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 59
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474
MEDWAY.
gagement. Their dread of cannon hastened them away. Soon after, they carried destruction to Rehoboth, Pawtucket, and Provi- dence. Here, John Fussell, aged about 100, was burnt in his house. Eight inhabitants were killed, four were mortally wound- ed, besides three soldiers who fell, amounting in all to fifteen.
" On the 6th of May following, the Indians met with a notorious repulse at the stone-house near Medfield, in the north-east corner of Medway. On the 2d of July, there was near this a new con- flict in the woods, and more execution was done upon the enemy. Among the captives recovered, a slave gave information of an in- tended attack upon Taunton with 200 savages, which information proved the preservation of that town by timely auxiliaries sent to their protection. July 25th, 30 of our men and 90 Christian Indians from Dedham and Medfield pursued the savages and capti- vated about 50 of them, among whom was Pomham, the great sachem of the Narragansetts. Soon after, the savages retired from this part of the country, to carry new distresses into more distant regions.".
MEDWAY.
THIS town was originally a part of Medfield : it was incorpo- rated in 1713. Mr. David Deming, the first minister, was ordained in 1715, and continued nearly seven years pastor. Rev. Nathan Buckman, his successor, was settled in Dec., 1724, and continued the pastoral relation to this church more than seventy years. He died Feb. 6, 1795, in the 92d year of his age, and 71st of his minis- try. Mr. Benjamin Green was colleague with the venerable Mr. Buckman for a few years. Rev. Luther Wright succeeded Mr. Green in the pastoral office, and discharged its duties for seventeen years, and was dismissed in 1815. He was succeeded by Rev. Luther Baily. The second church in Medway was formed in 1750, and Rev. David Thurston was settled in 1752, as the first minister. In consequence of ill health and some difficulties in the church, he resigned the pastoral office in 1769. Rev. David San- ford, the second pastor, continued his active and useful labors from 1773 till 1807, when they were terminated by a severe paralysis. He was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Ide, who was invested with the pastoral charge in 1814.
The following engraving shows the appearance of Medway, or Factory Village, as it is entered from the east upon the old Med- field road. The spire seen on the right is that of the Congrega- tional church. The building on the left with a small low spire is a 4 story cotton factory, standing on Charles river. This village consists of 37 dwelling-houses, 3 stores, 3 cotton and 1 woollen factories. The boot and shoe business is carried on to considerable extent in Medway village and in West Medway. In East Med- way is a bell-foundry, (owned by Col. Geo. H. Holbrook, ) an organ manufactory, and a clock factory. This town is gradually
475
MILTON.
muni
Eastern vren of Factory Village, Medway.
improving in appearance, wealth, and population. There are in the limits of the town 4 churches, 3 Congregational, one of which is Unitarian, and 1 Baptist. Distance, 12 miles S. W. of Dedham, and 20 S. W. of Boston. Population, 2,050.
In 1837, there were in the limits of the town 6 cotton mills ; 2,500 spindles; 428,200 yards of cotton goods manufactured, the value of which was $42,120. Two woollen mills, 3 sets of ma- chinery; 76,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at $62,000. There were.38,494 pairs of boots and 100,650 pairs of shoes manufactured, valued at $149,774; males employed, 198; females, 98; there were 32,200 straw bonnets manufactured, val- ued at $40,400; there was also a manufactory for cotton batting, and another for cotton wadding.
MILTON.
THE Indian name of this place is said to have been Uncataquis- sett. In 1662, the town of Dorchester voted that Unquety, since called Milton, should be a township, if it had the consent of the general court. It had the consent of the court, and it was incor- porated the same year.
In the south-west part of this town there is a range of the Blue Hills, 710 feet above high-water mark, and is a noted landmark for sailors. It presents in full view Boston and its environs, Mas- sachusetts Bay, the peninsula of Cape Cod, and Wachusett Moun- tain in the interior. 'Milton is adorned with some pleasant country seats, and contains at the two falls, and at the bridge where the Neponset meets the tide, manufactories of cotton, paper, &c. For- ty or fifty vessels annually visit the wharves with wood, coal, lumber, grain, &c. The first paper-mill ever established in Mas- sachusetts was in this town. There are 3 churches, 2 Congrega-
476
MILTON.
Central part of Dorchester and Milton Village.
tional and 1 Universalist. Population, 1,772. Distance, 7 miles S. of Boston, 6 E. of Dedham.
