USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : containing carefully prepared histories of every city and town in the county, Vol. II > Part 91
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102
In 1857 a change was made in the basis of representation, and this town was joined with Arlington as a representative district. Since then the district has been represented as follows : Moses Proctor of West Cambridge in 1858; Oli- ver R. Clark of Winchester in 1859; Joseph Burrage of West Cambridge in 1860; Charles Heywood of Winchester in 1861; Albert Winn of West Cambridge in 1862; Frederick O. Prince of Winchester in 1863; Samuel Butterfield of West Cambridge in 1864; Charles Goddard of Winchester in 1865; Joseph S. Potter of Arling- ton in 1866, 1867, 1868 ; Salem Wilder of Will- chester in 1869; Jesse Bacon of Arlington in 1870; Samuel W. Twombly of Winchester in 1871; David N. Skillings of Winchester in 1872; J. W. Pierce of Arlington in 1873; John T. Manny of Winchester in 1874; A. B. Coffin of Winchester in 1875; S. D. Hicks of Arlington in 1876; William H. Kinsman of Winchester in 1877; William G. Peck of Arlington in 1878 and 1880; Josiah F. Stone of Winchester in 1879.
Religious. - After frequent meetings between March, 1839, and May, 1840, and much discus- sion, a general meeting of prominent citizens resid- ing in what was then South Woburn was held May 12, 1840, at which it was decided to organ- ize the South Woburn Congregational Society. June 1, 1840, a society bearing this name was organized under due form of law, and a building committee consisting of Benjamin F. Thompson, Harrison Parker, Stephen Swan, Henry Cutter, Marshall Wyman, Nathan B. Johnson, and Sum- ner Richardson were chosen to purchase a site, and erect a house of worship. The site selected was the
520
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
one now occupied by it. The corner-stone was laid July 27, 1840. The church edifice was com- pleted, and dedicated December 30, 1840; the sermon on the occasion being preached by the Rev. Daniel Crosby, of Charlestown. One hundred members of the present church in Woburn with- drew from that church November 2, 1840, and formed a church here. During the summer of 1849 the church edifice was enlarged and thor- oughly repaired, but on the morning of the 20th of March, 1853, the building, with a new and valuable organ just placed in it, and other furni- ture, was entirely destroyed by fire.
The corner-stone of the present edifice, which occupies a commanding position fronting on Church Street, the Common, and the railroad depot, was laid September 5, 1853, and the house was dedi- cated October 11, 1854. The corporate name of the society was changed, March 11, 1856, to the First Congregational Society. The pastors who have been settled over this society are as follows : Rev. George P. Smith, ordained June 17, 1841, and dismissed March 11, 1845 ; Rev. William T. Eustis, Jr., installed April 8, 1846, dismissed Jan- uary 27, 1848; Rev. John M. Steele, ordained August 10, 1848, dismissed February 11, 1852; Reuben T. Robinson, ordained October 27, 1852, died in the service August 24, 1871; Rev. Edwin C. Bissell, installed November 1, 1871, dismissed September 2, 1873; Rev. Alfred B. Dascomb, in- stalled March 4, 1874, resigned, and resignation took effeet July 15, 1878; Rev. Charles R. Sey- mour, installed October 30, 1879, is the present pastor. The Sunday school was organized Jan- uary 3, 1841, with Deacon B. F. Thompson as its superintendent. The school has been, from the first, prosperous and progressive, its membership, as well as its charitable contributions, increasing from year to year by a steady growth. Deacon O. R. Clark was its superintendent for fifteen years. The present membership is about three hundred and fifty. Benjamin F. Thompson, Nathan B. Johnson, and Marshall Wyman were the first deacons, and served twelve years in that capacity. After these, Zebediah Abbott served twenty-two years ; Joseph Huse, eighteen years ; Luther Richardson, nineteen years ; Oliver R. Clark, eighteen years. On the 5th of July, 1872, a by-law was adopted, limiting the term of service of the deacons to four years. The present number of church-members is about four hundred.
In connection with the history of the Congrega-
tional Society, a sketch of one who was intimately connected with its early history will not be out of place here.
