USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III > Part 181
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The following is a list of the members of the Som- erville Light Infantry belonging to Somerville, who
were mustered into the United States service in April, 1861, and served three months :
George O. Brastow, capt. James H. Flagg, mue.
Wm. E. Robinson, 1st lt.
Frank Walburg, mus.
Fred. R. Kinelay, 2d It. Henry H. Robinson, 2d wag.
Walter C. Bailey, egt.
Nathıl T. Abbett.
John Harrington, egt.
Wm. R. Corlen, sgt.
John C. Watson, egt.
Henry II. Robinson, cnrp.
Joseph Anthony.
James E. Paul, corp.
Wm. W. Anderson.
Jeaac Barker, Jr., corp.
Joseph Arnold.
Albion AdamB.
Joseph A. Austin.
John Adams.
Wm. Ayers. George W. Barnes.
Hawee Atwood.
Edwin C. Bennett.
Thomas A. Barr.
Martin II. Binney.
Romanus E. Beers.
Warren A. Bird.
Charles K. Brackett.
Charles H. Bonner.
Samuel R. Brintnell.
Edward Brackett.
Calvin A. Bruce.
Albert Caswell.
George W. Burroughs.
Elkanah Crosby.
Alonzo Butler.
John E. Davie.
John Cashin. Russell T. Chamberlain.
John T. Giles.
Joseph J. Giles.
John Clausen.
Joseph Hale, Jr.
Henry C. Hammond.
Frank E. Hannaford.
George F. Harris.
John K. Hodgkins.
James R. Hopkius.
Jamos H. Dellaway.
Adolphus Dusseault.
Horatio Jeukine, Jr.
Charles Kilham.
Willard C. Tinsley.
Charles A. Mooney.
Francis W. Moore.
George W. Nason, Jr.
Fletcher N. Nelson.
Judson W. Oliver.
Daniel A. Hartwell.
Joseph W. Palne.
Oscar Parsons.
Charles II. Powere.
Charles C. Quimby. Benjamin F. Schellinger.
Charles H. Holland.
Lucius H. Shuttuck.
Edwin A. Hubbard.
Wells W. Huston.
James H. Jewett.
Charles H. Sweeney. John Van De Laud.
George A. Kimball. John C. Leavitt.
Edward M. Walker.
Kinsley Wallace.
Wm. W. Watson.
George F. Whitcomb.
W'm. E. Locke.
Eli W. Loveless.
Wm. Manning. George W. Maynard. John A. Mills. George E. Mitchell.
Henry M. Moulton. Michael Mumnaugh.
Edward Netlinger.
Benj. B. Parsons. George E. Pattes. Albert H. Paul. John A. Poor. John H. Potter.
Charles A. Pressy. Gardner W. Ring. Henry H. Robinson.
Jolin W. Roberts.
Edward L. Shattuck.
Joseph Sinclair. Edward Stout.
Willard L. Hawes, corp. Wm. F. Snow, corp. Thoe. R. Watson, corp.
Michael Havlin. Patrick Hayes. George W. Hinckley.
Win. E. Shaw.
Nathan A. Simonde.
Jolin W. Leavitt. Nicholas Lee. George E. Lincoln.
Joseph Young.
Mustered Sept. 19, 1862, for nine months in Co. B, 5th Regiment : Benjamin F. Parker, capt. Walter C. Bailey, Ist It. John Harrington, 2d It. Edward W. Denny, Ist sgt. James E. Paul, sgt. Kinsley Wallace, sgt. ('harles T. Robiusou, sgt. llenry A. Augier, egt.
Ebenr C. Mann, Jr., corp. Charles E. Davie, corp.
Granville W. Darcett, corp.
Nathaniel Deunett, corp. Edwin Turner, corp. Cyrus B. Rowa, corp.
lleury E. Gilson.
Alvin F. Glidden.
Moses F. Greenwood.
Daniel Hallahan.
Peter B. Haley.
Joseph Hanson.
Pliny R. Howe. Richard J. Hyde.
Fred. R. Cohb.
James Cunningham.
Fred. Cushing.
Ferdinand D. Daniels.
Wm. E. Dickson.
Wm. Elliott, James Emmott.
Charles B. Hollander.
Melvin Adams. Wm. A. Aiken.
Lewis A. Allen.
SOMERVILLE.
