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 64
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Said the "Wakefield Citizen," in its issue following his death : -
" Having lived for more than forty years in this community, his name intimately associated with not a few of its prominent institutions, his home ever renowned for its hospitality and his hand for its generosity, Dr. Richardson had become so much a part of the town and its history, that his loss becomes a public sorrow ; and though illness and age had in late years impaired his vigor, and prevented his active participation in the affairs of the day, his interest in the welfare of the various local organizations whose well-being he had long made his care, and his wide-reaching liberality, continued unabated.
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" The frosts of age had no power to chill, or the infirmities of body disposition to weaken the characteristic kindness and benevolence of the man, and to the latest hours of his life he continued to place both institutions and community under frequently renewed obligations.
" Quietly and peacefully his life was spent, unostentatiously the wide bestowal of his bounty was accomplished, and his every undertaking was characterized by rare good taste and completeness of execution. Success in his efforts seemed with him a duty, and nothing he attempted was ever done slightingly.
" His fondness for home, friends, children, music, and animals was strongly noticeable, and the open hospitality and abounding good cheer of his home, his wide circle of affectionate friends, the happy relations that plainly existed between himself and the little ones he was wont to meet on our streets, his hearty delight in and liberal pat- ronage of good music, and the keen satisfaction he had in the fine points and qualities of, and the real love he had for his horses, thor- oughly attested the genuineness of his enjoyment therein.
" A public-spirited citizen, a good neighbor, the kindest and most in- dulgent of husbands and fathers, a true friend, his regard for the inter- ests of the friends and objects he held dear was most deep and sensi- tive, and the last hours of his life were marked by characteristic efforts at lessening the annoyances and increasing the happiness of others. Possessed of ample fortune, his hand stayed not at giving ; prompted by the warmth of his heart, his energies were directed in the gratifica- tion of those about him ; and his name and memory are deservedly dear in the hearts of the community in which the greater part of his life was spent. His end was like his life, peaceful and composed, and he has entered into rest."
He was followed to his grave by a large and mourning company, - the Richardson Light Guard, whose benefactor he had so long been, returning from camp at Framingham to perform escort duty for the remains of their honored and beloved friend. His remains were laid to rest in Mount Auburn Cemetery.
Dr. Richardson was through life a member and liberal supporter of the Universalist society of his town, and was always ready to cheer- fully assist in every good word and work. Though the evening of his days was clouded by infirmity, the current of his life was peaceful and serene, and it is unfailing pleasure to remember him as when, in the days of his full health and vigor, he adorned society and upheld his work among men.
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CYRUS WAKEFIELD.
CYRUS WAKEFIELD was born in the town of Roxbury, New Hampshire, on the fourteenth of February, 1811. His parents were James Wake- field and Hannah Heminway Wakefield, of that town. His father was a citizen of marked integrity and of considerable prominence, serving at the same time as town clerk, selectman, and representative.
His father's occupation was that of a farmer, and thus his early associations were those connected with the rugged discipline of a New England farm-boy.
The school was a mile and a half away over the hills, and it was no easy task in winter with the snow over the fences to reach it. Yet the New England boy lingers not by the fire, even in the severest storms, but with his books under his arm, and his cap well tied about his ears, he resolutely goes on to his place at school. And well he may, because there are but two terms a year of ten weeks each, one in winter, the other in summer ; and when he is twelve years of age, he will not be allowed the privileges of the summer term, since his help is required on the farm. Young Cyrus seems to have realized the importance even of these slight educational advantages, and by applying himself with great zeal to his studies, mastered the rudiments of the common school.
The executive and administrative qualities of his mind began to develop very early in life. There were numberless projects in his busy child-brain, to the accomplishment of which he bent not only his own but also the abilities of his brothers. He would induce his father to lay out work in advance for himself and younger brother, sometimes having plans which required a month's time for their execution. At one time, it would be the construction of a fish-pond ; at another, the building of coal-pits, the product of which he sold to the neighboring blacksmiths.
He was an enthusiastic lover of nature, delighting in nothing so much as in taking long tramps through the forest in search of game, or in following the course of the running brook for fish. The boys of his acquaintance were not fond of joining him in these excursions, as his powers of endurance were unusually great, and he had but little con- ception of distance. He was also an acknowledged leader in all athletic sports.
