History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 53

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 53

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The Baptist Church .- A number of persons pro- fessing the Baptist faith, residing in Needham, Natick, and Dover, formed themselves into a church in 1837, to be known as the Needham and Dover Baptist Church. In 1838 a chapel was built and dedicated at Charles River village for the accommodation of all. They were publicly recognized by an ecclesias- tical council as a Baptist Church. Other churches having been formed in the neighboring towns, it was thought expedient in 1859 to move the chapel to its present location. The church was well attended for a number of years, the pulpit being supplied almost wholly by students from the Baptist Theological Sem- inary at Newton. Sherman Battelle, Esq., and Dea- con John Kenrick labored many years for its pros- perity, but the numbers being small, it was deemed advisable to discontinue public services.

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The first Sunday-school in town was organized April, 1818, by Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Battelle, at Charles River village, over the store of Capt. Newell, for the instruction of the people laboring in the mills. Little is known of this early Sunday-school, as it existed only a few years. Some years later another was or- ganized in connection with the First Parish Church. In 1822, Miss Mary Perry, being then a teacher in the Centre District School, wishing to encourage an interest in religious exercises, invited her pupils to commit passages of Scripture and verses of hymns to be repeated to her Monday morning. Some of the pupils entered upon the duties with pleasure ; but as the interest increased, jealousies arose, and some of the people complained that too much time was taken from the public school duties. Miss Perry then in- vited the scholars to meet her in the school-house Sunday noons. This invitation was accepted, and a larger number was soon in attendance than could be accommodated. In 1824 the school was moved to the church, but the instructors received but few ex- pressions of encouragement or sympathy from pastor or people.

Nearly all of the Sunday-schools in early times were held in school-houses during the warm weather, discontinuing during the winter months, and having but little or no connection with the church.

Revolutionary War .- Amid the cares and labors of a pioneer life our ancestors were early called to de- fend the rights and liberties of their homes in the wilderness. On the morning of April 19, 1775, as the British troops marched towards Lexington, a messenger, a sharer of the toil of Paul Revere, was sent into the country to arouse the people to defend their homes. Dover, then a precinct of Dedham, was ready to respond to the patriotic call. Sixty- eight brave men went forth, and one (Charles Haven) never returned. Two months later, June 17th, at the battle of Bunker Hill, as Col. Prescott led his thousand men to occupy the heights of Charlestown, we find our noble men among the number, and one (Aaron Whiting), ready to be among the defenders, left his oxen and plow in the field. His wife un- yoked the oxen and turned them to pasture, but the plow remained in the unfinished furrow until his return three months later. When Washington reached Boston, a fortnight after the battle of Bunker Hill, he found a large body of volunteers ready to be organized and disciplined as soldiers.

Then in May, 1775, when it was decided by some of the patriots to secure Ticonderoga and Crown Point, we find Nathaniel Chickering, Lieut. Lemuel Richards, Moses Richards, Thadeus Richards, John

Jones, and Bariah Smith among the brave to capture these forts. One of the number, John Jones, died at Crown Point, with smallpox, July 4, 1776.

The last precinct meeting warned in "His Majesty's" name was April 21, 1774. From that time until Sept. 29, 1777, the meetings were warned as free- holders and inhabitants of the Fourth Precinct. After that date they were warned in the name of the government and people of Massachusetts Bay. Large sums of money were granted from time to time to defray the expenses of the war.

The town of Dedham declared its independence May 27, 1776.

The following is the form of the oath of alle- giance :

" We, the subscribers, each one of us for himself, do truly and sincerely acknowledge, profess, testify, and declare that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is, and of right ought to be, a free sovereign and independent State. And I do swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the said Commonwealth, and that I will defend the same against traitorous conspiracies and all hostile attempts whatsoever. And that I do renounce and abjure all allegiance, subjection, and obedience to the King, Queen, or Government of Great Britain (as the case may be), and every other Foreign Power whatsoever : and that no For- eign Prince, Person, Prelate, State, or Potentate hath or ought to have any jurisdiction, superiority, Pre-eminence, Authority, Dispensing or other Power in any matter, civil, ecclesiastical, or spiritual, within this Commonwealth, except the Authority and Power which is or may be vested by their constituents in the Congress of the United States. And I do further testify and declare that no man or body of men hath or can have any right to absolve or discharge me from the obligation of this oath, declaration, or affirmation. And that I do make this Ac- knowledgment, Profession, Testimony, Denial, Declaration, Renunciation, and Abjuration heartily and truly, according to the common meaning and acceptation of the foregoing words, without any equivocation, mental evasion, or secret reservation whatsoever. So help you God."

