History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 185

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 185

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).

Allusion has been made to the formation of a Sec- ond Parish in the year 1830. A majority of the church did not coincide in the appointment of Rev. Amos Clarke as the minister to succeed Rev. S. B. Townsend, although Mr. Clarke was chosen by a ma- jority of the society. Those members of the church, claiming to represent the doctrines of the original church, therefore formed a new society, which was known for many years as the Second Parish in Sher- born, but since 1875 as the Pilgrim Society, by act of the Legislature. They worshiped in a hall in the centre of the town until the completion of their new meeting-house, in November, 1830. This edifice was dedicated November 4th, and at the same time their first pastor, Rev. Samuel Lee, was ordained. He was a native of Middletown, Connecticut, and graduated at Yale College in 1827, and subsequently at the Theological Seminary attached to that college. He was a man of good education, and more than average ability. He was eminently social in his intercourse with his people, and was highly regarded by them as a pastor. Some of his sermons were published. At his own request he was dismissed April 27, 1836. He afterward settled in New Ipswich, N. H., where he passed the remainder of his life.

The second minister was Rev. Daniel Talcott Smith, born in Newburyport in 1813, graduated at Amherst College in 1831, and at Andover Theologi- cal Seminary, where he was afterwards an assistant professor. He received the degree of D.D. from Waterville College in 1853, and from Bowdoin Col- lege in 1858. He was a thorough scholar, and ex- celled in a knowledge of languages and classical literature. He was ordained pastor of this church and society December 7, 1836, and was an earnest and successful pastor, so far as his health would allow.

694

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

But the duties of the position proved too great a draft upon his strength, and he was obliged to resign in 1838. He was dismissed on the same day of the ordination of his successor, October 10, 1838. He was afterwards a professor for many years in the Bangor Theological Seminary, where he held a high rank. Some years since his name was changed to that of Daniel Smith Talcott.

On the 10th day of October, 1838, Rev. Edmund Dowse, a native of Sherborn, whither his ancestors removed from Charlestown, Mass., in 1775, was or- dained the third pastor of the Second Parish, and of the church of which ho had been a member for some years. From that day to the present time, more than fifty-two years, Mr. Dowse has remained as the re- spected and beloved pastor of this religious society. Few ministers have so long a pastorate, especially in the place of their birth and life-long residence, and but few have retained so continuously the confidence of the community, as well as that of the people of his charge. The twenty-fiftlı, the fortieth and fifti- eth anniversaries of his ordination were celebrated with appropriate ceremonies, the latter with great en- thusiasm in 1888. During the same year Mr. Dowse received from Amherst college, his alma mater, the degree of D.D.

Dr. Dowse represented this district in the State Senate in the years 1869 and 1870, and has served as Chaplain of the Senate from 1880 to 1890, inclusive.

He has also been active in the cause of education and a member of the School Committee for fifty-two years.

In the year 1859 the church building was much en- larged and remodeled, and is now a prominent and attractive feature of the town. In 1890 a substantial addition to its funds was received from the estate of the late Aaron Greenwood.

We have now completed the account of the reli- gious societies and their ministers, so far as the mate- rials for their history have been found after diligent re- search. The foundation and progress of the Puritan church in one of the old New England towns carries with it an important part of the history of that town, and it was originally considered a part of the town business, and was regulated in town-meeting with fully as much interest as any other part of the town affairs. And it is right, and of the highest im- portance to the welfare of the town that its religious interests should be among the first to be supported and cherished, as one of the bulwarks of a free com- munity, and one of the corner-stones of the prosper- ity of a free State.

