History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 166

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 166

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The church discipline of those days was an actual thing, not a dead-letter ; for we read that in 1745 sev- eral were disciplined on the part of the church for " frequently absenting themselves from public worship and from communion at the Lord's table." The ques- tion is suggested whether it would not be better if the present generation had more of the disciplinary over- sight of its church-members which these early Chris- tians possessed. For possibly it might result in se- curing a larger attendance upon our church services. It is evident that these early disciples would not have been in sympathy with Mr. Moody's school of lay- workers at Mt. Hermon. For another instance is re- corded in this same church, and in the same year, when several were censured for " attending a private meeting under the ministration of a lay-exhorter in time of public worship on the Lord's day." The name of this lay-exhorter was Paine, sometimes spelled Pain, which suggests something of the subse- quent feelings on the part of those who had attended his ministrations.

After Mr. Hall's dismissal from the church they were some time without a pastor, there being rival factions in the church, the political condition of

the country being such that it was hard to find har- mony anywhere.

Finally, after hearing many candidates, the church voted to extend a call to Rev. Matthew Scribner, and chose a committee of five "to inform Mr. Scribner of the proceedings of the church, and, also, to inform the selectmen of the town that the town may act thereon as they think proper." It seems that the church could not act independently of the town in choosing a minister, for the salary was decided by a vote of the town. This was the order of things until February, 1828, when, the town and church not agree- ing, a change was made, the church having the power to call a minister, but the town still voted to raise a certain sum toward the salary.

Mr. Scribner's pastorate is spoken of as being a short one of ten years, and that a pleasant feeling did not exist between him and some of the inhabitants of the town. After Mr. Scribner's dismissal from the church in Westford he spent the remainder of his days on a farm in Tyngsboro.

The succeeding ministers were as follows : Rev. Caleb Blake, Rev. Ephraim Randall, Rev. Ephraim Abbot, Rev. Jonathan Farr, Rev. Luther Wilson, Rev. Claudius Bradford, Rev. Edward Capen, Rev. Her- mon Snow, Rev. John B. Willard, Rev. Stillman Clark, Rev. George M. Rice, Rev. George H. Young, Rev. William A. Cram, Rev. Joseph S. Moulton and Rev. E. B. Maglathlin. Many of these preached but a short time, and during this time there were many candidates, whose names are not here given. Mr. Maglathlin remained about two years, beginning his work May 1, 1887. He was educated in the Boston schools, State Normal School, at Bridgewater, Antioch College, and the divinity school at Harvard Univer- sity. After graduating from the university he taught six years in the Partridge Academy, Duxbury. He taught also in the Cambridge High School. During his pastorate the church was revived, the communion service re-instituted, and the rite of baptism solem- nized for the first time in many years. It was also during his pastorate that the church was repaired out- side and within, costing about $1500. He remained here till May 31, 1889, resigning his pastorate to take the superintendency of schools in the district formed by the union of Easthampton, Southampton and Westhampton.

Mrs. Maglathlin is an elocutionist.

During Mr. Blake's ministry they expended money for the purchase of books for a Sabbath-school libra- ry ; and during his ministry, also, we have the first account of the conflict of theological opinions. He took a decided stand against Unitarianism, but in a few years retired to private life and spent the remain- der of his years on a farm. He was dismissed Feb. 28, 1826, and on December 25, 1828, the Union Con- gregational Church was organized. It was composed of those who withdrew from the First Church on ac- count of difference of opinion in regard to the funda-

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

mental doctrines of belief, and of others who removed their connection from churches in other towns.

The original membership numbered 75. On Jan. 29, 1829, by unanimous vote of the church, Mr. Lco- nard Luce was called to be their pastor, and remained until July 1852.

The following pastors were: Rev. Thomas Wilson, Rev. David O. Allen, Rev. John Whitney, Rev. Ed- win R. Hodgman,1 Rev. George T. Stanton, Rev. James Fletcher, Rev. Edwin A. Spence, Rev. Henry D. Woodworth, Rev. Nathan R. Nichols, Rev. Henry H. Hamilton, Rev. Rufus C. Flagg, Rev. Charles H. Rowley, who is still with the church.

Methodist Church .- The first regular services of this church held in Westford were by Rev. John Naylor, in 1856.

