History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 202

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 202

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).

In general the geological formation is calcareous gneiss and sienite, in which are found good specimens of garnet. "In Bedford the strike of the gneiss is northeast and the dip nearly perpendicular." Hitch- cock mentions the yellow ochre in connection with a rusty mica schist.

Bedford is indicated as a locality for garnet by Dana and Hitchcock both, and at one time the at- tention of the people was turned to this formation, as of merchantable valne, but it was not remunerative. The iron and sulphur springs indicate the decompo- sition of certain mineral properties that are visible in some locations about Bedford Springs.

The village is well drained and free from miasmatic influences. It is classed among the very first locali- ities of the State in point of healthfulness. No de- structive coutagion has visited the town since about 1750, when a throat distemper baffled the skill of phy- sicians and brought sorrow to families in the east part

852

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

of the town. Longevity is noticeable in the families that represent the first settlers and particularly in the Davis, Lane, Page and Hartwell families.

TREES .- Besides the pine already mentioned, therc is the white cedar, that takes kindly to the peat of the low lands in the vicinity of Concord River, and the red cedar found in small quantities, making its slow growth in the boulder clay, where oak, maple and birch flourish the most abundantly; the elm flourishes here, having been planted by the early settlers for shade, and many venerable specimens are standing-useful monuments of the past. Flora : The following is condensed from a local work, "Some of the Wild Flowers of Bedford," by Charles W. Jenks, a careful student of the soil and productions of his ancestral territory :

"The wild flowers of Bedford are neither numerous nor rare. We have few deep valleys of rich soil, and few running brooks falling over rocks, both of which localities are the chosen haunts of many species. The earliest, perhaps, of all our flowers is one rarely no- ticed, the skunk cabbage, which may often be found in March, with its peculiar spathe of yellow or red, peeping out from some damp or swampy place.

"Soon after, along the banks of ditches or in low meadows, the cassandra or leather leaf, with its long line of heath-like bells; this plant, if gathered in fall or winter and kept in a warm room, will blossom freely. Together with this is generally found the sweet-gale, a low shrub with small and insignificant catkins, but having a delicious aromatic fragrance. Then, after the hazels and alders have flung their delicate tassels to the wind, the whole array of spring flowers is upon us-seven species of violets, blue and white (the yellow I have never seen in the town limits, though I have found it in the neighborhood); the wood anemone, with its neat and prettier rela- tion the rue anemone, the columbine or honey- suckle, the houstonia, the false Solomon's seal, often called wild lily of the valley, and that little marvel of beauty and color, the fringed polygala, the marsh marigold, under the false name of 'cowslip,' lighting up the meadows with its brilliant yellow, and occa- sionally, on some rocky land, the early saxifrage, the bell-bower with its pale yellow lily-like flower, and deep in some pine grove the moccasin flower or lady's slipper, one of the most curious of the remarkable family of orchids, the trillium or wake Robin, which among us is represented by its least attractive form, the nodding species-these, with many others, make up what may be called the spring flowers. Then the shrubs begin to blossom-the shad-bush, the rhodora, with its purple flowers, followed by the many vibur- nums and corncls, the wild cherry, the choke, and the more palatable black or rum-cherry, the barberry, with its nodding raceme of yellow flowers, whose sensitive stamens throw the pollen on to any insect visiting it, to be borne to some other flower; thie low

and high bush blueberry, huckleberry and the azalea, with its clammy white and spicy flowers.

" About the middle of June, in the meadows, will be found the side-saddle flower, morc commonly known as huntsman's-cup or pitcher-plant; about the same time of the year, and generally with the side-saddle flower, are found two of our early orchids, the are- thusa and pogonia or adder's-tongue, resembling each other in shape,-the former of a deep magenta color and the latter much paler, but with a delicious frag- rance. A little later, in these same meadows, will be found the yellow lily, the tall meadow-rue, the trum- pet-weed with its large heads of dull purple and the button-bush with its globular head of flowers, while hidden in the grass, but making itself known by its odor, is the meadow mint. Then along some water- course, either ditch, brook or meadow, bursts forth the flaming cardinal flower, one of the brightest and most brilliant of all our flowers, and never so handsome as when seen in abundance in its native place. With this fore-runner of autumn come the goldenrods ; the clematis, clothing the bushes over which it climbs with a beautiful wreath of white flowers, followed by the feathery fruit; the ground- nut, with clusters of fragrant chocolate-colored flowers; the clethra or white alder lining the road in some swampy place and sending forth a rich spicy odor from its pure white spikes; then the asters, purple and white, along the roads, the wood- lands and meadows, of as many specics and as diffi- cult of determination as the golden-rods; the gerar- dias, the tall yellow and the smaller purple species ; the gentians, the deep blue with its closed flower, and among our latest, if not the last of all, the fringed gentian, by many considered our most ex- quisite flower. The only companion of the gentian is the witch-hazel, with its weird-like yellow blossoms, which comes late in the fall and does not mature its fruit till the next season.

