, secured his own dominions and disappointed the hopes of many."
"Here rests what was mortal of Lieut. John Pool, who deceased Nov. 22, 1721, Aged 56.
" An humble christian, useful and sincere, Much given to hospitality, lies here.
" Rich in alms to the poor, and in distress the widow's friend, father of the father- less, a loving husband and a parent kind ; a neighbor good and a most useful friend.
" All this was he, and more, but now at rest, The memory of the righteous man is blest."
" Here lyes ye body of Mrs. Abigail Bancroft, wife of Mr. Raham Bancroft, who died Mar. 26, 1728, Aged 40.
" A prudent, pleasant wife was she, An helpmate like the laboring bee, Kind parent ; - virtue's graces tell, That she in those did most excel ; Full ripe for heaven, assur'd of bliss, Long'd to depart to happiness. If men forget to speak her worth, This stone to ages sets it forth."
" Here lyes buried ye body of Mrs. Mary Smith, wife to Mr. Samuel Smith, who died Feb. 3, 1760, in ye 26th year of her age.
"Nipt in the beauteous bloom of life she lies, A faded flower, bedew'd by numerous eyes ; Oh ! could our tears revive so fair a flower, Sure every eye would spring the quick'ning shower."
" Here lies buried the body of David Green, Esq., who, as a christian, was an orna- ment to his profession. He was improved in his day ; faithful to his trust ; and by his prudence and assiduity acquired the approbation and esteem of his acquaintance, and in a composed frame resigned his spirit on the 17th July, 1781, in his 67th year."
" Mrs. Rebekah Evans, widow of Thomas Evans, born Aug. 27, 1758; married Jan. 4, 1776 ; died of Palsy Apl. 22, 1835 ; Aged 77 years.
"I know that my Redeemer lives, All that I need his goodness gives ; I'm calm and happy, blessed Lord ! My faith unshaken in thy word ; In praise I spend my parting breath, And hail this joyful hour of death ; I've waited long to hear thy call, My Father, Friend, my God of all ! I go to rest and bliss above, To sing my great Redeemer's love."
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"In memory of Joseph Walton, son of Lieut. Timothy Walton, who was drowned in Lynn, Sept. 17, 1792, in his 23d year.
" Death, thou hast conquer'd me, I, by thy dart, am slain, But Christ has conquer'd thee, I shall rise again."
"In memory of Mr. Edmund Eaton, who lost his life by the fall of the Swing Bridge in Charlestown, Jany 1, 1800, Aged 33.
" Death often strikes unseen and unexpected. Frail is man. Scarce were the wishes of the New Year's morn exchanged, when fell the tender husband, brother, son. And great, as sudden, was the mourners' grief."
"In memory of Deacon Ebenezer Hopkins, who died Feb. 21, 1796, Aged 75 years.
" He was strong in the doctrine of free unmerited grace, and exhibited to the world that he had been with Jesus ; and died with a firm hope of a glorious immortality.
"The greatest purity Attain'd on earth, I would deny, Nor good confess in name or thing, - But Christ my Lord, my life, my King."
"In memory of Sophia Prentiss, daughter of the late Rev. Caleb & Mrs. Pamela Prentiss, who died Oct. 12, Aet. 25.
"Taste, Fancy, Virtue, Piety, combined, Enlarg'd, improv'd her heaven born mind. To pale disease she gave her early breath, But courted more than fear'd the approach of death."
In 1846, the town burial-ground having become so fully occupied that the selection of eligible spots for single burials was difficult, and the securing of sufficient room therein for family lots wholly impracti- cable ; and as there were no suitable adjacent lands obtainable with which to enlarge it, sundry individuals, perceiving the necessity for a new place of sepulture, and appreciating the desirableness and value of family burial lots, took measures for the formation of a private ceme- tery company, and became organized and incorporated under the Gen- eral Laws by the name of the "Proprietors of the Lake Side Ceme- tery." This organization was effected in 1846. A tract of fourteen acres of land on the westerly side of the lake and bordering thereon, had been previously secured, at a cost of $1,400. The westerly part of this tract, reserving a street over the same, was soon after sold by the company for $1,200, and the balance, about seven acres, was en- closed and laid out into avenues, paths, lots, and bowers, from a design furnished by Chas. H. Hill, Esq , now of Wakefield.
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