History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 51

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 51

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

TOWN HALL .- A handsome brick Town-house was erected at a cost of $65,000, and dedicated June 17, 1874, with an address by George F. Stone, Esq., now secretary of the Chicago Board of Trade. The tower clock was the gift of Hon. Daniel Russell. Besides the hall and the town officers' rooms, the building ac- commodates the Public Library and Reading Room, and the Savings Bank.

MELROSE SAVINGS BANK .- The Melrose Savings Bank was incorporated in 1872, but did not organize until the fall of 1874. The total amount of deposits Oct. 1, 1890, was $383,304.08, with 2218 depositors. Whole number of accounts opened since the bank was established, 4285. Its banking-room is in the town- hall. Its present officers are : Daniel Russell, presi- dent; W. Irving Ellis, vice-president; John Larra- bee, clerk; Elbridge H. Goss, treasurer; Daniel

Russell, George Hart, W. Irving Ellis, George New- hall, John Larrabee, Daniel Norton, Elbridge H. Goss, Joseph D. Wilde, Charles H. Isburgh, Moses S. Page, Lewis G. Coburn, Samuel S. Bugbee and Seth E. Benson, trustees.

CEMETERIES .- There are three cemeteries in Mel- rose. The old village cemetery in the centre of the town, on Main street, the Jewish Cemetery on Lin- wood Avenue, and the Wyoming Cemetery at the south part of the town, which was purchased and dedicated to burial purposes in 1856. This is a beau- tiful resting-place for the dead, charmingly diversified in scenery, environed with hills, and secluded from residences. It had originally twenty-one acres, but in 1887 it was enlarged by the purchase of the adjoin - ing Pratt farm, consisting of twenty-five acres, at a cost of $10,000.

RUBBER WORKS .- Iu 1882 the Hon. Elisha S. Converse purchased what was known as the Joseph Lynde farm, at the southern part of the town, and built thereon the Rubber Works for the Boston Rub- ber Shoe Company, known as factory No. 2-the works at Edgeworth being No. 1. The Melrose Fac- tory averages to employ 1200 hands, and has a capac- ity for employing 1400. It is situated on the west side of Main Street, near the Middlesex Fells Railroad Station. On the east side of Main Street, there is a large tract of wild land, a part of which belonged to the Lynde farm, and a part was acquired by subse- quent purchase, which Mr. Converse has laid out and beautified, building miles of roads, and named "Pine Banks Park." It is a charming spot through which to roam or drive.

The following citizens have been elected members of the General Court :

REPRESENTATIVES.

John T. Paine, 185I. Dauiel W. Gooch, 1852.

Nelson Cochran, 1872.

Elbridge H. Goss, 1874-75.

Samuel O. Dearborn, 1853.

W. Irving Ellie, 1877-78.

John Vial, 1855.

Joseph D. Wilde, 1879-80.

Guy Lamkin, 1857.

B. Marvin Fernald, 1881-82.

Walter Littlefield, Jr., 1858.

Wingate P. Sargent, 1883-84.

Loren L. Fuller, 1859.

John W. Farwell, 1885.

Artemae Barrett, 1861. Isaac Emerson, Jr., 1863-64.

John Larrabee, 1886-87.

Rufus Smith, 1866.

Levi S. Gould, 1868-69.

James C. Currie, 1871.

SENATOR .- Daniel Ruesell, 1879-80.

COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE FOR BOSTON DISTRICT .- Frank E. Orcutt.

TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1890-01.

SELECTMEN .- Levi S. Gould, John P. Deering, Charles W. Higgins. TOWN CLERE .- John Larrabee.

TOWN TREASURER .- George Newball.

ASSESSORS .- Henry A. Leonard, Juhn R. Norton, Dexter Pratt.

COLLECTOR .- Addison Lane.

WATER COMMISSIONERS .- Wilbur D. Fiske, George L. Moree, William H. Miller.