The above is a southern view of the central part of Dorchester and Milton village, lying on both sides of Neponset river, which is the dividing line between the towns. The view is taken from the Milton side when descending the hill on the road to the bridge, connecting the north and south parts of the village, which consists of nearly 100 dwelling-houses, 3 churches, 2 Congregational, one of which is Unitarian, and 1 Methodist ; two cotton factories, 2 pa- per-mills, two chocolate mills, and a bank, the " Dorchester and Milton Bank;" this institution is located on the Dorchester side. " The Governor Hutchinson House" is on the summit of the hill on the Milton side, which rises immediately from the southern bank of the Neponset. The central part of the village is between six and seven miles from Boston.
Milton was the summer residence of Gov. Hutchinson, the au- thor of the History of Massachusetts Bay, and the last royal gover- nor but one. He was supposed by many to have forwarded the stamp act by letters written on the occasion. After the arrival of the stamps, a mob assaulted his house in Boston, in 1765, and having forced him to retire, out of regard to his personal safety, either destroyed or carried off his plate, his family pictures, most of the furniture, the wearing apparel, about nine hundred pounds sterling in money, and the manuscripts and books which he had been thirty years collecting. In 1772, a number of his letters were found written to the British cabinet, stimulating them to enforce their plans against the liberties of the Americans. The general court, upon knowledge of this, voted to impeach him, and requested his majesty would remove him from office. Hutchinson, when informed of this, dissolved the assembly. He became at length so obnoxious to the province, that he was superseded by
477
NEEDHAM.
Governor Gage, in 1774. He died in England, in 1780, aged 69 years.
The following article is taken from the Boston Evening Tran- script, Jan. 25th, 1839.
" The first paper-mill built in New England .- An act to encourage the manufacture of paper in New England was passed by the general court of Massachusetts on the 13th Sept., 1728, and a patent was granted to Daniel Henchman, Gillam Phillips, Benjamin Faneuil, Thomas Hancock, and Henry Dering, for the sole manufacture of paper for ten years, on the following conditions : In the first fifteen months to make one hundred and forty reams of brown paper, and sixty reams of printing paper. The second year to make fifty reams of writing paper, in addition to the first-mentioned quantity: The third year and afterwards yearly, to make twenty-five reams of a superior quality of writing paper, in addition to the former mentioned, that the total annual produce of the various qualities not to be less than five hundred reams a year. The afore-mentioned proprietors erected a small paper-mill in Milton, on a site adjoin- ing Neponset river, near the lower bridge. What number of years the original proprie- tors carried it on, is not now known ; their master-workman's name was Henry Wood- man, an Englishman ; he married in Milton, and left children, two daughters, Abigail and Rebekah. The paper-mill, having been stopped for some time, was eventually sold to Mr. Jeremiah Smith, who, for want of workmen, was prevented making any use of it. In 1760, the business was again revived by James Boies, of Boston, who procured a paper-maker from a British regiment, then stationed in Boston, by the name of Hazel- ton, who obtained a furlough long enough to set the mill to work, there being an American paper-maker, Abijah Smith, then living in Milton, a decent workman, who assisted him, and who continued at the business until an advanced age. On the regi- ment to which Hazelton belonged being ordered to Quebec, the commander-in-chief would not permit him to remain behind, and he went with the army to Canada, and received a wound on the plains of Abraham, when Wolfe fell, and died a few weeks after. After a short time, Richard Clarke, an Englishman, arrived from New York, and again set the mill at work. He was an excellent workman, and made his own moulds. After a few years he was joined by his son, a young man of 19 or 20 years, who was also considered a first-rate workman. Such is the origin of the first paper- mill built in New England, and probably the first erected this side of Philadelphia, if not the first in America : and such was the commencement of that now invaluable and extensive branch of New England productive industry, on which so many thou- sands depend for support."
NEEDHAM.
THIS town, originally a part of Dedham, was incorporated in 1711. It is something of the nature of a peninsula, being sur- rounded by more than two-thirds of its limits by Charles river. There are large bodies of meadow on the banks of this river ; Broad meadow, lying partly in this town and the towns of Dedham and Newton, is said to be one of the largest in the state. The town is uncommonly well watered, and is diversified with hills and plains. In the course of the river which separates this town from Newton, there are two falls, called the upper and lower falls, which afford valuable water privileges. At the upper falls is the largest cataract in the whole of Charles river, from its source to its mouth. The water here falls twenty feet upon a bed of rocks.
