USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Framingham > History of Framingham, Massachusetts, early known as Danforth's Farms, 1640-1880; with a genealogical register > Part 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
331
War of the Revolution.
conveying his best Furniture to Roxbury, and moved his family into Boston a little before Lexington battle; and remained there so long as he could have the protection of the British troops - and 'tis further observable ; that he left a large Farm on which he had his chief dependence for subsistence, at the most busy season of the year ; and that his most Intimate connections were some of our worst Enemies and Trators.
Per order of the Committee.
Framingham 4th Sept. 1776. Eben' Marshall."
The result of this remonstrance was, that the House of Represen- tatives, Sept. 7, "Resolved, That said Nathaniel Brinley, mentioned in said petition, be continued in the town of Framingham, under the care and inspection of the committee of said town, agreeable to the precept sent to said committee from the Justices of the Court of Inquiry."
The previous Order of the Council was sufficiently explicit ; but this Resolve of the House was ambiguous. And as the action of the Council, and the House of Representative, was not concurrent, our committee appear to have felt justified in ignoring the Orders. And Sept. 9, the wife of Mr. Brinley sent another petition to the Council and House of Representatives, recapitulating the material facts stated in her former petition, and adding : "He has been confined in said town of Framingham for near the space of six weeks *
* and is confined to the limits of one farm in said town, viz. Mr. Benj. Eaton's, and indeed is not allowed to depart said Eaton's house without said Eaton's presence : that he is not permitted to converse with any per- son, friendly or unfriendly to the rights of this State, not even with his wife, unless in the hearing of some one of said Eaton's family ; that he is denied the use of pen, ink and paper, and is under appre- hension of loss of life, should he ever depart from said house : that he was once struck at when in a chaise with said Eaton, which stroke, had it not been happily warded off, would have dangerously hurt him"- and repeats her request that he be ordered to some other inland town.
Sept. 17, 1776, The Council and House of Representatives, in con- currence, "Resolved, That Nathaniel Brinley be put under the care of Francis Brinley Esq. of Newport, R. I., to be forth coming at the order of this Court ; said Francis giving security therefor to the Treasurer in the sum of £600." His bondsmen were Jonathan Jackson of Newburyport, and Joseph Henderson of Boston.
After the war, Mr. Brinley settled in Tyngsborough Mass., where he died in 1814, aged 81.
332
History of Framingham.
INDUSTRIES. - During the period under review, our people lived mainly on home products, and used domestic manufactures. The blankets and clothing supplied to the army were made on the looms in the house-garrets ; the entrenching tools, and the Beef were sent from home. Col. Stone's and Dea. Brown's fulling mills had full employ ; and Elijah Houghton the clothier could not be idle. Andrew Newton's forge, Ebenezer Marshall's trip-hammer, and the forge north of A. G. Kendall's, were kept busy in making farming imple- ments, and builders' materials. Many of the mechanics, enumerated in the last chapter, still lived, and carried on their respective trades.
Peter Parker, cordwainer, was here during his lifetime.
James Greenwood, cabinet-maker and mill-wright, was here as early as 1768, as was also Elijah Flagg, blacksmith.
David Stone and Jonathan Hill, tanners, carried on business at what is known as the Charles Fiske tannery, in 1769. Frederick Manson had a shoemaker's shop in 1770, as did Ebenezer Eaton in '75, though both of them were absent much of the time in the public service. Benj. Eaton Jr., tanner and shoemaker, commenced business in 1774; Asa Morse, shoemaker, was here in '78. Shubael Seaver, blacksmith, lived on the Charles Capen place, which he sold in 1781 to Richard Atwell, blacksmith. Thomas Chandler had a blacksmith's shop east of Addison Belknap's in 1782.
