History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 153

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 153

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Massachusetts Silk Company .- March 14, 1836, Thomas G. Fessenden, Geo. C. Barret and Wm. H. Montague were incorporated as The Massachusetts Silk Co., " for the purpose of raising, reeling, throw- ing and manufacturing silk, in the town of Framing- ham." Capital stock $150,000. April 25, 1836, the di- rectors bought, for $7150, the home farm of Col. Nat. Fiske, containing 139 acres, with buildings, etc.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Eight or ten acres of land were planted with mulberry cuttings, which grew luxuriously. The company was taxed for two or three years.

A little before this date, Wm. Buckminster, Esq., planted what is now known as the old agricultural gronnds, with mulberry cuttings, with a view to the feeding of silk worms. The trees flourished ; but the worms were not a success.

Framingham India Rubber Company .- May 16, 1836, Wm. K. Phipps, Dexter Hemenway and Isaac Stevens were incorporated as the Framingham India Rubber Company, "for the purpose of manufacturing all articles consisting wholly or in part of India rubber, in the town of Framingham." Capital stock, $70,000. Wm. K. Phipps was the originator of the project. He was of an inventive genins ; and had discovered a method of dissolving rubber, and spreading it on cloth, etc. The company commenced work in the summer of 1835, in Mr. Phipps' shop. After incor- poration, they bought three-fourths of an acre of land, and built a large shop where they manufactured large quantities of rubber-coated canvas for car-tops, cloth for aprons, using silesia for the base, and some rubber shoes. The price of the raw rubber was six or seven cents per pound. Besides the corporators, James Boyd of Boston, Samuel Warren, Micah Stene, John Ballard (2d), and Gardner Kellogg were stockholders. The company carried on business for three years ; sold the real estate to J. J. Marshall, who converted the shop into a dwelling-house (now owned by Mrs. M. F. Tracy and Mrs. J. Hammond). The stock- holders met with no loss, and made no gain.

Soon after Mr. Phipps' success in dissolving rubber was known, Dr. Simon Whitney commenced making experiments and discovered a new process. May 16, 1836, Simon Whitney, Geo. Bullard, W. E. Faulkner, and - Barker, of Weston, were incorporated as the Water Power India Rubber Company, " for the pur- pose of manufacturing all articles composed wholly or in part of India rubber, and also various kinds of ma- chinery." Capital stock, $130,000. This company erected a shop on Stony Brook, just below Bullard's Bridge, where they made men's wearing apparel, aprons, bonnets, etc. The name of the company ap- pears on our tax-list 1836-42. The shop was removed to the William Moulton place, and is now W. C. Wight's livery stable.

The Gossumer Rubber Company began work at the South village in 1876, and removed to Park's Corner in 1877. The Para Rubber Shoe Company commenced business at the South village in 1884. The history of these last two enterprises belongs to a separate section.

Hastings' Carriage Manufactory .- Hollis Hastings commenced the manufacture of harnesses and car- riages in 1832. In 1835, he bought the old Town House, and removed to the corner, south of his father's wheelwright's shop, where he carried on carriage and harness-making in all their branches, with success, for about thirty-five years.

Fire Department .- In 1818 a fire-engine was pur- chased by subscription ; and the town appropriated $70 to build an engine-house. It was placed directly back of Symmes' harness-shop.

Fire-wardens were first chosen in 1819. In 1823 a set of fire-hooks, a harness for the engine, twenty- four buckets, and poles for the wardens were pur- chased, at an expense of $100. A fire-engine was procured at Saxonville in 1828 or '29; and an engine- house was built there in 1833. In 1835 the town voted to remit their poll taxes to all regularly enlisted firemen. In 1841 a new engine was bought for the Centre, and the old tub removed to the South village; and a company formed there. An act to establish a Fire Department in Framingham was passed February 3, 1847, which was accepted by the town, and the department organized in 1853.

