USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > History of Newton, Massachusetts : town and city, from its earliest settlement to the present time, 1630-1880 > Part 47
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¿ At this mecting a committee was chosen to ascertain whether the town has a right to the use of Dr. Homer's Meeting-house, and application was made to Hon. Samuel Hoar, for his legal opinion on the question.
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DIVISION OF THE TOWN.
June 10; when the question of building a town-house was again proposed, and again indefinitely postponed. Again, at the November meeting the citizens voted to defer the matter till the next meeting. On the 16th of December a special meeting was called, at which it was proposed to build a town-house "near the East Parish meeting-house," and the proposal negatived. Then it was voted "to locate the town-house near the vestry,"- which was also reconsidered, and a vote passed to locate it "near the Centre school-house." A committee was chosen "to procure land and build the house." But this was not the end. Eleven days afterwards, December 27, another meeting was called,-to be held, as the Selectmen had provided no place for the meeting,- " at the horse-sheds." The vote passed at the former meeting was reconsidered, and the Selectmen were directed to "procure a house for future meetings upon the best terms they can."
Meetings had been held several times in the old Baptist meet- ing-house, on the easterly side of Wiswall's Pond, and at the West Parish meeting-house, alternately, and to many this arrangement proved satisfactory. But only one month after the last meeting, another meeting was summoned, at which a vote was passed by those present to build a town-house within fifty rods of the pow- der-house, which stood on a lot now forming the western terminus of Lyman Street. The necessary committees were chosen, and within twenty-four hours most of the timber necessary for the building was on the spot, and an effort made to hasten the work. But the weather was unfavorable; and before the project was accomplished, another meeting was called, to be held February 8, 1834. At this meeting, it was voted to build a town-house* at Newton Centre, nearly opposite the old Baptist meeting-house, and, also, to pay the corporation of Fuller Academy seven hun- dred dollars, towards building a suitable hall, and that the town
* After these controversies were ended, and all the town meetings came to be held by common consent in West Newton, this building was removed to the corner of Sta- tion Street and the Common at Newton Centre,t and became the Village Hall. For several years it was used for Lyceum lectures and other secular gatherings, and bore the name Lyceum Hall. It was in this Hall, in 1862, that Charles Ward made that thrilling speech, in which he consecrated his young life on the altar of his country, and consummated the sacrifice the following summer on the battle-field at Gettys- burg. The Hall was finally sold for private uses, removed to the vicinity of the Rail- road station on Station Street, became a stable, and after a few months was con- sumed by fire.
# The Methodist meeting-house, Newton Centre, now occupies the same lot.
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HISTORY OF NEWTON.
meetings be held alternately in those two places. This produced general satisfaction.
The following summer, the corporation of Fuller Academy erected a hall, fitted for the uses of town meetings, expecting the town to aid them in meeting the expense. During the years 1835-7, the town meetings were held at the town-house near New- ton Centre,- the exciting questions of the last few years being rather smothered than settled. But movements in certain direc- tions, indicated that if there could not be a harmonious division of the town, there were citizens who favored a secession. March 6, 1837, the question was proposed in town meeting, whether the town will consent to have the Lower Falls district set off to Need- ham or Weston ; but the question was at once dismissed. In 1838 a considerable section of land at the southeast part of the town was set off to Roxbury. This diminished the extent of the town in that direction, and relieved the difficulty felt by the families liv- ing at the point most remote.
The citizens, however, were still restless. Like their fathers in the early history of the town, neither the one party nor the other was willing to yield, and at length the question of a division of the town was again mooted, as the only method of restoring harmony. On the 19th of April, 1841,-the anniversary of that memorable day in revolutionary history,- a committee was appointed to take into consideration the subject of a division of the town, and to. report at a subsequent meeting. The following November the com- mittee reported the line previously prayed for, and the vote to divide the town was passed. But on the 22d of December,- the anniversary of another historical day,- this vote was recon- sidered. Afterwards the whole subject was referred to the Legis- lature. The committee of the Legislature favored the division, and reported a bill to that effect.
