History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 145

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1226

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 145

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

These years of prosperity rolled on, the road in- creasing in its importance, his work for it improving in quality and quantity, until, when Mr. Brooks out- grew the limits of a single State and undertook the great Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, Mr. Rice became superintendent of the Michigan Central. In this capacity of chief manager he showed great tact, energy and ability. He had found his true vocation and the place for which he was fitted and he filled it with success. The Rebellion brought great labor and strain npon his road and his resources, but he was equal to the emergency and aided the Government in the transportation of troops and military stores efficiently.

He had frequent occasion to visit Washington on the business of the railroad, and he became well known to President Lincoln, Secretary Stanton, Gen- eral Grant and other leaders in the nation's struggle.

He was intimate with Zach. Chandler, the Senator from Michigan, and was often relied on by the Sena- tor for prompt and important services. Though not a politician, he had strong and patriotic convictions on public questions, and his loyalty to the nation and his friends was never questioned. He made few ene- mies, but nearly every one with whom he came in contact was impressed by his quick-witted, genial cleverness, and, if they saw him often, were sure to be- come his friends. An instance of this was the Prince of Wales, who, when traveling over the Michigan Central Railroad and its connections, was so much pleased with Mr. Rice's unfailing courtesies and ac- commodations, that, on parting, he presented Mr. Rice with a diamond pin forming the Prince's crest, which the receiver ever after wore with pride.

Another was that of Gen. Grant, who, when Presi- dent Johnson was "swinging round the circle " at the West, was so annoyed by the calls for him to speak at the stations where the crowds met the President's party, that he accepted Mr. Rice's invitation to go to Detroit, and thus escaped a part of the circle. Gen. Grant never forgot this kindness and often spoke of Mr. Rice favorably afterwards.

In the opportunity he enjoyed for investments Mr. Rice had been fortunate, and in 1867, when he re- signed the place on the railroad, he had become rich for his wants and for those of his family, consisting of his wife and an adopted daughter. He returned to Concord, and after a trip to Europe in 1867, and again in 1868, in which he went to Palestine and Egypt in the company of the Rev. Dr. Bellows, of New York, he took up his residence here in the town of his youth to pass the remainder of life in ease and comfort.

He had settled with all his old creditors and paid them in full. He purchased a fine estate on Main Street and built the best house in the village, taking great pride in perfecting every detail of its construc- tion. He moved into it in January, 1872, and was happiest when he could welcome an old friend within its spacious rooms. In these many pleasant parties were held, notably the marriage of his daughter, Cora Belle Rice, to Richard Fay Barrett, of Concord, now secretary and treasurer of the Middlesex Mutual Fire Insurance Co. and colonel on the staffs of Gov- ernor Ames and Governor Brackett. The young couple made their home with Mr. Rice and cheered his declining years, especially after the death of Mrs. Rice in 1880, when Mrs. Barrett filled her place in the household.

Another instance was the centennial meeting of the Social Circle, which was held March, 1882, at Mr. Rice's house. He had been a member of this society before he left Concord, and was re-elected after his re- turn here, in 1870. He took great pleasure in the meetings, and so much interest that the only instance of the presence of every one of the twenty-five mem- bers occurred at his house in 1880.

Though not a student Mr. Rice was a great reader

€12

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

fond of books of travel and biography rather than works of fiction, except those of the great novelists. He possessed a fine library of hundreds of volumes of standard works, and he had read most of them. This taste for reading led him to accept the only town office he would consent to fill, that of chairman of the Library Committee when the "Frce Public Library " was established in its new building, in front of his home. To this he gave great attention and much time and thought, and he continued to discharge its duties while he lived, and he left by his will a bequest of $2000 to this library.

He took much interest in the historical matters connected with Concord, had a good memory of the traditions aud events of its past annals, and gave the plan and paid the extra cost of rebuilding the bridge at the battle-ground in 1875, for a proper approach to the statue of the Minute-Man. He left also a be- quest in his will of $2000 to an Antiquarian Society, for the collection and preservation of relics of the past.

In his charities he was so considerate and thought- ful that many received his aid without others know- ing from whom it came, but that it was large and generous to all deserving causes was well known by his intimate friends. His will provided for several who had been pensioners of his bounty while he lived, and also liberal bequests to the Silent Poor Fund, and to the Female Charitable Society.

