History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 200

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 200

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758

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

The Rev. William C. Jackson, of Lincoln, was in- stalled over the church November 2, 1859.

The number of inhabitants in 1860 was 487, of whom 243 were males and 244 females ; 11 were over eighty, and 1 was over ninety years old.

The Dunstable Cornet Band was organized Septem - ber 15th, with Hiram Spaulding as leader, treasurer and collector. It has attained a good reputation for skill in its musical performances, as well as for the gentlemanly bearing of its members. Its services are in good demand for processions and other public occasions in neighboring cities and towns.

On the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion the town manifested great activity in the enlistment and support of the soldiers. In this patriotic effort the ladies bore a conspicuous part. Volunteers promptly entered into the service of their country, and as many as sixty-four soldiers from Dunstable shared in the privations and battles of the war.

Notwithstanding the demand upon resources, then made by the war, the town raised, in 1862, $400 for the support of public schools. July 26th it was voted to borrow, if needed, $500 for the volunteers,

In 1863 it was voted to put up guide-posts through- out the town, for which it paid about $50. And here may be given an example of the public spirit of the young people of the town. The Dunstable Temper- ance Union, holding regular meetings once a month, purchased, in 1889, six lamp-posts, with accompany- ing lamps and fixtures, and caused them to be set out in different parts of the village. By not only thus furnishing, but arranging for the lighting of these lamps, the said organization takes a very prac- tical method of letting its light shine. The money expended for these lamps was raised by dramatic en- tertainments given by the young people in Parker's Hall.

On the 8th of October, 1863, the old church in the Centre was destroyed by fire. It was never supplied either with an organ or with a bell. In front of the pulpit, on the gallery, was the inscription, " Finished in 1793." The old line of sheds for the horses on the side of the Common are the only memorials that re- main of this ancient church building. After the division of the society the Revs. Hiram Beckwith, Russell Streeter, Josiah Gilman and William Hooper preached in it permanently. The pulpit was occa- sionally supplied by the Rev. Hosea Ballou, the Rev. Adin Ballou, the Rev. Thomas Whittemore, and other clergymen.

The names of the soldiers sent from Dunstable into the late war are as follows :

Anderson, Henry, private, three years, Thirty-second Regiment.

Baker, Esan, served one year in the navy.

Barnes, James, served one year in the navy.

Bean, Francis, enlisted for three years, December 19, 1863 ; muetered in January 5, 1864, private, Company B, Fifty-ninth Regiment.

Brady, Frederick, private, three years, Twenty-second Regiment.

Burrows, Charles, volnuteer, three years, private, Company K, Four- teenth Regiment.

Butterfield, Dexter, enlisted and mustered in October 14, 1861, three years, private, Company A, Second Regiment ; made a sergeant June 1, 1864; discharged October 14, 1864.

Carkin, Harrison, volunteer, private, Company C, Fourteenth Regi- ment, U. S. A.

Cheever, Alvin, enlisted and mustered in August 31, 1862, for nine months, Company A, Sixth Regiment.

Conway, Michael, private, ninstered in August 14, 1862, three years, Company G, Forty-first Regiment.

Currier, Warren (2d), enlisted and mustered in July 11, 1865, three years, Fifth Battery.

Daglish, John J., enlisted and mustered in for one year, February 21, 1865, Company F, Thirty-eighth Regiment.

Dalyn, Simon, private for three years, mustered in Angnat 14, 1862, Company G, Forty-firet Regiment.

Duris, Ancil, private, nine months ; enlisted October 12, and mustered in October 17, 1862, Company G, Fifty-third Regiment ; died of chronic dysentery at Baton Rouge, July 1, 1863.

Davis, James A., enlisted and mustered in as a private for three years October 14, 1864, Company A, Second Regiment ; wounded at the battle of Antietam and discharged ; re-enlisted for one year, December 30, 1864, Company E, Cavalry, Frontier Service.

Donahue, Patrick, enlisted and onstered in July 14, 1865, for three years, Fourteenth Battery.