A writer of reminiscences of that difficult period in the history of the town says,-
The Rev. Samuel P. Skinner, a Universalist minister, residing at Oak Hill, very near the southern limit of the town, took a notable part in opposing,. with great ability, the proposed division. Mr. Edmands, the father of the late Hon. J. Wiley Edmands, also joined Mr. Skinner in opposing division. Their sturdiest opponent was what was the sprightly, and now, if not then, is the venerable, as well as sprightly, Seth Davis. None who were present can ever forget the excited debates on the town division question that oc- curred in town meetings and before committees of the Legislature, in which many took part.
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DIVISION OF THE TOWN.
The petition presented on this occasion to the Legislature of Massachusetts was as follows :
The subscribers, citizens and legal voters of the town of Newton, would humbly represent that, owing to the very peculiar physical features, and great extent of said town, that constant and increasing difficulties exist that never can be obviated, excepting by a division of said town. We therefore pray, in order to promote the peace, interest and great convenience of its citizens, that the same may be divided, either by a line, as first recommended by a committee chosen by the town, and subsequently by several consecutive committees of former Legislatures, and lastly, by a special committee, ap- pointed for that special purpose,- said line commencing at the monument between the town of Newton and the town of Brighton, near the house of Thomas Smallwood, and running southwesterly in a straight line to Charles River, passing between the house lately owned by Thomas McNoah, and that of William Wiswall the 2d,- or, beginning near or at Brighton line, where Indian Lane (so called) [Sargent Street] intersects the same, and running to the same point in Charles River, as before mentioned, and that all that portion of said town, lying northerly of the line that may be adopted, may form a new town, by the name of West Newton. We furthermore pray, that all the documents, heretofore presented by the citizens of said town, for the division of the same, and all papers relating thereto, may be taken from the files and duly considered and acted upon in conformity with the prayer of your petitioners.
GEORGE DANIELS, NATHAN CRAFT, and others.
In 1844 the people of the Chemical Works (the northwest part of the town) petitioned to be set off to Waltham. Another peti- tion was presented by citizens who asked to be set off to Rox- bury,-the line they desired, extending from the southwest corner of Brookline to Kenrick's Bridge. But many of the citizens opposed any division whatever, believing that a compromise might be had which would obviate all difficulties. After the bill for the division of the town was defeated, the inhabitants of that section known as "the Chemical Works," just referred to, were set off, in accordance with their petition, to Waltham, in April, 1849. This cut off from the town of Newton a territory of about six hundred acres, upon which have since been located the extensive works of the Waltham Watch Company, with a valuation of a million or two of dollars, and other valuable property.
The following is a copy of a petition for the division of the town, which was circulated among the voters in January and February, 1844, in anticipation of the March meeting :
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HISTORY OF NEWTON.
Petition and Memorial of sundry Inhabitants of the Easterly or First Parish of the Town of Newton.
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts :
We, the Inhabitants of Newton, residents and legal voters of the East or First Parish, respectfully represent :- That the town of Newton is, from its extraordinary size, and interior structure, and form, capable of being divided into two well-apportioned and well-balanced towns, as the line which divides the two great Parishes now runs.
The town of Newton contains a very unusual amount of territory ; it is en- compassed on the north, on all the west, and the south, for nearly fifteen miles, by the river Charles. Newton is divided into two great Parishes, by distinct communities, of East and of West, by a right line, proceeding from the south and through the centre, thence following in its northerly part a lit- tle to the west of the course of the Cold Stream Brook, and on the western bor- ders of the long extended and lonely valley of the centre, to the southwest projecting corner of Watertown on the north. This central and dividing range, being throughout and almost entire, from the southern boundary and River, to the north, a wide expanse of territory, on all sides hilly, or woody, or rocky, or broken, or low, [is] in most parts uncultivated or unreclaimed, - an extensive solitude.
