USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Dedham > History of Dedham, Massachusetts > Part 29
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* See Proceedings at the 250th Anniversary of the Incorporation of Dedhan. Published 1887.
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The Dedham of 1636 and of 1886 are one and the same by historic continuity, however, they may be separated by time. At the conclusion of the exercises in the church, the procession reformed and marched to the large tent on Richards' Field on High Street which was filled with eleven hundred ladies and gentlemen. Upon the platform were seated the presiding officers: Hon. Frederick D. Ely, Hon. John D. Long, Lieut .- Gov. Ames, Hon. George White, Hon. A. W. Beard, Hon. Robert A. Bishop, ex-Gov. Fairbanks of Vermont, Hon. J. Q. A. Brackett, Hon. George W. Wiggin and others. The Schubert Club furnished appropriate music during the dinner hour. The following gentle- men responded in happy vein to the toasts offered by the presid- ing officer.
"The Commonwealth of Massachusetts! The protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of her people have been con- served and promoted by a long line of wise, devoted, and far-seeing supreme executive magistrates." The Hon. George D. Robinson, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
"The City of Boston! Distinguished not more for its literary, educational and scientific institutions, than for the honor, integ- rity, and magnificent generosity of its inhabitants." The Hon- orable Hugh O'Brien, Mayor of the City of Boston.
"The Fathers of New England! Surrendering with reluc- tance a proud and exclusive individuality in the interests of the common defence and the general welfare, these plain and sober but brave masters of a commanding common-sense constructed a frame of civil government unsurpassed in strength and endur- ance." Rev. Dr. George E. Ellis, President of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
"Sons and Daughters of Dedham, and Descendants wherever dispersed! God bless them! We welcome them with open arms to the hospitality of this occasion." Dr. William Everett of Quincy.
"The Common Schools, the best birthright of every child in Puritan New England. Collegiate education the noblest gift that the parent can bestow on her children." In the two, fostered and encouraged by the law from the beginning "lies the secret of the success and character of New England." Rev. Dr. Timothy
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Dwight, President of Yale College and the Orator of the Day, Erastus Worthington, Esq.
"The Patriot Soldiers of Dedham! Brave and true men, they fought not for ambition or title or fame, but for their coun- try, for freedom, for humanity." Colonel James W. Ellis of West Dedham,
1st. Committee of Arrangements! We recognize with thanks their zeal and efficiency in the performance of their duties on this occasion. 2d. The Pilgrim Fathers. Winslow Warren, Esq.
"Our Naturalized Fellow Citizens! Loyal to every duty of peace or war. Happy, proud America knows no distinction be- tween her children by birth and her children by adoption." Rev. Robert J. Johnson.
"The Town of Dedham! Stable in character, proud and con- servative in conduct, she points with pride to two hundred and fifty years of steady and unbroken progress; to every obligation properly met; to her ample treasury and her freedom from debt; to her liberal appropriations for public education; and to her happy, contented, and prosperous inhabitants." Alonzo B. Wentworth, Esq.
Three Band Concerts were given during the afternoon by the Cadet Band and the Norwood Band. An elaborate display of fireworks was given on the Common in the evening with a general illumination of the town.
The collection of articles of local and historical interest which was displayed in the Parish House of the First Church attracted much attention. A prominent feature of the exhibit was the representation of an old-fashioned New England kitchen, illustrating the primitive habits and simple life of those who dwelt in the Dedham of a century ago. The main hall of the building was almost entirely filled with a collection of more than a thousand specimens of ancient articles, embracing very valu- able contributions of Indian and Colonial relics, silver, glass, china, plated and wooden ware, chairs, furniture, household uten- sils, embroidery, fancy work, wearing apparel, etc., tastefully arranged and displayed. In connection with the celebration was the planting (on November 5, 1886) of two Norway maple trees, in the rear of the First Church, the gift of the Hon. Theodore
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Lyman of Brookline. Today these trees are flourishing in vigor and beauty.
The Committee on historic tablets and monuments did a not- able work in permanently marking with tablets the following places: The Burial Place, The Training Field, The First Dam and Mill, The Pillow of Liberty, The Powder House.
