History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 55

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 55

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logue, eross references and all, as soon after its com- pletion as the copy could be prepared. Both the labor and the cost of such a bibliographical work as was intended at the start appearcd so great that the plan was abandoned, and the printing of finding-lists adopted instead. Previously, however, an author and title catalogue of fiction was published in 1883, very soon after the library was made free. The finding- lists are now in course of publication. They are is- sued in seetions, so that one can purchase such as only interests him, if he so desires. That of fiction, and the one ineluding the departments of natural science, useful and fine arts and literature (except fiction) are now ready. Others to follow will comprise history, including travel and biography, and general works (encyclopædias, periodicals, ctc.), philosophy, religion, sociology and philology. These, of course, like any other printed catalogue, will be complete only to the time of printing, but the eard catalogue will supply the latest additions and afford ready means for the preparation of subsequent bulletins and supplements whenever they may be needed.

Library of the Middlesex Mechanic Association .- This library is so important an institution that under the head of "Libraries " not only the history of the li- brary will be presented, but also that of the associa- tion to which it belongs.

The Middlesex Mechanie Association was incor- porated June 18, 1825, on a petition of about eighty mechanies. Its name indicates that it was originally intended to embrace the county of Middlesex, but it has practically been confined in its operations to the city of Lowell. It was started as an association of mechanics only, all others, except as honorary mem- bers, being carefully excluded. Even the " overseers " of rooms in the mills were objected to as members. Women, too, were excluded even until the year 1884. However, in 1827, manufacturers were considered as mechanics and admitted. In 1829 a proposition to make all respectable persons eligible to membership was defeated, there being twelve affirmative and twenty-three negative votes.

The original admission fee was three dollars, with a quarterly assessment of twenty-five eents.

An attempt in 1830 to admit others than mechanics and manufacturers resulted in such violent dissension, that a vote was taken to sell the property of the asso- eiation ; but after several months of inaction the vote was rescinded.

During its first nine years the association had a feeble existence, a few courses of lectures only being given. But in 1834 its waning life revived. Men of influence came to its aid; the entrance fee was raised to twenty-five dollars, and 220 new members were added. Steps were taken for erecting a building for the permanent occupation of the association, and the Proprietors of Locks and Canals gave to it a lot of land on Dutton Street, valued at $4500. A building was erected in 1835 at a cost of $20,000. Donations

were made by manufacturing companies. Mr. Kirk Boott, agent of the Merrimack Company, was an es- pccially prominent benefactor. Thus, in 1835, the association secured a permanent home and a stable position.

The first story and basement of this building were, for many years, rented as stores, while the second story and attic above were used by the association. In 1870, however, and subsequently, important changes were made, and the first story is now, in part, used by the association for a banqueting-room and ante- rooms.

The hall in the second story of this building has long been, and continues to be, one of the most eligi- ble and inviting places of popular resort in the city.

The hall was opened on Saturday evening, Sept. 26, 1835, an address being delivered by Dr. Elisha Bartlett, who in the following year was elected first mayor of Lowell.

The full-length portraits which adorn this hall are worthy of special notice. They are set in massive and superb frames and do much to make the hall at- tractive.

The portrait of Abbott Lawrence was placed in the hall in 1846. The artist was Harding. The purchase money was raised in Boston by Samuel Lawrence.

The portrait of George Washington had for its artist Jane Stuart.

The portrait of Nathan Appleton, painted by Healey, was placed in the hall according to a reso- lution of the Mechanics' Association. It was painted by Healey and was completed and ready to be de- livered to the Association in Dee., 1846. Upon this occasion Mr. Appleton addressed a letter to the Asso- ciation, in which he concisely states the earliest steps in the introduction of the great cotton manufacture of Lowell. This letter is a historic treasure, Mr. Appleton having been conversant with the whole plan from the start.

The portrait of John A. Lowell was painted by Healey.

The portrait of Patrick T. Jackson was also painted by Healey,

The portrait of James B. Francis was painted by Staigg and was placed in the hall in 1878.

The portrait of Kirk Boott was placed in the hall in accordance with a vote of the Association passed Jan. 3, 1835, presenting the "thanks of the Associa- tion for the interest he had taken in its welfare, with the request that he would sit for his portrait at the ex" pense of individuals of the Association."

Within five years preceding May, 1839, the sum of $22,480 was contributed to the Association by the various manufacturing companics of the city.

