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 28
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May 2, 1764. Ensign Daniel Bartlett died in the west part of Marlborough, aged 73 years. His 12 children distributed at his funeral 19 pairs of black gloves, 18 pairs of white gloves, 12 black gauze hand- kerchiefs and other articles, all costing 76 pounds and 7 shillings.
March 29, 1770. The town passed spirited resolutions endorsing the non-importation agreement.
June 24, 1772. The first stage coach between Boston and New York commenced running (through Marlborough, Worcester) and it was a fortnight between the two places. It passed through this town to Worcester.
April 10, 1775. The town of Marlborough voted to give the minute men one shilling and fourpence for training an hour every week in this month and in May, except they were called for to enter the service. This was nine days before the Concord and Lexington battles. When the intelligence reached Marlborough that the British troops had arrived at Concord April 19, 1775, four Marlborough companies, num- bering about 190 men or one-seventh of the population, rushed to arms,
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marched against the enemy and remained at Cambridge until a regular army was organized. During the whole war, Marlborough was well represented in the army of freedom by a long roll of honorable men.
In 1775 dysentery prevailed alarmingly. This was the most destruc- tive epidemic of the town's history.
The winter of 1780 was remarkable for severity and depth of snow. Hay was scarce and cattle were fed on browse. The bodies of those who died were drawn several miles to burial on snow shoes, the roads being blockaded. May 19 was called the dark day when candles were lit from 10 to 11 o'clock and fowls retired to rest. It was so dark in town that it was said some persons lost their way.
September 4, 1780. Marlborough voted for the first time for Governor. John Hancock had 85 votes. Azor Orne had 47 votes for Lieutenant-Governor in the town.
February 24, 1804. Commencement of a great snow storm. It snowed the 28th and March 2d. The snow was four and one-half feet deep. Some persons used rackets. Silas Felton used rackets for the first time and walked from Stephen Felton's, near where he was teaching school, to his home in Hudson.
February 1805. Died in Marlborough, Mrs. Ann Quincy, 80 years, widow of Josiah 2d and mother of Mrs. Nancy Packard, who died 1844, in Lancaster, 80 years of age.
March 24, 1815. The tithing men of Marlborough gave notice in the Worcester Spy that they should discharge the duties of the office, commencing next month. Marlborough usually chose from two to eight annually-in 1699, Deacon John Barnes Sr., and James Taylor Sr. In 1818 the last tithing men in Marlboro were chosen.
June 6 to 11, 1816. There were severe frosts and on the 9th squalls of snow. It was called a season withont any summer.
September 2, 1824. In the evening and near midnight, General La- Fayette was at Sampson V. S. Wilder's, in the westerly part of Bolton. Many Marlborough people went over to see him.
1840. The old town hall was built. Previously, John Cotting hall was used for town meetings. The old town hall was built by David Brown and Elbridge Howe. Important alterations were made in 1857. In 1869 and 1870 the new one was built. December 1878 this was re- constructed.
1845. Odd Fellowship made its appearance in Marlborough early in the year. At that time at least five citizens of the town were members of the Order-Edward Gay, Samuel Chipman, Jonathan Rice 2d,
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Leander Bigelow and D. J. Mandell-the latter a clergyman who had been settled over the Universalist Society. In response to a communica- tion to the Grand Lodge, presented by Addison G. Fay, the petitioners numbering 85, were granted charter. The lodge was instituted in Mr. Fay's house on Lincoln street. In less than a year it moved to a hall in the Bigelow building (now residence of E. L. Bigelow) As time went on, the lodge shared with the Sons of Temperance a hall in a building on the corner of Lincoln and Mechanic streets, and in 1853 began to hold its meetings in the old Academy, on the High school common. The present meetings are held in Hazelton Block.
August 25, 1846. An earthquake about 4.55 in the morning. It jarred doors and windows and woke many people from their slumbers. Duration, 10 seconds. It was thought it was the greatest earthquake that had been felt here during the present century.
