USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : containing carefully prepared histories of every city and town in the county, Vol. II > Part 82
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Cochituate. - The first starting of this now flourishing village, which lies at the extreme south- ern border of the town, was about the year 1830, when Messrs. William and J. M. Bent commenced
472
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
in a small way the manufacture of shoes. This firm have continued to the present time, and are the leading business house. Messrs. Thomas Bry- ant, and T. A. and H. C. Dean, are extensive manu- facturers. The steady growth of business is indi- cated by the following statistics : In 1837 the number of pairs of shoes manufactured was 29,660; value, $22,419 ; males employed, 31 ; females, 15. In 1865, capital invested, $ 17,850; value of manu- factured goods, $282,760 ; males employed, 182; females, 29. In 1875 the number of establish- ments was nine; capital invested, $51,500; value of manufactured goods, $1,799,175; males em- ployed, 431 ; females, 60.
A Wesleyan Methodist Church was erected here in 1850. A Methodist Episcopal society has since been organized. A new grammar-school house was built in 1773 ; attendance in 1878, forty-five. A system of water-supply, from Rice's Pond, has just been completed at an expense of $25,000.
In 1841 the Wayland Academy, a private in- stitution, was opened, with Rev. Leonard P. Frost, principal ; Josiah Rutter, A. B., teacher of ancient languages ; Miss Anna P. Frost, precep- tress ; Lewis Smith, teacher of vocal music; F. F. Heard, teacher of instrumental music. 'Number of pupils in the fall term : girls, thirty-six ; boys, seventy-one ; total, one hundred and seven.
In 1854 a town high school was established, and a new school-house erected at the Centre.
Town Library. - This town has the honor of establishing the first free public library in Massa- chusetts. Francis Wayland, D. D., president of Brown University, for whom the town was named, proposed to give $500 to his namesake, on condi- tion that the town should appropriate an equal sum, the whole to be expended in founding a library, which should be free for the use and benefit of all the inhabitants. At a meeting in 1848 the town accepted the gift on the terms proposed, and voted to raise the required amount. But as there was doubt about the right of the town to raise money by tax for such a purpose, a larger sum was raised by citizen subscriptions, and presented to the town for that object. In 1851 the town instructed its representative, Rev. John B. Wight, to ask for a special law to meet their case. But his active mind took a wider and, as the result has shown, more beneficent view ; and he secured the enact- ment of a general law, under which free libraries have been largely established through the state.
The Wayland Library was founded in 1848, and
was opened for the delivery of books August 7, 1850. In 1863 Deacon James Draper gave $500 to the town as a permanent fund for the benefit of the library. The number of volumes now in the library is 7,485. A social library was estab- lished here soon after the Revolution, through the influence of Rev. Mr. Bridge. It contained over one hundred volumes of the best books then pub- lished, and for many years diffused useful informa- tion and mental cultivation among the proprietors. The remains of this library were transferred to the new free library.
War of 1812. - Volunteers who served three months in Boston Harbor : Abel Heard, James Draper, Rufus Goodnow. Drafted meu : Reuben Sherman, Daniel Hoven, Jolin Palmer; the last two procured substitutes, namely, Cephas Moore and Jonas Abbot.
War of the Rebellion. - Total number of men furnished to fill the town's quotas, one hundred and twenty-nine. Of this number seventy were residents, most of them natives, of the town. Of the above, twelve were killed in battle or died in the service. Two natives of the town enlisted from other places. Total amount raised by the town in its corporate capacity for recruiting pur- poses, $18,000. The Soldiers' Aid Society and the Soldiers' Relief Society contributed largely of clothing, medicines, etc.
The Massachusetts Central Railroad was char- tered in 1869. This town subscribed for three hundred and twenty-five shares of the stock. This road, soon to be completed, passes through the centre village, and will place within easy reach of business men in Boston new and extensive terri- tory for country residences, of surpassing scenic beauty.
The following table shows the population to the latest census : -
Population.
Valuation of Real Estate.
.1781
$149,328
1791 .
801
147,936
1801
835
150,862
1811
824
166,182
1821
962
197,316
1831
944
289,560
1840
998
316,496
1850
1,115
434,023
1860
1,188
426,616
1870
1,148
703,298
1875
1,766
1,065,630
Between 1761 and 1801 forty-seven persons died in town aged ninety and upwards ; the oldest was one hundred and three.
473
.WAYLAND.
No mention is made of any resident physician in the early records. Dr. Alcock of Roxbury, and Surgeon Avery of Dedham, were sent for in difficult cases, the latter as late as 1673. The wife of Jolin Loker, who was here in 1640, acted as mid wife, and prescribed for common complaints ; and the wife of Matthew Gibbs performed the same offices after 1655. It is believed that Rev. James Sherman had pursued medical studies and pre- scribed for bodily diseases.
