History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 63

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 63

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The orator selected for this important occasion was a son of Col. Simeon Spaulding. After completing his studies he taught school for several years and then entered the medical profession. In 1806 he removed to Amherst, N. H., where he lived to a great age. The following brief notice of his death, in 1865, appeared in the Boston Traveller :

"The venerable and eminent physician, Dr. Mat- thias Spalding, died on Monday last, aged ninety-six years. He was born at Chelmsford, Mass., June 28, 1769, and graduated at Cambridge University in 1798."

DEATH OF REV. THOMAS CLARK .- The people were called to mourn the death of their pastor, Rev. Thomas Clark, which occurred December 7, 1704, in the fifty-second year of his age and thetwenty-seventh of his ministry. We have but little material from which to estimate the character of the man. No church records relating to the period of his ministry are preserved. The few modest requests which he made of the town were readily granted. The calm,

judicial spirit with which he dealt with the case of witchcraft which occurred during his pastorate well illustrates his character. His descendants were peo- ple of intelligence and force of character. Governor John Hancock, whose name is appended to the im- mortal Declaration of Independence, in the well- known bold and striking characters, was his grandson.

REV. SAMSON STODDARD, of Boston, the third min- ister of Chelmsford, was ordained November 6, 1706. An ordination was a great social event, and elaborate preparations were made to provide for the guests who assembled.

In 1713 Mr. Stoddard preached the election sermon. Sewal pronounced it "an excellent discourse."

The old meeting-house, which had served the peo- ple from the first settlement, of the town, was now go- ing to decay. It had been repaired in 1702 "both wtout Side to keep out rain and snow, & also within- side such Inlargement as may be needful & in pertic- ular A long table from onc allee to another." In 1705 the people in the west part of the towu petitioned that the proposed new meeting-house " be set in the senter of the toune." This, if acceded to, would have taken it to Chestnut Hill, and might have pre- vented the formation of the west part into a new town. which occurred a few years later.

DEATH OF REV. SAMSON STODDARD, AND W EST- FORD SET OFF .- The struggle of the people in the west part of the town for the formation of a separate precinct was begun in 1713, and continued from time to time until the object was accomplished in 1724. The separatiou was made complete by the incorpora- tion of the town of Westford, September 23, 1729.

Rev. Samson Stoddard was a person of delicate mental and physical organization. His arduous pa- rochial duties and financial difficulties, which he was unable to meet, produced a severe strain upon his powers.

During the last years of his ministry he manifested symptoms of a disordered mind. His death, by sui- cide, occurred August 23: 1740, in the thirty-fourth year of his ministry. His body was found in the par- sonage well. The railroad passenger depot now stands over the well.

REV. EBENEZER BRIDGE .- On December 30th, of the same year, a unanimous call was extended to Rev. Ebenezer Bridge, to become their pastor. He was ordained to the sacred office May 20, 1741.

Mr. Bridge was a native of Boston. After complet- ing his studies at Harvard University he engaged for a time in teaching.

His theological studies were pursued under the di- rection of Rev. Wm. Welstcad, pastor of the North Church, Boston. In October, 1741, he married Miss Sarah Stoddard, the third daughter of Rev. Samson Stoddard.

Mr. Bridge was a man of strong character, and he exerted a wide influence iu the trying times through which the country passed during his ministry. In

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person " his stature was large and commanding, his manners grave and dignified. He possessed great social powers, and was a communicative friend and pleasant companion." Although his style was some- what negligent and diffuse, "he was an acceptable, animated and searching preacher. His creed partook of the orthodox of the day," but " he was a strenuous advocate for liberty of conscience and the rights of private judgment." Mr. Bridge's influence was not confined to his immediate field of labor, He main- tained a wide circle of acquaintances. He enter- tained liberally, and among the guests at the parson- age were often persons widely honored. He has left a voluminous diary,1 which coutains a fund of infor- mation, and gives us an insight into the daily life of a country parson in the colonial days.

Up to the time of Bridge's pastorate there had been but one religious society in town, except during the brief time between the formation of the West Pre- cinct and its incorporation as a town. But the preaching of the eminent Whitefield, which so stirred the people and created such a disturbance among the churches, produced a di-affection, espec- ially among the people of the south part of the town, which the parson was powerless to prevent. The preaching of one Hide, a tailor, in the south part of the town, drew away some of the people, by which the good parson was much exercised.

