USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Framingham > History of Framingham, Massachusetts, early known as Danforth's Farms, 1640-1880; with a genealogical register > Part 39
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The society has grown slowly but steadily, and now numbers about eighty members. The pastors that have been stationed here since the formation of the society are : Rev. F. B. Hamblin who died after having preached only two sabbaths, and Rev. J. M. Avann, 1869; Rev. Seth C. Carey, 1870-72; Rev. John H. Mansfield, 1873; Rev. Joshua Gill, 1874-5, and 1879-81; Rev. D. K. Merrill, 1876; Rev. Phineas Sloper, 1877; Rev. John H. Emerson, 1878; Rev. Almon F. Hoyt, 1882 ; Rev. Wm Full, 1883.
THE SOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, composed largely of mem- bers dismissed from the church at the Centre for that purpose, was organized at South Framingham Jan. 2, 1873. The meetings were first held in Nobscot Hall. A commodious chapel was built and dedicated in 1874. The original number of members was 57. Rev. D. M. Bean, Y. C. 1858, was acting pastor, 1873-79; Rev. Wm R. Eastman, Y. C. 1854, was installed Feb. 12, 1880. Number of mem- bers Jan. 1, 1882, 132. [1883. A large and imposing church edifice is now in course of erection].
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THE FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF SOUTH FRAMINGHAM Was organized Apr. 28, 1878 ; reorganized under the statute, Apr. 5, 1881. The original number of members was twenty seven. A neat church edifice was built on Franklin str., and dedicated Nov. 9, 1882. Rev. Albert Hammatt was ordained pastor over this and the U. Parish at Natick, Oct. 13, 1880. These two parishes are still working together, and settled their second pastor, Rev. W. H. Haywood Dec. 11, 1883.
FIRE DEPARTMENT. - The purchase of a fire engine for the Centre village in 1818, has been stated in Chapter VII. A fire engine was procured at Saxonville in 1828 or 9 ; and an engine house was built there in 1833. In 1835, the town voted to remit their poll taxes to all regularly enlisted firemen. In 1841, a new engine was bought for the Centre, and the old tub was removed to the South village, and a company formed there. An act to establish a fire department in Framingham, was passed Feb. 3, 1847; which was accepted by the town, and the department organized, in 1853.
CEMETERIES. - The Old Burying Ground. As was customary in those days, the first burials of the dead were in the grounds immedi- ately surrounding the meeting-house. And as these grounds were included in the "Meeting-house Lands" reserved by Mr. Danforth, there was a manifest propriety in using them for this sacred purpose.
After Col. Buckminster recovered trespass of the town for cutting timber on these reserved lands, the question of title remained in abey- ance ; though interments continued to be made in the meeting-house lot as formerly. Oct. 18, 1802, an article in the warrant, "To see if the town will take any measures to ascertain the limits of the Public Burying Ground in said town," was referred to a committee, on whose report the town "voted, that Jona. Maynard Esq., Capt. John Trowbridge and Lieut. Josiah Stone be authorized to act as agents of the town to settle the claims the town, as proprietors, may have against Dea. Thomas Buckminster, for about 40 acres of land formerly granted to this town for the use of the meeting-house ; and said agents are fully empowered to take a deed from said Buckminster, for the whole or such part of said land, as said agents and said Buckminster shall agree upon, and to release the residue of said land to said Buckminster, if any there be." The final result was, that Dea. Buckminster gave the town a quit-claim deed of "five acres and twenty rods of land (which includes all the graves)" and $40 in money ; and the town gave Dea. B. a quit-claim deed of "the remainder of the lands in dispute."
Samuel Barton was appointed grave digger in 1709, with authority to receive 3s. a grave for grown persons.