The following names will show the readiness to respond to the call of duty in this trying time : Joseph Cheeny, James Cheeny, and Nathaniel Miller guarded Burgoyne's troops one hundred and fifty days. Ellis Whiting, Michael Bacon, Jonathan Bat- telle guarded Governor's Island thirty-three days. Capt. Ebenezer Battelle, Lieut. Asa Richards, John Cheeny, Adam Jones, Stephen Gay, Samuel Farring- ton, John Chickering, Hezekiah Battelle, and Eben- ezer Battelle guarded Roxbury fourteen days. Bariah Smith, Ebenezer Richards, Jeremiah Bacon, Jr., Moses Bacon, Josiah Bacon, Jr., guarded at Roxbury and Providence seventeen days. Jabez Whiting, Daniel Chickering, Thomas Leath, John Brown, Jesse Richards, Luke Dean, Elijah Dewings, Nathan Cook, Ichabod Farrington, Abijah Richards, Aaron Fairbanks, John Draper, Thomas Leatherbee, Bariah Smith, and Samuel Chickering guarded in and

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

around Boston from eight to one hundred and seven- teen days. Many held the soldier's rank and three were officers,-Col. Daniel Whiting, Lieut. Ebenezer Newell, and Capt. Hezekiah Allen. Their names may be read on the moss-covered stones as they sleep beneath the sod in the quiet of our loved and hal- lowed cemetery. Ebenezer Wilkinson and Daniel Fuller were drafted to serve in the war of 1812.

Civil War .- We would not forget our brave sons and brothers who risked fortune and life to free the slave and defend the flag of our nation, and as they buckled on their armor in its defense tearful eyes and heavy hearts were left behind.

Thirty-three enlisted and sixteen laid down their lives for the country they loved. And as we plant the myrtle and the rose over these patriot graves may our prayers be that the nation's blood may never flow again to wash away the stain of the oppressor or the foe.

The following is a list of the names of the soldiers who served in the civil war :

Henry H. Ayres.

James G. Mann.

Calvin Ayres.

Ellis Marden.

Abraham Bigelow.

William Martin.

Chester A. Bigelow.

Thomas Monroe.

George Bemis.

Robert Mitchell (navy).

James A. Baldwin.

George E. Miller.

Andrew W. Bartlett.

Timothy Ragan.

John M. Brown.

Howard A. Staples.

Joseph A. Copeland.

Lewis Smith.

James Carey.

Frederic E. Smith.

Theodore L. Dunn.

John E. Strang.

Perez L. Fearing.

Ansel H. Tisdale.

George W. Fearing.

Levi A. Talbot.

John Frost (navy).

Benjamin Thomas.

Lewis N. Goulding.

Samuel G. Thomas.

Edwin F. Gay.

Ithamar Whiting.

Henry J. Hanks.

Daniel Whiting. William Whiting.

William G. Hart.

Willard Hotchkiss (navy).

Albert Woods.

C. Dwight Hanscomb.

George H. Wise.

George R. Markham.

James Welch.

Elbridge L. Mann.

Patrick Wall.

Documentary History .- A petition, signed Jan. 16, 1782, was presented to the General Court, pray- ing that the precinct might be incorporated as a town. It passed in the House, was sent to the Senate, read the first time, and on the second reading was rejected, | April 23, 1782. The Fourth Precinct of Dedham voted, March 17, 1784, to apply again to the Gen- eral Court to be incorporated as a town, and John Jones, Joseph Haven, and John Reed were chosen agents to present the memorial of the inhabitants to the General Court. Humbly showing by their peti- tion the great inconvenience under which they la- bored, not being an incorporated body ; that many