"The plants found in and along the river seem wor- thy of special mention. Among the earliest is the yellow water-crowfoot, which is found in May, and resembles a large buttercup. Later in the season the shores are lined with the blue pickerel-weed and the white arrow-head, while farther out are the white and yellow pond lilies,-the latter in two species, one much larger than the other; the bladder-worts are also found. "In August the hibiscus or swamp rose- mallow may be found on its banks, while in the river itself is the water-marigold and the beautiful floating- heart.

" The family of composites is largely represented at all seasons of the year. The dandelion, golden-rods, asters, cone-flower, wild sunflower, trumpet, iron- weed, thistle, hawk-wecds, climbing hemp-weed, ele- campane, white-weed or ox-eye daisy, and tansy are of this family. Among the orchids are the lady's- slipper, pogonia and arethusa, four or five species of rein-orchis, including the ragged-fringed aud the pur-

853

BEDFORD.

ple-fringed, the rattlesnake plantain, two species of ladies' tresses, the calopogon and rarely the coral- root.

"There are a few parasitic plants found in Bedford, the dodder being one of the commonest ; the Indian- pipe is found in some of our woods and in many pine woods, the pine sap or false beechdrops, and rarely the one-flowered cancer-root. Rushes, sedges and ferns are also found here and furnish interesting study to any one enjoying the science of botany."

CHAPTER LXXXV.

BEDFORD -. (Continued).

Early Method of Collecting Taxes-Some Early Customs and Improvements.

FOR many years the town was divided for the pur- pose of taxation into classes. They were designated as the south list and the north list. The two con- stables were the authorized collectors and the duty of levying the tax fell to the selectmen. The tax for each department of government was assessed by itself, which made the duties of these officers the most im- portant within the gift of the town.

In the year 1736, after the expenses of organizing the town and church had been met, the rates and portions were as follows and entered upon the records as here given :

£. 8. d. £. 8. d.

Province tax

67 2 6

Nathaniel Page is to collect

36 6 3 North

Daniel Taylor is to collect 30 18 9 South

County tax

4 9 6

Nathaniel Page is to collect 2 8 3 North

Daniel Taylor is to collect 2 1 3 South

Rev. Mr. Bowes' salary 120 0 0

Nathaniel Page is to collect

64 14 2 North

Daniel Taylor is to collect 55 5 10

South

Town and School tax .

91 9 0

Nathaniel Page is to collect 49 11 8 North

Daniel Taylor is to collect 41 17 4 South

Constables were required to use severe means, even to resort to imprisonment, to secure the collection of the " rates."

The following is a copy of the warrant issued to the constable for the collection of the taxes in 1743 : (But two punctuation marks appear in the original, and they might be regarded as accidental)

" Middx Sa. To Zacheriah Fitch one of the const of the Town of Bed- ford Greeting In his Majestys name you are Required to levy and col- lect of the several parsons named in the list herewith committed unto you each his respective proportion therein set down of the snm total of such list being fare assesment granted and agreed npon hy the Inhahit- anta of the town of Bedford Regularly assemhled for defreying the nessa- tary charges arising with in the same and to deliver and pay in the sum and sums which shall so levy and collect unto John Whitmore Town Treasurer or where you shall have orders from the selectmen, and to compleat and make up an accompt of your collections of the whole zum at or before the first day of June next in serving the date hear of and if any parson or parsons shall neglect or refuse to make payment of the sum or sums whereat he or they are Respectively assessed and set in the

said list to destrain the goods or chiattles of such parson or parsons to the value thereof and the distress or distresses so taken to keep by the space of four days at the cost and charge of the owner and if the owner do not pay the sum or sums of money so assessed upon him with four days than the sd distress or distresses so taken you are to expose and openly sell at an out-cry for payment of sd money and charges notice of such sail being posted np in some publick place within the same Town Twenty fore hours before hand and the over pluse coming by the sd sail If any be heside the sum or sums of the assessment and the charges of taking and keeping of the distress and distresses to be Imediately restored to the owner and for want of goods or chattels whereon to make distress you are to seese the hodie or hodies of the parsonfor parsons so refusing and him or them commit unto the common goal of the said County there to remain until he or they pay and satisfie the several sum or sumns whereat they are Respectively assessed as aforesaid unless upon aplication made to the Court of general Sessions of the peace the same or any part there- of he abatted

