History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 20

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 20

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Scripture. The other abbreviations need no explana- tion. Francis Mason (auth. and transl.), William Crowell (ed. and auth.), Joseph Barnard (auth.), David N. Sheldon (auth.), Ezekiel G. Robinson (auth., ed. and transl.), Lucius E. Smith (ed. and auth.), Eli- as L. Magoon (auth.), Martin B. Anderson (ed. and auth.), Edwin T. Winkler (ed. and com.), Basil Manly (auth.), Nathan Brown (ed., transl. and poet), Albert N. Arnold (auth., com.), Ebenezer Dodge (auth.), George W. Samson (auth.), John L. Lincoln (auth.), Heman Lincoln (ed.), Franklin Wilson (ed.), Samuel L. Caldwell (auth.), Alvah Hovey (auth. and com.), George Dana Boardman (auth.), Oakman S. Stearns (auth.), Nathaniel M. Williams (auth. and com.), John H. Luther (ed.), Samuel K. Smith (ed.), Edward C. Mitchell (auth.), Chapin H. Carpenter (auth.), H. Lincoln Wayland (ed. and auth.), David B. Ford (auth. and com.), Henry A. Sawtelle (auth. and com.), D. A. W. Smith (com. and auth.), Joseph A. Gilmore (poet), Theron Brown (poet and ed.), Henry S. Bur- rage (auth. and ed.), D. W. Faunce (auth.), W. S. Mc- Kenzie (poet), George E. Horr, Jr. (ed.), George E. Merrill (auth.), J. B. G. Pidge (com.), W. A. Stevens (com.), E. P. Gould (com.), E. Benj. Andrews (auth.), Sylvester Burnham (auth.), A. J. Gordon (auth. and ed.). More than a hundred volumes worthy of atten- tion have been given to the people by the persons named above, to say nothing of the much greater amount of valuable truth discussed by them in news- papers and reviews.

CHAPTER V.

NEWTON-(Continued).

THE LIBRARIES.

BY ELIZABETH P. THURSTON.

WEST PARISH SOCIAL LIBRARY .- As early as 1798 a library was organized in the west part of the town by a society called " The Social Society in the West Parish in Newton." The constitution provided that a library be formed of the value of $150; that it be divided into a number of equal rights of the value of $3.00 each, and that each proprietor pay annually twenty-five cents upon each of his rights. The li- brarian was required " to be possessed, in his own right, of an estate of at least double the value of all the books which the library may contain." The books selected, about 165 in number, were mostly of a serious nature.

ADELPHIAN LIBRARY .- The Adelphian Library was formed about 1827. Quite a valuable collectiou of books was procured by William Jackson through earnest efforts in various ways : many volumes were gathered through the Newton Temperance Society, formed in 1826, which believed that "if the people

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

staid at home and saved their money, they would need books to read." One part of the library was placed in the West Parish in the Academy of Seth Davis, who was for a time librarian ; the other part was under the care of Marshall S. Rice, librarian in the East Parish.

WEST NEWTON ATHENEUM .- The West Newton Athenænm was the name of an association formed in 1849. District No. 5 had accepted the offer of the State to donate fifteen dollars to any district which would raise the same and furnish the District School Library. Mr. Nathaniel T. Allen, as school-master in District No. 5, had charge of the District School Library, which he kept in the school-honse, now the City Hall Building. Being interested in starting the Atheneum, Mr. Allen sent for and obtained posses- sion of the Adelphian Library of the West Parish, which, added to the District School Library and the books of the old library of 1798, formed the nucleus of the Athenaeum Library. Many volumes were pre- sented by citizens, Captain Charles T. Savage giving the largest number, and new books were purchased. The value of the shares was placed at ten dollars each. The Athenaeum started with William B. Fowle, Sr., as president ; Rev. Joseph S. Clarke, secretary ; Captain Charles T. Savage, treasurer ; Nathaniel T. Allen, librarian. The meetings of the shareholders were held in the old Town Hall under the school- rooms, and the library was kept in a small side room until removed to the room over the market, corner of Washington and Chestnut Streets. One aim of the West Newton Athenæum was to promote liberal cul- ture and social improvement, and the details of the history of the institution will be found in the chapter on Clubs, Societies, etc.

NEWTON BOOK CLUB .- In January, 1848, an asso- ciation was formed at Newton Corner, known as the "Newton Book Club," to which there were originally twenty-six subscribers, and a form of by-laws and reg- ulations was adopted, placing the club in the care of a committee of five, who should see that the books were "treated with care, as they are intended to form a Permanent Library for the benefit of the village." The annual assessment for membership to the club was placed at five dollars, and any person approved by the committee might join, More than 100 vol- umes were purchased the first year.

