USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > History of Chelmsford, Massachusetts > Part 85
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Dr. Anthony Emery, A. M., graduated from Harvard in 1736, and commenced practice in 1740.
In 1748, Samuel King, M. D., came from Littleton. He married Hannah Richardson in 1751, and several children were born to them. He afterwards removed to Chesterfield, N. H.
In Bridge's diary there is mention of a Dr. Rice, who came here as a practitioner in 1762; also of a Dr. Hurd.
Dr. Jonas Marshall commenced practice in 1765. His residence was that of the late Mr. C. W. Byam, on the south slope of Robin's hill. A magnificent elm, standing beside this house, was brought by the doctor on horseback from his later home in Fitchburg. He was long remembered as an active man and suc- cessful practitioner.
In 1776 his wife and two daughters died of small pox, which was communicated by a soldier returning from the war, to whom they had afforded hospitality. Their bodies were the first interred in the South Chelmsford Cemetery. He removed to Fitchburg in 1783.
Dr. Nehemiah Abbott went from Lexington to Andover and came from Andover in 1770. He occupied the house which has long been known as the "ark," at the corner of Acton and Bartlett Streets. He died July 13, 1785.
Dr. Walter Hastings graduated from Harvard, 1771; com- menced practice in 1776; died November 29, 1782, aged thirty.
Dr. Timothy Harrington, a graduate of Harvard, 1776; came here in 1782. His residence was that now owned by Gilbert Wright. He died February 26, 1802, aged forty-eight.
Dr. John Betty was a native of the Town. He was a soldier in the Revolution. He began practice in 1792. His residence was that of the late B. O. Robbins, near the South Chelmsford Cemetery.
Dr. Ichabod Gibson, from Lunenburg, commenced practice in 1792. He built and occupied what is now the residence of Charles E. Bartlett. He died May 10, 1810.
Dr. Matthias (or Mattathias) Spaulding, a son of Colonel Simeon Spaulding, was born June 25, 1769; graduated Harvard, 1798, and commenced practice in 1802. He removed to Amherst, N. H., in 1805. He died, aged 96.
Dr. Oliver Scripture, from New Ipswich, N. H., commenced practice in 1807. His residence was upon the site of the house now occupied by J. A. Hoyt, on South Street. He removed to Hollis, N. H., in 1818.
Dr. Rufus Wyman was born in Woburn, Mass., July 16, 1778. He graduated from Harvard College in 1799. He studied medicine under the direction of Dr. John Jeffries. The following degrees were conferred upon him by Harvard: A. M. and M. D.
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in 1804, M. M. S. in 1811, and later A. A. S. He settled in Chelms- ford in 1805. His residence was the house later occupied by Timothy Adams, upon the Billerica road, the site of the High School built in 1916.
Dr. Wyman gained so high a reputation in the profession that when the McLean Asylum for the Insane was started in Charlestown (now Somerville) he was chosen, March 28, 1818, as its first superintendent and physician. The appointment proved a fortunate one. Notwithstanding the popular prejudice then existing against hospitals of that kind, the number of patients presented for treatment constantly increased, as well as generous contributions for the support of the institution. He resigned his position in 1835. His death occurred in Roxbury, June 22, 1842.
When Dr. Wyman removed from Chelmsford, to accept the appointment of superintendent of the McLean Asylum at Charles- town, a public meeting of the citizens was called to express their high esteem and respect for Dr. Wyman and to request him to appoint a successor.
He complied with their wish and introduced Dr. John C. Dalton to the people of Chelmsford. In making this choice he displayed his characteristic sagacity, and laid the people under further obligations of gratitude to him.
Dr. Dalton was born in Boston, May 31, 1795. He entered Harvard College in 1810, where he acquired scholarly tastes which he retained through life. He received his degree of M. D. from Cambridge in 1818.
Dr. Dalton lived while in Chelmsford at what is now called the "syndicate farm," the home of Simeon Spaulding, whose granddaughter he married. He was a gentleman of accomplished manners and an ardent lover of his profession.