At an early age he grew restive. Some of his relatives had gone to other States, and at times would return to tell what they had seen and
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done in the great cities. His father's farm would seem now too small for his growing ambition. The successes of his friends kindled in his own bosom a generous emulation. He too would try his fortune in the great world outside.
At last, after much urging, his father consented, and Cyrus went to Peterboro', N. H., to enter a cotton mill as a picker-boy. This was a most excellent position to dissipate the rosy hues which had gathered about his ideal world, and to discover to him the cold, stern reality.
Only a short time elapsed, and he was back at the old homestead, still determined to realize his fondest hopes of one day becoming a merchant. He had heard of the fame of Mr. Appleton, of Dublin, who had emerged from obscurity like his own, but who was then widely known as a successful and an honorable merchant. What others had done he could do, and he incessantly urged his views upon his father, who as constantly presented the other and darker side, showing how many who went to the city lost health, time, and even character, in their pursuit of wealth, and were ultimately obliged to return in dis- grace to their native towns. His father at length sent him to live with a clergyman in a neighboring village, who, in return for his taking care of his horse and cow, should give him suitable books to read, and, if possible, lead his mind into theological studies. This good man, how- ever, was not apt to teach. On the first day he put him down before a large book containing the history of the controversy between Calvin and Arminius. The book was dry and uninteresting. After a trial of several days the boy gave up in despair, convinced that if Calvin and Arminius could not settle the theological matters in dispute, he cer- tainly could not hope to do it. He returned again to his father's house, more resolutely determined than ever to go to Boston and try his luck · in the great world of trade.
After a few more. futile attempts to find congenial employment for him near home, at the age of fifteen years, with his parents' consent, he came to Boston, declaring that he would achieve success, and make a name of which his friends would be proud.
Arriving in Boston, he at first entered the retail grocery store of Messrs. Wheeler & Bassett, on Washington Street, but soon after secured a clerkship with Messrs. Stearns, Cobb & Winslow, on India Street. While in their employ, he conceived the plan of doing busi- ness on his own account, since he had some time at his command not required by his employers. His aim was, to secure, if possible, a suf- ficient sum of money to allow him to pursue his studies in some estab- lished school, for he felt the need of a better education.
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His employers gave him the liberty to buy and sell empty barrels and casks. They also assisted him in other ways, in small business transactions.
At length he had saved one thousand dollars in hard cash. But with the thousand dollars came a still stronger desire for money. He saw the path to wealth opening before him, and instead of pursuing a course of study at some college, he bent his energies more strongly than ever to the accumulation of property. This step he regretted in after life, feeling' that he had made a serious mistake. Yet he did not wholly lose sight of his original purpose. He attended evening schools both of an academic and mercantile nature ; he visited the various debating societies and churches; observed carefully the habits of the people ; listened, so far as his time would allow, to the various courses of sci- entific lectures, for which his mind had a keen relish; and thus laid the foundation of what general knowledge he possessed. During his business engagement with Messrs. Stearns, Cobb & Winslow, he made shipments to Valparaiso and to South America, with indifferent success.
In 1834 he entered the grocery business under the firm name of Foster & Wakefield, on Commercial Street, opposite Commercial Wharf. In 1836 the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Wakefield sent to New Hampshire for his younger brother, Mr. Enoch H. Wakefield, with whom, two years after, he formed a co-partnership under the name of Wakefield & Co. This firm was continued until 1844. During the latter part of this co-partnership, a small lot of rattan, thrown out of a ship as refuse matter, was accidentally purchased, and sold at a profit to a few chair-makers, who, working the raw material by hand, used the outside of the cane in seating chairs. This favorable purchase led to others, until, at the dissolution of the firm, Mr. Wakefield opened an office at the corner of Commercial and Cross Streets, where he carried on a jobbing trade in rattans.
