History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 185

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 185

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They voted to install Mr. Willard, November 2, 1785. Mr. Willard was born in Grafton, Massachu- setts, and graduated at Harvard College in 1765. He was called to Bedford, April 19, 1769, where he served as pastor for nearly fourteen years. Dec. 4, 1782, his connection with the society was dissolved at his own request, by the unanimous advice of a council, on ac- connt of the broken state of the society. He then re- ceived his call and was installed over the District of Boxborough. The following eight churches were in- vited to join in the installation services : Grafton, Harvard, first and second churches Reading, Stow, Northboro', Littleton and Acton. Rev. Jonathan Newell, of Stow, offered the opening prayer; Rev. Caleb Prentiss, of the first church in Reading, preach- ed the sermon from 2 Cor., Ist chapter, and 24th verse ; Rev. Eben Grosvenor offered prayer; Rev. Eliab Stone, of the second church in Reading, gave the charge to the pastor ; Rev. Peter Whitney, of North- boro', gave the charge to the people, and Rev. Moses Adams, of Acton, offered the closing prayer. The whole number of persons belonging to the church at its organization, and admitted afterward during Mr. Wil- lard's pastorate, was 144; number of persons bap- tized, 265; number of marriages, 109; number of deaths, 188. After a pastorate of nearly forty years,

by request of the people, in December, 1823, Mr. Willard resigned his position as pastor of the church, when just at the close of his cighty-second year. He resided at the parsonage, the house now owned and occupied by Mr. Jerome Priest, until his death, in September, 1828.

We know but little of him who closed his earthly career here more than sixty years ago. We judge that he was a man of education and culture,-a grad- uate of Harvard,-a faithful worker, leading and di- recting the newly-organized church, revered, loved and trusted by them for upwards of half a century, and that his labors, though expended among these conntry hills, were not in vain.

In 1815 the question of building a new meeting- house or of repairing the old, began to agitate the people. During the next three years many meetings were held, at which various measures were suggested, voted upon and then reconsidered. At length, in May, 1816, a vote was passed "to leave it to a .com- mittee to determine whether the town shall repair old meeting-house or build a new one, and if in the opinion of said committee the Town shall build a new Meeting-house, they shall appoint the place where to set it." And they chose Augustus Tower, Esq., of Stow, John Robins, Esq., of Acton, and Jonathan Sawyer, a committee for that purpose. The hill on which the old church stood was quite a little distance west of the centre, and so the people of the east part of the town wished not only to build a new house, but to have it placed nearer the actual centre. According to the records the controversy grew stronger, for the said committee, having per- formed their dnty and brought in the report "that in their opinion it would not be for the interest of the town to repair the old, but to build new, and on spot southerly of Mr. Phinehas Wetherbee's dwelling- house"-a site qnite near to the actual centre,-it was voted "not to accept the report," and "not to reconsider the last vote to repair." At a November meeting a petition was presented, signed by twenty- three residents of the east part of the town, asking, "First, for a new meeting-house; second, that it be placed on or near site appointed by the committee of reference ; and if not, third, to see if the town will vote that the subscribers be discharged from Box- borough that they may go to the original Towns from which they were taken." The town was not ready as a whole to yield the ground on the question of a new meeting-house, nor did they wish to lose any of their citizens, so they voted "to pass over the arti- cle." Efforts were made from time to time to bring abont a better state of feeling between the parties, but the new house was not built until years after, neither were there repairs made to any extent.

After Mr. Willard's resignation, when the Rev. Aaron Picket came to be their next minister, tlie manner of procedure was changed. The amendment to the Constitution disconnecting Church and State

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was not passed until November, 1833, but the town- meeting no longer granted the minister's salary, or auctioned off his twenty cords of wood to the lowest bidder. Mr. Picket came in 1826, upon a vote of the town "to hire him for one year after the money that is already raised is expended to preach for them in Boxborongh, provided he will stay and they can get money enough to pay him." A division similar to that which occurred in so many churches at about this time was imminent now. In 1828 they "voted to let each denomination have the meeting-house their proportionable part of the time according to the valuation," and they chose a committee, in which each denomination was represented, " to lay out the money." But from later records it seems probable that the money was raised not by assessment, but by subscription.

