USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 109
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Mr. Morse has done much to build up his native town, has assisted many people in starting business, built several houses and shops, was interested in the foundry that was built, and to him, with a few others, the prosperity of Norwood is largely due to-day. Politically he is a Republican. His religious belief is that of the Orthodox Congregationalists. In the home circle his labors have been ably and warmly seconded by his cheerful wife, the companion of more than forty years. Truly it may be said of Mr. Morse, " having put his hand to the plow, he looketh not back," and in his old age enjoys the results of indus- try and perseverance.
CHAPTER XL.
NEEDHAM.
Indian Occupation-Original Purchase in 1680-Consideration -First Settlements-Petition for Preaching in 1709-Petition for Act of Incorporation-Opposed by Dedham-Lands for Support of Ministry-Incorporation of Town-Named after Needham in England-The First Town-Meeting-Selectmen Elected-Burying-Ground-The First Minister-First Meet- ing-House-Westerly Precinct Set Off-The First Church Bell-Early Educational Interests-Social Library.
THE territory embraced within the bounds of the present town of Needham originally formed a portion of Dedham, and belonged to an Indian by the name | ministry.
The first settlements were made in the northeastern part of the town, but the precise period cannot be ascertained. It is probable, however, that it was not long after the purchase from Nehoiden. The ancient records of Dedham show that a settlement existed here in March, 1694, and July 2, 1705, the select- men of the mother town granted a license to Benja- min Mills to keep a public-house near the Lower Falls.
Incorporation of Town .- The settlement having now increased to a considerable extent, in May, 1710, a petition for incorporation as a separate town was presented to the General Court. This petition was signed by the following persons : Benjamin Mills, Andrew Dewing, John Fisher, Ephraim Ware, Rich- ard More, Robert Cook, Jeremiah Woodcock, Henry Alden, Thomas Metcalf, Benjamin Mills, Jr., Eleazer Kingsbury, Ebenezer Ware, James Kingsbury, Josiah Kingsbury, Joseph Hawes, Jonathan Dewing, John Smith, Jr., Thomas Fuller, Robert Fuller, Christo- pher Smith, John Gill, John Parker, Jr., John McIntire, Isaac Parker, Hezekiah Broad, Matthias Ockinton, Andrew Dewing, Jr., William Mills, Zech- ariah Mills, Jonathan Parker, Timothy Kingsbury, Samuel Bacon, Andrew Wadkins, Joshua Smith, Samuel Parker, John Fisher, Jr., John Woodcock, Edward Cook, Stephen Hunting, John Parker.
This petition, however, was opposed by the town of Dedham, and a committee was chosen by that town -- to appear at the October session of the General Court and remonstrate against the division. The General | Court did not immediately grant the prayer of the petitioners, but advised the inhabitants of Dedham to exempt the petitioners from paying taxes for the sup- port of the minister then settled in their town, pro- vided they would have preaching among themselves. This advice was complied with by a vote of the town November 13th following.
In addition to this, March 19, 1711, the proprie- | tors of undivided land in Dedham granted to the set- tlers here two lots of land, containing about one hun- dred and thirty-three acres, for the support of the
518
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Although the situation of the inhabitants was now virtually that of a separate precinct, yet they perse- vered in their efforts for incorporation as a town, and on the 5th of November, 1711, the General Court granted an order incorporating that portion of Ded- ham north of the Charles River under the name of Needham.
What gave the new town the name of Needham is not definitely known, but Rev. Stephen Palmer, who was an authority on the local history of this town, in a note to an historical address delivered by him in 1811, says, "The author has been informed by one of the descendants of the venerable Timothy Dwight, ; of Dedham, who was a member of the Legislature when this town was incorporated, that it was named Needham at the request of Governor Dudley after Needham in England, and because that town is near to Dedham, although in a different county."
The first town-meeting was held Dec. 4, 1711, when the following selectmen were chosen: John Fisher, John Smith, Benjamin Mills, and Robert Cook. Timothy Kingsbury was chosen town clerk. Robert Cook was also the first representative to the General Court, May 19, 1712.
At the same meeting (Dec. 4, 1711) the select- men, with Jonathan Gay, Jeremiah Woodcock, Thomas Metcalf, and Eleazer Kingsbury, were made a committee to select a suitable place for burying the dead.
