History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 199

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 199

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The 19th of May, 1780, is celebrated as the Dark Day. The obscurity was so great that birds sought their perches at mid-day, and the people had to light candles in order to distingnish objects in their houses. The superstitious were inclined to think the day of doom was approaching. " About ten o'clock," wrote Mr. Phineas Spragne, of Malden, in his journal, “it began to Rain and grew vere dark, and at 12 it was almost as dark as Nite, so that wec was obliged to lite our candels and Eate our dinner by candel lite at Noonday." The darkness of the evening of that day was very remarkable. "A sheet of white paper," says Dr. Tenney, "held within a few inches of the eyes, was equally invisible with the blackest velvet."

This darkness might possibly have been cansed by the burning of extensive forests in Northern New Hampshire, the smoke of which might have floated over a section of New England and obscured the sun. Alarm at the coming of the darkness was naturally increased when the spirits of the people were de- pressed in consequence of the war. It was common to attribute unusual phenomena to supernatural agency, for there was at that time less scientific knowledge than at present. The belief of the people in ghosts and haunted houses was then very preva- lent. It was generally considered ominous to see, for the first time, the new moon over the left shoulder, to spill salt, or to sit thirteen at the table. A horse- shoe was nailed to the posts of the door to keep off witches, and the sight of a white spider gliding down its thread foreboded evil. The Bible, interpreted literally, was the guide-book of our fathers, and science, which sheds light upon the meaning of many a perplexing passage in the Scriptures, was a word almost unknown to them. The spirit of God's teach- ing they, however, nsually understood.

Another State Constitution was framed this year by delegates chosen by the towns of the Common- wealthı, and submitted, in March, to the people for their examination.

754

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

It appears that in Dunstable there was a strong opposition to the instrument. It was chiefly against granting protection to all religions, against the lib- erty of the press, against so great a number of Coun- cilors and Senators, against the power of the Governor to march the militia to any part of the State, against the appointment of all judicial officers by the Gover- nor, against the Governor and other officers declaring themselves of the Christian religion, against the form of the oath,-they being desirous that the words " living God " should be included,-against the Quak- ers being excused from taking an oath, and against the time appointed for the revision of the Constitu- tion.

That instrument was, however, ratified as the or- ganic law by more than two-thirds of the votes of the State. Hon. John Hancock was the first Governor chosen under it. The election was held on the 4th of September, and Dunstable gave sixteen votes for Hancock. The small vote thrown may have indi- cated the disaffection of the people in respect to the new Constitution, and may have been owing partly to the absence of many voters in the army.

The town this year furnished 7500 pounds of beef which the General Court called for to supply the army, and voted to raise £2500 for school and other purposes. In the exigencies of war, paper-money was issued to such an extent that one dollar in silver came to be equal to forty dollars in what was called the "Continental currency." The one-dollar bill had on its face the Latin words, " Depressa resurgit," which is in English, " The down-trodden rises," and which had, at that time, much meaning ; but, so great was the depression in its value, that a blanket bought by a soldier cost £100, and the salary of the Rev. Ebenezer Bridge, of Chelmsford, for eight months, " was set" at £3600. Ebenezer French was heard to say that he ouce paid $40 of it for a breakfast in New York. This paper-money, becoming worthless, went out of use the following year and was never re- deemed.

At this time the country was passing through one of its darkest periods. The life-blood of the nation had been freely given ; there were many desolate homes ; family ties had been sundered ; many had grown gray in military service ; the young had come to a premature manhood ; cities and dwellings were falling into decay, and many of the farms were half- tilled.

Dunstable, however, continued to furnish and to pay its quotas of soldiers, to support public worship, and to make appropriation, as ability allowed, for the education of its children. All classes cheerfully de- nied themselves, foregoing common luxuries and de- voting themselves to labor. No sound was more frequent than that of the loom and spinning-wheel, and the wives and daughters, during the absence of their husbands and their brothers at the seat of war, were always ready to help the aged man on the farms.

The defeat and capture of the British forces under Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va., virtually termi- nated the war. In furnishing men and money, Mas- sachusetts bore about onc-quarter of the burden, and of this the town of Dunstable its full share.

