USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Marlborough > Historical reminiscences of the early times in Marlborough, Massachusetts : and prominent events from 1860 to 1910, including brief allusions to many individuals and an account of the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
7
was thatched with straw. This building was left in an unfinished state and lasted but a little while. In 1689 a larger and more commodious house was erected near the site of the former building and lasted more than one hundred and twenty years. As years went on, the advisability of the separation of the church increased, resulting in the building of the two churches, one in the east and one in the west part of the town, each of which was opened for public worship on the same day, April 27, 1806. The following curious and historically valuable parchment letter written in 1702 to the people of Marlborough by the Rev. Cotton Mather is in the writer's possession. This was just after the death of Rev. Mr. Brimsmead (who had kept the people in peace) and during the contro- versy over the settlement of Rev. John Emerson, a native of Ipswich.
LETTER FROM REV. COTTON MATHER TO THE PEOPLE OF MARLBOROUGH.
BOSTON, 28 day in May 1702.
DEAR BRETHREN,
It is, and it should be a principle of order in the churches of the Lord, that where a church labours under want of light or peace, the help of a Council should be called in, as an ordinance of our Lord Jesus Christ. This hath been the Belief and this the practices of the churches in the wilderness, and the Lord hath owned them in it.
For the Division of Marlborough, we have great thoughts of Heart. We know not the particulars of your case, but this we know that you want both light and peace. There is extreme hazard lest your divisions produce the most lasting and fatal consequences, if they be not speedily cured. We perceive that a majority of your holy Flock hath been strongly disposed into ye settling of one, in the Evangelical Ministry among you, who is very much discouraged by the differences that yet remain in the place, which we cannot wonder at. We perceive, that the dissenters are a party so considerable that it will be an uncomfortable way of proceeding for ye majority to strain upon them with the advan- tages which our Law may give unto them to do so. What can you now do ?
Truly Brethren, the ministers met at Boston from several parts of the country, this day concurred
That the church of Marlborough should be advised, to Agree in calling a council of churches, to Advise them what steps they shall take, to obtain a good settlement of the ministry among them, and Resolve that laying aside all Differences relating to any former motions among them, (about Mr. Morse or Mr. Emerson) they will with all Christian unanimity follow what shall thereupon be declared unto them, to be their duty in this weighty matter.
8
And they directed me, the unworthiest of their number, to signify so much unto you, in their Name ; which accordingly I now do. Humbly praying that the good spirit of the Lord may incline you to unite in the -of your peace, and that the God of Love and peace may be with you. Thus I subscribe,
Honored Brethren Yours in our common Lord COTTON MATHER.
To this was subscribed the following :
Accordingly as the advice on the other side is Given and Directed to the Church and Brethren in Marlborough by the reverend Elders in Boston, May 28, 1702, so we who have subscribed and have so thankfully accepted of the same, and-as God shall-to follow the same as we aprehend it our Duty to Do for time to come, as hoping that it may be a command of God's Guiding of us aged ones in his way and in his time.
JOHN MAYNARD, SR., JOHN WOODS, SR., JAMES WOODS, ISAAC AMSDEN, JOHN BELLOWS, MOSES NEWTON, JONATHAN JOHNSON, JAMES SNOW, JOHN WARREN.
Not far from our Soldiers' Monument stood, well remembered for many years, an old house which it is believed was one of the very oldest in our town. On this site William Ward, Sr., and his son William [ he was grandfather of Artemus Ward, the latter of whom at the opening of the Revolution in 1775 was appointed General and Commander-in-Chief of all the forces raised by the Colony and had command of the troops at Cambridge till superseded by Washington ] erected a house which tradition tells us was used as a fort or garrison during the days of the Indian warfare. It was to this place the people fled when the first church was burnt to the ground by the Indians. Mr. Ward was the first Deacon of the first religious society organized here. In 1675 the population of Marlborough was only about 225. Think what a meeting was that of the people at this time to adopt measures of defence. Twenty-five were present under the lead of Rev. Mr. Brims- mead and the company included among others, Deacon Ward, Solomon and Nathaniel Johnson, Abraham, Josiah and John Howe, Sen., the two John Woods, Sr. and Jr., Richard and Moses Newton, Thomas and Samuel Rice, Thomas and Richard Barnes, John Maynard, John Fay-
9
names as familiar today in Marlborough as they were then. A portion of the old Ward house was destroyed by fire in early years and the loss was the immediate cause of Nahum Ward's removing to the newly granted land of Shrewsbury. The place passed into the hands of Joseph Ward who occupied it until it was again burnt. At time of the fire the house of Rev. Breck stood within 30 rods and came near igniting as some of the cinders lodged upon his roof. That same year the house was rebuilt, and as time went on was known as the " Bonney " Hayden house. Bonney was an old bachelor. His brother Zely lived with him and Betsey Whitcomb kept house for him many years. Until Mr. Packard left town the three always attended church, sitting in the long front gallery seat. Bonney would get himself up for church regardless of expense, wearing large ruffled shirt, and high-topped boots with tassels hanging in front. He had a large farm and much woodland in the east part of the town as well as in No Town-now known as Leominster. He never cared to waste any money on town or parish taxes when it could be avoided, and he used to move before the first of May with all his cattle up to his large tract of land in No Town where he could evade all taxes save those upon his Marlborough real estate. When he died, it is said, that thousands of dollars in gold and silver were found hidden in various nooks and crannies about the house.