April 12, 1851. East meeting house bell tolled 75 times because Thomas Sims, a colored person, was taken back to Georgia from Boston as a slave. It was then 75 years since Independence had been declared.
April 30, 1852. Marlborough Branch R. R. Co.,. from Marl- borough to Feltonville, incorporated. Incorporators, Mark Fay, Lam- bert Bigelow and Richard Farwell. March 1855 the road was first operated from Feltonville to Marlborough centre.
May 4, 1853. Fire Department established in Marlborough. This commenced in 1849 by purchasing three fire engines. April 30, 1853, legislature established the local Fire Department.
November 10, 1852. Burning Spring Hill church.
August 31, 1853. Dedication of third meeting house on Spring Hill.
August 26, 1853 A comet was seen in a northwesterly direction. Its train was visible to the naked eye.
July 30, 1853. Shenstone Tree Society instituted in West Parish with object of adorning the street with trees and making sidewalks. The Society lived about 20 years.
October 19, 1853. Dedication of new Methodist church.
December 1, 1855. Agricultural Branch R. R. opened to North- borough center.
August 7, 1855. Dedication of the Catholic church on the north- east side of Mount Pleasant.
One says the first Irishman in Marlborough was Jerry Collins, Cook Lane. The first interment in the grounds of the Marlborough Catholic cemetery was Bridget A., wife of Michael Dunn who died 1857.
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The first house built on Broad street is that of Pierre Bouley which was built in 1857 by Antoine Bouley, father of the present owner, who has always lived in this same house, where he has brought up a family of 20 children, 10 of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Bouley, a few years ago observed their golden wedding. Both are still enjoying good health.
June 27, 1860. The old Academy sold at auction to George N. Cate for $400, and the same month Jewell & Shaw of Roxbury contracted to build the new High school for $6,875.
June 13, 1860. Bi-centennial held, oration by Hon. Charles Hudson under the big tent on Ocoocangansett Hill. Dinner and speeches in tent near the South depot and picnic of 1,300 children on Fairmount. Fifteen brass bands furnished music enough for a small peace jubilee.
December 15, 1860. Dedication of Marlborough High school building. Historical address by Hon. O. W. Albee.
April 11, 1861. Great excitement in Marlborough over, Fort
Sumter bombardment. First enlistment of soldiers to the Civil War.
August 16, 1860. "Shenstone Laurel" printed by Edwin Rice.
January 9, 1861. George William Curtis lectured in Marlborough. Subject-" Honesty the Best Policy. "
March 26, 1861. Died at Wayside Inn, Sudbury, Lyman Howe, Esq., 59 years. He was the 5th generation that kept the Howe Tavern. His father, Adam Howe, died 1841.
July 14, 1863. The draft. Nearly 190 persons of Marlborough were drafted at Concord; 49 from Feltonville at Concord. Also 65 of Westborough's and 30 of Northborough's citizens drafted at Worcester.
April 14, 1865. Great excitement in Marlborough and universal sorrow over the assassination of President Lincoln.
July 4, 1865. Celebrated with oration and dinner under a tent on the old common.
March 19, 1866. The northern part of Marlborough including three school districts and parts of two other districts, then the village of Felton- ville, was incorporated as the Town of Hudson. Two years later a school district in Bolton was annexed to Hudson.
July 4, 1894. Half a million dollars worth of property went up in smoke and fire when the central part of Hudson was destroyed.
February 28, 1866. Dedication of new Universalist church.
January 2, 1867. Marlborough Board of Trade organized in Marl- borough with Mark Fay as president.
July 16, 1868. Corner stone of new Catholic church on Prospect
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street laid by Right Rev. John J. Williams, Bishop of Boston. Some years later the bell, blessed by Archbishop Williams, was christened " Petrus " in honor of the pastor, Rev. P. A. McKenna, by vote of the parish. Michael Wall, by virtue of being the leading contributor towards the bell, struck the first tap.
May 30, 1868. Memorial or Decoration Day observed in Marl- borough for the first time.
January 15, 1868. Post 43 chartered.