Whitefield himself once preached in this town, at the house of a Mr. Birge, where Israel L. Putnam now lives, on South Street, and it is related that by a singular incident, Parson Bridge was himself an un- willing listener to the discourse.2 " Before the hour of the meeting arrived Parson Bridge called at the house in order to dissuade the owner, if possible, from al- lowing it to be held. While he argued long with Mr. Birge, the crowd thronged the house to such a degree that the pastor was unable to recover his hat, which had been left in another room, and he was, therefore, unwillingly constrained to hear the sermon out with the rest."

In 1753 a petition was presented to the Court for the formation of a district in Carlisle. In 1758 a rude church was erected there. In 1780 Carlisle was formed into a separate precinct, and in 1805 incorpo- rated as a town. By this act Chelmsford lost about seventeen families and a considerable amount of ter- ritory. In 1754, 300 acres of land on the northerly side of the town were set off to Dunstable. This makes a point of land belonging to Tyngsboro' ex- tending into Chelmsford.

NEW MEETING-HOUSE .- In 1709 the town voted to build a new meeting-house upon the site of the old one, "and a Terit to hang the bell in."

Social distinctions were much more rigidly ob- served than in these more democratic times. The

people were seated in church in accordance with the rank which they occupied. These seats were assigned by a committee chosen from time to time by tlie town, consisting of the most dignified characters.

SLAVERY .- In Parson Bridge's time some negrocs were held as slaves in this town, as appears fromn sev- eral entries in this diary. March 3, 1772, he records : "married Prince, a negro man belonging to William Kittridge, of Tewksbury, and Zulee, a mulatto girl belonging to Dr. Nehemiah Abbott, of this town; was offered one dollar as a fee, but took none." August 7, 1761, " attended the funeral of Titus, an aged negro of widow Rebecca Parker."

By the declaration of rights contained in the new Constitution of 1780, Massachusetts has the honor of having been the first of the American States to abol- ish slavery within her limits.

Several entries in Bridge's diary similar to the fol- lowing show that the second meeting-house, which had stood eighty years, was now going to decay : " May 15, 1791, Preached all day, but omitted reading by reason of the pulpit being so wet after the rain." The good pastor who had for more than fifty years ministered from this pulpit was nearing the close of his mortal existence. His death occurred October 4, 1792, the same year in which a new house of worship was erected.

Upon the death of Mr. Bridge a day of fasting and prayer was appointed by the town, and seven of the ministers of adjoining towns were invited to par- ticipate in the services.

REV. HEZEKIAH PACKARD accepted a call by the church and town and was ordained October 16, 1793.

By his agency in establishing the Chelmsford Social Library in 1794, Mr. Packard has left an en- during monument to his memory. This library was incorporated in January, 1812, under the name of " Proprietors of the Social Library in the town of Chelmsford." Allen estimated its value at about $1000. Until recently the books have been dispensed from the house of the librarian. Because of the want of a suitable public place for the library its growth was slow. Since it has been placed in the town-house public interest in it has revived and the yearly circu- lation of the books has much increased.

Mr. Packard built and occupied the house now owned by David A. Bussell. His son, the late Pro- fessor Alpheus S. Packard, of Bowdoin College, was born here.

The resignation of Mr. Packard concluded his con- nection with the church July 5, 1802.

REV. WILKES ALLEN was ordained as pastor No- veinber 16, 1803. Mr. Allen was a son of Elnathan and Lydia (Pratt) Allen, of Shrewsbury, Massachu- setts. He graduated from Harvard College in 1801. In November 13, 1805, he married Mary Morrill, daughter of Deacon James Morrill, of Boston. Their children were James Morrill, born October 5, 1806 ; Charles Hastings, born March 11, 1809; Wilkes, born

1 Now in the possession of a descendant, B. M. Fiske, of Boston. 2 B. P. Hunt.

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December 30, 1810; John Clark, born November 12, 1815 (?) ; and Nathaniel Glover, born January 22, 1816.

Mr. Allen was the author of a "History of Chelms- ford," which was published in 1820-a work which forever identifies his name with the town.

REVOLUTIONARY MONUMENT .- The monument in honor of the citizens of the town who fell in the War of the Revolution was erected in 1859. Charles H. Dalton was the prime mover in this patriotic enter- prise. The monument, composed of Chelmsford gran- ite, was dedicated September 22, 1859. The principal address was delivered by Willard Parker, M.D., of New York, president of the Monument Asssociation ; H. W. B. Wightman, was president of the day ; Rev. John Parkhurst, chaplain ; Dr. J. C. Bartlett, di- rector of the choir, and Otis Adams, chief marshal.