Benjamin Franklin Thompson was born in Wo- burn, January 18, 1799. He was brought up in a plain New England home, and enjoyed to a limited cxteut the advantages of the town schools. Early called npon to carve out his own fortune, he became an apprentice to his elder brother, with whom he afterwards became associated in business. On en- tering upon business for himself lie was very suc- cessful, and continued so for many years, and thus was enabled to lay aside a handsome competence. He was a model business man, and preferred the activity which a business life required. He was a true friend, neighbor, and citizen, and to the sick, suffering, and needy cheerfully contributed the means at his command. He lent himself to every good word and work. The cause of temperance and antislavery found in him an earnest supporter. In the last national struggle he was deeply inter- ested, and was ready in all ways to aid in the sup- pression of the Rebellion.
He held the office of superintendent of the Sun- day school connected with the Woburn church for several years, and in April, 1836, was chosen deacon, which latter office he resigned in December, 1840. He removed to this place, then South Woburn, in 1839. Shortly after his removal here he agitated the subject of another church in this locality, and may be said to be the father and founder of this church and society. He was the chairman of the committee of the petitioners for the purpose of forming a new church. He was the chairman of the sub-committee to obtain the first minister, and also of that to draw up the church covenant, and the first church meeting was held at his house. He was the first clerk and treasurer, and one of the deacons in 1850. He was chairman of the com- mittee on the building of the first church here, and of that for selling and letting pews. He was a member of the committee for building the pres- ent church edifice. He resigned the office of dea- con, February, 1852. As a Christian he was faithful to all his religious engagements, and re- mained connected with the Sunday school to the time of his death, which occurred in July, 1863.
First Baptist Church. - Some time during the year 1849 a few individuals connected with the Baptist denomination assembled for worship in Union Hall, in what was then South Woburn, and continued to meet in that place until the erec-
521
WINCHESTER.
tion of Lyceum Hall. During this time Rev. N. A. Reed acted as their pastor. For three years they thus maintained the services of the sanctuary, sus- taining a Sabbath school and social meetings with- out any church organization.
The First Baptist Church of Winchester was constituted August 11, 1852, with eighteen mem- bers, and recognized by council September 2, 1852. The successive pastorates have been : Rev. N. A. Reed, from August 18, 1852, to August 1, 1854; Rev. Edwin B. Eddy, from December 1, 1855, to June 1, 1860; Rev. J. D. Mceson, from May, 1861, to February, 1862; Rev. Henry Hinckley, from September 1, 1862, to November, 1866 ; Rev. Samuel J. Bronson, from February 19, 1867, to May, 1869 ; Rev. L. G. Barrett, from January, 1870, to January, 1874; Rev. H. F. Barnes, the present pastor, from March 15, 1874.
In 1864 a meeting-house was completed by the society at the corner of Washington and Mount Vernon streets. It is built of wood, and is of the Gothic style of architecture. The main house is 75 ×45 feet, with au addition 58× 31 feet, con- taining two vestries. The house contains seventy- eight pews, and will seat about four hundred per- sons. The cost of the house, land, and furnishing was about $10,000. The present membership of the church is one hundred and sixty-four. The Sunday school numbers about one hundred and forty.
Aaron D. Weld, who was active among the early efforts put forth by the exponents of Baptist views, was born in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, in the year 1821, and bred a fariner. By his own exertions he secured an education, and was fitted for college ; but the want of funds turned him aside into busi- ness, which he prosecuted jointly in Boston and St. Louis with success and untarnished honor. In 1850 he removed to this town, and with a few others, and for years before a Baptist church could be formed, sustained a Sunday school and regular preaching. The cost was considerable, often sev- eral hundred dollars a year ; but having the means, and believing that he was a steward, the opportu- nity of honoring his Lord was eagerly improved. Of studious habits and tastes, and with a large and increasing fund of doctrinal and biblical knowledge, he was eminently useful in the Sunday school and church. He was brought up in the religious belief of the Congregationalists, but was afterwards led by study and research to embrace Baptist senti- ments. In his business he was enterprising and
shrewd, and withal eminent for his straightforward- ness and honesty. As a citizen he was universally esteemed, and frequently honored by his townsmen with the charge of their public affairs. As a friend he was warm-hearted, generous, and noble. He entered into the service of his country in January, 1862, as acting paymaster attached to the United States steamer J. P. Jackson, and was in the naval engagement at New Orleans, and in several other conflicts with the enemy. June 3 he was taken sick with remittent fever, and died, June 11, 1862, on board the Ocean Queen, while on her way to New York, about one hundred miles below New Orleans.