Ebenezer Robie (now written Roby), M. D., born at Boston in 1701, graduated at Harvard in 1719, commenced practice here in 1725, and con- tinued till his death in 1772. He studied with the celebrated Dr. Boerhaave, and was eminent in his profession, as well as in general scholarship and Biblical criticism.
Dr. Ebenezer Roby, Jr., practised with his father, and till his death in 1786. Dr. Joseph Roby (son of Ebenezer, Jr.) was in practice here till 1801. Dr. Nathan Rice, born at Framingham, settled in town in 1800, and continued in practice till his death in 1814. Dr. Ebenezer Ames, born at Marlborough, came to town in 1814, and was in practice till his death in 1861. Dr. Edward Frost, born at Framingham, graduated at Harvard in 1822, was in practice here from 1830 till his death in . 1838. Dr. Charles W. Barnes, born at Marlborough, was in practice here- from 1860 to 1864. Dr. John McL. Hayward, born at Bos- ton, graduated at Harvard Medical School in 1858, settled in town in 1874. Dr. Charles H. Boodey settled at Cochituate Village in 1876.
In the early times of the province men were ap- pointed by the General Court, in the several towns, to perform specific duties combining the powers of counsel, judge, and jury. October 7, 1640, Mr. Peter Noyes, Walter Hayne, and John Parmenter were appointed to end small causes at Sudbury, un- der twenty shillings. Mr. Noyes was reappointed in 1641, 1643, and 1645, and in 1646 he was authorized to join people in marriage. Edmund Goodnow and Edmund Rice were appointed to end small canses in 1641, 1646, and 1648. Hugh Griffin was chosen clerk of the writs in 1645.
Among the early justices of the peace were Wil- liam Jennison, from 1700 to 1731, afterwards judge of the court of common pleas, John Noyes, William Baldwin, John Maynard, Jacob Reeves.
Of professional lawyers there have been : -
Otlıniel Tyler (B. U. 1783), in practice from 1795 to 1827 ; died in 1846.
Samuel H. Mann, a native of New Hampshire, in practice from 1824 to 1830.
Edward Mellen (B. U. 1823), from 1830 to his death, May 31, 1875. Esquire Mellen was born at Westborough, September 26, 1802, and came to Wayland, November, 1830. As a man he was distinguished for his geniality and public spirit. He took a leading interest in the public schools of the town, and in the public library. As a lawyer he was distinguished for his thorough knowledge of the principles of law, and familiarity with the decisions of the courts. In 1847 he was made justice of the court of common pleas, and in 1855 was raised to the office of chief justice of the same court. In 1854 he received from his Alma Mater the degree of LI. D. After retiring from the judgeship he opened an office in Worcester, but retained his home in Wayland.
David Lee Child settled in town in 1853, and remained till his death in 1874. He was born at Boylston in 1794; graduated at Harvard in 1817 ; was distinguished in his profession, and as an earnest, consistent advocate of the canse of anti- slavery.
Richard F. Fuller, born at Cambridge (H. U. 1844), was in town from 1860 to 1869.
Franklin F. Heard, born in Wayland (H. U. 1848), had an office here for a short time. He is the author of several works on law.
Gustavus A. Somerby was born at Exeter, New Hampshire, November 2, 1821. Ilis parents re- moved to Boston when he was two years old. He attended school for a time at the academy in Hol- liston. Becoming an inmate of the home of Luther Glezen of Wayland, he was encouraged and assisted by Mr. Glezen to enter on the study of law with Esquire Mellen. An indefatigable student aud reader of general literature, he early gave promise of the brilliant future that awaited him. On the appointment of Mr. Mellen as judge he occupied his office in this town for a few years, when he re- moved to Waltham, and was associated with Josiah Rutter, Esq. Subsequently he opened an office in Boston, where he continued till his death, July 24, 1879. He fell a victim to overwork in his much- loved profession.
Richard T. Lombard, born at Truro, settled in town in 1875.