THE WARD OR BONNEY HAYDEN HOMESTEAD. ON THE NOW HAYDEN STREET.
1
1
CI
THE ASA PACKARD OR DENNIS WITHERBEE HOMESTEAD.
This beautiful old homestead, and in its day the finest residence in Marlborough, was one of the most interesting specimens of ancient architecture found in New England. Within were large, sunny rooms, with carved wainscoating and friezes ; ample windows protected from wind or foe by solid inside blinds so delightfully arranged that they could slide at pleasure in or out of the walls; great hospitable halls ; wide old stairways and wonderfully preserved and interesting old tiled fireplaces. This was the homestead built by Rev. Asa Packard, successor to Rev. Aaron Smith. Mr. Packard was ordained March 23, 1785, and this day, as every ordination day, was an important event in Marlborough as in all New England towns. The people gathered from near and from far, and among them could always be counted the ministers from the various towns about, who considered this an opportunity to exchange greetings and experienees. There was always the ordination feast, and every good housewife took delight in displaying her rare accomplish- ments in the culinary line. A liberal amount of cider and punch was given out, and free of charge, generous bowls of flip and toddy warmed many a body in honor of the ceremony, and at the expense only of the hospitable society. On this special March day there had been a most heavy snow storm, so deep that the tops of all fences were covered with
II
a frozen crust so hard that the people rode to the ordination across lots over the tops of stone walls and fences. Long years after, a household standard of comparison would be " The deepest snow we have had since Mr. Packard's snow storm. " Asa Packard had come from Bridgewater. In the Revolutionary War, he, at the age of 16, had enlisted as fifer. In an engagement near Haerlem Heights 1776, a companion who had made great boast of his bravery, seized the young musician's fife, and handing him his musket in exchange, fled to a place of safety. Surprised, but undaunted, young Packard thus armed, engaged in the conflict, but soon. received a wound which nearly proved fatal. The ball entered his back just above his hip, and though an attempt was made to extract it, so severe was the operation that the surgeon feared he would die in his hands and so was induced to desist. After a severe illness he left the army and returning home commenced his studies for college. But the ball remained in his back for life.
It was at one of the quilting parties of Marlborough where the heart of many a fair maid beat a little faster and her cheeks grew a bit rosier at the entrance of the young unmarried minister that the wit of the young theologian was tested in a merry circle of young men and women. " And so, Mr. Packard, you resigned your accomplishment in the musi- cal line at Haerlem Heights ? A most backward idea, " smilingly said a young matron. " Ah," retorted the young bachelor, " though it may appear in bad taste and most cowardly, I bear in my body a weighty testimonial of my bravery. " To which an old soldier teasingly added, "I think from the position of the wound our hero' must have been playing a retreat." "Playing a retreat, " said Mr. Packard, " I had a musket in my hand and was found skilful as a grenadier." "I think, " rejoined the other, " our friend must have been skilled in the motion to the right about face, " and Mr. Packard joined merrily in the laugh. He was of sprightly talent and noted more, they say, for his readiness than for his profundity. He had great conversational powers and was remarkable for eccentricity. His sermons were practical rather than doctrinal, and more distinguished for happy descriptions of life and manner than for connected views of gospel truths, and the people were happy under his ministry for many, many years. About five years after he was ordained, he married Miss Nancy Quincy, sister of the patriotic Josiah Quincy, Jr. Tradition tells us that Asa advertised for a wife which was answered by Nancy who proved a good investment, inasmuch as she was an able helpmate and led him a happy life until she died at 80 years of age.
I 2
REV. ASA PACKARD.