In the East or First Parish, are two very considerable and flourishing vil- lages, namely, the village of the Upper Falls, at the extreme south, and also the flourishing village of Angier's Corner, on the extreme north. The Parish of West Newton, which is encompassed on three sides by a noble river, con- tains also two very flourishing villages, one the fine and thriving village of Lower Falls, in the extreme southwest; the other the large and flourishing village of West Newton, in the more northerly and central part on that side; and another fine village still arising, at the great Chemical Works, near to and contiguous to the river and new Fitchburg railroad, in the extreme south- west, with water power abundant, and, on either side, with territory and population ample for a well organized town.
The Worcester railroad, running in the direction of east and west, passes through the village of Angier's Corner, within the limits of the East Parish ; thence crossing, it passes through the village of West Newton and the Parish of the West. In each of those Parishes, and in each of those two last-named villages, a Railroad Depot and Post-office is established, where their mails are brought from the city.
Between these two communities, thus separated and disconnected, there is little or no interchange, and apparently but very little or no common bond of union, or consanguinity of interest in any way. None there are, to our knowledge, on this side of this dividing line, who travel westward or over their roads, or but rarely, or thitherwards attend their churches ; all on this side, on the contrary, go down to the city by routes hitherwards, and here only they attend the churches of our own; where only, and on this side, their fathers sleep.
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DIVISION OF THE TOWN.
Nor are they, the people of the west part, very much interested in any of our roads. Their transit to and from the city being generally by the Wor- cester railroad-or, if they choose, the people of the northwest, or side bounding on Waltham, may now go down by another route, or by the Fitch- burg Railroad, which here, by a most fortuitous circumstance approaches very nigh, and from that depot, which lies immediately contiguous on the opposite shore ;- or, their heavy-loaded teams, returning from the city, go not through the East Parish ; the Bowen Hill, over which the great road passes, to the eastward of Angier's Corner, presents an obstruction to their upward progress on this side; they return by a new road, wide, and nearly level, which leads from the West Newton Centre direct to Watertown Bridge; and from thence, branching eastward, two splendid roads cross the river through North Brigh- ton to the city direct; and by this their heavily-laden teams, returning to West Newton, pass up almost invariably, and by a route beyond the bounds of this, the First Parish, and so to the north and westward of every oppos- ing hill.
Now, therefore, and as the only visible means of securing permanently the blessings of peace to all the parties concerned, we, your petitioners, respect- fully request that the town of Newton be divided, as the well-defined parish line now runs, and by a line beginning at the southwest projecting corner of the town of Watertown, a little to the west of the intersection of Cold Stream Brook, thence, proceeding in a right line, southerly, one hundred yards to the west of the house of Thomas McNoah, to Charles River.
That this, the First, and East, and most ancient Parish, be incorporated anew, by a special act of the Legislature, by the name of NEWTON, and by the original name which alone belongs to us of right; and that the Second, or West Parish, be incorporated, also, by another act, by the name of WEST NEWTON, which name they have chosen ; or by any other name, which, here- after, they may choose.
That the property now held by the town in common, in the town or town- houses, and poor house and farm, or in funds, or in dues to the town, also all debts due from the town, be divided in proportion to the rates or taxes which were assessed in 1843, and in a manner hereafter to be prescribed; and to this effect your petitioners pray that they may have leave to bring in a bill or bills.
NEWTON, January, 1844.
At a town meeting held March 25, 1844, majority and minority reports were presented to the town by a committee previously chosen. The majority report recommended the erection of a town-house at West Newton for the whole town, "as likely to secure the greatest good to the greatest number." The minority report recommended the erection of a town-house in the geograph- ical centre of the town, near the junction of the present Valentine road, so called, with Homer Street.
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HISTORY OF NEWTON.
About this time, the proprietors of the First Parish meeting- house proposed to alter the interior of that structure (the church dedicated in 1805), and to make a hall suitable to accommodate the town meetings, below, and an audience-room for Divine wor- ship, above. But when action looking towards the execution of this plan was proposed to the town, it was at once negatived by the citizens.