The demand for split rattans in seating chairs now increased. The great cost of preparing the rattan in this country without the aid of machinery, caused Mr. Wakefield to look abroad for a supply ; and as he had a brother-in-law in the house of Messrs. Russell & Co., Canton, China, he forwarded to him samples of the cane most in demand. In a few years his importations of Canton Split Rattan were known throughout the United States. But upon the breaking out of the Opi- um War between the Chinese and European powers, this branch of the trade received a sudden check and was for a time suspended. In the mean time the use of rattan in its manufactured form had greatly
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increased, and Mr. Wakefield, in the year 1856, resolved to begin the manufacture of cane in this country, and to utilize, so far as possible, the whole of the material. The American Rattan Company were at this time the only party cutting cane by machinery, and they used the cane only for seating chairs. The remainder of the rattan was wasted. But Mr. Wakefield determined to make the whole of the rattan - cane, pith, and shavings - valuable. He began with one or two machines worked by hand in Boston. A fortunate speculation gave him both credit and capital, so that he could enlarge his business. Learning that there were several large lots of rattan in the New York market, the article at this time being much depressed, Mr. Wakefield, with all the ready money he could command, went to that city, established his quar- ters quietly at the Astor House, and put his brokers at work to obtain the lowest price at which the entire stock could be purchased, enjoining upon them not to name the purchaser. Having obtained the desired information, he decided to take all the available lots, for which he paid sufficient cash to make the material subject to his order. This gave him the whole control of the rattan stock of the country. Prices soon advanced, and he was enabled to sell, so that he realized a handsome profit. This single operation not only put money and credit at his disposal, but also gave him a prestige in the business, which he ever after maintained. Soon after this he removed his works from Boston to South Reading. Water power took the place of hand power, and as the business rapidly increased, steam power was soon added. The mill at South Reading in which he first began, soon became too small for him, and building after building was erected, until at the time of his death his manufactories and store-houses covered an area of ten acres of flooring.
Nor was this wonderful increase in his business the only remarkable feature. There was a corresponding advance in utilizing the whole of the rattan, so that nothing was lost. From a comparatively small job- bing trade in an article at that time of little value, he advanced to the manufacture of reeds for hoop skirts, then to cane for seating chairs, then to the manipulation of the waste, and finally to the use of all the small pieces, and even shavings, in making various beautiful and use- ful articles. His original idea was thus realized, and probably no one ever succeeded, in the face of so many difficulties and with such a stub- born material as rattan, in so nearly accomplishing his object.
In 1865 Mr. Wakefield sent his nephew and namesake, Mr. Cyrus Wakefield, 2d, to Singapore, since which time they have imported nearly the whole stock of rattan for the country. The Indian trade
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also included the importation of tin, gambier, pepper, coffee, spices, and all the products of the Straits Settlement and Java. This depart- ment increased in importance up to the time of his death.
About the year 1851, Mr. Wakefield made his first purchase of real estate in South Reading. In July of that same year he bought the larger part of the land comprising his homestead, and in place of the mansion house, which then stood upon it, he built in 1861 a magnificent residence. About this time he fully realized that the town was destined to become a very important place. And now he seemed never to have enjoyed a moment, so long as he knew that there was a piece of real estate in the vicinity of his house or factories which could be purchased. He would not rest till he had a deed of it in his own name on record. Many of these purchases were of low swamps and meadows, which he cleared, filled up, and drained, making valuable building lots of what had been waste land.
While in the spring of 1867 the citizens of South Reading were con- sidering the propriety of erecting some suitable memorial to the brave men who had gone from their number to the War of the Rebellion, and had perished, Mr. Wakefield came forward and voluntarily offered to give to the town a lot of land, and a cash contribution of $30,000 for a new Town House, in which provision should be made for a Soldiers' Memorial Hall. In accepting this munificent offer, the town at once decided to change its name, and on the 20th day of January, 68, by acclamation, voted that it should henceforth be Wakefield. On the 4th of July, 1868, the new name was adopted by appropriate and inter- esting exercises.
Mr. Wakefield more than fulfilled his promise to the town. He more than quadrupled the cost of the edifice, and on Feb. 22, 1871, in the presence of an audience completely filling the new and beautiful hall, he surrendered the keys of the building to the proper officers of the town. But this act alone does not fully reveal his great interest in the town.
In order that people might be induced to settle in Wakefield, he was active in the organization of the Real Estate and Building Associ- ation ; at first assuming nearly the whole of the capital stock, besides turning into the Association a large tract of valuable land, then unoc- cupied, but which has since been built upon. He also had a strong desire to improve the opportunities for education, and favored every project for better school-houses and enlarged facilities for instruction. His mind dwelt so much upon this subject, that he was not only eager
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to assist worthy students individually, but he inaugurated a course of free lectures on scientific subjects for the masses.
Although Mr. Wakefield never held a position where elevation was due to political influence, yet he was a leader in all local enterprises and improvements, and sometimes led the way where few were ready to follow.