The news of the victory of the allied French and American forces under Washington was received throughout the country with demonstrations of joy. "From every family altar," says Mr. B. J. Lossing, " where a love of freedom dwelt, from pulpits, legis- lative halls, the army and from Congress (October 24), went up a shout of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord God Omnipotent, for the. success of the allied troops, and these were mingled with universal eulogies of the great leader and his companion in arms. The clouds which had lowered for seven long years, appeared to be breaking, and the splendors of the dawn of peace burst forth, like the light of a clear morning after a dismal night of tempest."

The Second Parish of Dunstable had no bell at this time to ring in expression of its joy over the great victory ; still, every citizen exulted in the suc- cess of Washington and Lafayette. The drooping spirits of the people were revived by the return of the soldiers from their long campaigns.

The following notices of some men from Dunstable actively engaged in the War of the Revolution are still preserved :

Oliver Cummings, Jr., was a private in the battle of White Plaine, Oc- tober 28, 1776. He returned to Dunstable and subsequently removed to the town of Summer, Me., where he died.

James Cummings was at the taking of Ticonderoga, July 12, 1777, and io engagements during the war.

Josiah Cummings entered the army when a mere boy, and served as a guard over the soldiers of Generel Burgoyne, subsequent to their cep- ture in October, 1777. He also performed duty with the army in New Jersey. After the Revolution he was commissioned as captain of the Dunstable militia company.

William French was a private at the battle of Bunker Hill. Oo the expiration of his term of service at Cambridge, he re-enlieted and well performed his duty through the war.

Jonas French, hora August 7, 1757, and youngest brother of the above, was with him, as already stated, at the battle of Bunker Hill. employed as a school-teacher. Both he and his brother William re- He also served asa faithful soldier through the war. He was often ceived pensions for services in the war.

Ebenezer French, to whom reference has already been made, served through the war, and died in Duoetable April 14, 1808, in his eeventy - seventh year.

Samuel French had a ball shot through his right ear at the battle of Bunker Hill, IIe died io Dunstable, and ie buried on Meeting-House Hill.

Eleazer French, wounded ia the same battle ; died of consumption soon after his returo home.

Jonathan French, brother of the two laet named, wae with them la the first great battle of the Revolution, and was subsequently, together with hietwo sons, io the service on Lake Champlain.

William Blodgett served ae a private during the war. He had learned to face danger io the old Freoch War. He was four times cast away at sea.

John Cheney had acquired great experience as a soldier ju the old French War, and served hie country faithfully during the Revolution. He was at the capture of Quebec. He was a very useful citizen, and held many town offices.

Temple Kendall was a lieutenant under Captain John Ford at the hat- tle of Bunker Hill.

John Proctor came home from the war and died of consumption.

755

DUNSTABLE.

Colonel Ebenezer Bancroft, as already stated, fought bravely at Bunker Hill aod in other battles during the war. He purchased and enlarged the house once owned by Henry Farwell and now occupied by his grandson. lle went into the French War at the age of sixteen years. He was commissioned lieutenant-colonel April 21, 1780, and justice of the peace in 1798.

Jonathan Woodward served as a private through the war. He lived to be a centenarian, and a sermon was preached on bis one hundredth birthday. He retained the use of his faculties until near the close of life, and was an excellent mao.

Ensign Leonard Butterfield was a private in the war. He lived near Meeting-House liill. Leonard Butterfield, the father, lived on the south side of the road on Meeting-House Hill; his son, Philip Butter- field, lived on the sanie side of the road, a little towards the west. The cellar-holes of both houses still remain. Leonard Butterfield, Jr., built the house oow owned by Dexter Butterfield, east of Meeting-House Hill.

Jesse Butterfield served as a private in the war, and removed to Farm- ington, Me., where he died.

Philip Butterfield, brother of the above, was also a private in the war.

Paul Woods went into the Daval service, and was killed by falling from the mast of a ship.

Joel Parkhurst, father of Leonard Parkhurst, was a private io the war, and died at Dunstable. His house stood about twenty rods north of that of Mr. John A. Parkhurst.

His son, Leonard Parkhurst, also served in the war.

Ephraim and Nathan Taylor, brothers, living in the easterly part of the town, went into the army, and were never heard from afterwards.

Daniel Jaques, died September 2, 1835, aged seventy-eight years. He is buried in Tyngsborough, and on the beadstone is written, "To die is to go home ; " and also, " A soldier of the Revolution."