George E. Sturtevant. Sam. J. F. Thayer. Francis H. Thompson. Samnel G. Tompkins. Francis E. Whitcomb. Joseph A. White. Albert Williame. George A. Willett. Edward E. Winslow. Charles II. Woodwell. John Younie.
James Clark.
Mustered July 31, 1861, Alvio G. Lovejoy. Peter Thompson. Mustered Jan. 1, 1564, Frederick Whitcomb.
Mustered Sept. 5, 1861, for 3 years in 3d Battery : Henry C. Hammund, corp. Mustered Sept. 9, 1861, Wm. F. Steer.
Mustered Jan. 3, 1864, for 3 years in 4th Battery :
George W. Colbatb.
Mnotered March 9, 1864, John Harkine.
Mustered Aug. 10, 1862, for 3 years iu 9th Buttery : Jobn H. Sullivan, corp. Mustered March 16, 1864, James Gordon.
Mustered Feb. 9, 1864, Sam. P. Hatch.
Mustered Jan. 12, 1864, John Horrigan. Mustered Feh. 15, 1864, Michael Horrigan.
Mustered Sept. 16, 1862, for nine months in Co. G, 42d Reg. :
Charles Paine.
Mustered Sept. 12, 1862, for nine months in Co. F, 44th Reg. : Herbert Osborn.
Mustered Sept. 22, 1862, for nine months in Co. E, 47th Reg. : Herbert O. Porter. Samuel F. Teele. Alonzo W. Temple.
Mastered Sept. 29, 1862, for nine months in Co. II, 50th Reg. : Joseph A. Pike.
Mustered Oct. 17, 1862, for nine months in Co. D, 53d Reg. : John R. Moulton.
Mustered Ort. 3, 1861, for 3 years in Ist Battery of Light Artillery : Frank A. Høyt, bugler.
Mastered Ort. 3, 1863, for 3 years in 2d Battery : Lucian A. Hodgdon, 2d lt. Mustered Feb. 16, 1864, Seth 11. Hatch, artificer. Mustered March 18, 1864, Mustered Jan. 26, 1864, George Maden. Wm. Stahl. Mustered Jan. 23, 1804, Francis 11. Mason. Mustered Ang. 10, 1862, Michael McCarroll. 49-iii
Mustered Feb. 1, 1864, James A. Nutter.
Mustered Feb. 25, 1864, Horace Record.
Mustered .Jan. 25, 1864, Joho Stales.
Mastered Jan. 2, 1864, for 3 years in 11th Battery : Charles M. Miller.
Mustered March 24, 1864, for 3 years in 13th Battery :
George Gordon.
Mustread Feb. 27, 1khi4, for 3 years in 14th Battery:
Frank Page.
Mustered March 14, 1864, for 3 years, lat Reg., Heavy Art. : Wm. II. J. Webber.
Mustered Jan. 2, 1864, for 3 years in 2d Reg., Heavy Art. :
Lewis Perry, corp. C'o. C. Mustered Aug. 14, 1863, Edward W. Deony, Ist It. Mastered Dec. 25, 1863, Co, L, Henry W. Dey.
Mustered Jan. 2, 1864, 3 years, lat Reg. of Cav. :
William W. Wardell, Ist lieut.
Must. Sept. 12, 1861, Co. B, John Clarkenn. Wm. D. Francis.
Mustered Sept. 14, 1861, Heliodorue Wellington.
Mustered Sept. 17, 1861, Co. C,
Joho A. Glines, sgt. Charles C. Quimby, corp. Charles F. Bartlett. George W. Bartlett.
Alanson Bond.
Mustered Sept. 25, 1861, Ira B. Knowlton, wag. Mnstered Jan. 1, 1864, Jonathan Atkinson.
Mustered Sept. 23, 1861, Gilbert Wakefield. Mustered Oct. 5, 1861, Co. G, Richard Hill, sergt. Mustered March 21, 1864, Co. H, Charles Patterson.
Mustered .Jan. 6, 1861, 3 years, new Bott. of Cav. : Edward B. Daniela, sergt. Edward W. Hudeon, bugler. Robert C. Havemy.
Mustered Dec. 4, 1861, 3 years, Ist Reg. of Car., Co. MT : Fred. D. Maynard, corp.
Mustered Jan. 11, 1864, HnaSA, re- cruite, Ist Reg. of Car. :
Lonis Mather. Mustered March 21, 1864,: Daniel Banery.
