History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 186

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 186

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Previous to the year 1700 seventeen families re- siding on " Sherburne Row " in the north part of this town, a portion of them adjoining " Mr. Danforth's farms," and others holding leases from Mr. Danforth, made propositions for separation in order that they might join the inhabitants of "Framingham planta- tions " in the formation of a new towu. There was great opposition to the project on the part of the

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

people of Sherborn, whose population was still small. It was decreed by the General Court some years pre- viously that " all other farms that are nighest Sher- born Meeting-house shall be likewise in the bounds of Sherborn, and do duty and receive privileges therein," the tract of land belonging to Thomas Dan- forth, Esq., Deputy-Governor, being however ex- cepted. This act gave to Sherborn a valid claim upon these families, and the town was naturally re- luctant to give them up. An effort was made by the town in 1695 for an enlargement of their town bounds by the addition of " land joining to the farm of Henry Rice to make one township," embracing such farmers as were willing to join the township. It was proposed "to run a straight line from the south corner of Henry Rice's farm to the cartway crossing Cochituate brook, near where Course brook meets with Cochituate brook." This was evidently a plan to secure these inhabitants and their lands as permanent inhabitants of Sherborn; but as we find no further record con- cerning it, no successful result was probably attained.

Rev. Daniel Gookin sent to the General Court a remonstrance against the assignment of these families to the projected town of Framingham, and another remonstrance was presented by the inhabitants of Sherborn. The bounds of Sherborn in this direction appear never to have been well defined and the rights of territory thus became involved and uncer- tain, and these conditions led to a long and trouble- some dispute.

The town of Framingham was incorporated in the year 1700, but it was not until June 16, 1710, that the Court passed the order finally including the seven- teen families within Framingham line, to be "ac- counted part of that town forever," and granting to Sherborn in compensation, 4000 acres of land west of Mendon. And so the great contention was settled in an equitable manner by the strong hand of the law.

Should the town of Framingham be divided and a new town be formed at South Framingham, it is probable that Sherborn would be called upon to yield another portion of her territory to complete that township.

One remarkable event in the history of a town, as in that of an individual person, is often followed by another similar event within a short time. We therefore soon find that the western inhabitants were increasing in numbers and were thirsting for privi- leges of their own. Their first concern referred to their lack of religious privileges. Their farms were situated at a long distance from the church, and they made representations in the town-meetings of the difficulty they often experienced in attending public worship. The town met their wants in an amicable spirit, and at first passed a vote March 6, 1723, nulli- fying a vote previously passed to build a new meet- ing-house on the old spot, and deciding to erect it at a point which would better accommodate these

inhabitants " Who are Dwellers on ye West side of Dopping brook." But in the following November, the town " voted to nullifie and make void this vote of March 6, in consideration that the Form and Sit- uation of the Town is so ill Convenient, that one Meeting-house cannot be so placed as to suit the whole town, but that in time there will be need of two to accommodate the inhabitants." They also voted to build on the old spot and to levy £160 on the inhabitants for the purpose, at the same time agreeing to remit to these western inhabitants their proportion of this sum "whenever they are sett off."

In answer to petitions from these latter persons presented in June, 1724, showing the great inconve- nience they are under by reason of their great distance from the place of public worship, the said town being near twelve miles long and the meeting-house situ- uated at the easterly end, and praying that they be made a distinct and separate township, the General Court appointed a committee to investigate the mat- ter. The committee reported and recommended that the "western part be erected into a precinct," and also offered rules and restrictions for the new parish.

The report was accepted, but the General Court voted that this western part shall be a town and not a pre- cinct, and that it be called Holliston in honor of the illustrious Thomas Hollis, Esq., of London. John Goulding, a principal inhabitant, was empowered and directed to summon the qualified voters to meet "for the chusing of town officers to stand until the next annual election according to law." This bill was passed to be enacted by both Houses, Dec. 3, 1724. And thus another child of the old town was started into the world to transact business on its own account.

From this date there were but few events worthy of notice in the civil history of the town for many years. The regular business of the town was carried on. Meetings were held for business, as required by the laws of the Commonwealth; new schools were established and old schools continued ; and much thought and labor were expended in the formation and improvement of the roads in the township.