In 1860 Rev. L. Luce conducted worship in the school-house during the warm months. Early in the spring of 1863 the services of Rev. Mr. Howarth, a Methodist preacher from Lowell, were secured, and he labored through the summer. During the summer of 1864 Rev. George M. Rice held services in the school-house at 4 o'clock P.M. In the winter of 1866- 67 Rev. E. A. Spence preached in the school-house several times on Sabbath evenings.

In 1869 Mr. Charles S. Graves, for many years the conductor on the Stony Brook Railroad, took meas- ures to secure the establishment of a Methodist Epis- copal Society in Graniteville. Mr. Minor H. A. Ev- ans preached in the old school-house, July 4, 1869. The congregation filled the room to its utmost capac- ity, and many stood in the ante-room and around the windows. Mr. Evans, the next morning, drew up a subscription paper for funds to build a church edifice. Mr. Charles G. Sargent promptly headed the list with $2000 and site. Another $1000, in smaller sums, was added during the day. July 12th, Mr. Evans was ap- pointed preacher in charge by the presiding elder. July 18th the congregation being unusually large, a platform was erected and seat+ arranged in the grove in the rear of Mr. Samuel Fletcher's house, and there the services were held for the remainder of the sum- mer. July 20th a class was formed, consisting of twenty members, and Arthur Wright was appointed class-leader. August 3d a Quarterly Conference was held, at which Mr. Evans, the preacher in charge, Mr. Wright, the class-leader, and Mr. J. K. Proctor, the Sabbath-school superintendent, were present, and the following persons were chosen trustees: Arthur Wright, Charles G. Sargent, Cyrus Hosmer, William Reed, Samuel Fletcher, Lyman A. Smith and Josiah K. Proctor; stewards, Cyrus Hosmer, Arthur Wright and J. K. Proctor.

August 13th the Board of Trustees was organized

by the choice of Charles G. Sargent, president, and Arthur Wright, secretary and treasurer. A Building Committee was elected, consisting of Messrs. Sargent, Wright and Smith, who were duly authorized to build a church. Soon after, the site given by Mr. Sargent was conveyed by deed ; a design by S. S. Woodcock, architect, was adopted, and the contract for building was made with Messrs. Mead, Mason & Co., of Con- cord, N. H., to build the edifice, above the founda- tion, for $8900.

In March, 1870, Mr. Evans was ordained deacon and appointed to Graniteville. The church edifice was dedicated March 22, 1871.

Mr. Charles G. Sargent, the chief financial patron of the church, died July 16, 1878. He had contributed about $5000 and the site to the church, and he left a further pledge of $1000.

The official board passed the following preamble and resolution :

" WHEREAS, Divine Providence has removed from this life Charles G. Sargent, chairman of our Board of Trustees,

" Resolved, That the official board expresses its profound esteem for the life and character of Mr. Sargent, aud its sympathy with the family and the society, which have lost a devoted friend and faithful coun- sellor."

Since the death of Mr. Sargent the debt incurred by building the church has been entirely extinguished, partly by the efforts of the society and partly by the generosity of Mr. Sargent's heirs, who paid the last installment of $2400.

A medallion of Mr. Sargent has been placed in the church by Rev. M. H. A. Evans, the first pastor.

The following is a list of pastors : Revs. Minor H. A. Evans, Nathaniel B. Fisk, James F. Mears, Minor H. A. Evans (second pastorate), Alfred Woods, W. D. Marsh, S. C. Cary, W. C. Townsend, J. H. Emerson, J. H. Tompson, and Alfred Woods (second pastorate).

EDUCATIONAL HISTORY .- The town of Westford early felt the need of education for her children, and favored the idea of public schools. The early advan- tages of education were necessarily very meagre, in comparison with the educational advantages now af- forded by the town. In those early days the children enjoyed school privileges but a few weeks in the year, and the school was held in a private house. There are now in the town fifteen schools and ten school- houses, and the children attend school 165 days in the year. As we look back over the records, in regard to the action taken concerning schools, in the begin- ning of the history of our town, we notice the peculiar spelling, and conclude that either our fathers must have been adepts in the phonetic art, or that the need of schools must have been apparent. We quote : "March 4, 1733-'34, voted to chose four men for a Commity to provide a schule-mastre for the insuing yeer. Votcd, Ensign Jonathan Hartwell, Joseph Un- derwood, Ensign Joseph Keyes, and Joseplı Hildreth, Jr., Comt. to provide a scool for insuing year." " March 3, 1734-'35, voted to raise twenty pounds money to pay ye scool-master." "December 4, 1738,

1 From June 26, 1859, to July 3, 1864, ho was acting pastor of the church in Westford, Massachusetts. During his rosidenco in Westford he gave several addresses on public occasions and some of them wero printed. Ile also compiled the history of that town, a volumo of about 500 pages, published in 1883.