In his religious views he was Unitarian, and both at Detroit and Concord a useful and active member of the societies of that denomination, ready and will- ing to help in their work. He gave in his life $1000 towards the new Unitarian building in Boston, and at his death he devised his part of the estate adjoining the church of the First Parish in Concord to the Unitarian Society of the town.

In these pleasant lines he spent his last years, grat- ified by the birth of a grandson who was named for him, and the boy's paternal grandfather, "Richard" " Rice," and upon whom he lavished fondness and care without stint. After the death of his wife his own health failed, the asthma, which had troubled him for years, increased, and active exercise became impractical. But he was cheerful and hearty in his greeting of those who called while he was shut up, and enjoyed his games of whist, of which he was always very fond, even playing one on the top of the great pyra- mid of Egypt with his fellow-travelers. In the spring of 1885 he was confined to his house, and after a few weeks of illness he died June 25th, leaving a pleasant memory to all his friends and neighbors, and after a long, active and useful life.

His large estate, after providing for his dependent relatives and peusioners, and $2000 for the protection and care of the shadc-trees in Concord, and the other bequests named, became his daughter's aud his grand- son's.

Thus ended a truly fortunate life, for the only re-

verse he suffered served to make better and kindlier the many years that remaincd to him.

CHAPTER XLVII.

LINCOLN.

BY WILLIAM F. WHEELER.

Early History-Churches-Military History-French and Indian War-The Revolution-List of Soldiers-War of 1812-War of the Rebellion- Act of Incorporation-Town Officers, etc.

THE town of Lincoln was incorporated April 19, 1754.1 It is bounded on the northwest by Concord, on the north by Bedford, on the east by Lexington and Waltham, south by Weston, and southwest by Wayland. Its greatest length is about five miles, from southwest to northeast, and greatest width three and one-half miles from east to west. The centre of the town is thirteen and one-half miles west-north- west from the State-House, and three and one-half miles southeast from the churches in Concord. The town contains upwards of 8000 acres of land. Sandy Pond, known in Colonial times as "Flint's Pond," a beautiful sheet of water, with an area of 200 acres, lies in the westerly part of the town, and if "water in the landscape is like the eye in the human countc- nance," no other town in the county has a fairer or clearer feature on its face. Beaver Pond, coveriug fifty acres, lies one mile south of Sandy Pond, with a high hill between them. Unlike Sandy Pond, its shores are muddy, and produce large quantities of white lilies. For more thau a mile on its southwest- ern border the town is bounded by the peaceful waters of Concord River. Here the river expands into a pond or bay of upwards of seventy acres. The name of the bay, " Fairhaven," tersely describes it. On the Lincoln side of the bay Mr. William A. Burnham is building a costly mansion.

Hardly less attractive than its little lakelets are its lovely hills. They stand in the village and about the town " as the mountains are round about Jerusalem," and none, whether they come from the east or the west, the north or the south, can get into Lincoln without getting nearer to heaven. Brooks arise in and flow out of the town, but not a tubful of water comes into the town from any source save the rains and dews of heaven, and, whatever else may happen, its pure waters can never be polluted by the manu- factories or sewage of other towns. From the hill near the centre of the town the prospect extends from the Bunker Hill mouumeut to the New Hampshire hills, and from the Seminary buildings in Andover to the churches in Hopkinton, and a lovely panorama is spread around.

1 This is the true date. April 23, 1754, is the date of the certification by the secretary.

613

LINCOLN.

The residences of Mr. George G. Tarbell and Mr. George Ropes, on the eentral hill, and that of Mr. Julian de Cordova, on a eliff overlooking the pond, have rural views of surpassing loveliness, and the historic mansion of Mr. Ogden Codman, in the south- erly part of the town, built in the Colonial period, is surrounded by a prineely domain.

Portions of the present town of Lincoln were at different periods of Colonial history parts of the towns of Watertown, Cambridge, Coneord, Lexington and Weston. The grant of the General Court, April, 1635, to ,Watertown of a tract of land extending eight miles from Fresh Pond west-northwest into the country, and the grant to Concord of September 3d of the same year " of six myles square of land " over- lapped each other about two miles, and ineluded about one- half of the present town of Lineoln. This gave rise to a controversy between Concord and Watertown, and on the 8th of June, 1638, the Gen- eral Court ordered, for the final end of all differences between Watertown and Concord, that Watertown eight miles shall extend on Cambridge line as far as Concord bounds give leave. This action gave the principal part of the territory in dispute to Con- cord.