The separation came at last in 1829, when the church desired to call the Rev. James R. Cushing, of the Theological Seminary, Bangor, Me., to the pas- torate, to which action the parish raised opposition. The ground of difference was in religious belief. And so, May 20th, the church met and voted, "That having failed to secure the concurrence of the 1st Parish in inviting Mr. Cushing to become our Relig- ions Teacher we proceed to take the steps prescribed by law to form a New Society whose members will concur with us in taking the necessary measures to secure to this church the pastoral labors of Mr. Cush- ing." Immediately the society called the " Evangel- ical Congregational Society in the District of Box- borough" was legally formed, and having "con- cnrred " with the church, a call was at once extended to Mr. Cushing ; and the " solemnities " of ordination were performed under an ancient elm near the old meeting-house, August 12, 1829. They built their church on its present site, at the junction of the highways, where the Stow road crosses the old turn- pike, a little southeast of the centre, near which a comfortable parsonage now stands, a point convenient of access from all parts of the town. It was "dedi- cated to the worship of God" February 6, 1833. A sketch of those who have been connected with this church as pastors may not be uninteresting Mr Cushing was dismissed at his own request, to become agent for the American Bible and Tract Society, June 12, 1833. He was one of the Superintending School Committee for three years.

January 13, 1834, the church and society voted unanimously to give Rev. Joseph Warren Cross a call to the pastorate. Mr. Cross accepted the call and was ordained the 1st day of the following Octo- ber. This connection of pastor and people was dis- solved November 13, 1839, by his own request. He served on the School Board in 1838. He is still liv- ing-at the advanced age of eighty-in West Boyls- ton, Mass. He retired from the ministry a number of years ago. During his stay in Boxborough he tanght a private school in a building erected for the

purpose, nearly opposite the new church, and which was also used as a vestry. The building is now a part of Mr. Hayden's barn.

Rev. James D. Farnsworth accepted the pastoral care of the church November 28, 1841, and was in- stalled January 6, 1842. This connection was severed in 1847. He was a member of the Superintending School Committee in 1842 and 1844, served as one of the assessors for two consecutive years, and was active in all that pertained to the well-being of the town. A part of the time from 1847 to 1851 the church was supplied by Rev. Mr. Crossman, a young Wesleyan divine, who, in connection with his pulpit duties, per- formed those of teacher in No. 4 District for two con- secutive winters. Rev. Mr. Gannett preached in 1851-52, and Rev. Leonard Luce became the acting pastor from 1853 to 1858. During his ministrations the greatest revival the church has ever known was enjoyed. He died in Westford a number of years ago at the ripe age of eighty-five years.

Rev. James H. Fitts, a young man and a native of New Hampshire, commenced his labors as acting pastor of the church September 5, 1858, and continued his connection with it for nearly four years; then, having received a call to the church in West Boyls- ton, Mass., he preached his farewell sermon July 27, 1862.

Rev. George N. Marden was ordained to the pas- toral office October 2, 1862, and dissolved his relation- ship with the church in April, 1865. He was a fine scholar, as his sermons testified. He is now con- nected with a college at Colorado Springs, Col.

The following November Rev. Amos Holbrook, of Milford, Mass., commenced his labors as acting pastor and closed them September 1, 1868. He had neither seminary education nor theological training, but he was a well-educated man, having held the position of principal of a school in Milford previous to his pas- torate in Boxboroughi. It was during his stay, and owing partly to his influence, that the present parson- age was built.

February 11, 1869, Rev. Daniel McClenning came, but removed to Hanover, N. H., April 30, 1873. So- cially he was a perfect gentleman and very agreeable in manner, but his style of preaching was censorious and severe. He was of Scotch ancestry and his birth- place was in Littleton. He died three or four years ago.

Rev. John Wood supplied the pulpit from October 26, 1873, until February 28, 1875. He was possessed of good preaching ability and quite a number of per- sons were brought into the church in connection with his labors. He was a resident of Wellesley, Mass., at this time, and came to his charge each week. He is more than eighty years of age and is living in Fitchburg, Mass., at the present time.

After the close of Mr. Wood's pastorate the church was supplied by Revs. Wood, Robie, Wells and others until the 1st of April, 1876, when Rev. Nathan

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Thompson began his labors in Boxborough, continu- ing them until August, 1881. During his pastorate, in 1880, the church was thoroughly repaired, a vestry placed beneath andience-room, and the whole fitted up neatly and conveniently, so that, at the present time, it is well adapted to the wants of the people. Mr. Thompson took an active interest in town affairs- the Lyceum, the Farmers' Club, the schools, of which he was superintendent. He was a man of lovely character and very popular as a townsman. Previous to coming to Boxborough he had been a home mis- sionary in Colorado for ten years, and he left the church here to become principal of Lawrence Acad- emy, Groton, Mass. He is now principal of an academy in Elgin, Illinois.

