History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 64

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 64

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He practiced his profession to within a week of his death, which occurred January 23, 1885, and was suc- ceeded in practice by his son, Amasa Howard, M.D., who is improving his capacity to rank with his hon- ored predecessors.

CHURCH HISTORY .- For upwards of a century the history of the church is so interwoven with that of the town that the history of one includes that of the other.

The religious agitation which began with Whitefield finally led to the withdrawal of members from the orginal church and the establishment of others hold- ing a different creed.

A Baptist Church was formed at South Chelmsford in 1771. The following is the record of their first meeting: "On Tuesday ye 22nd October 1771, a num- ber of men and women, baptised ou profession of faith by immersion, assembled at the house of Daniel Lock, in Chelmsford, in ye county of Middlesex, in ye prov- ince of ye Massachusetts Bay, in New England, being assisted by Mr. Bartlett of New Town, who was chosen therefor by the church of Leicester, under the pastoral care of Elder Thomas Green." 1

A meeting-house was erected in 1772. It stood near the South Chelmsford Cemetery. (This burying- ground was established in 1774, upon land given by Dr. John Bettie.) Their first pastor was Rev. Elisha Rich. The present house of worship, which is about a quarter of a mile from the site of the original one, was built in 1836. The membership of the church when they celebrated their centennial in 1871 was 134.

Rev. John Parkhurst, a native of the town, and a

1 Rev. Geo. H. Allen, Centennial Address.

274

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

graduate of Harvard University in 1811, was the pas- tor from November 13, 1822, to April, 1845.

The Central Baptist Church, composed of a mem- bership largely drawn from the mother church, was organized February 14, 1847, with Rev. John Park- hurst as pastor. This society worshiped in the Acad- emy building until the ercction of their present church edifice, in 1869, upon the historic site of Col. Samson Stoddard's house.

The venerable Father Parkhurst closed his labors with the church in 1868, after a service in the minis- try in this town of nearly half a century.

As a result of the Unitarian movement, which be- gan in 1824, the old First Church adopted that faith ; they continued, however, under the name of the First Congregational Society. The same agitation caused a division in the church at Middlesex, just established in 1824. The Unitarian portion retained the meeting- house, and called to their service Rev. Hezekiah Packard, D.D., who was ordained in 1830.

The Trinitarian members with their pastor, Rev. John A. Albro, worshiped for a time in a hall in the village, In 1836 they removed to North Chelmsford, and a meeting-house was erected. Rev. Benjamin F. Clark, was called to this church August 1, 1839, and continued to January 81, 1869, a period of nearly thirty years. Mr. Clark's influence was not confined to his immediate charge, He was an active citizen of the town, the author of several literary works, and at one time represented the district in the Massachusetts Senate.

The rapidly-growing city of Lowell drew so largely from the Middlesex Society to its various churches, that services there were discontinued. The meeting- house, after remaining unoccupied for a number of years, was purchased by the Roman Catholics and re- moved to North Chelmsford. Under the name of St. John's Church, that form of worship has continued there to the present time. The church was dedicated in July, 1860.

The St. Anne's Episcopal Society, over which the estecmed Rev. Theodore Edson presided for upwards of half of a century, was first organized in March, 1824, while the territory still formed a part of Chelmsford.

An Episcopal Society, at the centre of the town, by the name of the "Parish of St. Anne's, Chelmsford," was formed May 26, 1867. The name was changed by an act of the General Court February 27, 1888, to "Parish of All Saints." Their Gothic stone edifice was consecrated December 20, 1882.

An Orthodox Congregational Society was formed at the Centre Village in 1876. They have since erected a very neat and attractive church building.

. No New England village is completed without its church and school-house. As soon as a sufficient number of families had clustered about the manufac- turing enterprises at West Chelmsford a religious so- ciety was formed by the name of the West Chelms-

ford Union Church, and a house of worship crected in 1848. As the name implies, it was undenomina- tional in character. But in 1871, those of the Method- ist persuasion predominating, the name was changed to the West Chelmsford Methodist Episcopal Church. The present neat and attractive church was dedicated January 10, 1888.

