USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : containing carefully prepared histories of every city and town in the county, Vol. II > Part 50
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1 Three other garrisons were afterwards built.
2 Note to Church's History of Philip's War, p. 65 : Boston, 1829.
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for some near kindred, and nothing but horror stared them in the face." But after the death of Philip in August, 1676, although the Indians still made hostile demonstrations, their power was broken ; and early in 1677 the colonists began to resume their usual occupations. The inhabitants of Sherborn again took up their negotiations with the Natick Indians for the desirable and important exchange of lands. This exchange, as before men- tioned, was not fully completed and an agreement signed until April, 1679.
The town being now laid out in better form, means for the transaction of the public business being cstablished, the officers chosen, and a social compact adopted, the inhabitants next turned their attention more fully to the preparations for stated public worship. Of this they deeply felt the need, and this had been one of their strong arguments for incorporation as a town. Steps had previously been taken towards the selection of a location for a meeting-house, and a lot of land had been staked out. But this location was unsatisfactory to many of the people, and after much discussion it was finally removed to a spot near the site of the meet- ing-house of the present First Parish, which conse- quently became the centre of the town. It has remained to the present day the site of a meeting- house, and about it are clustered the other public buildings of the town. But it was only after much controversy, and an appeal to the General Court, that the business was settled. The court felt obliged at last to place the town under the guardianship of a committee "to order and gov- erne the prudentialls of the said towne for three years." The town dutifully submitted, and the differences were gradually adjusted. Other dif- ferences between inhabitants, concerning secular matters, had been settled by arbitration or by the decision of a committee of the General Court, so that this action of the court in taking the whole charge of the business of the town, thronghi a com- mittee, did not seem unreasonable to them ; and it certainly was preferable to a prolonged litiga- tion.
One of the inhabitants, Sergeant (afterwards Lieutenant) Edward West, was accustomed to act as a lay preacher before the settlement of a minis- ter. At a later day, in 1694, he was appointed the first schoolmaster of the town. Public wor- ship was held at the house of Captain Joseph Morse in the south part of the town, and was continued there for a considerable time, until the
meeting-house was finished, which appears to have been about 1684 or 1685.
After various efforts and much delay Mr. Daniel Gookin, a graduate and fellow of Harvard College, and a son of Major-General Gookin of Cambridge, was ordained as their pastor, March 26, 1685. He had previously been an assistant to the Apostle Eliot in the Indian mission at Natick, and received warm commendation from that eminent man. His lectures at Natick were delivered first to the Eng- lish, and then " the same matter is delivered to the Interpreter, whom, with much pains, Mr. Gook- ing had fore-prepared." He continued this work among the Indians after his settlement at Sher- born, and in fact during the greater part of his life. He appears to have been a man of more than common ability, and constantly labored for the good of his people and of the Indians. He died January 8, 1717-18, in the sixty-eighth year of his age, having continued for about thirty-four years the minister of Sherborn.
The preamble to a certain petition presented by the inhabitants of Sherborn to the General Court about 1698 well represents the religious spirit that animated the early settlers. It says : "In the first beginning and settlement of the town of Sherborn, the only and principall benifitt and previ- lege which the ancient inhabitants [then known by the name of Bogastow, near Medfield] did propose to themselves was to have the meeting-house near to them." And this same feeling was dominant in the minds of that people for many years. They considered it their greatest privilege to be near enough to the meeting-house to be able to attend the services regularly.