Douley, Joseph, enlisted and mustered in Angnet 31, 1861, nine months, Company B, Sixth Regiment ; discharged November 2, 1862, for disability.

Doyle, James, private, three years, Fifteenth Battery.

Eldredge, Frank W., private, three years, Twenty-sixth Regiment.

Furrur, Edward, private, three years, Fifteenth Battery.

Finley, Michael, three years, mnetered in Angust 14, 1862, Company G, Forty-first Regiment.

Fletcher, Albert W., private, enlisted September 2, 1862, for nine months, Company D, Fifty-third Regiment. On the night previous to the battle of Port Hndsoo he gave his knapsack and money to a wounded comrade, to be conveyed to his mother in the event of his being killed in battle. He was last seen amongst his company bravely making the charge in the sanguinary contest of June 14, 1863. What more oohle record conld be made of hini ?

Foss, Charles V., private, three years, Company B, Fifty-ninth Regi- ment; enlisted December 19, 1863 ; mnstered in Jannary 5, 1864.

Gilson, James H., volunteer, private, mustered in August 6, 1864, for three years, Company K, Thirty-third Regiment ; farmer.

Hartwell, Alonzo, private, three years, Company B, Fifty-ninth Regi- mient ; enlisted December 19, 1863.

Hurtwell, Warren, private, three years, Company B, Fifty-ninth Regi- ment ; enlisted December 19, 1863.

Hickey, James, enlisted August 13, 1864, private, three years, Second Massachusetts Cavalry.

Hinds, Hiram II., enlisted August 8, 1864, Reserve Veteran Corps. -

Hobbs, George, three years, Fifteenth Battery.

Hunter, George, volunteer, private, three years, Company K, Four- teenth Regiment.

Ingalls, James S., volunteer, three years, Company C, Twenty-sixth Regiment; discharged and died at New Orleans.

Jackson, Edward P., private, nine months, enlisted September 26, 1862, Company D, Forty-fifth Regiment ; he was promoted to a corporal.

Juques, Josiah S., Company K, Thirty-tbird Regiment, three years; mustered in August 6, 1862.

Jones, Cormely R., three years, enlisted and mustered in Angust 8, 1864, Reserve Veteran Corps.

Kuhoe, Michael, private, three years, Eleventh Regiment; enlisted August 16, 1864.

Kelleiky, James, three years, Twenty-eighth Regiment.

Keyes, Peabody, volunteer, three years, Twenty-sixth Regiment.

Keyes, Sumnel P., volunteer, private, mustered for three years, Decem- ber 20, 1861, New Hampshire Eighth Regiment.

Knights, Isune S., private, eolisted for three years, January 2, 1864, Fifth-ninth Regiment.

Lyons, Thomas, private, nine months, enlisted Angust 31, 1862, Com- pany K, Sixth Regiment.

Marshall, George E., volunteer, private, three years, Company H, New Hampshire Seventh Regiment ; enlisted and was mustered in October, 14, 1861. He died at Charleston, S. C., July 24, 1863, of wounds re- ceived at the storming of Fort Wagner eix days previons. He was n prisoner at the time of his death.

759

DUNSTABLE.

Mayo, Willard M., enlisted as a private and volunteer, October 14, 1861, in Company H, New Hampshire Seventh Regiment, and was killed July 18, 1863, at the storming of Fort Wagner, in Charleston Harbor.

Murray, Michael, enlisted and was mnstered in August 19, 1864, Com- pany G, Seventeenth Regiment.

Osborne, Prescott E., private, three years, Twenty-sixth Regiment.

Page, David H., private, volunteer, three years, Company C, Twenty- sixth Regiment. Died at New Orleans, Angust 30, 1863, of dysentery.

Purker, Luther S., private, volnuteer, three years, Company C, Twenty- sixth Regiment.

Pearl, Gilman A., Company B, Fifty-ninth Regiment ; enlisted as a private for three years, December 19, 1863 ; mnstered in January 5, 1864.

