USA > Massachusetts > Historical collections, being a general collection of interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c., relating to the history and antiquities of every town in Massachusetts, with geographical descriptions > Part 58
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Dorchester is agreeably diversified by hills and valleys, and the soil is generally rich and highly cultivated. Its fertile hills present beautiful building sites, commanding a fine prospect of the islands and waters at the head of Massachusetts Bay. 'The roads in this township are numerous and crooked, but mostly level and kept in good repair. Many fine country-houses and substantial farm-houses are . thickly arranged on their sides. Perhaps "no section of our country, of its size, is better cultivated, and no where is the union of wealth with rural felicity more complete."
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DORCHESTER.
Savin Hill, which is situated between two inlets from Dorchester Bay, is a place of some resort in this town; it is four miles from Boston. Commercial Point is a place of some note, a little south of Savin Hill, as is also the peninsula of Squantum on the oppo- site shore. This town is separated from Milton and Quincy by Neponset river, which affords a good water-power and sites for a great variety of manufactures. The first water-mill in this coun- try was erected here in 1633. The "Dorchester and Milton Bank," in this place, has a capital of $100,000. There are seven churches, 4 Congregational, 1 Methodist, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Bap- tist. Population, 4,564. Distance, 4 miles south of Boston, and 6 north-east of Dedham. Dorchester Heights, celebrated in the revolutionary annals, are two hills at a small distance from each other, on the eastern extremity of the peninsula of Dorchester Point, now within the limits of South Boston.
Northern view of the central part of Dorchester.
The above is a northern view of the central part of Dorchester as it is entered upon the Boston road. The Congregational church is seen near the central part of the engraving; it is situated on a ,gentle, though rocky eminence, having an open area in front, somewhat encumbered with masses of rocks. The village in the vicinity consists of about 75 dwelling-houses. In 1837, there were 3 cotton mills, 5,500 spindles ; 1,100,000 yards of cotton goods were manufactured, valued at $125,000; sixty males and 220 females were employed. There were 10 manufactories of chairs and cabinet ware; value of articles manufactured, $101,300; hands employed, 120. Two paper-mills ; value of paper manufac- tured, $15,000. Four vessels were employed in the whale fishery ; tonnage, 1,160; sperm oil imported, 56,616 gallons; whale oil, 94,653 gallons; hands employed, 114. Sixteen vessels were em- ployed in the cod and mackerel fishery ; tonnage 1,050; codfish caught, 9,000 quintals; mackerel caught, 5,000 barrels; hands employed, 128; capital invested, $50,000.
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466
DORCHESTER.
Soon after the first settlement at Dorchester they were joined by other settlers from England. In 1633, Mr. Oldham and some others travelled from Dorchester through the wilderness to Connecticut, to view the country and trade with the Indians. They brought back such a flattering report, that it determined many of the Dorchester people to remove thither. Accordingly, on the 20th of October, 1635, about 60 men, women, and children, with their horses, cattle, and swine, commenced their march through the wilderness, and after a journey of fourteen days arrived at Windsor, on the Connec- ticut. Mr. Warham soon followed his congregation, but Mr. Maverick died before preparations were made for his removal. After the departure of the first settlers, a new church was gathered in Dorchester, in August, 1636, and Rev. Mr. Richard Ma- ther was chosen teacher. The first place for public worship was erected on the plain, not far from the " Old Harbor," where the settlers first landed. It was surrounded by palisadoes, was the place for the deposit of military stores, and for resort in case of alarm from the Indians. A sentinel was posted by the gate every night; and the people carried their plate and most valuable articles to the church every evening for preser- vation. "In 1676, a new meeting-house was erected on the hill, where the present one stands. The work was undertaken by Mr. Isaac Royal, and performed for two hundred pounds. The elm trees [cut down in the Revolutionary war] about it were set out by Mr. Thomas Tilestone. After the building was completed, the old one was sold, by a vote of the town, to Mr. Royal, for £10 ..... The next one was raised in 1743."-Dr. Harris' account of Dorchester, vol. ix. Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc.
In 1695, a church was gathered in this town, and Mr. Joseph Lord was ordained its pastor, for the purpose of removing to South Carolina, " to encourage the settlement of churches and the pro- motion of religion in the southern plantations." After a passage of fourteen days, they landed at Carolina, and on the 2d of Febru- ary, 1696, " was the first sacrament of the Lord's supper that was ever celebrated at Carolina." They located themselves on Ashley river, about 18 miles north-west of Charleston, and named their new settlement Dorchester, in honor of the place from whence they emigrated. This place proving unhealthy, and the quantity of the lands too small for the inhabitants, in 1752 a new settlement was projected in Georgia, and a grant of upwards of 30,000 acres was procured of the legislature. This tract is about thirty miles south-westerly from Savannah. Mr. Osgood, the pastor at Dorchester, S. C., and his congregation, gradually collected here, and the town they formed is called Midway.