November 6, 1881, a call was extended to Rev. William Leonard, who labored with the church until April, 1884, when he removed to Barnstable, Mass. He was of English parentage. I quote a sentence from his centennial speech which seems to be charac- teristic of the man : "I preach what I believe and be- lieve what I preach, and no man shall deprive me of this liberty."

Rev. George Dustan, of Peterboro', N. H., came to the church December 1, 1884, and severed his con- nection with it the last of February, 1887, to take charge of the Orphan Asylum, Hartford, Conn. He had been pastor of the church in Peterboro' for a period of twenty-five years. He was interested in town affairs, superintendent of schools, a member of the Grange and a very good preacher.

Rev. George A. Perkins, the present pastor, began his labors with the church in Boxborough April 1, 1887. Mr. Perkins was a missionary in Turkey for a number of years. He is a faithful pastor and preacher.

The First Parish continued their Sabbath services a part of the time for several years after the division of 1829, and then they were discontinued, and the or- ganization finally became extinct. Other things of public interest, as the store, post-officc, blacksmith and wagon-shop, etc., have disappeared from their wonted places on the hill, but the church, though in a different location,-through the earnest, continucd efforts of her members,-still lives. Orthodox and Universalist meet and part and take each other by the hand, yet the old differences secm not wholly forgot- ten, the old scars not entirely obliterated. Time may accomplish what willing hearts cannot, and in the not far distant future the Universal Church, within whose fold all may work together in the service of our com- mon Lord, may spread its wings joyfully over all these peaceful hills and valleys. "May the Lord hasten it in His time."

In passing, we would make mention of the Meth- odist Church, which was situated in the southwest part of the town something like eighty years ago, and which existed until 1843. I say in southwest part of town, but the building-although the intention was to build on Harvard ground-was really erected on

the boundary line between Boxborough and Harvard, owing to uncertainty with regard to the exact location of said boundary. It was a small building, painted red, and contiguous to it was a noble, spreading oak. An amusing anecdote of this old house of worship is related by one of the older residents, who remembers the building well. A wayfarer passing along the Boxborough highway one afternoon, inquired of a cit- izen whom he met, the way to the old meeting-house. "Oh, go right along until you come to a little red house tied to an oak tree; that's the Methodist Church," replied the person accosted, with more celer- ity than reverence. Although there was more or less Wesleyan preaching for several years, there was no preaching by appointment of the Conference after 1843. Some of the members transferred their church relationship to Harvard, others to the Congregational Church in Boxborough, and others to surrounding towns; and finally, some years later, the church building was burned. The old oak still stands to mark the spot.

While the surface of the town is hilly and rocky, and the soil not deep, yet her sunny slopes arc very productive. The hills are crowned with luxuriant orchards, and the pastures and road-sides abound in grapes and berries. Apples, pears, peaches, grapes, berries and vegetables are extensively and successful- ly cultivated for the Boston markets. Being only about twenty-seven miles distant from that city, these products can be shipped there, fresh, daily. Most of the farmers are engaged in the production of milk for the Boston market. Limestone is found in quite large quantities in the northeast part of the town, toward Littleton, and some years ago the business of lime- burning was made quite prominent. There are two organizations in which the farmers are banded togeth- er for improvement and discussion of matters of in- terest-the Farmers' Club and the Grange. The Farmers' Club has had its existence for something less than twenty years ; the Grange has been organ- ized only four years, yet it seems to be in successful operation and doing a good work.