The population had increased during one hundred years from the first settlement, as we find that in the year 1764 there were 113 families and 630 inhabit- ants.

Among the prominent citizens of the first quarter of the eighteenth century was Captain and Honorable Samuel Bullard, born in 1667, a son of Benjamin Bul- lard, the first settler of that name. For many years he acted as moderator of the town-meetings ; served nineteen years as selectman, five years as assessor and five years as representative to the General Court, where he aided in procuring the grant to the town of 4000 acres west of Mendon. His was the controlling mind of that period and there is undoubted evidence of his talent and integrity. He died in 1727.

He was succeeded later in that century by Joseph

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Twitchell, Esq., and Honorable Daniel Whitney, suc- cessively, both men of ability and high character. The former was captain in the militia, commissary for the army in the War of the Revolution, town clerk, se- lectman, representative and magistrate. He was born in 1719 and died in 1792. The latter was a born leader of men and an able, patriotic citizen. Morse1 says, "He was early and long in public life, and during the Revolutionary struggle an efficient instrument in arousing and directing the energies of his fellow-citi- zens. He was a member of the Provincial Congress, 1775 ; Representative, 1776; member of the conven- tion to form the State Convention, 1780, and of that which adopted the Federal Constitution in 1788 ; and between 1781 and 1799 he represented Sherborn fourteen years in the House, was for several sessions a member of the Senate, and repeatedly one of the Executive Council. As a magistrate he was much valued, and he passed away amidst the regrets of an extended acquaintance." He was born in 1733 and died in 1810.

His mantle fell upon Honorabie Calvin Sanger, one of the most able and distinguished sons of Sherborn, whose career we notice in connection with those of his predecessors, although it was comprised within the early years of the present century. He was a son of Captain Samuel Sanger, a dignified, energetic and worthy inhabitant, and was born October 10, 1768. He was not robust in health, but was endowed with natural gifts, sound common sense, a tenacious memory and excellent judgment. When, therefore, in the year 1806, a new leader of affairs was required, the minds of the townsmen unanimously turned to- wards him. In that year he was appointed a magis- trate and also a representative to the General Court, and for nearly thirty years he continued to be a member either of the House or the Senate. He also filled various town offices with full satisfaction, and was town clerk for twenty-five years. "In his care for the public he was vigilant, self-denying and per- severing, consulting the interests of the future as well as the present."

When a company of cavalry was raised in the vicin- ity, he was chosen captain ; and he subsequently be- came colonel of cavalry. He died in 1835.

The year 1754 is to be noted as the time of the ap- pearance of an uncommon disease of an epidemic character, called in Sherborn " the Memorable Mor- tality," and in Holliston "the Great Sickness." Nearly thirty lives were lost in this town by its rav- ages and fifty-three in the town of Holliston, and alarm and despair were excited in the minds of the inhabitants. It appears to have been present during the whole year, but no deaths are recorded during the warmer season. The fatal months were January, February, March, April, November and December.

The French and Indian War, from 1755 to 1763,

did not seriously affect this colony. Some of its young men served in these campaigns, and we have been able to learn the names of fourteen who lived in Sherhorn, besides two who were born here and settled in Mendon and Douglas. Among these were Benja- min Bullard, afterwards captain in the War of the Revolution, and Ensign Hezekiah Coolidge, a grad- uate of Harvard College in 1750, who died at Crown Point in December, 1761.

In this, as in many other towns at that period, a company was raised which consisted of two bands, a " trained band" of sixty-six mnen and an "alarm band " of forty-one. The latter were wholly for home service, but from the ranks of the former were se- lected soldiers for active service as needed. And most of the fourteen men above mentioned were thus selected. The officers of the company were : Captain, Joseph Perry; Lieutenant, Amos Coolidge; and En- sign, Thomas Russell.

The time of greatest trial to these colonists as well as those of the whole country, came with the War of the Revolution. Great as was their attachment to the mother country, and reluctant as they were to sever the strong bonds which held them to allegiance, still the exactions of the home government were be- coming too onerous to be borne. The people of the colonies began seriously to consider the necessity of throwing off the yoke. Sherborn was ready now, as ever, to do its part in contributing men and means to . support the great struggle for what it deemed to be just and right.