There are now owned by the town two steam fire- engines, one located at the Centre and one at Saxon- ville. A hook-and-ladder company has been organ- ized at the South village. There is also a well-ap- pointed hose company. A system of fire-alarms has been established in each of the villages. The hand- engine was transferred to Nobscot, where a full and efficient company has been formed.

Railroads .- The project of building a railroad from Boston to Worcester was agitated as early as 1827. The charter was granted June 23, 1831. Two routes were surveyed, one where it is built, and the other through Framingham Centre. The route through the Centre was regarded as the most feasible; but the Wheeler brothers and others interested in the turnpike strongly opposed this plan, and their op- position led to the selection of the southern route. The road was opened for travel to Angier's Corner April 3, 1834; to Ashland September 30, 1834; to Worcester Jnne 30, 1835.

The first train through this town consisted of an engine (the " Yankee," weighing six tons) and seven cars, of about the size of a stage-coach, with doors at the sides. The train stopped at the South Framing- ham station for a while, and then stopped at Farm Pond to take in water, which was passed up in pails. The fare between Framingham and Boston was seventy-five cents in summer and $1 in winter.

The opening of the railroad gave a great impetus to the business life of the South village, and caused a declension as marked in the Centre.

The Saxonville Branch Railroad was opened in 1846. The Milford Branch was completed and opened in 1847. In 1850 a branch was built connecting the South and Centre villages.

The Agricultural Branch Railroad, from South Framingham to Northboro', was built in 1854; and purchased and extended by the Boston, Clinton & Fitchburg Company to Fitchburg, in 1865. The Mansfield & Framingham Railroad was completed and opened in June, 1870; and the Framingham & Lowell Road in Angust, 1871. The last three roads

649

FRAMINGHAM.

are leased and operated by the Old Colony Road as its Northern Division.

BANKS .- The Framingham Bank was incorporated March 25, 1833; the persons named in the act as corporators were Micah Stone, Dexter Fay, Sullivan Fay, Elijah Perry, Rufus Brewer, Moses Edgell and Josiah Adams. Capital stock, $100,000; increased in 1846 to $150,000, and in 1849 to $200,000. It was changed from a State to a National bank in Novem- ber, 1864. The successive presidents have been Josiah Adams, Micah Stone, Oliver Dean, Sullivan Fay, Francis Jaques, Moses Edgell, James W. Clark, I. S. Wheeler, J. J. Valentine. Cashiers : Rufus Brewer, William H. Foster, Edward Illsley, Francis Jaques, Francis T. Clark, James J. Valentine, Fred. L. Oaks. The first dividend was declared April, 1834; and in no instance since have the regular semi- annual dividends in April and October been passed.

This bank was removed to the South Village in 1888, having purchased the assets and assumed the liabilities of the bank established there.

The South Framingham National Bank was organ- ized June 14, 1880, with a paid-up capital of $100,000. President, James W. Clark ; cashier, F. M. Stockwell. The succeeding presidents were Adolphus Merriam and Franklin Manson. Fred. L. Oaks succeeded F. M. Stockwell as cashier. In 1888 this bank sur- rendered its charter; and its business was assumed by the older bank.

Framingham Savings Bank .- This institution was chartered in March, 1846, and commenced business the following May. Col. Moses Edgell, in whose mind first originated the idea of a savings bank in this town, was chosen president at its organization, and held the office till 1871. He was succeeded by George Phipps, who remained in office until his death, February 19, 1876. Charles Upham succeeded Mr. Phipps, and died in office, March 10, 1880. Luther F. Fuller, Adolphus Merriam and F. E. Gregory have since held the office. The secretaries and treasurers have been Rufus Brewer, Edward Illsley, Lorenzo Sabine, Coleman S. Adams, L. F. Fuller. Amount of deposits November 1, 1846, $4969; amount November 1, 1882, $1,314,318.58.

A branch, for receiving and paying deposits, was opened at the South Village in March, 1883, and the bank removed there the next year. In August, 1885, an injunction was placed upon the bank, since which date its business has been confined to the care of its securities, adjustment of losses and bringing its affairs into shape for a full resumption of business.