We quote a few items, interesting by comparison with the present time, from "Statistical Information relating to certain Branches of Industry in Massachu- setts for 1855," by the Secretary of the Common- wealth, Francis De Witt : "Boxborough-Value of railroad cars, etc., m'd., $500; cap., $1000. Boots of all kinds m'd, 250 pairs ; shoes of all kinds m'd., 4,600 pairs ; value of boots and shoes, $4000. Charcoal m'd., 3,500 bush. ; val. of same, $525. Butter, 13,640 lbs. ; val. of butter, $3,410. Hops, 14} acres ; hops per acre, 700 lbs. ; val., $2556. Cranberries, 21 acres ; val., $512." A report of this kind of the present date would probably contain few or none of these items. No business except that of ordinary farming has ob- tained a foot-hold for a number of years. A city gen- tleman was recently excusing himself to one of our citizens on whom he made a business call, for his lack

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of the knowledge of grammar. " I have a good, bus- iness education. but I do not know much about gram- mar," said he. "The people of Boxborough might just as well study grammar as not ; there is nothing else to do," replied the host. Perhaps this anecdote somewhat exaggerates the situation, but we can gain an idea from it.

Boxborough celebrated her centenuial anniversary February 24, 1883, " in the old meeting-house ou the hill." The exercises throughout day and evening were interesting and enjoyable. Mr. F. P. Knowlton, of Littleton, gave an address, " Reminiscences," Rev. Nathan Thompson a former pastor in the town, deliv- ered the " Historical Address," and Mrs. G. F. Con- ant, the " Centennial Poem," Mrs. M. E. Burroughs contributed the "Closing Hymn." After-dinner speeches, full of the " early days," by present and former townsmen, with readings by Mr. F. H. Pope, of Leominster, and music, made up the programme. An account of the proceedings of this " day of enno- bling retrospection and glad reunion," was afterwards published in pamphlet form, by the town.

The following are the town officers for the present year, 1889 :

Mr. E. B. Cobleigh, A. Littlefield, C. H. Veasie, selectmen ; D. W. Cobleigh, treasurer ; George F. Keyes, town clerk ; E. B. Cobleigh, J. W. Hayward. C. H. Veasie, assessors ; J. H. Orndorff, auditor ; W. H. Furbush, N. E. Whitcomb, Ephraim Cobleigh, road commissioners; C. H. Blanchard, Lewis Richardson, J. Braman, S. P. Dodge, A. W. Weth erbee, S. B. Hager, School Committee; A. W. Wetherbee, supt. of schools ; W. H. Forbosh, constable and collector.

In this age, when not only the history of towns, but family history, is of such wide-spread and enduring interest, a short sketch of some of the older residents may not be out of place. We notice, in the early records of the town, the names of Cobleigh, Wether- bee, Taylor, Mead, Whitcomb, Hayward, Blauchard, Hager, Stevens, Chester, Wood, Patch and Hoar, whose descendants are still with us ; while others, as Bigelow, Hazzard, Stone and Conaut, although none of these now remain, are of equal interest.

The name of Mr. Bennet Wood is intimately asso- ciated with the early history of the town. He was the second son of Jeremiah and Dorathy (Benet) Wood, the fifth of a family of ten children. Henry Champion, the grandfather of his mother, Dorathy, was born in England in 1611, and came to New Eng- land as one of the first settlers of Lyme and Say- brook, Connecticut. His father, Jeremiah Wood, was a weaver, a yeoman, gentleman, as shown by ac- count-books and papers. He was constable and col- lector, later selectman, and for some years treasurer of Littleton and a member and supporter of the church. He purchased his estate there January 13, 1717, a part of which is still in possession of his de- scendants. He received the deed from the town of Littleton, as explained by the deed itself, which is still in possession of Isaac Wood, Boston, Massachu- sette. Several generations of the Wood family have been born there. " In uprightness of character, sta-

bility of purpose, sound judgment, and high regard for family aud personal honor, the family of Jeremiah and Dorathy Wood was no ordinary family. Jere- miah Wood died July 15, 1730; Dorathy, his wife, died July 17, 1752. Their graves are side by side in Littletou, and near them are grouped the graves of some of their children, grandchildren, great-grand- children and great-great-grandchildren."

On an old weather-beaten slab of granite, in the hill burying-ground in Boxborough, we may read this inscription :

" In Memory of Mr. Bennet Wood who departed this life Apr. 28th 1797 In the 81st year of his age."

Beside it is erected another stone to the memory of his second wife, Mrs. Isabel Wood, who died Decem- ber 14, 1797, in the 84th year of her age (the first wife, Lydia Law, of Acton, died February 27, 1765, aged fifty-four years, one month, thirteen days, and is buried among the Wood families in Littleton), and near these lies a granddaughter, Lois Wood, who died February 1, 1782, aged fifteen years, two months and twenty-two days. Bennet Wood was a prominent and enterprising man, as all his transactions and bus- iness connections with his fellow-townsmen plainly testify. He did very much for the formation of the church and afterward the town, in the early days, and his energy and perseverance helped greatly to pave the way to success.