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voted to choos a commity to higher a schooll master for keeping schooll this winter." " £40 for the scholl and the rest for town debts or county ratio or taxes and squirisand bnrds. The selectmen have liberty to dra money out of the treasury for these squirls and burds as the law diricts."

The first teacher of whom we have any knowledge was Joseph Underwood, Jr., a graduate of Harvard. The first female teacher was Mrs. Edward Bates ; she taught in 1740 and for several years afterwards. The first record of a school building occurs in 1787. At that time the town voted to build a school-house in each school squadron, and for this purpose voted to raise £145. There may have been school-houses be- fore this, but no record is found of such. In 1647 there was a law requiring every town having within its limits 100 families, to have at least one school in which the scholars could be fitted for college. Later, in compliance with this law, a college graduate was em- ployed as teacher in one school in the town, and it was called a "Grammar School." This college grad- uate did not teach all the time in one school, but went from one school to another, in a partial degree meeting the demands for a higher education.

"The sum appropriated to the support of schools in those early days will not suffer in point of generosity or liberality when compared with the amount now granted. Wealth had not then accumulated, and to many of the people it was a hard struggle to live in any way ; but education was not neglected.

"In due time the lines of the several districts were defined. The term squadron ceased to be used about 1798. That known as Stony Brook was divided in 1795, and that known as the Southeast was separated from the South soon after.

" In 1808 the town voted to 'give to the southeast district (now No. 6) fifty dollars toward erecting a school-house.' This was the first school-house in the district. In 1809, voted 'to choose a committee to regulate the several schools in their inspection the year ensuing.' This looks like a veritable School Committee, but the law of the State requiring the elec- tion of such a committee was not enacted until 1827. This town plainly anticipated the enactment. The men to whom belongs the credit of being the first School Committee of Westford were John Abbot, Esq., Colonel Benjamin Osgood, Reuben Leighton, Levi Wright, Nathaniel Hildreth, Jonathan Prescott, Amos Read and Bill W. Stevens. This appointment was not exceptional, but continued to be made year by year.

" In 1822 the territory of the town was divided into eight school districts. These were the Centre, Stony Brook, Forge, the Southwest, the South (No. 5), the Southeast (No.6), the Northeast (No. 7), and the North (No. 8 and No. 9). In 1826 the North District was di- vided, and one part called the Northwest. In 1851 the Forge District was divided. Some time previous to this division the school-house of that district stood near the poor- house.

" April 6, 1835, ' Voted that the scholars in the sev- eral districts shall be numbered by the committee on the first Monday or Tuesday of November, with the names of the heads of families.'

" March 7, 1836, the selectmen were made a commit- tee to number the school-houses, and then the present numbers were given.

"In 1851 Graniteville became No. 10. The houses, with one exception, have all been built since the re- peal in 1869 of the law relating to school districts."