of the inhabitants of the precinct were obliged to travel from eight to twenty miles to attend the town- meetings, and by reason of the extra distance, the badness of the ways, and oftentimes deep snows and stormy seasons, there would not be more than three or four of the precinct at the town-meeting when matters of importance were transacted ; also, that a considerable number of the precinct, being worried with such unreasonable toil and travel, had deter- mined several years ago never to attend another town- meeting at such inconvenience ; and although they were not many in number or opulent, still if they were smaller in number and of less ability, they were under an absolute necessity of being incorporated as a town. This petition passed in the House of Repre- sentatives but was rejected in the Senate, as the numbers in the precinct were below the number re- quired for a representative. The inhabitants then met, June 28, 1774, and prepared a draft to be pre- sented to the General Court, to be incorporated into a district with the same boundaries as when a pre- cinct. This petition was accepted, and the precinct was incorporated into a district by the name of Dover, July 6, 1784, with these provisions, that the inhab- itants of the precinct pay all the taxes and debts due the town of Dedham ; also, relinquish all the rights, titles, and interest in the work-house, school money, and all donations and public privileges in the town of Dedham; also, that the selectmen of the town of Dedham give notice fifteen days at least before choosing a representative, to meet with the town of Dover to choose a representative. The first public meeting of the district was held Aug. 9, 1784, and the following officers chosen : Selectmen, John Jones, Esq., Deacon Joseph Haven, and Lieut. Ebenezer Newell ; Treasurer, William Whiting; Theodore Newell, constable and collector. May 9, 1785, the town of Dedham and district of Dover made choice of Nathaniel Kingsbury and Samuel Dexter to represent the town and district in the General Court. March 4, 1790, the district of Dover, in the county of Suf- folk, was annexed to the town of Medfield for choos- ing representatives for the future. In colonial days many of the towns, on account of the smallness of their numbers, did not send representatives. Then each town paid its representative and were fined if one was not sent, delegates often being sent to petition the court to remit the fine.

A petition was presented to the Legislature, Feb. 17, 1836, praying to be incorporated into a town, having ascertained that there were more than one hundred and fifty ratable polls, being the number sufficient to entitle them to a representative of their

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own. This petition was presented by Walter Stowe, Lowell Perry, and Timothy Allen, selectmen of the district. The petition was granted March 31, 1836, and Dover, having been fifty-six years a precinct and fifty-two a district, became a town possessed of all the duties and liabilities of other towns of the common- wealth.

Representatives to the General Court have been as follows :

1836. Rev. Ralph Sanger.

| 1853. Rev. Ralph Sanger.

1840. Calvin Richards.

| 1858. Henry Horton.

1844. Rev. Ralph Sanger.

1864. Theodore Dunn.

1845. Elijah Perry, Jr.

1869. Abner L. Smith.

1846. Rev. Ralph Sanger. 1871. Amos W. Shumway.

1850. 1877. John Humphrey.

1851. Calvin Richards.

In 1754, Ensign John Jones was chosen to pro- cure a burial-cloth for the precinct. In 1774 the in- habitants voted that they will not drink any kind of India tea, or allow their families to use it. A com- mittee of eleven were chosen to make inquiries if any persons violate their engagements.

In 1786 a pound was built. In 1787 the Farm Bridge was built. In 1794 cattle and swine were allowed to run at large. In 1795 guide-posts were erected in various parts of the town. In 1780 taxes were grievous to be borne, and great hardships endured on account of it. In 1800 it was voted to build a powder-house on the land of Capt. Samuel Fisher. | build the school-house.

It was built by Obed Burridge, and was sold in 1845. Fifty dollars were voted to support the singing- school in 1830. Census, May 22, 1837, 518. In 1843 it was voted that citizens have the privilege of taking up lots in the burial-ground, not to exceed twenty feet square ; it was also voted to lay out walks and set out trees. Elijah Perry, Calvin Richards, and Luther Eastman were chosen a committee to beautify and improve the burial-grounds. In 1845 tythingmen were chosen. In. 1862 it was voted to pay two hundred dollars to volunteers who would en- list to fill the quota of the town. In 1876 the population was 645.

Poor .- For many years the poor of the town were boarded in families, wherever they could be accom- modated. Later a farm was bought for a home for the poor, which was afterward sold at public auction. In 1865, Joseph Larrabee bequeathed all his real and personal estate to the town, the income to be used for the comfort and benefit of poor persons, who had a legal settlement in Dover. He especially recom- mended that the trustees use a portion for the aged and feeble who could not fully maintain themselves.

Educational .- Not only were our ancestors inter-

ested in religious advancement, but the cause of public instruction received their early attention. In 1759 an order for 7s. 4d. was granted to Timothy Ellis for mending the windows to the school-house the year before. Also, previous to this an order without date was granted to Thomas Jackson for £31 6s. 8d., for his wife Leonora teaching school at Mr. Bacon's house. The first precinct meetings, 1748, were held in a school-house near the dwelling-house of Joseph Chickering. This school-house must have been owned by individuals, as in a precinct meeting, March 6, 1761, the inhabitants wished to remove the school- house to a more convenient place near the meeting- house, but the proprietors would not consent to have it removed. In 1762 the inhabitants applied to Ded- ham for their proportion of school money due the Fourth Precinct. Voted, March 21, 1763, to build a new school-house, " opposite to ye north side of ye meet- ing-house, on land of Dea. Joshua Ellis." " Then Dea. Joshua E'lis made an open declaration to ye said pre- cinct, that he did give to ye said precinct the land pitched upon for ye use of a school-house and yard, viz., four rods square ; the southerly line of ye said square to bound south on the highway that leads by the north side of the meeting-house." " And the said precinct accepted the same, and voted their thanks to Dea. Joshua Ellis for the said land." An appropriation of twenty-five pounds was made to