The extensive territory of the town made it sometimes difficult for those near its borders to at- tend these stated religions exercises. And as the number of inhabitants in these localities increased by the addition of new settlers, a spirit of uneasi- ness began to appear, and also a desire to form themselves into new towns with privileges of their own. Objections arose on the part of other in- habitants as to the mode or place of division, or to any division whatever. The older townsmen natn- rally desired to increase rather than diminish their population, and also to retain all the tax-payers possible. When, therefore, seventeen families re- siding on Sherborn Row, in the north part of the town, some adjoining Mr. Danforth's farms 1 and
1 A grant of land by the General Court to Thomas Danforth, Į Esq., deputy-governor.
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others holding leases from him, made propositions for separation in order that they might join the inhabitants of " Framlingham plantations " in ef- forts for the formation of a new town, there was great opposition to the project. A long and seri- ons controversy ensued with regard to the pay- ment of rates, and to the jurisdiction, as when Framingham. was incorporated, in the year 1700, the rights of Sherborn were reserved. The bounds of Sherborn in that direction appear not to have been well defined, and the right of territory thus became involved and uncertain. The contest con- tinued for several years, and until settled, June 16, 1710, by the General Court, which annexed the seventeen families permanently to Framingham and made to Sherborn, as an equivalent for the loss, a grant of four thousand acres of land west of Men- don. We have not space to write further of this memorable controversy, which excited deep feeling for many years and stirred the whole community to its foundation.
The next great civil question was one concerning the accommodation with religious privileges of the inhabitants " Who are Dwellers on ye West side of Dopping Brook"; but this appears to have been settled amicably. At first, representations were made in the town-meetings (where for many years both parish and town business was transacted) of the difficulty with which some of the western in- habitants of the town could attend public worship, " the said town being near 12 miles long, and the meeting-house situated at the Easterly End." The remaining residents were disposed to accommodate their distant brethren, and once passed a vote (March 6, 1723) to build a meeting-house in a more central location, " so that the town remain together for the strengthening thereof." But it was afterwards decided that this would not. meet the objections " in consideration that the Form and Situation of the Town is so ill convenient that one meeting-house Cannot be so placed as to Suit the Whole town, but that in time there will be need of two to accommodate the Inhabitants." It was then voted to build a new meeting-house on or near the old spot ; 1 and on motion of some of the principal western inhabitants it was also voted to remit to them their proportion of the £ 160 granted for that purpose in anticipation of the time when they should build a meeting-house of their own, they agreeing at the same time to do all other " publick Duty to the town as heretofore till the
1 This meeting-house was finished in 1726.
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Genll. Court Shall Set us off." The latter event was soon brought about. After a petition to the General Court, a committee of that body was chosen to view the premises, and make inquiry into the matter. The report was favorable, and the western precinct was incorporated by a bill passed Decem- ber 3, 1724, under the name of Holliston.
No other important event occurred for many years. The year 1754 was remarkable by the inva- sion of an uncommon disease, called in Sherborn the " Memorable Mortality," and in Holliston the " Great Sickness." Nearly thirty lives were lost in Sherborn by its ravages, - a serious and alarming inroad on its still small population.
In 1770 it was found that the meeting-house must be enlarged, and " this was done by sawing the house in two in the middle, moving the western half to the distance desired, and connecting the two parts together by a new piece."
We now approach a time of great trial to our colonists, not only in this town, but in all the towns in this province, and in all the English prov- inces in this country. The oppressive exactions of the mother country were becoming too onerous to be borne, and the people began seriously to con- sider the necessity of throwing off the yoke. Sher- born was ready now, as ever, to do its part in contributing men and means to support the great struggle for what it deemed to be just and right. As early as 1774 a committee of correspondence was chosen, committees also to attend the county conferences at Concord and Cambridge, and to pro- cure a field-piece. Three cannon, procured by the latter committee instead of a six-pounder, were accepted by the town, and it was voted "that the committee prove them at the town's expense, and fire the biggest as soon as may be, with all the necessaries that may be needed." Many other votes were afterwards passed, showing that the people were animated to a high degree with the spirit which finally achieved the independence of the colonies. In 1776 it was voted to extend relief to the poor of Boston, then besieged by the enemy, and to find places for them to live in. A company of minute-men was raised, and £8 granted to provide ammunition for the cannon. As soon as the news reached this town of the conflict at Lex- ington, on the 19th of April, 1775, the minnte-men proved themselves worthy of their title by march- ing immediately to meet the assailants, and the rest of the able-bodied men, of all ages, followed with all possible alacrity. But the distance was so
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great, and the route of the enemy so uncertain, that they had not the satisfaction of meeting and help- ing to chastise them. They, however, furnished their quota to assist in besieging Boston, and a number of them displayed their heroism in the battles of Bunker Hill, White Plains, and Brandy- wine. Seven brothers, the sons of Mr. Samuel Clark, enlisted as soldiers, and served, on an aver- age, over three years per man.