Mustered .Aug. 13, 1863, 3 years, 2d Reg. Cuv., (h. B : Bernard F. Sheridan. Mustered Ang. 10, 1863, Co. II, Charles Mathews. Mustered Ang. 11, 1863, Co. I, John O'Brien.
Mustered Aug. 14, 1863, Co. K, James O'Donnell.
Mustereit Feb. 5, 1864, 3 years, 3d Reg. of Car. Co. B : John Busch.
Mustered Jan. 6, 1864, 3 years, 1th Reg. of Cwv., Co. C: Herman Hutchinson.
Mustered Dec. 4, 1861, Co. 1, Richard ('unnioghanı. James Fitzpatrick.
Frederick D. Maynard, corp. C'o M
Mustered July 12, 1x64, Co. K, John Foley.
Mustered March 26, 1864, 3 ycora, 5th Reg. of Car. :
William H. Hawes, Int sergt.
Muatered Moy 24, 1861, 3 years, Ist Reg., Co. F:
Fred. A. S. Lewis,
Mnstered May 23, 1861, Co. G,
Edward L. Gilman, capt.
Mustered Ang. 20, 1862, 3 years, 2d Reg., Co. C: Joseph Curtin.
Mustered Aug. 18, 1862, 3 years, 9th Reg., Co. E: Michael Kelley. Mustered Feh. 19, 1862, Co. H, Michael Cookley.
Mustered Jan. 2, 1864, 3 years, 11th Reg., Co. F .: James W. Smith.
Mustered Dec. 29, 1864, Co. F, Andrew C. Hatch, corp.
Mustered Jan. 30, 1864,
John Biswanger.
Mustered Sept. 1, 1862, Co. I, Charles B. Lawrence.
Mnetered June 13, 1861, Co. K, John Hillman. Mustered Jan. 4, 1864, Wm. Reaves.
Mustered June 26, 1861, 3 years, 12th Reg., Co. A : Albert E. Mitchell. Moses Hazeltine, corp. Co. C. Nathaniel Hazeltine.
Mustered July 16, 1861, 3 years, 13th Reg., Co. A : ('harlee F. Russell, corp. Russell J. Whitton, corp. Mustered July 28, 1861, Co. E, Frank A. Ley.
Mustered July 12, 1861, three years, 16th Reg., Co. D : James C'arroll. Mustered Jan. 2, 1861,
James Świft. Mustered Jan. 12, 1861, Co, F, Lyman Center. John Harkios, July 12, 1861. John Mcl'abe. Reuben K. Thorne.
Mustered Auty. 24, 1861, 3 years, 18th Reg., Co. F ; Tinothy Collins, corp. Fred. G. Cruden, corp.
Mustered July 27, 1863, three years, 19th Regiment, Co. G :
George Wood.
Mustered Aug. 28, 1861, Co. 1, Martin Bralburo, wag. Edward A. Bullock.
Mustered Sept. 13, 1861, Co. K, Frank A. Nowell. Richard Harpin, Feb. 17, 1864. W'm. Allen, Feb. 17, 1864, un- assigned. George Davis. George Wilson. Dennis MeNamara, Aug. 20, 1861, unassigned.
Mustered July, 13, 1864, three years, 20th Regiment, Co I:
John Foley.
Muatered Aug. 27, 1863, three years, 22d Regiment :
Edwin (. Bennett, capt. Patrick Barry, June 27, 1864, Co. C. Patrick MeHugh, Sept. 6, 1861, Co. 1.
.John Murphy, July 6, 1864.
Mustered Oct. 9, 1861, three years, 23d Regiment, Co. A :
Fred. A. Gallethy. Jonas L. Whitney. Timothy Stanly, Oct. 29, 1861, Co. B. Rufus King, mue, Oct. 18, 1861, Co. F.
Irvin M. Bennett, corp., Nov. 5, 1861, Co. 11. Fletcher N. Nelson, (ct. 5, 1861.
Mustered Nov. 18, 1861, three yours, 24th Regiment, Co. D;
George W. Ayers.
Mustered April 26, 1864, three years, 2lith Regiment, Co. E:
Samuel F. Teel. Patrick Sheriden, Jan. 3, 1864, Co. H.
Mustered May 23, 1861, three years, 28th Regiment :
Martin Binney, Ist It. Dennis Day, Dec. 13, 1861, Co. A. Timothy Lyons, Jun. 2, 1864, Co. C.