COMMISSIONERS OF WATERTOWN SINKING FUND .- Daniel Russell, Royal P. Barry, John W. Farwell.

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT .- Guy C. Channell.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE .- John O. Norrie, John O. Maker, Charles F. Lor- Ing, Mrs. Aretbusa K. Miller, Mrs. A. B. P. Waterhouse, Mrs. Sarah W. Bradbury.

William E. Barrett, 1888-89-90 ; and Speaker of the House of Rep- reeentatives 1889-90.

Daniel Russell

стили

219

MELROSE.

AUDITORS .- Frank E. Orcutt, Walter I. Nickerson, Gilbert N. Harris. OVERSEERS OF THE POOR .- Henry G. Fields, John Singer, Jr., Mrs. Martha D. Bale.

SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS .- Walter B. Ellis.

REGISTRARS OF VOTERS .- Alfred Hocking, Walter Bahb, Victor C. Kirmes, John Larrabee.

WATER REGISTRAR .- Elbridge H. Goss.

BOARD OF HEALTH .- Dr. Erest S. Jack, Frank L. Washburn, George W. Burke.

THEN AND NOW .- The first town-meeting of Mel- rose was held May 10, 1850, seven days after the date of incorporation, in "Academy Hall," then standing on Berwick Street, and which was after- wards moved to Main Street, where it became "Ly- ceum Hall," and where it was destroyed, with other buildings, by the fire of August 21, 1870. The war- rant had two articles, viz .: "To choose a moderator ; to choose all necessary Town Officers for the year ensning." The warrant for the town-meeting held March 3, 1890, had fifty-three articles to be acted upon. The first town report, issued April 1, 1851, was a small broadside, ten by twelve inches, entitled " Report of the Financial Concerns of the Town of Melrose, from May 20, 1850, to April 1, 1851," and is signed by Jonathan Cochran, Josiah W. Talbot and John Blake, Financial Committee. This is not only a very scarce document, but is something of a curiosity ; presenting, as it does, a striking contrast in the town expenses in that day of small things, when compared with those given in the " Reports of the Town Officers of Melrose for the Financial Year ending December 31, 1889."

When incorporated, forty years ago, Melrose had a population of 1260; to-day it has over 8500. It then had 125 dwelling-houses ; to-day over 1800. Then our valuation was $483,446; in 1890 it was $6,724,705. Then it had one school-house with three schools; now eleven houses with thirty schools. Then three churches; now eleven. Then the old-fashioned well- sweep and pump; to-day Spot Pond water running through its forty miles of streets. It has the illu- minating gas, furnished by the Malden & Melrose Gas Co., for house purposes, and the electric lights for thestreets. With a Town Hall, Public Library, Savings Bank, Fire Department, with a steam fire-engine, a Choral Union, the Melrose Orchestra, a Lyceum with yearly course of entertainments, many Temperance organizations, Odd-Fellows and Masonic associations, a Grand Army Post, two local papers, a number of literary clubs ; with all these institutions and others not here enumerated, situated so near Boston, with railroad facilities unsurpassed, it may well be sur- mised that Melrose will continue to grow ; and at no very distant day will be knocking at the Common-

wealth's door for admission to the rank of one of her cities.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

DANIEL RUSSELL.1

Daniel Russell, son of Daniel and Mary W. Rus- sell was born in Providence, R. I., on the 16th day of July, 1824, and educated at the public schools of Providence. The necessity of self-support was early impressed upon him, and at the age of seventeen he began real life in his own behalf as a mechanic. For three years he served an apprenticeship at one branch of carriage manufacturing in his native city, and upon graduating from this school he labored in the same place and at Middleborongh, Mass., as journeyman for four years, at the end of which time (1847) accompanied by a fellow-workman he moved to Boston and began the business of selling small wares by samples. Two years later he determined to go to California, but the Hon. Nathan Porter offered him employment in Providence, where he remained for two years, returning to Boston in 1852 and en- tering the employ of Edward Locke & Co., clothiers.

