USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 1622-1918, vol 1 > Part 11
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By the act of May 20, 1891, the town was authorized to issue bonds to the amount of $50,000, or notes or scrip to that amount, "to complete the purchase of the waterworks of the Braintree Water Supply Company." The act also authorized the town to take certain lands on the borders of Little Pond, in order to obtain an additional water supply. Under the provisions of this act, the Brain- tree Waterworks became the property of the town. Since that time additional bonds and notes have been authorized for the purpose of extending the mains, purchasing new pumping machinery and otherwise improving the plant. At the close of the year 1916 the total amount of water bonds and notes outstanding was $276,000. For the redemption of these bonds there was at the same time an accumulated sinking fund of $229,810.04, leaving a net indebtedness on the water- works of $46,189.96. According to the report of W. E. Maybury, superintendent of the works, there were a little over forty-six miles of mains, and the income for the year from the sale of water and making connections was $32,347.46.
ELECTRIC LIGHT WORKS
The Braintree municipal lighting plant was established in 1893. Of the bonds issued on April 5, 1893, to pay for construction, the amount outstanding on Decem- ber, 31, 1916, was $16,500, practically offset by a sinking fund of $15,866.92. At the close of the year 1916 the service included 725 street lights, for which the town paid $6,282, and 1,600 private customers. According to the report of the town treasurer, the total income of the plant was $41,890.94. During the year nearly fifteen thousand dollars were expended in the purchase of new machinery, making the estimated value of the equipment at the close of the year over one hundred thou- sand dollars. Few towns in the state have a better lighting system than Brain- tree, and the cost of light to the consumer is much lower than in many of the large cities. F. B. Lawrence, manager of the municipal lighting department, closes his report for 1916 by saying: "Prices on pole-line, hardware, poles, wire
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MOUNT VERNON HOUSE, KING OAK HILL, WEYMOUTH HEIGHTS
BATES OPERA HOUSE, (EAST) BRAINTREE. FACING WEYMOUTH SQUARE
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and fuel have increased considerably over 1915, yet our manufacturing cost has been well within our income. With increased business and greater generating efficiency, we expect to make an even better showing for the coming year."
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Protection against fire was a subject that early claimed the attention of the people of Braintree. On January 1I, 1644, a town meeting "Ordered that evry (house) holder in this towne shall by the first day of March next insuing shall have a Ladder of his to stand up against his Chimney to secure them & the towne from fire or else shall be lyable to pay what penalty the towne's men shall impose one them."
That was the beginning of Braintree's fire protection system. The ladders were followed by the old-time "bucket brigade," in which all the citizens within call formed a line between the burning building and the nearest available water supply and passed pails of water from hand to hand, the last man at the end of the line dashing the water upon the fire. . Then the hand engine and the company of volunteer firemen came into use. This was a decided improvement upon the bucket brigade, but it was far short of the present modern system of fighting fires.
The Braintree fire department now consists of three stations-one in each pre- cinct-equipped with the most approved apparatus. Each station is provided with a hose company and a hook and ladder company, and each is equipped wtih a combination motor truck. The total amount of appropriation for the support of the department in 1916 was $12,711.73, of which $3.529.75 was for the pay of firemen. According to the report of F. A. Tenney, chief of the department, sixty-three calls were answered during the year 1916. The total value of prop- erty involved was $94,800 and the actual loss was only a little over eleven thou- sand dollars-a recommendation of the department's efficiency.
POSTOFFICES
When the United States postoffice department was established under the law of 1792, there were not more than eight or ten regular postoffices in Massachu- setts. The office at Braintree-the first in the town-was established in Febru- ary, 1825, with Asa French as postmaster. He kept the office in his house on Washington Street. The South Braintree postoffice was established on March 13, 1845, with Judson Stoddard as postmaster, and was at first located on the corner of Washington and Pearl streets. The United States Postal Guide for July, 1917, gives both of these offices as branches of the Boston postoffice.
A FEW FIRST THINGS
The first white child born in the town was Hannah Niles, a daughter of John and Jane Niles. She was born on February 12, 1636.
The first marriage was that of Henry Adams and Elizabeth Paine, which was solemnized on October 17, 1643.
The first recorded death was that of Mary Paine, whose burial occurred on June 2, 1643. Vol. 1-6
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
The first case of insanity was reported in 1651, when "In answer to the peti- tion of John Heydon of Braintree, for relief in respect of his distracted childe," he was allowed five pounds per annum toward the charges of keeping the child, etc.