NEWTON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION .- In January, 1849, the members of the Book Club, " desirous of promoting the cause of Inteiligence and Literature in this place," formed themselves into a corporation under the title of the "Newton Library Association," and 117 volumes were given by the Book Club to the new organization. The records at the close of the year 1850 showed that the number of volumes had been increased by gift and purchase to about 1000, and that 2000 books had been drawn from the library during the year, while not one had been lost or ma-

terially injured. It was voted that the library be open Wednesday afternoon and Friday evening of every week, and that a copy of the catalogue be sent to every house in the village not occupied by either a stockholder or subscriber to the library. At the an- nual meeting in 1852 an amendment to the constitu- tion provided that "the directors shall have authority to loan books to other persons upon such terms and under such regulations as they may deem expedient."

LIBRARY LAND FUND ASSOCIATION .- For a long time the public-spirited citizens of Newton bad had it much at heart to establish a free library, which should be open to all, and many efforts were made to bring the subject to the notice of the citizens. In June, 1866, a subscription paper was circulated to buy the lot of land, 20,550 square feet, upon which the present Newton Free Library building stands, on condition that it be offered to the Newton Library As- sociation, or, if declined by that association, to any other organization which would agree to erect snch a struc- ture as the trustees of the Land Fund should require. The names of the subscribers to this paper are as fol- lows: D. R. Emerson, J. C. Chaffin, Albert Brackett, Joel H. Hills, Joseph N. Bacon, Fred Davis, Geo. H. Jones, Wm. O. Edmands, H. D. Bassett, J. W. Well- man, I. T. Burr, F. Skinner, G. D. Gilman, Louisa S. Brown, A. B. Underwood, Aaron F. Gay, Jas. French. The subscription amounted to $3320.

On Sept. 20th the subscribers to the Library Land Fund met, organized and chose a board of trustees. It was voted "that the trustees are empowered to col- lect the amonnts subscribed to the fund, to have the transfer of the property made to them, to receive the deeds of the same, and to hold the property for the proprietors for the use and purposes of the subscrib- ers as set forth in the subscription-paper." It was also voted "that the trustees take the initiative in any measures that will promote the interests of a Free Public Library in this place, and in the erection of a suitable building on the land purchased by the sub- scribers to the fund." On Jan. 6, 1868, the trustees tendered to the Newton Library Association the lot of land as a site for a library building, on these con- ditions : The building to be of brick or stone, two stories high ; the building to be completed on or be- fore June 28, 1871; the building to cost not less than $10,000; and received from the association this reply : " Voted, that while the Association tender to the Trustees their thanks for the offer made in the com- munication presented, the Association is compelled to decline the gift. Voted, that the Association will transfer all its books and other property to the Trus- tees of the Library Land Fund, when any Associa- tion shall accept the lot of land named in the com- munication of the Trustees, and guarantee to erect snch a building as is therein mentioned, to be held in trust by said Trustees until the completion of the said building, when they shall transfer the same to the new association, provided it shall be maintained as a

NEWTON.

free library, and be located in that part of this town called Newton Corner."

The trustees then called a meeting and reported that the Hon. J. Wiley Edmands had offered to con- tribute fifteen thousand dollars, ten thousand towards a building and five thousand in yearly instalments, for the purchase of books, on the following condi- tions : " First, that a like sum, or $15,000, shall be fully secured by the Trustees previous to the first day of March next ; second, that a building shall be erect- ed under the general supervision of the present Trustees or their successors in office, and in accord- ance with plans which shall be satisfactory to him; third, that when completed it shall be organized under the name of the Newton Free Library, with a board of control consisting of eleven managers, three of whom shall be the present Board of Trustees or their successors, the remaining number to be elected from the contributors to the above specified amount ; fourth, that all contributors of $10 and upwards shall have a right to vote; fifth, that these conditions shall be fully entered in the subscription book." By per- sistent effort, public meetings and private exertions the subscriptions were obtained and the sum of $36,- 683 was seenred.

In June, 1868, ground was broken for the present library building, and on Aug. 13th the corner-stone was laid. In it are deposited copies of the town and school reports for 1868, the Newton Journal, Boston papers, the American Almanac, specimens of coins, bank-notes and currency in use, the "History of the Newton Free Library," and reports of public meet- ings, with a copy of the subscription-book engrossed on parchment, giving the names and amounts sub- scribed. The material of the building is Newton stone with granite trimmings from New Hampshire, The style is English Gothic. The cost was, for land, $3300; for grading and finishing the same, $1650.20; for the building and fixtures, $31,745 ; total, $36,695 .- 20.