He was one of the corporators of the Savings Bank, director in the Citizens' Gas Light Company, president and largest stockholder in the Ice Company, member of the School Board, of the Agricultural Asso- ciation, and National Bank of South Reading.
The plan of furnishing the town with an abundance of pure water was among his last projects. Indeed, he had so far developed it as to organize the Quannapowitt Water Co.
His whole thought was thus centred upon the town which had hon- ored him by assuming his name. He expected to live to see it famed for its institutions of education, distinguished by its beauty of landscape and architecture, an honor to its citizens, an enduring monument to his name. But Mr. Wakefield's plans reached beyond his adopted town. It is interesting to trace the growth of his conceptions as regards the future of Boston, the city in which he had labored so vigorously and successfully. In 1863 he purchased an estate in Hanover Street, after- wards a second in North Street, both of which were situated between Cross and North Centre Streets. Subsequently he bought and consoli- dated seven estates at the corner of Hanover and North Centre Streets, and two in Cross Street. In 1864-5 he became the owner of three estates on Canal Street ; then in 1868 of the Hall Distillery estate in Prince Street ; in 1868 of the tenement houses in Friend Street Court, which he replaced with a fine brick block in 1870-1871. These large purchases were not made at random. He believed in the future of Boston. He saw that Washington Street must come to Haymarket Square, and to the accomplishment of this object he bent his energies for a year. Although he did not live even to see the work begun, yet to him is largely due the credit of its successful completion. In 1871, when he knew that Washington Street would be extended, he purchased the Brattle Square Church, the Quincy House, and adjoining estate on Hanover Street. In 1872 the Studio Building was purchased, the Cen- tral House, and an estate adjoining in Brattle Square.
In June, 1873, he made his last purchase of real estate, on the line of the Washington Street extension. His object in becoming so large a real estate owner was to improve and develop the northern part of Boston, according to the ideal which was ever before his mind. In
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addition to his other duties he was a director in the Boston and Maine, Fitchburg, Nashua, Acton and Boston, and Middlesex Horse Railroads, in the first two of which he was the largest stockholder. The plans which he had conceived, but was prevented by death from fully execut- ing, show the breadth and scope of his mind. He had projected the levelling of Copp's Hill so as to form a great freight depot and docks for the use of a railroad in which he was interested ; the purchase of the Music Hall property ; the erection of a noble edifice at Harvard, in which there should be rooms for the "Wakefield Library," and for other educational purposes ; the founding of a college at Wakefield (the plans of which were known only to a few intimate friends), where the children of the poor might enjoy the benefits of superior training. These unfinished schemes reveal the intention and heart of Mr. Wake- field much better than words could do.
Mr. Wakefield was married on the thirty-first day of October, 1841, to Miss Eliza A. Bancroft, the only daughter of Captain Henry Ban- croft, who survives him.
Mr. Wakefield was a man of iron will and resolute purpose, com- bined with great physical endurance. Energy, perseverance, and an indomitable courage in the face of almost insuperable obstacles, were his prominent characteristics.
He had a keen perception, and results that other men reached by hard thought seemed to intuitively come to him.
He knew human nature thoroughly, and could read a man at a glance. To those who knew him best he revealed at times a warm, genial, and tender nature, though to a stranger he might seem distant.
He was charitable, giving not only in large sums to public enter- prises, but cheering the hearts of the poor with his generous gifts. Many students struggling for an education remember with gratitude his timely aid. As a merchant, he was shrewd, industrious, persistent, and careful in the details of his business. His character and deeds are thus epitomized in the resolutions adopted by his fellow-citizens on the evening after his death : "The valuable citizen, the prosperous merchant, the progressive leader in ornamental and architectural im- provements, the friend and helper of education, the chief promoter of our local industrial pursuits, our munificent namesake, whose numerous and generous benefactions will remain his enduring memorials."
Mr. Wakefield died very suddenly on Sabbath morning, Oct. 26, 1873. at a quarter before 8 o'clock, at the age of sixty-two years and eight months. His funeral was attended at his late residence on the following Wednesday.
" The silver cord is loosed and the golden bowl is broken."
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APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
A.
INDIAN DEED OF LYNN AND READING.