The Committee designated by temporary inscriptions the following historical houses and places: The Avery Oak, The Fairbanks House, Houses of the Ministers of the Dedham Churches, The House of Timothy Dwight, The Dexter House, House of Dr. Nathaniel Ames, House of Fisher Ames, The Haven House, The Dowse House, The Shuttleworth House, The Wood- ward Tavern, together with the sites of many other places of historical interest.
The Dedham Historical Society celebrated the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Dedham, at a largely attended meeting in the Parish House of the First Church, on Monday evening, September 14, 1886. Henry O. Hildreth, Presi- dent of the Society presided. Interesting papers were read by Erastus Worthington upon "Indian Titles and the Indian Village of Natick"; by Carlos Slafter upon "The Ancient Burying Place of Dedham"; by Rev. Calvin S. Locke upon "Incidents in the History of West Dedham"; and by Henry O. Hildreth upon "Some of the Old Dedham Houses."
TERCENTENARY CELEBRATION. The Massachusetts Bay Tercentenary of 1630 was observed in Dedham during the National Legion Week, October 6-11. In accordance with a vote of the town, a committee of one hundred was appointed by the Moderator of the Town Meeting to arrange for the celebration. The committee was divided into sub-committees and elaborate programs worked out during the summer and fall. It was soon found that the town's appropriation of $500 was not adequate to meet the expense of an appropriate celebration, so contribu- tions were solicited. The appeal was immediately and generously met by 1,255 citizens who contributed $2,639.21 in addition to the town's appropriation.
The first event was a Patriotic Meeting held in Stone Park on Sunday afternoon, October 5, which was enjoyed by 5000
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persons. The Lilly Band gave a concert from one until two o'clock. The program opened with the singing of "America" by 500 school children and the audience. The invocation was offered by the Rev. George P. O'Conor, followed by an address by His Excellency, Governor Frank G. Allen, who spoke interestingly on former governors of the Commonwealth, dwelling particularly on Governor Winthrop and of the hardships and privations of life in his time. The following Tercentenary Hymn, written by the Hon. Frederic J. Stimson, was sung by the school children. The music was arranged for the chorus and band by Arthur W. Thayer who had charge of the musical program of the entire celebration.
TERCENTENARY HYMN Frederic J. Stimson
Music-"Pilgrims Song" (A. D. 1200-1400)-"Supposed to date from the time of the Crusaders."
Not with the sword-but with Bible, and the spade and plough
Sought they soft lands "above the Falls,"
Dedham, the "garden town," By them "Contentment" named,
Still sing our little birds as then their madrigals.
Girt by still waters still, shadowed by wood and hill,
Cradle of strong men who did their part,
Dedham, to build our State; Soldiers or scholars yet
Our country now as then to lead in head and heart!
Addresses were given by United States Senator David I. Walsh; Major General Sir William B. Hickie, K. C. B. 16th Irish Division; Major General Clarence R. Edwards, U. S. A. (Retired). The Benediction was pronounced by the Rev. Francis Lee Whitte- more. The audience united in singing "The Star Spangled Banner." The Girl Scouts under the command of Miss Sophie Gelavitz, acted as ushers. A Red Cross tent in charge of Miss Ethel E. Shine, and fully equipped with a staff of assistants, was set up on the field ready for any emergency.
PARADE. The parade on Saturday afternoon, October 11, was the most colorful procession ever seen in Dedham. At 3 o'clock William Dolan, acting as "Town Crier," appeared dressed in a Puritan high crown hat, white collar and cuffs, knickers, and buckled shoes, carrying his ancient bell and crying, "Hear ye!"
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"Hear ye!" "The great Tercentenary parade is about to appear." The parade was in charge of Major Frederick Breen, M. N. G., Chief Marshal; Robert Bishop, U. S. A. (Retired) Adjutant; An- son H. Smith, Commander Dedham Post No. 18 A. L., Chief of Staff. There were about 10,000 persons in line; a hundred floats, and scores of fire apparatus in the parade which covered a route of three and one half miles and in itself was four miles in length taking one hour and forty minutes to pass a given point. It was conservatively estimated that 60,000 people were assembled along the route. The procession started from Oakdale square at pre- cisely 3 o'clock. The route of the parade was from Oakdale ave- nue to Walnut street, to Hartnett square; to High street ; through Memorial square to Church street; to Village avenue; to High street passing the Review Stand before the Court House to the disbanding point on Washington street. As the parade entered Memorial square, a formation of many Navy planes from Squan- tum went through air manoeuvers in the sky, assisted by four private planes dipping, wheeling, and circling over the whole scene. The parade was reviewed by his Excellency Governor Frank G. Allen; George Granville Darling, chairman of the Ter- centenary Committee; Congressman Richard B. Wigglesworth; State Senator Samuel H. Wragg; Major General Clarence R. Ed- wards; Major General Alfred E. Foote; Brigadier General E. Dwight Fullerton; and other military and civil dignitaries. Several hundred others occupied chairs which were placed on the Registry lawn and on the Court House steps, and also on the Dedham Com- munity Association grounds. Houses and business blocks along the entire route were attractively decorated. More than one hun- dred floats representing organizations and the tradesmen of the town were in line.