As early as 1774 a Committee of Correspondence was chosen, and also committees to attend the county conferences at Concord and Cambridge, and to pro- cure a field-piece. Three cannon procured by the latter committee, instead of a six-pounder, were ac- cepted by the town, and it was voted "that the com- mittee prove them at the town's expense, and fire the biggest as soon as may be, with all the necessaries that may be needed." Many other votes were after- wards passed, showing that the people were animated to a high degree with the spirit which finally achieved the independence of the Colonies. In 1776 it was voted to extend relief to the poor of Boston, then be- sieged by the enemy, and to find places for them to live in. A company of minute-men was raised, and £8 granted to provide ammunition for the cannon. As soon as the news reached this town of the conflict at Lexington, April 19, 1775, the minute-men proved themselves worthy of their title by marching imme- diately to meet the assailants. The officers of this company were : Benjamin Bullard, captain; Aaron Gardner, lieutenant; and Joshua Leland, ensign. There were four sergeants, four corporals and forty privates. The names of all are recorded in the archives of the State.

This company, with some alterations in its memher- ship, served for some time afterwards, whenever nceded, at the siege of Boston, at Bunker Hill and

1 " History of Sherborn and Holliston, Boston," 185G.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

other engagements. A large proportion of the able- bodied men of the town became soldiers, and Sher- born names are found in the lists of those engaged at Ticonderoga, White Plains, West Point, Brandywine, in the expeditions to Rhode Island in 1779-80, and in other battles. Seven brothers, the sons of Mr. Samuel Clark, enlisted as soldiers and served, on an average, over three years per man.

In May, 1776, the town voted that if Congress de- cided to declare the colonies independent of Great Britain, the people would, with their lives and fortunes, endeavor to support them in that measure. And Daniel Whitney, their representative, was instructed, to act accordingly.

When the question of the adoption of the Federal Constitution arose, Sherborn sent Daniel Whitney to the State convention held in Boston, in 1788, with general instructions, which conclude as follows :

" But, sir, we mean not to give you positive instruc- tions relative to your voting for or against the re- ported Constitution. When assembled, you will have the collected wisdom of the State before you ; will hear all that can be said on the subject, and conse- quently be able to form a judicious opinion. And having the fullest confidence in your political wis- dom, integrity and patriotism, we cheerfully, on our part, submit the all important question to your decis- ion. And we beseech the All-wise Governor of the world to take the Convention under his holy influ- ence, that so the result may be the best good of the people of the United States of America." And that honorable member was one of the majority who voted in favor of this great charter of our freedom.

In 1781 an entry in the town records states that the salary of Rev. Elijah Brown for one year, ending March 1, 1781, was £736s. 8d., equal to £2,933 6s. 8d., Continental currency. This shows the depreciation which the latter had suffered, and that it took more than £40 of that currency to equal £1 of sound money. Although made necessary by the circum- stances of the times, it presents a powerful argument against the establishment of an irredeemable cur- rency.

In the year 1786 occurred Shays' Rebellion in Mass- achusetts, on account of supposed political griev- ances. It was headed and commanded by Daniel Shays, of Hopkinton, and for a while assumed rather formidable proportions. The inhabitants of this town, in the interests of liberty and order, furnished their quota of officers and privates to the troops com- manded by Gen. Lincoln.

" Mr. John Ware, of Sherboro, acted as adjutant in this expedition. Being sent with orders to a distance from Lincoln's army, he stopped for refreshment at a tavern in or near Brookfield where there happened to be a small party of insurgents, who took him prisoner and confined him in an upper room of the house, while they kept guard below. In the course of the day, Ware saw from his prison a company of

cavalry approaching, which he soon recognized as being on the side of the Government. He hailed tbem from a window of his apartment and made them acquainted with his situation. The house was im- mediately surrounded, the Shaysites surrendered at discretion, and W. was enabled to accomplish the object of his mission."

