History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 191

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 191

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During the pastorate of Mr. Pickett a second Con - gregational society was organized, under the name of the Bethesda Church, the first pastor being Rev. Edward W. Clark, who was followed by W. H. Beecher, William H. Wilcox, W. B. Ely and the present pastor, Rev. Frank S. Adams. In 1886 a union of the Old South and Bethesda Churches was effected under the name of the Congregational Church of Reading.

The Baptist Church was formed in 1832. Prior to that date services had been held in dwellings and in the West School-house, but the sect encountered much opposition, owing to the prevailing intolerance of its peculiar tenets. Opposition seems to have strengthen- ed the movement rather than to have discouraged it. In 1837, a church having been built during the pre- vious year, Rev. Henry Smith became the first pastor. His successors have been Rev. O. Cunningham, J. Woodbury, John Upton, J. G. Townsend, John Cookson, E. K. Fuller, A. M. Higgins, William R. Davy, T. W. Crawley, H. P. Guilford, L. D. Hill, J. K. Ewer, C. T. Douglass and O. T. Walker.

Preaching under the auspices of the Methodist Epis- copal Church began in 1866, with the missionary movement conducted by Rev. A. D. Merrill. He was followed by Rev. Andrew Gray, then settled in Wake- field, who preached regularly for several months in Lyceum Hall. After Mr. Gray came Rev. Daniel Atkins, Stephen Cushing and H. D. Weston. While the church was in charge of Mr. Weston the build- ing on Ash Street was erected and dedicated. Sub- sequent pastors were the Rev. J. N. Short, W. H. Hatch, J. L. Hanaford, James F. Mears, William Silverthorne, Daniel Stecle, J. H. Humphrey and the present incumbent, Rev. Fred. N. Upham. The Church now occupies the Old South edifice, having purchased it from the Congregational Society after the consolidation between the latter and the Bethesda Church.

The Roman Catholic Church of St. Agnes now in charge of Rev. J. E. Millerick, of Wakefield, was es- tablished here in 1886. Prior to that date the Cath- olics of Reading worshiped at the church in Wake- field.

The Christian Union ( Unitarian) Church is the de-

scendant of the Third Congregational Society, formed in Reading, April 2, 1827, for the purpose " of pro- moting pure and evangelical principles of practical religion and morality." The original society num- bered forty-six, and a church building was erected in 1827, afterward transformed into a dwelling house, still standing next to the house of the late Dr. F. F. Brown.

The pastors who for longer or shorter periods had charge of this early church were: Rev. Mr. Barbery, Dr. Peabody, Mr. Robertson and Mr. Damon. In May, 1838, a Universalist Society was organized in the town, and a union of the earlier church with this was then effected under the ministration of Rev. Charles Gallacar. He was followed by Rev. G. G. Strickland and Rev. Mr. Waitt.

In May, 1840, "The Liberal Ladies' Benevolent Asso- ciation " was formed, and when the liberal religious movement flagged, they were earnest in their efforts to keep it alive, until, in 1856, a new society was organized under the name of the First Universalist Society of Reading. Rev. N. R. Wright was the first pastor, services being held in Lyceum Hall. He was succeeded by L. M. Burrington, E. A. Eaton and W. W. Hayward. Mr. Hayward resigned in 1867, and the services of Rev. E. B. Fairchild, of Stoneham, were secured for afternoon preaching in Ellsworth (now Masonic) Hall. Under Mr. Fairchild the society was again organized under a new name, the "Chris- tian Union " of Reading, a new church was erected in 1871, and since then its prosperity has been con- tinuous. It is now regularly connected with the Uni- tarian denomination. After Mr. Fairchild's resigna- tion, Rev. C. W. Heizer became pastor, followed by Rev. C. J. Staples, and the present incumbent, Rev. Don C. Stevens.

OLD FAMILIES .- Reading has felt but slightly the effect of the tide of immigration which has trans- formed many Massachusetts towns. In 1885, when the latest State Census was taken, out of a total popu- lation of 3539 only 503 were of foreign birth, and including these only 757 had both parents foreign born. The conditions have not materially changed since.

The town contains to-day many persons who are direct descendants of the first or early settlers. Cer- tain family names are as familiar as household words. Among thesc none are more prominent, or have a more honorable lineage than the Bancrofts and Parkers.

Lieutenant Thomas Bancroft, who was born in England in 1622, came to Lynn, and early purchased land in Reading, although apparently he lived upon it for but a short time. By his second wife, who was Elizabeth Metcalf, he had several children, the eldest, Thomas, settling in Reading near what is now West Street. Here, subsequent to 1673, lie built the fourth house in the parish, near the present residence of Mr. Batchelder. He was one of the parish deacons.