In less than two months from the incorporation of the town (Dec. 25, 1711) the inhabitants voted to build a house for public worship. This house was raised in 1712, and in 1713-15 money was granted for finishing various parts of it; " but," says Mr. Pal- mer, " it does not appear that the house was entirely finished, nor is there any account that it was ever dedicated." The first candidate to preach to them was a Mr. Dewing, March 16, 1713, but the first regular pastor was Rev. Jonathan Townsend, or- dained March 23, 1720. The church chose Mr. Townsend, Thomas Metcalf, and Josiah Newell as deacons, all of whom declined, when Jeremiah Wood- cock and Timothy Kingsbury were chosen, and ac- cepted.
The first baptism was Ruth, child of Deacon Tim- othy Kingsbury, July 3, 1720.
and in 1778 was made a separate society.
" A church bell was for the first rung in this town" , ham men reached the scene of conflict a little in ad- Nov. 15, 1811.
The educational interest of the town received the | alarm earlier. carly attention of the first settlers, and in their peti- | tion for incorporation they expressed a concern for the | education of their children.
In 1796 a social library was established in the town.
CHAPTER XLI.
NEEDHAM-(Continued).
War of the Revolution-The Battle of Lexington-Needham's Prompt Response-Her Citizens perform Efficient Service- They harass the British Retreat from Lexington and Concord -Ephraim Bullard alarms the Minute-men-List of Names Composing Needham Companies-Capt. Aaron Smith's Com- pany of Militia-Capt. Caleb Kingsbury's Company of Minute-Men-Capt. Robert Smith's Company-Sketches of the Killed-Incidents-Votes of the Town during the Rev- olutionary Period.
War of the Revolution .- In the first battle of the war of the Revolution five citizens of Needham sacrificed their lives, and " cemented with their blood the foundation of American liberty." In pro- portion to its population Needham suffered more severely than any other town except Lexington. Three companies with full ranks hastened to the com- bat. Capt. Kingsbury's company numbered forty men, Capt. Aaron Smith's seventy men, Capt. Robert Smith's seventy-five men, one hundred and eighty- five in all. It is probable that few, if any, able-bodied men remained at home. The news of the battle reached Needham about nine o'clock in the morning, the messenger passing through the town to Dover and Dedham. The East Company, commanded by Capt. Robert Smith, immediately assembled at the meeting-house, and marched to Watertown, where refreshments were furnished. They then hastened on to the scene of action, where they did efficient service in harassing the British troops in their hurried retreat from Lexington and Concord.
There is a tradition that the alarm was given at the west part of the town by a man who rode through the place bare-headed. At that time Ephraim Bul- lard kept a tavern on the Sherborn road. This house stood near where the stone lodge at the entrance to the college grounds now stands.
Bullard went up on the hill near by, and discharged a gun three times as a signal. Great fires were made in the house and bullets moulded, the women assist-
The Westerly Precinct was set off Oct. 3, 1774, ing in the work. The men were supplied and sent off as fast as possible. It is said that the West Need- vance of the East Company, having received the
The following is a list of the names of the men composing the Needham companies, copied from the original muster-rolls on file in the State archives :
519
NEEDHAM.
"A Roll of Capt. Aaron Smith's Company of militia, who marched in consequence of the alarrum made on the 19th of April last, in the Regement whereof William Heath, Esq., was then Col., as follows, viz : 1
Aaron Smith, capt., 15. Moses Bullard, lieut., 13.
Josiah Upham, ensign, 9. John Bacon, sergt., 5.
William Fuller, sergt., 8.
Samuel Kilton, sergt., 5.
Joseph Daniell, sergt., 11.
Enoch Kingsbery, corp., 5.
Jonathan Smith, corp., 13. Joseph Drury, corp., S.
Jeremiah Daniell, corp., 11. Joseph Mudg, drummer, 10.
Privates.
Jona. Whittemore, Jr., 8.
Stephen Bacon, Jr., 11.
Isaac Bacon, S.
Moses Fuller, 9.
David Trull, 5.
Samuel Brackett, 10.
Lemuel Brackett, 5.