The Farmers' and Mechanics' Savings Bank of South Framingham was incorporated April 23, 1883, and commenced business in May. President, Willard Howe; Treasurer, George E. Cutler. Amount of deposits, March I, 1890, $403,982.

The South Framingham Co-Operative Bank was or- ganized in 1889; authorized capital, one million dol- lars.

BOSTON WATER-WORKS .- Cochituate System .- The act, authorizing the city of Boston to take the water of Long Pond was passed March 30, 1846. It con- ferred the right to construct a dam at the outlet, eight feet higher than the floor of the existing flume. In 1859 the Legislature gave the city power to raise the dam two feet more.

Aug. 13, 1846, the city received a deed from W. H. Knight, conveying all his right and title to Long and Dug Ponds, and the adjacent lands, which had been purchased by him of the Framingham Manufacturing Company, and of individual owners, and comprising, beside the water privilege, one factory building situ- ated at the upper privilege, 83x33 feet, three stories high, and filled with worsted and woolen machinery, in full operatiou ; also two large dwelling-houses and six acres of land adjoining; three dwelling-houses and one acre of land at the middle privilege; and at the lower privilege, one factory, 147x33 feet, three stories high, with ells, all filled with machinery in complete working order ; also one other factory, 100x33 feet, three stories high, filled with carpet looms. The price paid Mr. Knight was $150,000.

The works were so far completed that water was introduced into Boston Oct. 25, 1848.

The full capacity of Cochituate Pond in gallons is 2,011,165.000.

The original cost of the works, in and around the pond, including the conduit, was $1,403,212,31.

Sudbury River System .- The act authorizing the city of Boston to take the water of Sudbury River, Farm Pond and their affluents, in aud above the town of Framingham, was passed April 8, 1872.

The formal taking of Sudbury River under this act was done January 21, 1875.

A temporary dam across the river, below the mouth of Eames' Brook, to turn the water into Farm Pond, was built immediately ; and also a trench was dug from the southerly end of the pond to Beaver Dam Brook, by which the water could be conveyed into Cochituate Pond.

In December, 1875, and February, 1876, the city of Boston made seizure of the lands bordering on Hopkinton River and Stony Brook, for the purposes of storage basins ; and proceeded to construct three dams-No, 1, below the junction of Hopkinton River and Stony Brook; No. 2, on Hopkinton River, and No. 3, on Stony Brook. Reservoir No. 1 covers 126 acres ; No. 2, 154 acres; No. 3, 285 acres; Farmi Pond, 190 acres. The combined holding capacity is 4,847,552,989 gallons.

These basins and the conduit were so far finished that water was let into Chestnut Hill Reservoir February 13, 1878, though the dams and basins were not considered finished till the succeeding winter.

The original cost was:

Paid B. F. Butler and the Mill owners, including M.

H. Simpson .

$543,190

Paid land damages 507,572

650

IIISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACIIUSETTS.

Paid building new highways .

60,512

Paid cost of three dams and gate-housee

322,329

Paid cost of conduit . 2,778,400

Paid cost of engineering, and miscellaneous 321,228

Paid tetuporary connection .

75,611

$4,608,8421

These figures do not include the cost of Chestnut Hill reservoir, and the distributing service below, nor the cost of land, construction of dam and basin No. 4, completed at a later date.

NEWSPAPERS .- The first newspaper established in this town was the Framingham Courier, a good-sized folio, printed and published weekly by George Brown. It was started in April, 1835, and was continued for less than a year. The Framingham Gazette was established in June, 1871, by Pratt & Wood. The Framingham Tribune was established in October, 1883, by Charles J. McPherson.

SAXONVILLE POST-OFFICE .- This office was estab. lished March 5, 1828, Francis A. Bertody, post- master. Ile was succeeded by Charles Fiske, January 4, 1830; Henry F. A. Richardson, February 28, 1854; Samuel P. Griffin, June 22, 1855 ; Samuel S. Danforth, August 15, 1859; John R. Clark, August 15, 1861 ; Luther F. Fuller, May 30, 1865; Patrick Hayes, Jr., 1885; J. W. Parmenter, 1889.

