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 55
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The lots, about four hundred in number, were appraised at an aver- age price of five dollars each, and on Oct. 15, 1846, the choice of these lots was sold at public auction, and about one hundred of them were taken.
On the same day of the sale the grounds were consecrated as a cem- etery, by public exercises, in a bower of grape-vines, on the premises, consisting of a very able and pertinent address by Rev. Caleb Stetson, then of Medford, the singing of the following original hymns and other appropriate services by the resident clergy.
"Together we have gathered now, Upon the fair Lake Side, - Old men and gray, with wrinkled brow, And youthful forms of pride, - We've come with pleasing thoughts tho' grave, This spot to consecrate, To bid the flowers their perfumes wave Above death's iron gate !
" And here we'll build for those we love, A tomb beneath the trees ; That nature's song may swell above, In sweetest melodies ; - For friends and for ourselves a tomb, When we are earth's no more, When are exchang'd its joys and gloom, For brighter - fadeless shore.
" And here, as oft in coming years, Our children's children tread, Glad thoughts will rise to quell their fears, Among the silent dead. Oh ! hallowed spot ! A cherished grave Beneath the flowery sod ! The form shall rest by sparkling wave, The spirit with its God !"
" When all life's cares with us are gone, And we have reach'd our journey's bourne, With woes distress'd, with age oppress'd, And longing for a place of rest ; How sweet 't will be to find a home, Where we can lay the weary frame, Mid fragrant flowers and vine-wrought bowers, On this dear Lake Side seat of ours.
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" And know that we've secured a bed In this fair garden of the dead, Where friends will love to come and rove, And weep and hope and look above ; Where roses will embalm the air, And warbling birds their requiems bear, And shady trees, with sighing breeze, And rippling waves our dirges raise.
"Oh ! sacred spot ! may angels tread These mansions of the coming dead ; Or, hov'ring o'er this field and shore, Illume these pathways evermore ; Be ever ready, on their wings, Rising above all earthly things, To bear aloft to heavenly day The souls, who here have dropp'd their clay."
Additional territory has been purchased and reclaimed, from time to time, for enlarging the limits of the grounds, on which some one hun- dred additional lots have been laid out, making the present number of lots five hundred, of which nearly four hundred have been sold.
A plan of the cemetery lands, drawn by C. W. Eaton, Esq., assisted by Mr. B. F. Abbott, the efficient superintendent of the cemetery, who has always taken a lively and intelligent interest in its improvement, has been lithographed.
A still further addition of adjacent land has been secured for future enlargement of the cemetery. The present price of lots to residents is twenty-five dollars each. Any person, owning a lot, may become a member of the corporation by signing the by-laws.
This cemetery has been planted with trees, shrubbery, and flowers ; many of its lots have been enclosed with iron fences, and adorned with marble and granite monuments, mausoleums, etc., and with its imposing water scenery, is already a most beautiful, romantic, and interesting spot.
The officers of the corporation at present, are : - President, Edward Mansfield ; secretary, B. F. Abbott, and trustees, ex officio ; treasurer, Edward Mansfield ; trustees, Samuel Kingman, Hiram Eaton, E. S. Upham, Oliver Walton, 2d ; superintendent, B. F. Abbott ; sextons, Jotham Walton, and Oliver Walton, 2d.
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CHAPTER XIV.
REBELLION HISTORY AND RECORD.
WHEN the clouds of the War of the Rebellion began to overshadow our beloved land, and the mutterings of their thunder began to be heard in the distance, the inhabitants of the three Readings, true to that spirit of liberty and patriotism which animated their fathers and prede- cessors in the war of the Revolution, were found to be almost unani- mously loyal to the old flag, alive to the wickedness of the treasonable insurrection, and ready to go in for the defence and preservation of the Union at all hazards and at any cost. And when the reverberations of actual conflict filled the air, the people of these towns, in common with those of most other towns in the free States, uprose with alacrity and determined resolution boldly to meet the crisis.
There was at this time but one military organization, the " Richard- son Light Guard," in the three towns. This company, with its armory and head-quarters at South Reading, was composed, mainly, of citizens of South Reading, but contained members from other portions of old Reading. It was a well-disciplined and flourishing corps.