February 2, 1869. Voted a new town house.
June 2, 1869. Soldiers Monument dedicated with an oration on old common by Dr. George B. Loring.
May 30, 1870. Post 43 dedicated their new hall in Berry's Block.
October 19, 1870. Dedication of Marlborough's new town house. Governor Claflin and Speaker Jewell present.
January 26, 1870. Mrs. Mary A. Livermore gave a lecture in the Unitarian church in Marlborough. Subject, "A Look Ahead. "
July 5, 1872. Reception of the French Band in Marlborough. Afterwards the Band received from our citizens 52 medals of the value of $200.
July 10, 1872. Another July holiday. Reception of the Irish Band in Marlborough, with 40 pieces.
October 11, 1872. Grand Firemen's muster in Marlborough ; pro- cession more than a mile long ; eight brass bands.
August 5, 1872. Japanese embassy in Marlborough. They visited Boyd & Corey's shoe factory and saw process of boot and shoe manufac- turing.
Never a case of malaria originated in Marlborough.
November 16, 1887. Fire alarm telegraph system introduced in Marlborough.
1872. Peace Jubilee year. Three great receptions given in the Town Hall to the French Band, Irish Band and the Japanese Commis- sioners.
July 4, 1873. Celebrated by dinner and oration by Dr. George B. Loring in the Town Hall.
January 3, 1873. Large block, corner Lincoln and Broad streets, burned.
June 30, 1874. Musical Festival of the High and Grammar schools in Marlborough Town Hall, being the first year of musical instruction in the public schools in town. The instructor was Prof. Francis W. Riley of this town.
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September 17, 1874. A gala day in Marlborough. The Lowell Mechanics Phalanx Co. in town; received by the Marlborough Light Infantry ; also Mayor Jewett of Lowell and ex-Mayors Folsom and Pea- body of Lowell.
June 1, 1874. The eagle which crowned the Soldiers' Monument fell to the ground and was destroyed; weighed 600 lbs. A new eagle was placed the following September.
May 22, 1874. Marlborough's water bill enacted by Legislature.
June 30, 1874. High and Grammar schools held a musical festival in Town Hall.
Sunday, March 26, 1876. The 200th anniversary of the burning of Marlborough by the Indians was commemorated. Town Hall was crowded with an audience of 1500 to listen to the grand chorus of 150 voices and the numerous speeches of the evening. The historical address was given by S. B. Pratt, publisher of the " Marlborough Mirror."
May 10, 1876. Historical and Antiquarian Society organized in Marlborough. Dr. Edward F. Barnes chosen as president.
July 1877. Coolidge shoe factory burned. Five months later he had erected a factory larger than the one destroyed.
January 1, 1878. Cabinet of 250 specimens of minerals presented . to High school by Dea. David B. Goodale.
October 1876. Donation to the town, by E. L. Bigelow, of a granite watering trough located at the southwest corner of the High School common, the first public one in town.
1879. During three years that Rev. J. B. Donegan was in Marl- boro, he took no salary, preferring to let the amount be turned into the church treasury.
April 22, 1878. Meeting'of merchants, manufacturers, etc., to form Board of Trade in Marlborough, held in Music Hall; E. L. Bige- low elected president and L. L. Tarbell, secretary. Organized- President, Samuel Boyd ; vice-presidents, Elbridge Howe and Charles L. Fay ; secretary, L. L. Tarbell ; treasurer, K. D. Childs; directors, E. C. Whitney, S. A. Howe, John O'Connell, J. W. Pope, A. M. Page, J. L. Stone.
1880. Annual fair and dinner by the Marlborough Farmers' and Mechanics' Club, with grand trades procession in concurrence with the Board of Trade. The military received the Governor-Marlborough's Brass Band, Co. F, 6th Regiment Infantry, with guests ; Co. M of Mil- ford in battalion, under command of Major Henry Parsons' staff as escort. John Chipman, chief marshal, with following as aids: W.
