History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 187

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 187

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But before any definite action was taken the propo- sition of the executors of the will of Thomas Dowse was received and accepted, and their consent ob- tained to invest the amount in a new town-house which should contain a suitable room for the use of the proposed high school. The town agreed to pay, as interest, a sum sufficient to support the school for four months in each year. Thus was the town providentially aided in a highly important work, only a small additional outlay being required to complete the building. It stands on the old site of the school-house at the southeast corner of the Common. It is a neat structure of sufficient size for the wauts of the town for many years, and contains a large hall for meetings and lectures, a good school- room, ante-rooms and a room for a public library. It was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies, Dec. 23, 1858. Having been injured by fire, it was re- dedicated June 17, 1876, and the day was also cele- brated with addresses and music in recognition of the centennial anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill.

In the year 1859 " The Sherborn Widows' and Or- phans' Benevolent Society " was founded, chiefly by means of a handsome donation made by Calvin P. Sanger, Esq. " Its object shall be to aid such indi- gent widows and orphans," says its constitution, "as may from time to time be residents of Sherborn; and such other persons, whether males or females, who, though reduced to necessitous circumstances, would shrink from a resort to the town for support; but it is not intended that this charity shall in any way or

manner relieve the town of its duty to its poor." The society was organized October 19, 1859, under a general law of the Commonwealth. It has been the means of great benefit to the class of persons referred to, the annual interest of the fund being appropri- ated, by a vote of the Board of Managers at each regular meeting held for that purpose. The society is still in existence, and still continues its benevolent work. In the year 1890 it received a handsome bequest from the estate of the late Aaron Green- wood.

For many years there had been a library in the town, owned by an association of individuals, called the Social Library, and afterwards the Proprietors' Library. It was first established in the year 1808, and was useful in its day, furnishing to many the meaus of literary culture and enjoyment. At a later date an association of farmers and others, interested in agri- culture and horticulture, collected a library of books devoted to those subjects. Soon after the passage of an act by the Legislature, allowing towns to establish public libraries, the members of these associations ex- pressed a willingness to present their collections to the town for the purpose of forming the nucleus of a town library. The proposition being favorably re- ceived by the people, the associations presented a pe- tition to the town at a regular meeting, held March 5, 1860, for the establishment of a public library, ac- companied with the offer of the gilt of both libraries (comprising 573 volumes), provided it would comply with the request and conform to the full provisions of the State law on the subject. The town cheerfully granted the petition, and made an appropriation for the foundation of the library. At a subsequent meet- Ing, held April 2d, articles of organization were adopted, and also rules and regulations for the gov- ernment of the library. It was decreed that the man- agement should be vested in seven trustees, to be an- nually elected by the town, who should have power to fill vacancies in their own board, and who should hold office until their successors were chosen. The library was opened for the use of the inhabitants in the following month of June. Annual grants of money by the town have secured the addition of new books, and great satisfaction has been derived by the citizens from this popular institution. The whole number of volumes March 1, 1890, was 4000, inclu- ding many works of reference. This small town de- serves credit for its early adoption of the State law, and it takes pride and pleasure in this material aid to education. In the year 1890 the library received a liberal contribution bequeathed by the late Aaron Greenwood, a life-long inhabitant of the town.

The year 1861 is an era long to be remembered. The feeling of dissatisfaction in the Southern States, which had long been existing, came to a climax, and precipitated upon the nation the tremendous bur- den of a civil war. The crisis must be met, and it devolved upon the Northern and Western States to

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SHERBORN.

preserve the integrity of the Union. The President issued his proclamation for troops, and each State and town must furnish its quota of men. Sherborn had always performed her duty in great emergencies ; she did it now, and we can turn with just pride to her honorable record of those days.

As early as May 1, 1861, at a town-meeting called for the purpose, a committee was appointed to pre- pare the following resolutions, which were unani- mously adopted :

" Whereas, the stability of the Government of the United States is placed in great danger by an armed rebellion in several of the Southern states, threatening the destruction of our national capital and national prosperity, and a resort to armed resistance has become necessary for the preservation of our lives and liberty ; and whereas, by proclamation from the President of the United States, the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts is called upon for her share in the common defence, therefore,

" Resolved, that the people of this town place the most perfect re- liance aud trust in the present form of our Government, that we believe it to have been founded in wisdom and patriotism, and that we will throw aside all party feeling, and, with a firm reliance on the blessing of God, pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor to uphold und perpetuate tho Government and institutions of the United States.

" Resolved, that the town of Sherhorn appropriate two thousand dol- lars to fit out and furnish all necessary clothing for all those persons who have or may hereafter volunteer as soldiers in said town, or who may be drafted into service from suid town, and to provide for their families in their absence.'

