USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : containing carefully prepared histories of every city and town in the county, Vol. II > Part 22
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In the winter of 1784-85 Rev. Peter Thacher, who was the most popular preacher ever settled in Malden, removed to Boston in consequence of a call from the Brattle-Street Church. This removal was the cause of a number of communications in the Massachusetts Centinel ; those signed by " A Country Booby " and "A Country Minister " being the most noticeable. A poetical epistle, which ap- peared in the same paper, has been several times reprinted. That the Malden people felt the re- moval keenly, is shown in a letter of the church in which they complain that their wealthier neighbor " has wounded us in a tender part," and declare that " our Distress, anxiety, and trouble are great indeed "; and they " most earnestly entreat " the Boston church to endeavor "to reinstate us in that quiet and happy condition in which your papers found us." In the settlement of the difficulty the Boston church paid the debt of its distressed neigli- bor, and gained a minister who proved to be not the least in the brilliant line of preachers who graced the honored pulpit of Brattle Street.
After remaining without a pastor about eighteen months, the church called Rev. Adoniram Judson. A violent opposition was made to this eall; and six months elapsed and four councils were held before Mr. Judson was ordained. He was held as one of "Bade Hopkintonian Principels," whose settlement would offer " an Effectual Barrier in
preventing the mutually wishª for Union of the Two Parishes in this Town both of which have severely felt Their Separation and thus Remaining will Probibly Terminate in the Ruin of both." A strong protest, signed by Captain John Dexter and twenty-one others, which was presented to the or- daining council, proving of no avail, the signers, mostly men of influence, withdrew to the South Parish. This secession carried an element of strength from the North Church, and induced a temporary throb of life in its expiring neighbor. The unfinished meeting-house, which had become almost a ruin, was repaired ; and Mr. Willis, after more than thirty years of discouragements and dis- appointment, found himself with something like a society under his charge. Mr. Judson proved un- able to control or quiet the distracted churchi over which he was placed. His religious sentiments, which are said to have materially differed not only from those of his people but also " from the Es- tablished Doctrines of the Neighboring Ministers and Churches," counteracted the influence of " his moral virtues and his meek and pious demeanor." After a settlement of four years of discord lie was dismissed in 1791. In his latter years he joined the Baptist denomination ; and he died at Scituate in 1826, requesting at the last that he might be buried from the church of his early faith. His son, the celebrated missionary to Burmah, was born in Malden, August 9, 1788.
With the retirement of Mr. Judson a way was happily opened for a reunion of the parishes. On the return of Captain Dexter and his associates to their own church they carried with them the pastor and people of the South Precinct; and March 25, 1792, Mr. Willis became the sole mnin- ister of Malden. He was then near fourscore years of age, and had passed through a life of disappoint- ments, gaining a reputation as a good and worthy man. In the eighty-eighth year of life, in the quiet and gentle ministrations of his office, death found him at his post; and he fell on sleep with the love of his own people and the respect of the neighbor- ing churches. His Bible, which was used many years in the pulpit of the First Parish, has been thrust aside; and the books which he left as the foundation of a parish library have disappeared.
Mr. Willis was succeeded by Rev. Aaron Green, who had been ordained as his colleague, Septem- ber 30, 1795. He was the son of Ezra Green of this town ; and was born January 4, 1765, and was graduated at Harvard College, 1789. Like his
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brothers, Dr. Ezra and Bernard, he reached a good old age. He survived all his class, and died at Andover, December 23, 1853, at the age of eighty- nine years. During his pastorate the parish be- came subjected to a process of disintegration which in the end resulted in a total change of its doc- trines. As early as the settlement of Mr. Judson doubts had been entertained by many of the validity of infant baptism ; and several embraced the prin- ciples of the Baptists. A sermon, preached in
Church of the First Parish, 1848.