When Mr. Packard was settled in Marlborough it was on a magnifi- cent salary of one hundred pounds and " twenty cords of good marketable oak wood, cut and brought to the door annually so long as he remains our minister." This was a smaller amount of wood than allowed in many places where the salary in money was less. But good fires must the parson always have, and as firewood was but little more than the cutting and hauling, it was seldom that the minister's woodshed was empty. Madame Packard knew well the toll to be paid each time a wood sledding arrived at the doors of the Parsonage, and many a delicious flip was furnished at these times by the fair hands of the good mistress of the manor. And this was not the only hospitable custom of the good minister's mate, for frequently a taste of her dinners did she send into her neighbors, and to the credit of Marlborough, many a donation would she receive for herself and the parson in return. Often there would be a quilting for the minister's family when the ladies of the town would turn the already made squares of patchwork into warm coverlets, and of many a spinning-bee could these walls tell when all would meet in the high rooms to spin and reel and card for their hostess.
13
In those days most of the clergy wore white wigs. Rev. Mr. Whitney of Northborough always wore a very large one. Dr. Sumner of Shrewsbury, a large, tall man, wore a white wig, three-cornered hat. knee-breeches, long stockings and shoe buckles of the accustomed style. He was settled for life as was the custom in those days, but Mr. Packard wore no wig, though he retained his knee breeches, buckles, etc. Dr. Edward F. Barnes said few could remember Asa Packard, but would recall him in calico gown, the skirts thrown over one arm, long stockings, light knee breeches and shoe buckles, slowly walking the streets. He took prominent part in planting the trees on Pleasant street. Said an aged man, years ago, "I assisted him myself on a warm April day to take up some trees below Mr. Huntington's farm on the South- borough road. We bore them upon our shoulders to the east of the church (E. L. Bigelow's present grounds) where we planted them, Mr. Packard's face wet with perspiration, though he was jovial to the last. "
He was a favorite with the young people of whom he always took special notice, and was remembered as a warm hearted, social gentleman. Six children were born to Asa and Nancy Packard, among whom was Frederick Adolphus, who was elected President of Girard College, and Ruth who became wife of Rev. George Trask, the noted anti-tobacconist. For twenty years Mr. Packard remained pastor of the first and only parish church in Marlborough, and after the West Parish was incorporated he was installed there, and retained his pastoral relations eleven years longer when he removed to Lancaster where he resided until his death in his 85th year. His wife died the following year. When Mr. Packard removed from town, Mr. Caleb Witherbee bought the place from him, and when Sophia Rice, daughter of Eli and Lucy Brigham Rice, married Caleb's son, Dennis Witherbee, the young couple came here and for nearly fifty years this dear little old-school lady, refined, bright and intelligent, now 92 years of age, lived in this old colonial homestead until it was purchased and torn down to make room for the new City Library.
Speaking of the great number of Brighams in Marlborough, Mrs. Dennis Witherbee once exclaimed : "My mother was a Brigham, two of my brothers married Brighams, father's only sister married a Brigham, my oldest brother married a Brigham, my niece married a Brigham, my husband's mother was a Brigham, two of her sisters married Brighams, three of her sons married Brighams ; but my name was Rice. " She now resides with her daughter, Mrs. George M. Charlton (three children : Hoitt N., Mary E., Ralph W., who married Florence Gouchel. )
14
6
At 80 years of age and full of vivacity she danced a minuet in the old Bigelow home to the tinkling accompaniment of the ancient spinnet, and the late Sophronia Russell, daughter of Otis, joined her aunt in the old time steps of long, long ago.