TAVERNS. - In addition to Buckminster's, and Trowbridge's, and Sanger's taverns, John Haven opened a house of entertainment in the old Park house at Park's Corner, as early as 1765 ; Ebenezer Mar- shall took it in 1769, and was here till 1774. Jonas Dean kept it from 1779 to 1794. Joseph Bixby kept tavern at the Hopkins' house, late T. B. Wales Jr., in 1768. Jonathan Locke had a tavern in the Joel Coolidge house, now David Nevins', in 1770. Moses Adams kept a house of entertainment on the old " Silk Farm," 1774 to 1777.
David Patterson's tavern, at Brackett's corner, is named in 1773. Micajah Gleason had a tavern at the Joseph Angier place, now John Hamilton's, in 1774. When he went to the war, his wife carried it on, and was living here as a widow when she married Gen. Nixon.
Ebenezer Eaton, kept a tavern at the Eli Bullard place, on the angle of the roads, east of Warren's bridge, from 1779 to '81.
CHAPTER VII.
1783 - 1830. - MINISTERIAL CANDIDATES - DEATH BY LIGHTNING - REV. DAVID KELLOGG - SHAYS' REBELLION - SINGING - FRAMING- HAM ACADEMY - SMALL POX - PLEASURE CARRIAGES - THE SEVERAL VILLAGES IN 1800 - MAILS AND POST OFFICE - MASONIC LODGE - THE ARTILLERY CO. - FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH - FIRST METHODIST CHURCH - BRACKETT'S CORNER - THIRD MEETING-HOUSE - WORCES- TER TURNPIKE - NEW COMERS- WAR OF ISI2-CAPT. JOHN TEM- PLE'S CO. - THE COTTON FACTORY - THE GREAT BLOW - FIRE ENGINE - SAXON FACTORY -CARPET FACTORY - PAPER MILLS - INFANTRY Co. - BOOK-BINDERY - HATTERS - SAXONVILLE POST OFFICE - INDUSTRIES -TAVERNS - HIGHWAYS.
T seemed to be conducive to clearness of impression, and to accord with the real prominence of our town's position in the events of the period, that an entire chapter should be devoted to the Revolutionary War. This absorbed the popular interest, and con- trolled to a large degree the direction of local affairs ; but the schools were kept up; religious ordinances were scrupulously maintained ; roads were laid out ; and the poor were supported. And it is neces- sary to go back and take up the thread of our general history, where it was left in Chapter V.
MINISTERIAL CANDIDATES. - After the death of Mr. Bridge, com- mittees of the church and town were appointed to supply the pulpit. Mar. 4, 1776, the town directed the committee to employ Mr. Laban Wheaton one month ; and after that to employ Mr. Moses Adams one month. Mr. - Bigelow supplied six weeks ; and then Mr. Wheaton supplied six weeks more. Jan. 27, 1777, the church made choice of Mr. Wheaton to be their pastor, contents, 40, non-contents, 20. The town concurred with the church in their action, and "Voted £200 as an encouragement to Mr. W. to settle among us ; and £100 for his annual salary." Mr. Wheaton declined the call, and preached a fare- well sermon July 13. Laban Wheaton was a graduate of H. U. 1774 ; and after leaving Framingham, studied law, and became distinguished at the bar ; was member of congress ; died 1846.
334
History of Framingham.