After thirteen years' practice he removed to Lowell, in 1831. During his residence of nearly thirty years in that city he occupied an honored position both as a physician and citizen. He died in Boston, Jan. 9, 1864.
Dr. Paul Kittredge, one of a famous family of doctors, succeeded to the practice of Dr. Dalton, coming to Chelmsford from Littleton in 1831. He was a son of Dr. Benj. Kittredge, of Tewksbury, where he was born Aug. 29, 1784. He studied with his uncle, Dr. Jesseniah Kittredge, of Walpole, N. H. He took his degree, was admitted to the Massachusetts Medical Society, and then began the practice of his profession at Littleton, Mass., in 1810, where he remained until he came to Chelmsford in 1831. Dr. Kittredge built and occupied the residence of the late Adams Emerson, Esq., now owned and occupied by Erving W. Sweetser, Town Treasurer. He had an extensive practice, and was often called, especially in cases of surgery, far beyond the usual circle of his practice. He had a family of fourteen children, four of whom were physicians. One of these, Francis M. Kittredge, who built Dr. Howard's residence, was familiarly known as
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HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
Doctor Frank. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College. He was associated with his father for several years, and upon the death of the latter, Aug. 10, 1845, succeeded to the practice. In 1848, he disposed of his interests in Chelmsford to Levi Howard, M. D., and removed to Lowell. He died in California, Feb. 13, 1878.
Dr. Nathan B. Edwards was born in Westford, Mass., Jan. 3, 1820. He was educated at Groton Academy, studied medicine with Dr. Elisha Huntington, of Lowell, and received the degree of M. D., from the Berkshire Medical Institute in 1844. The year following he settled in practice at North Chelmsford.
It is not too much to say that no person in Chelmsford was ever held in more universal respect than Dr. Edwards. Not- withstanding the somewhat exacting duties of his profession, movements for the educational, moral, religious, political or material interests of the people ever found in him an earnest supporter.
He filled, at one time or another, almost every position to which his townsmen could elect him. He died June 12, 1893.
Dr. John C. Bartlett was born in Charlestown, Mass., Oct. 5, 1808, and graduated from Bowdoin College, Maine, in 1828. Having decided upon the medical profession, he studied with Dr. Thompson, of Charlestown, and attended lectures at Harvard University, graduating in 1831. He soon after settled in Chelms- ford, where he continued in practice nearly forty-six years. His mother and the mother of Dr. Dalton were cousins. These two physicians received their name from Dr. John Call, an eminent physician of Charlestown. Dr. Bartlett entered upon his work with the very best preparatory training. His standard of pro- fessional honor was high, and he never neglected a call of duty. Quackery or imposition of any kind gained his decided opposition.
Although of a somewhat aristocratic bearing, he was one of the kindest of neighbors, and a man universally respected for the uprightness of his life. He possessed fine musical tastes, and was for many years chorister of the Unitarian Society.
He was active in the cause of temperance and interested in education.
He held the position of president of the board of trustees of Westford Academy for many years. He died Jan. 13, 1877, aged seventy-two. The esteem in which he was held by his medical associates was expressed in a series of resolutions adopted by the Medical Society.
Dr. Levi Howard was born in Bolton, Massachusetts, May 26, 1820; was educated at Worcester and Bridgeton Academy, Maine; studied with Dr. Lewis W. Houghton, of Waterford, Me., and was graduated from the Dartmouth Medical College in 1846. He began practice at Stillriver, Mass., where he remained two years before coming to Chelmsford. Dr. Howard proved to be a worthy successor to the long line of successful Chelmsford physicians. He was thoroughly devoted to his profession, and possessed of keen
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discernment and powers of observation which did not allow the slightest symptoms to escape unnoticed; these qualities, combined with sound judgment, self-reliance and devotion to his patients, gained him the full confidence of the community, and he was re- warded by a wide and lucrative practice, which included not only Chelmsford, but all the adjacent towns. This he retained to the close of his life. In physique he was large and powerful, with that personal magnetism born of robust health, quick sensibilities and ready tact. His mind was active and well developed in other fields beside the professional, and he was a lover of literature and music; in the latter he excelled, and his skill with the violin was of a high order.
