USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Needham > History of Needham, Massachusetts, 1711-1911 : including West Needham, now the town of Wellesley, to its separation from Needham in 1881, with some reference to its affairs to 1911 > Part 10
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Wellesley > History of Needham, Massachusetts, 1711-1911 : including West Needham, now the town of Wellesley, to its separation from Needham in 1881, with some reference to its affairs to 1911 > Part 10
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BULLARD'S BRIDGE
Bullard's Bridge is a little bridge over Waban, formerly Bullard's, Brook. In 1783-4 the "Bridge Near Cap Aaron Smith's" was replanked. In 1868 nearly $1100 was spent to rebuild this bridge, then designated as "the bridge near Solomon F. Smith's".
BROWN'S BRIDGE
Brown's Bridge is on Grove Street over Dewing's Brook, near the residence of the late Charles B. Dana. In October, 1825, Elisha Lyon, Esq., Artemas Newell, Esq., and Thomas Kingsbury were chosen a committee to build one half of "Browns bridge (so Called)". It does not appear why the town was to build but one half, and it is possible that this little bridge is not the only one that has been called
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
"Browns". In 1869 this bridge over Dewing's Brook was repaired, or reconstructed, at an expense of $500.
SAWMILL BRIDGE
Sawmill Bridge is over Rosemary Brook, on Wellesley Avenue, and is close to the site of Col. Jonathan Kingsbury's sawmill. William Jones repaired the bridge in 1867 or 1868.
NECK BRIDGE
Neck Bridge, which is a short distance north of the junction of Central Avenue and West Street, is often mentioned. In the deed of Benjamin Richardson to the town of half an acre of land, for a gravel pit, in 1870, the place is de- scribed as two hundred and thirty-four feet "east from the centre of Rosemary brook at Neck bridge".
"SOL " FULLER'S BRIDGE
"Sol" Fuller's Bridge is on South Street over "Sol. Fuller's Brook"; the latter name is still occasionally used by the older residents. See "Ponds and Streams". This bridge is referred to in the town records in 1822 as the "Bridge near the Solomon Fuller old house", and repairs were frequently made upon it, as on all the bridges, which required more or less attention annually. Subsequent to 1800 special committees were from time to time appointed to repair the bridges, but they undertook no work of historical importance.
AQUEDUCTS
The aqueduct through which flows the water brought from Lake Cochituate to supply the City of Boston was con- structed in 1846-8, and is a noticeable feature in portions of Wellesley, particularly at the Lower Falls, where the arch is over Cedar Street. The land taken for this conduit was taxed by Needham for years after the taking, first on a
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
valuation of $4400, and in 1849 at $5800. In the latter year the town agents were directed to settle with the "Boston Aqueduct".
In 1874-6 the Sudbury River conduit was built in both East and West Needham, to increase the water resources of Boston, and the noted Nine Arch Bridge, a foot-bridge in the south part of Wellesley, was then constructed. The writer went through a portion of this conduit, including the bridge section, when it was in process of building, and was attracting many sightseers.
The General Court in 1876 authorized Newton to take lands in Needham to protect its water supply, but the area was limited to one thousand yards from the river, and be- tween Kendrick's Bridge and the new bridge near Newton Upper Falls (Highland Avenue). In 1889 Newton was authorized to take an indefinite amount of land in Needham, to further protect its water supply, with the result that in 1890 the assessors of Needham attempted to tax Newton for a large territory in the Broad Meadows, with the buildings thereon, and two years later Brookline was assessed for sixty-two and eight tenths acres at Powell's Island. New- ton's seizures amounted to five hundred and ninety-six acres, and in 1893 the General Court ended the contro- versy on the taxation by a law requiring a city or town taking land in another city or town to pay to the latter an- nually a sum equal to the current tax on the average as- sessed valuation of the land for the three years prior to the seizure; there is no provision in reference to buildings. Under this Act the City of Boston, and later the Common- wealth, has paid Needham each year about $40 on account of the thirty-four and one half acres that were taken in the seventies for the Sudbury River conduit. Late in 1892 the town had appointed a committee, consisting of the se- lectmen and three other citizens, to petition for such a law, as there had been difficulty in collecting these assessments, and litigation with Newton in reference to them.
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
ECHO BRIDGE
Another remarkable stone bridge was completed in 1876, at a cost of $200,000. It is across the Charles at the Upper Falls. Here the distance is five hundred feet between the headlands, one hundred and thirty-two feet between the abutments, the bridge is seventy feet high, consists of six arches, and consumed two years in building. Mr. Phelps of Springfield was the contractor, and no accident occurred either to any person or to the machinery. This bridge is known as Echo Bridge, and is visited by thousands. It is a foot-bridge only, but contains the conduit.