Voted, April 4, 1785, to build two new school- houses, one in the west and one in the east part of the town. Appropriated £25 for building each. In 1785 granted to Jeremiah Bacon £3 12s. 8d., for keep- ing school in the centre division for the winter. Also gave an order for £3 June 4, 1786, to Miss Mary Whiting, for teaching in the Centre division. In 1789 gave an order to Paul Whiting for £2 8s. 0d., for his wife teaching in the East division. In 1791 paid John Jones 11s. 4d. in part for his services as school committee. In 1830, Rev. Ralph Sanger, Jo- siah Newell, and Noah Fiske were elected school com- mittee. In 1838 voted to define school district limits, to be designated as the east, west, and centre districts. " The inhabitants of the south part of the town to draw their proportion of the school money by the scholar."

In 1796 voted to grant fifty-five pounds for school- ing. In 1798 voted two hundred dollars for the use of the schools.

The Centre division in 1838 consisted of fifty-two families, and ninety-nine scholars between the ages of four and twenty-one. It being so large it was thought advisable to divide it into two districts, and

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

what is now known as the North district was set off. In 1839 it was voted each district choose a prudential committee. In 1841 it was voted to build a new school-house in the West district, the old one being too small for the number of scholars attending ; ceiling being so low in that part of the house where the seats and writing-desks were located that a person of medium height could not stand erect. In 1851 voted to have school reports printed. In 1864 voted that the school committee choose a superintendent, with a salary of thirty dollars per year. In 1865 the South district formed a union with Walpole and Dedham. In 1869 the district system was abolished.

In 1884 the town appropriated twelve hundred dollars for the support of schools, and that, with the dog-tax and share of State School Fund, gives about sixteen hundred dollars for the maintenance of the four schools.

There are one hundred and five children in the town between the ages of five and fifteen, who attend the public schools. There being no High School, all who wish to pursue their studies attend schools of a higher grade in the adjoining towns.

Women have been elected as members of the school committee, and have served as superintendents for the past eleven years.

The following names will show the interest that has been manifested to procure a liberal education, all having received a college education or were members of a college :

1765. Nathaniel Battelle, Harvard College.

1774. Jabez Chickering, Harvard College.

1774. Joseph Haven, Harvard College.

1776. John Haven, Harvard College. 1788. George Caryl, Harvard College.

1800. Hezekiah Allen, Harvard College. 1803. William Draper, Harvard College. 1803. Jesse Fisher, Harvard College.

1810. Samuel Fisher, Harvard College.

1810. Joseph Haven, Harvard College.

1814. Mason Fisher, Harvard College.

1818. Jesse Chickering, Harvard College. 1833. Fisher Ames Harding, Harvard College.

1840. George Partridge Sanger, Harvard College.

1797. Morrill Allen, Brown University.

1812. Thadeus Allen, Brown University.

1812. Daniel Whiting, Brown University.

8114. Hezekiah Battelle, Brown University.

Post-Office .- The post-office was established in Dover, February, 1838. Previous to this the mail was brought to Dover from Dedham several times during the week on horseback. At the time the

office was established there were two mails during the week, Wednesday and Saturday.

The first postmaster, John Williams, was born in Groton. In early life he moved to Dedham, married Sally B. Stone, of that town, and resided there several years. He then came to Dover, established a hotel, where many a weary traveler was refreshed at the bountiful board, as the four-horse coach from Woon- socket Falls tarried on its way to Boston. In con- nection with the hotel he kept a livery stable and store. He was deputy sheriff many years, and held other offices of trust and responsibility in town. At his decease, February, 1840, Rev. Ralph Sanger was The money for schools was divided for many years appointed postmaster, and held the office twenty-two between the districts in proportion as each district | years, resigning January, 1862. It was during his paid taxes for their support. term of office that daily mails were established. The mail previous to 1861 was brought by stage from Wel- lesley to South Natick for several years, then to Need- ham until the railroad was built through the town.