DEATHS BY LIGHTNING. - An incident occurred this year (1777) which made a lasting impression on the public mind. While Mr. Wheaton was supplying the pulpit, he negotiated for the purchase of a horse ; and arranged with Mr. John Clayes, who lived at Salem End, where is now the L. O. Emerson house, to examine and try the animal. June 3, a little after noon, some of the neighbors came together to witness the trial. Besides Mr. Clayes, there were present Abraham Rice, Peter Parker, Simon Pratt and his son Ephraim. Mr. Parker mounted the horse, and had ridden to a considerable distance away, when a small cloud suddenly came up from the northwest. On his return, the company, who had been in the house during his absence, came out towards the road. A few drops of rain were at this moment falling. As Mr. Parker rode up, Mr. Clayes stepped outside the gate, leaving the others leaning against the fence within ; and just as he took the horse by the bridle, the lightning struck the party, and prostrated them all on the ground. Mr. Clayes, Mr. Rice, and the horse were instantly killed. Mr. Parker lay as if dead, but gradually recovered consciousness, though a long time elapsed before he fully regained his health. The boy, who was standing a short distance from the rest, recovered immediately. Mr. Pratt came to slowly, and suffered from the stroke for a long time. Mr. Clayes was struck in the head, the fluid passing along the neck and breast and down both legs, leaving a well-defined mark, but not injuring his shoes. The horse was also struck in the head, and marks of the light- ning were visible down both fore legs. The party all wore woolen clothes, and were all singed in body and dress. There was but this single flash of lightning from the cloud, and only a few drops of rain. Mr. Rice was in his 80th year, and Mr. Clayes was 41. The sad event was commemorated in an elegy written by Miss Lydia Learned, which was printed and widely circulated. Two stanzas are inscribed on the grave-stone, which may be found in the old cemetery.
Rev. Solomon Reed supplied the pulpit for a time, beginning Aug. 10, 1777. Jan. 4, 1778, Mr. Ezra Ripley preached, and supplied nine Sabbaths. April 5, Mr. David Kellogg preached, and supplied for three months. July 12, Mr. Willard of Mendon preached. In Sep- tember, Mr. Eliot preached ; and in that month and October, Mr. Guild, and Mr. Gannett supplied for one or more Sabbaths. The amount paid for each Sabbath was " the price of 8 bushels of Indian corn at market."
REV. DAVID KELLOGG. - Nov. 18, 1778, was, by vote of the church, observed as a day of fasting and prayer, preparatory to their choice of a minister. Nov. 20, "the church met and elected Mr. Kellogg their
335
Rev. David Kellogg.
pastor by a large majority, contents, 48, non-contents, 7." Dec. 7, by a vote of 123 to 14, the town chose Mr. K. for their minister, offering him fifteen hundred pounds as a settlement, and one hundred pounds annual salary. To this call, April 25, Mr. Kellogg gave a negative answer, though he continued to supply the pulpit. Dec. 6, 1779, the town "voted to give Mr. Kellogg $4 per day for preaching, to be as good as money was 5 years ago." The call was renewed July 3, 1780, when the town offered him £346, 13, 4 as a settlement, and £100 per year as a salary, to be paid in Indian corn at 3 s. per bushel, and rye at 4 s. "Nevertheless, in case of infirmity or age he should not be able to supply the pulpit, he is to receive but half said salary." " Voted, to give Mr. K. annually 20 cords of wood, upon the same terms as his salary." One of the reasons which prevented Mr. Kellogg's acceptance of his first call was, that he should receive a fifth part of his salary in pork, and a large fraction of the balance in beef, cider, sheep's wool and flax. Another delaying reason was the diffi- culty of finding a desirable farm on which to "settle." Mr. Ebenezer Eaton would sell his Tavern stand (the Eli Bullard place) to the town, "if he could have his pay in rye, Indian corn, and salt pork, at certain prices ;" but the town thought it "not convenient to purchase the said place at this time." As is well known, the place finally secured as a "settlement " was the farm previously owned by his predecessor, now owned by Wm. H. Mellen. Apr. 2, 1781, the town chose James Clayes Jr., Peter Parker, and Lieut. Gideon Haven a committee " to assist the Treasurer in giving security to the heirs of the Rev. Mr. Bridge for what the town gave Mr. Kellogg as a settlement."