Old Maps of Reedham nom in the State Archives
I. "Map of Needham End (at the time of the survey being part of Natick). Samuel Livermore, Surveyor, November II, 1724." Vol. 15, p. 20. The statement enclosed in paren- theses is incorrect, as this territory was not a part of Natick in 1724. This map is a good one, indicating the roads and houses.
2. "Map of a part of Needham, nearly enclosed by Natick, showing residences of Stephen Bacon and others, who peti- tion to be set off to Natick: November 28, 1724." Vol. 34, p. I.
3. "Plan of part of Needham (enclosed by Natick), whose inhabitants desire to be set off to Natick." Surveyed Sep- tember, 1730. Vol. 7, p. 9.
4. "Plan of Needham, showing residences and names of inhabitants (Probably later than 1771.)" Vol. 14, p. 12.
5. "Plan of Needham, showing Natick Pond and Charles River." "Barachias Mason, Surveyor, 1771." Vol. 14, p. 12. This is a valuable and interesting plan; it gives the names of the inhabitants, locating their residences; also names of the bridges.
6. "Map of the Parish of Natick, including what was for- merly a part of Needham; showing roads and residences of whites and Indians. Samuel Livermore, Surveyor" August I, 1749. Vol. 33, p. 17. See also Vol. 5, p. 26.
The descriptions are from the State catalogue, not from the maps themselves, which the writer has, however, care- fully examined.
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Map 2 shows that in 1724 there were only six families in Needham Leg, viz., those of Stephen Bacon, Samuel Morse, Timothy Bacon, John Underwood, John Goodenow and Thomas Frost. Map 5 shows that the little bridge over Waban Brook was called Bullard's Bridge in 1771. Fisher's Mill was where the Waban Mills now are, Captain Pratt's Bridge and Mills Bridge were at the Lower Falls. Fisher's, Day's and Cook's Bridges are named, and what is now Lyon's Bridge was then "New Bridge". Maps 4 and 5 are practi- cally the same.
There is a curious little sketch, made in 1791, of the Charles River through Dedham, Needham and Newton, with an almost poetic description of the damage to the meadows from flowage for which the proprietors of Eliot's Mills were responsible. The complainant dwells upon the natural charms of this region, injured by what he considers un- necessary flowage. (House files 3922; also maps.) The map of 1794 was the result of an Act of the General Court, June 26, and was made by "Jonathan Kingsbery Ju" Sur- veyor", on a scale of two hundred rods to the inch. It shows the meeting-houses and factories, but not the dwellings. From the "Shire town to the Center of said town is six miles" "The Reputed distance from ye Metropolis to ye Center of said Town is Fourteen Miles". At the Lower Falls was a paper-mill, a sawmill, a grist-mill, a "Trip ham- mer Shop" and a fulling-mill. The "Pond called Broads Pond" was estimated at thirty acres; "The part of the Pond called Cochituate Pond that lies in Needham Contains Six Acres and half" "The part of Bullards Pond so Called that lies in Needham Contains Seven Acres & half". "The Brook that runs into and out of Broads Pond so called was not an actual Survey". There was a sawmill and a grist- mill east of Broad's Pond, and another grist-mill, west of the pond, apparently on Hawes Brook. Kingsbery's own saw- mill (Wellesley Avenue) is indicated, as is a sawmill on what is now Nehoiden Street. There was then a bridge, a paper-
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
mill and a grist-mill at Charles River Village. Archives, Maps, Vol. 15, p. 14.
On April 5, 1830, the town appointed Asa Kingsbury, William Flagg and Rufus Mills "to procure a map of the town of Needham, agreeable to a refolve passed in the Gen- eral Court the last winter Seffion", and in May, 1833, although a similar article had been dismissed the year before, voted to give a copy to each family in town. The fine map of Needham made in 1831 by Dea. Asa Kingsbury, son of Col. Jonathan, who prepared that of 1794, was pub- lished in 1836, and gives the location of each dwelling-house with the name of the owner, as well as indicating the public buildings, factories, etc. Dr. Josiah Noyes, who had ample opportunity to be familiar with all the region, assisted in the survey by means of an arrangement which recorded the number of revolutions of a wheel of his chaise on particular roads. In March, 1836, William B. Annin was paid $110 for engraving six hundred copies of this map, but the pre- vious May Dr. Noyes, Dea. Asa Kingsbury and Mr. Kim- ball had been chosen a committee to procure one thousand, in order that there might be some to sell, after each family had received one map.1
Another excellent map, that of 1856, furnishes similar information to that of 1831, and the town paid "H. F. Walling, for 420 plain Maps, and 180 colored and mounted" $399. Each family in town was presented with a plain map, but there was a charge of fifty cents for a colored one, which brought over $80 into the town treasury. The only streets named on the map of 1856 are Washington, High, Forest, Seaver and Lovewell Road, the latter now Cottage Street. The hill over which Florence Avenue now runs was designated as Florence Grove.