Three years later Mr. Russell became connected with the wholesale clothing house of Isaac Fenno & Co., and became a member of the firm in 1861, re- tiring in 1869 with a competency.

In 1853 Mr. Russell went to Melrose to reside and has ever since been intimately identified with the welfare of the town.

He has served three years on the Board of Select- men, and is at present commissioner of the water loan sinking fund. He is also president of the Mel- rose Savings Bank. In 1878 he was elected to repre- sent the Sixth Middlesex Senatorial District, serving as chairman of the committee on insurance, and as a member of the committee on agriculture. He was re-elected in 1879, and in 1880 was a delegate to the National Republican Convention.

He is a director of the Malden and Melrose Gas- light Company and the Putnam Woolen Company, and is connected with the Masonic organizations of Melrose.

October 21, 1850, Mr. Russell married Mary, danghter of Nathan and Mary Lynde, of Melrose. Their children are: William Clifton and Daniel Blake Russell.

1 From "One of a Thousand."

220

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

CHAPTER XIX.

PEPPERELL. -

PAROCHIAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL.

BY LORENZO P. BLOOD.

SETTLEMENTS in that part of Groton lying west of the Lancaster or Nashua River were commenced as early as 1720. After the Peace of Utrecht, A.D. 1713, Indian hostilities and depredations had in great measure ceased, and were no longer seriously dreaded. Thus relieved from anxiety and fear on that score, the frontier settlements extended the line of civiliza- tion farther into the wilderness. Territory that here- tofore had been the haunts of the bear and the savage was transformed into thrifty farms and civilized abodes. The modern advice, " Go West, young man," was evidently in the air, if not yet materialized at that early date. Following this impulse, the young man of Groton pushed his way across the "Great River," and took up for his farm and home a portion of the fertile lands lying westerly therefrom.

At first the settlements were confined to the vicinity of the river, for several reasons. The river afforded an easy means of transportation, as well as a ready supply of food. The intervale land was more easily cultivated than that more remote.

The river was fordable at two places-"Stony Wading Place," at Hollingworth's Mills, and the " Jo. Blood Fordway," near the covered bridge-and thus there was easy communication between the new set- tlers and their paternal homesteads, only a few miles away. Although emigrants, they were still within the municipality of their old homes : still under the fostering care of the Groton Church. Meanwhile the new settlement grew and prospered until in 1740 it numbered over torty families, and the people began to feel that they were numerous enough to be a sep- arate parish. The affection for the old homesteads and the mother church had become absorbed in a love for the new homes and a desire for a church of their own. Of several petitions from the inhabitants of the northerly and westerly parts of Groton, and the cast- erly part of Dunstable, presented to the General Court ahout this time, praying for a township, or dis- trict, the following was granted :

" To his Excellency William Shirley, Esq., Captain General and Gov- ernor in Cheiff io and over his Majesties Province of yo Massachusetts Bay in New England; To ye Hooourable his Majesties Council and House of Representatives in General Court Assembled ou ye Twenty- sixth Day of May, A.D., 1742.

"The Petition of us, the Subscribers, to your Excellency and llonours Ilumbley Sheweth that we are Proprietors and Inhabitants of ye Laud Lying on yo Westerly Side Lancaster River (so called) in ye North west corner of ye Township of Groton ; & Such of us as are Inhabitants thereon Live very Remote from ye Publick worship of God in sd Town, and at many Times and Seasons of ye year are Put to Great Difficulty to attend ye game ; and the Lands Bounded as Followeth (viz) : Southerly, ou Townshend Rode; Westerly, on Townshend Line; Northerly, on Dunstable West Precinct & old Town, and Easterly on said River as it now Runs to ye First mentioned Bonnda, being of the Contents of about