The following inscriptions are from monuments in the ancient grave-yard in Dorchester.
HEARE LYES OVR CAPTAINE AND MAIOR OF SVFFOLK WAS WITHALL A GODLY MAGISTRATE WAS HE AND MAIOR GENERALL
TWO TROVPS OF HORS WITH HIME HIERE CAME SUCH WORTH HIS LOVE DID CRAVE TEN COMPANYES ALSO MOVRNING MARCHT TO HIS GRAVE
LET ALL THAT READ BE SURE TO KEEP THE FAITH AS HE HATH DONE
WITHI CHRIST HE LIVS NOW CROWN'D HIS NAME WAS HUMPHRY ATHERTON. HE DYED THE 16 OF SEPTEMBER, 1661.
The following, says Mr. Davenport, in a small publication en- titled "The Sexton's Monitor," is on two children lying in one grave, covered with a flat stone, but so broken, that the upper part, which probably bore the name of the parents, was gone.
Abel, his offering accepted is ; His body to the grave, his soul to bliss ; On October twenty and no more, In the year sixteen hundred 44.
Submit submitted to her heavenly king, Being a flower of the eternal spring ; Near 3 years old she died in heaven to wait, The year was sixteen hundred 48.
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DOVER.
D. O. M. Sacer RICHARDUS hic dormit MATHERUS. (Sed non totus, nec mora diu- turna) Lætatus genuisse pares. Incertum est utrum Doctior an Melior. Animum et gloria non quæunt humari.
Divinely rich and learned RICHARD MATHER, Sons like him, prophets great, rejoic'd this father. Short time his sleeping dust's here's covered down, Not so his ascended spirit or renown.
V. D. M. in Angl. XVI annos. In Dor. N. A. 34 an. Ob. Apr. 22, 1669, Ætatis suæ 73.
Elder JAMES HUMPHREYS, who died May 12, 1686, aged 78.
Inclosed within this shrine is sacred dust, And only waits for the rising of the just. Most useful while he lived ; adorned his station, Even to old age he serv'd his generation : Since his death thought of with great veneration.
How great a blessing this Ruling Elder he Unto the Church and Town and Pastors three. Mather he first did by him help receive ; Flint he did next of burdens much relieve ; Renowned Danforth he did help with skill .. Esteemed high by all ;- bear fruit until Yielding to death his glorious seat did fill.
GULIELMUS STOUGHTONUS, armiger Provincia Massachusettensis in Nova Anglia Legatus, deinde Gubernator ; Nec-non Curiæe in eadem Provincia Superioris Justicia- rius Capitalis, Hic jacet. Vir conjugii nescius, Religione sanctus, Virtute clarus, Doctrina celebris, Ingenio acutus, Sanguine et animo pariter illustris; Æquitatis amator, Legum propugnator, Collegii Stoughtoniani fundator, Literarum et Litera- torum fautor, celeberrimus, Impietatis et vitii hostis acerrimus. Hunc Rhetores amant facundum, Hunc Scriptores norunt elegantem, Hunc Philosophi quærunt sapi- entem, Hunc Doctores laudunt theologum, Hunc Pii venerantur austerum, Hunc omnes mirantur ! omnibus ignotum. Omnibus licet notum. Quid plura viator ? Quem perdidimus-STOUGHTONUM ? Heu! Satis dixi; urgent lachrymæ; Sileo. Vixit annos septuaginta. Septimo die Julii Anno Salutis 1701 Cecidit. Heu! Heu ! Qualis Luctus !
DOVER.
DOVER was originally a part of Dedham; it was incorporated as a precinct in 1748, and as a town in 1784. The church was em- bodied in 1762, and Rev. Benjamin Caryl was its minister the same year. He continued in the pastoral office 41 years, and was succeeded by Rev. Ralph Sanger, who was settled here in 1812. The surface of this township is uneven, and a considerable portion of it is covered with wood. Pine Hill, in this town and Medfield, is 400 feet above Charles river. Population, 518. Distance, 5 miles from Dedham, and 14 from Boston. In 1837, there was a nail factory, which manufactured 300 tons, valued at $36,000; hands employed, 14; capital invested, $30,000. There is also a rolling mill, which manufactured 500 tons of hoops, rods, &c .; the value of which is $55,000.