Later maps of the town, and atlases including Needham,
1 It does not appear that Dea. Kingsbury was paid more than $32 for his original survey in 1831, but a year later the committee chosen in 1830 had an order for $28 for services.
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
are familiar to the present generation, and are not of special interest. The division of the town in 1881 led to the cir- culation of maps showing the old parish lines.
PERAMBULATION OF TOWN LINES
The perambulation of the line with Dedham has already been referred to. From 1714 to the present time "Peram- bulations" are recorded in the town books, and a few facts and items may be of interest. Some of the early committees appointed by the different towns to "Run ye line" and "Re- new the Marks" were paid only two shillings per day for each man. "Jonathan Smith & Iserul Mills were Chosen a Commity to Run ye line Brtwixt Needham & Weston 1 nov 19, 1723 & performed sd work on ye Second munday of Jane" next & brought y" Return & the time Set to giue Weston Notice again Will be upon April in ye year 1726". The same Needham men ran this line in 1726, and Mills was paid five shillings for his work in 1723 and 1726, and Smith three shillings. Later four or five shillings per day was the compensation for the special services of town offi- cers. In 1794 Needham paid Ephraim Jackson twelve shillings for a dinner for its selectmen and those of Newton "that afsisted in Surveying the line". Until recent years our selectmen not infrequently had a dinner at the town's charge, but the toddy disappeared from the bill many years ago. By the law of 1734 a town was liable to a fine of £15, one third to the informer, and the balance to the poor of the delinquent town, if the boundaries were not perambulated every three years. The law requires such perambulation at the present time, and the writer recalls perambulating the line between Needham and Wellesley on a November day in 1896, an occasion when, with failing light, certain
1 The Town of Weston has not only printed its "Vital Records" in the best manner - that is, verbatim - but also its town proceedings, records of perambula- tions, early tax lists, etc., thus furnishing a model for other towns to imitate.
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
zealous officials were mired in cold water, while the more luxurious remained on the Pierce Bridge.
PLANS OF THE TOWN REFERRED TO IN ITS RECORD
On May 24, 1769, Michael Metcalf and Capt. Lemuel Pratt were chosen "To take a Copy of the Plann of the Town of Needham which is Now in the Propriators Clark's office at Dedham", and the committee was authorized to "Chufe a Surveyor to afsist them". On March II, 1771, Messrs. Metcalf, Pratt and Isaac Underwood were chosen to take a plan of the town, which resulted in the 1771 map, previously referred to. Barachiah Mason was granted £3 in 1772 "for Surveying and Planning the Town". The members of the committee were paid for seven and one half days at three shillings per day. In September, 1794, the town directed its selectmen to "take the Care of planing the Town agreable to a Refolve of the General Court" "in the Best and Cheapest manner they can". Col. Jonathan Kings- bury made the survey and drew "a Plan to lodge in the Secretary's office", where it may be seen to-day. Enoch Parker and Epes Mansfield assisted the Colonel at fifty cents per day; they presumably carried the chain.
In 1866 new stone bounds were placed on the Weston line, which had been surveyed, and a plan was drawn by Robert Mansfield, who for many years did surveying for the town. During Mr. Mansfield's latter years, John Mor- ton Harris, Frank L. Fuller, Emery Grover, Esq., and Ephraim Wilson were also employed as surveyors or civil engineers; subsequent to 1881 Charles Atherton Hicks was a civil engineer occasionally in the service of the town. Mr. Harris was much younger than Mr. Mansfield, but may be regarded rather as his contemporary than as his successor, as he did important work for the town before the Civil War, and, in all, for over thirty years.
Mr. Harris died in 1884, aged sixty-five years, and Mr. Mansfield in 1890, aged eighty-seven years. In 1908 the
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
boundary monuments on Blossom Street, Needham and Weston, and on Washington Street, Needham and Natick, remained unchanged, although the town of Wellesley was twenty-seven years old.
PROPRIETORS OF MEADOW LANDS
By Act of the General Court, approved March 10, 1797, twenty-two men and one woman, Hannah Fuller of Dedham, were incorporated "Proprietors of Meadow Lands Lying on Charles River within the Towns of Newton, Dedham, & Needham for the purpose of Drawing off the Stagnant Waters, and for the better Improving the Same". Of these proprietors William and Ebenezer MeIntosh, Amos and Moses Fuller, Michael Harris and John Slack were of Needham.