Dated in Bedford october yo 17th day 1743 by orders of the assessors ISRAEL PUTNAM

Town Clerk."

The following is the tax-list of Bedford in 1748 :

South List .- Samuel Bacon, Stephen Davis, James Dodson, Joseph Fitch, Zachariah Fitch, Peter Fasset, John Fasset, Benjamin Fasset, Joseph Hartwell, Henry Harrington, William Hastings, James Housten, John Merriam, Amos Merriam, Samuel Merriam, Nathaniel Merriam, John Moore, Joseph Meads, Walter Powers, Paul Raymond, William Raymond, Edward Stearns, James Rankin, David Taylor, Thomas Woolly, Jonathan Woolly, Thomas Woolly, Jr., Richard Wheeler, Sam- uel Whitaker. North List .- Obed Abbot, Josialı Bacon, Josiah Bacon, Jr., Benjamin Bacon, Michael Bacon, John Bacon, Thomas Bacon, Jonas Bowman, James Chambers, John Corbet, Samnel Dutton, Benja- min Danforth, Coruelius Dandley, Benjamin Fitch, Jeremiah Fitch, Jo- siah Fasset, Jonathan Grimes, Benjamin Hutchinson, Timothy Hartwell, Benjamin Kidder, Deacon Joh Lane, Col. John Lane, Capt. James Lane, John Lane, Jr., Joh Lane, Jr., John Lane, (3d), Timothy Lane.

The basis of suffrage in 1810 appears in the warrant for the spring meeting: "To the freeholders and other votable inhabitants of said town, qualified to vote in town-meetings, namely, such as pay to one single tax, besides the poll or polls, a sum equal to two-thirds of a single poll tax."

In 1812 "a voter must have been a resident for the space of one year, and have been taxed during said time for his poll. The property qualification was then declared to be a "freehold income of ten dollars or other property valued at $200."

The changes in the observance of funeral rites, as indicated by the records of this town, have been as great as in any direction. The custom of holding any religious service at the burial of the dead was not general when this town was incorporated, but it was the custom to furnish mourning friends with certain articles of wearing apparel, and the custom was ob- served in some families in a modified form until a much later date. The following receipt is self-ex- plaining :

"Boston, June 24, 1715, Recd. of Mr. Job Lane, of Billerica, ye sum of ten pounds, at twice, for gloves for ye funeral of his father." " I say reced hy me .- BENJ. FITCH."

Rev. Samuel Stearns was instrumental in breaking up the drink habit at funerals, which was carried to a most ridiculous extreme in some cases. In 1804 the town voted "That the practice of carrying round drink publicly or in a public manner, and also of in- viting the bearers to return to the house of mourning after the funeral, be laid aside." It was also voted

854

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

" That notice be given to those who are desired to of- ficiate as bearers, previous to the time appointed for attending the funeral. That two or more suitable persons be appointed by the town to superintend on these solemn occasions. That prayer be attended in one hour after the time appointed for the funeral." In 1817, after the erection of the new meeting-house, and purchase of the new bell, it was voted "That the bell should be tolled one hour before the time set for the funeral service. It was also customary to notify the people of the death of a fellow-citizen by tolling the bell and indicating the age of the deceased by the number of strokes of the bell. On the Sabbath fol- lowing a death, all of the members of the family were expected to attend the service of public worship at the meeting-house and present written petitions for a remembrance in the "long prayer." The "note for prayers" was expressed according to the case-that of a widow was as follows: " Mrs. B. desires prayer that the death of her husband may be sanctified to her and her family for their spiritual good." Petitions were also sent in for prayers for recovery of the sick, or delivery from impending danger. It was expected that the pastor would make early calls on Monday following, upon all of the sick who had thus asked an interest in the public prayer.