The first manilla paper ever manufactured was made at the Hollingsworth Paper Mills in Braintree in 1843.
The first church was organized on Sunday, September 16, 1639.
The first school mentioned in the records was taught in 1648 by Henry Flint, teacher of the First Church.
The first factory was the iron works, established on the Monatiquot River in 1643.
The first newspaper was published on June 5, 1875.
BRAINTREE OF TODAY
According to the United States census, the population of Braintree in 1910 was 8,066, and the state census of 1915 reported a population of 9,343, an increase of 1,277 in five years. The assessed valuation of property in 1916 was $9.780,179, an increase of $1,158,127 over the assessment of the preceding year. The total appropriations made by the annual town meeting of 1916 amounted to $195,268.73, of which $61,093 were for the support of the public schools, and $33,944 for the maintenance of streets and highways. From these liberal appropriations it can be readily seen that the people of Braintree believe in education and good roads. South Braintree has a bank, there are two weekly newspapers published in the town, excellent transportation facilities are afforded by the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railway and the electric lines that traverse the town, churches of various denominations are open to worshipers of all beliefs, the Thayer Academy, one of the leading educational institutions of Norfolk County is located in Braintree, the manufacturing interests are both varied and extensive, the last report of the State Bureau of Statistics giving reports from eighteen Braintree concerns having a combined capital of $3.299,047 and employing 2,000 people, and the mercantile establishments compare favorably with those in towns of similar size and population.
The principal town officers at the beginning of the year 1917 were as follows : George H. Holbrook, Henry M. Storm and B. H. Woodsom, selectmen, highway surveyors and overseers of the poor; Henry A. Monk, clerk; Otis B. Oakman, treasurer ; Albion C. Drinkwater, Henry W. Mansfield and Henry M. Storm, assessors; Frank W. Couillard, Paul Monaghan and C. F. Tarbox, auditors; William C. Harrison, John Kelley and James T. Stevens, water commissioners and commissioners of sinking funds; Alexander T. Carson, Charles T. Crane and Norton W. Potter, municipal light board ; Ann M. Brooks, Frederick C. Folsom, William W. Gallagher, Benjamin Hawes, Carrie F. Loring and Frank A. Reed, school committee ; J. F. Kemp, Ray S. Hubbard and James H. Stedman, park commissioners ; Frank A. Smith, tax collector ; J. S. Hill, Fred A. Tenney, Frank O. Whitmarsh and the selectmen, engineers of the fire department; Jeremiah F. Gallivan, chief of police.
CHAPTER XII
THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
LOCATION, BOUNDARIES AND EXTENT-TOPOGRAPHY-THE HOOKER GRANT-ALLOT- MENTS OF LAND-FIRST MOVE FOR SEPARATION FROM BOSTON-INCORPORATION OF BROOKLINE-FIRST ELECTION-ADJUSTING THE BOUNDARIES-TOWN HALL- WATERWORKS-FIRE DEPARTMENT-PUNCH BOWL TAVERN -- BROOKLINE OF THE PRESENT.
Brookline is the most northeastern town of Norfolk County. When the county was established in 1793, its territory was continuous from the Charles River at Charlestown to the Rhode Island line. Since then the towns surrounding Brook- line have all been annexed to the city, leaving the town segregated from the main body of Norfolk County and bounded on all sides by the City of Boston. Its greatest length from northeast to southwest is nearly four and a half miles, and its average width from southeast to northwest is a little less than two miles.
TOPOGRAPHY
Like most of the country near the sea coast in Eastern Massachusetts, the surface of Brookline rises gradually from the side next to the shore line toward the interior. On some maps are shown a line of elevations marked "Brookline Hills." The highest of these is Lyman's (or Cabot's) Hill, the summit of which is 336 feet above high-water mark. Next comes Hyde's Hill, which rises to a height of 309 feet above the high-water line. Near the old standpipe of the Brookline Waterworks is another elevation 306 feet high, and Walnut Hill has an altitude of 283 feet. Other hills, of less altitude, but equally beautiful and picturesque, are Goddard Heights, Aspinwall's, Fisher's, Corey's, Bradley's, Bab- cock and Chestnut Hills, all except the last mentioned deriving their names from early owners. From the top of these hills a fine view of the surrounding country may be obtained, and the diversified surface of Brookline, its location, and other attractions have made the town a favorite resort for the suburban residents of Boston.