Zebadiah Pratt, 6.
John Slack, 4.
Samuel Baley, 6.
John Smith, Jr., 11.
Daniel Huntting, Jr., 2.
Joseph Hawes, 14.
Moses Daggett, 15.
Daniel Ware, 10.
Nathaniel Kingsbery, 2.
Amos Mills (killed), 1.
Nathaniel Chamberlain, killed.
Seth Wilson, 6.
Ithamar Smith, S.
Nehemiah Mills, Jr., 9.
David Hagar, 6.
Jonas Mills, 7.
John Fuller, 2. NEEDHAM, March 24, 1776. CALEB KINGSBERY.
"Colony of the Mass. Bay, March 15, 1776. Captain Caleb Kingsbery within named, made solemn oath to the truth of the within Roll by him subscribed, to the best of his knowledge. Before Sanff. Holten, Jus. Peace thro' the Colony."
" Compared with the original and therewith agrees. "E. STARKWEATHER, "JNO. TURNER, Com."
" Read and allowed and ordered that a Warrant be drawn on the Treas'r. for £16 1Ss. 10}d., in full of the within roll. "PEREZ MORTON, D. Sec'y."
"A Muster Roll of the Company under the Command of Capt. Robert Smith, in Colonel William Heath's regiment, Needham, January 3, 1776 :
Robert Smith, capt., 14. Eben Clark, 3.
Oliver Mills, It., 12. Timo. Broad, 14.
Silas Alden, ensign, 14. Josiah Dewing, 3.
Jona. Gay, sergt., 14. David Mills, 16.
Tho. Fuller, sergt., 14.
Phinehas Coller, 16.
Elisha Mills, sergt. (killed), 1. Theop. Richardson, 15. John Kitley, 6.
Eleaz. Fuller, sergt., 14.
Sam. Alden, corp., 14.
Jona. Parker (killed), 1.
Eliakim Cooke, corp., 12.
Josiah Eaton, Jr., 14.
Sam. Fisher, corp., 14.
Nath. Willson, 10.
Eben Day, corp., 15.
Eben Clarke, drummer, 16.
Elmon Tolman, 14.
Sam. Edes, 14. Benj. Ware, 6.
Benj. Mills, Jr., 14.
Aaron Paine, 10.
Nathan Newell, 10.
Jerem. Eaton, 14.
Eben Wilkinson, I. Timo. Dewing, 3.
Amos Fuller, Jr., 14.
Aaron Smith, Jr., 4.
Uriah Coller, 15.
John Clark, 16.
Rich'd. O'Brian, 9.
I The figures at the end of the names denote the number of days served.
bery, in Col. Davis', Regiment that March'd in consequence of the Alarm made on the 19th of April, 1775, which is as fol- loweth, viz. :
Caleb Kingsbery, capt., 2.
Thomas Hall, corpl., 5.
John Bacon, Ist lt., killed, 1.
Eleazer Kingsbery, 2d It., wounded, 2. Daniel Gould, sergt., 5.
Samuel Daggett, sergt., 4.
Isaac Underwood, sergt., 2.
Ephraim Stevens, sergt., 8. Samuel Daniell, cor., 1.
Samuel Brown, corpl., 5. Ephraim Bullard, drummer, 5.
Privates.
Ezekiel Richardson, S.
Elijah Houghton, 2.
Joseph Mudg, 1.
Jesse Kingsbery, 1.
Josiah Ware, 1.
Henry Dewing, 7.
Stephen Huntting, S.
Jonathan Smith, 1.
David Smith, 2.
Moses Felt, 2.
Isaac Goodenow, Jr., 15.
Thomas Discomb, 4.
Samuel Greenwood, 2.
Abijah Mills, 11.
Josiah Lyon, 2.
William Kingsbery, 7. Timothy Huntting, 12. Seth Broad, 9.
Samuel Daggett, Jr., 8. Benj. Mills, Jr., 14.
Jonathan Kingsbery, 9.
Joseph Kingsbery, 13.
Jonathan Dunn, 9.
Jeremiah Smith, 11.
Issachar Pratt, 4.
Abner Felt, 4.
Philip Floyd, 8.
Timothy Bacon, S.