Dennis W. Johnson, Dec. 28, 1×63, Co. D. James Lawson, March 11, 1864. Richard Shalley, Jan. 24, 1862. John Gormley, Dec. 13, 1861, Co. E. Peter Tehen, Jan. 2, 1864, Co. I. Edward Carmien, March 21, 1861, unasigned.
Mustered Muy 14, 1861, three years, 29th Regiment :
Thomas Hayes. Dela 11. King, Jnn. 2, 1864, Co. F. Thomas Bond, Aug. 31, 1864, DI- nasigned.
Mustered Jan. 2, 1864, three years, 30th Regiment, Co. A : Charlea Mars, corp. John Battles, Dec. 13, 1861, Co, H.
770
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
The following enlisted for one hundred days, and were mustered into the service July 25, 1864, in Co. B, 5th Regiment :
Joho N. Coffio, capt. Charles T. Robinson, 1st It. Granville W. Daniels, 2d It.
George W. Burroughs, let egt. Wmn. E. Dickson, sgt. Charles E. Hobbs, sgt. Philip O. Woodberry, sgt. Edward H. Aikeo, corp. Jabez P. Delt, corp.
George H. Ilale, corp. Fred. W. Johnson, corp. Frank Walburg, mus.
Alvin R. Bailey.
Wmn. Buck man.
Wm. F. Boyutoo.
Heury F. C'arter. Joho W. Hatch.
Henry Hudson. Frank James.
llenry Lovering. James McCart.
Frank McDermott.
Wm. A. Mellen. George B. Neiss. Caleb A. Page.
Edward Peacock.
Thomas S. Pratt.
Albert H. Voulge.
Luther 11. Preston. George F. Kicker.
J. W. Robinson.
Wm. O. Russell.
Samuel II. Stevens.
Charles H. Tyler.
Frederick A. White.
Mustered into the service for one hundred days, July 20, 1864, in C'o. D, 42d Regiment :
James E. Merritt.
Mustered Nov. 16, 1861, three years, 32d Regiment :
Joseph Austin, Ist It.
John A. Norrie, Nov. 27, 1861, Co. O.
Win. 11. Norris, Oct. 31, 1861.
James Donalive, July 9, 1862, Co. G.
John Murphy, July 6, 1864, Co. M.
Mustored June 7, 1865, three yeurs 39th Regiment :
Fred. R. Kinsly, col.
Melville C. l'arkhurst, capt., June 7, 1865.
Joseph Giles, Ist It., Ang. 14, 1862. Willard C. Kindly, 1st It., Nov. 13, 1862.
Johu H. Dennult, Ist It., Sept. 8, 1864.
Edwin Mills, 2d It., Jan. 8, 1864. Georgo A. Bodge, 2d lt., April 3, 1865.
Edwin Wells, sgt .- maj., Aug. 12, 1862.
Elkanal Crosby, sgt.
John Kennedy, sgt. George Myers, sgt. Win. D. Palmer, sgt. Wmm. II. Thomas, sgt.
George Vande Sorte, sgt. Wmn. M. Carr, corp. Willard C. Fairchild, corp. Frod. A. Glines, corp.
David Gorham, corp. John E. Horton, corp. Leslie Stevens, corp.
Daniel Crowley, mus. James H. Newell, mus.
Jesse B. Abbott.
James M. Allen. Wm. J. Arnold.
W'm. A. Baker.
Charles H. Beldiog.
Angust Bentz.
Jaules Bertcher.
John T. Bolton.
Mustered Sep. 3, 1862, three years, 40th Regiment :
Charles H1. Gooding, Ist sgt.
Mustered Mar. 4, 1864, three years, 56th Regiment :
Edward F. Littlefield, let It.
(instavus A. Clark.
Ambrose W. Coles.
Chandler G. Cole.
llerbert Collett.
Thomas Conuer. .George Cutter. Amus F. Davis.
Charles E. Edlepsou. Samuel Emnerson. George A. Farrar. Walter Fay.
Charles C. Fellows. Samuel O. Felker.
Charles E. Fitcham.
Jolını E. F'uller.
Elijah II. Gilcrease.
Dexter Gray.
Edward L. Graut.
Wm. F. C. Graham.
Eugene B. Hadley.
Edward M. Ilale. John Halford.
