History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 175

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 175

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Forty-seven pounds, ten shillings, silver money, were appropriated to build a school-house near Silas Ran- dall's. It was arranged in 1788 that every quarter should draw their own pay and keep their own schools for the future. The Legislature of 1789 ordered that the towns should be divided into school districts. The town had already five school-houses, and it was therefore divided into five districts. Liberty was given May 12, 1794, to the "Squadron" in the middle of the town to hang the town's bell on their

school-house, and to set a school-house at the east end of the meeting-house on the town's land, but not nearer than the white oak trees. The same year £300 were appropriated to build and repair school- houses. Rev. Mr. Newell, in March, 1795, gave the proprietors of the centre school-house the privi- lege of erecting a house on his land, southerly of the Great Road, so long as it was used for school purposes. In 1803 a committee was chosen to re- district the town, and in 1811 there appear to have been eleven districts. For some years previous to this a School Committee had been chosen in each dis- trict to look after the schools. This year Rev. Mr. Newell and seven others were chosen to visit the schools at the opening and close of the same. A similar committee was chosen for two or three years following. In 1814 the south and southwest districts were united. In 1826 a law was enacted requiring all towns to choose a superintending school commit- tee, and since then, with two exceptions, such a com- mittee has been yearly chosen, the number varying from three to nine. In 1829 the town was divided into five districts. The prudential school committee, for many years, was chosen by the town, but in 1842 the several districts were allowed to choose their own committee. In 1869 the district system was abolished and the whole supervision of the schools . devolved upon the superintending committee. Many of the towns, however, clung with great tenacity to the management of their own district affairs. Much of the time since the town assumed control of the schools a superintendent of schools has been chosen by the committee who has looked after their interests. Among the famous teachers of the past may be men- tioned Mr. Francis Eveleth, son of Rev. John Eve- leth, who for many years was a prominent instructor of the young, and died November 23, 1776, at the age of seventy-four years. Of late years probably no one has taken a higher rank as a teacher and disciplina- rian than Mrs. Susan M. Lawrence, who for twenty- five years has heen almost constantly employed in that capacity and is still employed.

Academy .- On the 13th of October, 1823, twenty- seven of the prominent inhabitants of the town met to consider what could be done to improve the edu- cational advantages of the town, especially as related to greater privileges for their children than were then furnished by the public schools. The result of the conference was the formation of an association for the establishment of an academy, where the languages and the higher branches of English studies should be taught. Under the existing state of things it was a wise movement, and reflects great credit upon its projectors. A building spot was soon purchased and a contract for the ercction thereon of a suitable edi- fice was made. The grounds were graded by volun- tary labor, and the house was ready for occupancy the following spring. The services of dedication took place on the 31st of May, 1824. Rev. Mr.

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Newell, the minister of the town, delivered a very appropriate address. The school was immediately opened under the direction of John M. Cheney (Harvard College, 1821) as preceptor. In order to give some degree of permanency to the institution, at the outset the proprietors gave their notes, with sure- ties, to the board of trustees chosen for that purpose, to an amount sufficient to pay the salary of a precep- tor for five years. But thesc notes were never paid, for the very good reason that the school at once be- came self-supporting, and continued to be so for a con- siderable number of years. In fact, the school was a decided success. So popular was it that pupils came from many neighboring towns, as well as from New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maryland, Louisiana and the Province of Canada. At one time, indeed, the school was so thronged that the proprietors kept their own children at home to accommodate students from abroad. In the process of years, however, the pros- perity of the school begau to wane. The necessity of a frequent change of teachers had a deleterious influ- ence, and the increase of similar institutions in the neighborhood led to a considerable reduction in the number of pupils. Perhaps the improved condition of the common schools had its influence in rendering the school less popular than at first. So after a life of about twenty years it ceased to he.

