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 6
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There is no higher organization and one claiming the heartfelt sym- pathy of the country at large, than the G. A. R. Relief Societies; and tribute should ever be made to the noble women who, with aching hearts, bade their dear ones God speed in the emergency of our Civil War, and then waited, waited, day by day, for " news from the front."
In those days of silent sorrow, When the tears refused to fall, 'Twas the waiting time-the waiting time Was the hardest time of all.
The G. A. R. Relief Society connected with Post 43 was organized December 13, 1870, having then 45 members. Its list of officers chosen to serve till January, 1872, was as follows : President, Mrs. Charles F. Morse ; Vice-President, Mrs. Henry Parsons; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. John S. Fay ; Managers, Mrs. William Barnes, Mrs. Albert Stacy, Mrs. Levi Taylor, Mrs. Elbridge Wilkins, Mrs. Justin Barker, Mrs. Parker Lawrence, Mrs. George H. Brigham, Mrs. Frank Bean. The Presidents for the succeeding years have been :
Mrs. Charles F. Morse, 1871.
Mrs. William Baker, 1886-7-8-9-90.
Mrs. William Barnes, 1872-3.
Mrs. Henry Parsons, 1891-2.
Mrs. Ambrose M. Page, 1874.
Mrs. William S. Frost, 1893-4.
Mrs. Henry Parsons, 1875-6,
Mrs. James M. Gleason, 1895-6.
Mrs. William Barnes, 1877-8.
Mrs. Joseph W. Barnes, 1897.
Mrs. Joseph W. Barnes, 1879.
Mrs. Mary E. Morse, 1898-9-1900-1-2.
Mrs. William B. Campbell, 1880-I.
Mrs. Etta Howe, 1903.
Mrs. Henry Exley, 1882-3.
Mrs. Addie Gleason, 1904-5.
Mrs. Ransom D. Pratt, 1884.
Mrs. Frank Sawin, 1906-7-8.
Mrs. Henry Parsons, 1885.
Mrs. Harriet Dodge, 1909.
Thousands of dollars have been raised and expended by these ladies and their co-workers for the benefit of Post 43, and for charitable and patriotic donations. This is the first society of the kind ever organized in connection with G. A. R. Posts. It was deemed of so much import- ance to Department Commander Underwood that he alluded to it in his address to the Department Convention, January 15, 1873, and advised all Posts to form similar societies.
The Grand Army building pictured in this article was dedicated June 28, 1892. At 1 o'clock P. M. the members of the Post assembled at head- quarters in City Hall. At 1.30 a line was formed in front of the Hall, invited guests were received and headed by the 6th Regt. Band the Depart- ment Officers and a number of other distinguished visitors in carriages were escorted to the Posts new headquarters in the new building. A halt
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was made in front of the hall, the American flag was raised on the flag staff at a signal from Commander Henry Parsons, the band saluting by playing the Star Spangled Banner. Meantime the Hall had been rapidly filling with guests and members of the Post. Meeting was called to order by Commander Henry Parsons and the exercises commenced with music by a male quartet. John R. McCrillis chairman of the building committee formally turned the building over to the Post for dedication, Commander Parsons accepting the building in behalf of the Post. Charter was pro- duced and hung and the alter uncovered and the flag placed upon it. In the absence of the regular chaplain (W. A. Springer in choir) Comrade F. C. Curtis, who was one of the Andersonville sufferers during the war, officiated, and stepping to the altar placed a new Bible upon it, reading several appropriate passages from the Scripture. The bugle sounded the Assemblies and S. V. Commander Brigham arose and read a number of fitting passages from the Holy Book. Four comrades then marched in and stacked arms at the right of the altar. Hanging a haversack and canteen on the stack after the manner of the army, one of the four in army uniform taking position at "parade rest," beside it faced the com- mander. The Junior Vice Commander arose and read several psalms, commencing with "They that go down to the ships at sea." Four comrades then marched in with an anchor and crossed swords and Royal Jack and placed them on the left of the altar and a naval veteran stood guard beside them. "I have before us" said the Commander "two of the emblems of our order. There is another tie and that is"-chaplain rises and repeats, "And the greatest of these is Charity." Two children, boy and girl, dressed in red, white, and blue joined the four comrades at rear of altar and formed a lovely picture. Singing and prayer preceded the calling up of Depart- ment Commander James R. Churchill who formally dedicated the hall by virtue of his authority in behalf of the soldiers and sailors of the country. The oration was by comrade Alfred S. Roe of Worcester who delivered one of the finest addresses ever listened to in Marlborough.