Unitarian Society. - About the year 1853 a Sunday school was organized by the friends of liberal Christianity, and met in the Mystic School- house and other places ; but after four years' con- tinuance it was disbanded for want of a suitable place for its meetings, and of sufficient interest. In connection with the school during that period quite a number of the parents and friends had church services at which clergymen from the neigh- boring towns officiated. Eight years elapsed, when Rev. S. R. Calthrop came to spend a Sunday with his friends in this town. About twenty-five pco- ple who heard of his coming met in the parlors of Dr. F. Winsor's house, and there, on November 19, 1865, listened to a sermon on inspiration, which inspired them with a determination to hear more of the same gospel. Another service was held in the lower Lyceum Hall on the following Sunday, at which some eighty people were present. As the interest increased, a meeting was held on Novem- ber 29, 1865, to secure a permanent organization. Lyceum Hall was engaged, and the Unitarian So- ciety had its first religious service December 3, 1865, some one hundred persons being present. A Sunday school was formed in the afternoon of that day, with some fifty scholars, and Charles J. Bishop, Esq., as its superintendent.
The pulpit for the first six months was occu- pied by different clergymen. May 18, 1866, Rev. Richard Metcalf, the present pastor, was called, and on June 14, 1866, was duly installed. After occupying Lyceum Hall for several years, it was found to be insufficient for the purposes of the society, and in 1869 the incipient steps were taken towards the purchase of land and the erection of a house of worship. Thomas P. Ayer and Frank- lin W. Perry were the building committee. A lot of land, pleasantly located near the centre of the
522
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
town, fronting on Main Street, the rear overlook- ing Winchester Park, was purchased of Francis Johnson and others in May, 1869. August 25, 1869, the corner-stone of the present church edifice was laid, with appropriate ceremonies, and the building completed, and dedicated March 17, 1870. The architect was Thomas W. Silloway of Boston. The house is forty-six feet wide in front, and forty- two in the rear, the extreme lengthi being eighty- one fect. A tower on the front right-hand corner is one hundred and ten feet high. The auditorium contains seventy-two pews, with seats for three hundred and eighty persons, and room in the gal- lery for fourteen pews. The cost of the building and furniture was about $23,000. The Sunday services have been continued without interruption ever since the first meeting, November 19, 1855. The Sunday school numbers about one hundred and fifty, and since the settlement of the pastor it has been under his superintendence. Outside of the Sunday services the operations of the society are chiefly carried on by the Ladies' Friendly Soci- ety and the Good-Will Club. The Ladies' Friendly Society has contributed largely to the finances of the parent society. The Good-Will Club has been in existence eight years. Its object is "to do good and get good." Through its literary, musi- cal, and dramatic committees it has from time to time afforded instruction and entertainment, and contributed over one thousand dollars towards the society, the Sunday school, and the charitable work of the club. It continued for a while a free evening-school for instruction in the elementary branches of study, and also, from its formation to the present time, has supported and carried on a school every winter for the poor children in the town, who are taught to sew, and are afterwards pre- sented with the garments manufactured by them.
Roman Catholic. - At the formation of the town and for several years after there were but few Roman Catholics here; but with the increase in the number of houses there began to be more people desiring church privileges. At first they were obliged to go to Woburn or Medford to at- tend church, - a distance of two or three miles. Some five or six years ago, feeling themselves to be sufficient in numbers and ability to have services of their own faith in the town, they, with the as- sistance of friends in the other denominations, raised the necessary money, and erected and fur- nished the present neat and commodious church edifice on Washington Street, now occupied by
them. Rev. Mr. O'Connor is the present pas- tor.
Methodist Episcopal Society. - Up to Febru- ary, 1872, no attempt had been made to organize a Methodist society in this town, but during that month a meeting was called for this purpose, and held at the residence of John C. Mason. On the morning of March 3, 1872, the first regular ser- vice was entered upon, the Rev. C. W. Drees, of the seminary, taking charge of the service, the number of worshippers then being about sixty, - membership six. For two years the society was supplied with preachers from the seminary. The first regular pastor appointed by the Annual Con- ference was the Rev. D. S. Coles, who began his labors April 19,1874, and continued for two years. On the morning of October 20, 1875, ground was broken for a church edifice by Cyrus Hough- ton, the oldest man in the society, and for more than forty years a member of the Methodist Church, removing the first shovelful of earth. The church edifice is built on Pleasant Street, near the centre of the town, and is a neat wooden structure in the Romanesque style of architecture, from designs of T. W. Silloway of Boston. It is sixty-thrce feet long and forty feet wide, and is finished with a neat campanile, or bell-tower, at the front right corner. A basement, making the first story, contains the large lecture-room, with other modern conveniences, such as class-rooms, kitchen, etc. Although not of large dimensions, having a seating capacity for but three hundred persons, yet it is a very tasteful edifice, and well adapted to the needs of this young and prosperous society. The church edifice was dedicated June 1, 1876, and up to the present time two pastors have served, namely, Rev. J. E. Jubb one year, and Rev. George H. Cheney, the present pastor. The present number of worshippers is about one hun- dred, with a church membership of seventy-five. Average attendance at the Sunday school, sixty- eight.