In 1810 Mr. William Page gave a hearse to the town. Until that time the dead were carried to the burial-ground on the shoulders of men. When intox- icating liquor was too freely used the scene became most disgraceful. It was a repetition of these scenes that led to the action of reform by the town.

The erection of the frame of a building-" a raising " -was an occasion where the su'slime and ridiculous were strangely combined. The people of the town assembled in large companies, and aided in putting the massive oak timbers together and pulling the frame into place, a side at a time. The minister was ex- pected to attend and offer prayer during the work, and all were treated to as much liquor as they would drink. At the raising of Colonel Timothy Jones' house, about the year 1780, tradition says, the Rev. Mr. Penniman gratified his appetite for strong drink so much that he offered one of his most peculiar ad- dresses to the Deity, and when returning home fell from his horse and lost his wig. This was found by the boys, and some days later put in a hollow log near his house, when the owner was called upon by the boys to assist in eapturing a wood-chuck that had lodged in the log, and there found his much-needed article of dress, instead of the little animal.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

WILLIAM RICHARDSON HAYDEN, M.D.

The subject of this sketeh was born in Salem, Mass., May 7, 1820, in a house on the opposite corner to the one in which White was murdered by the Knapps

and Crowninshield. In 1821 his parents removed to Moultonborough, N. H., where they lived a few years, and William was sent to the village school for a brief term. The family next moved to Boston, which was to be the scene of the boy's development into man- hood. He attended the North Bennet Street School, under the instruction of "Master Capen." His father was lost at sea, and the family having no re- served means, the mother was thrown upon her own resources for their support.

About this time William entered the law-office of the Hon. James T. Austin & Sons, Joy's Building, as errand boy, for the liberal salary of one dollar per week, where he remained one year, at the end of which time he went to live in the family of Mr. An- sel Lueas, at South Abington, Mass., where he had the opportunity of attending school, and where he made good progress. At the end of eighteen months Mr. Lueas moved to Eel River, now Chiltonvilie, a suburb of Plymouth, where he remained until the death of Mrs. Lucas, who was a most estimable .lady, and very much beloved by all who knew her.

William, who was then sixteen years old, returned to Boston, to be his own lord and master, with but little experience in the ways of the business world. Being of a sanguine temperament the future appeared to him to be all beauty and sunshine. Oh, Youth ! Oh, Hope ! angel's of beauty and love, you are kind only to be cruel, and when dark elouds overcast your gorgeously painted sky, despair is near. William soon found that the price of honest bread was labor, and that he must find employment, which he did with Mr. Tucker, one of the original conductors on the Boston & Worcester Railroad, in delivering letters, packages and money parcels from the railroad to par- ties in Boston, dividing with Mr. Tucker the proceeds of this primitive express business. At that time Mr. Harnden was ticket master in the Boston & Worces- ter depot, which position he resigned to succeed young Hayden, and at that time commenced the reg- ular express business between Boston and New York, which has now become so important and extensive.

The next scene was the pit of the old Flag Alley Theatre, and the first appearance of our hero in a play- house. The mimic world was a new revelation, and from that hour he was simply " stage-struck." He hung around the stage-door to see the tinsel kings, queens and villains enter and exit. They were the beings of romance.

The next scene was the old Fredonia Society, in Devonshire Street, where John B. Gough, William O. Eaton, John Salmon, George A. Wyatt and other noted amateurs delighted the "Hoodlums " and our subjeet played Doric in " A Race for a Dinner." The favor accorded to the Fredonia gave life to the His- trionie Society, which was well fitted up for the times in Castle Hall, corner of Castle and Washington Streets, which sent forth several noted actors, amongst them James Stark, Octavus Johnson, Harry Paul

855

BEDFORD.

and others. There was a rivalry between Stark and Hayden for leading parts. At one time Mr. Stark, being manager, and desiring to play the leading part in the play called "The Seven Clerks ; or, The Three Thieves and the Denouncer," cast Hayden in a minor comic part out of his line, much to his chagrin. Feeling the slight and that he should not do himself credit, he went on the stage sure that he would fail, but instead of that he made a brilliant success, play- ing the part twenty-one nights to overflowing houses. He was afterwards elected president and manager of the society, but as there was no income from amateur theatricals, he entered the Old National Theatre under William Pelby as a supernumerary and assistant property man.