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The great-grandson of Thomas was Lieutenant Joseph Bancroft, who was the immediate paternal ancestor of the existing families of that name. He was born in 1735, and marrying Elizabeth Temple, the daughter of a neighbor, settled upon a part of the homestead, namely, in the Captain George Bancroft house, so-called, where he lived at the time of the in- corporation of the parish in 1769. It was the day of large families, and Lieutenant Joseph had five daugh- ters and five sons. Of the sons, Joseph was the grandfather of John M. aud Lewis H. Bancroft ; and their consins, Emory, Solon, Frederick and Alvin. Lewis H. Bancroft has held the office of selectman, representative to the General Court, and is now water commissiouer. Solon Bancroft, Esq., is a leading citizen, a member of the Middlesex bar, special justice of the First District Court of Eastern Middlesex, and has held various town offices. Frederick, resident in Reading, is engaged in the brokerage business in Boston.

The second son of Lieutenant Joseph was Timothy, who was the grandfather of Newton, Charles, James, Nathan, Wendell and Moses. Of these Nathan is a leading shoe manufacturer, and has already been mentioned in that connection. Wendell, for a long time an extensive builder, is now engaged in the coal and lumber business, while Moses carries on the sale of sewing-machines in this and neighboring towns. Timothy was also the father of John Hart Bancroft, and the grandfather, through different lines, of Fran- cis J., and William Hazen-all of whom are still living in Reading. Nehemiah, the fourth son of Lieutenant Joseph, was the father of James H., now residing on High Street, and the grandfather of Jas. A. Bancroft, land surveyor and formerly manufactur- er of shoes, who has filled the positions of selectinan and town treasurer and other town offices.

Upon his maternal side Francis J. Bancroft is also descended from Captain Jas. Bancroft, of Revolution- ary prominence, who was a grandson of Dea. Thomas, the early settler. Captain James also settled upon a part of the old homestead, living at the time of the incorporation of the parish in a house which, about 1789, was succeeded by the present residence of Francis J. A son of Deacon Thomas, Samuel, born 1693, succeeded to his father's honse, and was living there in 1769. His son was the father of Rev. Aaron Ban- croft, a learned and noted minister, settled in Wor- cester in 1785, and whose son, George Bancroft, the historian, is thus connected with the Reading line.

The Parkers trace their descent from Thomas Parker, an early settler and, like the ancestor of the Bancrofts, also a deacon in the parish. He was the direct progenitor of the existing families. His fifth son, Nathaniel, settled in the West Parish at about the time of his marriage, in 1677, building opposite the Common, near the site of the Grouard mansion, the first house in the present Reading. He, too, was the first person buried in the present cemetery. Na-

thaniel, known as Ensign Parker, was the grandfather of Captain Nathan, who owned the Jaquith house, traditions of which we have mentioned, and also other houses and much land. To one of these houses, long known as "Captain Parker's Red Honse," now standing on Ash Street, and which we have previous- ly mentioned as the James Davis house, his son, Colonel Nathan, succeeded, keeping there a tavern. He afterward conducted a public-house on the site of the present Bank Building. Colonel Nathan was in his day an influential citizen, and the first postmaster. His sons, Edmund and Rev. Nathan, were also prom- inent, the first being for several terms a member of he House of Representatives, and afterwards of the Senate and Governor's Council. His brother, Rev. Nathan, was a successful pastor for thirty years in Portsmouth, N. H.

Sergeant Jolin Parker, who was the brother of En- sign Nathaniel, was the great-grandfather of Jonas, born 1728. This Jonas was great-grandfather of Jerome and Clarkson, and by different lines of Still- man E., Henry F., Samuel, Wymau, Warren, Edward, William C., William Strong, Solon A., Milton and Galen Parker and others-names that include some of the most well-known and respected citizens of the town. Walter S. Parker, now chairman of the School Committee, is the son of Henry F. The daughters of the families descended from Jonas have carried the Parker blood into divergent channels, the famnil- ies of Henry and Gilman D. Kingman, of Howard, Wyman and Hartwell Nichols, and of Frederick and Rev. William Wakefield being connected with the line.

From Benjamin, who was an uncle of Jonas, are descended the families of Cephas, Theron and Wil- liam Parker (long a well-known grocer), and also Loton, who died nnmarried. In this line also came Loea Parker, Jr., who was the father of Gilman L., present secretary of the School Committee.