The principal stream is the Charles River, which now merely touches the town on the northeast. When the Town of Brookline was first incorporated in 1705, the Charles River formed the boundary line for some distance on the north, but that portion of the town was subsequently annexed to Boston. Muddy River has its source in Jamaica Pond and forms a portion of the boundary line between Brookline and the city. The early settlement, known as "Muddy River Hamlet," took its name from this stream. In early days vessels of considerable tonnage could ascend the Muddy River with cargoes of goods for the inhabitants, deliver-
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ing them at Aspinwall's Dock or Cotton's Landing. There are also several small brooks in the town, hence every part of it is well watered.
THE HOOKER GRANT
The first organized effort to plant a settlement along the shores of Muddy River was made in the autumn of 1634. Two years prior to that time Rev. Mr. Hooker and forty-six members of his congregation at Mount Wollaston were granted permission by the General Court to remove to New Town (now Cam- bridge). In May, 1634, these same people complained of a scarcity of land, espe- cially meadow, in New Town and requested permission to look for and remove to a new location. The request was granted and messengers were sent out in different directions to seek a site for a new settlement. Those who went to Connecticut brought back flattering reports of the conditions there, and on Septem- ber 4, 1634, a petition was presented to the General Court praying for permission to remove to Connecticut. Fifteen of the deputies expressed themselves in favor of granting the petition, but the other ten were opposed. The governor and two assistants also favored the proposition to allow the people to depart from New Town, but other officials took the opposite view. The matter was finally com- promised by Mr. Hooker's company accepting the enlargements of land granted by Boston and Watertown, viz: "What are now the towns of Brookline, Brighton and Newton, excepting that portion which had previously been assigned to indi- viduals. These donations of land to New Town were made upon condition that Mr. Hooker's company should not remove from the colony, as is shown by the record of September 25, 1634, to wit :
"Also it is ordered, that the ground aboute Muddy Ryver, belonging to Boston & vsed by the inhabitants thereof, shall hereafter belonge to Newe Towne, the wood & Timber thereof groweinge & to be groweinge to be reserved to the inhab- itants of Boston; provided, and it is the meaneing of the Court, that if Mr. Hooker and the congregacon nowe setted here shall remove hence, that then the aforesaid meadowe ground shall returne to Waterton & the ground att Muddy Ryver to Boston."
In April, 1635, the General Court appointed Ensign William Jennison to run and mark the line between New Town and Roxbury. His report was as follows : "The line between Roxbury and New Town is laid to run southwest from Muddy River near the place called 'Nowell's Bridge' a tree marked on four sides, and from the mouth of the River to that place; the south side is for Roxbury and the north for Newtown."
Apparently the lands at Muddy River were not to the liking of Mr. Hooker and his associates and the records do not show that they made any serious attempt to found a settlement at that place. Early in 1636 the entire congregation, num- bering about one hundred people, led by Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone, went to Connecticut and laid the foundation of the City of Hartford. After their depar- ture the land at Muddy River reverted to Boston, in accordance with the proviso included in the grant of September, 1634. William Spencer, Nicholas Danforth and William Jennison were appointed to locate the boundary lines between New Town and Boston and made the following report in April, 1636:
"We whose names are underwritten, being appointed by the Court to set out
COUNTRY CLUB, BROOKLINE
ST. MARK'S METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. BROOKLINE
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
the bounds of the New Town upon Charles River, do agree that the bounds of the town shall run from the marked tree, by Charles River, on the Northwest side of the Roxbury bounds, one and a half miles North east, and from thence three miles northwest, and so from thence five miles Southwest; and on the Southwest side of Charles River, from the Southeast of Roxbury bounds, to run four miles 011 a Southwest line, reserving the proprieties to several persons, granted by special order of the Court."
This report was signed by all three of the commissioners and their intention was to restore the Muddy River territory, or so much of it as had not been granted to individuals, as set forth in the last clause. The lines recommended by the com- mittee were not accurately established and when the name of New Town was changed to Cambridge by act of the General Court on March 2, 1638, some dissat- isfaction arose over the vague condition of the boundary dividing the towns of Cambridge and Boston. The two towns were therefore authorized to appoint members of a joint committee to settle the question. Boston appointed Thomas Oliver and William Collbron, and Cambridge appointed John Bridge, Richard Champney, Gregory Stone, Joseph Isaac and Thomas Marett. The committee was appointed on December 20, 1639, but did not do its work until the following summer, when the line was marked and established as follows:
"We whose names are underwritten being appointed by the towns to which we belong, to settle the bounds between Boston ( Muddy River) and Cambridge, have agreed that the partition shall run from Charles River, up along the channel of Smelt Brook to a marked tree upon the brink of said brook, near the first and lowest reedy meadow ; and from that tree, in a straight line, to the great red oak, formerly marked by agreement, at the foot of the great hill, on the northernmost end thereof ; and from the said great red oak to Dedham Line, by the trees marked bv agreement of both parties this August 2, 1640."