Mr. Kellogg accepted the call on the terms proposed by the town. Nov. 27, 1780, The church met and Voted 1, "That this church for the future will consider all persons who have been dedicated to God in baptism, under the special watch and inspection of the church, and subject to the same discipline with those in full communion. Voted 2, that Wednesday Jan. 10, 1781 be the day for the ordination of Mr. Kellogg. Voted 3, to invite the following pastors with their respective churches to assist on said day in the capacity of an ordaining Council, viz. Rev. Messrs. Stone of Southborough, Harrington of Lancaster, Parsons of Amherst, Prentice of Holliston, Badger of Natick, Buck- minster of Rutland, Bridge of East Sudbury, Brown of Sherborn, Fitch of Hopkinton, Biglow of Sudbury. Voted 4, That the church make no extraordinary provision for a promiscuous multitude, as has been customary on such occasions ; thinking the practice repugnant to the rules of the Gospel, and tends to such vain sporting as is utterly inconsistent with the solemnities of the day." "The church then proceeded to inquire of the pastor elect what were his sentiments
336
History of Framingham.
respecting Church Discipline ; or how he expected to discipline the church, provided he should under God take the pastoral charge of the same? To which he replied, that he was willing to conform to the same mode of discipline that was pursued in the time of Mr. Bridge ; or that he was willing to adhere to the Cambridge Platform (Elder- ship excluded) agreeably to the custom of these New England Con- gregational churches .- The church by unanimous vote expressed satisfaction."
Dec. 11, 1780. At a town meeting, "Voted to concur with the church in their vote to ordain Mr. Kellogg on Jan. 10. Voted, that Capt. Lawson Buckminster, Lieut. Samuel Stone, Thomas Buckmin- ster, Col. John Trowbridge, and Capt. Simon Edgell be a committee to provide for the Council." Also chose a committee "to see that the lower gallery be properly supported ; and that the upper gallery be made secure so that no person be permitted to go into it on said day." Also chose a committee of seven "to take care of the meeting- house, and let no person in till the Council and church were seated."
Jan. 10, 1781, Mr. David Kellogg was ordained. "The day was stormy," and only Rev. Messrs. Buckminster, Stone, Bridge, Fitch and Bigelow of the pastors invited, were present. Mr. Bridge preached the sermon from 2 Cor. v, 20.
David Thet
The peculiar terms of payment of Mr. K's salary, made it a matter of nice calculation how much he should annually receive. Hence it was customary each year at the annual town meeting, to choose a committee to confer with the pastor, and determine the present prices of corn and rye, and how much more or less than froo is equivalent to the original agreement. In April 1809, such a committee reported : " That 250 bushels of rye at 6s. per bushel produced $250, and 3331/3 bushels of corn at 5s. amount to $277.78, making $527.78, which quantities of grain are agreeable to the original contract, and with which sum Mr. Kellogg will be content." In 1821, a similar com- mittee reported as follows : "That estimating rye at 75 cts. per bushel, and corn at 50 cts., Mr. K's salary, according to the terms of his con- tract, amounts to $375.17. And in consideration that he, during a considerable part of the late war, when corn and rye were worth from one to two dollars per bushel, consented to receive a much less sum than was due by his contract, your committee have thought it reason- able to recommend a grant of $450,"- which sum the town voted to appropriate.
337
Singing.
SHAYS' REBELLION. - Jan. 15, 1787. Upon summons issued by the commissioned officers, the three militia companies of this town met, and enlisted the number of men called for. They rendezvoused at Weston Jan. 20 ; were with the forces under command of Maj. Gen. Lincoln, and marched as far as Worcester. Our men returned Feb. 27. Framingham was called upon to furnish stores for this expedition; and sent 2296 lbs. of bread, 1120 lbs. of beef, and 5 bushels of beans, for which the State allowed the sum of £36. 13. 6.
SINGING. - This part of religious worship had an important place in the Sabbath services, in our fathers' time. In Mr. Swift's day, few, except the pastor and deacons, had psalm-books ; and it was custom- ary for the minister to read the psalm in full, when the senior deacon would rise, face the audience, and repeat the first line, which would be sung by the congregation ; and so on to the end of the six or eight stanzas. Before Mr. Bridge's day, an edition of the Psalms and Hymns was printed, containing a collection of thirty-seven tunes inserted at the end. Mr. Bridge was a good singer, and was accus- tomed to meet such of his people as chose to come for instruction and practice in music. July 1754, a vote was passed by the church, " desir- ing seven brethren, viz., John Cloyes, Benjamin Pepper, John Farrar, Bezaleel and David Rice, Samuel Dedman, and Daniel Adams, together with Mr. Ebenezer Marshall to take immediate care to qualify themselves to set the psalm in public ; and as soon as they are properly qualified, to lead the assembly in that part of Divine Worship."