Another brother of Ensign Nathaniel was Lieuten- ant Hananiah, who was the first son of Deacon Thomas. His eldest son, John Parker, removed from Reading to Lexington and was the ancestor of Cap- tain Parker, who commanded the Lexington company in the fight of April 19, 1775, and also of Rev. Theo- dore Parker.

The name of Temple is also a familiar one in Reading. The common ancestor of the family was Richard Temple, a son of Robert, of Saco, Maine, who was killed by the Indians there in 1676. Richard married a daughter of Deacon Thomas Parker and lived in the westerly part of the Third Parish. He had several sons,-among them Jonathan (born 1699) and John (born 1704). At the time of the incorporation of the Third Parish Jonathan lived on what is now the James W. Roberts place, Summer Avenue, and John occupied the farm to the southi- east, now the residence of Jacob Roberts. From Jonathan are descended Deacon William, residing at

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

the corner of Woburn Street and Summer Avenue, and Deaeon Mark M. and Calvin, both deceased. Calvin was long the station agent of the Boston & Maine Railroad, and his son, Joseph S., was one of the originators of the neektie manufacture here, which he still earries on. From Jolin Temple are deseended David C. Temple, the well-known builder, Warren, Fred (now deceased) and R. Dexter Temple, now of the seleetmen, a position held by his aneestor (Richard) in 1734 and 1735.

Other early settlers, whose descendants have been numerous and more or less identified with the town, are Joseph Wakefield, who came to Reading from Bostou, and whose son Thomas, apprentieed to Tim- othy Pratt, of Reading, whose daughter he married, was the father of Timothy, the ancestor of Deaeon Caleb, father of Dr. Horace P. Wakefield ; John Weston, who eame to the southern part of Reading in 1652, and whose marriage to Sarah Fitch in the following year appears to have been the first eele- brated in the town ; and Richard Nichols, who also settled in the South Parish. By the marriage above- mentioned John Weston had eight children. From the first of these, John, born 1661, spring the de- sceudants in the present Reading. His son Stephen settled on West Street, and here Stephen's son, Isaae, was living when the Third Parish was incorporated, on the Chas. Weston place. John, son of Isaae, lived near by. John Weston, Jr., great-grandson of the original John, also Jonathan Weston, another great- grandson, were living in other parts of the Third Parish. Charles A. Weston, road commissioner, is a direct descendant of Isaac.

Three of the sons of Richard Nichols-James, John and Richard-were represented by sons who, at the incorporation of the Third Parish, were living in the north part, near Franklin and Pearl Streets. From these have sprung a numerous progeny.

Timothy Pratt, Sr., son of John Pratt, an early settler, was the first of the Reading Pratts, the home- stead being upon Wakefield Street, between Charles and Haverhill Strects. From him and from his brother Samuel, who lived upon the Herrick Batch- elder place, on Haverhill Street, descend many of the name in Reading and elsewhere, among the number being Joseph L. Pratt, formerly selectman and a well-known citizen.

Of the men of the present century who have, by their energy and public spirit, helped to make the Reading of to-day, none are more conspicuous than Stephen Foster, Sylvester Harnden, Horace Poole Wakefield and William Proetor.

Stephen Foster was born in South Reading, De- cember 8, 1808. In 1823 he entered the employ of Abiel Holden, who was then carrying on shoe man- ufacturing in Reading, and remained with him as clerk and manager until 1834, when he began busi- ness on his own aecount, continuing it thereafter in Reading and Boston for many years. He was eon-

nected with the Reading Agricultural and Mcehanies' Association, as its treasurer, and was identified with nearly every publie improvement undertaken in the town. With others, he was influential in eausing the Boston & Maine Railroad to earry its line through the town in 1843, instead of by a different route at first proposed. This alone has been of great benefit to Reading. Of his connection with the erection of Lyeeum Hall we have already spoken. To his pub- lie spirit and persistency in assisting to raise the nee- essary funds, the town is largely indebted for the beautiful shade-trees plauted upon the Common and elsewhere in 1845. Mr. Foster was a man of striet integrity, and of liberal and progressive spirit. He took a deep interest in the publie library, was one of its early trustees and afterwards president of the board, an office which he continued to hold until his death, October 30, 1889. In 1835 he married Louisa, daughter of Thaddeus B. Pratt. Mrs. Foster died in 1852. In 1857 he married Harriet N. Fullington, of Vermont, who survives him. By his first marriage he had two daughters, one of whom is deceased, and by his second, a son and daughter, both of whom re- side in reading.