Speeches, inspection of the hall and a banquet followed. At 7.30 line was again formed headed by the 6th Regt. Band and proceeded to the Fitchburg station to await the train which brought the members of Reno Post 9; Commander Waterhouse of Hudson, 60 comrades. Comrades from Hudson, Clinton, Westboro, Northboro, Fayville, Ashland, Berlin numbering 174 were present. Again speeches, music and refeshments were in order and the meeting was closed by the audience singing America and giving three rousing cheers for Commander Parsons.
The Building Committee consisted of : President, John R. McCril-
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lis ; Vice-President, Francis C. Curtis ; Clerk, Edward R. Alley ; Treas- urer, Charles F. Robinson.
Directors were : John R. McCrillis, Edward R. Alley, Edward C. Marsh, Francis C. Curtis, Edwin L. Perry, James F. Barry, Walter S. Goss, Charles F. Robinson, Sidney A. Brigham, Frank Bean, George H. Brigham, Terrence McGuire and Hiram W. Fay.
0
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"John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave -- His soul goes marching on."
Everyone may read the story of the John Brown Bell, told by James M. Gleason and Lysander P. Parker, and so interestingly revised by Past Commander William A. Springer in the little booklet published by direc- tion of John A. Rawlins Post 43, in which it tells of the Company receiving orders to go to Harper's Ferry, and on arriving on historic ground and looking for souvenirs and finding that others had been there before them who had appropriated everything of value, they finally decided to take the bell from the old engine house where John Brown fought his last fight for the liberation of the slaves, and send it home to Marlborough.
After receiving permission from the War Department to appropriate the bell, it was boxed and placed on a canal boat and finally landed at Williamsport Lock, where the regiment remained all winter. Being unable to ship their treasure to Marlborough, they bargained with Mrs. Snyder, who had baked the bread for the company, to care for the bell until called for, and they marched away, leaving it buried there for thirty years. Only nine of " the boys" were left of those who were interested in procuring this historic souvenir. In 1892 this wonderful bell was found and brought under dramatic circumstances 'to Marlborough and hung above the entrance to Grand Army Building, where it tolls the knell of departed comrades and brightens the hearts of the living battle- scarred veterans marching to its ring on festive occasions.
PAST COMMANDERS OF JOHN A. RAWLINS POST 43, GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Lysander P. Parker, James L. Stone,
Charles F. Morse, January, 1868, to January, 1869 January, 1869, to July, 1869 July, 1869, to July, 1870
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Charles F. Morse.
July, 1870, to July, 1871
Edmund C. Whitney.
July, 1871, to January, 1878 January, 1878, to Janua.ty, 1880 1881
Sidney A. Brigham, .
Ambrose M. Page.
1882
Edward C. Marsh.
1883-1884
John R. McCrillis,
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1885-1886-1888
William A. Alley,
1887
Walter S. Goss,
1889
Francis C. Curtis,
1890
Charles Adams,
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Henry Parsons,
1892
George H. Brigham,
1893
Lafayette Stickney,
1894
Joseph W. Barnes,
1895
Frank Bean,
1896
Edward B. Jones,
1897
Richard Kelleher,
1 898
Isaac M. Dow,
1 899
Charles H. Albee,
1900
James F. Barry,
1901
George Balcom,
1902
Charles F. Robinson,
1903 1904
John S. Fay,
1905-1906
William A. Springer,
1907-1908
Charles A. Warren, .