The land and building were conveyed to the Newton Free Library, and the Newton Library Association delivered to the same its books, amount- ing to sixteen hundred and twenty volumes.

NEWTON FREE LIBRARY .- The Newton Free Library was organized September 29, 1869, with a board of eleven managers, composed of the follow- ing names: Geo. H. Jones, John C. Chaffin, Isaac T. Burr, Hon. J. Wiley Edmands, Geo. W. Bacon, John S. Farlow, A. B. Underwood, Joel H. Hills, Geo. S. Bullens, Geo. S. Harwood and Abner I. Benyon. It was found that the cost of the building, with all its surroundings and furnishing, had some- what exceeded the estimate, and it was not deemed expedient to dedicate the building uutil the bills could be paid, and until a sufficient sum be raised to provide a suitable supply of books, papers, etc., in order that the institution might be opened in a proper manner. It was therefore neces-

sary to procure a further subscription, and at this critical period the managers received a letter from a gentleman who desired his name withheld, promising four thousand dollars provided the further sum of ten to twelve thousand dollars be obtained. The man- agers pledged themselves to raise the balance needed, which was subsequently done, and six thousand dollars was then appropriated for the purchase of books under the supervision of the Library Com- mittee. The building was dedicated June 17, 1870, and the library was opened with about seven thousand books on the shelves, obtained partly from purchase and partly from gifts. Geo. W. Bacon was elected superintendent and Hannah P. James and Cornelia W. Jackson assistant librarians. In 1871 the Legis- lature of Massachusetts passed an act to incorporate the Newton Free Library, granting the corporation leave to hold real and personal estate to the value of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. In 1873 the Newton Centre Library Association presented its valuable collection of between fourteen and fifteen hundred books to the Newton Free Library.

In his inaugural address in January, 1875, relating to the Newton Free Library, Mayor Hyde said : "I venture to express the hope that at no distant day this library will pass into the hands of the city and become the city library."

At the annual meeting of the subscribers on November 3, 1875, it was "Resolved, that the managers are empowered to make a transfer of the franchise and property of the Newton Free Library to the City of Newton, on the city's assuming the conditions of trust of its present organization." The gift was ac- cepted by the Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council on behalf of the city, and the Legislature of Massa- chusetts passed an act authorizing the transfer, which was formally made on the evening of March 16, 1876. The title deeds of the property and the keys of the building were tendered to the city through Mr. Edmands, president of the Board of Trustees, and the response was made by Mayor Speare. Addresses were also made by ex-Mayor Hyde, Messrs. Farlow and Peirce, and a copy of the remarks intended to have been made by Mr. Jones, who was unable to be present, was furnished to the mayor. A code of by- laws was adopted by the City Council for the govern- ment of the library, placing it in the hands of seven trustees to be elected by the City Council, one from the Board of Aldermen and one from the Common Council to serve for their elected terms of office, and five members chosen at large. The first Board of Trustees consisted of the following men : Hon. J. Wiley Edmands, John S. Farlow, Bradford K. Peirce, D.D., Hon. Julius L. Clarke, and Hon. Jas. F. C. Hyde, as members at large, and Wm. W. Keith from the Board of Aldermen, with Win. I. Goodrich from the Common Council. At its first meeting the board elected Hon. J. Wiley Edmands, president ; Frederick Jackson, superintendent; Hannah P.

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

James, librarian ; and Caroline B. Jackson, assistant librarian.

In 1877 Hon. Alden Speare, then mayor of Newton, gave to the library $250. During the following year he increased the gift to $1000, desiring that the in- come from the whole amount be used for the pur- chase of works upon manufactures and the mechanic arts. The gift was called the "Alden Speare Fund for the Promotion of Manufactures and the Mechanic Arts." Thus the library has been enabled to add many valuable works to the great satisfaction and advantage of those interested in these branches of industry. In 1880 the trustees received from the estate of Mrs. Lydia M. Jewett a legacy of $5000, with which a fund was established called the "Jewett Art Fund," and the income was to be used for the pur- chase of works of art, including such books as may not properly be bought with the regular city appro- priation. A large copy of Raphael's Transfiguration had been previously received from the executors of the will, given in conformity with her late husband's inten- tion. The library bas been able to obtain, through this fund, a great number of beautiful books and pic- tures, including a valuable collection of five or six hundred photographs of sculpture from the Italian galleries. It has also added four massive volumes of photographs of the English cathedrals. These photo- graphs were collected in England and mounted by Miss James, and title pages, elegantly illuminated, were furnished by the artistic skill of Gen. A. Hun Berry, Miss L. P. Merritt and others. Each cathe- dral has a title page, with the coat of arms of the See, the autograph of the Bishop, ground plan of the cathe- dral, etc., thus producing a work unique in design and execution,