Pevey, Lyman E., enlisted March 4, 1865, for three years, Detachment of Ordnance, Arsenal, Watertown.

Pool, Leonard H., enlisted August 8, 1864, for three years, Reserve Veteran Corps.

Raupuck, Harold A., three years, navy.

Rich, Ererett, was mustered in March 11, 1862, three years, uavy. Robertson, William, private, three years, Fifteenth Battery.

Robinson, John, two years, navy.

Rusmussen, Christian, two yeare, navy.

Short, William, Company B, Sixth Regiment, nine months ; enlisted Angust, 31, 1862, and was discharged at the expiration of bis service, June 3, 1863.

Sterens, Kimball A., private, Company B, Sixth Regiment ; enlisted for nine montbe, Angust 31, 1862.

Stickney, Henry, private, Company G, Thirty-third Regiment, mnstered in August 11, 1862, and died at Falmouth, Va., January 20, 1863.

Styles, John, enlisted August 8, 1864, for three years, Third Regiment of Infantry.

Taylor, George E., private, three years, Company A, Second Regiment, he enlisted October 14, 1861, and died at Frederick, Md., February 8, 1862.

Teagreean, John N., enlisted for three years in the Sixty-second Regi- ment.

Welch, Patrick, volunteer, three years, Company G, Forty-firet Regi- ment.

White, Lucius, volunteer, private, three years, Company D, Eleventh Regiment Regular Infantry ; wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, and died on the following day.

Wykins, Luther, private, Company D, Fifty-third Regiment, nine montha; anlisted October 12, 1862 ; returned home with his regiment, and was discharged September 2, 1863.

Wilkins, Luther E., eulisted for nine months as a private, Company D, Fifty-third Regiment, October 12, 1862. He was in the battle of Port Hudson, returned home with his regiment, and was discharged Septem- ber 2, 1863 .- Total, 64.

The following from this town enlisted in other places :

William W. Cummings, First Minnesota Regiment.

Hiram R. Kendall.

Alfred G. Parkhurst, Sixth Massachusetts Regiment.

Charles R. Swullow.

Richard H. Knights.

The town, under two calls, paid $3100 for bounties.

The Rev. William C. Jackson, at his own request, was dismissed from the pastorate of the church No- vember 13, 1867. One or more revivals of religion occurred under Mr. Jackson's ministry. He was long a faithful missionary in Asiatic Turkey, and, previous to his coming to Dunstable, was settled over the church in Lincoln, Mass.

The Rev. Edward P. Kingsbury, of Newton, was or- dained, but not installed over the church, on the 28th of November, 1869, the Rev. Eben B. Foster, D.D., of Low- ell, preaching the sermon. M .. Kingsbury continued to supply the pulpit acceptably until March 12, 1871, when failing health compelled him to retire. He | of the town in the following order :

died two weeks after returning to his home in New- ton Centre, heloved by all who knew him.

The Rev. Charles Rockwell supplied the church for two years, beginning May 4, 1871.

The valuation of the town in 1872 was $326,185.22. July 1, 1873, the church engaged the services of Rev. Franklin D. Austin as stated supply.

This year the town voted $2000 to defray the an- nual expenses, $900 of which were for the public schools, and $500 for the repairing of highways and bridges.

The Nashua, Acton and Boston Railroad, running near Flat Rock Hill, along the valley of Salmon Brook, centrally through the town, was opened for travel in June, 1873. The ceremony of breaking the ground for this road took place at Wall Hill in De- cember, 1871, when speeches were made by the Hon. Levi Wallace, then of Pepperell, and now of Ayer, James T. Burnap, first superintendent of the road, and others, after which the company partook of a col- lation provided by the ladies of Dunstable. The oc- casion was enlivened by salutes from a cannon and by music from the Dunstable Cornet Band.