The principal settlements in the town are in the vicinity of the upper and lower falls. There is a manufacturing village at both of these falls, lying partly in this town and partly in Newton. In 1837, there were in the limits of this town 6 paper-mills; 610 tons
478
QUINCY.
of stock were manufactured, valued at $61,000; one cotton mill, 1,700 spindles ; cotton goods manufactured, 190,000 yards, valued at $19,000 ; three hat manufactories, which manufactured 15,004 hats, valued at $18,729; one window-blind hinge manufactory, which manufactured 50,000 pairs of hinges, valued at $12,500; there were 22,673 pairs of shoes manufactured, valued at $14,964 18; males employed, 26; females. 41. There are 5 churches, 2 Congregational, 2 Methodist, and 1 Baptist. Popula- tion, 1,492. Distance, 4 miles north-west of Dedham, and 12 westerly from Boston.
The first church was organized, and Mr. Jonathan Townsend was ordained the first minister, in 1720. He continued in the ministry upwards of forty-two years, and was succeeded by Samuel West, D. D., who was settled here in 1764. Dr. West resigned his charge in 1788, and was succeeded by Mr. Stephen Palmer, who was settled in 1792. During the ministry of Dr. West, conflicting interests respecting the location of the meeting- house occasioned a division of the town into two societies. The West parish was incorporated by the general court in 1778. They erected a meeting-house, but did not have constant preach- ing for several years. A church was organized in 1798, and the next year Rev. Thomas Noyes was ordained their first minister.
QUINCY.
THIS town was originally the first parish in Braintree. It was first settled in 1625, by a Capt. Wollaston, and from him was named Mount Wollaston. It appears that he became discouraged, and the next year went to Virginia, appointing Lieutenant Filcher his agent. One Thomas Morton, who had been a kind of petti- fogger at Furnival's inn, being one of the company, excited a sedition against Filcher, and compelled him to leave the plantation. Morton then assumed the control, and having received some goods from England, began to trade with the natives. The trade being profitable, the company devoted their gains to rioting and drunk- cnness, and changed the name of their residence to Merry Mount, where, as it is related in the New England Memorial, " setting up a May-pole, drinking and dancing about it, and frisking about it like so many fairies, or furies rather, yca, and worse practices, as if they had anew revived and celebrated the feast of the Roman goddess Flora, or the beastly practices of the mad Bac- chanalians." They soon after began to sell arms to the savages. This alarmed the other plantations. The magistrates of Plymouth colony wrote to him civilly and repeatedly, requesting him to desist from this commerce; but Morton treated the proposition with contempt ; upon which, Capt. Standish, with a small force, came to Mount Wollaston, took Morton, dispersed the rioters, and left a few of the more sober and industrious planters. Morton was carried to Plymouth, and sent back to England.
479
QUINCY.
Quincy was incorporated as a town in 1792. It received its name from the family of Mr. Edmund Quincy, who was one of the early inhabitants of Boston, and one of the earliest and prin- cipal proprietors of Mount Wollaston. The south-western part of this town forms, with little exception, a complete body of granite rock, rising to the height of 600 feet above the level of the sea. Here are inexhaustible quarries of stone, which furnish a beautiful material for building. A railroad, nearly three miles in length, has been constructed, at an expense of upwards of $30,000, to convey the stone from the quarries to Neponset river. The rails are of wood, six feet apart, firmly laid upon blocks of stone, and covered with iron plate, upon which the wheels of the wagon move so easily that one horse has drawn twenty tons, besides the wagon, which weighs six tons. This railway was built in 1826, and was the first constructed in America. Some vessels are owned here; large quantities of boots and shoes, and some salt, are manufactured here. The pleasantness of the town, its nearness to Boston, and good schools, induce many families to make it their residence. There are 4 churches, 2 Congregational, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Uni- versalist. Population, 3,049. Distance, 10 miles from Dedham, 6 from Hingham, and 8 from Boston. In 1837 there was quarried in this town 64,590 tons of granite, valued at $248,737; hands employed, 533. The value of coach, chaise, harness and wheel- wright business was $32,650; hands employed, 36. The value of coach lace manufactured was $12,000; males employed, 7; females, 16. Boots manufactured, 27,437 pairs ; shoes, 18,602 pairs, valued at $111,881 ; males employed, 163; females, 58. Vessels built in the five preceding years, 13; tonnage, 2,594; valued at $122,650 ; hands employed in ship-building, 50. Ten vessels were employed in the cod and mackerel fishery; 6,200 quintals of codfish were caught, valued at $18,800; mackerel caught, 1,750 barrels, valued at $12,242; hands employed, 100.