March 3, 1783, the town appropriated £30 for edu- cation. On the 7th of April the town cast sixteen votes for John Hancock as Governor, and eleven votes for Thomas Cushing as Lieutenant-Governor. At the same time a committee, consisting of Jonathan Fletcher, Nathaniel Holden, Jonathan Emerson and Temple Kendall, reported that it was advisable that the town should be divided into five districts for school purposes, as follows :

1. All to the cast of the Merrimack River.

2. All the First Parish on the westerly side of the Merrimack River, excepting Lieutenant Perham aud Mr. John Bridge.

3. All the Second Parish on the great road from Mr. Ezra Thompson's to Hollis up to Sabnon Brook, living oo aod to the north of said road.

4. All to the west of Salinon Brook, exceptiog Mr. Bridge's.

5. All the remainder of the town.

In May this report was accepted, and the districts were established. The Hon. John Tyng was chosen representative, and it was voted that the selectmen should build a pound.

On the 3rd day of September, a definitive treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United States was signed at Paris. Dunstahle shared in the general rejoicing over the welcome tidings of peace once more. The oft-used musket was now hung above the oaken mantel-piece.

The westerly part of the town had now become gen- erally settled, and the centre of population had advanced somewhat in that direction. It was thus thought advisable that the place of public worship should be changed, and at the meeting held Nov. 8, 1784, it was " voted to move the meeting-honse from the place it now stands on to some other convenient place in said Parish ;" it was also voted that the place " be

between the Dwelling-house of Mr. Jonathan Procters and the house that Mr. Jonathan Woodward now Lives in, on the north side of the rode that goes from one house to the other a little to the west of north from said Procter's new Barn."

In 1785 the town raised £40 for schools, gave twelve votes for James Bowdoin as Governor, and chose the Hon. John Pitts to represent it in the General Court.

The snow on the 22d of April was two feet deep and the surface so much incrusted with ice as to bear up an ox-sled.

Jan. 25, 1786, the Second Parish " voted & chose Mr. John Chaney, Jun', to Lead in Singing in Publick Worship."

There is no other reference to music on the records of the Second Parish ; but it would seem from those of the church that the practice of "lining out " the hymns had not yet been abandoned. About this time church choirs were formed in the State, and the "deaconing out of the hymns," to which our worthy ancestors were accustomed, was practiced no longer. The psalms and hymns of Dr. Watts also took the place of " the Bay Psalm Book," and some of the fugue tunes of William Billings were now occasionally sung.

The town this year, for the first time, elected over- seers of the poor. The poor were kindly treated, sometimes receiving a small sum of money from the town to help them in their efforts to maintain them- selves, and sometimes living in the family of a rela- tive or friend, who received some compensation for their expense and trouble. The number of panpers probably did not exceed the number of the commit- tee appointed to take care of them.

In 1787 and for some time previous efforts were made to unite the two religious bodies known as the First and Second Parishes. This union was at one time nearly consummated, but was prevented by the donation of Mrs. Sarah Tyng Winslow. Ecclesiasti- cal affairs being now under control of the town, it voted in 1787 to raise £60 for preaching, and also that services should be held alternately at the east and west meeting-houses.

On the 21st of February, 1788, the church held a solemn fast "to look up by Prayer to the Supreme Head of the Church for his Direction in Choise of a Minister," but it appears that no minister was found to snit all the congregation.

On the 22d of June, 1789, what is now the town of Tyngsborough was incorporated into a district and received for its own use the donation of Mrs, Win- slow, which, as a town, it still enjoys.

The church edifice on Meeting-house Hill was re- moved to Dunstable Centre in 1791 and finished in approved style.

The land for the site of the building, consisting of one acre and one hundred and thirty rods, was well chosen, and was conveyed by Jonathan Proctor to the town in a deed bearing date August 25, 1790, and it is

756

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

described as "the land on which the school-house now stands, and bounded beginning at the southerly corner of said land at a heap of stones by the road, thence running northerly about twenty-nine rods to a heap of stones hy a black oak tree, thence sonth forty-four degrees west twenty rods to a heap of stones, thence south six and a half degrees west elaven rods and a half to a heap of stones by the great road, thence east eleven degrees south by the north side of the said road fourteen rods and a half to a heap of stones first mentioned." This condition is mentioned in the deed-" that the inhabitants of the said Dunstable shall, within the term of three years from the date hereof, have caused to be erected upon the said land a Meeting-house for publick worship and a School-House, and shall never suffer said land to be destitnte of said buildings for more than three years at any time, and that no other building shall ever be erected on said land than such as shall be necessary to accommodate the inhabitants when at- tending on Publick Worship."