In 1873 the two hundredth anniversary of the orig- inal incorporation of the town was reached. At a legal meeting of the citizens, held in March, it was voted to appropriate $500 for a bi-centennial celebra- tion, to be observed on Wednesday, the 17th day of September following. Josiah C. Proctor, Dexter Butterfield, James M. Swallow, Jonas Spaulding and John A. Parkhurst were chosen a committee to make arrangements. To this committee were added Wil- liam N. Kemp, Washington E. Blood, Ira B. Hall, Benjamin French and George W. Fletcher. This committee received the following presents, unsolicited : $50 from Dexter Roby, of Boston, $50 from A. N. Swallow, of Charlestown and $20 from Hiram Kemp, of Boston, all sons of Dunstable, to aid in defraying the expenses of the celebration. Benjamin French was appointed chairman of the committee of arrange- ments.

Printed letters of invitation were sent out to those specially interested in the welfare of the town. Great preparations were made for the festivities of the oc- casion as the time for the anniversary drew near. Josiah C. Proctor was appointed president of the day ; Isaac O. Taylor and Jonas C. Kendall were vice- presidents; Benjamin French, chairman of the.com- mittee of arrangements ; Dexter Butterfield, chief marshal, together with James A. Davis and Andrew J. Woodward, assistants. Dr. George B. Loring was invited to deliver the oration. Ample accommoda- tion was afforded by Yale's mammoth tent, and a good variety of refreshments were provided by C. E. Reed, a caterer from Boston.

The morning of the 17th of September dawned propitiously. At ten o'clock a procession was formed at the railroad station, which proceeded to the centre

760

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Dexter Butterfield, marshal of the day, and aids, with the Dunstable Cornet Band; two four-horse harouches, one containing Gov. William B. Wash- burn, the Hon. George S. Boutwell, the Hon. George B. Loring, with Josiah C. Proctor, Esq., president of the day ; the other barouche containing the Hon. E. Rockwood Hoar, of Concord, Gen. Israel Hunt, of Nashua, together with Messrs. Isaac O. Taylor and Jonas C. Kendall, vice-presidents of the day. Then came in order, Capt. Christopher Roby's company of cavalry with seventy sabres, followed by the Pepper- ell Engine Company, No. 1, thirty-three men, with the Pepperell Cornet Band, and citizens in carriages and on foot.

An appropriate stand for the speakers had been erected on the south side of the Common, and a large number of seats were provided. " Welcome Home," and other beautiful mottoes adorned the platform. The dates 1673-1873, in wreaths of flowers, ornament- ing the speaker's desk, could be clearly seen by the audience. Salutes from a piece of artillery announced the arrival of the long procession, and many flags were waving. Never before had Dunstable Common been so richly decorated or visited by so large a throng. As many as 3000 people were present.

The exercises were opened by the reading of selec- tions from the Scriptures, and a prayer by the Rev. Franklin D. Austin. Animating music from the Dunstable Cornet Band then followed, and an origi- nal song of welcome, rendered with much expression, by the Clark family, of New Ipswich. Josiah C. Proctor, Esq., then, in a few appropriate words, ex- tended a cordial welcome to the vast assemblage, and read the resolution of the town in respect to the cele- bration. He then introduced the Hon. George B. Loring as the orator of the occasion. This gentle- man, rising, then gave an historical address, speaking effectively for an hour and a half to an attentive au- dience. At the conclusion of the oration the Clark family sang "The Star-Spangled Banner." This was followed by an original song, composed by Mrs. Maria A. Whitcomb, and by music from the Dun- stable and Pepperell Cornet Bands.

SONG BY MRS. M. A. WHITCOMB. SUNG BY THE DUNSTABLE CORNET BAND.

(Tune, " Yankee Doodle.")

This town was all a forest deep, Two hundred years ago, sir ; The vales were low, the hills were steep, And streamlets wandered through, sir.

CHORUS.

Yankee doodle, this the place, Yankee doodle dandy ; We like the good, old-fashioned days, The people were so handy.

A few brave men, a pilgrim hand, Sought this far-off location ; They saw it was a goodly land, And here they fixed their station .- Cnoaus.