1909
OFFICERS FOR 1910.
Commander, .
George S. Parker Walter S. Goss
Senior Vice Commander,
Junior Vice Commander,
B. Frank Hatstat
Surgeon,
Henry K. Steward Eugene Moore
Quartermaster.
.
William M. Hamilton
Charles Adams Chaplain,
Officer of Day, .
·
Charles F. Robinson
Officer of Guard, Lafayette Stickney
Sergeant Major,
Lysander P. Parker
QuartermasterSergeant,
George H. Brigham
.
Adjutant,
James M. Gleason,
.
William S. Frost,
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CHAPTER IV.
MARLBOROUGHI HIGHI SCHOOL BUILDING.
"God of our fathers, who wast with them when they won their free- dom, and through whom we hear Thy warning that we must safeguard our liberties with institutions and public enlightenment, we come to Thee with this fair temple of education that we have erected ; and as an offering we would lift it to Thee, and would feel that Thy blessing rests over it all." So prayed Rev. E. F. Hay ward at the opening and dedication of the above new Marlborough High School Building September 10, 1898. It was 1897 under Charles L. Bartlett, Mayor of our City that appointment of Com- mittee was made to procure plans, erect and complete a new High School building. Committee : Charles L. Bartlett, Mayor; Aldermen Austin
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B. Howe, Edward F. Brown; Councilmen James McAuslan, Frank T. Meagher ; School Committee John E. Savage, James T. Murphy. July 16, a contract for superstructure was signed. In 1898 Eugene G. Hoitt, Mayor, with the above committee had the entire charge of the work until the completion of the building. The architect was Charles Edgar Barnes of Boston, and the builders J.E. Warren & Co. No location in Marlborough could have been more appropriate and satisfactory than this central site occu- pied so many years by the historic buildings of time past. The appropria- tion, $65,000, for this building was expended with greatest possible advan- tage, and great credit is due to those with whom this task was entrusted. At the dedication of the new building in its Assembly hall, there were present a large gathering of representative citizens, former teachers and graduates of the school. The program consisted of addresses, and music by the Marlborough band. In delivering the keys to the City, chairman James McAuslin concluded by "May the doors ever be open to those seeking knowledge." Mayor Eugene G. Hoitt in his acceptance of the keys said "I trust that the memory of your committee will remain in the minds of the citizens of Marlborough." John C. Murphy chairman of the School Committee accepting the keys from the Mayor said "The same spirit which founded Harvard College, even amid the privations and struggles of the early colony and erected a school house on every hilltop in New England is alive among us yet, and I sincerely trust it will ever remain so. It is no sport of fortune that makes Mexico, with its marvelous min- eral wealth, poor, and New England, with its granite and ice, rich. It is no chance that compels the elements in one country to become subser- vient to the wants of man and in another allows them to sport and idly run to waste. It is education that makes the difference, it begets enter- prise and invincible courage, and in the end attains that which every nation and individual is striving for-success. This is a beautiful structure strong and symmetrical ; you have every reason to feel proud of the art which conceived it, of the skill which perfected it and the generosity which made it possible to realize it. But within its walls we hope to accomplish the greatest work of all; from its portals we hope to see go forth strong and symmetrical young men and young women. These keys will open to them the doors to scientific, classical and worldly knowledge, the knowledge which will make them intelligent young men and women, and above all, the knowledge which will make them loyal, faithful and upright citizens of our Commonwealth. May the good accomplished in this building be so apparent as to act as an incentive to call forth the best efforts of those who follow us; to help along and foster everything that tends to the educational advancement of our city."