We naturally pass from the church to the school. Our fathers gave early attention to the subject of ed- ucation, the importance of which they fully realized. Section four of the articles of agreement between the committee appointed by the town and certain Indians of Natick says : " Also, we agree and consent that on the lands we are to have of Natick there be a lot of lifty

acres set out where the Commissioners of the Colonies, Major Gookin and Mr. Eliott, and Indian rulers, shall choose within that tract of land, to be appropriated forever to the use of a free school for teaching the English and Indian children there the English tongue and other sciences." This resolve was made April 16, 1679, when the town had just recovered from the effects of Philip's war, and had become settled to the regular order of business. The work of teaching was at first performed in the several families, or in some private houses where the children could assemble for that purpose. Obadiah Morse, the first town clerk, was the first teacher in this primitive fashion, and in 1694 Edward West, who was then town clerk, was chosen schoolmaster for the town. In the year 1718 twelve pounds, and in 1719 eighteen pounds, were granted for the support of a school for the teaching of children and youths to read, write and cipher. It is presumed that this education was conducted in dwelling-houses until 1729, as the first appropriation for building a school-house was made in December, 1727, " to build a school-house eighteen feet wide and twenty feet long, and to set it on Meeting-house Com- mon, on the southeasterly side of the meeting-house." It was completed early in 1729. The spot then chos- en by the town remained the site of a building used either wholly or in part for school purposes for nearly one hundred and fifty years.

As the population increased other school-houses were erected in different quarters of the town, until, at the present day, there are eight buildings in which instruction is given in the rudiments of learning.

In addition to these common schools there has been since 1774 a school of advanced grade for instruction in the higher branches of learning. But, until about the year 1859, these were all private schools, conducted by many different teachers. Although excellent of their kind, many of the inhabitants felt the need of a permanent school of this character. They therefore cordially received, in the year 1858, the proposition of the executors of the will of Thomas Dowse, a former resident of the town, to render assistance in the establishment of a High School. With the aid of this gift, the " Dowse High School " was founded, and its doors were first opened in 1859. This bequest was a great acquisition to the means of education, and for fifteen years it continued its good work during a portion of each year.

Thomas Dowse was the son of Eleazer and Mehit- able Dowse, and was born at Charlestown, Massa- chusetts, December 28, 1772. On the ever-memor- able 17th of June, 1775, when but two and a half years of age, his parents fled from the flames of their home in that town. After sojourning for a short time in Holliston, they settled in Sherborn, where their descendants remain to this day. Eleazer Dowse was the first of his name who settled and remained in this town. Lodowick Dowse was here as early as 1683, and had a lot of thirty acres assigned him May 27,

695

SHERBORN.

I684. But he did not loug remain here. No connec- tion has yet been traced betweeu his family and that of Eleazer Dowse, but it is probable that there was a distant relationship.

Thomas remained in the town, and in due time worked with his father at his trade of a leather- dresser, until he reached his majority. He then sought and obtained employment in the same occu- pation at Roxbury, where he resided for several years. It was in the year 1803 that, with the assistance of his employer, he commenced business for himself at Cambridgeport, as a wool-puller and leather-dresser. And here he continued during the remainder of a long life, distinguished for the thoroughness and ex- cellence of his work, and gradually accumulated a considerable fortune. A carved lamb stood upon a pillar before his door, as a sign and symbol of his trade, during many long years. He possessed a real love for books and their contents, and also for art. And thus, instead of expending his money for out- side show, he used a liberal share of it every year in the purchase of books of real value, and in volumes of engravings. In this manner he gradually became possessed of a very valuable library of 5000 volumes, nearly all in the English language, and handsomely bound. But his books were not kept for show. They were regularly and diligently used, and he had not only much pleasure, but a just pride in their posses- sion. He was strongly attached to his library, and when advanced in years he was naturally solicitous for its future, and was thus led to reflect upon his disposition of it. He decided to convey it during his lifetime to the Massachusetts Historical Society, with the sole condition that the books should always be kept in a room by themselves, and only to be used in said room. This society gratefully accepted the gift, but appropriately allowed it to remain with the venerable donor during the remainder of his life.