In January, 1862, Isaac Howe, the third post- master, was appointed. Mr. Howe was a native of Framingham. He married Betsy Williams, the only child of the first postmaster, and continued the hotel and store several years after the death of Mr. Wil- liams. Mr. Howe resigned January, 1875, when his son, G. L. Howe, the present postmaster, was ap- pointed. There are now two mails daily, A.M. and P.M., from Boston.

Library .- The first library in town was organized during the early ministry of Rev. Ralph Sanger, and was known as the Proprietors' Library Association. It consisted of the best histories, biographies, and miscellaneous reading of the time. The library was kept at Mr. Sanger's house, and quarterly meetings were held for the exchange of books. Mr. Sanger's knowledge of books and timely suggestions were al- ways gladly received. Residents of Natick availed themselves of the privilege of becoming members, and were among the regular attendants at the quar- terly meetings, this being the largest and best collec- tion of books in the vicinity.

This early library and the literary influence exerted by Mr. Sanger fostered a taste for reading which re- sulted in the formation of a parish library in 1870. Mr. Calvin Richards was deeply interested in its for- mation, and it was largely through his instrumentality that the scattered volumes of the former library were gathered, and that the present one now exists. Feb. 12, 1874, Mr. Frederic Barden presented the First Parish in Dover with one thousand dollars, the interest to be used in purchasing books for the parish library. The parish wished to change the name from the First Parish to the Barden Library, but he modestly de-

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clined, wishing not to have his name at the head of a large or small institution, preferring that it should be engraven on the hearts of his dear friends, for whom he had the kindest remembrance, both for the living and the dead ; and, as he expressed himself, " that he took great pleasure in visiting their house of worship, so neatly fitted up, and seeing the young take the books from the library, which he hoped would be a source to help lead them, through virtue and religion, up to God." The library now comprises about seven hundred volumes, and is kept in the vestibule of the church.

Town Hall .- When the Second Church of the First Parish was burned, Jan. 20, 1839, the town-meetings were held in the Centre school-house, and a committee of five, consisting of Capt. Walter Stowe, Capt. Lowell Perry, Jeremiah Marden, Capt. John Shumway, and Joseph A. Smith, were chosen to negotiate with the parish committee, composed of Hiram W. Jones, Daniel Mann, and John Williams, in reference to building a vestry in connection with the meeting- house of the First Parish. The sum of three hun- dred dollars was appropriated to defray the expense. The vestry was used as a town house from 1839 until 1880 for all town purposes. The question of a new town house was suggested and discussed at different times, as early as 1854, but nothing decided was done until the spring of 1879, when an appropriation of three thousand six hundred dollars was made by the town and a committee chosen to superintend the building of a house suitable for the uses of the town. The committee chosen was Warren Savin, Eben Higgins, William A. Howe. There existed a difference of opinion as to the expediency of build- ing a one-story or two-story building, but a two- story building was erected. It was framed, boarded, and slated, when a cyclone, July 16, 1879, blew it down, making a complete wreck of the building and killiing one of the workmen and seriously injuring others. The town sustained a loss of nineteen hun- dred and twenty-six dollars and eighty-five cents. Meetings were called and the subject again dis- cussed, which resulted in choosing a new commit- tee, this time the selectmen, Capt. John Humphrey, Barnabas Paine, and Asa Talbot. The town made another appropriation for a new building. The wreck was cleared away, lumber sold, a new site selected, and a one-story building erected, capable of seating on the lower floor and gallery about four hundred people. It is neatly finished in chestnut, handsomely frescoed, and in all respects is commodious and sub- stantial, costing the town, completed and furnished, four thousand four hundred and ninety-nine dollars

and eight cents. The architect was T. W. Silloway, of Boston. It was dedicated June 17, 1880, a large audience being present. Remarks were made by John C. Coombs, president of the meeting, and a report of the building committee was read by the chairman, Capt. John Humphrey. Prayer was offered by Rev. Horatio Alger, of South Natick ; and an address was delivered by Frank Smith, of Dover. Short speeches were made by Thomas W. Silloway, of Boston, Rev. C. S. Locke, of West Dedham, Rev. Horatio Alger and Elijah Perry, Esq., of Natick, Rev. T. S. Norton, of Prescott, and others. The services closed by sing- ing an ode written for the occasion by Rev. C. C. Sewell, of Medfield. Music was furnished by L. W. Colburn and family, of South Natick ; singing by the Medfield quartette. The hall was tastefully decorated with potted plants and cut flowers furnished by our summer residents, B. P. Cheney, Esq., and Dr. H. R. Stevens.

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 53

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534