The first meeting-house, built in 1747, occupied the site of the present meeting-house of the First Parish, while farther up and near the summit of the hill three years afterwards a house was built for Rev. Mr. Lawrence. Beautiful indeed for situation was the house of the Lord, and the residence of its first minis- ter, "on the sides of the north." In the meeting- house ail the people of the town gathered for worsbip on Sunday, and held its town-meetings and transacted its seeular business for more than ninety years.

In the early days of the town the whole population usually attended the Sunday services. Well they might-they had nothing else to do-no books to read, nowhere else to go. The Colonial laws imposed equal penalties for labor and recreation on the Sab- bath, and required all adult persons to attend meet- ing at least onee in three months ; and in one ease the law was enforced, and a man was fined for non- attendance. He satisfied the offended majesty of the law by coming to meeting quarterly afterwards, usually coming in during the delivery of the sermon and sitting down and looking around, then marching out, not caring to step lightly or to shut the door gently after him. The ubiquitous tithingman, with his long crook, was always on hand, and woe to the urchin who was caught playing or napping !

Punctuality, too, marked the day, and people were usually in their pews before the minister entered the pulpit, and the services began with a cry from the town clerk, heralding the approaching weddings. Tben the minister arose and announced that worship would commence with singing one of the Psalms of David, which he read from the version of Sternhold and Hopkins. Then the chorister set the tune, and

one of the deaeons, standing in front of the pulpit, read the first line of the psalm, which was immedi- ately sung; then another line was deaconed and sung.

After the singing came the long prayer, prefaced by the reading of notes,-i.e., the particular requests of persons for divine favor or consolation. Next eame the sermon, the hour-glass,-that inexorable determiner of the length of sermons,-being set on the pulpit at the left hand of the speaker, not on the right, lest some er- ratic gesture should upset the simple chronometer on the deaeon's head below. After the sermon a short prayer was made, and the benedietion pronounced. Two services were generally held; the order of the afternoon serviees being the same as the morning, with the addition of a third psalm. No evening scr- viees were held, the house not being furnished with applianees for heating or lighting.

In 1763 the reading of the Scriptures was intro- dueed as a part of the exercises of public worship. In 1768 a short prayer was made before this reading. In 1767 "Dr. Brady's and Mr. Tate's version of the Psalms of David, with some of the hymns of Dr. Watts which are now bound up with them," were substituted for the version of Sternhold and Hopki s. In 1795 a bass viol was allowed to be used on trial to assist the singers in divine service; after two more seasons it was allowed to be used until further order.

The old sexton of the church, who cultivated a few flowers beside his cottage, brought every year, in its season, a large red peony to meeting, which was con- spieuously displayed from his seat in the gallery. Strange, that stern worshipers of "ye olden time," did not catch an inspiration from the crimson flower, and, instead of smiling at the simplieity of the old man, inaugurate the eustom of bringing flowers to grace the house of the Lord -an offering so emblem- atic of innocence and purity, so sweetly in accord- anec with the teachings of the Master, so peculiarly appropriate to the worship of Him wbo hath robed the earth in beauty, and the heavens in glory, and caused the lilies of the field to grow and the rose of Sharon to bloom,-not to feed the perishing body, but to heal the wounded spirit, and soothe the sor- rowing soul.

The first movement for the incorporation of the town was made in 1734. On the 7th of June of that year Joseph Brooks and others, inhabitants of the easterly part of Coneord, northerly part of Weston and westerly part of Lexington, presented a petition to the General Court setting forth their difficulties and inconvenienees by reason of their distances from the usual places of public worship in said towns, and praying to be ereeted into a separate township. This petition obtained no favor and was summarily dis- missed.

The next year, 1735, John Flint and others, inliab- itants of the same locality, again petitioned for a sep- arate town. Upon this petition a viewing committee

614

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

€

was appointed to view the place proposed for a new township, to hear the parties in relation thereto, and make report to the Court what they judge proper to be done on this petition. After various delays the committee reported that "They have carefully per- formed the service and are of the opinion that the prayer of the petition be not granted," which report was acceptcd.