In 1845, another petition was presented for a division, which was thrown out because of the lateness of its presentation. In 1846, still another petition was presented for a division of the town by the line of Cold Stream Brook ; but this line found less favor than the other, and a renewed petition was presented for a division by the old line. This year the citizens of the Lower Falls unanimously objected to any division at all, although in 1843 they had favored it. Besides the above, another of the lines of division proposed was " a line commencing near Thomas Smallwood's, and running to the south side of the road in front of the house of William Wis- wall, then continuing to Charles River." "The old line," so called, the petition for which was renewed in 1846, was one " beginning at or near Indian Lane " (Sargent Street).
The contest was continued till 1848-9, when it was voted by the town to hold the town meetings at West Newton. The old Second Congregational meeting-house was purchased by the town for $1,800, and fitted up for a town-hall. The building was at a later period enlarged to meet the necessities of the growing population ; and, when Newton became a city in 1873, it became, with improve- ments, the City Hall. When one of the Normal Schools of Mas- sachusetts was kept in the building once the Fuller Academy, at West Newton, a Model School (primary and intermediate) was taught in the basement of the town-hall. A certain number of the pupils (female) of the Normal School were deputed in turn, for the period of a week each, to instruct the little ones in the Model School, under the eye of the Principal, as a practical experiment. in preparation for their future employment.
Thus this long controversy came to an end. Still, as the thunder continues to rumble after a summer shower, occasional petitions were presented from citizens wishing to be set off to other towns, for example, to Waltham ; but the main controversy was no more revived. On the 12th of March, 1855, the late Hon. David H. Mason moved "that the inhabitants of Newton will oppose any and all measures for the division of the town; and that they will
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UNION AND PEACE.
regard with disfavor the disturbance of their peace and harmony by the further agitation of the subject."
" The motion was carried by a very large vote, probably five- sixths of the whole voting." Many of those who took part in it, in its earlier stages, belonged to a former generation, and long since passed away. The majority by whose vote the question was finally settled in 1848-9, doubtless acted conscientiously and wisely. The minority,- conscientiously a minority, -yielded, and their course has met the approval of their successors. The terri- torial extent of the town is no longer urged as an infelicity. The neighboring city of Boston, by annexing the towns adjacent to it, has expanded itself into even greater dimensions than those of Newton. Every part of the town claims the right of ownership in its honorable history, and clings with patriotic and filial pride to all the reminiscences of a corporate life of nearly two centuries. During the progress of the controversy, how often the broad acres of the town were travelled over, examined, counted, measured, surveyed and resurveyed ! How every hill, and vale, and brook, and forest, and road was drawn and mapped! With what care every dwelling was noted and numbered, and the influence of every voter questioned, and weighed, and estimated! How the citizens in private intercourse and in their town meetings learned to debate, to approve, to dissent, to scrutinize arguments and testimony, to sustain an advocate of their cause, and to watch and parry an opponent ! Verily, those days were valuable helps to the education of the citizens. And if no other good came out of the tumult and strife, there was profit in the intellectual develop- ment communicated to the people. They were prepared by the trials of those days for the marvellous later growth of the town, for the scenes that came with the war, and which cemented in union all hearts, that were made one by the unity of one great conflict and one sorrow, resulting in one united and overwhelming joy. The new population of recent times cares nothing for the issues which seemed so important to a former generation, and which parted very friends. And now, as one great and populous city, one wide, wealthy and prosperous organization, with its churches, its schools, its libraries, its fire department, its gas works, its water works, and all its common interests, perhaps not a citizen walks in the streets of Newton, through its whole extent, or breathes its atmosphere, who is not glad that the whole is bound together in one peaceful union.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH .- COLLEAGUE PASTOR .- DEATH OF MR. GRAFTON .- REV. F. A. WILLARD .- LATER PASTORS .- STATIS- TICS. - SABBATH SCHOOL. - BEQUESTS. - THE CHOIR. - THE CLOCK .- THOMPSONVILLE .- METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- UNITARIAN CHURCH.