Four Miles Square of Good Laud well Scituated for a Precinct; And the Town of Groton hath been Petitioned to Set of y. Lands bounded 86 aforeed to be a Distinct and Separate Precinct, and at a Town Meeting of yo inbahitanta of ed Town of Groton Assembled on ye Twenty Fifth Day of May Last Past The Town voted ye Prayer of ye ed Petition and that y Laods before Described should be a Separate Precinct and that ye Io- habitants thereon and Such others as hereafter Shall Settle ou sd Laods should have ye Powers and Priviledges that other Preciacts in sd Prov- ioce have or Do Enjoy : as per a Coppy from Groton Town Book here- with Exhibited may Appear, &c. For the reasons mentioned, we, the subscribere as aforesd, HumbleyoPrayes your Excellency and Honours to Set off ye gd Lands bounded as aforesd to be a Distinct and Sepperat Pre- cinct and Invest ye luhabitaois thereon (Containing abont yº Nº of Forty Families), and Such others as Shall hereafter Settle ou sd Land, with Such Powers and Priviledges as other Preciocts in sd Province bave, &c., or Grant to your l'etitioners Such other Relief in ya Premisee as your Excellency and Honours in your Great Wisdom Sball think Fite and your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever pray, &c. Benjamin Swallow, Samuel Shattuck (in), Johu Blood (iuner), William Spaldeo, James Shattuck, Josiah Parker, Isaac Williams, David Shattuck, Jacob Ames, Ebenezer Gilson, David Blood, Jonas Varoum, Elias Ellit, Jona- than Woods, Moses Woods, Zachery Lawrence, jnor., John Shadd, Jona- than Shattuck, Jeremiah Lawrence, Jams Green, Jonathan Shattuck, Jner, John Mozier, John Keuip, Josiah Tucker, Nehemiah Jewett, William Alleo, Eleazar Green.

" In the House of Reptives Novr 26, 1742.

"To answer to the within Petition ordered that that Part of the Town ef Grotou Lying on the Westerly side of Lancaster River withio the following bounds, viz : bounding Easterly on said River Southerly on Townsend Road so called, Westerly oo Towasend line and Northerly on Dunstable West Precinct, with the inhabitants thereoo, be and hereby are set off a distinct and separate precinct and vested with the powers and privileges which other Precincts do or by law vught to eu- joy, always provided that the lubabitanta Dwelling on the Lands above mentioned be subject to pay their first part and proportions of all min- isteriall Rates and Taxes ju the Town of Groton already Granted or Assessed.

"Sent up for Concurrence, T. CUSHING, Spk.

"In Council Novr 26, 1742. Read and Concurrd, " J. WILLARD, Sec'ry. W. SHIRLEY."

" Consented to

The Townsend road above mentioned was the old county highway as then traveled from Groton to Townsend. This road, which lies wholly within the present town of Groton, is still passable for carriages its entire length from Fitch's Bridge to the Townsend line, although it has been discontinued for many years the greater part of the distance.

By an adjustment of boundary lines made about the time of this petition, the "old Dunstable line" was moved farther north, leaving a triangular strip of land between Groton West Parish and New Hampshire. This tract was three hundred rods wide at its westerly end on Townsend line, and extended over five miles eastward, running to a point a short distance west of the Nashua River, containing about two and a half square miles. It has often been incorrectly called the "Groton Gore." It remained a part of Groton until 1751, when it was ceded to the West Parish upon pe- tition of its inhabitants. In 1803 abont four acres lying between the road and the river, at Fitch's Bridge, were re-annexed to Groton.

According to the records the first "leagal " meeting of the new parish was held at the house of William Spalding January 17, 1742, "by virtue of a warrant granted by William Lawrance, Esq., a justice. Ben- jamin Swallow was chosen moderator and the follow- ing officers were elected : Eleazar Gilson, clerk; Ben-

221

PEPPERELL.

jamin Swallow, Isaac Williams, James Lawrance, Jonathan Woods and Joseph Whitney, committee; Samnel Wright, treasurer; Jonas Varnum, Moses Woods and Jeremiah Lawrance, collectors. The sum of £10, lawful money, was voted to be assessed, "to defray the necessary charges Risen and arising in the Parish."

