History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 167

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 167

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The records also throw light upon the customs of the time in the ample provision made for the funeral of a widow buried at public expense. Four pairs of men's and two pairs of women's gloves were provided, and also "such a quantity of rum as should be found necessary." Also in another case, gloves were fur- nished at public expense for the minister and select- men and for the bearers, who, according to the custom of the day, literally bore the corpse on their shoul- ders to the grave yard, and cider for all who attended the funeral services.

In January 1739, a joint committee was appointed by Watertown and Waltham to arrange for the ap- portionment of the outstanding debt of the town of Watertown at the time of the division. The debt was satisfactorily divided with the arrangement that Watertown should assume £95 58. 3d. and Waltham £80 88. 11d. In March of the same year a commit- tee of the three towns originally comprised in the territory of Watertown, Weston and Waltham was appointed to renew the boundaries of the grant at Wachusett Hills. This tract of land was granted to Watertown by the General Court in compensation for land taken from the town when Concord was laid out. The boundaries of Concord by its grant of six miles square encroached upon Watertown, and after repeated grants, which were never located, the Gen- eral Court, after the lapse of a century, apportioned a tract of two thousand acres at Wachusett. This land was beld jointly by the three towns until Waltham and Weston sold their share in 1756 for £267 68. 8d., or two thousand pounds, old tenor,

Another joint ownership of the three towns was that of the Great Bridge which crossed Charles River at Watertown. It was built at the head of tide-water and was undoubtedly the first bridge over the river, and for many years the only one. It furnished the only access by land for the towns north of the river to Boston by way of Boston Neck. The building and maintenance of the bridge was always a subject of much controversy until the present century. Water- town maintained that as it was for the use and convenience of so many towns, it should be sup-

ported by the county, but its claims in this respect were not allowed. When Weston and Waltham were set off, it was one of the stipulations that those towns should bear their proportion of its support. In 1742, on the adjustment of the accounts by the selectmen of the three towns, the share of Waltham was £59 6s. 7d. Waltham continued to contribute to the support of this bridge until the beginning of the present een- tury, when, in relinquishing its share of proprietorship of the weirs located near the same place on the river which were originally owned by Watertown, its obli- gations for further contributions were canceled.

About this time, on voting fo re-apportion the pews in the meeting-house for the ensuing five years, the first choice was given to the largest tax-payer and so on in order through the house, with the provision that where the claims were equal, age should deter- mine the choice. Samuel Livermore, in considera- tion of the use of his land for the meeting-house to stand upon, was granted a pew on the east side of the pulpit for himself and heirs during such occupation.

The ammunition of the town was kept in the belfry. The stock required by law amounted to 150 pounds of powder, 300 pounds bullets and 450 flints. In 1744 the number of men reported by Captain Sam- uel Livermore, as under his command, was 90. Capt. Livermore was a man of much prominence and many offices -- captain of the militia company, deacon of the church, sexton, town clerk, town treasurer, represent- ative repeatedly to the General Court.

As the cause of education was one of the primary causes of the separation from Watertown and the es- tablishment of the town, the records show that the subject of the schools was ever an important one in the town-meeting. The moving schools were for a time abandoned and then re-established. Finally, district schools were organized permanently in differ- ent quarters of the town and maintained with regu- larity. Waltham has ever kept up its traditional interest in the schools, supported them generously, and maintained their high character in accordance with the standard of the day. No town has with more careful vigilance guarded the public welfare in this respect. In all that regards public education, it has stood in the front rank and been true to the history and memories of its origin.

Also from the beginning of its corporate existence another subject of contention which precipitated the division has ever received especial care and support. The highways were an early and fruitful theme of local consideration. In the belief that they were not what they should be when the former municipal rela- tions were maintained, the town from the first made ample provision for their care and extension, and displayed the sincerity of its views by its action. Among the most liberal appropriations were those for the highways. These appropriations, expended with care and system, have been maintained to the present time. Walthanı roads in the past have stood the test

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

of criticism, and have been cited in official reports without its borders for their construction and eare of maintenance. It is only since larger increase of wealth in other suburban communities, allowing greater expenditures per mile and per capita, that her roads have not held the first place in comparative excellence.