Among the floats of especial interest were :
(a) The Spirit of Massachusetts, (b) The Spirit of 1930, (c) America's Welcome to the Nations.
There were a dozen floats of a historical nature of interest.
(a) A Miniature of the first free school in America to be supported by taxation, (b) A Log Cabin, (c) Early Home Life, (d) Betsey Ross, (e) Powder House, (f) A float bearing a sprig of ivy from the grave of John Rogers, of Dedham, England,
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(g) The Pilgrim Sabbath, (h) A quilting party in the middle of the 18th century.
Chief Henry J. Harrigan and Staff of the Dedham Fire De- partment, followed in the procession by nearly a score of big red fire trucks from Boston and many other places in the state and county. The celebration closed at Stone Park where 12,000 people enjoyed the grandest display of fireworks ever exhibited in Ded- ham and a band concert by the Lilly Band.
CELEBRATION OF THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE FREE PUBLIC SCHOOL IN DEDHAM. The commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of a free public school in Dedham was a notable event. It was held on January 11, 1895. The occasion was honored by the presence of the Hon. Winslow Warren of Dedham, Collector of the Port of Boston, and the representative of the President of the United States; His Excellency Frederic G. Greenhelge, Gov- ernor of the Commonwealth; His Honor Roger Wolcott, Lieuten- ant Governor; and the Hon. Frank A. Hill, Secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education. The exercises were attended by a large concourse of people who very early filled Memorial Hall, and many outside failed to gain admittance. Pre- vious to the public exercises a reception was held in the lower Memorial Hall to distinguished guests. Hon. Frederic D. Ely. Chairman of the School Committee, presided. Prayer was offered by the Rev. William H. Fish, Jr., Minister of the First Church in Dedham.
The Historical Address was given by Carlos Slafter, Prin- cipal of the Dedham High School. In his address Mr. Slafter emphasized the fact that the celebration was chiefly to commemo- rate the institution of a free public school established, controlled, and supported by the free men of this town. We have come here, in fact, to honor a band of pioneers in educational progress, who in 1644 made a bold and successful adventure. Other addresses were given by the Hon. Winslow Warren, Governor Greenhelge, Lieut. Governor Wolcott, and the Hon. Frank A. Hill. Music appropriate to the occasion was furnished by a chorus of three hundred pupils under the leadership of Samuel W. Cole, Director of Music in the public schools of the town.
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WASHINGTON BICENTENNIAL OBSERVANCE. The observance of Washington's Bicentennial was celebrated in the First Church in Dedham on Sunday, February 28, 1932, by the Reverend Lyman V. Rutledge assisted by Constellation Lodge of Masons and Contentment Chapter of the Eastern Star. Special music arranged by Mr. Arthur W. Thayer for this observance was adapted to the theme of the evening. Bach's Prelude to the great G Minor Fugere, representing the highest development of music before the birth of Washington, was played at the beginning of the service. During the offertory, there was ren- dered a melody, played by British fifers at the Surrender of Yorktown, entitled "The World Turned Upside Down." As a postlude a selection from the New World Symphony, a musical portrayal of modern American life since Washington's time, made a fitting close. Other musical numbers, during the service were also adapted to it. It was on the steps of this same Meeting house that the blessing of God was invoked by the Reverend Mr. Gordon of Roxbury, on the veterans of the French Wars, who gathered on the church green, on the morning of April 19, 1775, and followed their sons who had previously marched to the post of danger, led by Hezekiah Fuller and Nathaniel Sumner. Mr. Rutledge took as a subject "Washington the Corner Stone", and gave an eloquent address reviewing the life of Washington as a citizen, general, statesman, and Mason.