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Judge McDonald in his address said: "Today we dedicate this temple of knowledge. Under its dome the cause of education will receive new impetus. Through its portals will pass hundreds of the youth of the city ; some to higher academic altitudes, some to immediately take their places in the firing line of life's battle. Generations will pass away ; the walls of this edifice in time will crumble to dust, but the lofty purpose and enlightened public sentiment which inspired its erection will live in the annals of public events, while the civil and social institutions which we love and revere, shall endure. "
Hon. Frank A. Hill, Secretary of the Board of Education, congratu- lated the city on completion of the beautiful building, saying : "Built as it is by the people, with the money of the people, for the children of the people, it is fitting that the people should assemble this afternoon, look it over and pronounce it good. "
It was in 1860 that the old High school house (now called Center school and moved down to the left of its present successor) was erected at the cost of $8,600. This opened an important chapter in the history of the schools of Marlborough. The new school house at this time, with the exception of the churches, was the most pretentious edifice in town. Following are the names of the principals of the Marlborough High school :
O. W. Albee, 1860. F. Z. Gamwell, 1861.
J. F. Claflin remained until the second term in 1862 when he resigned to enlist in the Fifth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers. After a short time, during which Mrs. Claflin acceptably filled the place, Miss Neal, assistant of the school, assumed sole charge until the close of the year.
Ira G. Hoitt, 1863-1864. Abner H. Davis, 1864. Miss L. R. Draper, 1864. Messrs. Vose, Ingersol, Miss Hapgood, Mrs. Woods, Miss G. King, 1865. A. G. Wenzel, 1866 to 1870. E. A. White, 1870. Mr. Cross.
From 1872 to 1885 there were but two principals, Messrs. Hiram Tuell and Albert G. Fisher.
From 1885 to the close of the year 1890, the school was in charge of Messrs. F. D. M. Dunn, W. B. Ferguson, G. F. Jewett, George H. Rockwell, Henry H. Kendall. The latter remained until the close of 1891. B. W. Tinker, 1892. W. F. O'Connor, 1894. " George W. Morris 1908-1910.
In 1873 the study of music was introduced in the schools in town under the direction of Mr. F. W. Riley, who was succeeded by Miss Nellie Dee, and in 1901 by Mr. J. A. Millington.
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In 1883 the town authorized the employment of a superintendent of schools-Mr. G. T. Fletcher, 1884-5-6; 1887, Mr. H. R. Roth ; 1893, .Mr. J. E. Burke ; 1894, Mr. B. W. Tinker; 1897, Mr. J. A. Pitman ; 1906, Mr. O. A. Morton.
The High school has received various gifts, among which from Deacon David B. Goodale was a collection of classified minerals and metals with geological specimens suitable for practical study and illustra- tion ; from Mrs. J. M. Edwards, a collection of fossils ; from Miss Hannah E. Bigelow, $100 in memory of her sister, Miss M. A. Bigelow, a former teacher ; from various graduates, valuable books, statues and pictures ; a collection of fine pictures through the efforts of and selected by a com- mittee of the Tuesday Club and purchased by general town subscription, and from various townsmen additional paintings and pictures. Including our High there are eight public school buildings in Marlborough in which the total number of teachers is 75.
Total membership of pupils, 2451.
Total expenditure for salaries and all school purposes in our city, $62,942.81 (1909.)
School Committee for 1910 :
J. J. Shaughnessy, Mayor, ex-officio.
James O. Bailey, Carroll A. Egan,
William H. Murphy,
Louis F. Farley,
D. Howard Fletcher, F. Howard Brown.
Chairman, Elmer D.' Howe.
Superintendent of Schools and Secretary of School Committee, O. A Morton.
Messenger, Truant; Officer and Clerk, John E. Savage.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
Quoting Attorney Raoul H. Beaudreau : "The educational facilities: of the City of Marlborough have not only been confined to the younger generation of American born children, but have been extended for the development of the foreign population as well.