The establishment of this line restored to Boston the lands along Muddy River almost identically as they had been claimed by the town before the grant to Rev. Mr. Hooker's congregation in 1634. The condition of the lands was then about as described in Wood's "New England Prospect" in 1633, the year before the Hooker grant was made, viz :
"The inhabitants of Boston, for their enlargement, have taken to themselves farm houses in a place called Muddy River, two miles from their town, where is good ground, large timber, and store of marsh land and meadow. In this place they keep their swine and other cattle in the summer, whilst corn is on the ground at Boston; and bring them to town in winter."
ALLOTMENTS OF LAND
Among the early settlers of Boston the custom prevailed of parceling out the land to families in proportion to the number of members in each family. This was done by a given number of persons selected for the purpose-usually five or seven-who were known as "overseers of the town's occasions," or sometimes "townsmen" or "allotters." Between the years 1634 and 1640, on different occa- sions, the lands at Muddy River were thus divided and allotted to the citizens. Among the larger grants were 100 acres of upland and 15 acres of marsh to Thomas Leveritt, the same quantities of each to Thomas Oliver, 150 acres to
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
William Coulborne, 100 acres to Wentworth Day, 80 acres of upland and 20 acres of marsh to Captain Underhill, and to John Cotton "all the ground lying betweene the twoe brooks, next to William Colborne's allotment there and soe to the other end unto the shortest overcut beyond the hill toward the northwest."
Those who received "Greate Lotts" were: John Kenricke, John Leveritt, Richard Holledge, Gryffen Bowen, John Smyth, David Offley, Richard Sherman, George Curtys, Henry Messenger, Thomas Scottoe, Joshua Scottoe, William Ting, Thomas Painter, William Blanton (carpenter), Leonard Buttles (bricklayer), Robert Wing, Jacob Wilson, Mawdit Inge, William Hudson, Jr., Nathaniel Woodward, John Love, William Hibbins, Edward Grosse, Theodor Atkinsone, Edward Fletcher, Silvester Saunders, Ralph Mason, Thomas Wheeler, Thomas Alcock and Edmund Oremsby.
Isaac Grosse received fifty acres; Edward Bendall, thirty-five acres; Phile- mon Pormont, thirty acres ; George Griggs and Nathaniel Woodward, Sr., twenty- eight acres each; William Pell and Robert Reynolds, twenty-five acres each ; Thomas Flint, William Dynely, Richard Tappin and Francis Bushnall, twenty- four acres each; and Richard Fairbancke, twenty-three acres.
Twenty-acre lots were allotted to Nathaniel Heaton, Richard Bulgar, Robert Mear, Thomas Wardall, Robert Tytus and Alexander Winchester.
John Cramme, Robert Houlton, William Beamsly, Thomasyn Scottna (widow), James and Richard Fitch received sixteen acres each.
Those who received fifteen acres each in the general allotment were: George Baytes, William Blackstone, Henry Burchall and William Talmage.
Descending the scale, John Mylam and Robert Walker each received allot- ments of fourteen acres, though the latter was subsequently granted five acres of the marsh land.
Benjamin Ward, Raphe Route and William Wilson were awarded lots of twelve acres each.
Allotments of ten acres each were made to James Davisse, John Cranwell, William Courser, Robert Turner, William Denning, John Arratt, Thomas Snow and William Coulborne, the last named having previously received a grant of 150 acres.
Quite a number received allotments of eight acres, viz .: Edward Browne, James Johnson, Edmund Jackson, Elizabeth Purton (widow), William Salter, William Townsend, Henry Elkyn, Jarrat Bourne, John Bigge, Alexander Becke, Robert Reade, Mathew Ines, Anthony Hawker, John Pemmerton, Anne Oremsby (widow) and John Odline.
Thomas Savage received seven acres, Isaac Perry a "houseplott," and several grants were made to persons if there was sufficient land to be had. Edward Grubb, Benjamin Gillum, Job Davis and a few others purchased their lands out- right. paying therefor ten shillings an acre.