He practiced his profession to within a week of his death, which occurred Jan. 23, 1885, and was succeeded in practice by his son, Amasa Howard, M. D., who began to practice in 1882, and continues to do so.
Dr. Charles Toothaker practiced for a time in Chelmsford, and was married here Dec. 13, 1841, to Eliza Perry of Methuen.
Other physicians who have practiced at the Centre Village are Dr. Edward H. Chamberlain, from 1884 to 1903, with an interval of two years, and Dr. John H. Nichols, from July, 1892, to July, 1893. Dr. S. W. Pike followed Dr. N. B. Edwards at the North Village, and in turn was succeeded in Aug., 1894, by Dr. Fred E. Varney, who practices there at the present time. Dr. James J. Hoban is also located in the North Village. Dr. Willard C. Cummings was for a time at the West Village.
Dr. Arthur G. Scoboria began to practice in the Centre Village in Aug., 1897, and still continues.
Dr. W. E. Buck practiced here for a few months in 1915.
EARLY LAWYERS.
In the early days the Clerk of the writs probably drew up legal papers, and later the Minister or other scholarly man, prepared such documents.
Previous to the growth of so many manufacturing towns in the State, Chelmsford occupied a position of much greater relative importance than it does today. This is shown by the character of the men who were attracted to it as a place for the practice of the professions.
As far as known, Chelmsford's earliest lawyer was Oliver Fletcher, born here, Sept. 10, 1708. See page 549. He graduated from Harvard in 1735. He was a man of high character, and received many honors at the hands of his fellow-townsmen. He was town clerk, selectman and assessor. He died Nov. 30, 1771. See Bridge's Diary, that date. The following notice was printed in the Boston Gazette of Monday, Dec. 9, 1771:
"Died at Chelmsford the first Instant, Oliver Fletcher. Esq; He had his education at Harvard College: took his Degrees in 1735 &
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1738, has been many years a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex and Quorum Unus: He was a Councellor in the Law, and, for some years a Member of the House of Representatives, in all which he sustained a good Character and Reputation. He has left a sorrowful Wife & a young Daughter; and his Death is lamented by his Friends a Acquaintances, and is a publick Loss."
A few items from his account book will be found at the end of this volume.
In January, 1772, Stephen Scales, A. M., settled in Town to engage in the practice of the law.
What promised to be a brilliant career was suddenly cut short by death, November 5th of the same year. Mr. Bridge records :
"This morning died very suddenly Stephen Scales, at the house of Sampson Stoddard; he had been confined with the measles, was able to walk about the house, but took cold, seized with an apoplectic attack, fell out of his chair and died in a few minutes. He was Tutor at Harvard Coll., since studied law & was a prac- titioner in the business, a man of strong power of mind, a great scholar, & very considerable lawyer for his age & the time he hath practiced; he bid fair to be a very useful and serviceable as well as honorable man in life, but at once is at an end as to this life & world, an affecting stroke in Providence & may the Lord sanctify it."
The following high tribute to his character and talents appeared in The Massachusetts Gazette and the Boston Weekly News-Letter, Thursday, Nov. 12, 1772:
"We hear from Chelmsford, that on Thursday Morning last STEPHEN SCALES, Esq., several years a Tutor at Harvard College, but lately in the Study of the Law, was seized with a Numbness in one of his Hands, which increased so fast that he died within ten Minutes. He was a gentleman of superior Genius, improved by a thorough Acquaintance with the various Branches of Science, -faithful in the Discharge of his Duty in the College,-of strict Integrity, and exemplary Virtue-and of so great proficiency in the study of the Law that he was truly an Honor to the Profession into which he had entered."
His tombstone, upon which is a lengthy inscription in Latin, stands at the right, and very close to, the central path in the old cemetery. See his Epitaph in Chapter XVII.