The resignation of Rev. Wilkes Allen, October 21, 1832, closed the last of the long pastorates over the First Congregational Society. The present pastor, Rev. Joseph H. Chase, began his labors with this church in 1883.

The meeting-house now used by this historic society is the fourth which has stood upon or very near the site of the original one. The third one was destroyed by fire in 1842.

STATISTICAL .- The following statistics in regard to the present condition of the town are taken from the Massachusetts census of 1885:

Population, 2304; agricultural products, $160,009; agricultural property, $944,115; number of manufac- turing establishments, 22; capital invested, $73,368; total value of goods made and work done, $517,868; number of persons employed, 421; total wages paid, $139,717. Census of 1890, population 2693.

In the report of the assessors submitted February 28, 1890, the value of real estate assessed is given as $1,336,390; personal estate, $256,769; total valuation, $1,593,159; number of horses assessed, 480; cows, 985; swine, 186; dwellings, 593; acres of land, 14,132; the appropriation voted by the town for the support of schools, including text-books and school inciden- tals, $6700; for the support of the poor, $2300; for highways, $4000.

The report of the School Committee gives the total number of school children 463 ; average number at- tending school, 340.8; amount paid teachers, $5505; the number of schools, 15, four of which are at the centre of the town, four at North Chelmsford, one at West Chelmsford, and one each at Districts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

GEORGE T. SHELDON.1

George T. Sheldon was born in Easton, Mass., February 6, 1829. His father, Rev. Luther Sheldon, was for more than fifty years the pastor of the Con- gregational Church in Easton. His only brother, Rev. Luther H. Sheldon, a graduate of Middleborough College, after a service of many years as a Congrega- tional clergyman, is now a resident of Andover, Mass.

Mr. Sheldon received his education in the common schools, in the academy at Rehoboth, Mass., and at a private school in New Jersey. After a short service as clerk in Easton, he came to North Chelmsford, in

1 By Charlos C. Chase.

CHELMSFORD.

275

1847, when eighteen years of age, and for about three years was employed by Lincoln Drake, who was run- ning a foundry in that village. Williams, Bird & Co. having, in 1850, purchased this foundry, Mr. Sheldon entered the service of the new proprietors. Being a brother-in-law of Mr. Bird, one of the pro- prietors, his position was one of special trust. In this establishment he has now spent about forty-three years, almost the entire period of his business life.

This foundry is upon the Stony Brook, which unites with the Merrimack at the village of North Chelms- ford. It was started in 1822, the first proprietor of the plant being General Shepherd Leach. Upon the death of General Leach, in 1832 or 1833, it became the property of Lincoln Drake, who, in 1850, sold it to Williams, Bird & Co.

The financial panic of 1857 was disastrous to this firm, their losses for one year being about $72,000. Mr. Sheldon, who had now been employed by this company for seven years, hired the plant of the as- signees of the bankrupt firm and, in less than two years afterwards, purchased it and for a short time was the sole proprietor.

In 1859 an incorporated company was formed under the title of "The Chelmsford Foundry Company." Of this company Mr. Sheldon is the treasurer, having his office on Portland Street, Boston. He is the prin- cipal owner of the stock and is the efficient and re- sponsible manager of the affairs of the corporation. Mr. E. D. Bearce is the agent and superintendent of the works at North Chelmsford. For a few years after the corporation was formed Mr. H. W. B. Wightman shared in its management. This com- pany relies upon steam for two-thirds of its motive- power and upon the waters of Stony Brook for the other third.

Besides the works in North Chelmsford, in which more than 100 hands are employed, the company has a beam-yard in East Cambridge, in which wrought- iron beams from Belgium, Pennsylvania and other places are sawed and drilled, and otherwise prepared for building purposes. Also on Portland Street, Bos- ton, the company has a large block supplied with every variety of wrought and cast-iron materials (both useful and ornamental) demanded in the erection of buildings. In all their operations the company em- ploys about 200 workmen.