In May 1735, the pastor and deacons were desired to move the
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congregation to contribute for a burying cloth. In those days, a bury- ing cloth, bier, and bearers comprised the outfit for burials - except when the distance required the aid of an ox-cart to transport a corpse. The handles of the bier were sufficiently long to allow four bearers to take hold, thus making sixteen bearers in all ; and were four inches in diameter, so as to set easy on the shoulder - for the dead were borne "on men's shoulders." Frequent relays were necessary ; and as all the people went to funerals, they were readily found.
A hearse was first bought in Framingham in 1794.
The burying ground was fenced in with "a good four-foot wall" in 1805-6. In 1813, Jona. Maynard was authorized "to take the grass from the burying ground for five years, on condition that he erect the fallen grave stones, clear out all cobble stones, mow all bushes, keep the wall and gates in good repair, for the same time, and suffer no cattle to depasture thereon ; said Maynard to pay $5. being the sum for which the privilege was sold at auction, in town meeting." May 3, 1826, the town " voted that the selectmen be authorized to contract with Lawson Buckminister Jr., to pasture sheep on the old burying ground for five years, for the purpose of killing the briers."
About the year 1850, a system of improvement of this ground, in charge of Mrs. J. J. Clark and Jos. G. Bannister, was begun, and has been carried on more recently by Dexter Hemenway. The walks have been graded and graveled ; the head stones righted up or buried on the top of the graves, and the grounds generally put in order: The expense of these improvements has been borne in part from the avails of the "May Festival," originally started by some public spirited ladies as early as 1849, and continued annually to the present time.
The present Trustees in charge of this ground, are Dexter Hemenway, S. B. Bird, John Hemenway.
South Burying Ground. This small plot of land, one-half acre, was set apart for burial purposes in 1824. Jan. 24, 1824, Joseph Haven executed a deed of this land, to Levi Metcalf, Obed Daniels, Elias Grout, John Wenzell, and others, "proprietors of the South Burying Ground in Framingham." In 1874, the surviving proprietors deeded the land to the town.
In 1883, Willard Howe donated to the town the sum of $250, to be known as the "Howe Cemetery Fund," the annual income of which is to be used "for the care of the South Cemetery in Framingham, and especially of Lot No. 14."
The Trustees in charge of this ground are Curtis Howe, Jona. F. Coolidge.
Saxonville Cemetery. This Burial Lot, then comprising one acre, was purchased by the town of Charles Fiske, in 1838. In 1865, Mr. Fiske sold to the town another acre, on the easterly side.
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The Catholic Cemetery, consisting of about 5 acres was consecrated in 1856.
Edgell Grove Cemetery. June 27, 1846, the town appointed a committee, consisting of Moses Edgell, N. S. Bennett, Warren Nixon, Patten Johnson, and Dexter Esty, to procure a lot of land near the Centre village for a new Burial place. In 1848, nine and a half acres of woodland, lying northwest of the Common, was purchased of Col. Edgell, and formally consecrated by appropriate ceremonies. In 1858, three acres additional, lying on the southwesterly side, was purchased of James W. Brown; and about three acres on the northerly and northeasterly sides, was by deed of gift, made over to the town by Col. Edgell, at his decease. April 30, 1862, James W. Clark donated to the town 81/2 acres, lying on the southwest side, and in 1876 gave a deed of the land lying upon the southeastern line of the original grounds. Other lands have been purchased, so that the present area is twenty eight acres.
By his will, Col. Moses Edgell bequeathed the sum of $20,000, a part of which is to be expended in building within the grounds, a chapel ; and the remainder is to constitute a permanent fund, the income of which is to be expended in the care and improvement of the cemetery. George Phipps bequeathed the sum of $500, the income of which is to be applied, I, in the proper care of the donor's own lot ; 2, for the general benefit of the cemetery. There is also a fund of about $500, the income of which is at the disposal of the Trustees. There is also a fund, now amounting to $1075, contrib- uted by owners of lots, the income of which is to be applied to the perpetual care of the said lots. And it is worthy of record, that from the avails of the annual " May Festival," organized May 1, 1849, and managed by the ladies, there have been expended for improvements in this and the old cemetery, not less than $9,500.