Within two weeks after the death of Mr. Scales, Mr. Jonathan Williams Austin, a young man of great promise, just admitted to the bar, took up his residence in Town to follow the profession of the law. Bridge's diary contains the following reference to him:
"Nov. 18, 1772. Mr. Jona. Williams Austin, who came into town last night, dined with me and spent the P. M .; he comes to settle with us as a Lawyer. He brought letters to me recommen- datory from Rev. Dr. Chauncy & Cooper."
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He was born in Boston, April 18, 1751, and graduated from Harvard College in 1769. He studied law in the office of John Adams, and, doubtless, had imbibed something of the patriotic fervor of that illustrious statesman, as he immediately became prominent in the agitation then going on with the mother country. He represented the Town, with Samuel Perham, as delegate to the Middlesex Convention, which met at Concord, Aug. 16, 1774, and, though then but twenty-three years of age, he was selected by the convention for the chairman of the committee to draw up the resolutions expressing the sentiments of the people upon the grave questions which confronted them. The resolutions, which were adopted by a vote of seventy-four to four, conclude with the following ringing sentences:
"Our fathers left a fair inheritance to us, purchased by a waste of blood and treasure. This we are resolved to transmit equally fair to our children after us. No danger shall affright, no difficulties intimidate us; and if, in support of our rights, we are called to encounter even death, we are yet undaunted, sen- sible that he can never die too soon who lays down his life in support of the laws and liberties of his country."
He showed himself to be a man of action as well as of words, for he gave his life in support of those principles so dear to him. He entered the service upon the opening of hostilities; was a major in 1775, commandant at Castle William in 1776, and died in the army to the southward in 1778 or 1779.
John Wythe, A. M .- A graduate of Harvard in 1760. Settled in Chelmsford, 1778. Afterwards removed to Lexington, and from there to Cambridge, where he died. He was a preacher before he became a lawyer.
Samuel Dexter, LL. D., the statesman, who occupied, besides other high positions, that of United States Senator from Massa- chusetts, practiced law for a time in this Town, coming here in 1786. He removed to Billerica and afterwards to Charlestown. He died in the State of New York in 1816.
In 1800, Asahel Stearns, A. M., opened an office at Pawtucket falls. He was born June 17, 1774, and died Feb. 5, 1839. He was the author of a well-known treatise on Real Actions, and was profoundly versed in the Law. In 1814, he represented the dis- trict in the Congress of the United States. He removed to Charles- town in 1815, and three years later accepted the position of College Professor of Law in Harvard University.
Joel Adams, A. M., was a son of Timothy Adams, of this Town. His birthplace was later known as the Sheehan place, in District 5. He graduated from Harvard College in 1805, and began the practice of law in 1808. His residence was that now occupied by his great-grandson, C. E. Bartlett. His office stood between his house and what was later Jonathan Larcom's. He was known as a sagacious counselor and shrewd man of business. He removed to Lowell, and was president of the Prescott Bank,
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and was connected with other financial institutions. Later in life he relinquished the practice of his profession and again took up his residence at his old home in Chelmsford.
In 1813, Nathaniel Wright, A. M., born at Sterling, Mass., Feb. 13, 1785, entered the law office of Asahel Stearns, at Paw- tucket falls. When the latter withdrew to a wider field, Wright succeeded him in business. He at once became identified with the rising fortunes of Lowell; was the chairman of its first Board of Selectmen, and later its mayor. He died November 5, 1858, aged seventy-three years.
CHARLES FRANKLIN EMERSON.
This may be an appropriate place to include among the professional men of Chelmsford, Charles Franklin Emerson, Dean Emeritus of Dartmouth College. He prepared for college at Westford Academy, under Mr. John D. Long, afterwards Governor of Massachusetts; and at Appleton Academy, New Ipswich, N. H. He taught school in this Town and elsewhere three years before entering Dartmouth. His record there as given in the general catalogue, is as follows:
Dartmouth, Class of 1868.