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS. As the Sons of Liberty, who set up the column in honor of those who were most instrumental in saving America from the tyranny of the Stamp Act, had annual celebrations in honor of those who gained its repeal, so the inhabitants of Dedham through the years have celebrated the birth of our independence. The Fourth of July has long been celebrated in Dedham in the spirit of John Adams who wrote to General James Warren, July 2*, 1776: "It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this Continent to the other, from this time forever." At first the observance consisted of the ringing of bells and the display of fireworks; later, by
* The date on which a resolution was passed that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states.
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public exercises and dinners. Eloquent orations were given from time to time by distinguished guests and prominent citizens.
The following reference to the day in the weekly press of 1818 illustrates the spirit of town celebrations. Until this year there has been no general notice of the Fourth of July by the citizens of the town since 1812. On Saturday last a large number of respectable citizens assembled at the Norfolk House for the purpose of celebrating the anniversary of the birthday of our independence. The Hon. James Richardson presided at the table assisted by James Foord, Esq., as Vice-President. Everything was harmonious and pleasant and formed an agreeable contrast with the divisions and alienations of former times. The following were among the toasts given:
The Day We Celebrate. When the Sons of the Republic as- sembled around the altar of patriotism to sacrifice to the memory of their Fathers.
The President of the United States. Supported by the affec- tions of the people, he fears not the intrigues of any rival.
Agriculture, Commerce, and Manufactures. Like the Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri, pour their united streams in the mighty current of natural wealth and grandeur.
To the Memory of Washington.
Again in 1823, July 4* was celebrated with the usual demon- strations of joy. The dinner was served to about three hundred citizens on the Church green. The toasts were many and patri- otic, a band of music from Stoughton and the old cannon added to the cheers with which the toasts were received by the company. The Hon. James Richardson presided and read the Declaration of Independence. A spirited oration was given in the Meeting house by the Hon. Horace Mann.
The 55th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was commemorated in an appropriate and special manner in 1831 with a large concourse of people from this and adjoining towns in attendance. Thirteen discharges of the old cannon announced the dawn of the day. These were followed by twenty-four at sunrise and immediately succeeded simultaneous peals from the
* Mann's Diary.
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bells. A large procession, marshalled by Col. A. Guild and Mr. H. Munroe, proceeded to the Rev. Mr. Lamson's Meeting house where exercises were held. The procession then returned to Alden Hotel where an excellent dinner was served.
Dedham took part in a great Fourth of July celebration at Medfield in 1840, by the Democrats of the neighboring towns. A national salute was fired in the morning to usher in the glorious day and all the usual demonstrations of joy and gratitude were manifested on the occasion. A parade which was estimated to include seventy-five hundred persons was formed at Clark's Hotel under the direction of Capt. Jonathan Wight accompanied by the Sherborn Brass Band. A large number of ladies joined the procession who entered fully into the spirit of the celebration. The procession included twelve heroes of the Revolution, although sixty-five years had elapsed since some of them had taken part in the battle of Concord and Lexington. The exercises were held in a beautiful grove near the Hotel. The Declaration' of Indepen- dence was read by Ezra Wilkinson, Esq., of Dedham. An eloquent oration was given by Col. Seth J. Thomas of Charlestown. The dinner was served under a large pavillion, erected for the purpose, with seats for six hundred persons. Nothing but lemonade and cold water was placed upon the tables as a beverage. There was an enthusiasm much deeper than that produced by "hard cider." Of the many patriotic toasts offered on the occasion the first toast was as follows: "The Day. A glorious page in the annals of our race. It will shine with undiminished luster until every child of humanity shall have cause to bless the Fourth of July."
Among the Revolutionary heroes at the table was the Hon. Ebenezer Fisher, then in his 90th year, who was at the Battle of Lexington. During the war he did much to furnish men and provisions for the army. The following toast was given by Mr. Fisher: "This day we venerate the principles of liberty so ably defined and maintained by Dickerson, Franklin, Henry, Samuel Adams and others, and well illustrated by Jefferson, Madison, and Sullivan, and successfully defended by our heroic Washington with his brave soldiers in arms."