The next movement was for the incorporation of a precinct. On the 18th of August, 1744, Joshua Brooks and others, inhabitants of the same locality, petitioncd to be incorporated as a precinct. This pe- tition was favorably received, and a committee ap- pointed to view the location, hear the parties and re- port what action should be taken thereon. This com- mittee reported April 24, 1746, that the petition ought to be granted, which report was accepted, and it was "Ordered, the petitioners, together with the persons living within the bounds mentioned in the petition (except such persons and estates as are excepted by the report) be and are hereby erected into a distinct and separate precinct, and vested with all such powers and privileges as other precincts within this province have, or by law ought to enjoy, and that such of the aforesaid exempted persons as shall within one year signify to the secretary, under their hands, their wil- lingness to join with the petitioners, be, together with their, estates incorporated with them, to do and receive alike duty and privilege as the petitioners." It was also " Ordered that Benjamin Brown, one of the prin- cipal inhabitants of the parish, this day set off from Concord, Lexington and Weston, be and hereby is enabled to call the first precinct mecting in said par- ish, to choose parish officers, and to act and do all other things according to law." The first precinct meeting was held at the house of Mr. Edward Flint, May 26, 1746, and the following officers were chosen : Benjamin Brown, moderator; Ephraim Flint, pre- cinct clerk ; Chambers Russell, Esq., Benjamin Brown, Josiah Parks, John Headley and John Hoar, precinct committee; Samuel Dakin and Jonathan Wellington, collectors; Stephen Wesson, treasurer ; Ebenezer Cut- ler, Daniel Adams and Ephraim Flint, assessors.

Before the incorporation of the precinct, meetings had been licld and children baptized at the house of Mr. Edward Flint. Mcasurcs had also been taken to build a meeting-house. This house, built and partly finished, was presented to the precinct, June 22, 1747, by Benjamin Brown, Edward Flint, Judah Clark, Joshua Brooks, Joseph Brooks, Samuel Bond, Jona- than Gove, Benjamin Monroe, John Hcadley, Samuel Dakin, Ebenezer Cutler, Jeremiah Clark, Amos Meriam, John Gove, Jonathan Wellington, Ephraim Flint, Thomas Whceler, Joseph Pierce, Nathan Brown, Jonas 'Pierce, Timothy Wesson, George Peirce, builders.

On the 10th of August, 1747, twenty-five. members of the churches in Concord, Weston and Lexington, having obtaincd leave of the churches in said towns,

met and mutually agreed to form themselves into a separate and distinct church. These were : From the church in Concord, Joshua Brooks, Nathan Brown, Edward Flint, Ephraim Flint, Josiah Parks, Stephen Wesson, Timothy Wesson, Thomas Wheeler; from the church in Weston, Samuel Bond, Joscplı Brooks, Benjamin Brown, Benjamin Brown, Jr., Joseplı Brown, Thomas Garfield, Thomas Garfield, Jr., Jona- than Gove, John Gove, John Headley, Woodis Lee, Benjamin Munroe, George Pierce, Jonas Pierce, Jos- cph Pierce; from the church in Lexington, Judah Clark. The organization of the church took place two days afterwards-Rev. John Hancock, of Lexing- ton ; Rev. William Williams, of Weston ; Rev. War- ham Williams, of Waltham, and Rev. Israel Loring, of Sudbury, participating in the public services of the occasion.

On the 18th of May, 1748, the church and precinct united in extending a call to Rev. William Lawrence to settle in the ministry. The invitation was accom- panied by an offer of £800 as a settlement, an annual salary of £400, and thirty cords of wood. Subse- quently a committee was appointed to treat with Mr. Lawrence in reference to his settlement, and it was mutually agreed that his salary should be regulated by these prices of the following articles, viz. : Indian corn, 15s. per bushel; rye, 20s. per bushel ; pork, 18. 8d. per pound, and beef, 1s. per pound; it was also agreed to give him ten cords of wood annually, in addition to the £400. Mr. Lawrence's ordination took place Dec. 7, 1748, the ordaining council con- sisting of the elders and messengers of the churches in Lexington and Weston, two churches in Cambridge, the first church in Groton, and the churches in Wal- tham and Littleton. Rev. Caleb Trowbridge, of Gro- ton, preached the ordination sermon. "During his ministry his church, unlike many in the neighbor- hood, enjoyed great peace."