The reading-room was established in 1837, twelve years after the incorporation of the Association. For many years the reading-room was in the front portion of the second story, where now is the library, the library being directly above it. The reading-room

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was originally, as at present, opened on Sunday. When the building was remodeled in 1870 the read- ing-room was removed to the rear of the second story. In recent years it has been the policy to supply it with periodicals and magazine literature, rather than daily newspapers.

In 1837 the membership of the Association rose to 250, but subsequently the number gradually de- creased until, in 1850, it was only 180.

In 1851, after repeated failures and much discussion, a vote was secured admitting all respectable persons to membership on paying an entrance fee of $12.50.

This Association opened a very successful exhi- bition of mechanic arts and inventions on Sept. 16, 1851, the receipts of which were $8488, and its ex- penses were $8284. At this exhibition, which closed Oct. 18, 1851, there were distributed as prizes, eight gold medals, sixty-five silver medals and 210 diplomas.

Another similar exhibition was held in 1857, and another somewhat less successful in 1887.

Courses of lectures, nearly half of which were scientific, were commenced in 1856, and continued for several years. However, in the early days of the Association, lectures were delivered before it. On July 5, 1827, Warren Colburn, the celebrated author of school-books and agent of the Merrimack Mills, was invited to give the first course of lectures, the admission fee to each lecture being fixed at one shilling.

In 1858 the shares were all surrendered and the fee for life membership was fixed at six dollars.

The presidents of this Association have been as follows: In 1825-26, Samuel Fechem; in 1827-28, Abner Ball; in 1829-30-31-32-33, James Russell ; in 1834-35, Joshua Swan; in 1836-37, Geo. Brownell ; in 1838-39, Alexander Wright; in 1840-41, Charles L. Tilden ; in 1842-43, James Hopkins; in 1844-45, Geo. H. Jones ; in 1846-47, Wm. A. Burke; in 1848-49, John Wright; in 1850-51, James B. Francis; in 1852-53, Andrew Moody ; in 1854-55, Joseph White; in 1856-57, Mertoun C. Bryant ; in 1858-59, Wm. A. Richardson ; in 1860-61, Sewall G. Mack ; in 1862-63, Jeremiah Clark ; in 1864, Samuel Fay ; in 1865-66. Geo. F. Richardson ; in 1867-68, Samuel K. Hutch- inson; in 1869-70, Jacob Rogers; in 1871-72, Wm. F. Salmon ; in 1873, Charles L. Hildreth ; in 1874- 75, H. H. Wilder; in 1876-77, Oliver E. Cushing ; in 1878-79, James G. Hill; in 1880-81, Benj. Walker ; in 1882-83, C. C. Hutchinson ; in 1884-85, Charles H. Allen; in 1886-87, C. C. Hutchinson ; in 1888, H. Burrage; and in 1889-90, Walter Coburn.

We give a brief account of the library proper.

This library had a humble beginning. On Jan. 4, 1827, somewhat more then a year after the incor- poration of the Association, it was voted that a li- brary should be established, and Thomas Billings was elected librarian. His salary could not have been large, for after a service of three years it was fixed at six dollars per year. The Association possessing no

building, the few books which it had collected in its early years were kept in rooms occupied also for other purposes. For example, in 1833, they were accommodated in the counting-room of Warren Col- burn, agent of the Merrimack Company. Upon the completion of the building of the Association, in 1835, these books, then about 725 in number, were placed in a low room in the third story of the build- ing and were kept there until the remodeling of the house in 1870, when the library-room and the read- ing-room directly beneath it in the second story, were, by the removal of the flooring, thrown into one lofty room having two galleries. In the main this excel- lent arrangement still exists.

In its early days this library was mainly supported by donations, the Hon. Abbott Lawrence being its largest donor.

At length lecture courses became popular, and they were relied upon for supplying funds for the purchase of books. In later years the sources of income have been assessments, rentals, new memberships and sub- scriptions.

The card catalogue system and the charging sys- tem were introduced in 1880.

The library has received donations of books and pamphlets from Kirk Boott, Charles L. Tilden, Charles Brown, Hon. T. Lyman, Hon. Caleb Cush- ing and various other men.

The annual appropriation made by the Association for the purchase of books has, of late years, usually been $500.

Among the means employed for replenishing the library have been a Japanese Tea Party in 1878, and the Hungarian Gipsy Band Concert in 1883.