High School .- Some years after the academy became defunct, the need of something to take its place was felt, and in 1851 the project of a high school was de- bated in town-meeting, but an adverse vote was given. But the town, April 19, 1852, appropriated over $320 for the support of such a school, and for a few years it was sustained, perhaps somewhat reluc- tantly by many of the voters. In this state of affairs a public-spirited and wealthy citizen of the town, Col. Elijah Hale, came forward in 1871, and proposed to give the town $5000 as a fund towards the support of a high school, on condition that the town also ap- propriate an equal sum for the same object, and should never abandon the school, but if they did so, the money was to revert to the donor or his heirs. Hon. John W. Brooks offered $1000 and his father, Henry Brooks, $100 in addition, and on the same terms. The town met on the 24th of May in that year to consider the propositions. They then voted with great unanimity "that the offer of Col. Elijah Hale, Henry Brooks, Esq., and Hon. John W. .Brooks, of means for the creation and support of a High School be accepted on the part of of the Town." It was then "voted, That the Town Treasurer give the Town's note for five thousand dollars with inter- est, payable semi-annually to the Trustees, and pay the interest to them as it shall become due." The trustees were to "give a bond in fifteen thousand dollars, to be kept by the Town Treasurer, for the faithful performanec of their trust, who shall keep the fund well invested, . . . and make annual re- port of the amount and condition of the fund to the

Town." "Voted, That the old Academy building and grounds be appropriated for the use of said School, and that it be under the care of the School Commit- tee, and be put in order by them." Seven trustees were then elected by ballot, namely, Edwin Whitney, Theodore Cooke, A. C. Livermore, Charles W. Glea- son, Francis W. Warren, Henry Gates and Micah Smith. Finally "Voted, That the thanks of the town be presented to Col. Elijah Hale, Henry Brooks, Esq., and to Hon. John W. Brooks, for their generous do- nations for the creation and support of a High School for the Town of Stow." The school was opened about the 1st of the following September, and is still in a flourishing condition.

MISCELLANEOUS .- The Rock Bottom Library As- sociation was formed July 15, 1880, and has about 1000 volumes of books.

The publication of The Stow Sentinel, a weekly newspaper, was commenced May 19, 1883, and the first number contained a full report of the proceed- ings at the Bi-Centennial Celebration on the 16th of the same month.

GRADUATES FROM COLLEGE .- We here give the list of graduates, so far as we have learned. Very likely some may have escaped our notice. In regard to the name of Silas Randall, we are not quite sure he was a native, yet we have but little doubt. H. C. means Harvard College; D. C., Dartmouth College : T. C., Tufts College, and B. U., Brown University. The first three names are the sons of Rev. John Gard- ner, the second minister of the town.

Samuel Gardner, H. C., 1746; Henry Gardner, H. C., 1750 ; Francis Gardner, H. C., 1755 ; Jeremiah Bar- nard, H. C., 1773; Phineas Randall, H. C., 1792; Abraham Randall, H. C., 1798; John Randall, H. C., 1802; Silas Randall, B. U., 1804; Jonathan Newell, H. C., 1805; Augustus Cooledge, D. C., 1813 ; George Newell, H. C., 1823; Charles Newell Warren, H. C., 1834; Eben Smith Brooks, H. C., 1835; Jonathan Newell, H. C., 1838; Silas Webster Hale, H. C., 1867; Francis Eugene Whitney, H. C., 1872; Ed- ward Prescott Reed, H. C., 1878; Charles Henry Murdock, T. C., 1888; George Frederick Murdock, T. C., 1888; Eugene Burtt Lawrence, T. C., 1889. In addition to these we give the name of Galen Alonzo Clark, H. C., 1871, who was a resident of the town when he entered and while in college. Abra- ham Garland Randall Hale graduated from Harvard College Law School in 1871.

MILITARY AND WAR OPERATIONS .- Under the circumstances wherein they were placed, the early settlers of the town felt compelled to arm them- selves, and thus be prepared to repel any attack that the Indians should make upon them, and also to provide some fortified place or places to which they could flee in case of any hostile invasion. Hence, on the 16th of May, 1698, it was "voted yt ya selectmen are hereby empowered to make a rate for ye repairing ye Garrison about ye ministry

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house for ye securing ye same, every inhabitant having Liberty to worke out their rate, and if any shall neglect or refews to worke out their proportion they are to pay it unto ye selectmen theire due pro- portion, and in order to ye Carring out yesª work ye foote Company are apoynted to meet or appeare next Munday." The ministry house, being doubtless the most central, was selected for the garrison. We are also informed that there was a fortified house towards the southerly part of the town, near the river, above Rock Bottom Village. And there might have been another towards the western end of the town. Doubtless, as soon as possible after the settle- ments were made one regular military company was organized, and then another, who met occasionally for drill, etc. We find allusions to these "military exercises " as early as 1706. Thomas Stevens was probably the first, or at least one of the first, com- manders of the militia, for he is sometimes alluded to as if he were "Captain" par excellence. There are few records, however, relative to early military matters. For many years after 1693 the towns were required by law to keep a supply of powder, ammu- nition and other military stores, to be drawn upon in case of an emergency. These materials of war were sometimes kept in the loft of the meeting-house, and later a special building or "powder-house" of brick was erected for their safe keeping. As late as 1814 such a house was built, and we infer that it stood in the cemetery near the brick school-house, for the town, Oct. 22, 1849, authorized the selectmen to sell the "powder-house," and have it removed from the burying-ground.