Sylvester Harnden was born in Wilmington in 1804, but he became a citizen of Reading in 1823, engaging in cabinet-making with Luther Elliott, and afterwards with Amos Sweetser.

The factory occupied at that time was on Main Street, between the stable now controlled by Rufus Wright and the residence of the late William R. Perkins.

Mr. Harnden soon extended the business, and built a shop at the head of Haven [Street, and in 1831 the house next to the store of M. A. Stone. Between this house and the shop a passage-way led to a lot in the rear, which, in the gradual extensiou of the business, was occupied with additional factory buildings-a dry- house, varnish-shop and mill. Another building on Haven Street, now the wheelwright, blaeksmith and paint-shop of Brown, Totten & Danforth, was part of the establishment. Upwards of one hundred work- men were at one time employed by Mr. Harnden. During the years subsequent to 1856 the establish- ment was mainly devoted .to the manufacture of re- frigerators.

Mr. Harnden was actively connected with the pros- perity of the town in whose welfare he took a lively interest. In his later years he occupied the residence at the corner of Maine and Pleasant Streets, now owned and until recently occupied by his son-in-law, Hon. Carroll D. Wright, commissioner of labor of the United States. Here he died May 19, 1873, leav- ing a widow and five children, the elder son, Freder- iek, for a time eontinning the business.

Horace Poole Wakefield, M.D., born January 4, 1809, was the son of Deacon Caleb Wakefield, hin- self a man of distinetion, who had been honored by eleetion to the House of Representatives, besides

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holding other responsible positions. Dr. Wakefield graduated at Amherst College in 1832, and became a physician, practicing first at Oakham, Mass., and afterward at Reading. Always interested in public affairs, he was elected to the House of Representatives for two terms while at Oakham, and afterward, while at Reading, to the State Senate. Both at Oakham and at Reading he was chosen to various town offices, and entrusted with numerous public duties. He was councilor of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and its vice-president ; also president of the Middlesex East District Medical Society. He assisted in the formation of the American Anti-Slavery Society, aud his name stands next to that of John G. Whittier among the signatures to its declaration of principles. Later he became an inspector at the State Almshouse at Tewksbury, and its resident physician, and after- ward superintendent of the State institution at Mon- son. Dr. Wakefield possessed untiring activity and a strong will. He was always interested in agriculture, and for nine years a member of the State Board. After leaving Monson he retired to his farm at Lei- cester, Massachusetts, where he died in 1883. He was twice married, and a widow and one daughter survive him.

William Proctor was born in Deptford, England and, after service in the English army, came to Read- ing in 1859. He first engaged in the custom shoe business in Boston, and after retiring from that pur- chased a one-half interest in the wire-brush patents of J. E. Howard, of Reading, and began the manu- facture of these brushes on an extensive scale, under the name of the Howard Brush Company. This was the era of invention in metallic brushes, and the How- ard company was subjected to considerable competi- tion which Mr. Proctor finally overcame by other purchases of patent-rights, and enlarged the business, associating with himself as manager Mr. Jas. H. Horton, who conducts it since Mr. Proctor's death. Mr. Proctor was an ardent Abolitionist, and a friend of Garrison and Phillips. An original Republican in politics, he represented the town in the House of Representatives in 1866. He was a liberal thinker in religion and an active supporter of the Christian Union (Unitarian) Church. He was also one of the trustees of the Reading Savings Bank, and one of the original promoters and trustees of the public library. He died in February, 1889, after a protracted illness, leaving a widow and two children.

Other men, now deceased, who were prominent in local affairs within the last fifty years, were Reuben Weston, an original Abolitionist ; Daniel Pratt, town clerk from 1831 to 1852, heretofore mentioned as a manufacturer of clocks ; William J. Wightman, town clerk from 1853 to 1856 and from 1862 to 1874; Gil- man C. Gleason, for many years undertaker and su- perintendent of the cemetery, and Hiram Barrus.

Mr. Barrus was a native of Goshen, Mass., born July 5, 1822, and became a resident of Reading in

1863. He was always interested in antiquarian re- search, and collected much valuable material concern- ing the history of the town, which found a place in Eaton's " History of Reading " and in other publica- tions. He also prepared and published a history of his uative town. Appointed to a position in the Cus- tom-House in 1861, he afterward became assistant cashier, which position he held until his death. He was a member of the School Committee of Reading for several years, and oue of the trustees of the pub- lic library. He died in March, 1883, leaving a widow and three children.