Solomon Flagg, 5.
Jos. Kingsbery, Jr., 5.
John Bullard, 5.
Jeremiah Gay, 5.
Jonathan Huntting, 5.
Eliphelet Kingsbery, Jr., 9. Joseph Hawes, Jr., 9.
.. Ebenezer Huntting, 9.
Amos Edes, S.
Jeremiah Edes, 8. Moses Huntting, 8.
Samuel Smith, 5. Collins Edes, 5.
John Smith (3d), 8.
Ithamar Smith, Jr., 7.
John Fuller, 4.
Luke Mills, 7.
Uriah Coller, Jr., 7.
Seth Pratt, 7.
Moses Bacon, 7.
Israel Huntting, 7.
William Huntting, S.
Noah Millard, 2.
Total amount £50 7s. 2d. Of.
AARON SMITH, Capt.
NEEDHAM, March 14, 1776."
" Colony of the Massa. Bay, Mar. 15th, 1776, Capt. Aaron Smith above named, made oath to the truth of the above roll by him subscribed, according to the best of his knowledge. Be- fore Sam'l. Holten, Jus. Peace thro. the Colony."
" This copy hath been compared with the original thereof and agrees therewith.
" JOSIAH JOHNSON, ? " JONAS DIX. Com."
" Read and allowed and thereupon ordered, that a warrant be drawn on the Treas'r., for £50 78. 2d. in full discharge of the within roll.
" PEREZ MORTON, D. Sec'y."
" A muster Roll of the Travel and Service of a Company of Minute men in Needham under the command of Caleb Kings-
Joseph Stowell, 6. Jere. Woodcock, 4. : John Bird, 5.
Moses Eaton, 14.
Josiah Fisher, fifer, 16. John McIntosh, 16.
Isaac Shepard, 14.
Sam. Ware, Jr., 6.
Rich'd Blencowe, S.
Win. Smith, 4. Sam. Wight, S.
Josiah Newell, Jr., 4.
David Hall, 1.
Jacob Parker, S.
Theodore Broad, 5.
John Edes, Jr., 2.
Samuel Pratt, 15.
Henry Gale, 7.
Samuel Woodcock, 10.
Samuel McIntire, 2.
Peter Jenison, 5.
Aaron Smith, Jr., 9.
Samuel Ward, 8. Abiel Smith (Natick), 2.
520
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Rich'd. Richardson, 5.
Daniel Wight, 10.
Josiah Lyon, Jr., 10.
Eben. Richardson, 11.
Joseph Ware, 10.
David Nowell, 10.
Thomas Fisher, 11.
Elijah Fuller, 16.
Simeon Fisher, 10.
Jonathan Ware, 6.
John Tolman, 16.
Sam. Pain, 1. Solomon Fuller, S.
Jona. Kingsbury, 10.
Theop. Richardson, Jr., 14.
Ezra Mills, 10.
Nath. Fisher, Jr., 14.
Philip Mills, 14.
Aaron Ayers, 14.
Lem. Eaton, 9.
William Eaton, 14.
Lem. Mills, 7.
Aaron Fisher, 12.
Robt. Fuller, Jr., S.
Timo. Fisher, 14.
Joseph Colburn, Jr., 3.
Joseph Colburn, 14.
"Suffolk 88., Jan. 2, 1776. The above named Capt. Smith ap- peared and made oath that this Muster Roll was carefully made and according to his belief.
" Before me JOSIAH NEWELL, Justice Peace.
" Examined and compared with original by
" JAMES DIX, " EDWARD RAWSON, Com."
"In Council March 19th, 1776. Read and allowed, there- upon ordered that a Warrant be drawn on the Treas'r for £67 178. 12d. in full discharge of the same."
The following particulars have been gathered, re- lating to the men who were killed. They were all natives of Needham except Chamberlain.