In the French and Indian Wars, which drew all New England into active and bloody participation, Waltham furnished its due proportion of soldiers. Though the records do not show that separate compa- nies for such service were organized, there are the names of its citizens borne on the rolls of companies organized in the vicinity. Louisbourg, Lake George and Ticonderoga drew from every New England hamlet the youth who sought to defend the Colo- nies and maintain the military renown of their an- cestors.

The growth of the town was slight during these years, as nothing occurred to stimulate the coming of many new residents. The community depended on its natural increase. Early marriages and large fami- lies marked provincial life. The yeomanry of Wal- tham; like that of all its sister towns, was developing into vigorous hardihood with the strong physical and intellectual qualities that in due time, under a des- tiny which they could not foresee, were to startle the world with a revolution in the form and principle of government, and give a new turn to human affairs. They were unconsciously forming a character and husbanding resources to stand them in the days of trial. The school-house and the town-meeting were inculcating the principles and powers of self-govern- ment, and the spirit of freedom was abroad in the land.

The files of the probate records give us interesting details of the inner life of families and estates, and of the customs and legal forms affecting social and busi- ness matters.

The inventory of the personal effects of Isaac Brown, who died at this time, is recorded. He was evidently a yeoman and shopkeeper. Besides the firelock and sword, which were nsnally included in the list of valuables transmitted by will or inherit- ance, was one negro girl, " Vilet," whose value was placed by appraisal at £26 13s. 4d. Among his shop- goods were "garlix," "osnabrig," "Dowlas" and " Tammy," articles then undoubtedly recognized by the fashion of the day. John Ball in his will directs that if his negro man "prove Cross or Disobedient to the commands of his wife that he be sold by his Ex- ecutor." Capt. John Cutting's estate furnishes an inventory of literature, including the "Great Bible " and two small Bibles, some of Mather's works, "Christ dying a sacrifice," "the Blessed Hope," "Sundry Pamphelets," besides five slaves, with their appraised value as follows : Slave Lucy, £20 ; Bartholomew, £20; Dinah, £20; Ishmael, £15, and Thomas, £1. In some inventories the list of books left or bequeathed inclu-

ded what is now regarded as the standard literature of the day ; in others, Latin and Greek classics in the original ; but generally the books were of a solemn and deeply religious character.

In 1757, when the Acadians or French Neutrals were exiled from their homes and distributed among the different provinces, some of the unfortunates were sent to Waltham. They became a burden of public support and were not the objects of that hos- pitality and charity to which their misfortunes would seem to have entitled them. Every town would re- lieve itself of them when occasion would allow, and if one of them strayed from another place he was quite peremptorily ordered away. At one time as many as thirty were residents in the town. Different in race and religion, speaking a foreign tongue, ac- customed to another mode of life, friendless and homeless, they undoubtedly suffered a physical and mental pain which in these days would appeal to our warmest sympathies. But the bitterness of the con- test along the Canadian border waged between the English and French, and their descendants, with the cruel participation of the Indians and the fierce animosity of religion, steeled the hearts of the pro- vincials against the humane feelings which otherwise would have marked their conduct.

Much of the local legislation is on the subject of schools, their assignment to different parts of the town, the hiring of teachers and appropriations for their pay. After several suggestions which were not, at first, favorably received, the town in 1760 voted to hire a school-mistress. Mrs. Geo. Lawrence was ap- pointed and may be assumed to be the first female teacher in the town.

In 1761 a work-house was ordered to be built and a committee appointed for the purpose. It was prob- ably located near the corner of Weston and South Streets. In the same year action was taken, in co- operation with Newton, to build a bridge over Charles River near the mouth of Beaver Brook. This was at the location of the present Newton Street bridge, and was the first bridge over the river within the limits of Waltham.