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M. Warren ; C. L. Russell, C. A. Witt, W. P. Frye, Dr. J. W. Carter and A. W. Frye. Singing by the scholars of the public schools. Ad- dress by Hon. S. N. Aldrich. Reception address, Elbridge Howe, Esq., Chairman Board Selectmen. Presentation school children to his Excel- lency Governor Talbot by W. D. Burdett, chairman of School Board.
July 2, 1881. Indignation throughout Marlborough at assassination of President Garfield.
1882. The waterworks were constructed and completed in 1883 at a cost of $165,174.48; net cost to Dec. 31, 1909, $600,938.82. The water supply is Lake Williams and Millham reservoir. Lake Williams has an area of 723 acres ; storage capacity of 250,000,000 gallons ; water shed 219 acres. Millham reservoir has an area of 67 acres, storage capacity of 400,000,000 gallons; capacity of Mt. Sligo's distributing reservo'r, 5,000,000 gallons.
Present Board of Water Commissioners-John A. O'Connell, Chas. A. Cook, Harry J. Pratt ; superintendent, George A. Stacy ; water registrar, Catherine A. Byrne ; meter inspector, Julian P. Wood; num- ber of consumers estimated, 13,800; water was first turned on the 29th of June, 1883.
July 2 1888. Sleighing in Marlborough. Ground covered three inches deep with hailstones as large as walnuts. Snow balling in the streets. C. D. Hunter, a popular druggist, took a shovel, dug up ice in front of his store and used it with which to pack his soda fountain. English sparrows and other birds were killed by the hundreds and in some places the ground was literally covered with them. Acres and acres of crops were cut down, the damage amounting to thousands of dollars. One enthusiastic farmer hitched his old mare into his sleigh and rode around the neighborhood.
December 1885. Electric lights first turned on in Marlborough.
July 1, 1887. Free postoffice delivery began in Marlborough. The first letter carriers in Marlborough, M. J. Buckley, E. F. Simpson, J. T. Minner and Felix Gravelin, commenced work for the government. Letter Carriers Buckley and Simpson are still in service. Mr. Gravelin died a few months after his appointment, and Mr. Minner resigned and is now living in Roxbury.
1888. Street Railway chartered by General Court.
1889. Road completed and operations commenced June 19th, the line being 2.1154 miles in length. Superintendent Herbert E. Bradford was in charge. First Board of Directors-Samuel Boyd, president ; Samuel C. Darling, treasurer ; Stillman B. Pratt, Edward R. Alley,
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Timothy A. Coolidge, James T. Murphy, Alba C. Weeks. Richmond, Va., disputes the honor of the first electric railway being operated in Marlborough, but Marlborough's claim is now generally recognized
January 1, 1889. Horses used for the first time in fire department.
Cyrus Brigham, the father of the musical Brighams of Brigham's orchestra, came of a musical stock. His father was called " the great fiddler, " who with " Jock" Sawin, the veteran fifer, furnished music for many home dances or " kitchen shindigs, " the dancing being held in early days in the large kitchen or living rooms of the old homesteads. Cyrus for many years was one of the players in the " Old Brick " church. The mecca of church life was reached when they got into the choir.
July 14, 1890. Marlborough became a city and was the 28th city on the State's family list. The vote upon the acceptance of the legisla- tive act was nearly unanimous. There were 2500 names on the voting list.
December 2, 1890. The Universalist Ladies' Circle met at Good Templar Hall. About 80 present, extreme cold weather keeping many away. High enthusiasm and three rousing cheers given in honor of our first mayor, S. H. Howe, when news of the election was received.
1890. A beautiful book, "Personal War Sketches, " presented to John A. Rawlins Post 43 by S. Herbert Howe, Timothy A. Coolidge, Hannah E. Bigelow, Mrs. Amelia S. Edwards, Wm. H. Fay, Geo. N. Cate, Samuel Boyd, Mrs. Hannah C. Swift, contains short sketches of members of the Post.
1891. Sewerage introduced ; cost to date $341,247.
September 13, 1901. At 3 o'clock this morning, church bells tolled, whistles blew and Marlborough people mourned the death of assassinated President Mckinley.