After devising a handsome sum of money to his relatives, and making some special bequests, he con- fided the residue, more than forty thousand dollars, to his executors, to be by them appropriated to chari- table, literary or scientific uses. This important trust was fulfilled by them with signal good judgment and discretion. A beautiful collection of water-col- ors which accidentally came into his possession, was added to the gallery of the Boston Atheneum. A conservatory at the Botanic Garden, Cambridge, was built in part at their expense ; a liberal contribution was made toward the purchase of a chime of bell's in the same city ; and a public clock was procured for the street in which he lived. Contributions were made to the funds of two of the charitable iusti- tutions of Boston, and the Dowse Institute was founded in the city where he had so long resided, aud an annual course of lectures on literary and scientific subjects is thus furnished to its inhabitants. Lastly, the sum of five thousand dollars was conveyed to the town of Sherborn, for the foundation and support of

the " Dowse High School," which thus became a last- ing monument to his memory. The executors, who appear to have left no place or circumstance uncon- sidered with which Thomas Dowse had any impor- tant connection during his life, remembered this town on account of his long residence here in early life, and the continued and present settlement in Sherborn of many relatives bearing the family name. They also carefully inquired into the needs of the town be- fore deciding upon the particular object to which the money should be devoted and for which it should be given, desiring that the means of usefulness and im- provement contemplated by the donor should be made as effective as possible.

The town gratefully accepted the gift, and thus a way was opened for a commencement of that instruc- tion in the higher branches of learning which had long been desired by many inhabitants of the town. An education which would answer for an introduc- tion to the practical business of life could now be ob- tained within our own limits, and many pupils here received their entire instruction in advanced studies. For some years but two terms of school were held during each year, one in the spring and one in the autumn season. In the year 1862 this plan was changed for the convenience of the people, the school commencing in December instead of September, and continuing for four months, as required by the terms of the bequest, being divided, however, into two con- secutive terms. But this arrangement did not succeed in meeting the wishes of the inhabitants, and was soon abaudoned, and the two terms were henceforth held in the fall and winter months as long as the school continued as an independent organization. Many of our present citizens can look back to the old Dowse High School with feelings of gratitude for the privileges enjoyed, and of pleasure for the friend- ships formed, which in many cases will last as long as life itself. They also remember with peculiar in- terest many of their teachers to whom they became attached, such as Baker, and Stone, and Park, and Hoitt, and many others. Mr. Fisher A. Baker was the first of the long line of teachers, and was a man peculiarly fitted for his work. He is clearly remem- bered by the older class of pupils, and is an object of additional interest on account of being the pioneer in this work of advanced education in Sherborn. He had previously been engaged in the work of teaching in the South School for four successive winters, and by his able and dignified course had gained the ap- probation of the committee, the respect of the scholars and the universal esteem of the parents. The com- mittee therefore felt that he would be the right man to inaugurate the system of instruction in the new High School, and their decision was heartily approved by all persons of his acquaintance in the town. They were justified in the choice, as the success and general good management of the school abundantly proved. Many other able teachers followed Mr. Baker, but a

696

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

peculiar interest attached to him as the man who commenced the work of the Dowse High School. The school continued as a separate institution for fifteen years, the last term being held iu the autumn of the year 1873.

But Sherborn had still greater favors in store, all unknown to its people until the year 1870. Then the executors of the will of Martha Sawin, of Natick, gave notice to the town that Miss Sawin had be- queathed a large sum of money for the purpose of founding and supporting an academy, to be called the Sawin Academy, for the free instruction of its youth in the higher branches of science and litera- ture, and also in the classical languages, in prepara- tion for a college course when desired. This was truly a munificent gift, which promised to establish a permanent yearly school and thus supplement and complete the educational privileges of the inhabit- ants.

Although living for many years past in the town of Natick, the Sawins were old residents of Sherhorn. Thomas Sawin, born September 27, 1657, the son of John Sawin, of Watertown, removed to this town and had a home lot of twenty-four acres assigned to hini May 13, 1679. He was a millwright, and settled at Chestnut Brook, in the northwestern part of the town, near the present residence of Albert B. Fay, and there built the first mill in Sherboru. He was admitted to be an inhabitant November 29, 1679. After the removal of the family to South Natick they continued in the business of milling for several gen- erations, and many persons now living have a distinct memory of Sawin's mills, which are now owned and managed by Mr. Andrew Morse. Living near the boundary line, the family continued its connection with the people of Sherborn, with whom they were well acquainted, and for a long time attended church and school here. Their interests were, therefore, in a great measure identified with those of Sherborn, and as the town of Natick was already supplied with a well-ordered High School, the reason of the deci- sion of Miss Sawin to leave her property to this town and found an institution bearing her name, is easily seen.