In recent years an attempt has been made to cre- ate and foster among children a taste for wholesome reading, and an alcove of 1000 volumes has been set apart in the library for their use.

The annual report, dated April, 1890, makes the number of volumes in the library 20,816.

The opening of the City Library as a free library, in 1883, together with the great advantage which it enjoys in having its books purchased, and its numerous em- ployes paid from public funds, has placed the Me- chanics' Library at a great disadvantage. The man who enjoys without charge all the privileges of a large and excellent library is often slow to pay an annual assessment for the privileges of a smaller library, however excellent. But notwithstanding this serious drawback, such is the devotion of the friends of this oldest of Lowell's libraries, and the skillful management of the Library Committee and its devoted and self-sacrificing librarian, Miss M. E. Sargent, that its character and efficiency are still ably maintained. This, however, has been accomplished by raising the annual assessment from $1.50 to $5.00.

One very important reason for the attachment of many of its members to this library, is that they have free personal access to all its books. This privilege

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is so highly prized by them that they very cheerfully pay an assessment in order to enjoy it. This freedom of access has resulted in the loss of an exceedingly small number of books.

The librarians of this Association have been as fol- lows: From 1827 to 1838 inclusive, Thomas Bil- lings ; from 1838 to 1839, Wm. G. Chamberlain; from April, 1839, to October, 1839, Benj. Stevens ; from 1839 to 1848, P. P. Spalding ; from January, 1849, to May, 1849, Jesse Huse; from 1849 to July, 1850, Nathan F. Crafts; from 1850 to 1857, Joel Powers ; from 1857 to 1858, Charles Butterfield ; from 1858 to 1864, Nathan Crafts ; from 1864 to 1866, Wm. Hard- man ; from 1866 to 1871, Nathaniel Hill, Jr. ; from 1871 to 1872, Miss B. Merriam; from 1872, Miss M. E. Sargent, the present incumbent.

From necessity Lowell has no very old libraries, and the many small libraries which have, for various rea- sons, and at various times, sprung up during the com- paratively brief existence of the city, have generally had a feeble life, especially since the City Library has been made a free library.

The Young Men's Catholic Library Association, which, in 1854, was organized for the literary im- provement of its members, possesses a library of about 1000 volumes. This society, after many years of active and beneficent existence, has languished in recent years, and its library was, in 1889, temporarily closed. However, the organization is kept up, and it is proposed to re-open the library during the year 1890. The books of this library have been selected in reference to the literary wants of the young Irish- men of Lowell. Many an enterprising and intelli- gent citizen of Lowell owes his first start in intellec- tual life to this society and its library.

A notice of the Old Residents' Historical Associa- tion of Lowell is to be found upon another page. The library of this Association contains about 500 vol- umes, consisting of works of historical and anti- quarian character. It is kept in the office of Alfred Gilman, Esq., the venerable and faithful secretary of the Association. Like all libraries of this description, it has a limited number of patrons. The volumes which the Association issues from time to time, being composed of articles of historical value, read at its quarterly meetings, are much prized, and they possess . a value which grows greater and greater as the years pass away.

The Library of the Middlesex North Agricultural Society-a society noticed on another page-contained, two years since, about 350 volumes, treating mainly of agricultural subjects. Though in this collection

there were valuable books, the farmers composing the society, most of them being at a distance from the library, failed to make use of it, and, by common consent it was, two years since, donated to the Mid- dlesex Mechanics' Library.

The Library of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, of Lowell now contains about 600 volumes. In 1889 about 400 of the 1000 then belonging to the li- brary were discarded as being worthless. Libraries of this character, being largely composed of books donated by friends of the cause, and not intelligently selected to meet the known wants of young men, necessarily contain many works of no value. Donors of books do not often give away their best books. Hence it is that this library, even now, is far from having that value which a library for young men should possess. Encyclopædias and scientific works are greatly needed. Of all the instrumentalities em- ployed by this Association for the benefit of the young men of Lowell, the most poorly equipped is its library.

The efforts of the physicians of Lowell to sustain a medical library have not been successful. At one time about 250 volumes and a large number of pamphlets had been collected, but the enterprise languished, and the library has been placed in the charge of the li- brarian of the City Library, the physicians having abandoned the attempt to sustain its separate and independent existence.