Emerson, Charles Franklin, A. M., Phi Beta Kappa. b. 28 Sept., 1843, Chelmsford, Mass. Tutor, 1868-72, Instr. Math., N. H. Coll. Agr. and Mech. Arts., 1868-74; Assoc. Prof. Nat. Phil. and Math., 1872-78; Instr. Astron., 1877-92; Appleton Prof. Nat. Phil., 1878-99; Dean of Acad. Faculty, 1893-1913; Fellow Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci. 1875; Life Mem. Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci. 1898; made Dean Emeritus, 1913; Mem. House of Rep., 1914-15, and 1916-17. Res. Hanover, N. H.
He is a son of Owen and Louisa (Butterfield) Emerson and was born in Chelmsford, Mass., September 28, 1843.
The Emerson family originated in England and has been traced back to Johannes Emeryson, who lived in County of Durham, previous to 1300.
1. The line has been traced to Thomas Emerson, born before 1540, probably son of Ralf of Foxton, who received the coat of arms in 1583.
2. Robert, son of Thomas, baptized, Oct. 25, 1561.
3. Thomas, son of Robert, baptized, July 26, 1584.
4. Joseph, son of Thomas, born in England, but died in Concord, Mass., Jan. 3, 1680. Through his son, Joseph, he was the progenitor of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
5. Edward, son of Joseph, born Apr. 26, 1670, lived for a time in Chelms- ford.
6. Edward, son of Edward, born in Chelmsford, May 8, 1702.
7. Joseph (Capt.), son of Edward, born, Sept. 13, 1731, died Nov. 22, 1792. The Emerson Homestead, adjoining the Noah Spaulding place, a half mile north of the Centre, was deeded to Capt. Joseph in 1772.
8. Owen, son of Capt. Joseph, born in Chelmsford, Oct. 3, 1773, died June 19, 1836.
9. Owen (Jun.), son of Owen, born Oct. 24, 1796, died May 2, 1873.
10. Charles Franklin, sixth child, fourth son, born Sept. 28, 1843, on the Butterfield homestead, a half mile north of the Emerson homestead referred to above (now the Frank Marshall place). He married Caroline Flagg, of North Chelmsford, in 1875. They have two daughters.
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GENEALOGY OF CAPTAIN BENJAMIN WALKER.
1. Richard, one of the first settlers of Lynn in 1630.
2. Samuel, a deacon of Woburn.
3. Joseph, made an inhabitant of Billerica in 1667.
4. Benjamin, born Oct. 29, 1686; died Aug. 2, 1750; married 1st, Dec. 15, 1712, Susanna Baldwin of Woburn; 2d, Nov. 26, 1746, Joanna Ditson. 5. Benjamin, born Jan. 23, 1715-16; died about 1755; married Oct. 2, 1739, Hannah Frost of Tewksbury. Children:
6-Benjamin, born at Billerica, Oct. 6, 1741.
William, born at Billerica, March 22, 1742-3. Said to have been a
captain.
Hannah, born at Billerica, March 26, 1745.
Susanna, born at Billerica, Jan. 21, 1746-7.
Zaccheus, born at Billerica, March 12, 1748-9. 1st Lieut., Capt. Joseph
Moors's Co.
Sampson, born at Billerica, April 4, 1751. Fitch's Co., Brewer's Regt.
Eliakim, born at Billerica, April 1, 1753. Capt. John Trull's Co .; also Capt. Benj. Walker's Co.
Hannah, died in infancy.
All these brothers were in the Revolutionary Army. Sampson married Thankful Pierce of Chelmsford.
6-Capt. Benjamin Walker married Abiel Abbott of Andover, April 4, or Aug. 4, 1763, probably daughter of Ephraim, Jr., and Hannah, and lived in that town for a time as well as in Billerica and Chelmsford. They had six children:
Benjamin, born at Andover, Nov. 15, 1763.
Hannah, born at Andover, July 20, 1766.
Abiel, son, born at Andover, March 26, 1768.
Abbott, born at Chelmsford, July 24, 1770.
Ephraim, born at Chelmsford, July 22, 1772.
Rhoda, born at Chelmsford, April 12, 1774.