LAWYERS .- Previous to the growth of so many manufacturing towns in the State, Chelmsford occu- pied a position of much greater relative importance than it does to-day. This is shown by the character of the men who were attracted to it as a place for the practice of the professions.

In January, 1772, Stephen Scales, A. M., settled in town to engage in the practice of the law.

What promised to be a brilliant career was sud- denly cut short by death, November 5th of the same year. Mr. Bridge records :

" This morning died very suddenly Stephen Scales, at the honse of Sampson Stoddard ; he had been confined with the measles, was able to walk abont the house, but took cold, seized with an apoplectic attack, fell ont of h's chair and died in a few minutes. He was Tutor at Har- vard Coll., since studied law & was a practitioner in the business, a man of strong power of mind, a great scholar, & very considerable lawyer for his age & the time he hath practiced; he bid fair to be a very useful and serviceable as well as honorable man in life, but at once is at an end as to this life & world, an affecting stroke in Providence & may the Lord sanctify it."

The following high tribute to his character and talents appeared in The Massachusetts Gazette and the Boston Weekly News-Letter, Thursday, November 12, 1772 :

" We hear from Chelmsford, that on Thursday Morning last STEPHEN SCALES, Esq., several years a Tutor at Harvard College, but lately in the Study of the Law, was seized with a Numbness in one of his Hands, which increased so fast that he died within ten Minutes. He was a gentleman of superior Genius, improved by a thorough Acquaint- ance with the varions Branches of Science,-faithful in the Discharge of his Dnty in the College,-of strict Integrity, and exemplary Virtue- and of so great proficiency in the study of the Law that he was truly an Honor to the Profession into which he had entered."

His tombstone, upon which is a lengthy inscription in Latin, stands at the right, and very close to, the central path in the old cemetery.

Within two weeks from the death of Mr. Scales, Mr. Jonathan Williams Austin, a young man of great promise, just admitted to the bar, took up his resi- dence in town to follow the profession of the law. Bridge's diary contains the following reference to him :

" Nov. 18, 1772. Mr. Jona. William Austin, who came into town last night, dined with me and spent the P.M. ; he comes to settle with us as

a Lawyer. He brought letters to me reccommendatory from Rev. Dr. Chauucy & Cooper."

He was born in Boston, April 18, 1751, and grad- uated from Harvard College in 1769. He studied law in the office of John Adams, and, doubtless, had imbibed something of the patriotic fervor of that il- lustrious statesman, as he immediately became promi- nent in the agitation then going on with the mother country. He represented the town, with Samuel Perham, as delegate to the Middlesex Convention, which met at Concord, August 16, 1774, and, though then but twenty-three years of age, he was selected by the convention for the chairman of the committee to draw up the resolutions expressing the sentiments of the people upon the grave questions which con- fronted them. The resolutions, which were adopted by a vote of seventy-four to four, conclude with the following ringing sentences :

\"Our fathers left a fair inheritance to us, purchased by a waste of blood and treasure. This we are resolved to transmit equally fair to our children after ns. No danger shall affright, no difficulties intimidate us ; and if, in support of our riglits, we are called to encounter even death, we are yet undaunted, sensible that he can never die too soon who lays down his life in support of the laws and liberties of his country."

He showed himself to be a man of action as well as of words, for he gave his life in support of those principles so dear to him. He entered the service upon the opening of hostilities; was a major in 1775, commandant at Castle William in 1776, and died in the army to the southward in 1778 or 1779.

John Wythe, A.M .- A graduate of Harvard in 1760. Settled in Chelmsford 1778. Afterwards removed to Lexington, and from there to Cambridge, where he died.1

Samuel Dexter, LL. D., the statesman, who occu- pied, besides other high positions, that of United States Senator from Massachusetts, practiced law for a time in this town, coming here in 1786. He re- moved to Billerica and after to Charlestown. He died in the State of New York in 1816.

In 1800 Asahel Stearns, A.M., opened an office at Pawtucket Falls. In 1814 he represented the district in the Congress of the United States. He removed to Charlestown in 1815, and three years later accepted the position of College Professor of Law in Harvard University.

Joel Adams, A.M., was a son of Timothy Adams, of this town. His birth-place was what is now the Shehan place, in District 5. He graduated from Harvard College in 1805, and began the practice of law in 1808. His residence was that now occupied by his grandson, C. E. A. Bartlett. His office stood between his house and what is now Jonathan Lar- com's. He was known as a sagacious counselor and shrewd man of business. He removed to Lowell, and was president of the Prescott Bank, and was connected with other financial institutions. Later

1 Allen.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

in life he relinquished the practice of his profession and again took up his residence at his old home in Chelmsford.