The child prodigy, Miss Davenport, during an en- gagement at " The National," in one scene of a play in which she appeared had to pay off some factory help, who filed before her and received their tin money. Several passed her in due order accepting their pittance, when our hero, being the last and not being satisfied with his part and aspiring to be author and actor, accepted the coin with all the disdain of which he was master, threw it upon the stage, and with folded arms stalked down to the foot lights and out at the prompter's entrance. The audience saw the " gag " and cheered the "supe" to the echo. Man- ager Pelby was a witness of the debut, and coming down to Wright, the prompter, exclaimed, " Who in hell is that boy ?" On being informed he said, "Give him some small business ; he will rise." Desiring to obtain a position in the company of the Old Lion Theatre, there being no opeuing for a novice, he ac- cepted a place as a supernumerary in the play of " Ma- zeppa." The actor who had a short speech to make as a sentinel on a bridge, being taken suddenly ill, the manager gave orders to have one of the supernumer- ies placed on the bridge and when Mazeppa entered the wing and motioned him to go off, he should do so. Hayden was the one placed there, and having become familiar with the lines, he, instead of leaving the bridge, went on with the part, much to the surprise and satisfaction of the manager, and continued in the part until the piece was withdrawn. He next joined a strolling company of players as leading man and "did " some of the prominent towns in this State. The business was bad, the manager stranded, and his company with empty pockets were obliged to " foot it to Boston." Mr. Hayden established the Dramatic Mirror, which, however, after a few months, died of what the doctors would call " marasmus." He next became a clerk for Mr. George W. Redding, a news agent at No. 8 State Street, Boston.

When W. H. Smith, the eminent actor, was man- ager of the Boston Museum, he gave Mr. Hayden an engagement at that theatre, but on account of sickness this engagement was canceled, and, much to his re- gret, his theatrical career closed.

Dr. Hayden has been thrice married --- first to Re-

becca Wyman Erskine, in 1840, by whom he had three children, one of whom still survives (Mrs. R. W. Rouse, of Port Richmond, New York). Mrs. Hayden died in 1847.

For his second wife, in 1850, he married Maria B. Trenholm, of Falmouth, a lady possessing remarkable intellectual abilities. In 1866 she graduated in New York as a physician, and for several years hada large and influential practice, and was on the Board of Medical Censors. Mrs. Hayden had four children, two of whom survive her, she dying in 1884.

In 1885, for the third wife, he married Sarah Hol- den Everctt, by whom he has three children, who are now living.

In 1845 he commenced the study of medicine, grad- uating in New York City, where he followed his pro- fession for eleven years, when he moved East to accept the presidency of the New York Pharmaceutical Company the laboratory of which is now in successful operation, making 350 medicinal preparations for the physicians and druggists, three of them being special- ties from original prescriptions of Dr. Hayden, and are in high repute with the medical profession. They are THE COMPOUND PHOSPHORUS PILLS, THE URIC SOLVENT and HAYDEN'S VIBURNUM COM- POUND, the latter having a most extensive sale, and being of a remarkable character. The company has received and published the written testimonials of more than five thousand physicians, being more than was ever before given by the profession for any other special remedy in the history of medicine. At the end of the first year after the incorporation of the company it virtually failed, and proposed to close up the business. To this Dr. Hayden objected and en- deavored to arrange to carry on the works on his own responsibility, After much negotiation a trade was made, which at the end of twenty-four years is a great suceess.

In 1867, when Dr. Hayden came to Bedford, there was no railroad nearer to Bedford and the Springs than Lexington (six miles distant). Dr. Hayden went before the Legislature and obtained a charter for a line from Lexington to Bedford, which was built by the Middlesex Central Railroad Company.

The next move was for a narrow-gauge road from Bedford to the Springs and North Billerica, which was also built, Dr. Hayden being the second president of the road, which practically was a success. Dr. Hayden, who desired this road changed to a standard- gauge road, enlisted in its behalf the co-operation and able services of Mr. Mellen, the general manager of the Boston & Lowell Railroad, without whose favor it would not have been done. Some idea may be gained of Dr. Hayden's labors when we state that at one time he was president of the New York Pharma- ceutical Company ; working chemist and pharmacist, doing all the compounding in the laboratory ; land- lord of the Springs House Hotel for sixteen years ; having for six or eight years the larger 'part of the

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 202

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