At the same time a vote was passed intrusting the expenditure of this sum to a committee consisting of the selectmen and seven other citizens. It was also voted to guarantee to all volunteers and drafted men such a payment as with the Government pay should amount to $17 per month.

A military school was formed for drill under the direction of an instructor, and aid in meeting the ex- pense was granted by the town. In November, 1861, five hundred dollars was granted towards the support of families of volunteers. In 1862 a bounty of $175 was offered to each volunteer from the town. Fre- quent meetings were held during the same year, at which addresses were given by public speakers on the subject of the war. In 1863 $3000 were granted for aid to volunteers, and in 1864 $2000 for the same pur- pose.

Private subscriptions and contributions also were forthcoming, and they supplemented the appropria- tions of the town.

All these records show that Sherborn was animated with patriotic feelings and was ready to assume her. full share of the burden which the war laid upon thousands of loyal towns in the Union States. Eighty-two of ber citizens were enrolled in the army, and of this number nineteen laid down their lives in the battle-field, the hospital and the prison. Of those who lived to return to their homes, many came with shattered health, and there are but very few who do not bear the marks of wounds or the effects of disease contracted by the hardships and exposures of a sol- dier's life.

The memory of those trying times can never be ob- literated from the minds of those who took part in

the great conflict; but the establishment and yearly observance of Memorial Day have served to keep fresh in the hearts of all people the hallowed events of those days. That anniversary has always been sacredly kept by the veterans of Sherborn, and since 1885 has, by'vote of the town, been observed as a public commemoration ; the old soldiers, assisted by a Post of the Grand Army of the Republic from one of the neighboring towns, taking the leading part in the exercises of the day, and in decorating the graves of those who have passed away from the field of life.

In the year 1868 a lodge (No. 297) of the Independ- ent Order of Good Templars, a temperance organiza- tion, was formed in the town and continued its useful work for about twenty years, when, on account of the removal of members to other places and of other causes, it was dissolved. The plan for celebrating the second centennial anniversary of the incorporation of the town in 1874, was inaugurated by this brother- hood, and its successful execution was largely due to their efforts. The lodge was named "The Oliver Everett Lodge," in respect to the memory of the late physician of the town.

In 1869 the Sherborn Musical Association was formed chiefly for the purpose of taking part in the World's Peace Jubilee in Boston. It also assisted in the second jubilee in 1872, and its members have been called together on several similar occasions of lesser magnitude since that date. It has also furnished vocal music frequently on public occasions within the town, to the benefit of the community and the im- provement of its members. The cultivation of the art of music has always received much attention among the people of the town.

The Sherborn Review Club was formed September 11, 1874, by a number of ladies and gentlemen who met to consider a plan for the circulation of maga- zines and reviews among the members. Simple by- laws were adopted at the second meeting and officers chosen for the management of the business. It has been a very popular and useful association and has continued to the present day, furnishing to its mem- bers a great variety of the best periodical literature. The number of members has varied from sixteen to twenty. When several other persons applied for membership they were advised to form a new club rather than add to the numbers of the old one, and thus inconveniently increase the length of time for the circulation of the magazines. They accepted the suggestion, and the Sherborn Literary Club was or- ganized in November, 1882.

During the years following the close of the Civil War the number of convicts in Massachusetts was steadily increasing. The prisons were overcrowded and there was no opportunity for the reformation of any of the inmates. The attention of a number of influential ladies who had been interested in the con- dition of prisoners was directed to this fact and they resolutely commenced action to bring about a differ-

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

ent state of affairs. Prominent among these ladies was Mrs. E. C. Johnson, the present superintendent of the Reformatory Institution for Women. They petitioned the Legislature in 1870 for a separate place of confinement for women, with a view to their refor- mation. In the same year Rev. Edmund Dowse, of Sherborn, then a member of the Senate and chairman of the Committee on Prisons, presented a bill "to provide separate prisons for women and for the classi- fication and better discipline of prisoners." The bill became a law June 15, 1870. The experiment was first tried in the county jail at Greenfield, a separate portion of which was assigned to female prisoners. But after an experience of two years the authorities were satisfied that the plan could be successfully exe- cuted only in an institution devoted wholly to this purpose. Therefore, in 1874, another bill was enacted authorizing the prison commissioners to select a site on which to erect a suitable reformatory for three hundred prisoners. This was no easy task, but finally a spot was chosen in this town, near its northern boundary and near the village of South Framingham, a great railroad centre. Sufficient quiet and seclusion was thus secured, and at the same time easy access to a railroad station from which diverge lines to all those portions of the State which furnish the largest number of prisoners to such an institution. Work was com- menced on the land in the autumn of 1874, and the buildings were erected and ready for occupancy in 1877. They are each three stories in height and are three in number, being 330 feet, 460 feet and 240 feet in length, respectively. Besides these buildings for the inmates there are several houses for the use of the officers and employees.