In 1813 Nathaniel Wright, A.M., entered the law- office of Asahel Stearns, at Pawtucket Falls. When the latter withdrew to a wider field, Wright suc- ceeded him in business. He at once became identified with the rising fortunes of Lowell ; was the chairman of its first Board of Selectmen, and later its mayor. He died November 5, 1858, aged seventy-three years.

PHYSICIANS .- Of the physicians who practiced in the town in the early days little is known. The list given by Allen begins witlı,-

Dr. Anthony Emery, A.M., who graduated from Harvard in 1736, and commenced practice in 1740.

In 1748 Samuel King, M.D., came from Littleton. He afterwards removed to Chesterfield, N. H.

Dr. Jonas Marshall commenced practice in 1765. His residence was that now owned by Mr. C. W. Byam, on the south slope of Robins Hill. A magnificent elm, standing beside Mr. Byam's house, was brought by the doctor on horseback from his former home in Fitchburg. He was long remem- bered as an active man and successful practitioner.

In 1776 his wife and two daughters died of small- pox, which was communicated by a soldier return- ing from the war, to whom they had afforded hos- pitality. Their bodies were the first interred in the South Chelmsford Cemetery. He removed to Fitch- burg in 1783.

Dr. Nehemiah Abbott came from Andover in 1772. He built and occupied the house which has long been known as the "ark," at the corner of the South Chelmsford road. He died July 13, 1785.

Dr. Walter Hastings graduated from Harvard, 1771 ; commenced practice in 1776; died December 2, 1782, aged thirty.

. Dr. Timothy Harrington, a graduate of Harvard, 1776 ; came here in 1782. His residence was what is now owned by Gilbert Wright. He died Febru- ary 28, 1802, aged forty-eight.

Dr. John Betty was a native of the town. He was a soldier in the Revolution. He began prac- tice in 1792. His residence was that now owned and occupied by B. O. Robbins, near the Soutlı Chelmsford Cemetery. He is still remembered by the older citizens.

Dr. Ichabod Gibson, from Lunenburg, commenced practice in 1792. He built and occupied what is now the residence of C. E. A. Bartlett. He died May 10, 1810.

Dr. Matthias Spalding, a son of Colonel Simeon Spalding, commenced practice in 1802. He removed to Amherst, N. H., in 1805.

Dr. Oliver Scripture, from New Ipswich, N. H., commenced practice in 1807. His residence was upon the site of the house now occupied by Mr. W. H. Hoyt, on South Street. He removed to Hollis, N. H., in 1818.

Dr. Rufus Wyman was born in Woburn, Mass., July 16, 1778. He graduated from Harvard College in 1799. He studied medicine under the direction of Dr. Jolin Jeffries. The following degrees were conferred upon him by Harvard : A.M. and M.D. in 1804, M.M.S. in 1811, and later A.A.S. He settled in Chelmsford in 1805. His residence was the house now occupied by Timothy Adams, upon the Billerica road.

Dr. Wyman gained so high a reputation in the pro- fession that when the McLcan Asylum for the Insane was started in Charlestown (now Somerville) he was chosen, March 28, 1818, as its first superintendent and physician. The appointment proved a fortunate one. Notwithstanding the popular prejudice then existing against hospitals of that kind, the number of patients presented for treatment constantly increased, as well as generous contributions for the support of the institution. He resigned his position in 1835. His death occurred in Roxbury June 22, 1842.

When Dr. Wyman removed from Chelmsford, to accept the appointment of superintendent of the Mc- Lean Asylum at Charlestown, a public meeting of the citizens was called to express their high esteem and respect for Dr. Wyman and to request him to appoint a successor.

He complied with their wish and introduced Dr. John C. Dalton to the people of Chelmsford. In mak- ing this choice he displayed his characteristie saga- city, and laid the people under further obligations of gratitude to him.

Dr. Dalton was born in Boston May 31, 1795. He entered Harvard College in 1810, where he acquired scholarly tastes which he retained through life. He received his degree of M.D. from Cambridge in 1818.

Dr. Dalton lived while in Chelmsford at what is now called the " syndicate farm." He was a gentle- man of accomplished manners and an ardent lover of his profession.