Most of those to whom lands at Muddy River were allotted were residents of Boston, and only a few of the recipients became actual settlers. For about seventy-five years after the settlement of Boston the territory now included in the Town of Brookline was known as "Muddy River," "Muddy River Hamlet," or "Boston Commons," the last name having probably been applied because of the fact that on December 30, 1639, it was agreed that there should be set apart "500 acres at Muddy River for perpetuall Commonage to the Inhabitants there
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and the towne of Boston, to begin at the outer bounds of Mr. Hibbin's Lott, and soe to goe into the Country, as the Land will afford, before any other allotments are laid outt hereafter."
During this period the inhabitants of Muddy River remained under the "care and jurisdiction of the Town of Boston," and paid taxes to the Boston authorities.
FIRST MOVE FOR SEPARATION
The first move on the part of the people of Muddy River for the privilege of acting independently of Boston in any way, was made on March 29, 1686, when they presented a petition to the Boston selectmen for permission to establish a school. In response to the petition "It was voted that the selectmen take this matter into consideration and inquire into the reason thereof and represent it to the next General Towne Meeting what is necessary to be done therein."
No report was made by the selectmen and after waiting for several months the inhabitants of Muddy River grew somewhat impatient. A petition asking for exemption from town rates and the privilege of establishing a school was pre- sented to the General Court, where the records show it was disposed of as follows : "New England :- By the President and Councill of his Majesties Territory and Dominion, Aforesaid &c.
"Wednesday, December 8th 1686.
"Present, the Honble Joseph Dudley, Esq., President; William Stoughton, Esq. Deputie Prest .; Edward Randolph, Wait Winthrop, Richard Wharton, John Usher, Bartholomew Gidney & Jonathan Tyng, Esqrs.
"In answer to the petition of ye inhabitants of Muddie River, prayinge to have libertie to erect a school &c upon the hearinge thereof, the President and Councill doe order, That henceforth the said Hamlet of Muddie River be free from Towne rates to ye Towne of Bostone, they maintaininge theire owne high waves and poore and other publique charges ariseinge amongst themselves, And that within one yeare next comeinge they raise a school house in such place as the two next Justices of the Countrie (upon a publique hearinge of the Inhab- itants of said Hamlet) shall determine as also maintaine an able readinge and writinge Master there, from and after that day, and that the Inhabitants annuallie meete to choose three men to manage theire affaires.
"EDWARD RANDOLPH, Secr.
"A true coppie as attests
"BENJAMIN BULLIVANT,
"Late Clerke of ye Councill."
At a full meeting of the inhabitants of Muddy River on January 19, 1687, the above order was accepted by a unanimous vote, and Andrew Gardner, Thomas Steadman and John White, Jr., were chosen to "manage theire affaires" for the ensuing year, Provision was also made at this meeting for the maintenance of a schoolmaster. The minutes of this meeting constitute the first entry in the Muddy River records. For about two years the people of Muddy River congratu- lated themselves upon the acquisition of the privilege to control their own affairs, but at a town meeting in Boston on March 16, 1689, it was "Voted, that Muddy River Inhabitants are not discharged from Bostone to be a hamlet by themselves, but stand related to Bostone as they were before the yeare 1686."
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
This action on the part of Boston was a direct attempt to deprive the people of Muddy River of the rights and privileges granted them by the General Court and reopened the whole question of town rates, etc. During the next few years the population of the hamlet increased and in 1698 the following petition was presented to the General Court :
"To the Hon. William Stoughton, Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts, the Honorable Council, and the Representatives in General Court assembled, 25th May, 1698:
"The humble petition of the inhabitants of Muddy-river humbly showeth- Whereas in the year 1686, the Honorable Joseph Dudley, President, William Stoughton, Deputy President, and the Council, in answer to the petition of the inhabitants of Muddy-river, praying liberty for a school among them, &c., did order, that the Hamlet of Muddy-river be free from Town rates to the Town of Boston, and other privileges, as in said grant, on the other side, may more at large appear ;
"We, your petitioners, do humbly pray that the said granted privileges may be confirmed unto said Hamlet, with the addition that the inhabitants may choose such officers amongst themselves, as may assess the inhabitants their due propor- tion, as may be thought sufficient and expedient for defraying such necessary charges to said school, and other things; and that one constable may be chosen, who may be sufficiently impowered to collect the rates for the County and the Hamlet ; and your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall every pray.
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