Mr. Jonathan Wood, the ninth child of Jeremiah and Dorathy, is mentioned as issuing the first town warrant in Boxborough. He is spoken of as an hon- ored citizen, and prominent in both civil and miltary affairs. Mr. John Wood, the sixth child of Jeremiah and Dorathy, has descendants still living in this town. He was twelve years old when his father died. A large part of the real estate was apportioued to him. He married Lydia Davis, of Harvard, Massa- chusetts, October 19, 1743. He was constable and collector at the age of twenty-four, a prominent and successful man, had pleasant surroundings for those times, and had a promising young family ; but death called him away April 8, 1758, at the early age of forty. Lydia Wood remained a widow for several years, and then married David Goodridge, of Fitch- burg. John and Lydia Wood are both buried with the Wood families, in Littleton. Deacon John Wood, son of John and Lydia, the third of a family of seven, was born in Littleton, September 3, 1747. He married Lucy Martin in 1769, and settled upon the home place, where, in 1790, he built himself a fine residence.

The old homestead, recently in possession of George F. Conant, and now owned and occupied by Mr. Campbell, is still in an excellent state of preser- vation. Deacon Wood was one of Littleton's trusted townsmen ; held various responsible public positious,

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

and was dcacon of the church for nearly thirty years. He died May 4, 1826, in his seventy-ninth year. Upon his gravestone, in Littleton, is the following :

" Farewell, dear friend and children too, God has called me home ; In a short time he'll call for you, Prepare yourselves to come."

Lucy (Martin) Wood was born in Old Ipswich, Massachusetts, and died in Littleton, February 20, 1836. The following is upon her gravestone :

" Farewell, my friends, my children dear My Savior calls me home. My Savior calls my children too, Prepare yourselves to come."

Captain Amariah Wood, sixth son of Deacon John and Lucy Wood, says " My mother's name was Lucy Martin. Her father, George Martin, lived in Old Ipswich ; moved from there to Lunenburg, Mass. Her ancestor, Martin, was a weaver in England; his wife was one of the higher classes; her parents were opposed to her marrying a weaver, and they came to America. My mother's great- grandfather's name was Dergy ; he was the King of England's cup-bearer."

Amariah Wood "thoroughly learned the trades of tanner and currier, and carried on that business about a quarter of a century, in Bolton, Massachu- setts. He married and had a large family of chil- dren by his first wife; he had no children by his second wife. He was an honored citizen, having held civil offices of trust. He held a commission as lieutenant, given him by Governor Caleb Strong, of Massachusetts, and a commission as captain. To the former office he was elected November 27, 1812, and the latter May 3, 1814, and was captain of an inde- pendent company later. He was a conscientious and upright man, of marked ability and scholarly attain- ments ; was a persistent student all his life, and was always ready for research in science and metaphys- ics ; was a close student of the Bible, and was guided by it. He was skilled in musical composition, and took much pleasure in it. Selections from his man- uscripts were published long after his deceasc. He often had original music to use at the meetings of the family. His conversations in later years were mas- terly, having accurate knowledge and a clear, logical mind thoroughly disciplined. In his last days he purchased a home near Worcester, Mass., where some of his children had settled. Here he and the able and estimable wife of his early and maturer ycars, and the mother of all his children, rested from their labors. He was born in Littleton, Mass., Sep- tember 9, 1785."

Martin Wood, the oldest son of Dea. John Wood and Lucy Martin Wood, was born Feb. 15, 1774, and died Dec. 27, 1853. Hc was twice married.

" Martin Wood was well posted in common histori- cal subjects, and had a very complete knowledge of the Bible. He was a deacon in the church, and a teacher of the Bible-class for men and women in the

Sunday-school for many years. He was a man of sterling integrity, thoroughly honest and earnest in whatever engaged. He had quite a mechanical tal- ent; was ingenious in making various implements and instruments, was a good carpenter, blacksmith and cooper. He built several of the school-houses in Littleton. Several pieces of public roads were con- tracted for and built by him. He was a skillful sur- veyor, and was often called upon to settle disputed boundary lines, where other good surveyors could not agree. He held at different times all the important places of trust in his town, as committeeman, assessor, selectman."

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 185

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