MARLBOROUGH PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Early history tells us that a Social Library was instituted in Marl- borough as early as 1792, and was maintained until its incorporation with the Free Library of the First Parish in 1828. The Social Library Association consisted of 60 members who paid $2.50 a share and made an annual contribution of 25 cents each. The Marlborough Mechanics Institute was organized in December 1853. March 17, 1858, it was re- organized, and an annual course of lectures was provided for. The establishment of a Library for the use of members was the object of the institute ; and from the proceeds of a fair held in March 1859, and through the liberalty of individuals, the directors were able to purchase
I5
about 450 volumes at an expense of $400.00. Several volumes and valuable maps were given, and a room for the use of members was opened in Union Block, November 11, 1859. At the annual town meet- ing in 1870, it was voted to establish a Free Public Library, the: Mechanics Institute agreeing to give its collection as a foundation. The town appropriated $1,300.00 and private contributions were also given for its establishment. It was first opened for the delivery of books January 18, 1871, with Miss Lizzie Wright as librarian and Miss Maria Wither- bee, assistant. Miss Wright died October 10, 1882, and Miss Sarah E. Cotting, a faithful, efficient officer, was appointed librarian, and still holds the position, having two able assistants. The Library was at first open on two afternoons and two evenings each week ; the whole number of volumes then being 2,170, of which 1,100 were given by the Mechanics Institute, 206 by private individuals and 864 were purchased by the Trustees. It first occupied one room in the Town Hall building, with addition to this, a reading and periodical room, opened June 22, 1881. In June 1884 a former waiting room was fitted up for the use of students and Trustees, and in 1897 another small reading room was added. The Library is almost entirely dependent for current expenses upon the annual appropriation by the city and the dox tax. There are four funds: The "Senior Tuesday Club fund" of $50.00; the "Cyrus Felton fund" of $200.00, income of which is to be used in the purchase of genealogical records, etc. ; the "March 12th fund" of $500.00, given to the Library March 12, 1891, by Hannah E. Bigelow in memory of her father, and the late " Hannah E. Bigelow bequest" of $5,000.00. The first Secre- tary of the Trustees was Nahum Witherbee, for many years Trial Justice before our Police Court was established, and from his first report in 1871 we quote the following: "The Board of Trustees met and organized immediately after their election, and proceeded with the arrangement of the opening of the Library. The Trustees of the Mechanics Institute immediately transferred to us their books which were generously donated by the institute, affording us a good beginning for a Library. The work of cataloguing the works occupied so much time that we were not able to open the Library for the delivery of books until January 18, 1871, at which time it was formally opened to the public. The Trustees had anticipated that by the establishment of a Public Library, there would be a demand for the books, and they have to report that the demand has exceeded their expectations. So crowded was the Library room on the days on which it was opened, it was deemed best to open it on two days and evenings of each week, and the librarian has found it necessary to
16
have an assistant at each time it is open. The whole number of names registered to February 28, 1871, is 915 ; number of books issued, 2627. The Trustees have purchased 846 volumes ; donated by the institute 1,100 volumes, and by individuals 206 volumes ; whole number now belonging to the Library, 2,170 volumes, We are under special obligations to Edward L. Bigelow, Esq., President of our Board, who made the first donation of one hundred dollars for the establishment of a Public Library and has been constant in his efforts to promote its success, and generously donated 166 volumes of valuable standard works. In the selection of books, the Trustees have had the advice and counsel of persons of experience in conducting public libraries, and while endeavoring to meet the varied tastes of readers, they have aimed to avoid that which was of doubtful value, and to place in the Library works of a standard character. We have placed in the hands of the librarian a book in which persons are invited to register such books not in the Library, as they would like to have added, and thé Trustees will endeavor, so far as they can consist- ently with the means placed in their hands, to obtain such books. "
(Signed) NAHUM WITHERBEE,
Secretary.
Librarians : Lizzie S. Wright, 1870. Died October 10, 1882. Sarah E. Cotting, 1882.
Assistants : Maria Witherbee, 1870.
Alice Aldrich, 1870.
Jeannette L. Morse, 1882.
Carrie Whitney, 1883.
Anna Brigham, 1884.
Charlotte D. Moore, 1885.
Reading Room : Carroll A. Egan. J. J. Mitchell. John P. McGee.
Trustees (1st Board) : Edward L. Bigelow, term expired 1873
John O'Connell,
1873
Rev. S. T. Aldrich,
1873
F. A. Howe,
1872
Thomes Corey,
66
1872
Bernard Brewin,
1872
Nahum Witherbec,
66
1871
Samuel Howe,
1871
Cornelius Flynn,
66
1871
17
It was in 1901 that Hon. Walter B. Morse chose a committee to work with him in soliciting a possible gift from Andrew Carnegie for a new public library building. The result was the presentation of $30,000 from this fine old philanthropist, which sum was raised to $50,000 from the city and private donations
ANDREW CARNEGIE.
The architects for this building were Stearns and Peabody of Boston and J. E. Warren of our own city as builder.
FIRE ! FIRE! FIRE !