College Graduates. - Samuel Jennison (H. U. 1720), teacher ; died ummarried in 1729. Jude Damon (H. U. 1776), clergyman ; died in 1828. Aaron Smith (H. U. 1777), teacher. Ephraim
474
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
Smith (H. U. 1777), merchant; died in 1795. Phinehas Johnson (B. U. 1799) studied theology, and was ordained; studied law; died in 1870; Joseph Adams (H. U. 1805), lawyer in Maine ; died in 1850. Gardner Rice (Wesleyan Uni- versity, 1834), Methodist clergyman ; teaeher of Holliston Academy ten years, Shrewsbury Aead- emy eight years, New Salem Academy four years. Fred M. Stone (Wesleyan University), left at close of Junior year; lawyer. David Da- mon (H. U. 1811), elergyman ; settled in 1843, died in 1843. Seth Damon (H. U. 1811), elergy- man. Josiah Rutter (H. U. 1833), lawyer at Wal- tham; died in 1877. Norwood Damon (H. U. 1833), clergyman. Elbridge Smith (B. U. 1841), teacher; resides in Dorchester. Abner Rice
(Y. C. 1844), teacher ; resides in Lee, Massachu- setts. Franklin F. Heard (H. U. 1848), lawyer; resides in Boston. Benjamin D. Frost (Coll. of N. J. - ), civil engineer ; distinguished as chief in the construction of the Hoosac Tunnel. Ed- ward Frost (H. U. 1850), civil engineer in charge of building the Massachusetts Central Railroad, etc. Edwin H. Heard (B. U. 1851), died while studying law. Joseph R. Draper (W. C. 1851), physician ; resides at South Boston. Jared M. Heard (B. U. 1853), clergyman ; ordained at Clin- ton, Massachusetts, August 25, 1858 ; settled at Fitchburg in 1863; died Mareh 22, 1861. Ed- ward T. Damon (H. U. 1857), died in 1859 while a student at the Harvard Medical School. Frank W. Draper (B. U. 1862), physician ; resides in Boston ; medieal examiner for Suffolk County. Joshua Mellen (B. U. 1862), merchant ; resides in Boston. Arthur G. Bennett (W. C. 1869), mer- chant ; resides in Boston. Among the natives of this town not included in the foregoing lists, who deserve honorable mention, are Captain Ephraim Curtis and General Micah M. Rutter.
Captain Curtis was the son of Henry, an original grantee. He was by trade a carpenter, but devel- oped early a taste for military pursuits, and skill in following Indian trails. On the breaking out of King Philip's War he was employed by the colonial authorities to lead some perilous expedi- tions which required coolness, courage, knowledge of the country, and knowledge of the Indian char- aeter. Early in July, 1675, he commanded a squad of men sent " to eonduet Uneas, the Mohe- gan Sachem, and his six men homewards as far as Wabaquassec ; and also to make a perfeet discov-
ery of the motions of the Nipmug or Western In- dians." His relation of this adventure, which was successfully performed, is preserved in the state archives. The next week he was sent by the governor and council " to the Indians at Memini- messet with letters and a message." His rela- tion of this adventure is preserved. The follow- ing week he was employed as a guide to Captain Hutchinson's and Wheeler's expedition to treat with the Nipnets at Quaboag, and took part in the tragic events which make this expedition memora- ble. From this time till the close of the war he was in command of various scouting parties nearer home. There are at hand materials for an inter- esting biography.
General Rutter was a descendant of John, who eame over in the ship Confidence in the spring of 1638. This aneestor belonged to Penton, in County Hants, England ; was a carpenter; built the first meeting-house in town, and received three acres of meadow as an acknowledgment of some public service rendered the town.
Micah M. was born in 1779, and died in 1837. He was a man of great energy of character and publie spirit, and was identified with all move- ments to promote the social, educational, and re- ligious interests of his native place. He was sheriff for many years, passed through the various grades of military promotion, and was commis- sioned as major-general by Governor Lincoln. Yet with all the distracting responsibilities of public life he maintained a private character of great simplicity and devoutness of purpose. A short time before his death he remarked to the writer, at his own fireside, " My mother taught me the eradle hymn, 'Now I lay me,' when I was a child, and I have never failed, throughout a somewhat busy life, to repeat it on retiring to rest at night."
Aaron Smith Willington learned the trade of a printer; settled in Charleston, South Carolina, where he became publisher and editor of The Courier, a newspaper which, under his management, became the leading news journal of the South, as it was the leading organ of conservative sentiment in politics and civil affairs. In his early life James Gordon Bennet was an employee in Mr. Willing- ton's office, and here learned the methods of gath- ering foreign and domestie news, and those seerets of management, in the use of which he afterwards made The New York Herald the leading newspaper of the country.
475
WESTFORD.
WESTFORD.
BY EDWIN R. HODGMAN, ASSISTED BY JULIAN ABBOTT.