At a second "Legual" meeting held at the house of James Lawrance, February 16, 1742, it was voted, "that Samuel Wright be a committee to provide preaching till the last day of April next." Also " Voted to build a Meeting-House in Sª Parish, voted that the Meeting-House should stand at the most con- venient place near Jo Blood's fording." The reason for this location may be inferred from a vote passed at a subsequent meeting: " Voted to Receive the Peo ple on the East side of ye River that have Petitioned to be annexed to us, Provided they will consent to have the Meeting-House set at ye most Convenient Place on ye West side of ye River near ye Bridge, next below Jo Blood's fordway, so called." But the people living in the westerly part of the parish natur- ally objected to thus locating the meeting-house at the extreme limit of the precinct; and their remonstrance was so decided and persistent that, at a meeting Sep- tember 6, 1743, it was "Voted to reconsider the vote that was passed Concerning the Place that was first pitcht upon for ye setting of a Meeting-House in Sd Parish; Voted to set the Meeting-House at the end of three-Quarters of a mile Northeast of the Center of Sd Parish or at the next Convenient Place."

This compromise seems to have settled the matter for the time, as the meeting proceeded to vote "to Build a Meeting-House forty-two feet Long and thirty feet Wide and Twenty feet High." Committees were chosen and a surveyor employed to make the neces- sary survey and determine the location agreed npon. This spot was decided to be on the farm now owned by J. A. Tucker, Esq., near the junction of Hollis and Tucker Streets. Now the geographical centre of the parish, as then bounded, was near the present residence of B. W. Shattuck, on Heald Street, about half a mile west of the Common; and a line running thence northeast three-quarters of a mile terminates near Hovey's corner-so called-more than a mile north of west from the spot decided upon by the com- mittee. Whether there was a suspicion that the com- mittee had acted nnfairly in the matter, or only a feeling that they had made a most unwarrantable use of the qualifying clause, "at the next Convenient Place," does not appear, but the result was a renewal of the controversy, followed by a long and bitter quarrel, which threatened the disruption of the parish. Materials had to some extent been gathered at the spot fixed upon, but it began to look doubtful whether there would be enough of a parish left to build a meeting-house or form a church.

As a last resort, it was agreed to refer the whole matter to the "Great and General Court," and abide

by its decision. Accordingly, at a meeting November 23, 1744, it was " Voted, that Peleg Lawrence and Josiah Sartell be a Com'ee to go to the Great and General Court Concerning ye having a Meeting- House Place in Sd Parish." Their petition was favorably received by the Court, and a committee was appointed to survey the place and locate the meeting- house. A committee was also chosen by the parish to " show the Court's committee the inhabitants of the place." So promptly was the business attended to and settled that the parish voted, the following February, "to set the Meeting-House on ye Place that the General Court prefixed," which is the spot now occupied by the meeting-house of the First Parish. This decision was, of course, final, although; some of the inhabitants of the east part were unrecon- ciled. When the men that were employed to move the timber to the site settled upon, were in readiness with their teams to perform the work, several of these disaffected persons attempted to prevent their progress by pricking the noses of the oxen, and other- wise annoying them. Whereupon James Lakin, who had been prominent as a champion for the minority during the previons troubles, took the lead. He was a stout, athletic man, and evidently a firm believer in the church militant ; for he made so effective an exhi- bition of " muscular Christianity," that there was no further attempt to hinder the work. The building was erected, and finished for occupation early in 1745, but no record of a dedication can be found. Previous to this time, as appears by the records, the houses of Enoch Lawrence and Nehemiah Hobart were used as places of public worship. Mr. Lawrence lived near Nissittissit Square, and Mr. Hobart on River Street, nearly opposite the house of Elijah A. Butterfield.