In 1882, in consequence of the resignation of Rev. E. R. Hodgman as superintendent of the schools, Rev. J. Sidney Moulton was chosen in his place, and has been retained as a member of the School Board and superintendent to the present time. Since his connection with the schools four new ones have been opened-one at Forge Village, one at the Centre and two at Graniteville. The large graded school build- ing at Graniteville was completed and opened in the autumn of 1886. It has four rooms, and there are four grades of classes in the building ; it cost about $6500. The new Long-sought-for School-house was built the year following. The school-houses are all in good repair and are of the most improved con- struction. Mr. Moulton favors the normal method of teaching, and has striven to employ teachers who could use it. He has given the teachers such instruc- tion as he could and has recommended books for them to read on the subject, so that they could inform them- selves as to the methods, and use them as far as pos- sible. A few of the teachers only are, as yet, cap- able of thoroughly teaching them ; but where they are used, it is claimed, excellent results have followed. He is convinced that it is the only proper way of teaching, and says the new instruction makes the child more independent, so that he will know what to do rather than to follow a rule in the book-he will get the rule later .. The schools have certainly im- proved since Mr. Moulton took charge of them. There is a better grade of scholarship ; he has marked out a course of study for the children and has planned work also for the teachers, so that they know just what they are to accomplish each year; thus a system is followed and greater efficiency is attained. The teachers are required to have examinations every month, and Mr. Moulton has always given an exam- ination himself every month-generally a written one-and has also given oral work every time he has visited a school. He visits them oftener than the law requires-as often as every two weeks, sometimes oftener-and he thinks much better work could be done if a superintendent could be engaged who could give his whole time to it. He needs to be in the school often, to see that the teachers do as required and that the methods arranged are properly carried out, and also to see where the children are in their studies all the time. He is conscientious in his work, enjoys it, is liked by the teachers, and has brought the schools up to a standard, at least, as high as in

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any of the towns surrounding. He visits schools in various cities and towns, and strives to ascertain all the improved methods of instruction. There are very few truants in the schools, only six or eight during the year, and when it is considered that there are six schools in two manufacturing villages in the town, this number cannot be large. People wish their children educated; they keep them in school, hoping they will secure a better education than their parents. Mr. Moulton was born in Plainfield, New Hampshire, April 12, 1852. He graduated at Kimball Union Academy, in his native town, June, 1869, and at Dart- mouth College in 1873. He studied theology at the Cambridge Divinity School, graduating in 1876. He was ordained here, June 12, 1878, having preached here nearly two years before his ordination, as acting pastor of the Unitarian Society. He resigned his pastorate in 1885, when he began preaching in Stow, Massachusetts, where he is still the acting pastor and the superintendent of their schools, giving them about one-third of his time-the remainder he spends in Westford.

The Academy .- In 1792 several gentlemen met to- gether and "agreed to form themselves into a society by the name and institution of the Westford Acade- my." Articles of agreement and subscription were then drawn up and signed by fifty-four persons ; and at the head of the list stand the names of Zaccheus Wright, John Abbot and Abel Boynton, each of whom subscribed £30. The town also contributed to the original fund and became entitled to its benefits.

August 3, 1792, the proprietors adopted certain rules and by-laws for the regulation and government of the school; and among other things it was pro- vided, " that the English, Latin and Greek languages, together with writing, arithmetic and the art of speak- ing, should be taught, and, if desired, practical geom- etry, logic, geography and music; that the school should be free to any nation, age or sex, provided that no one should be admitted a member of the school unless able to read in the Bible readily with- out spelling."

The act of incorporation was passed September 28, 1793. It recites that over £1000 had been given by various parties for the establishment of the acadeiny ; but the records of the early meetings of the subscrib- ers specify only the gifts before mentioned. In the meantime, however, these may have been increased by additional subscriptions.

The first meeting of the trustees under the act of incorporation was held on the 2d of April, 1794, at the house of Mr. Joel Abbot, and was continued by several adjournments to the 21st of July following. At this meeting the arrangements seem to have been completed, or nearly so, for the orderly working of the institution. At this meeting Mr. Levi Hedge was requested to have a public exhibition on the 4th of July. This is the first intimation on record of his being in office as teacher or preceptor.

Public exhibitions seem to have been continued for many years, and tradition says that they were attend- ed with great interest. Academies were rare then, and the attendance from other towns and from con- siderable distances was much larger than it now is.

First among the early friends and promoters of this institution stands the name of Zaccheus Wright. His interest in it is evinced by the liberality of his gifts ; and the estimation in which he was held is apparent from the fact that he was elected the first president of the board of trustees, and was annually re-elected to that office till 1808, when he declined further service.