"On Monday, December 8, 1890, the School Committee of the City of Marlborough voted to establish an evening school in accordance with a petition of Placide Boudreau, et als., to be located in the West Village. of Marlborough, and the details relative to the necessary arrangements; were left in charge of the committee consisting of Messrs. William L .. Morse, Charles Favreau and Superintendent H. R. Roth.
"Accordingly, the first evening school was opened in the building now
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occupied by the heirs of Joseph Lattinville, 525 Lincoln street. Subse- quently it was transferred to Beaudreau's Block on the same street, and in the next year a branch was opened in South Street school. In the following year, the school was transfered to Berry's Hall, where it re- mained until it was permanently located in Centre School.
"The first principal of the evening school was Mr. Napoleon Boyer, who was succeeded by Mr. E. Humbert, Mr. Richard J. Mullins, Mr. James P. Collins, Mr. George S. Haskill, Mr. William D. Doyle, Dr. William S. O'Brien, Attorney Raoul H. Beaudreau, Mr. Godfroi Brouil- lette, and Mr. John E. Rice.
"The primary object of the school was to educate the foreign popula- tion, thereby materially assisting them to become naturilized citizens of this country. In that respect, it has performed a noble service, for many of our naturalized citizens can place their success to our evening schools.
"Statutes of Massachussets compelling the illiterate minors to attend the evening schools before they can obtain employment in mercantile establishments, has also contributed to the material growth of the evening schools, and under the vigilance of our school committee, it has fostered a desire amongst our foreign population, not only to become naturalized citizens, but to cultivate the seed of American education."
E NO
THE OLD ACADEMY.
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" School days, school days, dear old golden rule days."
The old academy is, perhaps, one of the best remembered landmarks of Marlborough, and it would not have been inappropriate to place the square and compass directly over the above picture. In 1824 petition by Abraham Gates and others was made to the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Massachusetts for a charter, and the Lodge of United Brethren was instituted on April 28, 1825. At ten o'clock on that day the Masons assembled in the Unitarian Church and were addressed by Rev. Seth Alden, the pastor, who was a member of Fredonia Lodge. They then marched to Spring Hill Meeting House, where the Lodge was instituted in due and ancient form, after which they repaired to a tent pitched in the rear of Dea. John E. Curtis' residence, where dinner was served by Col. Sullivan Thayer, landlord of the Brick Tavern, now the residence of Dr. Charles L. Cutler, Jr.
The Lodge had some times met in an upper room in the Brick Tav- ern, sometimes in the residence of Sylvester Bucklin, which stood on Maple Street before it was removed to Main Street, and at the homes of other members. At one time it met in the upper story of Dea. Curtis' shop, corner of Maple and Main Streets. Needing a suitable hall and academy for the education of the young, the leading citizens and Free- masons consulted together, with the result that permission was given to erect an academy on the old Meeting House Common, where now stands our present High School Building.
Prior to this meeting a paper had been circulated which provided subscriptions for shares in a building fund. This stock was taken by thirty-five men. Silas Gates took the most shares, four, he and his son Abraham each contributing $1,000, and in their honor the building was called Gates Academy. The corner stone was laid with Masonic honors, August 30, 1827, and on the stone was deposited a paper, of which the following is a transcript : "On this 30th day of August, 1827, was laid the foundation stone on which is to be erected a building to be devoted to the promotion of literature, science, moral virtue, and the ancient order of Masonry. By the liberality of a number of individuals of the town of Marlborough, in which there are three churches, the ministers of which are Rev. Sylvester F. Bucklin, Rev. Seth Alden and Rev. Joseph E. Merrill; ten school districts, and two thousand inhabitants."