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FOXBOROUGH.
FOXBOROUGH.
THIS town was originally a part of Stoughton ; it was incorpo- rated in 1778. The Rev. Thomas Kendall, the first minister, was ordained here in 1786. The church was embodied in 1779. Mr. Kendall continued its pastor till 1800. The Rev. Daniel Loring, his successor, was settled here in 1804, and resigned in 1806. Rev. Thomas Skelton, the third minister, continued here about four years ; his successor, Rev. Thomas Williams, was installed in 1816. Rev. Willard Pierce, the next minister, was ordained in 1824.
In the center of the town there are two churches, 1 Congrega- tional and 1 Baptist, and a village of about 25 well-built dwelling- houses. Distance, 15 miles from Dedham, 15 to Taunton, 5 to Wrentham, 37 to Worcester, 20 to Providence, and 24 to Boston. Population, 1,416. The manufacture of straw bonnets is a very important branch of business in this place. In 1837, there were 133,654 straw bonnets manufactured, valued at $121,571. There were 2 cotton mills ; 17 hands were employed, and $12,350 worth of goods manufactured; two woollen mills, cloth manufactured, 46,000 yards, valued at $48,000; one air and cupola furnace ; iron castings made, 300 tons, value, $30,000; hands employed, 20. The value of shovels, spades, forks or hoes manufactured, was $15,000.
John Shepherd, who died in Attleborough in 1809, at the age of one hundred and nine years, was a native of this town. "He re- tained all his faculties of mind and body, except his eye-sight, to the last, and was just able to walk, with a little assistance, till a few days before his death .* He lived over a hundred years on his native spot. He was a man of pious character; cheerful in disposition, jocose, witty, and of a quick understanding. He was deprived of his eye-sight on a sudden, during the night, and was not himself aware of it until the next morning, when he sought in vain for the light of day. He could distinctly recollect events which had occurred a century before. He had one son and seve- ral daughters. Two of his daughters lived to upwards of 80 years ; and another, Mrs. Mary Mann, of Wrentham, who died in 1828, lived to the age of 97 years. She retained all her faculties and usual cheerfulness and vivacity till the last fifteen years of her life. She abstained almost wholly from animal food, and never was in the habit of drinking tea or coffee, and wondered how peo- ple could love either. Her most common food was milk. She adhered to the same fashion in dress for 80 years."
* It is of him that the well-known anecdote is told, that he lived in two counties and four different towns, and yet never moved [during that time] from the spot where he was born.
469
FRANKLIN.
Do
1810
.
The annexed engraving is a representa- tion of a very singular monument standing in the grave-yard in the center of this town. In order to read the inscription, it is necessary to raise the lid or cover, which turns up like the lid of a tea-pot, and lays on the rest by the side. The cover is of iron, and is kept to its place by hooks ; the date, 1810, is cut upon it. The following is the inscription :
This monument was erected by Doct. N. Miller, to the memory of his friend, Mr. ZADOCK HOWE, who died 1819, Æt. 77, and who fought under the great Wash- ington. To those who view, before your'e gone, Be pleas'd to put this cover on. 1810.
On the inside of the cover, on a piece of sheet-iron, the following is in gilt letters :
The grave is waiting for your body, And Christ is waiting for your soul, O, may this be your cheerful study, To be prepared when death doth call.
The lower part of this monument is of granite. This, with the apparatus at the top, was made by Mr. Howe, who kept it in his house some years before his death.
FRANKLIN.
FRANKLIN was set off from Wrentham, in 1737, as a distinct parish, and incorporated as a town by the name of Franklin* in 1778. A church was organized here in 1738, and Rev. Elias Ha- ven was ordained pastor the same year. He died of the consump- tion, in 1754. About six years after the death of Mr. Haven, Rev. Caleb Barnum took the pastoral charge, in which office he con- tinued about eight years, when, difficulties increasing, he resigned. When the Revolutionary war commenced, he was appointed chap- lain in the western army, and died in the camp, in 1776. Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, D. D., succeeded Mr. Barnum, and was ordain- ed in 1773, and continued pastor for fifty-four years. He was
* " The name was selected in honor of Benjamin Franklin, LL. D. While Dr. Franklin was in France, a friend of his in Boston wrote to him that a town in the vicinity of Boston had chosen his name by which to be known in the world, and he presumed, as they had no bell with which to summon the people to meeting on the Sabbath, a present of such an instrument from him would be very acceptable, espe- cially as they were about erecting a new meeting-house. The doctor wrote, in reply, that he presumed the people in Franklin were more fond of sense than of sound ; and accordingly presented them with a handsome donation of books for the use of the parish."-Smalley's Centennial Sermon.