December 17, 1901. Three distinct shocks were felt in this city and it is generally believed there was a good-sized earthquake. Houses were shaken and their occupants badly frightened.
Sudbury was incorporated 1639.
Marlborough was incorporated 1660.
Westborough was incorporated 1717.
Southborough was incorporated 1727.
Northborough was incorporated 1766.
Hudson was incorporated 1866.
All these places with some territory that was set apart to other places were originally included in the Sudbury charter. Sudbury still retains 24.4 square miles of territory, population 1,159 ; Marlborough has 21.6
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square miles of territory, population 14,073; Westborough has 22.7 square miles of territory, population 5,378; Southborough has 15.4 square miles of territory, population 1,931 ; Northborough, which is the youngest of the four borough towns, being set off from Westborough, has 18.6 square miles of territory, population 1,947; Hudson has 12.2 square miles of territory, population 6,217.
August 25, 1909. For the first time in a century Marlborough entertained the Tenth U. S. Cavalry, who attired in brown uniforms, were on their way to Fort Ethan Allen, Vt. There were about 375 men and officers, 40 mules and two machine guns. Crowds turned out to see the heroes of El Caney.
November 8, 1909. Tribute was paid John B. Dufeault in recog- nition of his appointment to the honorable position of assistant secretary to U. S. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. He was tendered a banquet in which about 400 took part. Many guests of honor were present from our own as well as various other cities.
Marlborough turned out about 6,150,000 pairs of shoes during 1909 at a conservative estimated value of $10,000,000.
Marlborough's schools are pronounced among the best in the State, and the manner in which they are conducted has drawn the attention of the best instructors in public schools, who come here to study the local method, and during the past few years, many a school has been modeled after the pattern found here, and our teachers have been in great demand in other cities. In 1909 Marlborough expended about $45,000 for schools.
May 26, 1910. Thousands of Marlborough people witnessed Halley's comet tonght.
In 1909. Marlborough expended about $4,000 for the public library ; police department appropriation for 1909 was $11,500; in 1909 Marlborough appropriated for the poor $9500; $1,000 was appropriated to Marlborough hospital in 1909 ; in 1909 Marlborough expended about $23,500 for highways; in 1909 Marlborough expended about $11,000 for the fire department ; in 1909 between five and six thousand dollars was spent for gypsy moth destruction; in 1909 Marlborough expended for electric lights $10,350.
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INDUSTRIES OF THE CITY.
Quoting Rev. R. A. Griffin and E. L. Bigelow, 1880, in History of Middlesex County : "The industries of the town until within forty-five years were confined to agriculture and the supply of local needs. In 1837, 103,000 pairs of shoes were made valued at $41,200 ; seventy-five males and the same number of females were employed in their produc- tion. There were two tanneries, employing seven hands ; two manu- factories of chairs and cabinet ware, employing four hands ; 7,500 straw bonnets were manufactured, valued at $10,850.
"In 1845, 182 persons were employed in making straw braid and bonnets ; 378 men and women manufactured 624 pairs of boots and 302,725 pairs of shoes valued at $92,932. Ten years later in 1855, 103,500 pairs of boots and 1,971,500 pairs of shoes were made by 969 male and 973 female hands, the value of the product being $1,156,975. In 1860, 2,000 men and 700 women were employed in this industry, and $2,000,000 were realized on sales. "
At the present day 6,000 pairs per day of boots and shoes are turned out from the J. A. Frye factory. In connection with the manu- facture of shoes he has introduced a currying department to furnish leather for his own and export trade, the capacity being 3 tons daily.
The S. H. Howe Shoe Co. turns out annually 2,500,000 pairs of shoes.
Rice & Hutchins Shoe Co. turn out 11,000 to 12,000 pairs of shoes daily.