Old Local Rames, Ponds and Streams
In the Dedham records the Great Plain is mentioned as early as 1636, Broad Meadow and Rosemary Meadow in 1648, North Hill in 1660, Powell's Island in 1676, Wolf Pit Hill in 1669 and The Wolf Pit in 1698/9.
Apparently Wolf Pit Hill is between South Street and the river, perhaps one of the hills not far from the barn on the Kingsbury-Stedman-Ingols place; Wolf Pit Meadow is re- ferred to in the old deeds. The Honorable Enos H. Tucker stated in 1902 that there was a wolf pit just north of South Street, near the old road that ran from South Street to Mark Tree Road.
Pine Swamp Neck was a name used in 1737, and probably earlier. The writer has two old plans inscribed "Wid. Mary Lyons lot in Pilferfhire in Needham Eaft of ye way Divided Nov. 22. 1765", "Plan of 31ª. 0.37 of land in Pil- ferfhire at Needham Sold by Thomas & Pelatiah Lyon To W" Mackentofh & Sam. Daggett and Divided between 'em as within - 1766". "This Prick! line of Divifion was made Ap: 10. 1766.
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This land belonged to Thomas Aldridge prior to 1700, and later to his only daughter, Mary, wife of Josiah Lyon, and included the territory between the locality popularly known as Dog Corner and Mark Tree Road. The first- mentioned plan was of the estate on the westerly side of
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Central Avenue, and the second plan of the land on the easterly side; the latter section was owned in 1765 by David, Daniel, Rachel and Hannah Lyon, heirs of Mary.
Apparently Birch Plain was the western portion of the Great Plain extending toward the present Wellesley line, and Pine Plain was in West Needham, including the region since known as Unionville. Ridge Hill, now covered with a growth largely chestnut, and but little pine, was sometimes called "Pine Hill" a century ago. Bullard's Hill is between Wellesley College and Blossom Street, and takes its name from the Bullard family, who lived on the estate now form- ing a part of the college grounds. Dug Hill is a portion of Central Avenue, a short distance east of Pine Street. Bird's Hill takes its name from John Bird, a former owner, who was a soldier in the Revolution.
In the inventory of William Eaton of Dedham, 1726, a tract of land, on which he had a house, is described as bounded on "the old road leading from Ebenezer Wares to a place called the Neckfield towards the south".
HIGH ROCK
The noted High Rock, which appears on the town seal, is referred to in the Dedham records under date of April 20, 1649, when "Mr John Allen Pastor and Eleazer Lusher giue notice of thier discouery of a mine of mettall or other minerall whervnto they lay clayme to them thier hiers executors or assignes for euer by vertue of the order of the Town in that case pvided wch lyeth betwixt Charles Riuer towards the south and the high Roche neer the Great Playne towards the north, and in or neer about a smale stoney valley being encompased on the south . north and west sids with Rochey hills the east end of the sd valley opening towards a stoney brooke therby notice heere of giuen to the men whose names ar subscribed being of the select men Joh: K Kingsbery Joshua Fisher". Under date of May 1, 1649, the town clerk recorded "Lieft Joshua
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Fisher and Sergeant Daniell Fisher giue notice of thier expectation of a Mine of Mettall clayming the benefit of the Town order to them and thier hiers. Lying on the north side of Charles Riuer and on the west side of a brooke that runnes, in to said Riuer ouer against the Farme late mª Cookes, and on the south side of the great Playne". For years the settlers of Dedham hoped to find valuable miner- als in their township, and appear to have been repeatedly disappointed. This supposed mine "ouer against mr Cookes Farme" is noted in the Dedham records in March, 1647.