1797 by the venerable itinerant, Samuel Shepard, which is said to have been the first Baptist dis- course delivered in the town, was received with much favor; and was followed by a revival which resulted in regular Sabbath services being held in a school-house that stood under a large button- wood tree where Sprague Street now enters Salem Street. These regular services were commenced in 1800, and received much bitter opposition from those of the " standing order." Finding the school- house at last closed to them, the " Schismatics," as they were called, took refuge in a barn belonging to Benjamin Faulkner, which until within a few years stood on Salem Street; and here, Decem- ber 27, 1803, the First Baptist Church, with a
membership of forty-two persons, was recognized by a council of three neighboring churches. To counteract this movement, Dr. David Osgood of Medford preached two energetic sermons, in de- fence of infant baptism and the validity of sprink- ling, in the pulpit of the old church. These ser- mons were much esteemed at the time, and were printed in two rival editions with a title-page stat- ing that they were " occasioned by the setting up of a Baptist Society." Nevertheless, the new church and society prospered ; and the next year they built a meeting-house on Salem Street, then, and for half a century after, known as Baptist Row, on a site now enclosed in the Salem Street Cemetery. This exceedingly plain house, with its large windows and square belfry, was occupied until 1843, when a new church was built at the corner of Main and Salem streets. The present church building is the third which has stood upon that site, the others having been destroyed by fire.
While the town and parish were thus distracted they found time and means to replace the old meet- ing-house, which had become unfit for its purpose, by a more commodious house built of brick, which, although several times remodelled, is that now occupied by the First Parish. This house, which was estimated to cost $5,019, was completed in the latter part of 1802. It was originally sur- mounted by two cupolas, in one of which hung a bell presented by the eccentric, so-called " Lord " Timothy Dexter.
Hardly had the animosities caused by the Bap- tist movement been allayed, before the church suf- fered depletion by the withdrawal of a large part of the people of North Malden and the formation of a Methodist society there. This was the direct result of a strong Federal sermon, preached in 1813, at a time when Republicanism was not un- likely to become heated by opposition, which irri- tated the majority of the north-end people, who were of the latter party. This society, itself the offspring of political excitement acting upon minds already prepared for a change by the preaching of Jesse Lee and other early Methodists, was the parent of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Mal- den Centre, the formation of which was caused by the removal of a member of the North Church to that locality, and a revival which, originating at the north end, spread to the other parts of the town. A class of Methodists had been formed nearly. thirty years before by the celebrated Jesse Lee; but time and other causes had nearly de-
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stroyed it. The class which was now formed held its meetings at first in the house of the late James Howard, and afterwards in the hall of the brick school-house, which was built in 1822 on School- House Hill, upon the site where stood, until 1875, the Centre Grammar School, where they worshipped until 1825, when they built a house on Main Street. This unpretending building, which they occupied until 1843, and which is now used as a dwelling- house, was irreverently called "the duck-pen." The early members of this church found many prejudices in their way and many crosses to bear. Of them it was truly said : "They have moved on- ward under the guidance of the day-star of hope, and sat down in tears, amid the darkness of clouds of disappointment." But they were not lost in the tempest and the gloom ; and the little church of 1820 is now one of the most prosperous of the churches of Malden.
