History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 149

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III > Part 149

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The first attempt to form a choir was made in 1768, when a number of singers petitioned the town "to appropriate the front seat in the upper gallery for their use, that they might sit together."

Soon after the formation of the choir, stringed in- struments were introduced, to set the tune and lead the voices. But it gave great offence to older people. On one occasion, when the violin was disabled, an old man, in terms more forcible than polite, gave thanks aloud that the Lord's fiddle was broken ! Some years later, when Billings' Collection was introduced, and the choir, for the first time, sang the tune of " David the King," an aged man cried out, "Hold, hold !" and seizing his hat, left the meeting-house.

The custom of " lining the psalm " continued for a long time after the organization of a choir; but it was very annoying to them. It ceased about 1785, aud on this wise: Old Deacon Brown, who, as sen- ior deacon, had the right to perform the service, was rather slow in his movements, and had the habit of adjusting his glasses and clearing his throat before beginning to read. At the date in question, Col. David Brewer was chosen chorister. Taking advan-

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tage of the deacon's well-known habit, on the first Sabbath of his leadership, the colonel (acting, no doubt, on a previous understanding with his choir) struck in singing so quick after Mr. Kellogg had fin- ished reading, that the deacon had no chance to be- gin his work. He looked up in amazement-and so did a great many others in the congregation. After that there was no more attempt to "deacon the hymn."

In 1798 the town granted thirty dollars to hire a singing-master. For several years the annual pro- ceeds of the alewive fishery in Cochituate Brook were given to the singers, and hence received the name of the singers' fish privilege. The town was ac- customed to choose annually a committee "to regu- late the singing." In' 1805 the town " voted that the singers shall regulate themselves, so long as they shall continue to fill the seats assigned them, and behave with decency and order."

VILLAGES .- As before stated, the geographical cen- tre of the town possessed no natural advantages to make it desirable to settlers. The steep northerly declivity of Bare Hill, and the broken and swampy lands to the west and north, as well as eastward, were the reverse of attractive and convenient. It was an acknowledged rule to place the meeting-bouse where the whole people would be best accommodated ; and roads were laid out from all out-districts, to the meet- ing-house as a centre. Such was the case as regards the first house of worship, which stood in the old cemetery. But this spot was wide of the true centre. The second meeting-house place (laid out in 1735, at the northeast angle of the Centre Common), chosen as a sort of compromise, was nearer the territorial centre ; but it was equally inconvenient for building and business purposes. Once established, however, the roads were made to converge here, and the sanc- tuary became the attracting centre of religious inter- ests, and hence to a large extent of social solicitude and plans for the public good. And the building of the academy here at a later date settled the question of the central village site; and business enterprises governed themselves accordingly.

1800 .- THE CENTRE VILLAGE .- At this date the site of our village was mostly covered with wood and bushes, or given up to pasturage. The meeting-house, which stood in front of the Otis Boynton house, was surrounded with large forest-trees. The Academy occupied the site of the stone school-house. The work-house was about four or five rods northwesterly from the town hall, and the school-house stood on the road-side nearly in front of Mrs. Bean's. A small red store stood where is now Esty's Block. This was built in 1781 by Daniel Bridge, felt-maker and hatter. Mr. Houghton's tavern, just finished, occupied the site of the present hotel ; Aboer Wheeler's store, also just finished, stood on the site of Trowbridge & Sav- age's store. To the northward could be seen the par- sonage of Rev. Mr. Kellogg, now W. H. Mellen's, and

the Capt. Simon Edgell farm-buildings. To the east were Buckminster's tavern, on the site of Geo. H. Waterman's house ; Daniel Gregory's dwelling-house, now Orre Parker's ; the tower-like bay-scales in front of the tavern ; Gregory's store on the river-bank, where E. Il. Warren's house now is ; and a small house nearer the cemetery, with a shop behind it. Across the bridge were I. Warren's tannery and dwelling- house, Eli Bullard's house, at the angle of the roads, and Isaac Stone's house and barn, on the Abner Wheeler place. On the south side of Bare Hill was the old Swift house, then occupied by Nathaniel A. Jones, and the John Town house, then owned by Aaron Bullard. On the Salem End road, the first house was Ezekiel Rice's, known as the Amasa Ken- dall place. On what is now Pleasant Street, Wm. Maynard lived in a small house then standing iu the corner of the garden west of Dr. E. Il. Bigelow's ; Jona. Maynard lived in the Charles Williams house; Timothy Eames, the mason, lived in a small house on the Richard S. Briggs place ; and Lawson Buckmin- ster's tavern stood where is now the dwelling-house of Moses Ellis.

