History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 91

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 91

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BRIDGES .- In the work of bridge-building Sudbury has had fully its share from the first. Its original territory being divided by a wide, circuitous stream, which was subject to spring and fall floods, it was a inatter of no small importance to the settlers to have a safe crossing. Ford-ways, on a river like this, were uncertain means of transit. Without a bridge the east and west side inhabitants might be separated sometimes for weeks, and travellers to the frontier be- yond would be much hindered on their way. All this the people well knew, and they were early astir to" the work. Two bridges are mentioned in the town- book as early as 1641. The record of one is as fol- lows: "It was ordered from the beginning of the plantation, that there should be two rods wide left in the meadow from the bridge at Munning's Point to the hard upland at the head of Edmund Rice's meadow." The other record is of the same date, and states that there was to be a road " between the river meadow and the house-lot from the bridge at John Blandford's to Bridle Point." The bridge referred to in the former of these records may have been the " Old Indian Bridge," which is repeatedly mentioned in the town-book. . From statements on the records we conclude it crossed the lower part of Lanham Brook-sometimes also called West Brook-at a point between Sand Hill and Heard's Pond. This bridge was probably found there by the settlers, and may have been nothing more than a fallen tree where but one per- son could pass at a time. It doubtless was of little use to the settlers, and may only have served them as a landmark or to designate a fording-place where at low water a person could go on foot. The bridge re- ferred to in the latter record was probably the first one built by the English in Sudbury. It was doubt- less situated at the locality since occupied by suc- cessive bridges, each of which was known as the " Old Town Bridge." The present one is called the Rus- sell Bridge, after the name of the builder. The loca- tion is in Wayland, at the east end of the old cause-

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way, near the house of Mr. William Baldwin. The first bridge at this place was probably a simple con- trivance for foot-passengers only, and one which would cause little loss if swept away by a flood. The reason why this spot was selected as a erossing may be indicated by the lay of the land and the course of the river; at this point the stream winds so near the bank of the hard upland, that a causeway on the eastern side is unnecessary. These natural features doubtless led to the construction of the bridge at that particular spot, and the location of the bridge determined the course of the road. About the time of the erection of the first bridge a ferry is spoken of. In 1642 Thomas Noyes was "appointed to keep a ferry for one year, for which he was to have two pence for every single pass nger, and if there be more to take two apiece." This ferry may have been used only at times when high water rendered the bridge or meadow impassable. As in the price fixed for transportation only " passengers " are mentioned, we infer that both the bridge and ferry were for foot-passengers alone. But a mere foot-path could not long suffice for the settlement. The west side was too important to re- main isolated for want of a cart-bridge. About this time it was ordered by the town, "That Mr. Noyes, Mr. Pendleton, Walter Haynes, John Parmenter, Jr., and Thomas King shall have power to view the river at Thomas King's, and to agree with workmen to build a cart-bridge over the river according as they shall see just occasion." The following contract was soon made with Ambrose Leach :

"BRIDGE CONTRACT 1643.

" It is agreed betweene the inhabitants of the towne of sndbury and Ambrose Leech, That the towne will givo unto the said Ambrose 6 acres in Mr Pendleton's 2nd Addition of meadow web shall run on the north side of his meadow lyinge on the west side of the river, & shall run from the river to the npland. Allsoe foure acres of meadowe more wch shall be wth convenient as may be. Allsoe twenty acres of upland lyinge on the west side of the river on the north side of the lande of Walter Haynes if he approve of it else so much npland where it may be conve- nient. For and in consideration whereof the said Ambrose doth pro- pose to build a sufficient cart bridge over the river three feet above high water mark, twelve foot wyde from the one side of the river to the other, provided that the towne doe fell and cross cutt the timber and saw all the plank and carry it all to place, and when it is ready framed the towne doth promise to help him raise it, so that he and one man be at the charge of the sayd Ambrose, and he doth promise to accomplish the work by the last day of Ang. next. - Allsoe the towne doth admitt of him as a townsman wth right to comonage and upland as more shall be laid out and allsoe ten acres of mendowe to bo layed ont which other meadowe is in first addition of meadowe.

"AMBROSE LEECH, " BRIAN PENDLETON,

" WALTER HAYNES."