The close of the French War, in 1763, while it brought peace to the Colonies, and dispelled the fears of the savage invasions, to which the northern bor- ders had been subject, drew in its train the results which soon alienated the people from England and precipitated the final separation. England began to devise new means to pay for the war and keep up its military establishment in America. The Stamp Act, in 1765, was among these resources. Instantly the people were aroused. Every little hamlet felt that a question of principle was at stake, more than that of the mere amount of the tax. Waltham was in touch with its sister communities on the questions of popu- lar colonial rights, which agitated the public mind for the next ten years, and its records give ample evi- dence of the patriotic spirit which animated its peo-

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WALTHAM.

ple and sought expression in the resolutions and action of its town-meetings. It was the town-meet- ings which kept public opinion aroused and made their influence felt, even aeross the sea, so that the British Parliament passed an order forbidding that they should be held, except for the choice of officers and the appropriations for ordinary expenses.

In 1764 Joseph Dix was chosen representative and commenced a service of fifteen consecutive years, thus representing the town through the critical period of American history. He succeeded Samuel Liver- more, who had served seventeen years, fourteen of which were of consecutive service. At this time the population of the town was 663, ineluding four- teen slaves. There were ninety-four houses and 107 families.

Boston was the commercial and political centre of the Colonies, and as the seat of provincial government gave inspiration to all the lesser towns within the cir- cle of its influence. Its resolutions and actions were endorsed so as to give greater force to its leadership and to its greater interest in all that appertained to public welfare. In 1767 the town endorsed Boston's approval of the measures to "promote industry, econ- omy and manufacturing," and later, by other acts, showed its disposition to keep in step with the pre- vailing and growing sentiment of liberty.

Late in the year 1772 the famous Committee of Correspondence of Boston was formed and commenced that work which was great because great results fol lowed. The object of the committee was to open a correspondenee with all the towns in the Colony and with other Colonies, and to publish to the world the sense of wrong inflicted upon the people by the home government. It was a plan to create a unity of sen- timent and action, and encourage an interchange of opinion on the great question of the hour. It has been aptly termed the foundation of the American Union. The time had come when the feelings of every little community were brought to a tension that could not stand mere inaction. Submission was deg- radation and ultimate loss of liberty, and the spirit of loyalty, ever so manifest, must yield to higher prin- eiples.

January 23, 1773, the letter from the committee was read iu town-meeting. It asked for an explicit declaration of the sense of the people, and solicited full communication of their sentiments. It also set forth in spirited words the grievances of the Colonies and the invasion of their civil and religious rights. The town appointed a committee, consisting of Sam- uel Livermore, Esq., Jonas Dix, Esq., Captain Abijab Brown, Leonard Williams, Esq., and Deacon Isaac Stearns, "to take the same into consideration, draw up a vote in answer to said Letter, and report." But there is no record that such a report was ever made. Another letter, setting forth the barbarous and un- christian practices of African slavery, was read at a town-meeting in May, and referred to the representa-

tive, to act upon according to his discretion. In July, 1774, the selectmen voted to lay in a stock of ammu- nition, consisting of four half-barrels of powder, four and one-half hundred-weight of bullets, and 300 flints. In September, in response to a recommendation of an assembly of delegates from Middlesex County, held at Concord, that the town appoint local Committees of Correspondence, the following vote was passed at a town meeting :

" Voted and chose Captain William Coolidge, Dea. Elijah Livermore, Captain Abijah Brown, Lieutenant Abijah Child and Ensign Abraham Pierce a commit- tee for other towns to send to in any emergeney, and they to send to other towns on any emergency." This committee was a local Committee of Safety. When the question came up among the several towns of re- solving the General Court into a Provincial Congress, the town appointed Captain Abijah Brown, Leonard Williams and Jonathan Brewer a committee to adopt instructions to the representative on the subject.

Subsequently Jacob Bigelow was chosen delegate. Waltham had two delegates, Jacob Bigelow and Eleazer Brooks. Watertown, three; Newton, three ; Weston, three.

December 12, 1774, a town-meeting was held to take into serious consideration the Association of the Grand American Continental Congress, and according to their resolves, to choose a committee to attentively observe that such association be punctually and strictly carried into execution. Jonas Dix, Cornet Nathaniel Bridge and Dea. Elijah Livermore were chosen committee.