When President Washington made his tour through New England in 1789, he was entertained in this town by Capt. Samuel Sanger, a prominent and patriotic citizen and father of Hon. Calvin Sanger; and the old house and the room occupied by the distinguished guest were standing a few years since and excited much interest in the minds of visitors.

In the year 1807 and 1808, when one hundred thousand militia were called by the President, to be in readiness in case of invasion, the town voted to add to the pay of the soldiers of their quota a sum sufficient to make their whole pay, when in actual service, twelve dollars per month. And in 1814, when hostilities were in progress with England, this sum was increased to fifteen dollars per month. The chief duty performed by our soldiers was in garrison in the forts of Boston Harbor.

As there was no event in the annals of the town for several years which it is important to record, we will now give an account of the physicians of Sher- born, commencing with a list of their names.

Jonathan Fairbank, 1685-1719 ; Eleazer Hill, from about 1712; Jonathan Tay, 1772-1827 ; Samuel Locke, from about 1783-88; Tapley Wyeth, 1784- 1813; William Sweetser, from about 1818; Oliver Everett, 1825-52; Albert H. Blanchard, 1852 to the present time.

Dr. George W .. Dennett has also resided in the north part of the town since 1863, and Dr. Wm. P. Sylvester in the southern portion since 1877.

During the eighteenth century and the early years of the nineteenth century several other physicians have resided here ; but little information can be gained concerning them or the dates of their sojourn. Notices occur of the names of Drs. Wilson, Lincoln, Sheppard, Levet, Blodget, Flagg, Wise and Wight.

Dr. Jonathan Fairbank was an important man in his day. Besides his practice as physician, he was selectman seven years and town clerk three years. It is supposed that he lived in the old stone house north of Bogistow Pond ; and he was drowned by falling through the ice while crossing the river from Medfield in the night.

Dr. Jonathan Tay came from Salem, settled in the west part of the town and had an extensive practice. He served as selectman twelve years and resided here fifty-five years.

Dr. Samuel Locke was a son of Rev. Dr. Locke, the fourth pastor of the church in Sherborn. He lived but a few years after he became a physician.

Dr. Wyeth was an eminent physician and a valu- able citizen. He was especially interested in the

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cause of education. He served six years as selectman, and as representative in the year 1813.

Dr. Sweetser was a thoroughly educated man and possessed literary tastes. He remained here "for a considerable time," probably six or seven years, and left to accept a professorship in the Vermont Univer- sity at Burlington.

Dr. Everett was born in Dedham November 11, 1798; graduated at Brown University in 1821. and received his degree of M.D. from Dartmouth College. He settled in Sherborn in 1825, by invitation of the town, and for many years had an extensive practice in this and adjoining towns. In fact, his practice was too large for his own welfare, and his life was prob- ably shortened by the great amount of work he per- formed. He was a man universally respected and was very popular as a physician. Morse, in his " History of Sherborn " and Holliston, says : " His worth became ineffaceably stamped upon the minds and hearts of the entire community, and no man of his generation ever fell in Sherborn whose death was so universally and deeply lamented." He died December 12, 1851. He was appointed surgeon M. V. M. April 25, 1825.

The present writer, also after invitation by a com- mittee of citizens, came to this town from Boston, his native place, December 19, 1851, and has remained here in practice to this day with the exception of two years during the Civil War, for the greater part of which time he served as surgeon of the Third Massa- chusetts Cavalry.

In the year 1847 occurred the reunion of a very large number of the descendants of Henry Leland, previously noticed when describing their ancestor.

In 1852 " Pine Hill Cemetery " was dedicated.

Sherborn has, from the earliest times, set apart lots of land for use as cemeteries. The old burial-places were seven in number, namely: the ancient South Cemetery, which received the body of the venerable Hopestill Layland (born in 1580), in 1655; the Cen- tral Cemetery, 1686 ; the Farm, which was first used after the death of Daniel Morse, Sr., in 1688; the Brush Hill, 1785; the New South, 1790; the Plain, 1792 ; and the West Sherborn, about 1825.