The People's Club of Lowell has two branches, for the two sexes. The library of the men's branch, on John Street, contains 1101 volumes, and that of the women's branch, on Merrimack Street, 322 volumes ; total, 1423. These libraries contain historical, bio- graphical and story-books, such as are usually found in libraries, and, in addition, many other very useful and instructive volumes, which have been selected with great care, and are particularly adapted to the wants of the young men and women who frequent the rooms of the club.

The popular magazines of the day, with daily and weekly papers, are also to be found upon the tables at all times.

This club, which has now existed for eighteen years, is still prospering in its beneficent work of affording to the men and women who frequent its rooms be- tween seven and nine o'clock in the evening an agree- able resort, in which the character is improved and the intellect cultivated. It is especially beneficial to those whose only homc is a crowded boarding-house, or who, being strangers in the city, have no other home.

EMILY ROGERS

ELIZABETH POGER -

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ROGERS FORT HILL PARK .- This, the most re- cently established and far the most beautiful of the parks of Lowell, is situated in the extreme eastern part of the city. It occupies the fine and commanding swell of land long known as Fort Hill, which rises about 175 feet above the general level of the city, and presents a very pleasing and commanding view of the country far around.

Before further describing the park, however, it is proper that a brief history of Fort Hill should be given, as well as a record of the Rogers family, by whose munificence it has become the property of the city of Lowell.

In 1805 Zadock Rogers, of Tewksbury, purchased the valuable farm of 247 acres, which bordered upon the Concord River, and had for its highest point the hill on which the park is situated. This excellent farm was one of the five great farms which lay along the banks of the Merrimack and Concord Rivers and on which most of the great manufactories of Lowell have been erected.

These farms were, first, the Cheever farm, which extended along the right bank of the Merrimack above the site of the Merrimack Mills, on which were probably built all of the Lawrence and the Tremont and Suffolk Mills. It was covered with woods in the vicinity of Tilden Street and a large pasture filled the bend of the river above the Lawrence corporation. The farm contained about 109 acres. The farm- house of Mr. Cheever, the owner, is no longer stand- ing, but its site is marked by a willow tree on Cheever Street.

Next came the Fletcher farm of about 74 acres, on which have been erected the Merrimack, Boott and most of the Massachusetts Mills, the residence of the owner being not far from the junction of Merrimack and Central Streets.

Third was the farm of Nathan Tyler, father of the late Captain Jonathan Tyler, containing about 56 acres. It occupied the site of the central portion of our city, where now are Central, Prescott, Lowell and Middle Streets. The residence of Mr. Tyler was not far north of the Prescott Mills and his orchard covered grounds in the vicinity of Prescott Street.

Next, across the Concord River, was the " Gedney Estate," of 150 acres, with its stately and conspicuous old mansion-house, long known as the " Old Yellow House," which was situated on the site of the St. John's Hospital, having in front a fine row of Lom- bardy poplars. This large and valuable estate be- came the home of Judge Edward St. Loe Livermore, who purchased it, about 1816, as a pleasant retreat for his declining years after the political turmoil of his earlier life.

The fifth farm, of 247 acres, was that of Zadock Rogers, already mentioned, in whose honor the Rogers Fort Hill Park was, by his children, presented to the city of Lowell. ·

Mr. Rogers was a descendant of John Rogers, one of

the first martyrs under Queen Mary. His earliest American ancestor was John Rogers, said to be a grandson of the martyr. This aneestor was a freeman in Watertown, Mass., in 1639, but subsequently (proba- bly in 1656) removed to Billerica, where his " bouse lot" was situated near the site of the present town- house. He died in 1685-86, at the age of seventy- four years. His grave-stone, in the South Burying- ground, is still standing in Billerica. His son John was born in 1641. The latter lived just beyond North Billerica and his house, which stood about eighty rods north of the Governor Talbot house, was for somc years the extreme outpost of civilization in that direc- tion. He was killed by the Indians in 1695, at the age of fifty-four years, and two of his children were taken captive. John Rogers, the son of the latter, was born in 1680 and died in 1736, at the age of fifty-six years. Timothy, the son of the last-named John Rogers, was born in 1717 and died in' 1796, at the age of seventy- nine years. He lived in Tewksbury and was the father of Zadock Rogers, the subject of this sketch.