At a town-meeting held Jan. 9, 1775, the question was put " to know the mind of the Town, whether they will all be prepared and stand ready-equipped as minute-men, and it passed in the affirmative." . Jonas Dix was chosen delegate to the Second Con- gress at the same meeting.

The seleetmen for the eventful year, 1775, were Jonas Dix, Cornet Nathaniel Bridge, Lieut. Daniel Child, Josiah Brown and John Clark. One or two merit more than passing notice for their personal qualities and worth, and deserved prominence, as all do, for the important era in the history of the country in which they served and guided the affairs of the little town. "Squire " Dix, as he was called, was a man of great ability, as recognized by the important committees on which he served in Congress, and by the frequent suffrages of his fellow-citizens for posi- tions of responsibility and honor. No man seems to have served the town with more activity, and have done more for the cause of liberty in those historic days. Nathaniel Bridge was intimate with Washing- ton, and entertained him at his house while in com- mand at Cambridge. Thus in the men whom she chose to represent her, at home and in Congress, by the acts of her town-meetings, and by the patriotic fervor and devotion of her inhabitants, Waltham was fully in accord with the neighboring towns when the

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

impending struggle for resistance and finally for inde- pendence was to commence.

When the first act of the Revolution transpired at Lexington, April 19, 1775, it would be expected that Waltham, a contignous town, would be prominently conspicuous through her militia company with the events of the day. But the records aresingularly ob- scure in regard to any part taken by the towns peo- ple in that memorable affair. There are a few indi- vidual instances of citizens who joined in the pursuit of the regulars, but there is no other authority, either by record or tradition, that the military force was near the scene of action. It has been a source of wonder and conjecture among local historians and orators, why the town did not unite with the neigh- boring towns in sending its company to the scene of duty. It has ever been surmised that Waltham was a Tory town, with a majority of its citizens in sym- pathy with the royal cause. But recent researches in the archives of the State fully disprove such intima- tions. There is ample evidence that the citizens were fully aroused with the spirit of patriotism and the militia company was in active service, though not present at the contest along the line of march of the British troops. The record of the Committee of Liberty shows that during the winter preceding the battle, cannon, ammunition and military stores were stored at Waltham. Doubtless in contemplation of a raid by British troops, and from the danger through the proximity to Boston, of their sudden seizure, the committee had the cannon, mortars, powder, balls, shells, etc., transported to Worcester and Concord. Previous to the Concord expedition, spies had been over the road between Boston and Worcester, and had been apprehended at Weston. When it was known that the troops were preparing for a march into the country, it was a matter of doubt whether their desti- nation was Concord or Worcester, and on the day of the battle when Percy's troops marched out over Boston Neck, it was even then a matter of conjecture as to whether they were intended as reinforcements to the troops returning from Concord, or as a diversion in the direction of Worcester. As Waltham was on the direct road to Worcester, it was but natural that alarm should spread through its borders and the local company should be ready for work near at home. Many families left their homes with their valuables in anticipation of attack, and the greatest anxiety per- vaded the little comunity. But the muster-roll of the Waltham Company, in the State archives, tells its own story. It gives the list of 12 officers and 109 privates who were on duty for three days at this time, marched 28 miles and drew pay for the service according to the following certificate :

"Company in Waltham, cald out by Colonel Thomas Gardner on alarm in defence of the Liberties of Aoterica under the command of Abraham Pierce, Capt. to Concord, and Lexenton fite and the number of miles traveld and how our Expenses and these Lins may sartifie that my Company was keept upon gard til Saturduy the 4 day after the fite at Coacord.

" ABRAHAM PEIRCE, Captain."

The list is remarkable in the fact that it shows that more than one-half of the male population of Waltham above sixteen years was under arms that day and did their country service. But what route they marched and what were the incidents of their service cannot be ascertained.