The important industry of cutting dies for shoes, harnesses, envel- opes, paper collars, cuffs, etc., was established in 1665 by Mr. S. K. Taylor who was succeeded by Taylor & Blanchard, S. F. Draper, Hobbs & Mellin, and the present manager, T. J. Beaudry who has an excellent reputation all over the United States for skill in his line and a thorough master in all that pertains to the manufacture of cutting dies. He has an extensive patronage from the leading shoe manufacturers all over the United States, Canada, South America, Germany and Australia, and is one of the largest die manufacturers in the United States.
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The progress of modern civilization has introduced many innovations during the past decade, and certainly none have been more noted than those made in the manufacture of boots and shoes. These innovations are due chiefly to the makers of the lasts and patterns by which these are made. There is no concern devoted to this line of industry that has done more to advance the style and comfort of footwear, by the introduction of neat fitting lasts, than the Marlborough Last Co. This business was started in 1860 by Thomas Jackson who was succeeded by his son T. E. Jackson and the present managers, Edward S. Morse and Oscar W. Gleason. The sale of output covers New England and Canada and is steadily growing.
As business methods advance and are thoroughly perfected, special establishments are created to meet in the most satisfactory manner the demands along one line or another. An establishment which has long heid a leading position here is that of the Howe Lumber Co. The busi- ness was started in 1860 and steady progress has been made up to the present time.
The Elliott Lumber Co. was established in 1889, and now succeeded by the Powers Lumber Co., is an important factor in supplying pine, white wood, spruce, hemlock, moulding;, shingles, etc.
Bemis Machine Co. are manufacturers of gasoline engines.
Some of the leading marble and granite works in Marlborough are those of David Harris, Timothy Sullivan and Eugene Hackett.
O. II. Stevens Manufacturing Co., likewise Rice & Hutchins manu- facture paper shoe boxes.
The manufacture of fine cigars by C. L. Bliss was established in 1870 and many thousand cigars are produced every month which have secured a wide celebrity for their excellence.
A prominent business established in 1866 was that of steam engines, elevators and boot and shoe machinery. In 1881, Henry Parsons assumed sole control of the business, and as a thoroughly practical machinist, he made a name for his special machinery which extends all over the United States, England, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Ger- many, Russia and South America. The present firm is Henry Parsons & Son.
Forty-two years ago, the business of making boxes, job planing and sawing, knife grinding, ete., was founded by Mr. Joseph Manning who was succeeded by Mr. Longley, father of the present proprietor, E. P. Longley, who has perfect facilities for the business and also looks after
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the machines of the large shoe factories. He turns out each month upwards of 15,000 boxes.
The leather exchange and manufacture of women's kip, whole and pieced heels was founded in 1881 when Frank Billings discovered the needs of an agency to take care of remnants, surplus stock and supplies, and here manufacturers can purchase not only refuse leather but materials which can be used in their particular lines. Today the plant is a promi- nent feature of Marlborough's commercial interests and goods are shipped all over the United States and England.
MARLBOROUGH BOARD OF TRADE.
For more than twenty years the merchants of Marlborough have been organized for the purpose of promoting the public interest and general welfare of the city and in advancing the prosperity of its mercan- tile and manufacturing interests.
At no time during those twenty years has the Board of Trade been more aggressive in presenting and fostering these interests than during the last three years, its large membership and splendid corps of officers working harmoniously for results along these lines.
The officers are as follows: President, James P. Steele of the Marlborough Grain Company; first Vice-President, Frank Mckenzie, local manager of the Standard Oil Company; second Vice-President, Edgar Weeks, Attorney-at-Law ; third Vice-President, John M. Carpenter, of the clothing firm of John M. Carpenter & Son ; Treasurer, Stillman R. Stevens, Cashier of the People's National Bank ; Secretary, Frank L. Gage, of the Undertaking firm of Frank L. Gage & Son. These officers with the following named persons constitute the Executive Committee : David W. Powers, coal dealer ; John P. Rowe, grocer ; George Fred Bond, provision dealer ; Raoul H. Beaudreau, attorney- at-law ; Charles S. Davis, superintendent of the Marlborough Electric Company.
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