John H. Hanley.
George R. Harlow.
Wm. M. Harburn. George H. Hatch. George A. Ilille.
Patrick D. Ilogau. l'atrick lorgan.
llenry E. Ilowe.
Richard J. Ilyde. Thomas L. Ilyde.
Charles G. Jones.
Thomas Kelley. David Kendrick.
E. F. Kenneston. John F. Locke. Washington Lovett. John McCarthy. Alexnuder McGurdy. Samuel McJunkens. George McNall. John McQuade. Jumes HI. Merreit. John S. Merrett. John Moran. George A. Northy. Thomas O'Brien. Henry O' Neil. John O'Sullivan. Wm. Odiorno.
Francis J. Oliver.
Judson J. Oliver. Jeremiah T. Pains. Gideon W. Perry. Henry W. Piokam. Robert Powers. John S. Roberts.
James McNay, Co. B. Daniel Cooper, May 19, 1864, Co. F.
John McMullin, Jan. 12, 1864.
Mustered Mar. 4, 1864, three years, 57th Regiment, Co. G .:
Michael Cashman. Andrew Fogerty. Wm. Hyda.
llenry Shaw. John B. Shaw.
John Sheehan.
Addison Smith. Herman C. Stickusy.
Mustered Jan. 14, 1864, three years, 59th Regiment, Co. C: George King. Aodrew Graham, Feb. 9, 1864.
Frank W. Thompson.
Joseph W. Martin.
Joseph W. Whetmore.
William C. Willeutt.
Heury H. Hill, Jan. 4, 1864, Co. E. W'm. Ilowarth.
Juhu M. Lovett. George Shneidi.
Www. H. M. Calvert, April 2, 1864, Co. 1.
Mustered Feb. 10, 1864, Reg. Army : Joseph Ilale.
In the early days of the town its meetings were held either in the Medford Street School-house or in the engine-house on the corner of Prospect and Washington Streets. When the Unitarian Church was completed its vestry was used for a time, but after the erection of the High School-house which was founded in 1852, town-meetings were held in its lower hall until the Forster School building was erected in 1867, when the large hall in the upper story was fit- ted for a town hall and used by the town until the incorporation of the city in 1871.
On the 3d of May, 1866, an act was passed by the General Court authorizing Charlestown to supply the town of Somerville with water, and,on the 14th of May, 1868, another act was passed authorizing Somerville and Charlestown to lay pipes for the sup- ply of water. Before that time the main reliance of the town had been in wells. A contract was made with the Charlestown authorities for a supply of water, provided their present supply was more than sufficient for Charlestown and Chelsea, at the rates charged to the inhabitants of those cities, with a re- bate to the town. The sum of $100,000 was raised for the purpose of carrying out the enterprise, and the town at once received the necessary supply. In 1870 under a subsequent act of the General Court, the town was authorized to raise an additional sum of $100,000 and afterwards a third amount was raised, making the sum total of water loan $400,000. The town is now supplied with Mystic water by the city of Boston through pipes, and a water tower for high service of its own. Boston collects the water rents and returns to the city of Somerville fifty per cent. of the same. The expenditure for high service was authorized by the Legislature May 21, 1889. The pumping station and tower intended for the high service alone can furnish a supply of two million of gallons in twenty- four hours. A small part of Somerville near the Cambridge line is supplied with water from Cam-
John Creamer, Mar. 12, 1864, Co. 11.
John Byrnes.
John B. Caufield.
James A. Littlefield, Ist It.
James R. French, Dec. 26, 1863, Co. A.
Wm H. Dodge.
Jonathan C. Dyer.
George W. Wreu.
Davis P. Buckman.
Sumner P. Bollius.
771
SOMERVILLE.
bridge, but the Somerville Water Board in their Re- port for the year 1889 advise that 7051 feet of pipe laid by the Cambridge Company, and supplying abont two hundred and fifty honses, be replaced by the Somerville pipes; so that the supply of the whole town shall be exclusively their own.
On the 3Ist of March, 1860, the town of Somer- ville was authorized to lay sewers. The system is now progressing rapidly towards completion, and during the last year nearly twelve thousand feet have been laid. During the same year the cost of construction and maintenance was $16,968.64.