Quincy is distinguished as the birthplace of two presidents of the United States .* The following cut (a reduced copy from one in the American Magazine) is a representation of the two Adams houses, near the foot of Penn's Hill, in Quincy. The house on the right, with a lightning-rod attached to it, is the house where John Adams, the elder president, was born, the other in which his son John Q. Adams was born, in July, 1767. In the garret was packed his valuable library while he was minister at Russia. It
* It appears from an epitaph on a monument raised by the elder President Adams, that Henry Adams was the progenitor of the Adams family in this country; in the epitaph it is said, "He took his flight from the Dragon persecution in Devonshire, England, and alighted, with eight sons, near Mount Wollaston. One of the sons returned to England, and, after taking time to explore the country, four removed to Medfield and the neighboring towns, two to Chelmsford, one only, Joseph, remained here, and was an original proprietor in the township of Braintree." Joseph Adams had a son Joseph Adams, who was the father of John Adams, who was the father of John Adams the president. They were distinguished, as we learn from the epitaph referred to above, "for their piety, humility, simplicity, prudence, patience, temper- ance, frugality, industry, and perseverance."
480
QUINCY.
BE
Adams Houses in Quincy.
was under the care of the Rev. Mr. Whitney, pastor of the first Congregational society, who occupied the house from 1800 to 1804. Back of the houses represented in the engraving is a meadow of some extent; connected with this, there is the following anecdote, often related by the elder Adams, respecting himself :
" When I was a boy, I had to study the Latin grammar, but it was dull, and I hated it. My father was anxious to send me to college, and therefore I studied grammar till I could bear it no longer, and, going to my father, I told him I did not like study, and asked for some other employment. wishes, and he was quick in his answer. 'Well, John,' said
It was opposing his he, 'if Latin grammar does not suit, you may try ditching ; per- haps that will. My meadow yonder needs a ditch, and you may put by Latin, and try that.' This seemed a delightful change,
and to the meadow I went. But I soon found ditching harder than Latin, and the first forenoon was the longest I ever experi- enced. That day I eat the bread of labor, and glad was I when night came on. That night I made some comparison between Latin grammar and ditching, but said not a word about it. I dug the next forenoon, and wanted to return to Latin at dinner ; but it was humiliating, and I could not do it. At night, toil conquered pride, and I told my father-one of the severest trials of my life- that if he chose I would go back to Latin grammar. He was glad of it; and if I have since gained any distinction, it has been owing to the two days' labor in that abominable ditch."
The following inscriptions are from monuments in this place :
Braintrey ! thy Prophet's gone, this Tomb inters The Reverend Moses Fisk, this sacred herse Adore Heaven's praiseful art that form'd the man Who souls not to himself but Christ oft wan, Sail'd thro' the straits with Peter's family, Renown'd and Gaius's hospitality, Paule's patience, James his prudence, John's sweet love, Is landed, enter'd, clear'd and crown'd above.
Obiit August the X, MDCCXIII, ZEtatis sua LXVI.
481
RANDOLPH.
Here lies the body of the Rev. Mr. Henry Flynt, who came to New England in the year 1635, was ordained the first Teacher of the Church of Braintry 1639, and died 27th April, 1663. He had the character of a gentleman remarkable for his piety, learning, wisdom, and fidelity in his office. By him, on his right hand, lies the body of Margery, his beloved consort, who died March 1686-7. Her maiden name was Hoar. She was a gentlewoman of piety, prudence, and peculiarly accomplished for instructing young gentlewomen, many being sent to her from other towns, especially from Boston. Descendants of goodly families in Old England.
The following is the inscription on Leonard Hoar, some time president of Harvard college, who died Nov. 28, 1675, aged 45 :
Three precious friends under this tombstone lie, Patterns to aged, youth, and infancy, A great mother, her learned son, with's child, The first and least went free, He was exiled. In love to Christ, this country, and dear friends, He left his own, crossed seas, and for amends
Was here extolled, envied, all in a breath,
His noble consort leaves, is drawn to death. Strange changes may befall us ere we die,
Blest they who well arrive at eternity.
God grant some names, O thou New England's friend, Don't sooner fade than thine, if times don't mend.
Sacred to the memory of Josiah Quincy, jun., of Boston, Barrister of Law, young- est son of Josiah Quincy, Esq. late of this place. Brilliant talents, uncommon elo- quence, and indefatigable application raised him to the highest eminence in his profession. His early, enlightened, inflexible attachment to the cause of his country is attested by monuments more durable than this, and transmitted to posterity by well- known productions of his genius. He was born the 23d of February, 1744, and died the 26th of April, 1775. His mortal remains are here deposited, with those of Abigail, his wife, daughter of William Phillips, Esq., born the 14th of April, 1745, died the 25th March, 1793.