This company holds a high position among the iron manufactories of the State, having the confidence of the community to such an extent that for want of a more extensive plant it is able to do less than half the business which is offered it.

For more than thirty years Mr. Sheldon has had a very important connection with the ice business of the country. In the winter of 1857, in which very little ice could be obtained in this vicinity, he found

that a pond in North Chelmsford, of which he was the fortunate owner, was, to the surprise of all, covered with ice twelve inches thick. The pond was imme- diately leased by dealers in Boston, and during the winter 20,000 tons of ice were cut. Mr. Sheldon now engaged in the ice business, cutting for both the Low- ell and the Bostou markets. After about five years another ice famine came, in which ice scarcely formed near Boston, while the pond in North Chelmsford yielded 30,000 tons from twelve to eighteen inches thick, bringing, iu some cases, fourteen dollars per ton.

In the warm winter of 1869 Mr. Sheldon, in com- pany with A. Gage & Co., of Boston, cut 40,000 tons, which was shipped and brought twenty-two dollars per ton. This was almost the only ice in the vicinity thick enough for shipping.

The ice famine of this year compelled the starting of the ice business in the State of Maine where the supply is never cut off. Ice-houses were speedily erected in that State, having a capacity of a million tons. This new competing enterprise in Maine com- pelled the formation by Mr. Sheldon of an ice com- pany with a capital of $80,000. This company erect- ed ice-houses in North Chelmsford holding 50,000 tons, and took a lease of the pond for twelve years for $36,000, Since the expiration of this lease Mr. Sheldon has received a liberal rental. During the recent warm winter [1889-90], while almost every other source of supply in this vicinity has failed, from 25,000 to 30,000 tons have been cut upon this pond.

Mr. Sheldon has no ambition for political honors. He devotes his entire energies to the exacting de- mands of his prosperous and ever-extending business. Few men could accomplish the daily task which his remarkable physical powers and his intense love of action enable him to perform. For ability and in- tegrity he holds a high rank among the leading men of business in the State.

Mr. Sheldon confines himself with remarkable reg- ularity to the duties of his position, being found on almost every business day of the year at his office in Boston. At his pleasant residence in North Chelms- ford, however, le has a few fine horses, in driving which he takes a special pleasure and finds the al- most only recreation in which he allows himself to indulge.

In 1851 Mr. Sheldon married Julia L., daughter of Mr. Lewis Ripley, a manufacturer in North Chelms- ford.

Of his three children, (1) George H. was born in 1853, and is now in the employment of the Chelms- ford Foundry Company ; (2) Lewis R. was born in 1858 and died in infancy ; (3) Royal R. was born in 1863, and is now in the employment of the Chelms- ford Foundry Company.

276

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

CHAPTER XX.

DRACUT.

BY ATKINSON C. VARNUM.

EARLY HISTORY.

THE history of the town of Dracut, from the time of its occupancy by English settlers, dates from 1664, although the town was not incorporated until 1701. The petitioners wlio applied to the General Court for an act of incorporation designated the locality as " A tract of land beyond Chelmsford, in Massachusetts, which runs seven miles eastward on the North side of Merrimack River, from Dunstable line, and then six miles northward from said river." The court, in granting the act, quaintly describes the territory as "A tract of land for a township, on the North side of Merrimacke River, Beginning at the Island lying in Merrimacke River, called Wekasook, & takes about half of it, & is bounded by Captaine Scarlet, & Dunstable line on the Northwest as farre as Kimball's farme at Jerimie Hill, which is about six miles in a crooked line. Then it is bounded by Dun- stable line on the West about four miles. It is bounded southerly by Merrimacke River about seven miles by a strait line to Wekesook, where we began. The South East Corner is a White oake marked with D, a little from the River ; and from thence it runs due North six miles, which line is parallel with Dun- stable line on that side; then by a North West line it againe closeth to the Dunstable line. This North West line is four miles longe, then on the West is bounded by Dunstable four miles."