The next contract for building a bridge was with Timothy Hawkins, of Watertown, and is as follows :

" The 20th day of November, 16 **.

"Agreed between the Inhabitants of Sudbury on the one part, and Timothy Hawkins, of Watertown, on the other part that the said Tim. othy shall build a sufficient cart bridge over the river, beginning at tho west side of the river, running across the river, five rods long and twolvo feet wide, one foot above high water mark, the arches to be . . . foot wide, all but the middle arch, which is to be 14 fect wide, the silts - inches square 26 feet long, the posts 16 inches square the cnps - - a' d 16, the braces 8 inches square, the bridge must have a rail on each side,

and the rails must be braced at overy post, the plank must bo two inchies thick sawn, thero must be 5 braces for the plank, - tho bridgo the bearers 12 inches square, the bridge is by him to be ready to raise by the last day of May next. For which work the Inhabitants do consent to pay unto tho said Timothy for his work so done, the sum of 13 pounds to be paid in corn and cattle, the corn at the goneral price of the country, and tho cattle at the price as two men shall judge them worth.

" The said Timothy is to fell all the timber and saw it, and then the town is to carry it to the place."

CAUSEWAY .- Westerly beyond the bridge was built a raised road or causeway, which was sometimes called the "Casey " or "Carsey." This is a memorable piece of highway. Repeatedly has it been raised to place it above the floods. At one time the work was. apportioned by lot, and at another the Legislature allowed the town to issue tickets for a grand lottery, the avails of which were to be expended upon this causeway.

Stakes were formerly set as safeguards to the trav- eller, that he might not stray from the way.

CHURCH .- The town being laid out, and the nec- essary means for securing a livelihood provided, the people turned their attention to ecclesiastical matters. The church was of paramount importance to the early New England inhabitants. For its privileges they had in part embarked for these far-off shores. To preserve its purity they became pilgrims on earth, exiles from friends and their native land. Borne. hither with such noble desires, we have evidence that when they arrived they acted in accordance with them. In 1640 a church was organized, which was Congregational in government and Calvinistic in creed or faith. A copy of its covenant is still preserved. The church called to its pastorate Rev. Edmund Brown, and elected Mr. William Brown deacon. It is supposed that the installation of Rev. Edmund Brown was at the time of the formation of the church. The town in selecting Mr. Brown for its minister secured the services of an energetic and devoted man. Ed- ward Johnson says of him, in his " Wonder-Working Providence :" "The church in Sudbury called to the office of a pastor the reverend, godly and able minister of the word, Mr. Edmund Brown, whose labors in the doctrine of Christ Jesus hath hitherto abounded wading through this wilderness work with much cheerfulness of spirit."

The home of Mr. Brown was in the territory of Wayland, by the south bank of Mill Brook, on what was called " Timber Neck." Mr. Brown's salary the first year was to be £40, one-half to be paid in money, the other half in some or all of these commodities : " Wheate, pees, butter, cheese, porke, beefe, hemp and flax, at every quarters end." In the maintenance of the pastor and church the town acted as in secular matters. The church was for the town; its records were for a time town records. Civil and ecclesiastical matters were connected. If there was no state church, there was a town church, a minister and meeting- house, that was reached by and reached the masses. " Rates " were gathered no more surely for the " king's tax " than to maintain the ministry. To show the

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manner of raising the money for the minister's salary shortly after his settlement, we insert the following : "The first day of the second month, 1643. It is agreed upon by the town that the Pastor shall [nave] for this year, beginning the first day of the first month, thirty pound, to be gathered by rate and to be paid unto him at two several payments, the first payment to be made one month after midsummer, the other payment to be made one month after Michaelmas, for the gath- ering of which the town hath desired Mr. Pendleton and Walter Hayne to undertake it, and also the town hath discharged the pastor from all rates, for this year, and the rate to be levied according to the rate which was for the - meeting-house, the iuvoice being taken by John Freeman." Of the prosperity of this little church, Johnson says, in his " Wonder-Work- ing Providence:" "This church hath hitherto been blessed with blessings of the right hand, even godly peace and unity ; they are not above fifty or sixty families and about eighty souls in church fellowship, their Neat head about 300."