Prior to February 18, 1834, Richard Richardson of West Cambridge became the owner of High Rock, but the deeds recorded in Norfolk and Suffolk Counties furnish, appar- ently, no clue as to how he obtained it. His wife, Mehit- able Smith, whom he married in Needham, November 6, 1777, may have acquired it by inheritance, but it does not appear who her parents were. She died in West Cambridge October 30, 1808, aged fifty-two years, and it is a coincidence that David Smith of Needham, whose will was dated 1803 and probated in 1808, had a daughter Mehitable, born Octo- ber 23, 1756, but she became Mrs. Whiting, and died before her father, the settlement of whose estate reveals no trace of his owning High Rock. Richard Richardson had twelve children, his daughters Mehitable and Abigail marrying, in succession, Edward Smith of Arlington. According to Dr. Noyes's diary High Rock was sold at auction on November 30, 1835, and the records show that Edward Smith of West Cambridge, as executor of Richard Richardson, late of Ashby, deeded, on December 4, his interest in fifteen acres of land in Needham to Daniel Kimball for $247. High Rock was on this land, and as long as the Rev. Mr. Kimball had the academy the Rock was a favorite resort of his pupils. In 1859 Mr. Kimball sold the land to Sherman Bowers, and the latter conveyed it in 1872 to Frederic N. Woodward and Robert Turner, both of Newton. In 1877 Mrs. Henri-
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
etta Williams became the owner of over one hundred acres of woodland in Needham, which included the Rock, and since her death in 1890, or 1891, this property has belonged to her heirs, one of whom is the Honorable George Frederick Williams. Mrs. Williams got the land by the foreclosure of a mortgage, and, although taxed to her from 1877, the title was not perfected till November, 1884. High Rock is on the seventeen-acre lot, formerly called fifteen acres more or less, now known as the Kimball Lot. The Rock is referred to as a landmark in deeds prior to 1750, as well as in those of later date.
Bullard's Pond, now Lake Waban, is called Cunningham's Pond on an early map. Lake Waban contains one hundred and nineteen acres, and is connected with Charles River by Bullard's Brook, now better known as Waban Brook, and with Morse's Pond, formerly Broad's Pond, by Natick Brook. Morse's Pond is a beautiful sheet of water, west of the tracks of the Boston and Albany Railroad Company. At one time it included thirty-eight acres, but now only about twenty. West of Morse's Pond is a small pond, some- times called Pickerell Pond on old maps, and a century ago there was a mill there. Jennings Pond is south of the Turn- pike, and since 1797 in Natick. The lakes on the Ridge Hill Farms were formed at great expense by William Emer- son Baker, who came to Needham in the late sixties, and for twenty years had a famous show place of upward of eight hundred acres, where many valuable animals were to be seen, including fine specimens of the American Bison. Mr. Baker had grottoes, subterranean tunnels, curious trick floors and mirrors, and other amusing features. He enter- tained in 1875 the Fifth Maryland Regiment for two days, or longer, and expended large sums of money on similar occasions, usually making the dedication of a pig-pen, or a bear's funeral, the nominal object of costly hospitality. The Maryland troops came to Boston to take part in the Centennial of the Battle of Bunker Hill. In 1888 Mr.
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Baker built a large hotel on his estate, and named it Hotel Wellesley, although it was in Needham, his purpose being that others might enjoy the Ridge Hill Farms. This hotel was burned December 19, 1891, having been but little used for several years.
One of the artificial lakes on this estate is extensive, and required the labor of a large force of men, eighty it is said, and many teams and carts for nearly two years.
Longfellow's Pond, not the pool in the college grounds, and the Reservoir Pond are "artificial" in their origin. In recent years the former has been nearly dry much of the time. The Rosemary Pond is largely the result of exca- vation, and the erection of a dam by Lemuel Lyon, which took place within the memory of people now living.1 The Blacksmith's Pond was formerly but a brook, referred to in old deeds, and was created by the construction of dams, as was the little pond north of Nehoiden Street, and next to the hinge-factory.
South of Bacon Street, near Oak Street, in what was Need- ham Leg, there was once a sufficient stream to run a grist- mill, which was patronized by persons living as far away as Sudbury. Natick Brook is mentioned in connection with the industries. Dewing's Brook runs from Wellesley Hills in a southwesterly direction, passing under Wellesley Avenue, Brook, Grove and Dover Streets, and unites with Bullard's Brook, both joining the Charles River near the Nine Arch Bridge. In recent years the course of Dewing's Brook has been somewhat changed between Wellesley Avenue and Brook Street in consequence of parkway construction. Noyes's Brook is named for the minister, and is an attract- ive feature of the beautiful park, which includes the town
1 Extensive improvements were made in the vicinity of Rosemary Pond in 1907-9, and in the latter year William Carter placed four swans on the pond, enclosing perhaps half an acre of water with a wire fence, and anchoring a swan- house some distance from the shore. In 1909 a motor boat, the property of Mr. Carter, was for the first time seen on this pond. In 1911 wild geese and other water fowl are with the swans.
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
hall and library, all given to the Town of Wellesley by Mr. Horatio H. Hunnewell.
Strife Meadow Brook runs between the Mackintosh farm and Ridge Hill, and in Wellesley is known as Fuller's Brook. Strife Meadow Brook and Birch Meadow are re- ferred to in the Needham records as early as 1714. In the will of David Smith, 1803, is a reference to "Nashfield brook".
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