1800 .- SOUTH FRAMINGHAM .- This, now the lead- ing village of the town, was then a dull place. San- ger's tavern and store, Rider's cider-mill and Tor- rey's shoe-shop comprised the business of the place. And families of Gleason, Learned, How, Eames, Rider, Haven and Pratt comprised the population. The impulse given to business by the coming in of the Clarks and others, and by the establishment of straw works on a large scale, the opening of the rail- road with its natural accessories, and the starting of new and large business enterprises, will be narrated in their proper place.

SAXONVILLE IN 1800 .-- At this date "The Falls," as the place was called, had importance chiefly be- cause of its unfailing water-power, and its saw-mill, two grist-mills and fulling-mills.

The first coru-mill within the limits of the Fram- ingham Plantation was built here by Elder John Stone, before 1659. A little later a saw-mill was set up on the same dam, probably by Daniel Stone, Sr., May 22, 1711, Daniel Stone, Sr., sold "one-fourth part of the stream, together with the corn and saw- mill standing thereon," to Samuel llow, Sr., of Sud- bury. After the death of Mr. Hlow his share was bought, February 15, 1714, by Deacon Stone and his son, Johu Stone. A fulling-mill standing on "an island which was part of the dam," was in operation here as early as 1735, probably built by Micah Stone, who also had a clothier's shop. The privilege was held by the Stone family till 1824, when it was sold to the mill corporation. After the War of 1812, Isaac Dench bought the right to use the waste-water of the pond, and built a small shop on the rocks forming the north wing of the dam, where he put in a turning- lathe for the manufacture of wheel-hubs, bedsteads, etc. His son Gilbert owned it at the time of his

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death, in 1828, when the water privilege was appraised at $300.

The history of the Saxon Factory Co. and its suc- cessors properly belongs to a subsequent section.

Soon after 1748, Deacon William Brown put in a grist-mill on the privilege in Cochituate Brook, east of the road. This continued in use till 1813. His son Ebenezer built a saw-mill on the same dam about 1795. In 1811 the privilege was sold by Ebenezer Brown to Hopestill Leland and Col. Calvin Sanger, of Sherhorn, who organized the Framingham Manufac- turing Co., and erected a cotton-mill, which did a large business for many years. The property passed into the hands of I. Mclellan, of Boston. Iu JJuly, 1844, this privilege was sold to William H. Knight, who put in machinery for spinning woolen yarns. Mr. Knight sold to the city of Bostou.

Before the Revolution Deacon Brown built a full- ing-mill at the old fording-place, southwest of his dwelling-house. This came into the possession of his son Andrew-Major Andrew, he was called,-who carried on business here till his death, in 1803. The property then fell to Reger Brown, brother of An- drew, and through him to his son, Colonel James. Luther Rice occupied the fulling-mill for a time, and put in machinery for spinning cotton thread. In 1829, Colonel James Brown sold the privilege to Wil- liam H. Knight. Mr. Knight changed the machinery, and immediately commeneed here the manufacture of carpets.

At the date in question, besides Stone's and Brown's mills, there was Tucker's tavern at the north end of the Pond, the store ou the corner opposite F. H. Sprague's, the blacksmith shop at Gleason's old stand, and another at the corners on the road to Lan- ham, and Fiske's Tannery, all of which contributed to the importance of that end of the town as a busi- ness centre.

1800 .- PARK'S CORNER .- At the date under consid- eration, Park's Corner was a busy place. The tavern (then kept by Jonas Dean) and the store attracted a large custom. Marshall's forge turned out farming tools in variety. Major Hale, who lived to the south, on the Royal Grout place, was a large manufacturer of wool cards. And this corner was then, and con- tinued to be for a quarter of a century, the rallying- point of the First Baptist Society, which had an im- portant influence in the ecclesiastical affairs of the town.

1800 .- BRACKETT'S CORNER .- From the earliest settlement of the town this was a busy place. For many years Joshua Eaton's tannery and Trowbridge's tavern made the corner by Sehool-house No. 7 a greater business centre. But Capt. Isaac Clark, car- penter, on the west, and Boutwell's tin-shop, on the east, naturally helped to draw business towards this corner ; and David Patterson, blacksmith, and tavern- keeper, who came here in 1758, and built the Brackett House, contributed materially to its prosperity.

Josiah Wineh, the brick-mason, commeuced business here for himself in 1790. But the coming of Solomon Brackett in 1794, and Amos Parkhurst a year or two later, gave a new start to business enterprise. Mr. Brackett was a blacksmith, and took the old Patter- son stand, which he carried on for a few years; and then, with the aid of Amos Parkhurst, set up a bakery which became famous, aud flourished for a long term of years; and after his death was carried on by his son and son-in-law. In 1845 the number of hands employed was four; value of bread baked, $8000.