As the population increased, two infantry com- panies were formed, one at the north, the other at the south part of the town. There was also a cavalry company, composed in part, we presume, of men from other towns, as was often the case. We find quite early an allusion to "Cornet" Joseph Daby, which designates him as a cavalry officer. These military companies continued down to quite a recent period, and, with other towns forming a regiment, were required to meet for an annual " muster," as it was called, when they were reviewed by the "staff officers," on which occasions the town was accustomed to bear some portion of the necessary expenses. So on the 18th of August, 1800, the town voted to find the soldiers at the Concord muster (27th and 28thi of August), "four rations a man and 2 harrels of cyder." Forty dollars were appropriated to provide "for 56 men of tlie Troop and North Com- pany, and a like proportion for the South Company, being 60 men." The days of total abstinence had not then arrived.

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR .- During the French and Indian War, from 1755 to 1763, the town furnished soldiers for the army at Fort William Henry, Crown Point, Canada and Nova Scotia. Sometimes, when the soldiers were on the point of

leaving for the seat of war, religious services were held by the resident minister. Thus, on the 23d of June, 1755, Rev. Mr. Gardner preached "at the desire of Capt. William Pierce, being the day he began his march with his company for Albany, in the expedition against Crown Point." Samuel Preston was a captain in the army in 1756. In Capt. Pierce's company, Michael Law was sergeant, John Law was corporal. Jonathan Farr was drum - mer, and Nathan Whitney, Solomon Taylor, Josiah Wetherbee and Jonathan Pierce, of Stow, were privates. Ephraim Powers was sergeant in Capt. Preston's company, and Ezekiel Davis was in another company. May 22, 1758, Ensign Jabez Brown and others of Stow, whose names are un- known, started to join the army destined for Canada. And in April, 1760, others started for Crown Point. The following Stow soldiers went to Canada in 1760 : Joshua Brown, Jonathan Farr, Phineas Fuller, Amos Gates, Simon Gates, Abraham Gates, Paul Graves, Solomon Savcas, (?), a servant of Mary Hap- good. None of the Stow men were killed in the army during this war, so far as we can learn, but the following are known to have died while iu service or from diseases contracted in the camp, viz. : Capt. Ephraim Brown died Jan. 4, 1756, a few days after his return from the army; July 23, 1758, Ebenezer Gates died at Lake George; May 24, 1760, Abel Ray died at Shrewsbury, on his march to the army ; Nov., 1760, Isaac Taylor died at Crown Point, and Nov. 23, 1761, Stephen Houghton died while returning from Crown Point. It is proper that these men should be remembered, as well as those of a later day who gave their lives in defence of their country.

ANTE-REVOLUTION .- The Stamp Act and other arbitrary measures of the government of England alarmed the people, and they came together October 21, 1765, to consider the state of affairs, and to choose a committee to give instructions to their representa- tive, Henry Gardner, Esq., relative to the imposition of duties or taxes upon the Colonies by Parliament. The committee presented their instructions giving reasons why the taxes should not be imposed upon the Colonies, and recommended that their represen- tative "should use the strictest care and the utmost firmness to prevent all unconstitutional draughts upon the public treasury." March 7, 1768, voted that the town will use their utmost endeavors to encourage cconomy, industry and manufactures within this Province, both by example and every other legal method ;" also that " the town will by every legal way and manner discourage the importation into this Province of any foreign superfluities, or any arti- cles that at present may be avoided ; " also to "use their utmost endeavor to encourage the manufacture of paper in this Province, and to this end the sd town will do everything proper towards supplying the paper mills at Milton with materials for carrying on said manufacturcs."