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The building, or at least the Masonic part of it, was completed in the winter or spring following. The furnishing of the Lodge was done by Samuel Chipman, father of John, a cabinet maker, whose bill, under date of October 23, 1824, reads : "For making one large and two small pedestals, altar, ballot-box, and two rods, also nails, etc., $20.30." This- was shortly after the charter was voted by the Grand Lodge, and shows that the Lodge must have had its headquarters at that time. The furni- ture was taken to the new hall and held until the Lodge gave up in 1834, when it succumbed for years to the anti-Masonic storm which swept over the country. The old Masonic Hall and Gates Academy was sold at auction in 1860, to make place for the now called Centre School Build- ing, which at that time was the new High School, and the old academy is now a tenement house, located at the rear of the Dr. Campbell resi- dence, corner of Washington and Prospect Streets.
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UNIVERSALIST CHURCH IN EARLIER DAYS.
In Barber's Historical Collections, one readsSunder Marlborough : " There are four churches-one Restorationist, one Orthodox, one Uni- versalist and one Methodist-and an Academy. Feltonville"villagezin this town is about three miles north." At this time' the earliest Univer-
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salist church, erected and dedicated in 1829-Rev. Sebastian Streeter preaching the sermon-stood on the corner of Ames Place and Main Street. The society was organized about 1818. The first standing com- mittee of which there is any record consisted of Messrs. Willard Newton, Truman Stowe, Henry Wood, Abel Rice and William Whitney, although there must have been others before this. The earliest church was burned about 1845. It was a great blow to the society and several years elapsed before it recovered. Some time in the fifties the Rev. Sylvanus Cobb and his estimable wife, who was also a preacher, came to Marlbo- rough and gathered the discouraged congregation together. They were followed by the Rev. William A. Start, under whose direction and zeal was built the above pictured edifice on Main Street, which has been remodelled and the first floor rented for business purposes. At the pres- ent time a united congregation and a strong working Sunday school exist after long years of changes and vicissitudes.
Following are the names of pastors :
Rev. Mr. Killum
Rev. Lorenza Haynes
Rev. Mr. Freize
Rev. James K. Taylor
Rev. Thomas J. Greenwood
Rev. William F. Dusseault
Rev. Sylvanus Cobb
Rev. Frank S. Rice
Rev. William A. Start
Rev. Arthur A. Blair
Rev. Simon Taylor Aldrich
Rev. Mabel McCoy Irwin
Rev. J. Hatton Weeks
Rev. Ada C. Bowles
Rev. Frank S. Thomson Rev. R. D. VanTassel
Rev. Nellie Mann Opdale
The old Town Hall was built in 1869 at a cost of $87,000 and was remodeled at an expense of $6,000.
On the first floor was the Public Town Library, rooms for the Assessors and Selectmen, the Postoffice, the People's National Bank, M. H. Nolan's and J. N. Hammond's stores. The hall in emergency would hold 2,000 people.
On the second floor the Board of Engineers of Fire Department and Overseers of the Poor had rooms ; the Marlborough Light Infantry Co. F, M. V. M., Captain A. M. Page, had its armory over the Selectmen's rooms off the main hall, which was used for drilling.
The basement was utilized as police headquarters, prisoners' cells, etc., adjoining which was court room in which Judge Nahum Witherbee, [superintendent of the Town Hall, who probably held and ably filled
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more offices in town, church and State than any other man ] held frequent reception.
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THE OLD TOWN HALL.
In the basement was also the market of F. C. and H. C. Curtis, the senior partner of which firm was survivor of Libby and Andersonville prisons. The bell was the gift of Samuel Boyd, Esq., in 1869. In the mansard roof were the G. A. R. headquarters given to the Post free of rent. This Town Hall was destroyed by fire December 25th, 1902.
It was in 1799 that the Marlborough Postoffice was established. Previous to that time Worcester was the nearest place where Marlborough could receive her mail. Mr. Joseph Brigham was the first postmaster in Marlborough, He kept the office in the Hemenway house, No. 47 East Main street, and was succeeded by Doctor Hildreth who resided and kept the office in the house just below the now Doctor Cutler residence. The latter place was then the Brick Tavern kept by Mr. Thayer, who also was postmaster for a time, and kept the office in his tavern. Adolphus
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