The present Trustees are James W. Clark, F. A. Billings, David Fiske, John Clark, F. M. Esty.
TOWN MAP. - In 1830, the town granted the sum of $75, to pay for "a new survey of the town, and for procuring a map of the same." The surveys were made by Col. Jonas Clayes and Warren Nixon, in the years 1830-1. The map was drawn by Mr. Nixon; and was published in 1832. It is accurate and complete. The number of dwelling houses then was 330.
STRAW BRAID, AND BONNET MANUFACTURE. - In 1799 or 1800 the wife of Joseph Bennett and her daughter Betsey, commenced the plaiting of grass and rye straw, which material was made into hats and
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bonnets ; and thus a profitable business was started, which continued for some years. The bonnets were trimmed around the edges with nipping braid, made of three strands.
The following memorandum shows that Mrs. Mary Rice, wife of Capt. Uriah, started a like business at nearly the same time : "Oct. 2, 1800, we began to work on straw bonnets and trimmings ; and cleared $340." Mrs. Rice carried on the business for about fifty years. Her trade was principally in Boston, Salem, Gloucester and Portland.
Maj. Benj. Wheeler went into the straw braid and bonnet business in 1807. His trade was largely with the South, and amounted in some years to $30,000. About 1813, Capt. J. J. Clark commenced the bonnet business, which he continued till 1830. The wife of Joseph Sanger was also engaged in the manufacture of straw bonnets.
The starting of this business in town, created a new and profitable family industry. The braid was made by the girls and boys at home. The winter rye was cut in June ; the straw scalded and cured. That part which grew within the sheath was cut in uniform lengths, and whitened by brimstone fumes, and split on a hand machine, coarse or fine, according to the demand, and the skill of the braider. The fine braid was known as " Dunstable." A smart girl would braid 10 to 12 yards per day of the fine, and 18 to 24 yards of the coarse. Fine braid was sold at 3 to 31/2 cents per yard. Store keepers took it in payment for goods. They sold their goods for two prices, cash price and straw price : the latter being considerably higher than the other.
The wife of Lovell Eames commenced manufacturing bonnets in 1825 ; and about 1830, her son Horace took charge of the business, and added a distinct department of bleaching and pressing, for himself and the bonnet makers in this and the neighboring towns. Franklin Manson commenced working for Mr. Eames in 1836; and in 1840, Mr. Manson took the business into his own hands. In 1844, Mr. M. entered into partnership with George Richardson, for the manufacture of straw bonnets. Their straw shop, (now Liberty Block) was built in 1845. The partnership was dissolved at the end of two years; and soon after Mr. Manson built a shop, and carried on business on his own account, till 1864.
Alexander Clark commenced the manufacture of straw bonnets, as a distinct business in 1838, and with his brother Newell continued till 1853, when he began the manufacture of palm leaf hats and shaker hoods, which he and his son kept up till a late date.
After leaving Mr. Manson, George Richardson, and his brother Augustus, carried on the bonnet business till 1860.
Augustus Richardson built a new shop, where he manufactured straw goods to a large extent, for some years ; and was succeeded by
non
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Straw Business - Banks.
George P. Metcalf, and H. K. White. The firm is now Richardson and Crafts.
Curtis H. Barber succeeded to the business of Mr. Manson in 1864; and now has a large manufactory of his own, near the Baptist meeting- house.
The statistics of this industry in this town, are: 1836. Straw bon- nets manufactured, 2950 ; value, $5350. 1845. No. of bonnets man- ufactured, 31,000 ; value, $20,100. The cost of the braid was $450. 1855. No. of straw bonnets made, 107,000 ; straw hats, 60,000 ; males employed, 25; females, 300. 1865. No. of straw bonnets made, 120,000 ; value, $180,000. No. of straw hats made, 120,000 ; value, $12,000. No. of males employed, 50; females, 800. No. of palm leaf hoods manufactured, 230,000 ; value, $65,000. No. of males employed, 6; females, 40. 1875. Value of straw goods manufactured, $830,000. Capital invested, $255,000.