In May, 1776, the town voted, that if Congress decided to declare the colonies independent of Great Britain, the people would, with their lives and fortunes, endeavor to support them in that measure. And Daniel Whitney, their representa- tive, was instructed to act accordingly. When the question of the adoption of the Federal con- stitution arose, Sherborn sent Daniel Whitney to the convention held in Boston in 1788, with gen- eral instructions, but also with full confidence in his judgment to act for the right. And that honorable member was one of the majority who voted in favor of this great charter of our free- dom.
In 1781 an entry, found in the town records, states that the salary of Rev. Elijah Brown for one year, ending March 1, 1781, was £73 6s. 8d., "equal to £2,933 6s. 8d. continental currency." This shows the depreciation which the latter had suffered, and that it took more than £40 of that currency to equal £ 1 of sound money. It is a powerful argument against the establishment of an irredeemable currency.
Early in the present century, when our national honor and our authority on the high seas were in- vaded, Sherborn accepted her share of the work, and made preparations as soon as a conflict was threatened, and before hostilities had commenced. In 1814, when an actual call for men was expected, allowances were granted to them, and some soldiers from the town performed duty in the forts in Bos- ton harbor.
In February, 1830, a portion of the inhabitants, desiring a form of worship and belief different from that then prevailing, requested of the proper au- thority that " a warrant may be issued, in due form of law, for the purpose of forming a second relig- ious Congregational Society in said town." These petitioners comprised a majority of the church, but a minority of the congregation. They retained the forms of government and belief of the original Puritan church of 1685. They immediately or- ganized, and during the same year erected a meet-
ing-house not far distant from that of the First Parish.
The First Parish also felt the need of a new edi- fice, as the old one had been in use for more than a century. And during the same year, 1830, they proceeded to build a meeting-house nearly on the same spot that had always been occupied for that purpose. On December 26 public. worship was attended for the last time in the old church, and an interesting and instructive sermon was given by the pastor, Rev. Amos Clarke. On the 29th of the same month the new church was solemnly dedi- cated to the service of God.
The meeting-house of the Second Parish was also completed during the year 1830, and dedi- cated November 4. Its first pastor, Rev. Samuel Lee, was installed on the same day, and remained in charge of the church and society until 1836, when he was succeeded by Rev. Daniel T. Smith. The latter was obliged to retire, after a service of about two years, on account of ill health. Rev. Edmund Dowse, a native of Sherborn, was then invited to assume the pastoral charge, and he has served from 1838 to the present time. But few instances of so long a pastorate can be found in our day, and only one in the entire history of this town. Perhaps there is not one other that has oc- curred in the birthplace of the pastor. The twen- ty-fifth anniversary of the settlement of Mr. Dowse was celebrated with appropriate ceremonies. On the approach of the fortieth anniversary his many friends and parishioners desired to recognize his long and useful service, and at the same time to offer to their pastor a fitting memorial of their confidence and esteem. They therefore resolved to celebrate the event October 10, 1878. The ser- vices were held in the meeting-house, and were deeply impressive and interesting. A large num- ber of clerical friends and old parishioners were present, in addition to the residents in the town, and the celebration was entirely successful.
In 1859 the church-building was found to be insufficient for the accommodation of the parish, and it was enlarged and wholly remodelled so as to make substantially a new and commodious edifice of tasteful appearance. It was dedicated Novem- ber 29, of the same year. In 1875, in accordance with a petition, the name of the Second Parish was fixed by the legislature, and it is now known as the Pilgrim Church and Society of Sherborn.