"To all Christian People, to whom this present Deed of Confirma- tion and Alienation shall come, David Kunkshamooshaw, who, by credible intelligence, is grandson to old Sagamore George-No-Nose, so called, alias Wenepowweekin, sometime of Rumney Marsh, and some- times at or about Chelmsford of ye colony of ye Massachyets, so called, sometimes here and sometimes there, but deceased, ye said David, grandson to ye said old Sagamore George-No-Nose, deceased, and Abigail Kunkshamooshaw, ye wife of David, and Cicely, alias Su- George, ye reputed daughter of said old Sagamore George, and James Quonopohit of Natick, alias Rumney Marsh, and Mary his wife, send greeting, &c. :-
"Know ye, that the said David Kunkshamooshaw, and Abigail his wife, and Cicely, alias Su-George aforesaid, and James Quonopohit aforesaid, with his wife Mary, who are the nearest of kin and legal suc- cessors of ye aforesaid George-No-Nose, alias Wenepowweekin, whom wee affirme was the true and sole owner of ye land, that the towns of Lynn and Reading (aforesaid) stand upon, and notwithstanding ye possession of ye English dwelling in those townships of Lynn and Reading, afore- said, wee, ye said David Kunkshamooshaw, Cicely, alias Su-George, James Quonopohit, the rest aforesaid Indians, doe lay claim to the lands that these two towns aforesaid, Lynn and Reading, stand upon, , and the dwellers thereof possess, that ye right and title thereto is ours, and belong to us and ours ; but, howsoever, the townships of Lyn and Reading, having been long possessed by the English, and although wee make our clayme, and ye Selectmen and Trustees of both towns afore- said, pleading title by graunts of Courts and purchase of old of our predecessor, George Sagamore, and such like matters, &c., wee the Claymers aforesaid, viz. : David Kunkshamooshaw and Abigail, his
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APPENDIX.
squaw, Cicely, alias Su-George, the reputed daughter of old Sagamore George, alias Wenepowweekin, and James Quonopohit and Mary his wife, all and every of us, as aforesaid, and jointly together, for and in consideration of ye summe of sixteen pounds of current sterling money of silver, in hand paid to ye Indians clayming, viz .: David Kunksha- mooshaw &c. at or before the ensealing and delivery of these presents, by Mr. Ralph King, William Bassett, Senr., Matthew Farrington, Senr., John Burrill, Senr., Robert Potter, Senr., Samuel Johnson, and Oliver Purchas, Selectmen in Lynn, in ye County of Essex in New England, trustees and Prudentials for and in behalf of ye purchasers and now proprietors of ye townships of Lynn and Reading, well and truly payd, the receipt whereof, wee, viz .: David Kunkshamooshaw, Abigail his wife, Cicely, alias Su-George, ye reputed daughter of old Sagamore George, and James, alias Rumney Marsh, and Mary his wife, doe hereby acknowl- edge themselves to be fully satisfied and contented, and thereof and . every part thereof, doe hereby acquit, exhonerate and discharge ye said Mr. Ralph King, Wm. Bassett, Senr., with all and every of ye Select- men aforesaid, trustees and prudentials, together with the purchasers and now proprietors of ye said townships of Lyn and of Reading, their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, forever, by these presents have granted, bargained a full and a firme confirmation and ratification of all grants of Courts, and any former alienation made by our predeces- sor or predecessors, and our own right, title and interest, clayme and demand whatsoever, and by these presents doe fully, freely, clearly and absolutely give and grant a full and firme confirmation of all grants of Courts, and any sort of alienation made by our predecessor or pred- ecessors, as also all our owne clayme of right, title, interest and demand, unto them ye said Mr. Ralph King, Wm. Bassett and the rest, Selectmen aforenamed, trustees and prudentials for ye town of Lyn, - ye worshipful Mr. John Browne, Capt. Jeremiah Sweyn and Lt. Wm. Harsey, trustees and prudentials for ye towne of Reading, to their heirs and assigns forever, to and for ye sole use, benefit and behoof of ye purchasers and now proprietors of ye townships of Lynn and Reading aforesaid, and all ye said townships of Lynn and Reading, joyning one to another, even from the sea, where the line beginneth, between Lynn and Marblehead and so between Lynn and Salem, as it is stated by those towns and marked, and so to Ipswich river, and so from thence, as it is stated betwixt Salem and Reading, and as the line is stated and runne betwixt Will's Hill, and as is stated and runne betwixt Reading and Andover, and as it is stated betwixt Oburne and Reading, and as
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