BANKS. - The Framingham Bank was incorporated Mar. 25, 1833 ; the persons named in the act as corporators were Micah Stone, Dexter Fay, Sullivan Fay, Elijah Perry, Rufus Brewer, Moses Edgell and Josiah Adams. Capital stock, $100,000 ; increased in 1846 to $150,000, and in 1849 to $200,000. It was changed from a State to a National bank in November 1864. The successive presidents have been Josiah Adams, Micah Stone, Oliver Dean, Sullivan Fay, Francis Jaques, Moses Edgell, James W. Clark, I. S. Wheeler. Cashiers : Rufus Brewer, William H. Foster, Edward Illsley, Francis Jaques, Francis T. Clark, James J. Valentine. The first dividend was declared April 1834; and in no instance since has the regular semi-annual dividend in April and October been passed.
Framingham Savings Bank. This institution was charted in Mar. 1846, and commenced business the following May. Col. Moses Edgell, in whose mind first originated the idea of a Savings Bank in this town, was chosen president at its organization, and held the office till 1871. He was succeeded by George Phipps, who remained in office till his death Feb. 19, 1876. Charles Upham succeeded Mr. Phipps, and died in office Mar. 10, 1880. Luther F. Fuller now holds the office. The secretaries and treasurers have been Rufus Brewer, Edward Illsley, Lorenzo Sabine, Coleman S. Adams. Amount of deposits Nov. 1, 1846, $4,969 ; amount Nov. 1, 1882, $1,314.318.58.
A branch, for receiving and paying deposits, was opened at the South village in March 1883.
The South Framingham National Bank was organized June 14, 1880, with a paid up capital of $100,000. President, James W. Clark ; cashier, F. M. Stockwell.
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History of Framingham.
TIN SHOP. - The manufacture of tin ware was commenced in the Centre village, by Moses Gleason in 1833, and by the firm of Gleasons and Rowell the next year. In 1837 the value of tin ware manufac- tured was $3140 ; hands employed, 4.
NEW TOWN HALL. - In 1833, The town voted to build a new house, 68 x 40 feet, with a colonnade on the east and west ends, two stories, with two school rooms on the ground floor, and Hall above, according to a plan submitted [the plan was drawn by Dexter Hemen- way, and the committee forgot to pay him for the same], to be placed at the south end of the Common. The cost was $5392,37.
NEWSPAPERS. - The first newspaper established in this town, was the Framingham Courier, a good sized folio, printed and published, weekly, by George Brown. It was started in April 1835, and was con- tinued for less than a year. The Framingham Gazette, was established in June 1871, by Pratt and Wood.
RAIL ROADS. - The project of building a rail road from Boston to Worcester was agitated as early as 1827. The charter was granted June 23, 1831. Two routes were surveyed, one where it is built, and the other through Framingham Centre. The route through the Centre was regarded as the most feasible ; but the Wheeler brothers and others interested in the Turnpike, strongly opposed this plan, and their op- position lead to the selection of the southern route. The road was opened for travel to Angier's Corner Apr. 3. 1834 ; to Ashland Sept. 30, 1834 ; to Worcester June 30, 1835.
The first train through this town consisted of an engine (the "Yankee " weighing 6 tons) and seven cars, of about the size of a stage coach, with doors at the sides. The train stopped at the South Framingham station for a while, and then stopped at Farm pond to take in water, which was passed up in pails. The fare between Fram- ingham and Boston was 75 cents in summer and $1 in winter.
The opening of the rail road gave a great impetus to the business life of the South village, and caused a declension, as marked, in the Centre.
The Saxonville branch Rail Road was opened in 1846. The Milford branch was completed and opened in 1847. In 1850, a branch was built connecting the South and Centre villages.
The Agricultural Branch Rail Road, from South Framingham to Northboro' was built in 1854; and purchased and extended, by the Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg Co. to Fitchburg, in 1865. The Mansfield and Framingham Rail Road was completed and opened in
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India Rubber Company.