The Rev. Daniel Gookin has been mentioned as the first pastor of the original church. His suc-
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cessors were the Rev. Daniel Baker, Rev. Samuel Porter, Rev. Samuel Locke, D. D., afterwards president of Harvard College, Rev. Elijah Brown, Rev. S. B. Townsend, Rev. Amos Clarke, Rev. Richard C. Stone, Rev. Theodore H. Dorr, Rev. William Brown, Rev. Alfred E. Mullett, and Rev. Eugene de Normandie, the present pastor. Among these were strong, able men, highly es- teemed in their day and generation. Rev. Samuel Porter was interested in agriculture and horticul- ture, and the well-known Porter apple was discov- ered on his land and was named for him, a worthy memorial of his love for trees and gardens. The stump of the original tree was standing not many years since on lis farm in the centre of the town.
In the year 1847 a very large gathering of the Leland family was held, descendants of Henry Layland, one of the earliest settlers of Sherborn, and who now comprise a large proportion of its population. A mammoth tent was required to con- tain all who desired to attend. It was a highly in- teresting occasion. A granite monument to their common ancestor, suitably inscribed, was dedicated to his memory on the same day by his grateful descendants. It stands at the north side of the Common.
From the earliest times Sherborn lias set apart portions of land for use as cemeteries. In general these lots were bare and uninviting spots, devoid of beauty or attraction, as was often the case in New England towns. Before the middle of the present century the subject of a more modern rural cemetery was seriously considered and finally urged by some of the inhabitants, prominent among whom was the lamented Dr. Oliver Everett, the beloved and respected physician of the town - from 1825 until near the close of the year 1851. A location was most judiciously chosen by him on Pine Hill, near the centre of the town, and still sufficiently secluded from public view. An asso- ciation was formed, and the grounds were laid out with much taste by Captain Jacob Pratt, who had a deep interest in the work, and had also selected the same spot independently of Dr. Everett. On May 19, 1852, Pine Hill Cemetery was consecrated with suitable exercises, an address being given by Rev. Edmund Dowse. Dr. Everett was one of the first to be buried in the cemetery he had advo- cated. It has always been a source of interest and satisfaction to the people. The remains of some of the older ministers of the town have been
removed there, and monuments erected to their memory.
In ancient times, and even to a comparatively recent date, the stated meetings of the inhabitants for the transaction of the business of the town were held in the public meeting-house which belonged to the town. The business of both town and parish was performed in the same meeting, and the town records contained also the records of the parish until August, 1809.
In the year 1836 the town purchased of the pro- prietors the academy building, and the public town- meetings were held in it for several years. This building had finally become old and worn, and also of insufficient size, and it was evident that better accommodations must be provided. But before any definite action was taken the proposition of the executors of Thomas Dowse, hereafter de- scribed, was received and accepted, and their consent obtained to invest the amount in a new town-house which should contain a suitable room for the use of the proposed high school. Thus was the town providentially aided in a highly important work, only a small additional sum being required to com- plete the building. It stands on the old site of the school-house, at the southeasterly side of the Com- mon. It is a neat structure of sufficient capacity for the wants of the town for many years, and con- tains a large hall for meetings and lectures, a good school-room, and a room for the public library, besides convenient anterooms. It was dedicated, with appropriate ceremonies, December 23, 1858.