By the wise foresight and sagacious action of Gov. Andrew, who seemed endued with prophetic ken, this company had been notified, some days before the attack upon Fort Sumter, to be in readiness at a minute's warning to rally and march to the defence of the Government.
To the honor of the company be it recorded, that they not only sig- nified their willingness to be thus called upon, but also expressed a strong desire to do and dare in defence of the Union, and longed for an opportunity ; and especially after the attack upon Fort Sumter, were earnest and even clamorous for orders to go.
It was then understood that orders to proceed to Washington would probably come soon ; that the town bell would be rung upon their reception, when the Guards would be expected to rally at their place of parade.
On the ever memorable 19th of April, 1861, the desired orders came, and at 12 o'clock, noon, of that day, the old town bell struck its loudest peals, and all understood the stirring signal. The Guards hurried to
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the armory, and before 5 o'clock of the same day, Capt. Locke, with his company in full ranks, and all its members inspired with patriotic ardor and heroic zeal to fight in defence of their country's flag, was at the railroad station to take the train. And amid a crowd of earnest citi- zens, who had thronged about the railroad station to witness their departure, some of whom addressed to these departing heroes pathetic and glowing words of encouragement and hope, with exhortations to bravery and gallantry, and promises of support, of gratitude, and future fame ; and amid the prayers, the tears, the tender leave-takings and farewells of relatives and friends, all electrified by the exciting news, just received, of the bloody tragedy which had that day occurred in the city of Baltimore, - amid all these stirring incidents and circumstances, and after an impressive invocation of Heaven's blessing upon the expe- dition by Rev. Mr. Phillips, these gallant soldiers went forth to glorious war.
LIEUT. J. H. WOODFIN.
The company were enlisted for three months; were stationed in Alexandria, in Virginia, where they performed valuable service in guard- ing and protecting the National Capital ; fought bravely in the first
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battle of ull Run, in which some of their number were wounded, and three were taken prisoners.
At the expiration of their term of enlistment, the company (except the three soldiers who had been taken prisoners) returned to South Reading, where a public reception awaited them.
On their arrival at the railroad station, in South Reading, they were saluted by shouts of welcome from a great multitude of the inhabitants of South Reading, Reading, and other neighboring towns, and were addressed by Edward Mansfield, Esq., chairman of the board of select- men in South Reading, in these appropriate words :-
Mr. Commander and Soldiers :
I can hardly realize that we are in the midst of a civil war, - that a portion of the States of this once united and happy Republic are in open and wicked rebellion against the constitutional government estab- lished and cemented by the blood of our fathers, - under which they and we have lived and prospered, and to which, in a great measure, we are indebted for our social and religious blessings.
I can hardly realize that the cry "to arms" has been echoed and re-echoed over hill and vale and mountain-top, to our New England homes, and that now the tramp of the war-horse and the glitter of arms present a spectacle awfully sublime on our American soil.
I can hardly realize that at the call, and in behalf of my fellow-citi- zens, I now stand before a portion of an American army, recently organized for the defence of our dearest rights, - for the better estab- lishment and perpetuation of all that is sacred in government. Yet truth, which is sometimes stranger than fiction, declares this state of things to exist.
I recognize before me a part of our own community, from whom, for a time, we have been separated, who, when a dark and portentous cloud hung over the capital and the nation, and the administration inquired who would go to avert the impending danger, promptly responded, " Here are we, send us."
Yes, I recognize you, though the vertical sun of summer has bronzed your cheeks and in part disguised your manly brows ; though the effacing fingers of care and toil have traced their lines upon your per- sons and your habiliments, - still I recognize you.
I recognize the forms that left us on the 19th of April last, just as the news reached the village that our neighbors had been struck down in Baltimore, and had been marred and slain by traitors. That was a thrill- ing moment, and all our hearts beat quickly with feverish emotions, as we
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bid you adieu for the present, feeling that we were looking upon some of your faces perhaps for the last time in life.
But our hearts still lingering with you, and with the cause you had espoused, we followed you in thought to Boston, to Annapolis, thence in part through an enemy's country, by railroad and on foot, until, way- worn and weary, you arrived at Washington to guard one of our most important public buildings from threatened destruction by an invet- erate foe.