After the formation of the Baptist and Method- ist churches it became evident that other changes were in the near future. There had been a gradual falling away from the old beliefs as expounded by Joseph Emerson and Eliakim Willis. Mr. Green,. whose sermons were rarely doctrinal, but mainly on the practice of piety and the efficacy of good works, was of the Arminian school ; and it is said that liis preaching was not displeasing to a majority of his hearers. There was, moreover, in the society a leaning towards the doctrine of universal salvation, which was preached at times in the school-house hall and in private houses by such men as Thomas Whittemore, then on the threshold of life, and others. Another disturbing element was found in the fact that, under the law, the members of the antagonistic churches had not ceased to be mem- bers of the parish ; and their votes could be given, as they doubtless often were, in a manner unfavor- able to the church. It is said that Mr. Green foresaw that dissensions and troubles were likely to come, in consequence of the circumstances I have stated, and that his prudence urged him to avoid that which he could not hope to avert. However this may have been, he resigned his charge in 1827, and a struggle over the choice of a pastor at once commenced. It was ended the next year by the election of Rev. Sylvanus Cobb, a Universalist clergyman, who had attained some reputation as a controversialist. Mr. Cobb was installed in the face of a strong opposition, July 30, 1828 ; and a portion of the church withdrew from the commun- ion. The seceding members met at first in Sar-
gent's Hall, in the building now standing at the corner of Salem and Ferry Streets ; but they after- wards held their services in the hiall of the school- house. They claimed to be the old church in all respects, while their opponents stood upon all the rights of the original parish and the church con- nected with it. The controversy which followed not only divided the church and parish, but spread throughout the community, and was the fruitful cause of strife which lasted many years ; and a long series of lawsuits over the property of the parish did not tend to quiet the evil spirit of contention. Time, which removes or hides all evils, has happily cast the veil of oblivion over the angry strife of fifty years ago ; and none but the most injudicious could wish to raise it and expose the scars of wounds which long ago were healed. The new society was formally organized in 1832, under the name of the Trinitarian Congregational Society, and Rev. Alexander W. McClure, who had occu- pied the pulpit, was ordained its first pastor. The church had become strengthened by an accession of members ; and a house erected at the corner of Main Street and Phillips's Lane, now Haskins Street, was dedicated the next year. This build- ing, after standing in its original location many years, was removed to a site on Main Street, near the square, where it was destroyed in the great gale of September S, 1869.
The old society, though it has departed from the faith of the fathers, still retains the name of the First Parish, and occupies the venerable meeting- house of 1803, which seems to bear an ever-present 'air of youth. Its people have received the bless- ings of prosperity in common with their brethren of the other churches.
The history of the First Parish now ceases to be intimately connected with that of the town; and, for the purposes of a sketch of the general history of Malden, the ecclesiastical concerns of its people henceforth become of little interest ; but I may linger a moment over the names of two clergymen whose memories are cherished and honored in the churches and town which they loved. The Rev. Alexander W. McClure, the caustic wit of the Trinitarian society, and the Rev. John G. Adams of the First Parish, revived in the nineteenth century, for a while, the pastorates of the olden time. Both heartily earnest in their work, they became as one with the people of their charges, and were, to the rich and the poor alike, faithful pastors and sympa- thetic friends. Nor were they less earnest in their
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duties as neighbors and townsmen in the daily and secular affairs of life. Antagonistic as they were in their religious beliefs, with the memories of the recent conflicts of their societies still alive, they stood stoutly shoulder to shoulder and hand in liand in the many reforms which they instituted or promoted, and cemented a friendship which time did not destroy, which is still green in the heart of the survivor, and which may make more joyous the meeting on the shores of life.
In the temperance cause, in charitable work, and in educational matters they urged reforms and in- troduced new methods by which the interests of the people were advanced and their prosperity pro- moted.
During the period occupied by these ecclesias- tical affairs, which nearly includes the first half of this century, the people of Malden were gradually increasing in numbers and wealth. Situated re- mote from the trunk-roads and isolated from the usual routes of travel and traffic, they remained for many years a sparse and rural population. In 1800 they numbered but. 1,059 souls, -a very slight growth over the population of more than sixty years before; but during the next decade a large increase took place, showing a population of 1,384 at its close. This increase was owing to the enterprise of the Odiorne family and William Bar- rett, who established trades here which flourished many years and added sensibly to the wealth of the town. The Odiorne firm, composed of three brothers, George, Thomas, and Ebenezer, pur- chased land and water-power in 1806 upon Three-Mile Brook, and established themselves at Black Rock, where Thomas Coytemore built a mill in 1640. This enterprising company made the first nails which were cut and headed at one opera- tion. Though this was an experiment, made at much loss and in the face of popular prejudice, it was ultimately successful and was a profitable busi- ness for many years. William Barrett commenced the business of silk-dyeing in 1803, on the site still occupied by his sons. This business, begun at a time when little or no competition existed, was also very profitable, and is continued at the present day. Other branches of business improved as these enterprises increased in strength ; and other manufacturers followed those who were now established. The manufacture of shoes became an important industry, and articles of block-tin and tin-plate were quite extensively made, and were distributed by wagons sent far around into the
country. In 1837 the population had increased to 2,300, and the gross value of articles manufac- tured was over $350,000 per annum. A gradual reduction of tolls upon the bridges, and the estab- lishment of lines of omnibuses and expresses, brought the town into a more close connection with Boston, and assisted in the growth of trade and population. But a stronger impetus was given both by the opening of the Boston and Maine Railroad in 1845, which had a very marked influence upon the growth of the town in many ways. The number of the inhabitants, which in 1840 was 2,514, was 3,520 in 1850, not including a population of 1,260 souls which had been set off from the town during the preceding year. This division of the town, by which North Malden be- came Melrose, was made by an act of the legisla- ture in 1849, and was not opposed to any extent by the inhabitants of the other sections of the town. In its separate existence Melrose las par- ticipated in the prosperity which has attended the parent town, and has not proved unworthy of its origin.