The prisoners are all classified and an admirable system of grading stimulates their ambition. They are offered incentives to well-doing and improvement, by the bestowal of privileges and favors, and are thus led and encouraged to a desire for a better life. The superintendent, Mrs. Ellen C. Johnson, possesses much executive ability, and it is all needed in the management of this extensive institution. She is in- terested in the work, personally supervises the various branches of labor and of discipline, and is doing ex- cellent service to the large number of inmates as well as to the State. She has occupied her position since 1883, the former superintendents being Mrs. E. A. At- kinson, Dr. Eliza M. Mosher and Miss Clara Barton.

At the corner of the road leading from Framing- ham, adjacent to the prison grounds, stands the W stone on the boundary line between Sberborn and Framingham. It is a well-known landmark in this region and is worthy of notice. As early as January, 1683, mention is made in the records of Sherborn of the W tree. This tree was a large black oak and was so called because that letter was carved upon it, the wheel-tracks of the two diverging roads forming the letter. It served to mark the bounds at that spot for a great number of years, but finally became decayed,

and its remains were removed in 1822, and the present stone was erected in its place by Galim Bullard, an ancient inhabitant of that portion of the town, who was born in 1765 and lived until 1853.

In the same quarter of the town, in the year 1882, there was an event of great importance, which changed the whole aspect and condition of that small outlying district. Previous to that date the land be- tween the county road leading to Framingham and the northern point of Sherborn, which projects in a triangular form between Framingham and Natick, had but five or six houses upon it. This triangle comprises more than one hundred acres, a portion of which was arable land, and the remainder low, swampy land, through which flows Beaver-dam Brook. It was one of the spots the most unlikely to be se- lected as a site for a village. But circumstances favored the selection, as will shortly be seen.

The Para Rubber Company, of Boston, had erected a large manufactory in South Framingham, not far distant from the Sherborn line. A large number of operatives was to be employed and the greater part of them were not previously residents of this locality and must be provided with places of residence. The owner of a lot of land within the Sherborn triangle, before mentioned, made arrangements with the Para Company to erect several blocks of tenements on his land for the use and occupancy of the persons and families who worked in the manufactory, the com- pany guaranteeing the payment of the rent. This was the beginning. Before long some other proprie- tors of land erected cottages to be rented, and also sold land to others who built more houses, either for themselves or other persons, until in the course of two years a large number of buildings stood on the land which had never before been occupied for any purpose except that of agriculture. The number of persons thus added to the town is estimated at 300, and the staid old town was not a little disturbed at this influx of unsought residents. It became neces- sary to build new roads and to build a new school- house for the younger children, the older ones being sent to the old school-house, which had never before been filled. The town had also to assist and care for many poor people, who, from sickness or lack of work were unable to support themselves. At the same time these people, although living in Sherborn are not a part of it, as their interests all centre in Fran- ingham. An effort is now being made, by petition to the Legislature of 1890, to take from Sherborn this territory and another larger strip of land, amounting in all to 575 acres, and add it to the town of Fram- ingham. It is doubtful if this transfer is accom- plished on account of the large area of land men- tioned in the petition ; while if the triangle alone had been asked for, it might have been granted. A great amount of interest is felt in the subject and it is a topic of frequent discussion between the inhabitants of the town.

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SHERBORN.

In the year 1883, Grange No. 110 of the Patrons of Husbandry was established in this town. This order is intended to advance the interests of farmers, and is well adapted to this community, where agriculture is the chief pursuit. It is emphatically a fraternal order, and both sexes are represented in its member- ship, which adds much to the interest of its meetings. These meetings are held twice a month and are de- voted to discussions and readings on agricultural and literary subjects, interspersed with music and singing. The object in view is the improvement of its mem- bers in mental discipline and in social intercourse, and also the advancement of their business by the benefits of co operation. This Grange is in a flourish- ing condition, the number of its members having constantly increased from the beginning, until in February, 1890, it amounts to 128 persons. The first Master was Norman B. Douglas, a native of Vermont and a resident of this town since 1878, who has al- ways taken a lively interest in its welfare. He was one of its original members and was one of the chief promoters of the plan to introduce the order here. He has also been actively interested in the order throughout the State, and has been chosen Master of the State Grange for the year 1890, a position of honor and responsibility. Atter a service of three years at the head of Sherborn Grange, he was suc- ceeded as Master by George L. Whitney, a native of the town and a prominent and interested member, who was also chosen for three successive years to the post. . In the year 1889 this chair was filled by Jonathan Eames, a life-long resident of Sherborn, and one of the original and active members, through whom the advantages and principles of the Grange were first introduced to our citizens. He was re- elected for 1890, and therefore remains at the head of the order in this town. The ladies of the Grange have an auxiliary association, devoted to a promotion of the material prosperity of the order, and they have contributed in no small degree to that object.