The widow of Capt. Benjamin Walker married Samuel Fitch of Acton, whose first wife was Mary Blood, by whom he had seven children. Two children were born of the second marriage.
David Walker of Capt. Benjamin Walker's Company was the son of Ezekiel of Billerica, son of Benjamin, son of Joseph, son of Samuel, son of Richard.
ANCESTRY OF HENRY S. PERHAM.
1. John, came from Coventry (?), England to Rehoboth, Mass., in
1640-2. 2. John, born 1633; m. Lydia Shipley, Dec. 15, 1664; was in Chelmsford, 1666.
3. Benoni, born 1676; m. Sarah Robbins.
4. Samuel, born March 4, 1715; m. Sarah Richardson, April 11, 1741.
5. Samuel, born July 25, 1756; m. Dolle Osgood, Aug. 7, 1777.
6. David, born March 20, 1784; m. Rebecca Spaulding, April 19, 1809.
7. David, born Dec. 16, 1813; m. Eleutheria Wait, Apr. 28, 1839.
8. Henry Spaulding, born Nov. 16, 1843; m. Estelle Sophia Kittredge, Nov. 27, 1866. Their children are: James C., Walter, and David. He died Feb. 25, 1906.
CHAPTER XX.
ANNALS.
TT was purposed to make this chapter a complete chronology of Chelmsford history, but this volume having already exceeded the limits set by imposed conditions, it has been much condensed and a large part of it has been incorporated in the foregoing chapters. It contains some facts which could not be conveniently included in the preceding pages.
1657. County Court Records. Liber I.
Chenceford being pnted [presented] by the Grand Jury at the last Court, Apr. 7, '57 for not sending their votes for nominac- con of Magistrates the psentmt being called, James Parker appeared in the behalf of ye Towne, and pnted an order of the Genl. Court for ye abatemt of their fine unto Twenty shillings, the wch the Court accepted.
A similar fine was remitted to Billerica.
1658. May 26. The neck of land desired, lying within a mile and a half of Nacooke, beyond the towne of Chelmsford, &c., granted to Samuel Cole by the General Court.
1662. It was ordered that the minister shall have his main- tainance paid him twice every year-viz., on the last of March & last of September and have two lbs. of butter upon every milch cow.
1663. Inhabitants of Chelmsford petitioned for the grant of a Township at Penacook, Bouton's "Concord" page 53.
John Martin of Chelmsford allowed to come yn with such persons as shall move and settle a township at Pennycook or elsewhere.
1664. The Inhabitants of Chelmsford and numerous towns declare their good content and satisfaction in the present govern- ment. The ruling monarch was Charles II. John Evered, alias Webb, and Samuel Adams empowered to join persons in marriage in Chelmsford.
1665. The Selectmen determined a rate of 8d. pr. acre for every acre of meadow to pay for land the Town bought of the Indians.
"Chelmsford. No deaths in this Towne this yeare. Blessed be the God of life. Entered here by Thomas Danforth, Recorder."
1668. Mention is made of a road laid out this year to the place "where Mr. John Web had his ware [weir] towards Chelms- ford." [Book 3, folio 110 obverse.]
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1670. An order was passed by the inhabitants in town meeting, that after this date there shall be no public meeting for the granting of land, but what is appointed on some lecture day before, and notice thereof given in public after lecture, any order to the contrary notwithstanding. A road was also laid out from Newfield Gate towards Dea. Waldo's farm to Dunstable, 6 poles wide, according to town order.
1677. Ensign William Fletcher, one of the first grantees and a most distinguished character, died Nov. 6.
1680. Chelmsford was one of more than 20 towns which failed to make returns respecting the contributions to the College, and was ordered to report in Boston on Sept. 3, under penalty of £20.
1683. Corn was 2 shillings per bushel.
1691. The new charter commenced, which consolidated the Plymouth, Massachusetts and Sagadahoc grants or colonies into one province. The taxation under this charter, was by single and double rates. A single rate is 12d. on the pole, 1d. upon 20s. principal estate.
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