FLAG RAISING. About 1870 a flag pole was erected in
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Franklin Square on the Church Street end. It was a solid pole and half way up there was a crosstree and above that a smaller pole towered "way up into the sky." A line had been run through the cap of the upper pole so that a flag could be sent up easily. The Fourth of July was selected for the flag raising and "exer- cises." A small stand was built around the foot of the pole, so that all could be seen and heard who took part. There was to be singing of the Star Spangled Banner by Miss Grace King; the band was to play and Erastus Worthington, Esq., was to make a speech and the flag was to be unfurled to the breeze.
On the great day the band played some lively tunes, Miss King's voice floated through the Star Spangled Banner and then Mr. Worthington came forward. Now it had been arranged that at a certain phrase in his address, the flag should be unfurled and float gracefully in the breeze. In order to bring this about, the flag had been folded up in a small bundle and tied about with the flag rope so that a good twitch of the rope would untie the knot and free it, so it could move as it ought to in the breeze. The time came, Mr. Worthington raised his voice in stentorian tones, and with an appropriate gesture, hand and arm upraised, he shouted, "This flag shall never fall", and then jumped about two and a half feet in the air, as the man who was to twitch the rope did so with such good will, that instead of untying the rope, it broke the wood in the cap and down came the bundle within about two feet of Mr. Worthington, startling him beyond measure. There was a terrible pause and tremendous pow-wow among the notables on the platform. They did not know what to do. But the man for the occasion was present. He had just returned from the naval service of Uncle Sam. He stepped forward, volun- teered to put matters in the proper trim, took off his coat, tied up the bundle as a sailor knows how to tie up anything with a rope, hitched the rope about his waist, jumped for and caught the lower spikes, which made a sort of ladder to the crosstree, hauled himself up, ran up the crosstree and then "shinnied" up the small pole. It bent and swayed as he reached the top, but he hung there, ran the line through another hole in the cap and then came down as only Uncle Sam's Jackie can. By this time the enthusiasm of the audience was venting itself in roars. Mr.
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Worthington then went through that part of the speech again and at the right moment the flag floated proudly in the breeze. The hero of the day was Edward Coville.
COLUMBUS DAY CELEBRATION. The four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America was celebrated by pupils of the public schools, with parents and friends in Memorial Hall on the evening of Columbus Day, October 12, 1892. The audi- ence taxed the utmost seating and standing capacity of the hall. The program opened with the singing of "To Thee O Country" by a chorus of two hundred school children. The introductory address was given by Judge Frederick D. Ely who explained that the idea of a western passage to the Indies did not originate with Columbus, he was the only man of his time who made it his own and by his unbounded faith in it, his indomitable will and his skill in dealing with men, at last aroused sufficient interest to enable him to enter upon and successfully carry out his voyage of discovery. This wonderful work crowned by complete success placed Christopher Columbus in the foremost rank of the great and illustrious men whose names adorn and illuminate the pages of history and shine with increasing luster from age to age.
The President's proclamation was read by Master Walter H. Young, and the Governor's proclamation by Master Edward S. Baker. The boys were in good voice and did so well that they won the generous applause of the audience. "The Star Spangled Banner" with solo and chorus was sung. The solo by Mrs. L. R. Hooper was finely rendered .*
Hon. George Fred Williams, a native of Dedham, was the orator of the occasion. Mr. Williams gave a very eloquent and discriminating address ** and in closing said: "As we end the service of this day, may our work seem good to us. Such a cele- bration is not in vain, it is an honor done to fame which keeps fame honored. Today we give to Columbus the honor due to bravery, dignity, persistence, earnestness, faith, foresight,
* Mrs. Hooper (Louise R. Adams) was a native of Dedham. Prof. W. H. Clarke the distinguished organist, says "She was Dedham's sweetest singer. From my earliest remembrance she had one of the most beautiful natural voices I ever heard, even without the cultivation, which afterwards gave her a position in the leading churches of Boston."
** The address of Judge Ely and that of Mr. Williams were printed in full in the Dedham Transcript of October 29, 1892.
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achievement; these are the foundation of his fame. When we honor the fame which a few noble men have acquired, we may stir the spark of genius in some who yet have their work before them. May some feel the impulse of this day, the confidence that honors come to those who deserve them, that the virtues live through time and their practise is the path to fame. The exercises closed with an anvil chorus and the singing by the pupils and the audience of "America."
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