A meeting-house was built in 1642-43 by John Rut- ter. It was situated in what is now the old burying- ground in Wayland.

LAND DIVISIONS .- The settlers had little more than got fairly located at the plantation, when they began dividing their territory, and apportioning it in parcels to the inhabitants. Before these divisions were made there were no private estates, except such house-lots and few acres as were assigned at the out- set for the settler's encouragement or help, or such land tracts as were obtained by special grant from the Colonial Court. But divisions soon came. Piece after piece was apportioned, and passed into private possession. Soon but little of the public domain was left, save small patches at the junction of roads, or some reservation for a school-house, meeting-house or pound, or plot for the village green.

From common land, which the undivided territory was called, has come the word "common " as applied to a town common, park or public square. And from the division of land by lot, the term " lot " has come into use, as "meadow-lot," " wood-lot," and " liouse- lot." The early land divisions were made, on per- mission of the Colonial Court, by such commissioners as the town or court might appoint.

Three divisions of meadow-land had been made by 1640. A record of these has been preserved, and the following are the preambles of two of them :

" A record of the names of the Inhabitants of Sudbury, with their several quantity of meadow to every one granted according to their es- ta'es or granted by gratulation for services granted by them, which meadow is ratable upon all common charges."

" It is ordered that all the inhabitants of this town shall have 33 of their total meadows laid out this present year, viz. : the first divided ac- cording to discretion, and the second by lot."

Not only the meadows but the uplands were par- celed out and apportioned, some for public use, some to the early grantees and some to individuals in re- turn for value or service.

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In 1642 an addition of upland was made " in acres according to the 1st and 2oud divisions of meadows granted unto them by the rule of their estate; and Peter Noyes, Bryan Pendleton, George Munnings, Edmund Rice and Edmund Goodenow were to have power to lay out the 3d division at their discretion."

While the early land divisions were being made, reservations were also made of lands for pasturage, which it was understood were to remain undivided. These lands were called " Cow Commons," and the record of them explaius their use. The first was laid out or set apart the 26th of November, 1643, and was on the east side of the river.

The cow common on the west side was reserved in 1647, aud is thus described in the Town Book :

"It is ordered by the town that there shall he a cow common laid out on the west side of the river to remain in perpetuity, with all the up- laud within these bounds, that is to say, all the upland that lies within the bound that goes from Bridle point through Hopp meadow, and so to the west line, in the meadow of Walter Hayne, and all the upland with- in the gulf and the pantre hrook to the upper end of the meadow of Rob- ert Darnill, and from thence to the west line, as it shall be bounded by some men appointed by the town, except it be such lands as are due to men already, and shall be laid ont according to the time appointed hy the town. Walter IIayne and John Gronte are appointed to bound the common, from Goodman Darnill's meadow to the west line."

The territory which was comprised in this common may be outlined, very nearly, by the Massachusetts Centrai Railroad on the south, the Old Colony Rail- road on the west, Pantry Brook on the north, and the river on the east. It will be noticed that these two commons included most of the hilly portions of the town, on both sides of the river ; and it was doubtless the design of the settlers to reserve for common pas- turage these lands, because less adapted to easy cul- tivation. But in process of time they ceased to be held in reserve. More or less controversy subse- quently arose about what was known as "sizing the commons," and by the early part of the next century they were all divided up and apportioned to the in- habitants; and now over the broad acres of these ancient public domains are scattered pleasant home- steads and fertile farms, and a large portion of three considerable villages, namely, Sudbury, South Sud- bury and Wayland Centre.

Besides the reservation of territory for common pas- turage, lands were laid out " for the use of the minis- try." Two such tracts were laid out on each side of the river, consisting of both meadow and upland, which were let out to individuals, the income derived therefrom going towards the minister's salary. The lands that were situated on the west side have passed from public to private possession, being sold in 1817 for $3200.98.