From time to time the settlers came, And built as they were able ;

At length the town must have a name, And so 'twas called Dunstable -CHORUS.

No dranghi from China's sultry land Was seen at morn or e'en, sir ;

The " black cow " gave a beverage bland. Few drank black tea or green, sir .- CHORUS.

In homespun were the people dressed, Of woollen, tow or linen,

Their Sunday suits which were their best, Were nicely made by women .- Cnoaus.

The girls could wash and brew and bake, And also were good spinners ;

The maids could ply the hoe and rake, While matrons cooked the dinners.

CHORUS. Yankee doodle, this the place, Yankee doodle dandy ; We like the good, old-fashioned days, The people were so handy.

After the exercises were closed at the speakers' stand, the people spent some time in exchanging congratulations and reminiscences of former days, and then proceeded to the immense tent south of the Common to partake of the banquet prepared by Mr. Reed. The Rev. Mr. M. Smith, of Tyngsborough, invoked the divine blessing, and about an hour was spent in partaking of the bountiful repast. When this was concluded the Pepperell Band gave music, and the president of the day felicitously introduced Mr. O. C. Moore, as the toast-master of the anniver- sary. Having spoken for a few moments, he an- nounced as the first toast: "Old Dunstable I she divided her estate among ten sons, and to-day she calls them home and hids them welcome." The re- sponse was in the form of the following original poem, contributed from the pen of Mrs. Mary Rock- well, and read by Mr. James T. Burnap :

DUNSTABLE.

My childhood's home ! what music in the sound, Dear to each heart, wherever man is found !

By every nation, every clime and tongue,

In sweetest praise their dwelling-place is sung.

Go to the Indian in the Western wild, Ask him where Nature has most kindly smiled;

He'll point you to his dark, old forest home, And to his cheerless wigwam bid you come. Go to the regions of the frozen zone, Where naught hut stinted shrubs and moss are grown,

Ask the poor native what delights his eye ;

He'll point you to his hnt of suow hard by. Enlightened man no pleasure here can find,

And blesses God that he has not designed To cast his lot in regions cold and drear, Removed from all he holds on earth so dear. Across the ocean, in the Eastern world, Where freedom's banner ne'er has been unfurled, Where superstition rules with tyrant sway, And man, degradled, wears his life away, Yet even here the heart clings to one place,- Here is his home, here dwells his kindred race. To nations proud in wealth and culture turn ; From their attachments, too, we plainly learn Ilow strong, how deep, the feeling of the henrt For one dear spot of this great earth, small part, And yet within that little space, close curled, Lies love's rich treasure, making it a world.

761

DUNSTABLE.

And theus, fair Dunstable, thy children coule To celebrate the birthday of their home. Two hnudred years ! We'll bridge scross time's space, And turn thought back ward on its swiftest race; Call back the forms and faces that were here,- In mental vision they will reappear, Show us the regions that around them lay, Rude and untilled, two centuries to-day. Then brute creation, tenacts of the wood, lotamed and fierce, were prowling for their food ; Aud savage man, more to be feared than they, Would lie in ambush to make man his prey, Lurk round the dwellings, slyly watch and wait Till on the pale-face he could wreak his hate ; With torch to burn and tomahawk to destroy, Rending the air with wild, mad whoops of joy. On scenes like these we will but briefly dwell, Truths, stern and sad, the historic page must tell. We use the past to contrast shade with light, Aod make the present look more clearly bright.