His funeral expenses, amounting to £366 currency, and £300 to purchase mourning for the family, were paid by the town. The town also placed a monu- ment over his grave, bearing the following very mod- est and truthful inscription :

"In memory of Rev. William Lawrence, A.M., Pastor of the Church of Christ in Lincoln, who died April 11, 1780, in the 57th year of his age and 32nd of his ministry. He was a gentleman of good abilities, both natural and acquired, a judicious divine, a faithful minister and firm supporter of the order of the churches. In his last sickness, which was long and distressing, he exhibited a temper characteristic of the minis- ter and Christian. 'Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.'"

Rev. William Lawrence, son of Colonel William and Susanna (Prescott) Lawrence, was born in Gro- ton May 7, 1723, and graduated at Harvard 1743, and married, February 7, 1750-51, Love Adams, daughter of John aud Love (Minott) Adams. They had a family of three sons aud six daughters. Mrs. Lawrence survived her husband nearly forty years, dying Janu- ary 3, 1820, outliving all her children except her daughters Susanna and Saralı.

615

LINCOLN.

Mr. Lawrence's successor in the ministry was Rev. Charles Stearns, D.D. He was first employed to preach here iu October, 1780. On the 15th of Jauu- ary following the church voted unanimously to invite him to become their pastor. On the 5th of February the town concurred in this vote, and voted to give him £220 hard money or its equivalent (to which £70 was subsequently added) as a settlement, and an annual salary of £80, and fifteen cords of wood. His. ordination took place November 7, 1781, the council being composed of the ministers and delegates of tlie churches of Concord, Waltham, Weston, Reading, Leominster, Lunenburg, Sudbury, East Sudbury and Stow-Rev. Mr. Adams, of Lunenburg, preaching the sermon. Dr. Stearns continued in the ministry, counting from the time he was first employed as a candidate, npwards of forty-five years. He was at his post of duty the first Sabbath of July, 1826. During the following week he was stricken with disease which resulted in death.

The town buried him beside his children, who had gone before, and marked the spot with a marble tablet bearing the following inscription, prepared by Rev. Dr. Ripley, of Concord :

" Erected by the Inhabitants of this town to the memory of Rev. Charles Stearns, D. D., who died July 26, 1826, in the seventy-fourth year of his age and forty-fifth year of his ministry.

" He was distinguished for his high attainments in various branches of science ; for strength and soundness of mind; for method and accur- acy in reasoning and facility in communicating knowledge. By his piety, benevolence, and learning, he gained the affection and respect of his beloved people, the esteem and confi lence of his numerous friends, and the well deserved honors of literary societies. His life was full of practical goodness, the genuine fruit of deep felt piety, and his death of religions hope and peace. By the habitu il exercise of faith, humility, patience and charity, he exhibited Christianity in a strong and promi- nent light, and is gone it is believed, to enjoy the rewards of a good and faithful servant of Jesus Christ."

Senator Hoar in his admirable address at the dedi- cation of the Lincoln Library, after speaking of the moulding influences which the ministers of former times exerted upon the characters of their congrega- tions, pays a glowing tribute to the memory of Dr. Stearns :

"The memory of such a clergyman as I have described is still fresh in the traditions of Lincoln. Dr. Charles Stearns, a man trained in the best learning of his time, with his salary of eighty pounds and fifteen cords of wy xl a year, devoted for forty-five years abilities fit to adorn the highest stations in church or state to the service of thistowo. To him is due much of the high character which for a century it has maintained. I have often heard my father, who was his pupil, speak of h'm with reverence."

During the later years of Dr. Stearns' ministry dissensions arose in many of the churches of New England upon the subject of pulpit exchanges between ministers holding different views upon matters of faith and doctrine-but Dr. Stearns steadily refused to take any part in the contro- versy and continued to make exchanges with all the neighboring ministers until his death. His ser- mon before the convention of Congregational minis- ters in 1815 is an earnest plea for union and harmony.

After the death of Dr. Stearns the flames of sec- tarian strife broke forth, and the work of division and disintegration has steadily gone on to the present time, and although the population of the town has not more than half doubled since its iucorporation, Lincoln worshipers now gather weekly in seven con- gregations, and the percentage of non-church-goers is probably larger than ever before.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 145

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1226

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1226