The scenes of hardships, of toils and sacrifices, of physical suffer- ings since endured, I need not, I cannot describe ; they are already a part of your experience by too full a realization.
Real war is not the image which we have seen painted before us on occasions of parade and review. It has a sterner reality, reaching deep down into the soul, and moving to sighs and tears, and groans and blood.
With profound gratitude would we acknowledge an overruling hand in the care and protection over you in all your pathway of dangers and sufferings.
Though the peril to our country is not yet averted, though the vic- tory is not yet achieved, you have thus far fulfilled the mission assigned to you ; you have performed well your part in the great drama which is now being enacted, - and when the din of arms shall cease, when the smoke of battle shall be cleared away, and the history of this second war for our independence shall be written, then will Company B, of South Reading, claim an honorable mention on one of its bright- est pages.
Worn out with marchings and with fatigues in actual service on the field of battle, we welcome you back to our quiet village to recover your exhausted natures. We welcome you to the kind congratulations of neighbors and citizens, who have met in these numbers with warm and sympathetic hearts to receive you. We welcome you to the sacred endearments of home, made doubly dear by a painful absence. We welcome you to the embraces of friendship, by companions, by children and parents, by brothers, sisters, and loved ones. We wel- come you to the pure and invigorating air of freedom, which circulates nowhere so freely as in these more northern climes.
But our rejoicing to-day is tempered with sorrow. Of the seventy and nine who departed from us, where are the three? They are not here to receive our greetings ; their friends in silence mourn ; but their names and their valor shall be held in lasting remembrance. And may the glad sound which fell upon the ear of the patriarch of old,
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"Joseph is yet alive," vibrate through our saddened spirits, and we yet be permitted to make merry with our friends, because these our broth- ers are alive again, though lost they now are found.
Soldiers and friends, in behalf of your fellow townsmen and citizens, I have extended to you this welcome, but they, through the president (Hon. Lilley Eaton) and other gentlemen, at another place, will give you a more hearty greeting in stronger and more eloquent words, to which mine were intended but as a prelude.
May the rights of the people to govern soon be established beyond the possibility of a contingency ; and may the members of the Rich- ardson Light Guard long live to uphold and enjoy the blessings of union and liberty, for which they have bared their bosoms so nobly.
At the conclusion of Mr. Mansfield's remarks, the company were escorted, amid the ringing of bells, the roaring of cannon, the display
MATTHEWS-ROBINSON
MAJOR HORACE M. WARREN,
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of banners, and the rejoicings of the people, to the common in South Reading, where, in a spacious tent, with greetings of rejoicing, in strains pathetic, with flowing verse and martial music, these bronzed heroes were welcomed to the festal boards, and to the homes and hearts of the people.
In the same year, soon after the departure of the Richardson Light Guard for the seat of war, Major John Wiley, 2d, of South Reading, who had been an accomplished officer in the volunteer militia, was anthorized to recruit a company of "three years' men," in South Reading and vicinity, which he succeeded in doing, and of which he was chosen and commissioned captain. The members of this com- pany belonged principally to South Reading, but included some from Reading and other neighboring towns. They were attached to the Sixteenth Massachusetts Regiment, and went into camp at Cambridge in July, 1861, and left for the seat of war Aug. 17, 1861 (see roll of this company in this chapter).
This company served in Virginia in the grand army of the Potomac, and during its three years' term performed much severe duty, endured many hardships and fatigues, engaged in many hard-fought battles, and many of its members were either killed in battle, or died of wounds and disease, or of starvation in rebel prison pens ; but it ever sus- tained the reputation of a brave, faithful, efficient, and gallant corps, and is entitled to the everlasting gratitude and highest honors of all loyal people.
LIEUT. B. F. BARNARD.
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GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
During the summer of 1861, the spirit of patriotism of the citizens in the three Readings was lively and overflowing. Contributions of those inestimable sinews of successful war, brave men, were proffered to the Government in profusion.
Drill clubs were formed in the several towns, composed of numerous members, young and old, who earnestly trained themselves in the tac- tics of war.
The Star Spangled Banner was unfurled from liberty pole and church tower, and from dwelling, school-house, and hill-top, all around us.
New flag-staffs were erected, and the heavens were gay with the bright symbols of liberty, union, and determined victory.