Martha Sawin, familiarly called Patty Sawin, was the daughter of Thomas and Abigail (Bacon) Sawin, and was born in Natick August 16, 1794. She lived with her brothers, Baxter and Thomas, and kept house for them in the homestead at South Natick, all being unmarried. They carried on the mills and the farm until well advanced in age. They were shrewd, practical persons, methodical in their habits, and well acquainted with the value of money. When Miss Sawin had determined upon the manner in which she would dispose of her estate, she called for the assist- ance of George White, Esq., judge of Probate for Norfolk County, and after advising with him in re- gard to particulars, desired him to make out the ne- cessary documents expressing her wishes. She died

June 22, 1869, at the age of about seventy-five years. In addition to the sums conveyed to her relatives, she devised five hundred dollars to each of the relig- ious societies in Sherborn, in memory, doubtless, of the privileges she had enjoyed there.

In response to the notice of the executors, a special town-meeting was called for December 19, 1870, when the bequest was formally accepted, and a committee was chosen to take charge of the estate and transact the necessary business. The fund was largely in- vested in land and in securities which were not imme- diately available. It was some time, therefore, before the committee was able to commence the immediate work of placing the academy in operation. An act of incorporation was obtained of the Legislature April 12, 1871, in which the direction of the academy and the care of its funds was vested in five trustees, to be chosen hy the town from its inhabitants, one of whom should retire each year, his successor to be chosen for five years. These trustees were also to be trustees, from that date, of the Dowse school fund, the Dowse High School being united with the acad- emy ; but the two funds were to be kept separate and distinct.

By the terms of this act a certain proportion of the Sawin fund could he used for the erection of a build- ing. Upon this much thought and consultation were expended before its plan was selected. The trustees were desirous of constructing an edifice which should be at once elegant and substantial, and adapted to the purpose for which it was designed. It was no easy task. It was difficult to decide whether it was wiser to build with wood or with some more solid material. Both had their advantages. The sum of money to be expended on the building was also a serious question, as they did not wish to encroach too greatly on the fund in its reduced condition, the heirs of Miss Sawin having contested the will, thus rendering a compromise necessary. The trustees exercised their best judgment at the time in deciding a difficult and perplexing question, and they produced an elegant building, which is an ornament to the town. It was placed on a lot bought for the purpose which faces the public Common in the centre of the town, where most of the public buildings are situated. It was constructed of brick, with granite trimmings, and has an appropriate inscription cut in a tablet of granite. It is fifty-four by sixty feet in size, two stories high, with a Mansard roof, and has at the eastern corner an octagon tower of ninety feet eleva- tion. It contains several commodious, well-lighted school and recitation rooms. This edifice was com- menced in the year 1873 and completed in 1874, and on the 10th day of September, 1874, the exercises of dedication were held and were very largely attended by the inhabitants of the town and the friends of the institution from other places. Among those present were Hon. Henry Wilson, then Vice-President of the United States, Judge White, who made the principal

697

SHERBORN.

address, and Judge Bacon, of Massachusetts, and George B. Emerson, LL.D., the veteran teacher and friend of education, and all took part in the exercises, as did also the Messrs. Allen, the promi- nent teachers in West Newton. The music was fur- nished by the Sherborn Musical Association.

The academy still continues a benefaction to the inhabitants, and gives to their children a more com- plete education than many of them could otherwise have obtained. The first principal was Edward A. H. Allen, C. E., cf Northborough, a teacher of ripe experience, who served until 1882. He was suc- ceeded by Horace W. Rice, of Hopkinton, until 1888, and by Warren F. Gregory, of Winchendon, from 1888 to the present time.

Sherborn has been well supplied with brooks and early measures were taken by the town to encourage the erection of grist-mills and saw-mills upon them. The first mill, as just mentioned, was built by Thomas Sawin, on Chestnut Brook, in 1679, and others at later dates. These mills were of great advantage to the settlers in the young and growing community, and subsidies in land were frequently granted to those who would establish them. One of these mills, on Sewell's Brook, has been continued in use to the present day, James H. Leland being the present pro- prietor.