The opening of the railroad and the cheapness of land gave birth to various enterprises, which were more or less successful in the various objects for which they were originated. One of these was the formation of the Edgeworth Company, which pur- chased the Newton farm on the west bank of the river and a tract of land on the highlands. These lands were laid out for business and building pur- poses, and great inducements were offered to pur- chasers. On a portion of this property has grown up the district of Edgeworth, where several large manufacturing establishments are located, whose total products in 1875 amounted to $2,000,000 in value. Meanwhile the town advanced in all direc- tions in population and in wealth ; and its religious and educational interests kept pace with its material prosperity. On the eve of the Rebellion the popu- lation was 5,865, and the valuation of the town was $3,365,101.
In the stirring years which followed the opening of the Rebellion the men of Malden proved that they had not forgotten the traditions of their fa- thers, and that the spirit which had led her sons to fields of duty and honor in the bygone years had not ceased within the limits of the ancient town. Out of the peace and calm of what had almost seemed an inane present, all the heroism and fervor of the past arose, and it was seen that the old-time patriotism had only slumbered until the occasion
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which should need it came again. At a crowded meeting of the citizens April 20, 1861, it was
" Resolved, That we believe it to be the duty of every lover of his country and his race to assist in crushing out the rebellion and treason now existing in the Southern States.
" Resolved, That the town of Malden, true to its ancient history, will furnish the men and the means to the extent of her ability for this object ; and we recommend the im- mediate formation of a company of volunteer militia to aid in preserving the government of these United States."
An enrolment of volunteers for three years was at once commenced, and a liberal subscription made for equipments and supplies ; and the town, a few days later, authorized the expenditure of ten thousand dollars " for the comfort and support of the families of those who have been or may be called into the naval or military service of the United States, and who shall be inhabitants of Malden."
Thereafter the town in its corporate capacity, and the people, both in organizations and as indi- viduals, labored to the utmost in the spirit of their resolves. The volunteers were formed into a com- pany, under Captain Joseph R. Simonds and Lieu- tenant Ivory N. Richardson, and drilled in the town-hall until July 10, when, as Company K, 17th Regiment, they went into camp at Lynnfield. Of this company, which was mostly composed of citizens of Malden, and which saw much hard ser- vice in North Carolina during the war, Sergeant Henry Foskett, Corporal James R. Gilchrist, and privates Charles M. Eagan, Oscar Biebier, Thomas H. Speed, Albert W. Crockett, and James M. Powers perished in rebel prisons. The first Mal- den citizen who was slain in the war was Sergeant Gordon Forrest, a member of the 1st regiment, who fell at Blackburn's Ford, July 18, 1861, in one of the skirmishes which preceded the battle of Bull Run.
The six hundred men who were sent by Malden into the service upheld her honor through many scenes of trial and danger, and bore their part man- fully on land and sea. It is to be regretted that no steps have been taken to preserve their names from the common lot of man, and that much in relation to them has already passed beyond the reach of him who would gather it up.