HIS town was originally the western part of Chelmsford, which was settled by persons from Woburn and Coneord in 1653. The General Court, in 1724, gave the people leave to be a separate religious so- ciety ; and in 1727 they were recognized as a preeinct. The struggle for separation from the old town began in 1713, and lasted fourteen years. The aet of incorporation was granted Sep- tember 23, 1729, and was signed by Lieutenant- Governor William Dummer, then acting governor. This was seventy-four years after the incorporation of Chelmsford. The old town gave to the new one its proportion of the ministerial land and of the stock of ammunition. The act of incorporation defines its boundaries in general terms, but the area was en- larged in 1730 on petition of Jonas Prescott, Eben- ezer Prescott, Abner Kent, and Ebenezer Townsend, inhabitants of Groton, whose estates were, in Sep- tember of that year, annexed to Westford.
By this addition the valuable water-power in Forge Village fell within the limits of this town. According to a survey made in 1855, the township contains 19,937 acres, or thirty-one square miles. Its extreme length from north to south is eight miles, and its average width about four miles. Its shape is irregular; its boundary line on the east side is nearly straight, but other lines are more or less divergent.
The first town-meeting was held March 2, 1730, at which time' Deacon John Comings was chosen moderator; Joshua Fletcher, town-clerk ; Joshua Fleteher, John Comings, Samuel Chamberlin, Joseph Keyes, and Thomas Read, selectmen ; and Samuel Fassett, town-treasurer. Of these, Fletcher, Chamberlin, and Keyes had held the same office in Chelinsford in 1726.
The first tax-list bears date October 16, 1730, and contains the names of eighty-nine men, who
were assessed in the aggregate £125. The num- ber of the names shows that there were nearly one hundred families in town at the date of incorporation. The tax-list was made in two parts, one including the south and the other the north part, and was given to two eonstables for collection. The assessment of the south part was £ 59 13s. 11d .; that of the north part was £65 6s. 1d. The names of a few men are given, which represent families of long standing in the town. These are Chamberlin, Fletcher, Cummings, Parker, Hildreth, Read, Pres- cott, and Keyes. Of these the Fletchers were from Concord, the Parkers from Woburn, and the Pres- cotts from Groton.
Westford is bounded north by Tyngsborough, east by Chelmsford, south by Carlisle and Acton, and west by Littleton and Groton. It is distant twenty-six miles from Boston, and eight miles from Lowell.
The surface of the town is broken by numerous hills, the highest of which is Prospect Hill, about three hundred feet above the level of Stony Brook. Others are known as Francis, Providence, Tadmnek, Bear, Sparks, Rattlesnake, Kissacook, Snake- Meadow, Conscience, Flushing, Oak, and Blake's, none of them of any considerable prominence. The pretty little stream that meanders though the town is worthy of a more characteristic name than Stony Brook. Its charming valley below West- ford Station appeals to the sense of beauty in every beholder. Several ponds in the north part sparkle in the sunlight of the long summer day. The largest, Nebunnussuck, half a mile from Brookside, has an area of 123 acres. It is much frequented by excursion parties from Lowell and elsewhere. Long-sought-for Pond comes next, with an area of 107 acres ; then Keyes, 40 acres; Burge's, 25 acres ; Flushing, 20 acres. That part of Forge Pond which lies in Westford comprises an area of 104 acres. The soil in the south and east parts of the town is good ; in the north part it is sandy. The granite quarries on Snake-Meadow Hill
476
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
have been worked for many years. They yield a fine quality of stone, which is sent long distances on the railway.
The central village is beautifully situated on a commanding eminence, from which in clear weather a fine view can be had of the distant mountains, Wachusett, Watatic, Monadnock, and Kearsarge. The White Hills of New Hampshire may be seen in favorable times. Its geographical position and picturesque scenery entitle this to rank among the loveliest towns of northern Middlesex. For more than one hundred and fifty years it has been the home of a frugal, industrious people.
The original families, bearing the name of Adams, Barret, Bates, Bixby, Boynton, Burge, Butterfield, Chandler, Cleaveland, Craft, Dutton, Fasset, Heald, Proctor, Spaulding, Temple, Townsend, Underwood, and others, have entirely disappeared.
Little can be learned from the records of the civil or political history of the town for the first forty years. The people were almost exclusively occupied in tilling the ground, and there were few startling events in their history. How much they were disturbed by the French and Indian war, which inade so heavy a draft upon the resources of the New England colonies, and how much, if anything, they contributed to the defence of the colonies dur- ing that conflict, it is not easy to determine. But as they were ready to resist the usurpations of the mother country at a later period, it is fair to pre- sume that they were not indifferent or inactive in the struggle with the savage foe.