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Henry Gardner, Esq., was chosen, September 22, 1768, to meet with others at Boston, and another com- mittee was appointed to take the state of public af- fairs into consideration. As the arbitrary measures of England increased, the spirit of resistance seemed also to increase, and, January 25, 1773, the proceed- ings of the town of Boston on the 20th of November, relative to the situation of affairs, was approved, and Dr. Charles Whitman, Henry Gardner, E-q., Solomon Taylor, Captain Phineas Taylor, Captain Jonathan Hapgood, Samuel Gates and John Marble were di- rected to report at a future meeting "what may further be necessary to be done thereon." The com- mittee, February 8, 1773, report a letter to the Com- mittee of Correspondence at Boston, wherein they ex -. press their satisfaction "of the care and vigilance of the town of Boston to preserve onr happy constitu- tion from infringement and violation;" and they further say, "as we are solicitous of handing down to Posterity the Privileges, both civil and religious, ob- tained by our Ancestors at the Expense of their Lives and Fortunes, we shall at all times and on all proper Occasions endeavor to preserve the Constitution from Infringement, and obtain a Redress of Grievances where the same is violated in a loyal, manly and dis- creet way and manner." These were brave and noble words. They show the spirit that actuated the patri- otic citizens of the town at a time "that tried men's souls." Such men seldom fail in their opposition to despotism. On the same day these men express their great concern that Parliament had assumed the power of legislation for the Colonies, and were col- lecting a revenue; also with uneasiness they notice the unreasonable extension of the power of the Courts of Vice-Admiralty, together with many other griev- ances.

A committee, consisting of Henry Gardner, Solo- mon Taylor, Samuel Gates, John Marble and Cap- tain Taylor, was chosen "to correspond with the several towns within the Province respecting our rights and privileges as British subjects, men and Christians." Henry Gardner, the representative, was directed, September 26, 1774, to oppose the late acts of Parliament. January 16, 1775, it was " voted, that Henry Gardner, Esq., Lieut. David Jewell and Capt. Phineas Taylor be a committee to take effec- tual care that the association of the Continental Congress setting at Philadelphia in September last, and the agreements of the provincial Con- gress referring thereto, be carried into execution, according to the true intent and meaning thereof. Voted that this town will, on all occasions, use their influence, both publickly and privately, so far as they can consistent with the principles of our Constitution, to carry into exceution the said association of the Continental Congress, and the resolves of the provin- cial Congress referring thereto, and will aid the com- mittee aforesaid in all their endeavors therefor." Thus again they show their " manly and discreet "

determination to uphold their liberties. They also requested the assessors and the constables to pay the public moneys to Henry Gardner, Esq., who had been chosen treasurer by the Provincial Congress, and not to Harrison Gray, the royal treasurer, and that these officers should be held harmless at the town's expense, for so doing. This was an open act of defiance to the constituted authorities. But the time had come for such action.

REVOLUTION .- The raid upon Lexington and Con- cord aroused the patriotism of the people to the highest pitch. "Starting from their beds at midnight, from their firesides and from their fields, they took their own cause into their own hands." Without discipline and almost without orders, they rushed forth to meet the foe.

Anticipating the attempt to seize the military stores at Concord, a large quantity of them, with some cannon, were sent to Stow, and concealed in the woods northerly of the lower village, and not far from the residence of Henry Gardner. Some of the citizens were in the fight at Concord, and Daniel Conant was wounded. We are told that "the two military companies, under Captains Hapgood and Whitcomb, marched for Concord at noon, passed the North Bridge," where Davis and Hosmer had fallen earlier in the day, "and arrived at Cambridge at sunset." Nearly forty of Stow men were in the battle of Bunker Hill, where they did valiant service. And all through the war, at various places, the town was represented by its soldiers.

May 29, 1775, it was voted not to take any notice of Governor Gage's orders for representatives, but, in- stead, chose Henry Gardner to represent them in the Congress at Watertown. And not for a moment during the entire war did their patriotism flag. In every possible way they aided the patriot army.

It was voted, January 15, 1776, to give the men that delivered two tons of hay at Cambrdge, for the army, £2 13s. 4d. July 1, 1776, while the question of inde- pendence was debated in Congress, the town voted, as their opinion, "that a government independent of Great Britain might be formed, if the Government of this Col- ony and the Continental Congress shall think such a measure expedient." And five days later it was voted to raise £6 6s. 8d. for each soldier that should go to Canada in the Continental service, to the number of twenty-four.