Stranger, in contemplating this monument as the frail tribute of filial gratitude and affection,
Glows thy bold breast with patriotic flame? Let his example point the paths of fame ! Or seeks thy heart, averse from public strife, The milder graces of domestic life? Her kindred virtues let thy soul revere,
And o'er the best of mothers drop a tear !
RANDOLPH.
RANDOLPH was originally a part of Braintree; it was incorpo- rated as a town in 1793. A church was formed in 1731, and Rev. Elisha Eaton was ordained the first pastor, the same year. He continued about nineteen years in the ministry, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. Moses Taft, who continued in the pastoral office nearly forty years. Rev. Jonathan Strong, D. D., was ordained colleague pastor with Mr. 'Taft, in 1789. Dr. Strong died in 1814, and was succeeded by Rev. Thaddeus Pomeroy, Mr. Pomeroy was dismissed in 1820, and was succeeded by Rev. Calvin Hitchkock. "During Mr. Pomeroy's ministry, the east part of the town of Randolph became a separate society. They erected a meeting-house, organized a church; and on the 29th of December, 1821, Mr. Brigham, the first and present pastor, was ordained."
In the following cut, the church seen on the left is the first Congregational church. The first meeting-house ever erected in this town stood on this spot. The present building is the third
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482
ROXBURY.
South-eastern view of the central part of Randolph.
which has been built. The first settlement in this town was made in the vicinity of this church. The principal part of the central village is situated on a street running about a mile north- westerly of this church, at the northern extremity of which is the Baptist church, which is just discernible in the distance, in the engraving. The village consists of about 100 dwelling-houses, with the usual number of stores and mechanic shops. This place is 14 miles from Boston, 11 from Dedham, and 8 from Weymouth landing. East Randolph, a flourishing village, is about 2 miles eastward; is about two thirds the size of the central village, and contains two churches, 1 Congregational and 1 Baptist. There is also another Baptist church in the south part of this town, near the Stoughton line. The Randolph Bank is located in this town. In 1837, there were manufactured in this town 200,175 pairs of boots, 470,620 pairs of shoes; the value of boots and shoes, $944,715; males employed, 804; females, 671. Population, 3,041. Distance, 12 miles from Dedham, 7 from Braintree landing, and 14 from Boston.
ROXBURY.
THIS town and Boston were incorporated the same year, 1630; it being also the same year in which this place was selected for a settlement by Mr. Pynchon and some others. A great part of this town is rocky land; hence the name of Rocks'bury ; the soil is, however, strong, and in a very high state of cultivation, abounding in country seats and pleasure-grounds. The town is joined to Boston by a neck of land, over which are broad and pleasant avenues. That portion of the town next to Boston is thickly set- tled, and forms a handsome village, and the principal street may be considered as a continuation of Washington street, Boston. In the western part of the town is an extensive level, called Jamaica Plains ; this is a pleasant spot, ornamented with elegant country
483
ROXBURY.
seats and well-cultivated gardens. The pond in this plain is the source from whence the Boston Aqueduct is supplied. It is about four miles from Boston, and there are four main logs from the pond, to and through the principal streets; these logs and the branches connected with them amount to about forty miles in length. There are generally about eight hundred families sup- plied with water from the aqueduct.
North-western vien in the central part of the Village of Roxbury.
The above is a view on the elevated ground in the central part of Roxbury. The first Congregational church (Unitarian) appears on the left. The Norfolk House, a splendid establishment, is par- tially seen on the right. The omnibuses which pass between this place and Boston start from this house. At this time they are 12 in number, with four horses each; one of which starts from Rox- bury and Boston every 15 minutes. The distance between the Norfolk House and the state-house is three miles. The fare from Boston to Roxbury is twelve and a half cents; by purchasing a number of tickets at one time, the price of a passage is reduced. As there are many persons who do business in Boston but reside in Roxbury, this method of conveyance is a great accommodation. There are 5 churches in this village, 2 Congregational, 1 Baptist, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Universalist. There are 2 banks, the " Peoples" and " Winthrop," each with a capital of $100,000. Owing to the uneven surface on which this large village is built, there is quite a variety of scenery in the place. The numerous genteel residences and cottages, which are mostly built of wood and painted white, contrast strongly with the evergreens and shrubbery by which most of them are surrounded ; and, during the summer months, the appearance of this place is highly beautiful. In 1837, there was 1 nail factory, which manufactured 1,000 tons of nails, valued at $120,000; hands employed, 75. There are 10 churches in the
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