" Dracut Township contains 22,334 acres, as attests Jo. Danforth, Survey'r."

This description, though not so tersely and techni- cally expressed as are those of modern civil engineer- ing, was nevertheless sufficiently distinct to avoid any misunderstanding or trouble in regard to its meaning.

As in many other ancient towns, however, encroach- ments have been made upon the territory, and " Jo. Danforth, Surveyor," were he now living, and pos- sessed of all his keenest faculties, would not by the present boundary lines recognize his original Dracut Township of 22,334 acres.

The earliest settlements in Massachusetts, as is well known, began along the sea-coast-Plymouth in 1620, Salem in 1626, Boston in 1630, Newbury in 1633. These settlements were gradually extended into the interior. Some twelve or fourteen brave colonists pushed out as far as Concord in 1635, where they ob- tained a " plantacion of 6 myles of land squarc."

The towns of Groton, Billerica (which then included Tewksbury), and Chelmsford (which then included Westford) were all incorporated in 1655. These towns were then on the extreme verge of English settle- ments, and nearly all the territory lying north as far

as Canada was an unbroken wilderness. In 1643 the various settlements of Massachusetts were divided into counties : Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk. Mid- dlesex included the towns or settlements at Charles- town, Cambridge, Watertown, Sudbury, Concord, Woburn, Medford and Reading. Essex contained Salem, Lynn, Enon (Wenham), Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury, Gloucester, Chochichawick (Andover). Suffolk included Boston, Roxbury, Dorchester, Ded- ham, Braintree, Weymouth, Hingham and Nantasket (Hull). Norfolk embraced Salisbury, Hampton, Haverhill, Exeter, Dover and Portsmouth. In these counties the whole number of towns was thirty.1

So that when the first English settlements began in Dracut (in 1664) considerable progress had been made in pioneer life in Massachusetts, and although these enterprising colonists were pressing farther out into the wilderness, they had the advantage of many facilities afforded by towns already estab- lished, and upon which they could rely as a base of supplies, or for needed reinforcements in danger- ous emergencies.

THE FIRST SETTLER .- The first actual settler of the town appears to have been Samuel Varnum, who received a grant of Land which was conveyed to himself and Richard Shatswell, by John Evered, alias Web. It consisted of 1100 acres, "in Drawcutt, on Merrimacke River," under date of January 10, 1664. Richard Shatswell never became a settler; he sold his part of the land October 7, 1669, to Thomas Hinksman, and Thomas Hinksman (or Hinchman), sold and conveyed the same to Edward Coburne, November 22, 1671.

Edward Coburne (or Coburn, as the name is now generally spelled) is supposed to have been a neighbor of Samuel Varnum, in England. They came to this country at about the same time, and both settled first in Ipswich, Mass., then removed to Chelmsford, and finally to Dracut. Mr. Coburne is the progenitor of a long line of descendants, and most persons of the name, so numerous in this vicin- ity, may trace their ancestry back to him. He ap- pears to have been an active man in the settlement, and made several conveyances to his sons, as will be seen hereafter.

The first settlement was made on what is now called Varnum Avenue, in Lowell (the territory hav- ing been annexed to Lowell in 1874), about a mile above Pawtucket Falls.

Samuel Varnum married Sarah Langton, and came from England to America prior to 1649. He built his house on or near the spot now owned by Thomas Varnum, where his farm-house now stands. He had five sons, two of whom were killed by the Indians upon the breaking out of King Philip's War, in 1675. The other three were Thomas, John and Joseph, to whom, January 14, 1695, he conveyed all of his estate.

Drake's "Hist. Co. Middlesex."

277

DRACUT.

Thomas, the eldest, retained the home-spot, and the present Thomas, who now owns it, is the fifth of that name to whom it has descended. John and Joseph, however, settled near their brother, in Dracut, on land comprised in the original grant.