In May, 1777, it was decided to provide " ten good firearms to those persons who cannot get them for themselves." In November of the same year voted to lire one man more for three years' service or during the war. January 19, 1778, voted to pay "£550, be- ing a part of the State's money which is their dne to pay." Also, at the same time that the whole of the ammunition that was drawn out of the town stock at the Concord and Bunker Hill fights, and last sum- mer, when men were drafted to go to Rhode Island be returned in again. January 23, 1778, a commit-

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tee of eleven was chosen to consider the matter of a confederation and practical union between the States. The committee recommended that the confed- eration and union "take place as soon as conveni- ent." They also urge the representatives to see that the army was provided with clothing, and faithful men see to it, that "they may not be so shamefully neglected," but what they may be willing to defend us from our cruel enemies, and that "this should be seen to before any other husiness is done." This shows how solicitous they were for the men in the army. March 26, 1778, they show their interest in the soldiers by voting to find clothing for them, and that the selectmen shall do something for the soldiers' families when needy. In May, 1778, £180 were raised to pay six men for the army. A few days later £100 were offered per man, for six, to go to Fishkill ; three days later £60 bounty each to five men to go to the North River for eight months. August 2, 1779, chose two men to sit in convention at Con- cord on the first Wednesday of October ; also a com- mittee of seven was chosen to see that all the resolves of the said convention are strictly observed and put in execution. August 30th voted to apply to the Honorable Council to know what should be done with the prisoners that were in town. In September it was decided that some of the prisoners should be sworn, viz., "the Dutchmen and the Brittons and the Scotchmen." Where these prisoners came from is not stated. June 15, 1780, chose a committee to hire the eleven men called for, and soon after to hire thirteen men for three months' service. September, 1781, raised £40 to clothe the army and £106 for beef.

In 1782 £300 were raised to pay the three years' men in 1781. Thus all through the war the town failed not to do its duty to those who went forth in defence of human rights. Up to 1779 there had been iu the army at different times 305 men, whose term of service was from three weeks to three years, at an expense of £3833 9s. Sd. Some of the men are counted two or three times, having enlisted for short terms of service. The exact number of different men is not known. After March, 1779, probably some fifty men or more were in the army at a cost of £500. This is a very liberal supply of men and money for a town of about 1000 inhabitants.

While it is believed that none of the Stow soldiers were killed on the battle-field during the Revolution, the following are known to have died in the country's service, viz .: John Gordon, of Captain Joshua Park- er's company, died in camp at Cambridge June 19, 1775; Daniel Gates, of Captain Joshua Brown's con- pany, died January 20, 1778 ; Ephraim Gates, of Captain Whipple's company, died March 19, 1778; Stephen Hale, of Captain Joshua Brown's company, died July 2, 1778; Benjamin Gates, of Captain Joshua Brown's company, died July 9, 1778. Others, we presume, were enfeebled for life by the exposures

to which they were subject, and subsequently were pensioned.

The question of adopting a State Constitution came up two or three times during the war, and the town, May 25, 1778, voted against the Constitution and form of government. May 20, 1779, voted, forty-three to seventeen, not to do anything about the Constitution or form of civil government. May 29, 1780, some slight alterations in several of the articles of the Constitution were suggested, and it seems to have been accepted by a vote varying from thirty-nine to fifty-five yeas, the nays not being given.

The first votes for Governor under the Constitution were given September 4, 1780, as follows : John Han- 'cock, fifty-nine votes; James Bowdoin, five votes. Henry Gardner had twenty votes for Lieutenant-Gov- ernor.

It was voted May 15, 1786, that the guns given out in the war to those who had none should he returned or paid for. These, perhaps, were wanted for service in the "Shays' Rebellion." We do not learn that any of the Stowites joined Shays in his rash move- ment; yet we presume they felt dissatisfied with the state of affairs, for a committee was chosen, Aug. 21, 1786, to attend the convention at Concord on the 23d inst., to consult about grievances and find means of redress ; and in May, 1787, Charles Whitman, the Representative, was instructed to exert himself to remove the party spirit and disunion that prevailed in the State, to remove the General Court from Bos- ton, to lighten the taxes upon land, to raise money by duties and excise upon all imported articles, especially upon wines and distilled liquors, foreign and domes- tic, and the luxuries of dress, the proceeds to be used for the payment of foreign debts ; that the State Con- stitution he maintained inviolate ; that the salaries of the civil list be lowered; that a paper medium be opposed, as injurious to widows and orphans, and that distilled liquors pay the duty of distilling. Whether the Representative succeeded in accomplishing all this the deponent saith not.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 175

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1034