Sherborn is a border town in the county, and this Grange belongs to a district association called the Middlesex and Norfolk Union Grange, which em- braces severai towns in this vicinity. Monthly meetings are held and a special feeling of fellowship exists among its members, who frequently visit the meetings of other Granges than their own within the Union.

Sherborn is situated in the southern part of the county and about twenty-one miles southwest of Boston. It borders on Charles River, which separates it from the county of Norfolk. Until the year 1870 it had no railroad connection with other towns, the nearest station being at Natick, on the Albany Rail- road, three miles distant, with which communication was had by stage. In that year the Mansfield and Framingham Railroad was completed and was opened for travel in February, to the great convenience of the citizens, who thus had easy connections with | the town came, but former parishioners, friends and

other roads running in all directions. After a con- siderable time, in the year 1883, this road, together with the railroad from Mansfield to New Bedford, and that from South Framingham to Fitchburg, were purchased by the Old Colony Railroad Company and became its Northern Division, thus constituting a con- tinuous line of road from New Bedford to Fitchburg, under one management. A new road is in contempla- tion by the Old Colony Company, which will probably connect Sherborn with some point on the Dedham Branch of its Providence Division and thus give an additional means of communcation with Boston. A second track is about to be constructed on the old road, to accommodate the increasing business of this line. At New Bedford connection is made with steamboats for Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket and at Fall River with boats for New York City.

Sherborn is well supplied with weekly local news- papers, the Sherborn Tribune and Sherborn Mirror having a large circulation among its inhabitants l'or some years past. And before the establishment of these journals, newspapers from Natick and Fram- ingham were sent to this town. The Framingham Gazette still has subscribers here.

In 1882 the proprietors of the Natick Bulletin, J. B. Fairbanks & Son, commenced the publication of an edition of their newspaper devoted in part to the in- terests of Sherborn and called the Sherborn Mirror. It has been continned to the present day and has a large circulation in this town. For a few years past it has been under the sole management of Mr. George C. Fairbanks.

In the year 1883 the Sherborn Tribune was estab- lished by Charles J. McPherson, of the Framingham Tribune, the first copy being issued on the 27th of October of that year. The present editor and pro- prietor, Mr. Charles F. Adams, of Sherborn, hecame connected with it as a correspondent in 1884, became associate editor in 1885, and finally purchased it in December, 1885. In 1887 the newspaper was trans- ferred to the Natiek Citizen, under which manage- ment it was issued until 1889, when Mr. Adams again became its proprietor. It has a large list of subscrib- ers in the town.

The 10th day of October, 1888, witnessed a highly interesting and noteworthy celebration. It was the fiftieth anniversary of the ordination of Dr. Edmund Dowse as pastor of the Pilgrim Church, and the arrangements made for the day were most successfully carried out. Nearly all the inhabitants of the town . were interested in the event and all circumstances conspired to render the celebration one of the largest and most enjoyable that have ever occured here. It was indeed a jubilee. The day was ushered in by the ringing of bells and the booming of cannon. Before ten o'clock, the hour for the opening exercises, people were arriving from all quarters, both by railroad train and by private carriage. Not only the residents of

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

brother clergymen from surrounding towns as well as some from distant towns; members of the Senate of Massachusetts, to which Dr. Dowse formerly be- longed and of which he is still chaplain; and also the chaplain and some members of the House of Representatives. Rev. Daniel S. Talcott, professor in the Theological Seminary at Bangor, Maine, the predecessor of Dr. Dowse in this pastorate, was here, and gave an address which carried his hearers back more than fifty years. He was present at the ordi- nation half a century since and some laymen were also present on this day who attended the original ceremonies.

Skilled performers furnished the music, and after the opening exercises a cordial address of welcome was delivered by Rev. Ainos H. Coolidge, of Leicester, Mass., a native of this town who grew up under the teachings of Dr. Dowse. An address by the pastor appropriately followed, and then the chief address of the day, by Dr. Geo. M. Adams, of Holliston, repre- senting the association of clergymen of this district. Original hymns, which were sung by the congre- gation, were written for the occasion by Rev. George G. Phipps, of Wellesly, and Rev. William M. Thayer, of Franklin.

The afternoon session was devoted chiefly to short addresses after the delivery of a regular address by Dr. E. B. Webb, of Boston. Many genial remarks were made by clergymen, Senators and old friends, and great enthusiasm and good feeling prevailed. A pastorate of fifty years is so rarely known, in this century at least, that the occasion was one of great rejoicing among the numerous friends of Dr. Dowse. There is but one other clergyman in this Common- wealth whose service approaches that period of time.

A reception after the close of the services and a social reunion in the town-hall in the evening, pleasantly crowned and completed the exercises of the day-a day which will fill a prominent place in the annals of the town.

Mr. Dowse is still in active service in his fifty- third year as pastor and in his eleventh consecutive year as chaplain of the Senate.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 187

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