MASONIC LODGE .- The " Middlesex Lodge" of Free Masons was instituted in this towu in 1795. The original members were Jona. Maynard, Master ; Peter Ciayes, Senior Warden; Barzillai Bannister, Junior Warden; John Nixon, Samuel Frost, Thomas Nixon, Aaron Brown, Gilbert Marshall, Benj. Champney, Thomas Bucklin, Winslow Corbett, Samuel Haven. Lodge meetings were held first in the Academy Hall ; then in the hall over Henderson's store; then in Esty's Block ; then in its present hall over Eastman's store.

FRAMINGHAM ARTILLERY COMPANY .- This com- pany was organized in March, 1799. The original members were Josiah Abbott, Elisha Belknap, John Bent, Eben' Brown, Eli Bullard, Josiah Clayes, Joseph Eaton, Elisha Jones, John Nurse, Lawson Nurse, Artemas Parker, John Parker, Nathan Parker, Daniel Sanger, Zedekiah Sanger, David Stone, Purchase Stone, John Temple. The company paraded the first time July 4, 1799, under the following othcers: Eli Bullard, captain; John Nurse, first lieutenant; Eben' Brown, second lieutenant; Purchase Stone, pioneer ; Elisha Belknap, fifer; David Stone, drummer. The gun-house was built iu the fall of 1799, on the lot where the old town-house stood, now Otis Boynton's corner. In 1808 the town sold to the Commonwealth a spot in front of the present dwelling-house of James W. Clark, whither the gun-house was removed, and where it remained till 1834. The successive com- manders of the company have been Eli Bullard, John Nurse, Lawson Nurse, Martin Stone, com. April 12, 1810, dis. March 13, 1813; John Temple, com. April 15, 1813, dis. November 25, 1814; James Brown, com. February 15, 1815; Adam Hemenway, Alex' II. Jones, Leonard Arnold, Amos Johnson, Jr., Charles Trowbridge, dis. December 23, 1829. At this date the company disbanded; and the guns and other State property were returned to the arsenal at Boston. The gun-house and land were purchased by Rev. George Trask, March 26, 1834.

This company was ordered out during the War of 1812, and was stationed at South Boston, and at Com- mercial Point, in Dorchester. It was in service from Sept. 10 to Oct. 30, 1814. The officers in command were John Temple, captain ; James Brown and Adam Hemenway, lieutenants ; Leonard Arnold, Elisha Frost, Jr., Abel Eaton, Thomas Hastings, sergeants; Amasa Kendall, Thomas Arnold, Richard Fiske, Jr.,

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Alex' H. Jones, corporals ; Horace Frost, fifer ; William Belcher, drummer. The number of privates was twenty-seven.

A new era in the history of the Centre Village be- gan with the building of the Brick School-house and establishing of the Academy, 1792-99. The young men and young women, who had had no occasion to go there except on the Sabbath, now gathered there every day in the week, and naturally began to take some interest in its surroundings and growth. And new names, and young blood from abroad, came in at this juncture. Dr. J. B. Kittredge, a well-educated and ambitious young physician, located here in 1791. Eli Bullard, the lawyer, came here in 1793. Timothy Eames, the brick-mason, and John Houghton, black- smith, set up business in 1794. Isaac Warren com- menced the tanning business in 1797. Abner Wheeler, trader, was here in 1798, followed three years later by his brother, Benjamin. Nathan Stone, carpenter, and Martin Stone, blacksmith, settled here in 1801; Asa Holt, the saddler, in 1802; William Larrabee, shoe- maker, occupied the old Red Store in 1803.

In 1805 a movement was made looking to the build- ing of a new meeting-house in the near future. The three-story house of worship, which had stood seventy years, began to look old and antiquated, and a house more modern in its style and appointments was needed. June 2, 1806, it was voted to build a house of wood, sixty-five feet square, two stories high, with a tower, not a porch. Land was purchased of Martin and Nathan Stone and Captain Simon Edgell, lying north of the Common, on which to set the house.

May 4, 1807, the town "voted, that the selectmen dispose of the privilege of selling liquor on the Com- mon, during the time of raising the new meeting- house," May 26th, "Began to raise the meeting- house ; June Ist, finished raising it."