For many years there had been a library in the town, owned by an association of individuals, and at a later date an agricultural library. After the passage of an act by the legislature, allowing towns to establish libraries, the members of these asso- ciations expressed a willingness to present their collections to the town to form the nucleus of a public library. The proposition being favorably entertained, the associations presented a petition to. the town at a regular meeting held March 5, 1860, for the establishment of a public library, accom- panied with the offer of the gift of both libraries (comprising 573 volumes), provided it would comply with the request and conform to the full provisions of the state law on the subject. The town cordially granted the petition, and made an appropriation for the establishment of the library. It was opened for the use of the inhabitants in the following month of June. Annual grants of money by the town have secured the addition of
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new books, and great satisfaction has been derived by the citizens from this popular institution. April 1, 1879, the whole number of volumes was 2,500. This small town deserves credit for its early adop- tion of the law for the establishment of town libraries, and it takes pride and pleasure in this important aid to education,
The year 1861 arrived, and the black clouds hurrying across the national sky portended a con- vulsion of no common character. Civil war was upon us with all its great labors and trials and sacrifices. Sherborn had always done 'her duty in great emergencies ; she did it now. As early as May 1, 1861, at a town-meeting called for the pur- pose, a committee was chosen to prepare patriotic resolutions, which were unanimously adopted. Dr. Loring, in his bi-centennial address, thus eloquently discourses of the part borne by the town : "Eighty- two of your citizens were enrolled in the army. Large sums were expended in bounties to the soldiers, partly contributed by private liberality, and partly drawn from the treasury of the town. Your charities were unbounded. Individual and associated effort was unremitting in smoothing the rugged pathway of the soldier, in providing for those whom he had left behind, and in alleviating his toil on the field and liis sufferings in hospital and camp. From your fireside to every battle-field was stretched the silver cord of affection and solicitude, bring- ing close to your hearts every great event of the sublime period, and binding your familiar and household names to every far-off spot in our land, which the war clothed with immortal reason; for your sons were on every field, your blood was spilled in almost every conflict. . The sacrifices which you made were great. Of those who went forth, nineteen laid down their lives in their coun- try's service, defending the flag on many a hard- fought field."
When the first grant of land was made to the inhabitants, a tract of fifty acres was appropriated for the support of a free school for the use of the English and Indian children. " At first the work of teaching was performed in the several families or in some private house where the children of the settlement were assembled for that purpose."1 As before mentioned, Edward West was chosen school- master. " He appears to have been a man of su- perior education, whom the people desired to retain in the settlement, and to whom they offered special
1 Rev. Edmund Dowse; Bi-Centennial Sermon, October 18, 1874.
inducements to remain." In 1727 a vote was passed " to build a school-house 18 feet wide & 20 ft. long, and to set it on Meettinghouse common on the Southeasterly side of the Meetinghouse." The school lands were sold during the next year to de- fray the expense of this structure. And this spot remained as the site of a building used either wholly or in part for school purposes for nearly one hundred and fifty years.
In addition to the common schools with which the town has always been provided, there has usually been, for the last one hundred years, a school of advanced grade for instruction in the higher branches and in the classics, kept by Rev. Dr. Locke, Rev. Elijah Brown, Rev. Amos Clarke, and others. And at a still later period there were occasional terms of private select school. Many of the citizens felt the need of a more permanent school of this character, and efforts were made from time to time to establish it, but without success. They therefore received with great satisfaction and gratitude, in the year 1858, the proposition of the executors of the will of Thomas Dowse, to convey to the town the sum of $5,000 in trust, for the support of a high school which should furnish to the youth of the town the means for study of the higher English branches, and also those which are required in preparation for entering college.
Thomas Dowse was a leather-dresser, and resided in Cambridgeport during nearly the whole of a long life. He was a thorough workman, and attentive to his business, but had also a taste for science and literaturc. He gradually accumulated a fine library of valuable books, which were elegantly bound, and thus satisfied his critical eye by their appearance. His library was his treasure, but his books were not kept for show. He was well ac- quainted with their contents, and passed most of his leisure time among them. Although not a na- tive of Sherborn, he passed much time there during his boyhood. His father also resided in the town for several years. A portion of his estate was wisely left to his executors in trust, to be bestowed according to their judgment, for scientific and lit- erary purposes. In consideration of his family connection with this town, and also of the fact that many relatives bearing his name still resided here, the executors, through Mr. George Livermore of Cambridge, one of their number, deemed it appro- priate that the town should be the recipient of a por- tion of the means for usefulness and improvement contemplated by the donor. Hence this acceptable
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