Rising Star Division, No. 52, Sons of Temper- ance, was instituted September 9, 1858, and after flourishing for a little more than two years, during which time it had numbered some seventy mem- bers, and as many lady visitors, and done much good in the community, surrendered its charter in 1860. It numbered some twenty at its decease, and its property, including a handsome banner, was sold to a division in Somerville, which assumed the same name.
5.23
WINCHESTER.
Another division was instituted several years after, and continued in existence for a while, and then shared the fate of its predecessor.
A lodge of Good Templars was instituted Jan- uary 12, 1867, which survived several years, and then followed the example of the divisions.
The Reform Club was organized May 6, 1876, and is now in the field, having supplemented all the other temperanee organizations in carrying on the temperance reform. The present membership is three hundred and twenty, and the club meets in Livingstone Hall on Sunday afternoons and at other times.
As auxiliary to the Reform Club, the Women's Christian Temperance Union was formed May 26, 1876, with a membership of eighty-one. It now numbers eighty-five.
Socictics, etc. - During the existence of the town there have been several literary associations organ- ized, which flourished for several years. Among them were the Young Men's Literary Association and the Winchester Lyceum, both of which had lectures, debates, and entertainments, and were very successful in this way.
At the present time some of the religious socie- ties have organizations within their bodies which give more or less attention to literary matters and outside of these are the Young Men's Association, the Adelphian Club, and the Back-Log Club.
The Young Men's Association has been in exist- ence for several years, and has a room in Lyceum Building neatly furnished. It is composed of a number of the prominent young men, who make this room their headquarters for social intercourse, literary improvement, and recreation. The clubs mentioned have members from both sexes, and have literary and dramatic entertainments at stated intervals. The Back-Log Club meets in the Kin- dergarten School-house, in Rangley Place, and the Adelphians meet in Lyceum Hall.
Masonic. - In the month of January, 1864, at the invitation of Abijah Thompson, 3d, several masons residing in this town, among whom were Dr. William Ingalls, A. K. P. Joy, D. N. Skill- ings, and J. F. Stone, met at his house on Walnut Street, to consider what action could be taken to pro- mote the cause of masonry. After an interchange of opinions, it was decided to call a meeting of the brethren living in the town at No. 4 Lyceum Hall, which was held; and at a subsequent meeting, held on March 4, 1864, it was voted to apply for a dispensation.
A dispensation was duly granted, May 9, 1864, by William Parkman, then grand master, and the lodge duly organized as William Parkman Lodge, May 10, 1864, in Masonic Hall, in the upper part of Lyceum Building, which had been fitted up for these purposes. A. K. P. Joy was the master, Josiah F. Stone, senior warden, and Abijah Thompson, 3d, junior warden, of the new lodge under the dispen- sation. At the expiration of a year a charter was granted, June 16, 1865, and a lodge under the same organized in due and ancient form, June 22, 1865. A complete set of officer's jewels was pre- sented to the lodge by Mr. Parkman, in recogni- tion of the honor conferred upon him in taking his name for that of the lodge. The ladies of the Masonic brethren united in the presentation, on June 17, 1867, of an elegant banner. The lodge numbers eighty-three members.
Winchester Lodge, No. 556, Knights of Honor, was instituted March 31, 1877, with eleven char- ter members, and has fifty-eight members. The order of the Knights of Honor is organized for mutual assistance, both moral and peeuniary. It also pays an insurance of two thousand dollars to the widow or orphan of any deceased member. It has contributed for that purpose since its institu- tion in 1874 over $725,000 to the families of members, and Winchester Lodge has contributed $ 766 as its share of that amount.
The Winchester Union was organized Angust 1, 1871, and is a union of ladies from the different re- ligious societies in the town. Its object is concisely stated in its constitution to be, "to aid poor, sick, or suffering persons by work, instruction, adviee, or sympathy, as the case may require." It holds its meetings once a month, in one of the rooms in the high-school house.
A. D. Weld Post, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized May 22, 1872. Its present mem- bership is twenty-nine.