Reading now contains many men who are fitly suc- ceeding those who have passed away, and who are doing their full share toward advancing the pros- perity of the town. Of these in detail it is not our province to speak ; their work has not yet passed into history.

The town, from its position upon the main line of a railway connecting it with Boston, is a desirable place of residence for those who do business in the city. It has an abundance of excellent building land, pure air and beautiful scenery. Its moral tone is of the highest, its schools of the best, and its future growth as a place of homes for those who desire such advan- tages is assured. Its debt is nominal and its tax rate moderate. Its streets are well-cared for and lighted.

It is now introducing a system of public water sup- ply, provided for at a meeting of the town held early in the present year, and soon to be completed. It possesses a first-class local paper, The Reading Chron- icle, established in 1870 and now conducted by W. H. Twombly & Son, the senior editor being a veteran journalist.

Among its social advantages it has the usual num- ber of organizations and societies. A Veteran Asso- ciation, formed of the survivors of the late war, be- came, in 1889, Veteran Post, No. 194, of the Grand Army of the Republic. There is also a Woman's Relief Corps. Reading Lodge, No. 566, Knights of Honor, was organized in 1877, and has seventy-three mein bers. What Cheer Colony, U. O. of Pilgrim Fathers, received its charter January 26, 1881, and has 110 members. Besides these, the Order of Ægis is represented by Reading Lodge, No. 13.

Masonry in Reading began with the formation of a lodge which, in the excitement of the anti-Masonry agitation, was allowed to decline. In October, 1871, a new lodge was constituted under the old name,- Good Samaritan Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, -under a charter granted September 13, 1871.

Odd Fellowship is represented by a lodge recently formed, and the Improved Order of Red Men by Quannapowitt Tribe, No. 50. Besides these there are several temperance organizations and an encampment of the Sons of Veterans. Reading also possesses an Athletic Club, organized in 1886, and occupying a convenient and well-equipped club-house on Ash Street.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

In conclusion, we quote the following from the pen of a citizen of Reading-Henry G. Kittredge, editor of the Boston Journal of Commerce :

" Reading has a tradition, like all New England towns, simple, sturdy and patriotic. Her society to-day possesses all the ennehling character- istics of its Puritanic origin. What constitutes the best town to live in depends on the peculiar circumstances of him who seeks a residence. There are natural and artificial advantages belonging to overy town that forcibly appeal to somo of the wants of men, and no one can elaim ex- clusive jurisdiction over all the gifts of nature or the privileges of so- ciety. .. . Reading is far enough from Boston to have a sociability of its own, independent of eity attractions."

To which we may add the hope that its future may, like its past, be honorable, if not exciting; and, if not particularly eventful, may still be worthy of the fathers who laid the foundations of the town.

CHAPTER LXIV.

NORTH READING.

BY HORACE G. WADLIN.

SEVEN years after the incorporation of Reading, in October, 1651, the Colony Court granted to its inhab- itants additional territory on the north side of the Ipswich River, till then the northern boundary of the town. This territory in time became the Second or North Parish of old Reading, and finally, at a com- paratively recent date, the town of North Reading. Formal confirmation of the grant was made by the Court in 1666, on the 23d of May, in the following language :

" Whereas, the Honorahle General Court having formerly granted to the town of Reading a Tract of Land of two miles, lying between their grant of four miles and Mr. Bellingham's farme and the great (Ipswich) river, and also ordered them to have it laid out sometime before this Court sate; at the request of the Town that this Platt of Land is laid ont and returned, Untted and bonnded as followeth: running from a Piue tree at A, north by the compass, six hundred rods, joynes to the Town of Reading land unto B, to the top of a rocky hill; and from B, East two hundred sixty-eight rods to an oak tree at C, marked R. B., and joynes the Andover land ; and from C, South South East 8 deg. = 30 - to E five hundred seventy-six rods, this joynes npon the Governor's farme to a hlaek oak tree at D, marked R. B; and this line joynes upon Mr. Bellingham's farme ; the fourth line runs from D, E. h. N., two hundred thirty-six rods to a walnut tree at E, and joynes also on Mr. Belling- ham's farmo ; the fifth line from E, South East and hy South, two hun- dred and four rods to a black oak in Salem line at F, which joynes upon the farmne of Thomas Fuller ; the sixth line runs from F, west south west, 2ª S., four hundred and twenty rods to a black oak at G, the which line is Salem bounds. The 7th line from G., West hy North, 7d No., five hundred and sixty-eight rods to a pine tree at A (the place of beginning), alongst the river (Ipswich) side."

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 191

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