The first attempt to form a choir was made in 1768, when a number of singers petitioned the town "to appropriate the front seat in the upper gallery for their use, that they might sit together."
Soon after the formation of the choir, stringed instruments were introduced, to set the tune, and lead the voices. But it gave great offence to older people. On one occasion, when the violin was dis- abled, an old man, in terms more forcible than polite, gave thanks aloud that the Lord's fiddle was broken ! Some years later, when Billings' Collection was introduced, and the choir for the first time sang the tune of "David the King," an aged man cried out, "hold, hold !" and seizing his hat left the meeting-house.
The custom of "lining the psalm " continued for a long time after the organization of a choir; but it was very annoying to them. It ceased about 1785, and on this wise : Old Deacon Brown, who as senior deacon had the right to perform the service, was rather slow in his movements, and had the habit of adjusting his glasses and clear- ing his throat before beginning to read. At the date in question,
338
History of Framingham.
Col. David Brewer was chosen chorister. Taking advantage of the Deacon's well known habit, on the first Sabbath of his leadership, the Colonel (acting no doubt on a previous understanding with his choir) struck in singing so quick after Mr. Kellogg had finished reading, that the Deacon had no chance to begin his work. He looked up in amazement -and so did a great many others in the congregation. After that, there was no more attempt to "deacon the hymn."
In 1798, the town granted $30 to hire a singing master. For several years, the annual proceeds of the alewive fishery in Cochituate brook were given to the singers, and hence received the name of the singers fish privilege. The town was accustomed to choose annually a com- mittee " to regulate the singing." In 1805, the town "voted, that the singers shall regulate themselves, so long as they shall continue to fill the seats assigned them, and behave with decency and order."
Mar. 1, 1824, the town "voted to grant $100 for the support of a singing school; and that the money be divided between the two socie- ties in proportion to the tax they pay. Chose as a committee, Silas Hunt, Dexter Hemenway and Henry Brewer in Rev. Mr. Kellogg's society ; John Wenzell Jr., H. H. Hyde and Wm Greenwood in Rev. Mr. Train's society, to lay out the money."
FRAMINGHAM ACADEMY. - Early in the spring of 1792, Rev. David Kellogg and twenty-two associates organized as The Proprietors of the Brick School House in Framingham; and built a school house on the west side of the Training Field, where is now the stone school house. The house was two stories high, and cost £176. 9. 6. The associates were : David Kellogg, Jona. Hale, David Brewer, Simon Edgell, Elijah Stone, Peter Clayes, Ezra Haven, Joseph Bennett, Matthias Bent Jr., John Trowbridge Jr., Samuel Frost Jr., Jona. Rugg, John Fiske, Ebenezer Eaton, Thomas Buckminster, Jona. Maynard, Elisha Frost, Barzillai Bannister, Lawson Buckminster, Lawson Nurse, Samuel Bullard and Andrew Brown. The object, as stated in the constitution, was " to disseminate piety, virtue and useful knowledge ; and establish a Grammar school in said town, as a school of liberal arts and sciences." The by-laws provided, that " no person shall be admitted a member of the Society, unless he sustains a good moral character ;" and that " no person shall be admitted as a preceptor in the school, unless he has received a collegiate education, and been endowed with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in some University." " Every branch of science shall be taught in said school, which is con-
ducive to private benefit, or of public utility and importance ; * a primary regard being had to the initiation of youth into principles of piety and virtue." "Children of both sexes shall be admitted upon
339
Framingham Academy.
equal terms." "The charges of the school shall be levied upon the polls (meaning the scholars,)"
Oct. 17, 1793, the Proprietors received Deeds of one acre of land for the school house site, i. e. 34 of an acre of Thomas Buckminster, and 14 of Samuel Frost. The lot extended on the east to the line of the Common and Training Field, which line was several rods easterly of the present highway. In 1822, two acres of land additional, and adjoining the other lot, was purchased of Thomas Buckminister, by the Academy Trustees, all together constituting what is known as Academy Land.