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FRANKLIN.
Residence of Dr. Emmons, Franklin.
succeeded in the ministry by Rev. E. Smalley, who was ordained here in 1829.
The above is a southern view of the residence of the venerable Nathaniel Emmons, D. D. This house was built by Mr. Haven, the first minister of this town. It stands about half a mile south of the Congregational church. The first meeting-house stood about 20 rods north of the present church. At the time Dr. Em- mons was ordained, there was a forest within 20 rods of the church. His ordination took place in the open air; he stood in a kind of valley, and the people stood on the elevated ground above him. In allusion to this circumstance, he pleasantly remarked that he was ordained under his people, not over them. Dr. Emmons was born at East Haddam, Con., in 1745, and is now in his 94th year. He is entirely of the old school in his dress, &c., even to the shoe- buckles, and three-cornered hat. One of his numerous visiters mentions that he called on Dr. Emmons in 1838, and, instead of finding him broken down by age, found him quite cheerful and pleasant in conversation. The study of Dr. Emmons is on the lower floor in the south-western corner room, which he has occu- pied for this purpose for more than sixty years. So closely has he confined himself to this room, that it is said he is quite a stran- ger to the other parts of his house. Says Mr. Smalley in his cen- tennial sermon, preached in 1838, "Few clergymen of any age or country have lived so long as he ; few have written so much; and few have lived to such purpose. . .. . In the unpretending form of sermons, he has embodied so much truth, settled so many principles, and cleared up so many difficulties, that not a few have already acknowledged themselves greatly indebted to him, and are prepared to unite with others in pronouncing him a public bene- factor. .... Probably no clergyman unconnected with a theolo- gical seminary has guided the studies of so many young men in theology as Dr. Emmons."
The manufacture of straw bonnets is an important branch of
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471
MEDFIELD.
business in this town. In 1837, there were 93,173 straw bonnets manufactured, the value of which was $160,186. There were also in the limits of the town 5 cotton mills; cotton spindles, 1,968; cotton goods manufactured, 323,000 yards, valued at $31,140; males employed, 17; females, 31. Population, 1,696. Distance, 17 miles from Dedham, 18 from Providence, R. I., and 27 from Boston.
The following account is abridged from a communication in the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, by Dr. Mann. It rests upon the authority of tradition, but appears to be well authenticated.
" A man by the name of Rocket, in searching for a stray horse, discovered a train of 42 Indians, about sunset.' From their appearance he suspected they intended to at- tack the settlement at Wrentham the next morning, after the men had dispersed to their work ; he therefore followed them, secretly, till they halted for the night, when he hastily returned to the settlement and gave notice to the inhabitants. A consulta- tion was held, at which it was agreed to attack the Indians early the next morning. A company of 13, under the command of Captain Ware, was hastily collected from Wrentham and the vicinity; who, having secured the women and children and the infirm in the garrison, set out for the Indian encampment, where they arrived just be- fore day-light ; and were posted within a short distance, with orders to reserve their fire till the enemy began to decamp.
" Between day-light and sunrise the Indians suddenly rose from their resting places, when, upon a signal given, a general discharge was made, which threw them into the utmost consternation. Some, in their confusion, while attempting to escape, leaped down a precipice of rocks from 10 to 20 feet in height ; some of the fugitives were overtaken and slain. Two of them, who were closely pursued, attempted to conceal themselves in Mill Brook, where they were found and killed. It is related that one Woodcock discharged his long musket, called, in those days, a buccaneer, at a fugitive Indian, at the distance of 80 rods, and broke his thigh bone, and then killed him.
" The number of Indians killed was from 20 to 24; and not one of the whites. The place where this bold adventure occurred is in that part of the ancient Wrentham which is now Franklin. The large rock where the Indians were encamped is to this day called Indian Rock. The time is not certainly ascertained ; but it was, without much doubt, in the spring or summer of 1676, when the Indian forces were dispersed in parties throughout the country."
MEDFIELD.