In South Reading and Reading, lofty masts were raised upon the respective commons, still standing, from which were unrolled, with im- posing ceremonies, large and beautiful ensigns.
An account of the services at a flag-raising in South Reading, on July 4, 1861, may serve as [a specimen of many other similar occa- sions : -
A procession was formed near the town house, under the direction of N. S. Dearborn, Esq., chief marshal, consisting of the Yale engine company, Capt. Dunn, with engine following, drawn by horses ; com- pany of Massachusetts volunteers, Capt. Wiley (just recruited) ; South Reading drill club, Capt. Carpenter ; the thirteen schools and a numerous retinue of citizens. The engine and horses were handsomely decorated, and the pupils made a fine appearance with wreaths, flowers, and appropriate banners.
The procession, preceded by the Malden Band, after marching through some of the principal streets, formed in front of the speaker's stand and awning, erected for the purpose, near the flag-staff, on the common, where the following exercises occurred.
The president of the day, Lilley Eaton, said :-
" Ladies and Gentlemen, - My duty on the present occasion is an honorable, a pleasant, and an easy one ; for while it is not expected of me that I shall pour forth those streams of eloquent sentiment that the occasion demands and is calculated to inspire, still I have the honor to be intrusted with those magic keys, that at a touch will un- lock and uplift the vocal gates, and let come a gushing flood of invo- cation and patriotism and harmonious enthusiasm that shall animate, refresh, and gladden all our hearts."
Whereupon the Rev. Mr. Phillips, of the Baptist Church, at the president's request, offered a most fervent and appropriate invoca- tion.
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The president then continued : -
"We are assembled on the anniversary of that declaration, which has made this day the consecrated birthday of our beloved country's independence ; and we are met together under very unusual, peculiar, and exciting circumstances. Our government, the freest, wisest, and most prosperous that has ever existed ; our grand palladium of liberty, law, union, and safety ; that was secured by the toil, sufferings, and valor, established by the wisdom and sanctified by the blood of our heroic and sainted forefathers ; a government beloved by the immortal Washington, and his illustrious compeers, is assailed by a most gigantic and wicked rebellion. Armed traitors, led by ambitious, unprincipled, and talented men, are seeking its overthrow; and are now, like the Goths and Vandals of old, hovering around the nation's capital, furi- ous for its possession, and swearing that that starry banner, that sym- bolizes freedom, law, and union, that has waved triumphantly over many a battle-field, and commands respect in every clime and on every sea, shall be struck down and trampled in the dust.
But we rejoice to know, thanks to those brave Massachusetts soldiers who hastened early to Washington, that the Stars and Stripes still wave from the great dome of the Capitol; that our Government still lives and moves and has a being ; that our chosen and honored civil and military chiefs still stand, tall and strong, wise and brave, fearless and hopeful amid the storm ; that the genius of freedom from slumber is waking ; that the sons of liberty, in valiant hosts, have rallied and rushed, and are still rallying and rushing, to the rescue. Joyfully and gratefully do we call to mind at this time, that at the first tocsin of alarm our own Guards, our sons, brothers, and husbands, were seen rallying, and at the earliest possible moment were observed hastening to the post of danger ; that they are to-day standing in the front ranks of that bright array of loyal heroes, who are staying and forcing back that fearful tide of treason that threatens to overwhelm the land. We rejoice, too, to think and know that another company of our gallant sons is organized, and its members ready and earnest to join their brethren in the field. Their presence with us to-day adds interest to our exercises ; but they are soon to depart to fight for freedom, for union, and for their country's flag ; may they go resolute and cheerful ; our best wishes and most fervent aspirations will go with them ; may they return covered with laurels, - or, reposing upon them !
We forget not the reserved corps before us, no less patriotic and brave, who are educating themselves in military science, and preparing themselves to follow when necessary.
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The firemen, too, are here, and we greet their presence, believing that, whenever their country calls them, they are ready, like Ellsworth's Fire Zouaves, to go forth to the contest, whether it be to fight fire, or fire and fight ; and either or both will be well done (Dunn).
The schools are here, the coming hope of the country ; we joyfully hail their smiling presence ; may they catch the inspirations of the occasion, study its symbols, understand its memorials and stirring inci- dents, and make improvement in that knowledge and wisdom that will the better enable them to grow up into the stature of perfect and intelli- gent free-men.