On the 29th of April, 1871, the town of Som- erville appointed a committee to prepare a set of by-laws for the organization of a Public Library. Trustees were chosen October 21, 1872, and on the 14th of November met and organized. The trustees were John I'. Marshall, Quincy A. Vinal, Charles G. Pope, Charles H. Guild, Charles Lowe and Samuel A. Carlton. Isaae Putnam was chosen librarian and the library was opened in a room in City Hall in May, 1879, with 2386 volumes.
The present elegant and commodious Library Building on Prospect Hill was finished in 1885, and dedicated in the Unitarian Church on the 29th of September in that year. Mark F. Burns presided, and the principal address was delivered by Justin Winsor, the librarian of Harvard University. Short addresses were also made by Rev. George W. Durell, Rev. John S. Thomson and George A. Bruce. The library contained at the close of 1889, 17,045 volumes, of which 1162 were added during the year. The available revenues for the same year were an appro- priation of $3000. Receipts from dog licenses al- lowed by the town, $2382.90 ; fines, $293.76; receipts from catalogues, $44.05; payments for books, $15,50, making a total of $5736.21. The expenses were: Salaries, $1874.88; books, $2520.81 ; printing and sta- tionery, $406.67 ; binding, $146.95; newspapers, $12; gas, $182.01 ; fuel, $233.05; water, $29; repairs, §382.83; labor, $121.15; express, $41.15; incidentals, $48.66; insurance, $142.50, making a total of $6151.66.
In 1868 two petitions were presented to the Gener- al Court for a division of the town, but the petitioners received leave to withdraw. In that year also, under the direction of the selectmen, a census was taken which showed a population of 12,535. In 1869 a movement was made looking towards annexation with Charlestown and Boston, and the representatives to the General Court from Somerville were instructed to vote for it. The movement, however, failed, and from that time until 1871 the popular feeling grew in favor of a city charter. In that year a petition was presented to the Legislature, and on the 14th of April, 1871, the act was passed.
On the 7th of December, 1871, the selectmen met and counted and declared the vote for city and ward officers. For Ward One, Ansel Lewis was chosen warden, and M. B. Stebbins clerk; for Ward Two,
Robert A. Vinal, warden, and Samnel S. Sias, elerk ; Ward Three, Samuel M. Pennock, warden, and Forest G. Hawes, clerk ; Ward Four, Lebbeus Stetson, war- den, and George W. Pratt, clerk. George O. Barstow was chosen mayor, and the following aldermen and Common Council :
Aldarmen.
Wm. Il. Furber
Daniel K. Chase
Clark Bennett
Jacob T. Clines
George W. Iladley Joba R. Poor
Person Davis
Jobu G. Hall
Council.
Charles G. Pope
Albert Keuneson
E. A. Curtis
Thomas Il. Lord
John T. Bolton
Wesly C. Crane
Walter S. Barnes
E. D. Conant
C. E. Byrnes Patrick Rafferty
Michael Deehan
Stewart French
Oren S. Knapp
H. F. Woods
George W. Wyatt
Nath1. Morrison
The following persons have served as mayors of the city since 1872, in the years set against their names :
1872-73, George O. Brastow ; 1874-75, Win. Il. Farber ; 1876-77, Austin Belknap; 1878-80, George A. Bruce ; 1851-84, John A. C'uto- mings ; 1885-88, Mark F. Buras ; 1889-90, Charles G. l'ope.
At the ceremonies attending the inauguration of the city government January 1, 1871, the meeting was called to order by August Belknap, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, and a prayer was offered by Rev. Henry F. Barber. Hon. George O. Brastow then delivered his inaugural address. George Oliver Brastow was born in Wrentham, September 8, 1811. After a few years' residence in Maine he removed to Somerville and engaged actively in business. In 1845 he was a selectman, from 1844 to 1862 on the School Committee, Representative in 1849-51 and 1862, a member of the Senate in 1854, 1866-69, and President of the Senate in 1868 and again in 1869 after the resignation of Robert C. Pitman on his ap- pointment to the bench of the Superior Court. His connection with the Somerville Light Infantry and his service in the war have been already men- tioned. After his return from the war he was for a time a paymaster in the army, and in 1874-76 he was a member of the Executive Council. He died No- vember 23, 1878.
ADDRESS OF MAYOR BRASTOW, Jan. 1, 1872.