Between 1650 and 1675 the west side had rapid de- velopment. Prior to the beginning of this period the pioneer spirit of the settlers had led to a thorough exploration of this part of the town, and they had lo- cated by its hills and along its meadows and valleys, as if undaunted by distance from the meeting-house

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

1 and mill, and indifferent to the perils of the wilder- ness. But although there was, to an extent, an occu- pation of the west part of the town from the very be- ginning of the settlement, yet the greater activity was for a time on the cast side; in that part was the cen- tralization of people, and things were more conven- ient and safe. Indeed, the settlers for a season may have regarded the west side as a wilderness country, destined long to remain in an unbroken statc. The view westward from certain points along the first strect was upon woody peaks and rocky hillsides. Beyond the valley of Lanham and Lowance towercd Nobscot; its slope, thickly covered with forest, might look like an inhospitable waste; while the nearer eminence of Goodman's Hill, with its rough, rocky projections, may have had a.broken and desolate as- pect. It is no wonder, then, that in the earlier years of the settlement we read of so many corn-fields on the east side of the river, and find parties desirous of obtaining new farms seeking them in a southerly rather than a westerly direction. But when absolute wants were once met, and things essential to existence were provided ; when the settlers had acquired a bet- ter knowledge of the country and of the character of its native inhabitants, and a substantial causeway was made,-then began a greater development of the west part of the town.

The indications are that these things were accom- plished about the year 1650. At this time we begin to notice the mention of homesteads on the west side, and the construction of works for public convenience. The lands first occupied, probably, were those near Lanham and Pantry, and along the meadows by the river course; while the more central portion, called, "Rocky Plain," was not taken till somewhat later. This is indicated, not only by the known locations of early homesteads, but by the locality of the west side cow common. These sections may have been first taken on account of the abundance of meadow land, and the existence of roads which had been made for the transportation of hay.

A prominent person who carly located there was Walter Haynes. He had a house by the meadow margin, which, in 1676, was used as a garrison, and which early in town history was called " Mr. Haynes' old house." In 1646 he was granted liberty to run a fence "from his meadow, which lies on the west side of the river, across the highway to his fence of his upland at his new dwelling-house, provided that Walter Hayne do keep a gate at each side of his meadow for the passing of carts and the herds along the highway that his fence may not be prejudicial to the town." Both record and tradition indicate that John and Edmund Goodenow carly had lands near the Gravel Pit, and also at or near the present Farr and Coolidge farms. By 1659, Thomas Noyes and Thomas Plympton had established houses on the west side,-the former on lands at Hop Brook, and the latter at Strawberry Bank. As early at least as

1654, Thomas Read was at Lanham; and by 1659 Peter Bent was there also.

Some public acts which indicate activity on the west side, as set forth by the records, are as follows : In 1654 it was ordered that Walter Hayne and John Stone " shall see to the fences of all the corn-fields on their side the river ;" and in 1659 a committee was appointed to look after the highways there. The mention of bridges by 1641, the ferry of Mr. Noyes in 1642, and the contract for a cart-bridge in 1643, arc all indications of early activity in the west part of the town. But the more important matters of a pub- lic nature were in connection with the laying out of new lands, the construction of important roads, and the erection of a mill.

LAYING OUT OF NEW LANDS .- In 1651, John Sherman and others were appointed to lay out the "New Grant Lands." After some delay the plan was adopted of dividing it into squadrons, the ar- rangement of which was as follows : "The south east was to be the first, the north east the second, the north west the third, and the south west the fourth." It was voted there should be a highway extending north and south, "30 rods wide in the new grant joining to the five miles first granted ; " also, " Voted that there should be a highway 30 rods wide, from south to north, parallel with the other said highway in the middle of the remaining tract of land."

These squadrons were subdivided into parcels of equal size, each containing one hundred and thirty acres, and were apportioned to the people by lot. It was voted that "the first lot drawn was to begin at the south side of the first squadron running east and west betwixt our highways; the second lot to be in the north side of the first, and so every lot following successively as they are drawn till we come to Con- cord line and so the first and second squadron."