Through the bequest of Charles A. Read, a citizen of Newton, the library has received yearly, since 1884, about $400, which income is known as the "Read Fund," and is used for the addition of books of a general nature. A fourth fund was given to the library in 1887, through the liberality of John S. Far- low, president of the Board of Trustees. He has contributed $5000, the income of which is to be spent for books for the Reference Library, and the fund to be called the "Farlow Reference Department Fund."

In 1881 the Jersey Stock Club, of Newton, pre- sented to the library a full-length portrait of Hon. J. Wiley Edmands, which was hung in Edmands Hall. The next year the same club made a second gift of a full-length portrait of George Il. Jones, following it in 1890 by the presentation of the portrait of John S. Farlow; thus the library now has portraits of its three presidents, who have all proved themselves such warm friends and liberal benefactors of the institu- tion.

In 1886 the City Council made an appropriation for a much-needed enlargement of the library build- ing, so that its capacity is now more than double

that of the original building. An excellent reference department is furnished, a spacious, well-lighted book- room, an admirably designed librarian's room, also a room specially intended for teachers from our public schools and their classes, and on the lower story a commodious room for a magazine and periodical reading-room, with a room exclusively for public documents. About $25,000 was required for the additions. The library was closed for three months in the spring of 1887 while the work was being completed, and re-opened after the exercises of re- dedication, on the evening of June 17th. With the re-opening the library suffered a loss in the with- drawal of its librarian, Miss James, who had held her position from the establishment of the institution, seventeen years previous, and who was thoroughly identified with it and its progress. She had been a moving spirit in all the improvements inaugurated, and largely to her practical judgment is due the present attractive and convenient building. The library has always been very fortunate in having among its officials men ready to devote both money and time to its service. Its superintendents, George W. Bacon, Frederick Jackson, Bradford K. Peirce, D.D., Warren P. Tyler, and John C. Kennedy, have been deeply interested in its advancement, and spent many hours and much labor and thought over its affairs.

The library shows a steady growth from the begin- ning in size as well as in usefulness to the commun- ity. About half the number of volumes circulated are delivered at the library itself, and the remainder are distributed through nine agencies in other parts of the city. As early as 1874, while the institution was supported by private subscriptions, the practice was begun of sending the books to the other villages once a week at first, and oftener as soon as practica- ble, until now, 1890, seven wards receive daily a bas- ket of books, and two others once and twice a week respectively. The librarian, in 1885, feeling how important is a close connection of the library and the schools, began extending especial privileges to the teachers of the public schools. Since that time teachers have been allowed ten books at a time for the use of their classes, and have availed them- selves very generally of the opportunity. Works on history, geography, natural science and constitu- tional history have been most in demand, and the teachers are almost unanimous in affirming that the books have been of inexpressible value to them. They are usually sent to the schools by the express- man who carries the books to the agencies. During the year 1889, 4496 volumes were distributed to the schools.

The city government makes an annual appropria- tion for the support of the library of upwards of $10,000.00. The Board of Management for 1890 con- sists of John S. Farlow, Julius L. Clarke, Wm. Claf- lin, A. Lawrence Edmands, Edwin B. Ilaskell, mem-

NEWTON.

bers at large; E. S. Hamblen, from the Board of Aldermen; and Edward L. Collins, from the Com- mon Council ; Johu C. Kennedy, superintendent; Elizabeth P. Thurston, librarian.

The library now contains 30,700 volumes, and the circulation during the past year was 105,230 books.

NEWTON CENTRE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION .- The Newton Centre Library Association was founded in 1859 by " sundry individuals who subscribed out of regard for the public good," Hon. James F. C. Hyde being the chief mover in its establishment. The value of the shares was ten dollars each. Any person, by paying one dollar and a half per annum or twenty- five cents per month, was admitted to the use of the li- brary, which was open one afternoon each week. The officers for 1860 were J. Wiley Edmands, president; R. W. Turuer, vice-president ; Chas. L. Fowle, secre- tary; Jas. F. C. Hyde, treasurer ; David H. Mason, Leverett Saltonstall, Alval Hovey, Wm. Claflin and Jas. F. C. Hyde, directors. In 1873 the association, by vote of the proprietors, merged its library in the Newton Free Library and presented to it its valuable collection of books, numbering from fourteen to fif- teen hundred volumes.