THE SOUTH FRAMINGHAM POST-OFFICE was estab- lished February 12, 1841, Joseph Fuller, post-master. He was sneceeded by Edward A. Clark, April 1, 1844; Samuel O. Daniels, July 7, 1849; Willard Howe, July 1, 1853; John B. Lombard, 1885; Edward F. Phinney, March, 1890.

THE NOBSCOT POST-OFFICE was established June 18, 1878, Josiah S. Williams, post-master.

PROVISION FOR THIE POOR .- By his will, dated 1728, Abraham Belknap left £10 for the support of the poor of the town. In 1736 the town granted £5 for the relief of a poor family. And the custom pre- vailed for many years to take up a contribution on Thanksgiving and fast days, and to pay for the board and clothing of the sick poor out of the town treas- ury. Overseers of the poor were first chosen in 1741. In 1757 the overseers hired the house, built by Rev. Mr. Swift for a study, for a work-house. A work- house, 32 x 16 feet, was built in 1771, on the Centre Common, a few rods northwesterly from the present town hall, where the able-bodied poor were placed and kept at work. It was taken down or removed about 1805. In 1813 Col. Micah Stone left to the town a legacy of about $10,000, the annual income of which was to be applied to the support of his own needy descendants, if any, and the balance to the general poor. For many years the custom prevailed of letting out the town's poor to the lowest bidder for terms of five years. In 1823 Col. James Brown took them ; in 1828 John Wenzell was the lowest bidder. In 1832 the town purchased the farm of Mrs. Solomon

Fay, enlarged the buildings, procured stock, etc., at a total cost of $4964.17. The house was burnt in 1841, and the present more commodious one erected. In 1868 George Phipps gave to the town the sum of $10,000, "To be held as a perpetual fund, called the Phipps Poor Fund, the annual income of which is to be distributed by the selectmen, at their discre- tion, for the support of the worthy poor of the town out of the almshouse." In his will Mr. Phipps left the additional sum of $10,000, the annual income of which is to be expended under the same conditions as the first gift, said fund now amounting to $20,000.

WAR OF THE REBELLION, 1861-65 .- The action of Framingham on the breaking out of the Rebellion was prompt and decisive. Upon the first tidings of an attack upon the Goverment of the United States many of our young men enrolled themselves in the active militia ; and by the end of April, 1861, nearly a full company was raised and ready for organization and equipment.

May 6, 1861, a town-meeting was held to act on the following articles : First, "To see if the town will appropriate money to constitute a fund to pro- vide a suitable outfit for such military companies as may be organized in this town and accepted by the State, and to furnish all necessary aid to the families of members of the companies, residents of the town, during such time as they shall be absent in the ser- vice of their country." Article second, "To see if the town will choose a committee to receive and expend said fund."

Under these articles the following preamble and votes were passed :

"Whereas u grave and extraordinary emergency now exists ; whereby the security of our beloved government is threatened by a portion of the people who are bound and eworn to support, defend and obey it : And whereas, in the prosecution of its designe, the rebellions portion have resorted to the employment of armed force ; have unlawfully aud forcibly seized and do now hold much property belonging to the common government, and do generally disown and Bet it at defiance ; And whereas, we, the citizens of this town, do profess, and are ready to maintain our unswerving loyalty to the government obtained by our fathers by the sacrifice of their blood and treasure, and handed dowu to usas a sacred and inestimable gift, under which we have enjoyed those blessings which make life happy :- We have assembled together this day, to take anch measures as are in our power, to assist in preserving and maintaining for ourselves and our children, this good- ly heritage.

"Voted I. That the town appropriate the eum of $8000, to constitute the proposed fund.

"Voted 2. To choose a committee of nine, to take charge of and expend the said fund ; and C. C. Esty, Oliver Bennett, Win. H. Car- ter, Duvid Fiske, Joseph Fuller, George A. Trowbridge, Francis Jacques, Wm. Hastings and Ileury Cowles were chosen that commit- teee."