David Fletcher, joiner, gave bonds to Zebulon Blodgett, town treasurer, to finish the meeting-house at or before the 1st day of July, 1794. He was to bnild thirty-three pews and a pulpit, " and the breast- work in the gallery not inferior to that in the meet- ing-house in Tyngsborough."

The edifice was dedicated to the service of God, " agreeable to ancient example and more modern practices," on the 2d day of October, 1793.

The ordination of Mr. Heywood took place on the 5th day of June, 1799, several ministers taking part in the services. The expense to the town for the ordination was twenty-three dollars.

At the incoming of the present century Dunstable was in a prosperous condition. Its population had increased to 485 persons.

In April, 1800, the church chose Deacon Zebedee Kendall, Captain J. Fletcher and Captain S. Stevens a committee to attend the meetings of the singing- school, for the purpose of choosing leaders, and it also invited all " who are skilled in sacred harmony to come forward and assist the church in that part of public worship."

Efforts had been made to introduce the bass-viol into the church service, but serious objections were urged against it. One called it " the Lord's fiddle," and another said he should get up and dance if it came into the church. At one meeting it was " voted to suspend the introduction of the Bass-Viol for the present on account of an objection made by Lieutenant Simeon Cummings ; " but on the 20th of March, 1804, the innocent instrument triumphed over all opposition, the church voting that the bass-viol be introduced into the meeting-house on days of public worship, and that those who have skill to use it, bring it and perform on Sabbath-days.

The Middlesex Canal, extending from Boston to .a point near Pawtucket Falls, in the Merrimac River,

was opened this year. The transportation of lumber, cattle and grain from Dunstable to the metropolis was thus facilitated. The canal was about twenty- seven miles long, thirty feet wide and three feet deep, and served for conveying merchandise from the Mer- rimac River to Boston until the opening of the Boston and Lowell Railroad, in 1836, when the canal gradually became nseless.

The town in 1805 provided a book containing the Constitution of the United States for each of its schools, and the next year voted $700 for building five school-houses.

The district of Tyngsborough was incorporated as a town February 28, 1809, and the population of Dun- stable was thereby greatly diminished.

A few soldiers from Dunstable engaged in what was called Mr. Madison's War of 1812. The decisive victory of General Andrew Jackson over the British forces, at New Orleans, on the 8th of January, 1815, terminated the war, and on the 18th day of February following, President James Madison issued a proclamation of peace. This was hailed with joy by the people of Dunstable. A day was set apart for the celebration of the event. The people assembled in their best attire, and when the soldiers had gone through with their evolutions, all partook of a bounti- ful collation, and then, proceeding to the church, they listened to a patriotic address from the Rev. John Perkins, a Baptist minister of Chelmsford. Dunstable shared in the general prosperity which followed the long and exhausting war. The people increased in wealth, numbers and intelligence. A more generons style of living soon became manifest. Newspapers were taken, and the chaise and Jersey wagon were brought into use.

On the 2d day of September occurred what was long known as "the great gale." The wind blew with such violence from the southeast and south as to overturn fences and forest trees, and, in some in- stances, barns and dwelling-houses.

This was the severest storm that had occurred in New England since Aug. 15, 1635, when, according to the historian William Hubbard, "many houses were blown down, many more uncovered. The Indian corn was beat down to the ground so as not to rise again. The tide at Narragansett rose twenty feet perpendicularly. The Indians were obliged to betake themselves to the trees, and yet many of them were drowned by the return of the tide before the usnal hour."

The year 1816 was exceptional for the severity of the cold. Frosts appeared during each of the sum- mer months, and the crop of Indian corn was nearly destroyed.

In the year 1817 the town raised $300 for schools, and the same amount for preaching.

The church in 1817-18 was favored with an ex- tensive revival, and as many as seventy-three per- sons, many of whom were heads of families, made a profession of religion.

757

DUNSTABLE.

A Universalist Society was formed by citizens of

Dunstable and the towns adjacent, and a constitu- tiou adopted Jan. 21, 1818.

The society used the old meeting-house as a place of worship, aud the pulpit was supplied by such preachers as could be from time to time obtained.

The number of inhabitants in 1820 was 584.

CHAPTER LIX.