The attitude of the town when the Revolutionary struggle was impending showed a patriotism and "love of liberty of which no son, born within its borders, ever need be ashamed. As early as 1765 the people gave utterance to their sentiments on the obnoxious Stamp Act in terms so explicit that they could not be misunderstood.
Again, in 1770, they express sympathy with the merchants of Boston and Charlestown in their purpose not to import goods from Great Britain, and declare they will not procure goods of any persons who have sought to counter- act that agreement. In 1773, soon after the Boston pamphlet was issued, the people declared their sympathy with their " Boston brethren," and voted to choose a committee "to corre- spond with Boston, or any other town, as occa- sion may require." This committee consisted of the five following gentlemen : Mr. Samuel Gard- ner, Captain Jonathan Minot, Deacon John Ab-
bot, Dr. Asaph Fletcher, and Mr. Nathaniel Boyn- ton.
This was the first committee of correspondence appointed by the town. Some of the best citi- zens were members of it from time to time, and it was the medium of communication with other patriotic men in the province for several years. In March, 1774, the town adopted a stirring pa- triotic paper, drawn up by Dr. Fletcher, in which they say : "In faithfulness to our country, our- selves, and posterity, we hold ourselves obligated according to the utmost of our abilitics to make repeated oppositions against repeated attempts to extinguish the just rights and liberties of this peo- ple, or every attempt to annihilate our freedom, the price of which was no less than the price of blood, even the precious blood of our worthy ancestors."
When the struggle came, in 1775, the people of this town were among the first to leave their homes to drive back the British troops from Concord. In the fight at the North Bridge, April 19, Colonel John Robinson, of this town, stood by the side of Davis and Buttrick when the British advanced upon the Americans, and the first shot sent a ball under Colonel Robinson's arm. Dr. Ripley says that a company from Westford had just entered the bonnds of Concord when the fight took place. The state archives in Boston show that two com- panies left Westford that morning for Concord, and although not present at the first skirmish, they joined in pursuit of the retreating foe, and did good service. The first company consisted of fifty-eight men, and was led by Captain Timothy Underwood. The other consisted of thirty-six men under Captain Oliver Bates. It is stated on good authority that Captain Bates received a wound that day from which he did not recover, but died July 4, 1775. In Colonel Swett's list of companies in Colonel Prescott's regiment at the battle of Bunker Hill are the names of Joshna Parker, captain ; Amazialı Fassett, first lieutenant ; Thomas Rogers, second lieutenant. These were Westford men. This shows that the town partici- pated in the first battle of the Revolution. One of her citizens, Joseph Minot, gave up his life in that battle.
In 1780, when the bill of rights and the consti- tution of this state were presented to the people, this town, at a meeting held May 25, voted to accept the first article of the bill, and also the sec- ond, with the exception of the last clause. At an adjourned meeting, five days later, the town, " hav-
477
.WESTFORD.
ing taken under consideration the several articles of the constitution, article by article, the whole of which was accepted, voted the following amend- ment : That the former clause of the sixteenth article of the Declaration of Rights be amended as follows: the Liberty of the press and of speech are essential to the security of Freedom in a State." Their most emphatic objection was lev- elled against the third article of the Bill of Rights, which has since been amended so as to release the state from the obligation to require the people to support public worship. In this matter they showed a degree of wisdom not everywhere appar- ent among the men of those times.
The first election of state officers under the new constitution was held September 8, 1780. This is the record : -
"Voted for the Hon. John Hancock Esq. to be Governor by 60 votes.
" For John Perkins to be Lieut. Governor by 43 votes."
Voted for councillors and senators as follows : Josiah Stone, of Framingham, 32 votes ; Abraham Fuller, of Newton, 32 votes; Nathaniel Gorham, of Charlestown, 31 votes ; James Prescott, of Gro- ton, 28 votes ; Eleazer Brooks, of Lincoln, 28 votes ; Loammi Baldwin, of Woburn, 4 votes.
March 5, 1781, the committee of correspond- ence and safety consisted of Francis Leighton, Captain Zaccheus Wright, Joshua Read, Captain Pelatiah Fletcher, and Dr. Asaph Fletcher, all new men except Dr. Fletcher. Dr. Fletcher was one of the most ardent patriots in the town during the period of the Revolution. He was a man of vigor- ous purpose, large intelligence, and strict integrity. After the war was over he removed, and settled in Cavendish, Vermont, in 1787. He was the father of Hon. Richard Fletcher, late of Boston, and of ex-Governor Ryland Fletcher, of Vermont.
Captain Joseph Read was the first representative from Westford in the General Court under the new constitution. He was often elected to this office, having held it, in all, twenty-one times. He was called to serve the town in other capacities, and was a distinguished public man.
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