THE NORTH VILLAGE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION .---- The North Village Library Association was instituted January, 1866, in order "to cultivate better general intelligence and afford suitable facilities for perusing valuable books and wisely employing valuable time." The management was in the hands of eleven officers. The shares were fixed at fifty cents each, and members were required to pay a monthly fee of ten cents each. The library was open two evenings in each week, and nearly four hundred volumes were gathered.

NEWTON LOWER FALLS FREE LIBRARY .- The Newton Lower Falls Free Library was established in I869. Rev. R. F. Putnam, rector of St. Mary's Church, first proposed the formation of a parish li- brary, but his suggestion met with so ready a response that the plan was changed and a village library was organized. Donations of books from private libraries were received, supplemented by purchases from funds contributed for the purpose, and the library was placed in Mr. Pillsbury's apothecary shop under the charge of Mr. W. W. Jackson as librarian. Mr. Wm. Wai- lis acted as treasurer, and the management was vested in a board of trustees,-Judge George White, and Samuel G. Thaxter being the members in addition to the gentlemen already named. It contained a very good selection of works, and additions were made to it from time to time, either from donations or pur- chases from contributions. In 1871 there were be- tween thirteen and fourteen hundred volumes in the catalogue. The library was largely used by the inhab- itauts of Wellesley, who contributed liberally to its support. Its usefulness began to decline when the Newton Free Library was established, and the system adopted later of a free local delivery scemed to render

its continuance uunecessary. At the desire of parties in Wellesley the trustees agreed to its being removed to that town. On the establishment of the Huune- well Library the books that had been contributed by Newton parties were returned, and are now in the possession of St. Mary's Parish. Many of the stand- ard works are valuable, and will be kept for public use in the parish library of that society.

NOTE .- In coooection with the foregoing excellent history of the Libra- ries of Newton it may not be unprofitable to make note of some of the steps taken by the enterprising and benevolent citizens of Newton from time to time and which led up to the completion of the present beautiful Library Building. Meetings of citizens for mutual improvement were held at Newton Corner, and on October 20, 1859, a definite organization was formed under the nadie of the Newton Debating Society. Among the early members were R. W. Holman, F. H. Forbes, 11. R. Wetherill, Wm. D. Thayer, Chas. Sturtevant, J. S. Watson, S. Chism, H. D. Bassett, A. G. Brown, John Warner, Wm. Preston, A. B. Ely, Wm. Guild, David K. Hitchcock, Rev. E. D. Moore, H. L. Vioton, F. W. Pelton, H. M. Ha- gar and others. The early meetings of the Society were held in Middle- sex Hall, but when that hall was demolished the place of meeting was changed to the private residence of Hoo. David K. Hitchcock, where for many years the current questions of the day, both State and National, were ably discussed. At a meeting held February 16, 1865, hy a vote of the Society its name was changed to The Newton Literary Association.

Dr. Ilitchcock, who for eight years had been appointed one ef the com- mittee on the examination of the library of Harvard University, became much interested io the matter of a Free Public Library for Newteo, and frequently at the meetings of the Literary Association urged a consider- ation of the value of the free system where the public could have the sd - vantages to be derived from such a valuable source, and at the meeting of March 2, 1865, ho offered, as appears from the report of the secretary of the Association, the following resolution : " WHEREAS the ancient aod highly favored towo of Newton, with all its wealth and enterprise, and with ite rapidly increasing population is alike remarkshle for intelligence, public apirit and benevolence, and WHEREAS the best interesta and claims ef the people have in one important particular been overlooked, therefore Resolved. That the town should be furnished with a Free Pub- lic Library." March 16, 1865, a standing committee on the subject of a Free Public Library for Newton was appointed, coosisting of Dr. D. K. Hitchcock, Dr. Henry Bigelow, Geo. W. Bacon, Geo. C. Lord, H. M. Hagar and others, whose duty it was from time to time to bring up the subject for consideration by the Association and to report progress. As by the members of the Association Dr. Hitchcock was considered the father of the agitation of this subject, so also was he the one to take the first definite step towards its fulfillment as attests the following :

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 20

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