NAME OF THE TOWN .- History and tradition both inform us that the town received its name from Sam- uel Varnum, who called it Dracut, from his native town in England.

Some writers of local history have supposed that Mr. Varnum came from Wales; but there is no evi- dence of that fact. We are not aware of any town in Wales of the name of Dracut; while in England there are several places bearing a similar name-as, Draycotte Moore in Berkshire; Draycotte in the moors in Staffordshire; and Draycot Orne and Dray- cot Foliat in Wiltshire. In his diary Sewall spells the name Dracot.1

The following interesting account of early grants was given by Capt. E. W. Thompson in a communi- cation to the Lowell Courier, March 26, 1887. Cap- tain Thompson has been for some years engaged in transcribing these early records for the county of Middlesex :

" The perusal of the ancient transfers gives the impression that Dra- ent was originally parcelled ont as grants by the general conrt. The first deed recorded is from John Evered, alias Web, to Samuel Varnum anl Richard Shatwall of eleven hundred acres of find 'in Drawcutt on Merrimacke River,' under date of January 10, 1664.

"June 19. 1665, Jno. Evered, alias Webb, of Drawcutt, sells to Rob- ert Eames for 21 pounds ' Lawful money of England,' a parcel of up- lant, 'bounded Southerly (in length one hundred & fourteen Rod or Pule, every Rod conteyuing in length sixteen foot & au halfe) with the Merrimack.'

" Sept. 4. 1669, ' Mary Evered, alias Web, relict of Capt. Jno. Evered, alias Weh, of Drawcntt upon Merrimack, ' deeds all her estate, ' hoth reall and personall,' to Mr. Jno. Faireweather.

" October 7, 1669, Richard Shatswell deeds his half of the eleven hun- dred acres sold to him and Saml. Varnam hy Jno. Evered, alias Web, to Thomas Hincksmau.

" June 21, 1670, the heirs of Jno. Evered, alias Web, release to Thomas Hincksmau.

" September 1, 1670, Jno. Faireweather deeds all the estate, 'both reall and personall,' transferred to him by Mary Evered, alias Webb, to Thomas Hincksman.

"November 22, 1671, Thomas Hincksman, or Ilinchman, sells to Ed- ward Coburne the whole of the Shatwell portion of the 1100 acres in Drawcutt sold by Jno. Evered, alias Web, to Varunm and Shatwell.

" Dec. 12, 1678, Edward Coburn, 'in consideration of the dear and af- fectionate love he beareth to his oldest Son John,' and also fifty pounds sterling, deeds him one-eighth of Evered land ; another parcel north of the same and one-eiglithi of all the remaining field lands.

"July 8. 1682, Edward Coburn, of Drawcutt, deeds one-eighth of Ev- ered land to Joseph Coburn ; also eleven acres 60 poles of intervale land ; also 534 acres bounded sonth on Merrimack river ; also a house- lot and one-eighth of remaining uplands, commonage, &c.

" Oct. 20, 1683, Edward Cohnrne motgages to Thomas Hinchman 'a parcel of land lying on the intervale at Merrimack river and a divi- sion of meadow lying in fellowship with Samuel Varnum ; also six- eighths of the farm purchased of Jno. Evered.'

"Jan. 3, 1684, Edward Coburne deeds to his son Ezra Que-eighth of the land bought of Evered, alias Webb ; also eleven acres next his dwell- ing, reserving 'his proportion of the orchard by the River.' This piece was bounded ' South by the Merrimack River, East by Evered L, and by Thomas Richardson ou the West, and by the highway North,' and, to further quote the description, 'lyeth above twenty-oue Pule wide perpendicular.'

"April 29, 1684, Old Bess Nomphow deeds to Samnel Sewall '400 acres of land North East of Merrimack River, at a Place called Wekesoak.' This land may have been in Dracut or Tyngsborough.