Immediately after the battle troops began to gather from the country and march towards Boston ; some of the regiments were encamped at Waltham, but were removed with the main army to Cambridge. Walt- ham raised a company for the service. This company was commanded by Captain Abijah Child, and was attached to the Thirty-seventh Foot, commanded by Captain Thomas Gardner. Besides this company there were men from the town scattered through other regiments of the army. Captain Childs' company was undoubtedly in the battle of Bunker Hill, as the regiment was in the battle and Colonel Gardner was there mortally wounded and six men were killed, though no names are given in any of the accounts. In the subsequent records of the town votes are passed for reimbursing some of the citizens for accoutrements lost at Bunker Hill.

The most prominent military man of the town was Colonel Jonathan Brewer, who commanded a regi- ment in the Continental Army, and was at Bunker Hill, where he was wounded. He made an offer to Congress to raise troops for the invasion of Canada. When this expedition was organized and marched to the capture of Quebec, under Arnold, through the wilds of Maine under great privations, Waltham men were with it, and afterwards were awarded additional pay for their sufferings. As Colonel Brewer, Captain Childs and other officers were with Washington in the Jerseys in 1776, it is supposed that the Waltham Company shared the fortunes of the army out of New England. To all the requisitions of men during the remainder of the war, the town responded with patri- otic devotion and the soldiers were rewarded with liberal pay and bounties by their fellow-citizens.

In March, 1776, Captain William Coolidge, Thomas Wellington and Lieutenant Samuel Stearns were chosen a Committee of Correspondence. As they are also referred to as the Committee of "Inspection" and "Safety," doubtless they had general supervision of the local military and the share of Waltham in conducting the war during their term of service. In May, 1776, the town voted to engage their fortunes and lives in support of a declaration of independence should Congress for the safety of the Colonies so de- clare them. When the declaration was proclaimed it was read and spread at length on the town records.

After opposing in one year the formation of a State Constitution, the town instructed the representative in 1777 to join with others in the formation of such Constitution as shall best promote the happiness of the nation. In 1778, at a meeting, it was voted to in- struct the representative to vote in favor of ratifying the Articles of Confederation.

RESIDENCE OF THE LATE THEOPHILUS W. WALKER, WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.

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WALTHAM.

In August, 1779, Jonas Dix, Esq., and Capt. Jonas Clark were elected delegates to the Constitutional Conveotion.

During the remainder of the war the struggle bore hard upon all the towns. Constant calls came for men, some to serve with the Continental Army, and others to perform special service where the exigencies of war and the possibilities of attack might require. As orders were issued respectively at different times to the first and second companies of militia, it is in- ferred that there were two companies in town at that period. The currency had become so depreciated that fabulous sums were paid for bounties, and also for wages and salaries of those in civil stations and for the necessaries of life. A convention was held at Concord for the regulation of prices of merchandise and labor, and in obedience to the recommendation of that convention the following schedule of prices was fixed : Hay, 36s. per hundred-weight ; oats, 368. per bushel; labor for haying and wall-laying, 428. per day; mechanics with tools and found, 608 .; blacksmiths for shoeing a horse, £4 ; meal of butchers' meat and vegetables, 12s .; same with tea, 158 .; mug of flip, 128 .; bowl of toddy, 12s; making a coat, £6 ; breeches, £3,etc.A committee of eleven was elected and directed by the town to carry out the provisions of the order. Persons who should charge more than these rates were to be dealt with by the Committee of Inspec- tion, Safety and Correspondence, and have their names published in the newspapers. In the demand for soldiers, the bounties in many cases were specified to be in silver.

In 1780, the first election under the new State Constitution was held, and the vote of the town was : for Governor, John Hancock, 54; James Bowdoin, 3.

The natural increase of population, probably owing to the demands of war, had not been sustained, and in 1783 the population numbered but 683. When the new Constitution of the United States was referred to the people of the State for ratification, Leonard Williams was chosen delegate to the Convention. In the vote for ratification in 1788, though the majority of the delegates from Middlesex County opposed the new Constitution, the delegate from Waltham voted for it, thus showing that he forecast the future correctly in relation to that great instrument of civil governmant. When, in the first year of the adminis- tration, Washington visited Massachusetts, he passed through Waltham. He was received at Weston by a horse company and escorted through the town with every demonstration of the respect to which he was entitled.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 167

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