It is worthy of notice that the above provision for aid to the families of soldiers is seventeen days prior to any action by the Commonwealth.

The militia company proceeded to perfect its organ- ization, and continued in active drill till the 24th of May, when it was ascertained that it would not be received into any existing regiments. And the Legis- lature, in extra session, having made provision for

1 These figures are taken from the printed Reports of the Boston Water Board.

651

FRAMINGHAM.

the maintenance of the militia at the expense of the Commonwealth, the town's aid was suspended, and the company disbanded. Most of its members, how- ever, enlisted for the war in existing or projected regiments.

Upon the 4th of July, 1862, the President issued a call for more volunteers for three years' service. The quota of this town was forty-four. At a meeting of our citizens a committee was chosen to obtain sub- scriptions for a fund to pay a bounty of $100 to each volunteer who should enlist under this call. Forty- eight subscribers contributed the sum of $4700, and the same was paid out in bounties.

In August, 1862, a call was issued by the President for volunteers for nine months' service.

September 1, 1862, at a town-meeting it was

" Voted To reimburse from the town treasury to the contributors the quin of $4700, already advanced to pay bounties. Voted, that there be paid from the town treasury, $100 to each volunteer, when mustered into service, as a bounty. l'oted, that the sum of $18,000 be appropria- ted for the purposes above named, to be expended under the direction of the selectmen."

The contributors of the $4700 fund held a meeting September 3, 1862, and voted that the said sum of money now reimbursed by the town, be placed in the hands of a committee, to be called the Citizens' Mili- tary Committee, to be expended at their discretion, for the promotion of enlistments, and for the relief of soldiers and their families.

At the March meeting in 1863 the town " voted, that the selectmen be instructed to bring home and inter the bodies of such soldiers as may die in the service, at the town's expense ;" and directed the trustees of the Edgell Grove Cemetery to set apart a suitable lot for that purpose, to be called the Soldiers' Lot.

As anthorized by statute, at various times the town raised and paid the bounties for men to fill all our quotas.

Total amount expended by the town in bounties and recruiting expenses . . . $33,828.86 Amonut paid by the town as aid to families of soldiers, most of which has been reimbursed by the State . . $20,456.87 Amount of individual subscriptions to the various re- cruiting and bounty funds . 29,142.50

$83,428.23

In addition to the above-named money expenditure, the Ladies' Association, Auxiliary to the Sanitary Com- mission, were active and generous in preparing and forwarding boxes filled with articles of necessity and comfort, for the sick and wounded soldiers, in the barracks and hospitals. Such associations were or- ganized at the Centre, at Saxonville and at South Framingham. These blessed ministries of love were above all price.

The number of soldiers of all grades enlisted and sent into the field by Framingham during the war was as follows :

One hundred days' men t¢

Nine months' men 89

One year's men .

Three years' men, cavalry 43

Three years' men, heavy artillery 26

Three years' men, light artillery . 42

Three years' men, infantry . 169

Meu eulisted in United States Arusy 4

Meu enlisted in United States Navy

Total . 404

Number of men killed in action or died of wounds, twenty. Number of men died of disease while in ser- vice, eleven.

DISTRICT COURT .-- The Southern Middlesex Dis- trict Court was established in 1874. It meets daily at the court-room in South Framingham. Justice, C. C. Esty ; Special Justices, L. HI. Wakefield, Walter Adams. Judge Esty was succeeded by Willis A. Kingsbury in 1885.

CAMP-MEETING ASSOCIATION .- October 2, 1871, Rev. W. R. Clark and E. D. Winslow purchased forty-five acres of land, including Mt. Wayte, at the northerly end of Farm Pond, and laid out the ground for preaching-stand, tents and cottages. The first "camp-meeting" was held in August, 1872. The Chantanqua Assembly now holds its anuual sessions on these grounds.

STATE MUSTER GROUNDS .- These grounds, situ- ated on Pratt's Plain, at the junetion of Eastern Ave- nue and Concord Street, were purchased by the Com- monwealth in 1873. The lot covers about 115 acres.