Sergeant Elisha Mills was the son of Zechariah and Margaret (Kenrick) Mills, and was born in 1735; married Deborah Lyon on May 10, 1759. Children,- Elisha, Debby, Elizabeth, Nathaniel, Paul, and George. He was by occupation a blacksmith. He owned the farm on the south road which some few years ago belonged to Mr. Horace Felton. The Mills house was taken down in 1862, by Mr. Felton, who erected a new house a short distance from the old site. It is said that Mills came to his death in the following manner : He with others were in a barn as the main body of the red-coats were passing, the flank guard being close by. Mills stepped out, raised his gun to his shoulder and fired. He instantly fell pierced by a half-dozen balls. His body was brought home the next day in a cart, driven by Aaron Smith, Jr., who afterwards married the widow.
Amos Mills, son of Isaac and Abigail (Ward) Mills, was born June 29, 1732. He left a widow and six children. He was a cousin of Elisha Mills. He lived at the west part of the town, on what is now called Blossom Street. His home has since been known as the Abijah Stevens place.
thirty-six acres of land, appraised in 1776 at one hun- dred and sixty-five pounds. The house he occupied was taken down some years ago by the late Spencer | Fuller. It stood within a few rods of the residence of Mr. William Pierce. His widow married Deacon Isaac Shepard. According to tradition, Parker and one Aaron Fisher, also of Needham, had sheltered themselves behind a barn to get a shot at the enemy, when they were surprised by the flank guard. Parker was shot making for the woods. Fisher escaped.
Lieut. John Bacon lived in that part of Needham set off to Natick in 1797. Born in 1721 ; married Abigail Sawin, 1744. They had nine children. Aus- tin Bacon, Esq., a great-grandson of Lieut. Bacon, gives the following interesting account of the circum- stances attending the death of his ancestor : " In the night or near morning the alarm was given, and he set off on horseback to join his comrades at the more eastern part of the town, and sent his horse back when they got nearly to the Lower Falls. Soon after he had gone a trumpet sounded, and some Framing- ham men came along with one Nero Benson, a negro, for a trumpeter, and every house they passed had a blast. I think it was early the next morning before they heard from him, when one Hawes, they used to call ' Old Hawes,' came home (he was a soldier in the French and Indian war), and gave the following account : That Bacon and himself were on a ledge of rocks in Menotomy behind a stone wall, trying to get a good shot at the red-coats. Hawes was fearful lest the flank guard should surprise them, and kept a lookout. Bacon, with his powder in his hat, was lying behind the wall with another, when Hawes said, ' Run or you are dead, here's the side guard.' They tried to get over the wall, but Bacon was shot through near the third button on his vest. Immediately on receiving the news my grandfather (son of Lieut. Bacon) went off to see how it was, and near night, April 20, came home with his clothes, the body hav- ing been buried at West Cambridge. The clothes were found in the school-house, and the moment grandfather entered the room he knew the old striped hat which was put on top of the roll of clothes."
Bacon was described as a great worker, and would oftentimes have eight or ten Indians, negroes, and four yoke of oxen in his field.
Jonathan Parker was born April 19, 1747, and He went to Annapolis Royal in the French war, between 1745 and 1748. was, therefore, just twenty-eight years of age at the time of his death. He was the son of Jonathan and Nathaniel Chamberlain was a soldier in the French Anna (Wight) Parker. Married Jemima Allen June , war. His name appears on a "Return of men In- 1, 1769. They had one son, Jonathan. There may listed for his Majesty's Service for the Total Reduc- have been other children, but their births are not on tion of Canada." He is there stated to be a resident record. He owned a dwelling-house, barn, and about | of Needham, born in Roxbury, enlisted March 20,
521
NEEDHAM.
1760, at that time forty-one years of age. From the town records we learn that Nathaniel and Jane Cham- berlain had four children,-Abijah, Jane, Nathaniel, and Anne.
John Tolman was severely wounded. " He was so nearly shot through the body that the ball was ex- tracted from the opposite side." He recovered, and afterwards served a term in the war.
Lieut. Eleazer Kingsbery was wounded. "It is | said that he was struck in the leg by a musket-ball, which was prevented from penetrating the flesh by , of securing to themselves or destroying the provisions, his leather breeches."
In 1851 a granite obelisk was erected in a sightly position in the old cemetery. Upon the side of the monument facing the public street appears the follow- ing inscription :
" In
memory of John Bacon, Amos Mills, Elisha Mills, Jona' Parker, and N. Chamberlain, who fell at Lexington April 19, 1775. For Liberty they died."