This land, laid out so regularly, was good property. Some of the most substantial homesteads of the town have been, and still are, upon it. Persons by the name of Howe, Parmenter, Woodward, Moore, Browne, Walker, Noyes, Balcom, and Rice, of the older inhabitants, and, later, of Fairbanks, Stone, Willis, Smith, Hayden, Maynard, Perry, Bowker, Vose, Brigham, and others,-all had residences there. The possession of this new grant territory, and its early apportionment, would serve naturally to keep the people in town. It opened new resources to the settlers by its timber lands ; and the circuitous course of Wash Brook gave meadows and inill privileges which the people were not slow to improve. Prob- ably the earlier settlers of this tract went from tlie east side of the river as into a new country or wil- derncss. There they erected garrisons; and that there were in this territory at least three of these houses indicates the exposed condition of the place at the time of its early occupation by the English. " Willis," the largest pond in town, a part of " Nob- scot," the highest hill, and the most extensive tim-

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ber tracts, are in this new grant. In it have been lo- cated no less than five saw or grist-mills. From this territory was taken part of the town of Maynard, and in it were located for years two out of five of the old - time district school-houses. The Wayside Inn and the Walker Garrison are still there; and although the stirring scenes of the old stage period, which gave liveliness to the one, and the dismal war days, which gave importance to the other, have passed away, yet there remains a thrift and prosperity about the sub- stantial farms of the ancient new grant lots that make this locality one of importance and interest.

THE THIRTY-ROD HIGHWAY. - While these new lands proved so beneficial to the town, the " Thirty- Rod Highway " in time caused considerable trouble. It was laid out for the accommodation of the owners of lots, and, as the name indicates, was thirty rods wide. The unnecessary width may be accounted for as we account for other wide roads of that day: land was plentiful, and the timber of so large a tract would be serviceable to the town.

But the width tended to cause disturbance. The land was sought for by various parties, -by abuttors on one or both sides, it may be; by those dwelling within the near neighborhood; and by such as de- sired it for an addition to their outlying lands, or a convenient annex to their farms. The result was that to protect it required considerable vigilance. En- croachments were made upon it, wood and timber were taken away, and at successive towa-meetings what to do with this Thirty-Rod Highway was an important matter of business. But at length it largely ceased to be public property. Piece after piece had been disposed of. Some of it had been purchased by pri- vate parties, some of it exchanged for lands used for other highways, and some of it may have been gained by right of possession.

But though so much of this road has ceased to be used by the public, there are parts still retained by the town and open to public use. The Dudley Road, about a quarter of a mile from the William Stone place, and which passes a small pond called the Horse Pond, tradition says, is a part of this way. From near the junction of this with the county road, a part of the Thirty-Rod Way runs south, and is still used as a way to Nobscot. On it, tradition also says, is the Small-Pox Burying-Ground, at Nobscot. A part of this road, as it runs east and west, is probably the present Boston and Berlin Road, or what was the " Old Lancaster Road." Other parts of this way may be old wood-paths that the Sudbury farmers still use and speak of as being a part of this ancient lan 1- mørk.

"OLD LANCASTER ROAD."-This road, which was at first called the "Road to Nashuway," probably fol- lowed an ancient trail. In 1653 it was "agreed by the town that Lieutenant Goodenow and Ensign Noyes shall lay out the way with Nashuway men 80 far as it goes within our town bound." A record of

this road is on the town-book, and just following is this statement :

"This is a true copy of the commissioners appointed by the town taken from the original and examined by me.

"HUGH GRIFFIN."

This record which is among those for 1646, by the lapse of time has become so worn that parts are en- tirely goue. It is supposed, however, that some of the lost parts have been restored or supplied by the late Dr. Stearns. We will give the record, so far as it can be obtained from the town-book, and insert in brackets the words that have been supplied from other sources :

"We whose names are hereunto subscribed appoint[ed by] Sudbury and the town of Lancaster to lay out the high[way over the] river mea - dow in Sudbury near Lancaster to the [town] bound according to the Court order, have agreed as follows [viz] That the highway beginning at the great river meadow [at the gravel] pitt shall run from thence [to the north west side of ] Thomas Plymptou's house, [and from thence] to timber swa[mp as] marked by us and so on to Hart Pond leaving tbe [rock] ou the north side of the way and from thence to tbe ex- treme [Sudbury bounds] as we have now marked it the breadth of the way is to be the gravel pitt to the west end of Thomas Plympton's lot and . . . rods wide all the way to the utmost of Sudbury bound and thence upon the common highway towards Lancaster through Sud[bury] therefore we have bereunto set our hand the 22nd day of tbis pres[ent month]

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 91

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