June 1870; and the Framingham and Lowell road in August 1871. The last three roads are leased and operated by the Old Colony Road as its Northern Division.
MASS. SILK COMPANY. - Mar. 14, 1836, Thomas G. Fessenden, Geo. C. Barret and Wm H. Montague were incorporated as The Mass. Silk Co., "for the purpose of raising, reeling, throwing and manufacturing silk, in the town of Framingham." Capital stock $150,000. Apr. 25, 1836, the directors bought, for $7150, the home farm of Col. Nat Fiske, containing 139 acres, with buildings etc. Eight or ten acres of land was planted with mulberry cuttings, which grew luxuriously. The Company was taxed for two or three years.
A little before this date, Wm Buckminister Esq. planted what is now known as the old Agricultural Grounds, with mulberry cuttings, with a view to the feeding of silk worms. The trees flourished ; but the worms were not a success.
FRAMINGHAM INDIA RUBBER Co. - May 16, 1836, Wm K. Phipps. Dexter Hemenway and Isaac Stevens were incorporated as the Fram- ingham India Rubber Co., "for the purpose of manufacturing all articles consisting wholly or in part of India rubber, in the town of Framingham." Capital stock, $70,000. Wm K. Phipps was the originator of the project. He was of an inventive genius ; and had discovered a method of dissolving rubber, and spreading it on cloth, etc. The Company commenced work in the summer of 1835, in Mr. P's shop. After incorporation, they bought 34 of an acre of land, and built a large shop where they manufactured large quantities of rubber- coated canvas for car-tops, cloth for aprons, using silisia for the base, and some rubber shoes. The price of the raw rubber was 6 to 7 cents per pound. Besides the corporators, James Boyd of Boston, Samuel Warren, Micah Stone, John Ballard 2d, and Gardner Kellogg were stockholders. The company carried on business for 3 years ; sold the real estate to J. J. Marshall, who converted the shop into a dwelling house (now owned by Mrs. M. F. Tracy and Mrs. J. Hammond ). The stockholders met with no loss, and made no gain.
Soon after Mr. Phipps' success in dissolving rubber was known, Dr. Simon Whitney commenced making experiments and discovered a new process. May 16, 1836, Simon Whitney, Geo. Bullard, W. E. Faulk- ner, and - - Barker of Weston were incorporated as the Water Power India Rubber Co., "for the purpose of manufacturing all articles composed wholly or in part of India rubber, and also various kinds of machinery." Capital stock, $130.000. This Company erect- ed a shop on Stoney brook, just below Bullard's bridge, where they
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made men's wearing apparel, aprons, bonnets, etc. The name of the company appears on our tax list 1836- 1842. The shop was removed to the William Moulton place, and is now W. C. Wight's Livery stable.
SHOE MANUFACTURING. - About this date several individuals com- menced the manufacture of shoes and boots, partly custom work, and partly for the market. Among them were Charles Fales, and Nathan- iel S. Faulkner in 1834; John Lentill in 1836; David Matthewson, in 1837 ; Benj. Lentill in 1840 ; and later, Hersey and Randall, at the Centre ; and J. F. Morgan and others at the South Village ; besides numerous small shops scattered over the town. 1837. Boots made, 1524 pairs ; shoes, 34,955 pairs ; value, $31,293. 1845. Boots made, 35,000 pairs ; shoes, 44,000 ; value $49,450. 1855. Boots made, 399 pairs ; shoes, 64,400 pairs ; value, $57,000.
HASTINGS' CARRIAGE MANUFACTORY. - Hollis Hastings commenced the manufacture of harnesses and carriages, in 1832. In 1835, he bought the old Town House, and removed to the corner, south of his father's wheelwright's shop, where he carried on carriage and harness making in all their branches, with success, for about 35 years.