October 27, 1681, it was " Voted by the Inhabitants that there shall be a division of so much of our com- mon land as is judged meet for a dividend . . . . if our honored Committee approve of it." Only a por- tion of the land comprising the area of the town was at first assigned to the inhabitants, the remainder be- ing reserved for division among new inhabitants who were expected to settle here ; and the above note re- lated to one of these later divisions. It may be remembered that the town was at this time placed under the guardianship of a committee appointed by the General Court, principally on account of the dif- ficulties which arose concerning the location of the meeting-house. This committee, consisting of Thomas Savage, John Richards and William Stough- ton, had the charge and direction of all the affairs of the town, civil as well as religious, for three years. They approved and confirmed the above vote and gave some directions concerning the manner of divid- ing the land fairly and equitably to both old and new inhabitants.

Following is a " list of persons admitted to be In- habitants of Sherborn since its incorporation, with the dates of admission ; " the dates in parentheses be- ing inserted by the present writer as the probable dates, none appearing in the town records :

" Ensign Sanmel Bullen, Edward West, (1677) ; Joseph Morse, (1671) ; John Perry, (,679) ; William Allen ; Thomas Eames, Jan. 4, 1674 ; John Death, 11 mo 1, 1677 ; Thomas Gleason, 8 mo. 5, 1678 ; lopestill Le- land, 11-1, 178; Ebenezer Leland, 11-1, 1078 ; Joseph Twitchell, 11-1, 1678 ; Thomas P'ratt, sen., 2 mo., 1679 ; William Sheffield, Muy, 1679 : Zacry Padilleford, 2 mo., 1679 ; John Eames, 2 mo., 1679 ; Isuac Learned. 2 mo., 1679 ; Thomas Pratt, Jr., 2 mo., 1679; Thomas Sawin,

9 ino. 29, 1679; Jonathan Whitney, 1679; Will Goddard, 9 mo. 29, 1679 ; Benon: Learned, 9 mo. 29, 1679 ; Will Rider, 9 mo. 29, 1679."

This list has proved to be of much value in deter- mining doubtful questions concerning the dates and even the fact of residence of some of the persons men- tioned therein.

An extract from the records of the General Court, October 11, 1682, states, " Whereas there is abont fifty soldiers at Sherborne, in probability they will in- crease to a greater number in a short time, and they having no higher officer than a Sarjant, it is ordered by this Court and the authority thereof that Sargeant Edward West be Leiftenant to the said company and Jonathan Morse, Ensign, and they are to choose two sarjants, a drummer and clerk for the said company according as the law directs ; and that the said com- pany do belong to the regiment of Maj. Gookin, and ye Secretary is ordered to issue both commissions for them."

February 3, 1695, at a meeting of the inhabitants of the town, the important work was consummated of voting to lay out and complete the exchange of land with Natick, which rendered this township more com- pact and of better form. This was done in fulfill- ment of the agreement made in 1679, by which 4000 acres in the southwesterly part of Natick were added to Sherborn, and an equal quantity of land " adjoin- ing to Mauguncoog Indian Hill," near Hopkinton, and also 200 bushels of Indian corn, were conveyed to Natick in exchange. This was a valuable transac- tion for this town, whose territory had previously been narrow in that portion which contained the larg- est number of inhabitants.

We now approach the year 1700, when an event oc- curred of great importance to the town. In common with all the earlier towns in the State, Sherborn con- tained a very large extent of land, and this extensive area rendered it difficult for those persons near its borders to attend the religious and civil meetings of the town. As the number of inhabitants in these lo- calities increased by the addition of new settlers, a spirit of uneasiness began to appear among them, and finally a desire to form themselves into new towns, with privileges of their own. Objections arose on the part of other inhabitants of the town, as to the mode or place of division, or to any division whatever. The older townsmen naturally desired to increase rather than to diminish their population, and also to retain all the tax-payers possible. We shall en- deavor to describe the result of this diversity of wishes and opinions.

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.

History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 185

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