In general, these lots were bare and uninviting spots, devoid of beauty or attraction, as was often the case in New England towns. Before the middle of the present century the subject of a more modern, rural cemetery was seriously considered and finally urged by some of the inhabitants. Prominent among these was the lamented Dr. Everett, by whom a loca- tion was most judiciousły chosen on Pine Hill, con- venient to the centre of the town and yet sufficiently secluded from public view. The gravelly and mine- ral character of the soil, combined with a natural drainage, render it peculiarly suitable as a place of interment. An association was formed, about ten acres of land were purchased and the grounds were tastefully laid out by Captain Jacob Pratt, the super- intendent, who had a deep interest in the work, and

had also selected the same spot for the cemetery inde- pendently of Dr. Everett.

On the 19th day of May, 1852, the "Pine Hill Cemetery " was consecrated with suitable exer- cises, an address being given by Rev. Edmund Dowse to a multitude of interested citizens. Among the re- mains first deposited there were those of Dr. Everett himself, who, when selecting this locality, may pos- sibly have had a premonition that his life might not long continne.

This cemetery has always been a source of great satisfaction to the people, and continues to be a chosen place for interment.

The commendable desire to preserve memorials of the ancient worthies of the town had inspired various persons, and notably Rev. Abner Morse, author of the " History of Sherborn and Holliston," to urge upon their descendants the sacred duty of preserving the tombstones of the founders and prominent men of Sherborn, or when this could not be done, to erect new monuments to their memory either on the origi- nal spot or in some other appropriate place. With this purpose in view, Calvin P. Sanger, Esq., a late inhabitant, who did much for the welfare of the town, cansed the remains of the first three ministers to be taken up from the old Central Burying-Ground, long disused and neglected, and interred in the new Pine Hill Cemetery beneath a marble monument bearing these inscriptions :

" Erected to the memory of the first three ministers of the church in Sherborn, Whose remains together with those of their families were removed from the Central burying-ground to this Cemetery, Sept. 15, 1857." On the second face, " Rev. Daniel Gookin, first minister of the Church in Sherborn, graduated at Harvard College in 1669, was a Fellow for eight years, and was ordained March 26, 1685. He was distinguished for his tenderness and fidelity to his people, and for an eminent Christiau example. He died Jan. 8, 1718, aged 67 years." On the third face, " Rev. Daniel Baker, second minister of the Church in Sherborn, graduated at Harvard College in 1706, and was ordained in 1712. He was fervent in prayer, powerful as a preacher, deeply interested in his la- bors, affable, and resigned under trial. He died May 14, 1731, aged 45 years." And on the fourth face, " Rev. Samnel Porter, third minister of the Church in Sherborn, graduated at Harvard College in 1730, and was ordained Oct. 23, 1734. He was a man of rare mental endowments, an earnest preacher, au affectionate and devoted pastor, and a shining exam- ple of the Christian life. He died Sept. 16, 1758, aged 49 years."

As before mentioned, soon after the erection of the above monument, upon a representation made by the Cemetery Association, the authorities of Harvard College placed there a solid block of granite over the remains of Rev. Dr. Locke, which were removed from their original resting place, and the marble headstone

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

in the old Central .Cemetery was at the same time re- moved and may be found near the granite monument. Upon the latter is inscribed "Samuel Locke, S.T.D. Died Jan. 15, 1777. Pres. of Har. Coll., 1770-3."

. Upon application of the proprietors this cemetery and also the other cemeteries in town belonging to associations were accepted by the town; and it was voted, April 9, 1888, to assume control of them if de- sired by said associations.

In ancient times, and even to a comparatively re- cent date, the stated meetings of the inhabitants for the transaction of the business of the town were held iu the public meeting-house, which belonged to the town. The town and parish business was conducted in the same meeting, and the town records contained also the records of the parish until August, 1809. In the year 1836 the town purchased of the proprietors the first academy building, which had been erected by subscription for the accommodation of a private high school, and the public town-meetings were held in it for several years. But finally the building had become old and worn, and also of insufficient size for the increasing numbers of the inhabitants, and it was evident that better accommodations must be pro- vided. The subject was discussed, and it was de- cided that the town-house must be repaired and enlarged, or that a new building must be erected.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 186

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