THE SOUTH FRAMINGHAM POST OFFICE was established Feb. 12, 1841, Joseph Fuller Post Master. He was succeeded by Edward A. Clark, April 1, 1844 ; Samuel O. Daniels, July 7, 1849 ; Willard Howe, July 1, 1853.
TOWN LIBRARY. - Mr. Barry says : "The last of the Common Lands (about 40 acres) was sold about the year 1785, and the proceeds appropriated to the purchase of a public library." Of the history of this library little is known. The books were kept in 1809, in the house of Martin Stone. In 1815, Rev. David Kellogg, Rev. Charles Train, Josiah Adams Esq, Benj. Wheeler, Nathan Stone, Maj. Lawson Buck- minster, Jesse Haven, Col. Jonas Clayes, and others, organized (or re-organized) The Social Library. This was managed by a board of 5 Trustees, a clerk, treasurer, and librarian : price of shares, $4 ; annual fee, 50 cents. Each proprietor was entitled to take out two volumes for the term of 60 days. No. of volumes in the Library, 443, which was increased by gift and purchase to about 600. This society flourished for several years. In 1834, the proprietors and others formed The Lyceum Library, on much the same plan as the preceding. This was succeeded, after a few years, by The Framingham Library, which continued till the formation of the public library. In 1851, Lorenzo Sabine, Col. Moses Edgell, I. S. Wheeler, Benj. Yeaton and
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others, organized The Reading Club, and fitted up a room which was supplied with the leading American and English Magazines.
In 1854, James W. Clark, George Phipps, Charles Upham, Francis Jaques, Col. Moses Edgell, and others, started a movement which resulted in the establishment April 9, 1855, of the Framingham Town Library. The books owned by the Framingham Library, and the periodicals held by the Reading Club, were generously given as a nucleus of the new public library and reading room. The original town grant to the Library was $1125. The books were kept in one of the lower rooms of the Town Hall. In 1857, Geo. Phipps made to the library a donation of $350. In 1865, James W. Clark made a dona- tion of $300, and in 1873, a further donation of $500, to the library. In 1873, Mrs. Eliza B. Eaton left to the town a legacy of $500, the income to be expended for the use of the library. Col. Moses Edgell, . who died Feb. 8, 1875, in his will provided that the town should be the residuary legatee of his estate ; and the sum thus accruing should be kept and known as the Edgell Library Fund, the income of which should be expended for the purchase of books for the Library, works of art, and in defraying the expense of taking care of the same. This fund amounts to $47,000.
The present Library Building (known as " Memorial Hall," to com- memorate the soldiers who died in the late war) was erected in 1872-3, at a cost of $28,500.
The annual appropriation by the town for the support of the Library, for many years, was $400, and one-half of the dog tax. Since the opening of the new Memorial Hall, the appropriation has usually been $1200, and one-half of the dog tax.
Branch agencies for the delivery of Books at Saxonville and South Framingham, were established in 1874.
In 1871, George Phipps gave the sum of $3000, with which to pur- chase a bronze statue of The Soldier ; and in 1881, George B. Brown donated $250, being one-half the cost of the granite pedestal on which the statue stands.
Number of volumes in the Library Jan. 1, 1883, 9,358.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. - The first Normal School established in Massachusetts- and the first school devoted exclusively to the edu- cation of female teachers - was opened at Lexington July 3, 1839. This school was removed to West Newton, Sept. 1844; and was transferred to Framingham Dec. 1853.
In 1852, the Board of Education, finding larger accommodations necessary than were furnished at Newton, determined to build a new school house, at N. or elsewhere, as eligibility of site, and offers of
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material aid, might afford the stronger inducement. A few of our public spirited men made offer of a lot of land which possessed singular advantages for such an institution, and the town granted a liberal sum of money in aid, and the Board decided to locate here. The site selected was on the northwest slope of Bare hill, command- ing a wide and varied prospect, sufficiently elevated to insure pure air, and protected on the north by a beautiful grove of native trees, the grove being the gift of Wm M. Clark.
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