Fair Duostable ! sometimes they call thee old ; . Thy youthful days are not yet fully told ; The peaceful tenor of thy even way Has left Do furrows time and age display. Thy fields are fair, thy woods are bright and green, Thy lakes and streams are dressed in silvery sheen ; On thy smooth brow is written early life, Untrodden yet the paths of vice and strife. But changes soun will come thy peace to mar ; E'en now is heard the rattling railroad car Along thy wood where quiet reigned around, And the lone night-hird's song the loudest sound, Till the last year of two long centuries past Proclaimed, by engine, " Men were going fast." Business and burry bring on middle age, They're foes of youth, a war they quickly wage, Turo peaceful streams from their calm, gentle course, Restrain their waters for propelling force. The hills are brought on level with the plain, And plains made hills to answer hope of gaio. If such of sister towns bas been the fate, Thy turn may come, though it be ratber late, Wheo on the morning breeze the factory bell Shall to the sleeper hours of labor tell, When whizzing cars on every side shall go, And prove this place is neither slack nor slow, We'll not attempt to use prophetic ken, We know what has been and may be again !

Fair Dunstable ! a tribute we would pay Thy worthy children, long since passed away 1 Of the first century history contains A warlike record, full of griefs and pains. Hearts brave aod noble were compelled to yield, And for a season leave the foe the field. No doubt that race were men of sterling worth, Beloved, respected, while they dwelt on earth. But of the century now just passed away, More of thy children we can know and say : Some have been worthy tillers of the soil, Substantial meo, rewarded by their toil ; Some in mechanic arts have spent their daye, Their works declare them men deserving praise ; And some have sought a livelihood by trade, Have bought and gold, and thus their fortunes made ; Others preferred in learning's paths to go, In three professions Dunstable can show Men who have made their mark and won renowo In other places than their native town. But time forbids to pass each in review,- Dne name we'll mention of the noted few, A Dame this place may well be proud to own, Virtues like Amos Kendall's wide are known ! Called by his country to high posts of trust, Honored and honest, numbered with the just ; His friends and relatives are with us here,

And all who knew him hold his memory dear. An aged woman lives, still pleased to tell, She made him coats sud pants, -he liked them well. In politics this town has borne its part, Both parties know the tricks of party art ; And to the statesmen who are here to-day, We pay due honor, -better than "back pay !"

Fair Dunstable ! thy sons have had their praise, And shall thy daughters share not in these lays? To " Woman's Rights " they ne'er have laid their claim, To he right women is their bighest aim, Act well each part within their sphere of life, A faithful mother aod devoted wife.

And now, fair Dunstable, our work is done ! Another century has for thee begun ! Throughout thy realms, may peace and temperance reign, Increase each virtue and each vice restraio ! And when life's changes all with us are o'er, Safe may we meet upon that heavenly shore Where centuries are uncounted and unknown, And joys are endless round the Eteroal throne.

The second toast was, "The President of the United States." In response the Dunstable Band played " America." The third toast was " Massachu- setts,-the earliest and foremost in the cause of civil and religious liberty. The lapse of two hundred years has added lustre to her renown, force to her example and prominence to her high place in his- tory. All honor to the Governor ! and the governed of the old Commonwealth!"

Governor Washburn rose aud responded happily, and among othr remarks said, "The influence of old Dunstable upon those that were born here has caused them joyfully to return, and in the celebration dem- onstrate their full appreciation of the benefits received by them from the place of their birth."

The fourth toast was, "Our Representative in Cou- gress,-the eminent jurist, the practical statesman, the honest politician : old Dunstable can trust him, and he will honor her." Hon. E. Rockwood Hoar, M.C., pleasantly responded. The following senti- ment affords a sample of his remarks :

"The ideas of free education were always cher- ished in Dunstable, and will always be cherished as long as the great and undying principles of justice and truth shall continue."

The fifth toast, "New Hampshire-bleak are her hills in winter, and warm are the hearts of her sons all the year round," was responded to briefly by the Rev. Mr. Philbrook. The Hon. Levi Wallace re- sponded to the sixth toast, "Our railroad,-the tie that binds two cities that Act-on as one."

The seventh toast, "New England-her townships were the nurseries of Republican institutions; to-day they are the model democracies of the World," re- ceived a response from the Hon. George S. Boutwell, who said :

"There were three points in the history of New England which he never liked to pass, when New England is concerned-namely, the municipal system, the public-school system, and the religious tolerance of the forefathers. It may be said of the Puritans

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 200

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