Rev. Mr. Emerson, in his sermon delivered at the dedication of the second meeting-house, in speaking of this whole matter, says : " There is one thing I can't but mention, as a kind interposition of Divine Provi- dence ; tho' considered as such by very few at the time, and that is ; - The fixing the place for the Meet- ing-House, by the Court's committee; tho' at first contrary to the mind and vote of the majority of the inhabitants, yet proves now to be with much more equity, and where all seem to be universally con- tented with. Had it been erected in the place de- signed and where the timber was drawn to, what trouble, change, and 'tis very likely contention, we must have been exercised with before this day."

The house was not finished for several years, if in- deed it ever was, as is shown by the following votes passed at various times from 1744 to 1755 :

" Voted, That Sd committee frame, Raise and board the outside and shingle ye Roof, Lay the under floor and make suitable Doors and han the same.

"To build the Pulpit and ye Body seats below.

"To seat the Public Meeting- House and set off the Pews, or Pew - ground to the Highest Payer in the three last Rates, upon their being obliged to build their own Pews and the Ministerial Pew, To seal the Meeting-House as high at ye girts all round, that Windows be cut where needed, l'rovided they that cut them maintain them ,upon their own

222

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Cost, that they be no Parish Charge To finish the Building, the Seats in the Gallery, and to Seal the Meeting-House from yo Gallery floor up to the beams."

"Voted, To Glaze ye Public Meeting-House and to provide boards to Lay Loose on ye floor overhead."

This was in March, 1749.

The following year it was "Voted to give ye Men that are seated on ye fore seats below Liberty to set a Row of Banisters with a Rail stop before ye fore Seats at their own Cost and Charge." The building at best could have been but little better than a barn; and it must have required no little exercise of fortitude and resignation to sit through the lengthy services of the forenoon and afternoon in an unfinished, unglazed and unwarmed house, especially in midwinter. But our hardy ancestors had not attained to the modern ideas of church luxury and parish debt.

In the settlement of a minister they appear to have proceeded in a more united and prayerful way. March 13, 1744, the parish voted "To keep the last day of March instant a day of fasting and prayer to Al- mighty God for direction in the important affair of settling a minister." It seems rather unfortunate that in this vote the location of the meeting-house was not also included.

About this time Rev. William Vinal, who was then preaching for them, received a call to settle among them in the work of the ministry, but declined to accept the call. The distracted condition of the parish at that time certainly did not present a very inviting field of labor for a young minister. "Sep- tember 25th, 1746. Voted, To give the Rev. Joseph Emerson, of Malden, a call to settle in the gospel ministry in the said parish, and to give him one hun- dred and twenty pounds settlement, and sixty-two pounds, twenty-two shillings, yearly, and thirty cords of fire-wood, cut aud delivered at his door."

In January following the parish voted to give Mr. Emerson forty acres of land within a mile of the meeting-house, and to add to his salary twelve pounds, ten shillings, whenever the parish should contain one hundred ratable families ; at that time there were seventy-two families. Mr. Emerson ac- cepted the call, and was ordained February 25, 1746, O.S. The ordination sermon was preached by his father, minister of Malden, from the text, "Now, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus." A church had been "gathered " on the 29th of January preceding, to which Mr. Emer- son was formally admitted a member on the morning of his ordination. The church consisted of about fif- teen male members and several females who had withdrawn from the Groton Church, for the purpose of forming a church in Pepperell-the exact number of female members cannot be ascertained.

Mr. Emerson's salary was regulated according to the price of provisions. The following list made out, by a committee for that purpose was accepted by the parish and by Mr. Emerson :

" Ninety Pounds on W. I. Goods .- W. I. rum at 21s. per gall. ; molasses, 158. per gall .; loaf sugar, 7s. per lb. ; cotton wool, 13s. per lb. ; salt, 3, 32s. per bush.

" Forty Pounds upon Meat .- Beef at 9d. por lb .; pork, 15d.

"Sixty Pounds upon Grain .- Corn at 12s. per bush. ; rye, 16s. per bush. ; barley, 148. per buch. ; oats, 78. per bushel. ; wheat, 22s. per bush.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 51

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