Prominent Citizens. - John Symmes, a de- scendant in the sixth generation from the Rev. Zechariah Symmes, was born in 1781, in the old house at Baconville built by Captain William Symmes, and afterwards built and lived in a house at the locality termed Symmes' Corner, now occu- pied by his son, Luther R. Symmes. He was a good man, just and upright, and useful in his day. In addition to the cultivation of a valuable farm, part of which he inherited from his early ancestors, he carried on during many years the business of a wheelwright, as his father had done before him.
524
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
He settled many estates of deceased persons, and held at different times most of the offices of trust in the town and parish. He attended public wor- ship in Medford, and was a staneh supporter of eivil and religious order. He was deaeon of the Congregational Church in that town from about the year 1818 until his death, February 15, 1860, at the age of seventy-nine years.
Among the earliest settlers in the town was Robert Bacon, who in the year 1846 settled in that part of the town afterwards termed Baconville. The site where he located was possessed of exeel- lent water privileges, which he and his sons im- proved for many years in carrying on their business. He also owned a large quantity of meadow-land adjoining, which afforded quite a revenue. The taking of a large portion of this meadow-land as a part of the water-shed of the Mystie Water-Works destroyed the water privileges which he had so long enjoyed, and compelled him to use steam-power in carrying on his business. After several years of snc- cess he gave np the business to his sons, by some of whom it was continued for many years. The business is now carried on by a grandson (C. N. Bacon), near the same locality. Mr. Bacon was prominently identified with the early history of the town, and contributed materially to its advanee- ment and prosperity. He took a deep interest in town affairs, and was nearly always present at the town-meetings, encouraging by his presence and vote whatever was best ealeulated to promote the prosperity of the town. He was one of the oldest members of the Universalist denomination, and took an active interest in it. He died June 4, 1861, at the age of eighty-three years. His daughter occupies the old homestead.
John A. Bolles was one of those prominent in the early history of the town, and took an active interest in its affairs during the many years that he was a resident therein. He was a lawyer by pro- fession, and secretary of the commonwealth under the administration of Governor Marcus Morton. During the War of the Rebellion he was upon the staff of General John A. Dix, and afterwards he was appointed naval solicitor, connected with the Navy Department at Washington. He held this office for several years, and died while holding the same, about two years ago.
Samuel B. White died November 9, 1878, at the age of seventy-five years. He was born in Boston in 1803, and removed to that part of Wo- burn now Winchester in 1823. He was the first
treasurer of 'the town after its incorporation, and was the station-agent here for several years. He also held many other offices of trust, and was highly esteemed in the community .. In early life he was connected with the militia of Middlesex County, and at one time commanded the old 4th regiment. He was also one of the original members of the once celebrated Woburn Phalanx, and its first eap- tain.
Among those resident in the town at its incor- poration was the Hon. Frederick O. Prince, the present mayor of Boston. He purchased, in 1848, a residence on the borders of Wedge Pond, on the brow of a commanding oak knoll overlooking this beautiful sheet of water. He continued a resident of the town for many years, and took an active part in its early history. He served for three years upon the first school board, which gave sueh excel- lent shape and direction to the educational interests of the town. He was also a representative to the General Court for the years 1851, 1852, and 1863, and a senator for the year 1854. He removed, sev- eral years since, to Boston, but still continues to make this his summer residenee.
In alluding to some of the prominent citizens, mention should be made of one who, although a private individual, was, in a certain sense, a pub- lic character for the last thirty years of his life. Solomon Lawrence Fletcher died February 28, 1880, at the age of seventy-nine years and two months. At his funeral the following, among other tributes, were paid to his memory : "Mr. Fleteher had two traits of character to which I, who have known him for nearly fourteen years, wish to bear testimony. First, he had a love for musie, poetry, flowers, and everything beautiful. This love entered into his life so deeply that it re- fined his whole nature. It added to that fine eour- tesy of his, with which he was ready to meet friend and stranger, young and old. . ... Secondly, he devoted himself to the happiness of others. How full of sympathy he was for the siek and suffering ! How much he planned for the children's enjoy- ment ! We call a man of wealth a man of means, and it is a good use of words ; but this man, with- out any wealth, found means enough to carry sun- shine and joy wherever he went. How many in our community have made more hearts happy than he ?.... Let us lay this tribute upon his bier as we mneet here to-day. With a kind, loving, generous heart, he lived more for others than himself, and in all our endeavors to make the community hap-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.