The house stood on the spot now occupied by the meeting-house of the First Parish. It had entrance- doors from the base of the tower only. Both outside and inside were fully finished. A gallery extended around the east, south and west sides, with square pews next the walls, and long seats on the slope in front. On the ground floor, square pews, raised one step, were built around the walls; and four ranges of slips, with centre and side-aisles, filled the body of the house.

The cost of the house was $12,475.37. The bell, which cost $437.64, was the gift of Colonel Micah Stone. The pews and slips were sold without reserve to the highest bidder. The amount received from the sale was $14,884.

The meeting-house was dedicated February 24, 1808; sermon by the pastor, Rev. David Kellogg, from Haggai ii. 7.

1823 .- Stoves for warming the meeting-house were set up. Hitherto, the men kept warm as best they could; the women were accustomed to carry foot- stoves, filled with coals from the fireplace at home.

The cost of the two stoves, pipe and chimney, and a blind for the large window behind the pulpit, was $266.41.

Crying the Bans .- The custom prevailed till about 1830, of announcing in the public meeting-house, just before the opening of the afternoon service, all inten- tions of marriage, entered with the town clerk, during the preceding week. The said clerk would rise in his pew, and read in a distinct voice: " Marriage in- tended-between John Smith, of Boston, and Keturah Jones, of this town." As a rule, the lady found it convenient to be absent from meeting that afternoon.

THE WORCESTER TURNPIKE .- In the warrant for a town-meeting May 6, 1805, is an article: "To see if the town will approve or disapprove of a Turnpike road being made through any part of this town." No action was taken on the article. The movement, begun at this date, resulted in the incorporation, March 7, 1806 [aet in addition passed June 10, 1808], of the Worcester Turnpike Corporation, to make a road to run from Roxbury to Worcester, via the Neck of the Ponds in Natick, thence near the house of Jona. Rugg in Framingham, thence to the house of Deacon Chamberlain in Southboro', etc., with power to erect four toll-gates. The old stage road between Worcester and Boston was via Northboro', Marlboro', South Sudbury, Wayland, Weston, Waltham. The new road considerably shortened the distance between Worcester and Boston. The steep hills kept off' the teaming of heavy merchandise, but a stage route was at once established ; and as Framingham was the cen- tral point for changing horses and making repairs it gave a great impetus to local business. The through travel rapidly increased ; the stage lines were extended to Northampton and Albany; and the promptness of the service made this the favorite route; so that for a long term of years not less than seventeen stages passed through this town daily. The opening of the Boston and Worcester Railroad, in 1835, drew off the through travel, and, as a consequence, the corporation gave up the turnpike in 1841, and by the action of the county commissioners it became a county road. From 1810 to 1835 the stageman's horn was a signal as common and well known as the railroad engineer's whistle of to-day.

The Framingham Post-Office was established De- cember 29, 1810, Jona. Maynard postmaster. The office was kept at Martin Stone's tavern, afterwards Henderson's and Gaines'. Mr. Maynard was suc- ceeded by Samuel Warren, March 29, 1832; John Clark, April 30, 1853; S. B. Wilde, April 12, 1861; Mrs. J. H. S. Wilde, July 30, 1864; George F. Hart- well, September 15, 1876; Charles A. Hemenway, March 29, 1886.

NEW ENTERPRISES .- With the new meeting-house and turnpike came new professional men, and new mechanics and business enterprises, which gave a new impulse to life at the Centre. Josiah Adams, Esq., who was to take an important part in social as well

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as civil affairs, canie here in 1807; as also did the Rev. Charles Train, who was to be not less potent in whatever contributes to the town's well-being. Wil- liam Henderson, an energetic business man, took Gregory's store in 1806; removed to the Square and put up a two-story building for a store and Masonic Hall in 1811. It stood where is now Wight's carriage barn. Asa Brigham, tailor, located here, on the old Kingsbury corner in 1809. His shop is remembered as 'Squire Kingsbury's office. Eustis & Simmons, car- riage-trimmers and harness-makers, established busi- ness here, where is now Miss Moulton's Block, in 1810; John Ballard (2d) came the next year, and event- ually bought out the business. Amasa Kendall, car- penter, was here in 1812. Josiah W. Goodnow, cabinet-maker, built a shop just west of Eustis & Simmons in 1812, and the house (known as the Goodnow house) in 1814. Captain Peter Johnson, builder; Isaac Stevens, tailor; Peter Coolidge, black- smith, came to the village in 1813. Dexter Esty, builder, and Jesse Belknap, Jr., wheelwright, came io 1814; Nathan H. Foster, gunsmith, and John Kent, carriage-maker, in 1815. Foster's shop stood on the site of Lewis Stiles' market; and Kent built an addition to J. Ballard's harness-shop. Jesse Whitney, shoemaker, William K. Phipps, tailor, and Thomas Rice, Jr., carpenter, settled here in 1816. Mr. Phipps' shop occupied the site of G. Joyce's house; and Mr. Rice built on John C. Hastings' cor- ner. Mr. Rice afterwards bought the Red Store, moved it up street, went into the grocery trade, and the same building is now the dwelling-house of Mrs. Eliza Haven.