The school was opened Nov. 27, 1792, under the instruction of James Hawley, afterwards Tutor in Harvard University.
In 1798, the Proprietors petitioned the Legislature for an act of incorporation as an Academy : and the town voted to grant $rooo to support the Academy school, i. e. the interest of said sum to be paid annually, provided it will exempt the town from keeping a grammar school ; and provided further that the Legislature will make a grant of half a Township of Land at the eastward, to the Academy. [The $60 interest was annually paid, till 1824, when it was ascertained that such a town appropriation was illegal ; and it was discontinued.]
Mar. 1, 1799, the Legislature passed "An Act for establishing an Academy in Framingham," and appointed the following persons a board of Trustees, viz. Rev. David Kellogg, Rev. Josiah Bridge, Rev. Jacob Bigelow, Artemas Ward Jr., Jona. Maynard, Jona. Hale, Samuel Frost, Peter Clayes, and David Brewer. "And be it further enacted, that the said Academy be endowed with a tract of land equal to one- half of a township of six miles square, of any unappropriated lands within the counties of Hancock and Washington." June 4, 1802, this half Township, situated in Washington county on the eastern boun- dary of Maine, was conveyed to the Trustees, and was known as the "Framingham Grant." This tract of land, which contained 11,520 acres, was sold by the Trustees in 1803, to Jona. Maynard and Samuel Weed for $5000, for which sum the grantees executed a bond, said bond constituting a fund, the interest of which was applied for the support of the school. Final payment of the principal of said bond was made May 15, 1833. This half-township was included in the land ceded to Great Britain by the Ashburton Treaty ; and has since been surveyed and located by a claimant, who has been paid for the same by the U. S. Government.
The Academy thus established, became an important factor in the social life, the educational standing, and the material prosperity of the town. The varied and good fruits of the institution have been ripen- ing for three generations, and are not yet all gathered. It numbers
340
History of Framingham.
among its alumni, hundreds of successful teachers and professional men, embracing the names of those well known in ecclesiastical, political and judicial departments in our own State, and throughout the country.
In 1822, the Trustees erected a dwelling-house for the preceptor, where is now the High school building, at a cost of $3,500.
In 1826, John Trowbridge devised by will, a legacy of $500 to the Trustees, the interest of which has since been applied, agreeably to the directions of the donor, in aid of young men of this town prepar- ing for college.
In 1837, the original brick structure was taken down, and re-placed by a stone school house (now used for the primary school). The cost was $3000.
In 1838, Micah Stone left by will a legacy of $3000, the interest of which was to be applied to the reduction of the charge of tuition to pupils belonging to the town. This legacy was recovered by the heirs, after the Academy was merged in the town High School.
By acts of the Legislature, passed May 30, 1851, and Mar. 15, 1852, the Trustees of the Academy were authorized to convey to the town, all the property belonging to said corporation, including all trust funds, provided the said town shall establish and forever maintain, upon the real estate so conveyed, a Town High School. The School Com- mittee were authorized to act as Trustees, and the Town Treasurer to act as the corporation Treasurer. The supreme court decided that this transfer of property to the town, and vesting the rights and powers of the Trustees in certain impersonal officers, virtually dissolved the Academy corporation. Had the board of Trustees continued in the exercise of their functions, and kept proper Records, even though the same individuals should hold the two offices of Trustee and School Committee, the trust fund would not have been forfeited.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.