John Abbot, eldest son of John Abbot, was born in Westford, January 27, 1777, and died April 30, 1854, at the age of seventy-seven. He graduated at Har- vard University in 1798, in a class distinguished for talent, in which he took a high collegiate rank. He immediately became preceptor of this academy and held that place two years. He then studied law and opened an office in Westford, and about the same time he was chosen a trustee. On the decease of Jona- than Carver in 1805, he was chosen treasurer of the academy, which office he held by successive annual elections till his death, a period of fifty years, less three or four months. To his careful management and prudent foresight the institution is chiefly indebt- ed for its present funds. During his long administra- tion they increased nearly or quite threefold. The academy had no wealthy patrons like its neighbor at Groton, but depended for the increase of its means on small but carefully husbanded accumulations. It was the aim of the treasurer to save something from the annual interest of the funds to be added to the prin- cipal ; and almost every year's report showed some increase in their amount. The trustees had implicit confidence in his integrity, fidelity and skill, and rare- ly, if ever, interfered with his plans. During this long period his services were rendered gratuitously to the institution whose welfare he had so much at heart, and he will always be remembered as one of its stanchest friends. Mr. Abbot was also held in high respect by his fellow-townsmen, being often chosen to places of trust. He was regarded as a sound lawyer, and a faithful and reliable legal adviser. He served one term as a Senator in the State Legislature, and was a member of the convention for revising the State Constitution in 1820. He was also a distin- guished member of the Masonic Order. He was twice Grand Master of the Royal Arch Chapter of the Free Masons of Massachusetts, and in that capacity laid the corner-stone of the monument on Bunker Hill in 1825, General Lafayette being present and as- sisting in that ceremony.

He was succeeded in the office of treasurer by his son, John William Pitt Abbot, who held it till his death, in 1872. The latter, like his father, gave his services gratuitously, being animated by the same de- sire to further its prosperity. He was born April 27,

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1806, in Hampton, Connecticut, the early home of his mother, Sophia Moseley, a daughter of Ebenezer Moseley, Esq., of Hampton. He was chiefly fitted for college at this academy and graduated at Cambridge in 1827. After studying law in the Law School at Cambridge he entered his father's office, the business of which was not long after transferred entirely to him. He was a member of the House of Representatives in 1862, and of the State Senate in 1866 ; and was select- man and town clerk for many years. During the late war his services as a town officer were invaluable. He was particularly interested in the affairs of the First Parish, and for a long time was entrusted with the management of them. In all these relations he was trusted as an able and faithful counselor and public servant, and he was universally regarded with esteem and affection for his urbanity, benevolence and generosity.

Levi Hedge, the first preceptor, graduated at, Har- vard University in 1792, a distinguished member in a distinguished class. He came directly to Westford with a high reputation as a scholar, and left two years after with an equally high reputation as a teacher. He returned to Cambridge to take the place of a tutor in the college, and after several years was promoted to a professorship of logic and metaphysics.

Miss Susan Prescott, daughter of Hon. James Pres- cott, president of the board of trustees, was the first female assistant employed, and her instructions were confined solely to the classes of young ladies. She was justly regarded as an accomplished teacher, but she held that position only for two successive seasons in summer.

Rev. Ephraim Abbot took charge of the school in 1828, and was the preceptor for nine years. He was born in New Castle, Maine, September 28, 1779, and was the son of Benjamin and Sarah (Brown) Abbot. He graduated at Harvard College in 1806, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1810, in the first class that left that institution. His name stands at the head of the list of graduates. He was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in Greenland, New Hampshire, October 27, 1813, and was dismissed on account of ill health October 27, 1828. While in Greenland he was for a time the principal of the Brackett Academy in that place. During his residence at Westford he represented thetown in the State Leg- islature in 1839. He was a land surveyor and justice of the peace, and was a very useful and philanthropic man and an earnest and devout Christian. He was a true friend of the academy, and never ceased to take an interest in its prosperity. He died in West- ford July 21, 1870, aged 90 years, 9 months and 23 days.

Hon. John Davis Long, late Governor of the Com- monwealth, was born in Buckfield, Maine; graduated at Harvard in 1857, and came at once to Westford, where he remained two years. The school under his management was very prosperous, The number of

pupils was unusually large, and the enthusiasm of both teacher and scholars was high-toned and abun- dant. Mr. Long, during his preceptorship, started a literary society in which debates were held and a pa- per, called the Literary Gatherer, was edited by the members. The versatility of Mr. Long's gifts was shown in his contributions to that paper, and his ready tact in the discussions. The society was kept up for several years after he left. He is remembered with affection and esteem by his pupils and associates, and such of them as yet reside here welcome him to their homes as one whom they honor and love. His honorable career as a lawyer and statesman have won for him golden opinions which many may emulate but which few attain.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 166

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