Ladies and Gentlemen, - Amid all these eventful movements, excit- ing associations, and glorious memories, we meet to-day to unfurl anew the American ensign ; to swing it from our new liberty pole ; to swear fresh allegiance to our Star Spangled Banner, and to all the glorious principles of freedom, equal rights, law and union, which this bright flag symbolizes ..
This is no party or sectarian color ; it is the national flag, procured by the united contributions of all. It is, therefore, the " Union Ameri- can Flag," and represents not only the Federal union of these States, but also that glorious, democratic union of the people, which recent treason and rebellion have served to produce and cement in the free States of this Republic.
I would fain wish that there still lingered among us one, at least, of those brave old Revolutioners, whose heroic deeds first gave meaning and beauty to this banner, that I might ask his aid in again unfurling it to the breeze ; but, alas ! the besom of time has swept them all away, - not one remains. With your permission, therefore, I will call upon our venerable and esteemed friend, Capt. and Hon. Thomas Emerson, who inherits some of the best blood of the Revolution, whose birth was nearly coeval with that of the Republic, and who loves the Government and Union which this flag represents. I will call upon him to unfurl, shake out, and lift up our new- our old -- the starry banner of free- dom, of union, of victory."
(Here the flag unrolled and rose majestically upward. )
The president continuing : -
" Let it rise to its mast-top -its topmost height! In the glowing words of our eloquent as well as excellent Governor, -
" Let it float on every wind, - to every sea and every shore, - from every hill-top and house-top let it wave ; down every river let it run. Respected it shall be, not in Massachusetts only, but in South Carolina also, - on the Mississippi as on the Penobscot, - in New Orleans as
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in Cincinnati, -in the Gulf of Mexico as on Lake Superior, - and by France and England, now and forever. Catch it, ye breezes, as it swings aloft. Fan it every wind that blows ; clasp it in your arms, and let it float forever as the ensign of the Republic !"
The multitude were then addressed in eloquent and patriotic phrase, by Hon. Thomas Emerson, Hon. P. H. Sweetser, Rev. E. A. Eaton, and Prof. Elam Porter.
Poetic recitations by Mrs. E. C. Poland and Miss Sarah J. W. McKay followed.
The following original poem was then pronounced by John Sullivan Eaton, Esq .: -
Beneath the flag our fathers wrought, We stand, to-day, most proudly ; Beneath that flag the fathers fought, Where cannon rattled loudly.
That flag they bore on many a field, Rent with war's wild commotion -
To victory, bore its star-gemmed shield, On bloody plain and ocean.
Where fiery shells the hottest flew, Those gallant heroes bore it,
Where Indian arrows pierc'd it through, And British lances tore it.
It floated from the bending mast, - O'er the blue billows dashing;
While from the port-holes, red and fast, The fierce broadsides were flashing.
While crashing ball and bursting shell Sent the firm timbers flying, - Clear, 'bove the smoke, it floated still, And sailors clasp'd it, dying.
That flag has flutter'd in the air That sweeps the polar seas, - Its red and blue have glitter'd fair, Amidst the orange trees.
Where winter stern, with icy bars, River and lake had fetter'd, . The gallant Kane unfurl'd the Stars, With Union, golden-letter'd : -
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GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
Upon the ice-hill's topmost crest, - Beyond the sunlight lying, - That noble leader, fearless, prest, And set our flag a-flying.
From Rocky Mountains' lofty crag, - No human footprint bearing, - Was fair unfurl'd our nation's flag, By John Fremont, the daring.
On every sea, behold our sails, And ev'ry river flecking ; Behold that flag, on balmy gales, Each lofty peak bedecking !
On all the free pure airs of heaven,. Its colors flash - undying - By heroes, to their children given - They 'll keep those colors flying !
Shall Treason, 'neath that starry flag, Its snaky head upraising, - To depth infernal, seek to drag The Union, all are praising ?
It may - it has ! - E'en now, they march Along our Southern border, - Led by a traitor, keen and arch - Those minions of disorder.
Are words of him who calmly sleeps Upon the earth's cold pillow, In Marshfield's sod - while round him sweeps The broad Atlantic billow ;
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