" Gentlemen of the ('ity Council :- In entering upon the duties wwwigned me by the vory flattering vote of my fellow-citizens, the first impulse of my heart is to express my thanks for the honor which their confi- douce confers and to acknowledge my foll appreciation of the responsi- bility which it imposes upon mo. The change from a town to u city form of government was regurded by the wise and good men who established our State, as of sufficient iciportance to be recognized and provided for in the Constitution of the Commonwealth.
" For about two centuries after the settlement of the Colony the people of Massachusetts adhered without change to the town system of locul government. In small communities the town organization is the mont desirable and the best, because it is the most simple and the most demo- cratic. It brings the people frequently together to consider and discuss RIl matters pertaining to their municipal welfare, und by them all euch business is transacted in the town-meeting. But where a town has in- creased in population beyond u certain limit, and its various public needs become more and more woighty und pressing, it is impossible for the peo
772
HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
ple in the crowded town-meeting to give to all the questions which arise that careful deliberation which their importance demands ; con- seqnently a delegated or city form of government becomes a necessity. The real difference in the two forms of government is just this: In the town the people act directly for themselves in 'open town-meeting,' in the city the people elect certain officers to act for them. This change Is entirely optional with the people themselves. No town can become a city unless its citizens desire the change.
" The city charter of Somerville, granted by the last Legislature, has been voted upon and legally accepted, and a city form of government adopted by the people ; and to no, the City Council, they have delegated the public affairs of our new city. The Board of Aldrimen and the l'onmon Conneil, in the exerrise of their various duties, hold to the ('ity Government similar relative powers which the Senate and the House of Representatives do to the State Government ; the upper branch being considered the conservative and the lower branch the popular body.
" Each branch in its artion has a check upon the other ; and this fea- ture, and the fact that every measure must pass through several stages of consideration before it is finally adopted, is a peruliurity of a city form of government as compared with that of a town, and furnishes ample security against hasty and inconsiderate action.
" Upon us is imposed a great trust, and a weighty responsibility-to ne the welfare of our beautiful and rapidly-growing city is confided.
" It is well that a divine Idessing has been invoked for the future welfare of our city, and it was fitting that a thank offering was rendered for the past prosperity of our town.
" J congratulate you and I congratulate our fellow-citizens that this change in our municipal government, winch is the most important event in our bietory, is made under circumstances so pronnsing and 80 encouraging.
" The present debt of the town, including the water bonds, is five bundred and ninety-three thousand three hundred and forty-nine dol- lars, and the last assessed valuation of its public property is six hundred and sixty thousand dollars.
" The growth and increase in population and taxalle property in Somerville, and her progress in all that tends to improve and elevato A conununity, have been constant and rapid, from its incorporation as a town in 1842 to the present time. Its beginning was small and bumble, and the contrast between its then ' day of small things ' and its present vig- orous population is most striking. At the time of its incorporation the pop- ulation of the town was only ten hundred and thirteen ; to-day our population is fully sixteen thousand. In 1842 the assessed value of tax- able property of the town was nine hundred and eighty eight thousand five hundred and thirteen dollars. In 1871 it was fifteen million seven hundred and seventy- five thousand dollers. The whole amount of money rnised by taxation in 1842 was four thousand seven hundred and fifty- dollars ; in 1871 the amount was two hundred and sixty thousand four hundred and sixty dollars and ninety-five cents. In 1842 there were but four schools and four teachers in Somerville ; to-day there are fifty two schools and sixty-five teschers. The whole nmount appropriated for the support of schools in 1842 was eighteen hundred dollars; the amount approprinted the last year for the same purpose was fifty-nine thousand four hundred dollars. When incorporated as a town, and for two years subsequent thereto, there was not a church edifice within vur corporate limits, nor did there exist n religions society distinct from former parish connections ; to-day there are eleven church edifices, with as many distinct organized religious societies. It will be seen from this brief enumeration that onr public schools have been one of our most popular und cherished institutions, and always in advance of our progress in wealth and population. They have ever stood high ou the public rec- ord ; and for several years Somerville has ranked number one in the whole list of towns and eitiee In the Commonwealth, judged by the amount of money appropriated for each scholar. That the high charac- acter of our schools has contributed much toward the rapid and vigorous growth of our town there can be no doubt. They were never as a whole in a more satisfactory condition than at the present time; and I ven- ture but little when I pledge, in the name of myself and my associates, that they shall not be permitted to recede from their present high posi- tion from nny lack of judicions fostering care on the part of the new ('ity Government.
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