" Feb. 20, 1690, Edward Coburn deeds an eleven acre lot and one- eighth of Evered land to his son Diniel ; also 574 acres of intervale ou Merrimack river, and also a house-lot.

"April 14, 1693, Edward Coburn deeds to his ' Sonnes,' Thomas, Dan- iel, Ezra aud Joseph, land bought of Major Thomas Hinchman called 'Satchell's land,' and also all the meadows.

"November 7, 1693, Jno. Kidder, of Chelmsford, 'in consideration of Six bushells of good Merchantable Indian Corne,' sells to Jno. Varnum his whole right, title and interest 'in a Tract of Land lying upon ye North Side of Merrimack River, at a place Called by ye name of Pan- tuccett falls, by estimation Five Hundred acres.'

" Dec. 28, 1696, Edward Coburn, of ' Drawcutt,' sells to Ezra "Co. buru 534 acres of 'Intervaile, bounded South on Merrimack River ; ' also another piece iu Bare Meadow, for the consideration of '6 pounds.'

"Jan'y 14, 1695, 'Samnell Varnum, of Dracutt, iu Consi leration of Love aud affection, as also for a Certaine sum of money,' deeds to lils sons, Thomas, John and Joseph, all of his estate.

"July 8, 1697. Elizabeth Bond, executrix of Capt. Wm. Bond, sells to Thomas, John and Joseph Varnum 'Upland and Meadows which was Robert Eames', lying on ye North Side of Merrimack River, bound on ye River on the South,' and on the west, north and east by land of the Varunms. April 19, 1698, Daniel Rosse, of Concord, in cousideration of 15 pounds, deeds to Thomas, John and Joseph Var- num, of 'Drawcutt,' several lots of land, including a tract 'lying on ye North Side of Merrimack River, granted to said Daniel Rosse and other petitioners by the Generall Court.' "'

These constitute the transfers of interest in Dracut up to 1700.

Notwithstanding all previous grants from the Gen- eral Court to individuals, and for the incorporation of the various towns, it appears that the Indians did not in all cases consider their claims extinguished. In the following deed it is not clear what land is in- tended to be conveyed ; but rather than quarrel with the claimants the grantees preferred to clear the title by taking a deed of the Indians whether they had any valid claim or not; although they were in pos- session and had probably been holding under their original titles for nearly forty years.

In justice, however, the Indians were the rightful owners of the land ; and it speaks well for these early settlers that they recognized their rights, and were willing to recompense them for their property.

INDIAN DEED.

"To all Christian people to whom this present deed shall come : Greeting. Know ye that I; Master Jolin Sagamore, Minister of Nat- ick, The right heir of ye soille of Dracutt, in the Massachusetts Colouy in New England, in the County of Middlesex, for three hundred pouods of silver to him in hand, well and truly paid, ye Minister of Natick, John Thomas, by John Colburne, Thomas Colburne, Robert Colburne, Daniel Colburne, Ezra Colburne, Joseph Colburne, the Han- nah Richardson, widow, Thomas Varnum; John Varnum, Joseph Var- num, of Dracutt, near Chelmsford, in the County aforesaid. Whereof the said John Thomas doth acknowledge, and thereof and of every part and parcel thereof doth fully and clearly and absolutely release and discharge the said Thomas, Ezra, Daniel, Joseph, Robert and John Colburne, and the Hannah Richardson, widow, and Thomas, Joseph and John Varnum, their heirs, adminstrators and assigns forever, by these presents, doth freely, fully and absolutely. grant, bargain and convey to the above named, John Colhurne, Thomas Colburne, Robert Colburne, Daniel Colburne, Ezra Colburne, Joseph Colburne, the Ilan- nalı Richardson, widow, Thomas Varnum, John Varmnun and Joseph Varnum, and to their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns for- ever. Two or three thousand acres of land. he it more or less ; hounded on Merrimack River on ye south, and on Master Sewell's farm on the west, and so running a straight line to ye North side of Long Pond, to

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 64

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