The town expended in war charges the sum of $60,000, which was exclusive of $32,000 which was disbursed as state aid and was refunded by the commonwealth ; and a large sum, supposed to have been not less than $25,000, was raised at
public meetings and by organizations of the citi- zens for the various purposes of recruiting and relief.
Since the close of the war, and during the great business prosperity which preceded the panic of 1873, the town has received its largest growth. In 1865 the population was 6,840, and the valua- tion $3,733,993. This was not a large gain over the statistics of 1860, but the increase had just begun.
By an act of the legislature, March 9, 1870, the southern portion of Malden, with 2,200 inhabi- tants, was allowed to become a separate town, by the name of Everett. The territory thus taken comprised all that which had been gained from Charlestown in 1726, with the southeastern portion of the original town, and was substantially that which had formed the Second Precinct. The in- habitants of this section had never been quite easy as citizens of a town in which the will of a minor- ity was subordinate to that of the whole; and com- plaints of injustice, which are natural to a growing community, jealous of its rights, were often made. For near a quarter of a century they had agitated the question of a separate township, and had made six ineffectual endeavors to obtain an act of incor- poration. The division was stontly opposed by the town ; and the meetings in which the question was considered, and where the rival sections met, were as stormy as declamation could make them. What- ever may have been the short-comings of the peo- ple of South Malden in the days of their real or fancied wrongs, as citizens of Everett they have managed their affairs with judgment, and have re- joiced in a common prosperity with their brethren of the elder town.
The division of the town left Malden with 7,370 inhabitants, and a valuation of $4,999,272, which has now increased to 10,831 sonls, and a valuation of $10,138,800. In 1870 the water-works con- necting the town with Spot Pond were completed, and a copious supply of pure water was introduced. This measure, which was subjected to a strong opposition in its earlier stages, has proved to be of great advantage and a real benefit to the com- munity. During this period a remarkable rise in real estate occurred, and a corresponding activity in building operations was observed; and several flourishing villages, as at Faulkner's and at Lin- den, sprung up with great rapidity. Though much of this increase was fictitious, and has disappeared under the pressure of the times, it added to the
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resources of the town, and has left at least the foundation of a solid prosperity which the coming years will consummate. In 1877 a portion of Medford, comprising about two hundred acres of land with one hundred inhabitants, was annexcd to Malden.
Retaining about one third of its original terri- tory, Malden is bounded southerly by Everett, westerly by Medford, northerly by Melrose, and easterly by Saugus and Revere. Its greatest length from east to west is about three miles, and its average width about one and one half miles. Its northern portion comprises a region of rocky hills, which, a few years since, were generally wooded, and which abound in many natural beauties. This section has, in recent years, been invaded by the builder, and has afforded many pleasant and ro- mantic sites. The eastern division, where the thriving villages of Faulkner's, Maplewood, and Linden - stations upon the Eastern Railroad - have, as before mentioned, grown with great rapid- ity, is probably that which will receive the largest growth in the early future, as its romantic scen- ery and the comparative cheapness of its lands offer inducements which will not be unnoticed in the return of general prosperity. At Belmont, on the highlands at the southern border of the town, and at Oak Grove, at its opposite extremity, sim- ilar growths have occurred, with fair prospects of the future; while at Edgeworth a vigorous com- munity of mechanics and laborers has gathered around the manufactories which are there estab- lished.
At the latter section the extensive works of the Boston Rubber Shoe Company are located. This corporation, which was established in 1853, has enjoyed a remarkable degree of prosperity. Under the vigilant and intelligent direction of its treas- urer, Elisha S. Converse, its interests have steadily advanced ; and the variety and value of its products now place it among the largest establishments of its kind in the country. These works were destroyed
by fire, November 29, 1875, at a time when the then existing depression caused the liveliest concern for the welfare of those who were suddenly deprived of their accustomed means of livelihood ; but, by the aid of the benevolent and the care of the corpora- tion, the winter passed without the extreme incon- venience and suffering which were anticipated ; and larger buildings and improved machinery soon gave evidence of the enterprise and courage of the com- pany and its managers in the face of disaster and the discouragements which then prevailcd.
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