After thirteen years' practice he removed to Lowell, in 1831. During his residence of nearly thirty years in that city he occupied an honored position both as a physician and citizen. He died in Boston, Jan. 9, 1864.

Dr. Paul Kittredge, one of this famous family of doctors, succeeded to the practice of Dr. Dalton, coming to Chelmsford from Littleton in 1831. He was a son of Dr. Benj. Kittredge, of Tewksbury, where he was born Aug. 29, 1784. He studied with his uncle, Dr. Jesseniah Kittredge, of Walpole, N. H. He took his degree, was admitted to the Massachu- setts Medical Society, and then began the practice of his profession at Littleton, Mass., in 1810, where he remained until he came to Chelmsford in 1831. Dr. Kittredge built and occupied the residence of the late Adams Emerson, Esq., had an extensive practice, and was often called, especially in cases of surgery, far beyond the usual circle of his practice. He had a fam- ily of fourteen children, four of whom were physicians.

AB. Edwards

Veve Howard

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CHELMSFORD.

One of these, Francis M. Kittredge, familiarly known as Doctor Frank, was a graduate of Dartmouth Col- lege. He was asociated with his father in business for several years, and upon the death of the latter, Aug. 10, 1845, succeeded to the practice. In 1848 he disposed of his interests in Chelmsford to Levi How- ard, M.D., and removed to Lowell. He died in Cali- fornia Feb. 13, 1878.

Dr. Nathan B. Edwards was born in Westford, Mass. He was educated at Groton Academy and Dartmouth College, studied medicine with Dr. Eli- sha Huntington, of Lowell, and received the degree of M.D. from the Berkshire Medical Institute in 1844. The year following he settled in practice at North Chelmsford.

It is somewhat difficult to write unreservedly of persons now living, but after a residence of forty-five years among us a person's reputation may be supposed to rest upon a somewhat substantial foundation.

It is not too much to say that no person in Chelms- ford was ever held in more universal respect than Dr. Edwards. Notwithstanding the somewhat exact- ing duties of his profession, movements for the edu- cational, moral, religious, political or materialinterests of the people have ever found in him an earnest supporter.

He has filled, at one time or another almost, every position to which his townsmen could elect him.

He has kindly furnished that portion of this art- icle which relates to the manufactures at North Chelms- ford. .

His appearance indicates a vigor which promises to continue his usefulness for many years to come.

Dr. John C. Bartlett was born in Charlestown, Mass., ()ct. 5, 1808, and graduated from Bowdoin College, Maine, in 1828. Having decided upon the medical profession, he studied with Dr. Thompson, of Charles- town, and attended lectures at Harvard University, graduating in 1831. He soon after settled in Chelms- ford, where he continued in practice nearly forty-six years. Dr. Bartlett entered upon his work with the very best preparatory training. His standard of pro- fessional honor was high, and he never neglected a call of duty. Quackery or imposition of any kind gained his decided opposition.

Although of a somewhat aristocratic bearing, he was one of the kindest of neighbors, and a man uni- versally respected for the uprightness of his life. He possessed fine musical tastes, and was for many years chorister of the Unitarian Society.

He was active in the cause of temperance and in- terested in education.

He held the position of president of the board of trustees of Westford Academy for many years. He died Jan. 13, 1877, aged seventy-two. The esteem in which he was held by his medical associates was ex- pressed in a series of resolutions adopted by the Med- ical Society.

Dr. Leci Howard was born in Bolton, Massa- 18-ii

chusetts, May 26, 1820 ; was educated at Worcester and Bridgeton Academy, Maine; studied with Dr. Lewis W. Houghton, of Waterford, Me., and was graduated from the Dartmouth Medical College in 1846. He began practice at Stillriver, Mass., where he remained two years before coming to Chelmsford. Dr. Howard proved to be a worthy successor to the long line of successful Chelmsford physicians. He was thoroughly devoted to his profession, and possess- ed of keen discernment and powers of observation which did not allow the slightest symptom to escape unnoticed ; these qualities, combined with sound judg- ment, self-reliance and devotion to his patients, gain- ed him the full confidence of the community, and he was rewarded by a wide and lucrative practice, which included not only Chelmsford, but all the adjacent towns. This he retained to the close of his life. In physique he was large and powerful, with that per- sonal magnetism born of robust health, quick sensi- bilities and ready tact. His mind was active and well developed in other fields beside the professional one, and he was a lover of literature and music; in the latter he excelled, and his skill with the violin was of a high order.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 63

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