RECURRING to the history of the First Baptist church (pages 287-308), we recall the statement that the second pastor, the Rev. Joseph Grafton, conscious of the infirmities of age, in 1835 asked to be released from the responsibilities of his office, generously proposing to relinquish the salary, and advising the settlement of a young and vigorous minister, who could more effectually watch over the interests of the church, in his stead. The church made provision to render the remaining days of their aged minister com- fortable and happy, and elected a colleague, the Rev. Frederick Augustus Willard, who was recognized as the junior pastor, No- vember 25, 1835, and Mr. Grafton was thenceforth released from service. During the winter of 1835-6, he was confined to his chamber by sickness; but with the opening summer he was restored again, and spent a considerable time in visiting his rela- tives, and his spiritual children in the town and vicinity ;- a fit- ting and beautiful employment for an aged minister, who, having spent his days in the service of the gospel, was even now dipping his feet in the brim of Jordan, through which he was about to pass over into the celestial city.
During the year 1836, the Society had been engaged in erecting a new house of worship in the present location, some distance north of the site of the ancient sanctuary. At the beginning of the winter, the new building being nearly ready for occupancy, it was arranged that on the third Sabbath in December the closing
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DEATH OF MR. GRAFTON.
service should be held in the house where their fathers had wor- shipped, and where the presence of God had been so often and so richly enjoyed. The aged pastor, most appropriately, was to have preached on the occasion. What a scene of touching interest and beauty might have been anticipated, when the reverend servant of God, full of days and of honors, should stand up and speak for the last time within those consecrated walls, which had so long echoed with the sound of the gospel from his lips ; which had been thronged, year after year, by interested congregations, which had witnessed the vows of multitudes of converts, and where so many had been ripened for heaven ! How many affecting memories of the past would crowd upon the thoughts of the auditors! How many tears would bedew the sacred threshold, as the aged pil- grims, who had "seen the glory of the former house," should cross it for the last time, and go out from the hallowed temple no more to return !
But a scene of more touching interest was prepared. The last public service in the house was the funeral ceremonies of the aged pastor himself. He preached for the last time on Sabbath evening, December 11th, in the Dudley Street Baptist church, Roxbury, from Heb. II : 3, "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" His last sermon to his own people was from John XIV : 23, "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words ; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him." It was most appropriate that he should discourse upon such words, who was, about to go himself and make his abode with the Father. Some of his latest sermons were strikingly impressive and interesting. In his last sermon he particularly addressed the young, producing impressions which will never be forgotten. He died on the follow- ing Friday, and on the next Tuesday the funeral services were attended in the meeting-house where he had ministered for nearly half a century. Rev. Dr. Sharp, of Boston, preached on the occasion of the funeral, from Rom. VIII : 18, "The glory which shall be revealed." The sermon was afterwards printed.
The publications of Mr. Grafton, so far as known, are the fol- lowing :
1. A Sermon occasioned by the death of Samuel Bixby, who died Sept. 25, æt. 17; Jonathan Shepard, jr., who died Sept. 28, æt. 29; James Ward, who died Sept. 29, æt. 25; and Michael Bright, jr., who died Oct. 10, æt .. 20. (All of the small-pox.) Preached Oct. 21, 1792.
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HISTORY OF NEWTON.
2. A Sermon delivered at Newton on the third Lord's day in October, 1802, occasioned by the death of Miss Sally Grafton, æt. 12. By her Father. Published by request. With a Preface by Dr. Jonathan Homer.
3. The Godly and Faithful Man delineated. A Sermon delivered at New- ton on the first Lord's day in January, 1804. Occasioned by the death of Mr. Samuel Richardson, æt. 70. Published by request.
4. A Sermon exhibiting the Origin, Progress and Present State of the Baptist Church and Society in Newton, Mass. Preached before them on the first Lord's day in January, 1830, by the Pastor.
Besides the above, Mr. Grafton printed a few shorter pieces, as letters, brief addresses, etc. They appeared in connection with the sermons, etc., of others, or in the Baptist Magazine.
Mr. Grafton's home was the triangle of land, bounded by Cen- tre, Grafton and Homer Streets. Several years after his death, the house was removed to a location half a mile northerly, near Mill Street, and finally, two or three years after its removal, it fell a victim to the flames.
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