The worst fire ever known in Marlborough occurred on the night of December 25, 1902, when the large brick Town Hall was levelled, containing the Public Library of 30,000 volumes, many of which were rare. This disastrous fire of Christmas night, when valuable records became a mass of black and smoky rubbish, saddened, but stimulated the
18
community. Gifts were presented from various private libraries, and clubs, societies and citizens at large came to the rescue with donations of books and money, the result of which was hitherto one unheard. In six weeks' time after this large and prosperous library was completely wiped · out, with no special resources except the donations of the public and hard work of the Library committee and librarians, preparations were com- pleted to serve the public with books. When rooms were secured and opened to the public there were 2,000 volumes on the shelves not includ- ing the reference books. Eleven hundred of these were contributed since the fire and the remainder were in circulation at the time and so were saved. It was October 20, 1904 when our new Public Library building was dedicated. The cost of land and building was $50,000, to which Mr. Andrew Carnegie contributed $30,000 ; Hon. S. H. Howe and John A. Frye giving the land ; Mrs. Hannah Swift, Messrs. M. Burke and W. M. Warren each giving $1,000. A number of gifts have been received for the Library since the opening on October 20, 1904, including valuable letters and papers in connection with the history of Marlborough from the estate of Rev. Horatio Alger, for many years pastor of the Unitarian church, given by his daughter, Mrs. Augusta A. Cheney, of Natick, Mass. ; a map of Marlborough surveyed in 1827 from Mr. Winslow M. Warren ; photograph of old Witherbee house from W. W. Fairbanks ; one hundred and twenty-five dollars for beautifying the grounds of the Library from Mr. John P. Brown ; from Mr. Sylvester Bucklin, a medi- cal chest imported by his grandfather ; a beautiful palm for the reference room from Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Frye ; old mission clock from Mr. Louis Ghiloni, and for a Christmas offering from the Newman Club, a fine large picture of the "Forum," Rome, and a copy of Guido Reni's " Aurora ; " one thousand large mounted photographs, mostly European, from Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Bigelow; colonial manuscripts from Miss A. S. Hartshorn ; etching in Wood, " Wayside Inn, " Sudbury, Hon. S. N. Aldrich; bust of Rev. P. A. McKenna, by Kitson, from the Father McKenna Literary Club ; two Roger groups from Mrs. S. H. Howe and Mrs. O. H. Stevens ; several framed pictures from Mr. E. L. Bigelow ; from Mrs. Charles F. Witherbee, framed portraits of Grant and Lincoln ; from the late Charles F. Morse, loan of picture, " Hager and Ishmael, " by DeCosta, 1567 ; George N. Cate, 1901, $5,000 available at the decease of his wife, Della E. Cate ; the latter willed at her death several hundred valuable books ; seven volumes of Michelet's History of France and the French Revolution, printed in the French language, donated by Madame Michelet, the wife of the well known historian, the result of a
19
request made to her by Councilman George G. Gignac in behalf of the Library Committee of which he is a member ; from Milton Albee, crayon portrait of O. W. Albee ; Mrs. Charles F. Holyoke, portrait of Frederick Froebel ; Miss E. W. Witherbee, photograph of Levi Bigelow ; set of New England Historical and Genealogical Registers, by John H. Dexter, of Boston, a former resident and native of the town ; money donated to the Library, sent to Walter P. Frye, treasurer, to December 31, 1903, $638, the larger donors being Charles W. Curtis, John P. Brown, Colonial Club, Tuesday Club, Marlborough Grange, Semi-Colon Club, Holyoke & Russell and proceeds of concert by Marlborough High school.
The present Board of Officers 1910 are :
President, E. L. Bigelow, (40th consecutive year of service.)
Librarian, Miss Sarah F. Cotting.
Assistants, Miss Charlotte W. Moore and John P. McGee.
Trustees, Edward L. Bigelow, William D. Burdett, John E. Savage, Rev. George S. Pine, Louis P. Howe, Walter P. Frye, Edward S. Murphy, Lawrence E. Kirby, George G. Gignac.
Present system of checking was first issued 1897. Present number of volumes is 25,000.
Quoting the records: "The election of Edward L. Bigelow as chairman of the Trustees (1903) makes the thirty-third consecutive time that this honor has been conferred upon him. Mr. Bigelow was the leading spirit in establishing the Library in 1870, and was the first and only chairman of the committee during its existence. In the years which have elapsed since the Library first opened, it has received more assistance from Mr. Bigelow than any other individual, and in the one great crisis in the life of the institution, that period following the burning of the City Hall, he was among the foremost in rallying to its support. To his energy and perseverance is largely due the success which attended the work of re-establishing the Library and making it possible to reopen it in so short a time. In the mind of E. L. Bigelow originated the new library and he was the first to make a donation for this object, keeping this cherished plan working by much thought and labor through a series of years when the interest was not so great."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.