The following narrative of Revolutionary events is taken from an unpublished autobiography kept by Rev. Samuel West, who was the minister of the town in 1775 :1
" Clouds and thick darkness at this period threat- ened an impending storm to these American colonies. Every week and almost every day produced some- thing new, either to manifest or to increase the irri- tation of the people. Mobs were continually rising, and some of our best men were dragged from their houses, arraigned before the basest and meanest mem- bers of society, and treated with every mark of in- dignity. In a boiling cauldron, the scum and filth naturally rose to the top, while that which was most valuable as naturally sunk to the bottom. The meas- ures pursued by the government in Great Britain were precisely such as to keep up the former, without any tendency to accomplish their purpose.
"On the 19th of April, 1775, the storm burst
upon us in such a manner. as to produce the utmost consternation and distress, both to the British and Americans who witnessed the scene. I shall not de- tail the circumstances which attended the tragic affair any further than as they are immediately connected with the object of the memoirs, which is not to give a history of the times any further than as events re- late to or immediately affect myself and family. In the night after the 18th of April, a detachment of the British troops marched out of Boston for the purpose
etc., which had been deposited at Concord by order of the provincial government. They in part effected their purpose, but were soon attacked by our people, and a continual skirmish was kept up during the march from Concord to Boston. About one hundred on both sides were killed, and many were wounded. | The news reached us about nine o'clock A.M. The East Company in Needham met at my house, as part of the military stores were deposited with me; they then supplied themselves, and by ten o'clock all marched for the place of action, with as much spirit and resolution as the most zealous friend to the cause could have wished for. We could easily trace the march of the troops from the smoke which arose over them, and could hear from my house the report of the cannon and the platoons fired by the British. The Needham company were soon on the ground, but, un- happily, being ignorant of what are called flank guards, they inserted themselves between them and the main body of the British troops. In consequence of which they suffered more severely than their neigh- bors, who kept at a greater distance.
" Never did I know a more anxious day than this, not so much on account of what was taking place, although that was solemn and deeply affecting, but I considered it as no more than the beginning of sor- rows, and a prelude to infinitely more distressing scenes which we expected would follow. We even anticipated the enemy, enraged as they were, at our doors and in our houses, acting over all the horrors which usually attend the progress of an exasperated victorious army, especially in civil wars like this. Whatever I had read on the subject now came fresh to my mind, and produced the most painful appre- hensions. All this actually took place, though not as I expected with respect to my family and neigh- bors, yet in other and many parts of America. But it was a happy circumstance that the people in gen- eral, and even our principal leaders, had none of these gloomy apprehensions, and flattered themselves that the contest would soon be over. That if we could but dispose of the British force already here,
1 Rev. Samuel West, D.D., was born at Martha's Vineyard, Nov. 19, 1738. Graduated at Harvard University, 1761. Ac- cepted an invitation to settle in Needham, and was ordained April 14, 1764. Removed to Boston, 1788, to become the minis- ter of the Hollis Street Society, and died in that town April 10, 1808.
522
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
that government would never think of pursuing the affair any further, but come to some compromise with the colonies to mutual advantages. In the evening we had intelligence that several of the Needham in- habitants were among the slain, and the next morning it was confirmed that five had fallen in the action and that several others had been wounded. It was remarkable that the five who fell had families and several of them very numerous families, so there were about forty widows and fatherless children made in consequence of their death. I visited those fami- lies immediately, and with a sympathetic sense of their affliction I gave to some the first intelligence which they had of the dreadful event,-the death of a husband and a parent. The very different manner in which the tidings were received discovered the different dispositions of the sufferers. While some were almost frantic in their grief, others received the news in profound silence, as if in a consternation of grief they were incapable of shedding tears or utter- ing sighs or groans. I shall only add further, with respect to this memorable day, that it appeared to have a surprising effect on the spirit of the people in general, and, from being, as I had supposed them, and as they were actually, mild and gentle, they be- came at once ferocious and cruel, at least towards all those whom they suspected as unfriendly to their cause. Their treatment of such as the British had left dead on the road was such as I never could have supposed. They were stripped for the sake of their clothes, and left naked on the highway until buried by order of our government."
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