THE UNION STREET RAILWAY COMPANY was organized in 1888. The track extends from the Cen- tre to the South Village, and from there to Saxon- ville.

PROFESSIONAL MEN .- Lawyers .- In early times our people sought legal advice, and put their suits in charge of lawyers located at or near the county-seats. Rev. Mr. Swift was often employed to draw up wills, as was his successor, Mr. Bridge. Thomas Drury, Joshua Hemenway, Edward Goddard, Col. Buck- minster, senior and junior, held the office of justice of the peace, and wrote deeds and other official papers. Mr. Goddard was well educated, and under- stood the principles of law, as well as the forms of legal proceedings, and was often employed by the town in the prosecution and defence of suits. The same was true of Joseph Buckminster, Jr. Joseph Haven, Josiah Stone, Jona. Maynard severally hell commissions as justice of the peace, and did a large official business. Mr. Stone was appointed special judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1782.

Eli Bullard, (H. U. 1787) opened a lawyer's office in Framingham in 1791, and was in practice till his death. Josiah Adams, (H. U. 1801) admitted to the bar 1807, was here till his death. William Buck- minster, (class of 1809 H. U.) admitted to the bar 1811; at Vassalboro', Me., till 1822, then in this town till his death. Lawson Kingsbury, (D. C. 1808) was here from 1814 till his death. Omen S. Keith (H. U. 1826,) was in practice here 1830-38; removed to Boston. Charles R. Train .(B. U. 1837), in practice

652

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

here 1810-63; removed to Boston. C. C. Esty (Y. C. 18:15) commenced practice in 18-18; appointed judge of the District Court 1874. Robert Gordon (H. U. 18-13) opened an office here in 1862, and remained till his death F. F. Heard, H. U. 1848, had an of- fice in this town, 1851-56. Coleman S. Adams, studied law in Baltimore, Md .; opened an office in Framing- ham, 1858. Theodore C. Hurd, U. C. 1858; in town 1860 till he was chosen clerk of the courts of Middle- sex County. E. W. Washburn had a law office at

Physicians .- John Page, 1712-23; Bezaleel Rice, 1720-43; Joseph Nichols, 1730-52; John Mellen, 17.17; Ebenezer Hemenway, 1750-84 ; Jeremiah Pike, a noted bone-setter, was contemporary with Dr. Hem- cuway ; John Sparkhawk, 1757; Richard Perkins, H. U. 17448, was in practice here 1758; Elijah Stone, 1765-1804; Daniel Perkins, 1785-92; Richard P. Bridge, 1789; John B. Kittredge, 1791-1848; Timo- thy Merriam, 1791-1835; Ebenezer Ames, 1812, 13, removed to Wayland; Simon Whitney, HI. U. 1818, was in practice here 1822-61 ; John T. Kittredge, A. C. 1828, was in practice with his father till his death, 1837 ; Edward A. Holyoke, 1838-13; Otis Hoyt 1838- 47; Enos Hoyt, 1817, till his death, 1875; John W. Osgood, 1842-67 ; George A. Hoyt, D. C. 1847, 1852- 57; George M. Howe, 1862-82 ; Allston W. Whitney, 1852-67; O. O. Johnson, 1850-82; Henry Cowles, 1852 till' now ; Edgar Parker, 1866-70; }. 1 .. Warren, 1870-78; George Rice, Y. C. 1860, physician and pharmacist; George Beard, eclectic physician, has late- ly died; %. B. Adams, H. IT. 1853, completed a course in the Harvard Medical School; studied in Paris ; surgeon in the army 1861-64; located in Framingham 1868 ; E. A. Hobbs, J. J. Boynton, L. M. Palmer, J. J. McCann, O. W. Collins, Anna M. Wilkin, L. B. Holbrook, have recently located at South Framing- ham. George Holman died, Marcus Ide died, Walter N. Sharp, at Saxonville. Enos H. Bigelow at the C'entre.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 153

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