Zadock Rogers was born May 8, 1774, and he was thirty-one years of age when he purchased the farm, as before mentioned. The land was then a part of Tewks- bury, and was pleasantly situated on the east bank of the Concord River, the farm of Judge Livermore separ- ating it from the Merrimack. It was at that time in a low state of cultivation, but the energy of its new owner, together with the rapid increase of population which soon followed in the vicinity on account of the intro- duction of manufactures, made it one of the most val- uable farms in the State of Massachussetts. The farm- house was a large, imposing building, having in front a portico of two stories. It is an interesting incident in regard to this imposing portico, that in the memo- rable "September gale " of 1815 a large portion of it was carried completely over the house, decapitating the chimney and landing in the field beyond.

In 1837-38 Mr. Rogers erected the present spacious and substantial house on the site of the former build- ing. This house, facing, as it does, the beautiful park, occupies a most charming position.

Mr. Rogers, though always in politics a stanch Whig, having been bred a farmer, as probably all his Ameri- can ancestors were, had no ambition for publie or polit- ical honors. He loved his pleasant home, to secure which he had devoted his highest energies, and in it he lived a contented, benevolent and hospitable life. He was one of the few inhabitants of Lowell who were " to the manner born," and his name occupies a large and honorable place in the historic records of the city. He died February 16, 1844, at the age of seventy years.

Mr. Rogers married Jemima Cummings, daughter of Ebenezer Cummings, of Woburn, Mass. Their children were : Zadock, born December 21, 1806 ; Jo- seph Porter, born May 8, 1809; Emily, born Septem- ber 18, 1811; Benjamin Parker, born February 19, 1814; Elizabeth, born May 7, 1819. The mother died

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in 1861, at the age of nearly eighty-four years, and of the children only Elizabeth survives.

Benjamin Parker, the youngest son, who 'died in 1866, at the age of fifty-two years, should be specially noticed for the skill and fidelity with which he man- aged the estate and the respect and affection in which he was held by those who knew him.

Emily, a lady of devout and benevolent character, died March 14, 1864, at the age of seventy-two years.

All the children except the oldest have passed their lives unmarried on the old homestead. Such has been their attachment to their farm that they have not only been averse to leaving it, but until re- cently they have refused to part with any portion of it at any price, for the purpose of supplying building lots for the citizens of the rapidly enlarging city of Lowell.

However, in 1886, when the only surviving members of the family were the two sisters, this policy was changed. These sisters, reserving for their own resi- dence the homestead, with a small amount of land, sold the rest of the farm to a syndicate, consisting of E. A. Smith, E. W. Hoyt, F. B. Shedd and T. R. Garrity, with this condition, that they should expend upon the thirty acres known as Fort Hill the sum of $25,000 for the purpose of preparing it to be presented to the city of Lowell "to be maintained perpetually as a public park for the unrestricted use of the citi- zens of Lowell." These gentlemen, commencing the stipulated work in the spring of 1886, promptly and satisfactorily fulfilled the contract. Under the super- vision of E. A. Smith, one of the syndicate, and E. W. Bowditch, an expert landscape gardener of Boston, macadamized driveways thirty feet in width were con- structed and numerous concrete walks. These drive- ways winding up the hill are protected on either side by gutters covered with concrete. The grounds, which heretofore had been only a rough and stony pasture land, were prepared for the purpose of a park and planted with a large variety of trees, among which birch, maple, willow, poplar, spruce and catalpa abound. They are also adorned with shrubbery in every direction.

Since accepting this park, thus prepared and adorned, the city of Lowell has added greatly to its attractiveness and beauty. Under Superintendent Skene the work of adding to the trees and shrubbery and beautifying the landscape with flowers of various bues, artistically arranged, has added new attractions every year. To the toiler in the great manufactories of Lowell it is a delightful change to mount 175 feet above the level of the city and drink the pure air and view on every side, stretching far away, a landscape of unusual beauty. On the height in the park has been placed a marble tablet on which the names of the distant objects in the landscape have been chiseled and lines drawn which direct the eye of the visitor to each of these objects. The tablet thus becomes a very pleasing and instructive study. It points the be- holder to Mount Hungerand Mount Watatic, in the town of Ashby, Mass .; to Mount Monadnock, in Jaffrey, N. H .; to Mount Wachusett, in Princeton, Mass .; to Robin's Hill, in Chelmsford, Nobscott Hill, in Framingham, and Long Hill, in Lexington; to the water tower in Stoneham, the insane asylum in

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 55

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