DUNSTABLE-(Continued).

Church Erected-Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion-Dunstable Cornet Band Formed-Nashua, Acton and Boston Railroad Opened-Bi-Cen- tennial Celebration-1821-90.

THE church, though somewhat strengthened by a revival, was still unable to support a minister, and therefore applied, Feb. 7, 1822, to the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge for some assistance, representing that "ahout one-half the property of this town stands on sectarian grounds;" that " the church had been destitute of a settled min- ister for seven years ;" that " the church now consists of about one hundred and five members ;" that "it is decidedly orthodox ;" and that " for nearly three years past the Rev. Samuel Howe Tolman has labored among us a part of the time ;" aud that they had given him a call to settle over the church for the term of five years. In reply to this petition the so- ciety agreed to pay, conditionally, $100 per annum towards the support of Mr. Tolman. He was, there- fore, installed over the church and society.

Dec. 24th it was voted " toadopt into our church the use of the Select Hymns selected by Dr. Samuel Worcester, of Salem, Mass." This book took the place of the Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts. Musical instruments, as the bass-viol, violin and clarionet, had been introduced into the choir, and it . does not appear that any one now objected to their use in the services of the church.

A post-office was established in the town on the 13th of February, 1829, and Josiah Cummings, Jr., was appointed postmaster. Before the establishment of this office mail matter was received at the office in Tyngsborough.

It was this year decided by the evangelical part of the religious society to withdraw from the old meet- ing-house, and to build a new one. An advisory council was therefore called, which unanimously rec- ommended the proposed undertaking. Subscriptions were at once taken, a site was purchased of Jasper P. Proctor for the sum of $100, and the present substan- tial edifice, under a contract with William Rowe, of Groton, was soon erected. As already seen in the opening chapter, this building has been much im- proved within recent years. The dedicatory sermon

was preached by Rev. Amos Blanchard, D.D., Dec. 21, 1831.

The Orthodox Church voted, July 9, 1831, that " for the future we meet in the new meeting-house for divine worship on condition that the pews be rented and the rents be appropriated to the support of the gospel in the new house."

October 10th of the same year a call to the pastor- ate of the church was given to the Rev. Eldad W. Goodman, which he accepted.

The town, in 1834, voted to appropriate $100 for a singing-school, and chose Henry Parkhurst, Captain George Wright and Cyrus Taylor a committee to superintend the same.

On the 25th of August the Rev. Mr. Goodman, at his own desire, was dismissed from the pastorate of the church. He was regarded a faithful minister.

The Rev. Dana Goodsell supplied the church for a few months, declining, however, a call to settle as pastor. On March 15, 1837, the Rev. Levi Brigham was ordained pastor of the Evangelical Church.

In 1845 the town appropriated $400 for the use of public schools. Mr. John Hayward, in his "Gazetteer of Massachusetts," published in 1846, makes some er- rors in statements regarding Dunstable. "The soil," he said, "is sandy, and generally unproductive of other crops than hops and rye." This is plainly in- correct, the land being well adapted to the growth of all the cereals, and as good as that of any other town in this part of Middlesex County.

In 1848 the amount appropriated for public schools was raised to $500.

The Worcester and Nashua Railroad, which enters the town from Pepperell, and passes along its western border near the Nashna River, into Nashua, was opened on the 18th of December ; hut as it is remote from the centre, and leads to Boston by a circuitous route, it has been of little value to the place. It has no station in the town.

The town voted, at one of its meetings, " to sell the old town standard at auction," and also to receive Ira Hall and Webb and Bowker, with their estates, from Groton. The Rev. Levi Brigham was dismissed, at his own request, March 21st, from the pastorate of the Evangelical Church. He was an able pastor, and rendered the town much service from an educa- tional point of view. He was succeeded by Rev. Darwin Adams, son of the celebrated school-book maker, Daniel Adams, M.D. About this time the meeting-house was enlarged and repaired. Miss Lucy Fletcher gave the church a pulpit, Dr. Daniel Adams presented to it a clock, and Mrs. Spaulding a set of chairs for the communion table. And here it will be fitting to mention that in later years the church has been remembered with valuable gifts. Mr. Jonas Kendall, of Framingham, has presented a beautiful communion service, and $3000 for a per- manent fund. Mrs. Zilpha Woodward gave $500 and Miss Mary Wilson $200 as permanent funds.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 199

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