Samuel Warren, who learned the cabinet-maker's trade of Stephen Rice, bought Goodnow's shop and started business in 1818. Dexter Hemenway, house carpenter, bought the old Gregory store by Warren's bridge, and began business for himself in 1820. Hol- lis Cloyes and George W. Mansir, house-painters, began business the same year, and were joined by Obed Winter, three years later. Otis Boynton, book- binder, came to town in 1822; Mitchell & Hunt, hat- ters, in 1823. The hatter's shop is now Otis Childs' dwelling-house.

Dr. Simon Whitney began his long and successful professional career in 1822.

EDUCATION-Schools .- Fortunately for the town, there were, among . the early settlers, men and women who had received a good common education, and were qualified to teach others.

The first mention in the town records of a public school is under date of September 3, 1706, when the town voted "that Deacon Joshua Hemenway should be our school master the year ensuing, and that Benj. Bridges and Peter Clayes, Jr., should agree with him what he should have for his pains."

Previous to this whatever instruction was given to the children was on private account, and in the fam- ily. Probably the wife of Daniel Stone taught such

children as chose to come to her house at Stone's End ; Thomas Drury did the same for the children at Rice's End; Isaac Learned for Sherborn Row, and Joshua IIemenway for Salen End and the north side settlers. And when appointed public school-master, Deacon Hemenway received the scholars at his own house, as no school-house was built till ten years after this date.

Writing-Master .- " April 3, 1710, voted that Dea- can Joshua Hemenway shall be school master for to learn youth to write henceforward, and when he has a mind to lay it down, he will give the town timely notice to provide another school master."

School-Dames .- March 2, 1713, voted, "Lieutenant Drury and Ebenr Harrington to be school masters to instruct the youth of Framingham in writing; and the selectmen are appointed to settle school dames in each quarter of the town, which masters and mis- tresses are to continue until August next; aud Dea- con David Rice and Isaac Learned are chosen to agree for and with a school master for to serve from said August until the end of the year." Deacon Hemenway was engaged, and "paid out of the town treasury the full sum of ten pounds current money of New England."

Grammar Schools .- July 7, 1714, voted, "that 25 pounds be raised for defraying the charge of a gram- mar school in town." Edward Goddard was appoint- ed grammar-master, and taught for a year.

Moving School .- Dec. 8, 1714, voted " that the school be kept the present winter season in 5 places in town, viz. 1 month each at the house of John Gleason, Thomas Pratt, Samnel Winch, Cort. Samuel How, and Benj. Bridges. The next year Abraham Cozzens proposed to keep school for one year, for 17 pounds, one-half to be paid before the middle of January, and one-half by the last of March : accepted. Voted that the school be kept nine weeks on the south side of the River, and eight weeks on the north side." In 1716, " voted to have a moving school kept in the four quarters of the town, at Edward Goddard's, Ebenr Winchester's, John Eames, Jr.'s, and John Stone's, four weeks at each place : " and Mr. Edward Goddard agreed to keep the school for 15 pounds, " provided that those that send any children to be in- structed at my dwelling house to pay 6d. per head per week." The system of " moving schools" was kept up till 1750.

School-House .- Mar. 5, 1716. The town voted to build a school-house, and set it about 20 or 30 poll from the west end of the meeting-house. When built, the house was 22x16 feet, and 6 feet between joints. It had two large fire-places, one at each end. Cost, £17 10s.

Mar., 1717. The town was " presented" for not having a grammar school " according to law." The school-house was unfinished ; and " suitable " masters were averse to the moving system. In Dec., 1717, a committee was appointed "to indent with a school

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master (suitable) as by law is directed, for one quarter of a year." The committee reported Feb. 10th, " that they have used utmost diligence, but can find no mas- ter to be had as yet." Ang. 5, 1718, [the school- house was still unfinished] the town voted "that the committee, Jona. Lamb, and Nathaniel Eames, go forthwith to Mr. Edward Goddard, and see upon what terms he will serve the town as school master for a year; and if he will serve as cheap or something cheaper than another, then they are to make a bar- gain with him for a full year." Abraham Cozzens would serve for £13, and was hired for the year, and also for 1719.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 149

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278