THIS is the forty-third town in Massachusetts that secured an act of incorporation. It was originally a part of Dedham, and was incorporated as a town in 1650. A church was organized here in 1651, consisting of eight members; Rev. John Wilson, Jr. was installed pastor the same year. Mr. Wilson was born in England, and graduated in the first class in Harvard college. He united in himself the offices of a preacher, physician, and school-master, at the same time. He continued in the pastoral office more than for- ty years, and died in 1691. After a period of nearly six years, in which thirty-two candidates were employed, Joseph Baxter was settled, and sustained the pastoral office more than 48 years. Mr. Baxter commenced his ministerial labors at the age of eighteen, and in consequence of his youth his settlement was delayed almost three years. "He was selected for a missionary during his minis-
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MEDFIELD.
try by Governor Shute. When his excellency had a conference with the Indians at Georgetown, on Arrousic Island, in August, 1717, he presented to them Mr. Baxter, a Protestant missionary ; but, through the influence of the jesuit Ralle, he was rejected. Mr. Baxter was succeeded by Rev. Jonathan Townsend, who was set- tled in 1745, and died of the small-pox in 1776. His successor was Rev. Thomas Prentiss, D. D., who was settled in 1770. Dr. Prentiss died in 1814, deeply lamented."
This town is pleasantly situated, has a fertile soil, and is water- ed by Charles and Stop rivers. In the village are two Congrega- tional churches (one of them Unitarian) and 1 Baptist, and about 40 dwelling-houses. Considerable quantities of boots, shoes and straw are manufactured here. The principal business, however, is agriculture. There are extensive meadows west of the village, on Charles river, which are very valuable. It is stated that the name of the town (which is spelled on the ancient records Mead- field,) originated from the circumstance of the plantation being situated near these meadows. There is good peat in the town, and quarries of granite. Distance, 8 miles S. by W. of Dedham, and 17 S. S. W. from Boston. Population, 899. The principal articles manufactured are straw bonnets, of which, in 1837, there were 124,000, the value of which was $135,000.
Ancient House in Medfield.
The above is a west view of one of the oldest houses now standing in New England. It is about one third of a mile east- ward from the central village of Medfield, on the main road to Ded- ham. This house was standing at the time when the principal part of the town was burnt by the Indians, in 1676. It is, proba- bly, the only house of the kind now standing in this country. It is an interesting relic of antiquity, showing the manner in which most of the houses of the first settlers were built. This house is 24 feet in length, 14} feet in breadth, 10 feet from the ground to the caves of the roof, about 12 feet from the eaves to the top of
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MEDFIELD.
the roof. There are three divisions on the ground floor, consisting of one principal room, an entry, and a pantry ; on the second floor are two chambers, above which is a narrow garret. The building standing on the side of the house is believed to be about as ancient as the house, and was formerly used as a weaver's shop. The floor of this building is sunk about 3 feet below the surface of the ground. Among the first settlers of this town, it is stated, there were a large number of weavers.
In this town slaves were formerly common and numerous. Con- cerning witches, it is stated in Dr. Saunders' Historical Sermon, that the Rev. Mr. Baxter went to reprove Goody Lincoln for the sin of practising witchcraft, and felt a strange pain in his leg on his return, which was attributed to her ill influence.
The greater part of this town was burnt in King Philip's war. The following account of attack of the Indians is taken from Dr. Saunders' Historical Sermon, preached at Medfield, in 1817, page 17.
"Having arrived in a vast body at Wachusett mountain, in Princeton, they [the Indians] divided for more extensive mischiefs into two parties. One proceeded toward Concord, Chelmsford, Woburn, and Haverhill ; the other burnt Lancaster, Marlborough, and Sudbury, and soon reached Medfield. The Sunday before the assault, they were seen on the heights of mount Nebo and Noonhill, as the people came out from public worship. There were then four [14] garrisons in town. Nearly 300 soldiers had arrived for its defence; but these had been billeted out upon the inhabitants in every direction. The Rev. Mr. Wilson had charged his flock to be vigilant against surprise and guarded against dan- gers. Monday morning, 21st February, 1676, was the fatal period. During the night preceding, the Indians had spread themselves over every part of the town, skulking beside every fence and building. At the first dawn of day, about 50 buildings were set into a blaze at the same instant. Many of the inhabitants through great perils were able to reach the garrisons, others were shot down as they rushed out of their houses, and one was burnt in his own dwelling. At length, the savages were compelled to retire over a bridge in the south-west part of the town. Burning the bridge in order to cut off pursuit, they retired to a savage feast on the top of the nearest hill, in view of the ruins they had occasion- ed. Philip had been seen, riding upon a black horse, leaping over fences, exulting in the havoc he was making. Though he could neither read nor write, yet he caused a paper to be left, threaten- ing to visit them every year for twenty years to come. He did not live to fulfil this promise.
"The destruction commenced at the east part of the town. Most of the houses and barns were consumed between the meet- ing-house and the bridge leading to Medway. Nearly 50 build- ings and two mills were destroyed. The best houses and all the garrisons escaped. The damages were estimated at about 9,000 dollars. It was supposed that there were 500 Indians in this en-
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