USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > History of Wakefield (Middlesex County) Massachusetts, compiled by William E. Eaton and History Committee > Part 20
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The South Reading Anti-Slavery Party was formed in 1834.
The old map of 1856 showed a chapel on the south side of Lafayette Street. Who can tell about it?
Prominent Main Street public and private buildings bear the names of leading Wakefield families-Richardson, Beebe and Walton.
Only three of the town school houses bear names of national and local personages-Lincoln, Hamilton, and Warren.
In 1872 Wakefield had its first Sunday trains to and from Boston.
In 1879 the selectmen sold twelve copies of their report for one dollar a copy and had "eighteen copies on hand." A thrifty Board!
On March 1, 1876, the Commissioners of Inland Fisheries gave a 15-year lease of Crystal Lake to Lyman H. Tasker and five others on their agreement to stock the lake with live, black bass of a weight of 11/2 pounds each. Rent $5 for first four years and $30 a year thereafter.
The only person to outlive 100 years was Mrs. Clarissa Cox, widow of Benjamin Cox. She was born October 6, 1787, and her birthday on October 6, 1887 was locally observed.
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
The old brick house standing north of the Universalist Church was built by Benjamin Brown Wiley, born in 1786 and died November 11, 1877.
South Reading had a Horticultural Society, organized in 1861 with James Eustis, president. He was the only town auctioneer for many years, and any article not perfect was offered with "this article is imperfect, and you will bid accordingly." . In later years the Society became the Wake- field Agricultural and Horticultural Society.
Franklin Poole was born in the South Parish of Reading in 1808, and the town is indebted to him for many valuable oil paintings of individuals and of private and public buildings.
The first town pound was long a landmark from 1761. It was on Main Street, just north of the Universalist Church, where now stands the brick house of the late Ebenezer Wiley. The second town pound was at the southwest corner of the old burying ground on Church Street, long marked by four willow trees, one at each corner, providing shade for dumb animals temporarily detained there.
The diary of Parson Prentice of the First Parish, under date of April 19, 1775, had this entry: "The Regulars marched out of Boston to Con- cord, where the fight began and ninety of our men were killed."
In the lobby (or foyer) of the town hall is a bronze memorial erected by the town in 1927. "A Memorial to the Men of Wakefield, who gave their lives in defense of the honor and liberty of their country." There are fifty names, 1861-1865; one name, 1898-1902; and thirty names, 1917-1918. The pictures of Gold Star veterans of World War I, originally on the wall at the selectmen's room, are now displayed in the Lafayette Building.
In 1909 the State Railroad Commissioners wished to change the names of the Wakefield Centre and Junction stations, the former to "Centre Hey- wood" and the latter to "Souhegan," "Crystal Lake" or "Wahpatuck." The plan never succeeded.
In 1911, Post 12, G. A. R., suggested, unsuccessfully, the erection of a memorial building on the lot at Albion and Foster Streets, which is the present site of the Daily Item Building.
The earliest recorded deed of land in Reading was in 1646 when Captain Walker and Lieutenant Thomas Marshall deeded 500 acres to Francis Smith, extending east from Smith's Pond to Woodville.
The town in 1664 may have had a planning board to limit size of house lots for it granted John Wesson (Weston) "forty feet of ground one way, and twenty feet another way for to sett his house upon."
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WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
In 1718 Miss Nichols, a school teacher, was awarded a certificate for "perfectly reciting three chapters from Holy Scriptures."
The old road leading from Church Street to Reading Pond was called "Pond Row." It was some easterly from the present Lake Avenue.
In 1736, the First Parish furnished the Parsonage a "Post and well cratch" and "a little necessary house" costing £1:15.
A bridge over the outlet of Saugus River at the head of Reading Pond was built in 1737.
The church weekly "contribution box" came into use in 1764.
Four years before the Battle of Lexington, there were 80 voters in the First Parish, 65 in the Second Parish, and 64 in the Third Parish.
Jonathan Poole, in 1697, was chosen "to keep a scoole for to teach the young people to wright, to read and to cast up accounts as far as ye Poole could, and they capable to learn."
The first drowning in Reading Pond was in 1705. The victim was Stephen, son of Samuel Dix.
The town constable in 1712 was notified to warn a citizen "who doth entertain an Inmate of a Female Sect not to Entertain no such Female.'
The records of the town and the First Parish had been run con-cur- rently. All such accounts were separated in 1722.
In 1791, it was voted not to raise money "to hire school dames." This edict survived only one year.
South Reading Branch Railroad was opened to Peabody November 16, 1850, and was discontinued about 1926. The Danvers Branch was opened on October 23, 1854, and is still limited in operation.
The town of Reading took its name from the old Reading of Berk- shire, England, situated between the rivers Thames and Kennet, whose history goes back to 868 when it was destroyed by the Huns. Its name- derivation is supposed to come from the Saxon word Rhea or Redin, fern, which grew in great abundance. It is only 38 miles from London. The old parish register bore names familiar early and even today, in our com- munity-Poole, Cowdrey, Parker, Bachellor, Brown, Swain, Townsend, Hawkes, Taylor, Foster, Walker, Marshall, Eaton, Davis, Goodwin, Pear- son, and others.
General Lafayette never visited the First Parish, but made a brief stop at the Third Parish.
Wakefield contains 4,568 acres.
Wakefield's central section is located latitude 42° 30' 26" north; and longitude 71° 4' 42" west from Greenwich.
Hart's Hill is named for Dr. John Hart.
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
The Quannapowitt Railroad was a separate corporation with rails extending from the main line of the Boston & Maine to the old Quanna- powitt Ice Company's houses on the west shore of Lake Quannapowitt.
The South Reading Academy on Crescent Street was started under Baptist direction. It was acquired in 1847 by the town for the first high school.
The Wakefield Home Fire Protection Association, organized Novem- ber 10, 1882, was a "Johnson Pump" outfit with a wagon drawn by one of Hathaway's horses, and carried its own water to put out fires.
Captain Thomas Emerson sold his farm and buildings on Water Street to the town in 1825 for a Town Almshouse. Price, $3275. . Allen Rowe was the first keeper.
James H. Carter was the "father" of our "Rockery." Its cost was about $5000. Its location early bore the name of "Little Park."
In 1868 the town had 13 schools, 14 teachers, and 722 pupils. The school expense was $8,277.30 and at a cost of $8.10 per pupil per teacher. The total cost per pupil was $11.46.
In 1812 a post office was established in a small building on the easterly side of North Main Street in the center section. The present post office, the tenth, a most imposing structure, was erected by the United States Government.
The first post office in Greenwood dates from 1855. Joseph Eaton was the postmaster.
The corner of Albion Street and North Avenue has long been known as "Dog Corner."
From Hart's Hill one can see Mt. Wachusett, 42 miles distant; Hawes Hill 53 miles; Watatic Mt. 45 miles, and Mount Monadnock 58 miles distant.
Greenwood Grove and Union Grove have been landmarks in Green- wood these many years.
In 1868 the town's total expense was $31,238.03 and net town debt of $39,737.20.
The great Rattan factory fire occurred on the night of March 12, 1881. Loss of $190,000 was fully covered by insurance.
The present town seal was adopted in 1878.
The history of Reading, by Hon. Lilley Eaton, was published in 1873-74.
Cyrus Wakefield built his mansion on Main Street in 1851 where now stands the Wakefield High School.
In 1852 Lucius Beebe bought house and land at Lakeside for a residence.
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WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
The hill at the intersection of Salem and Pleasant Streets has long been known as "Shingle Hill"- and what a grand winter coast it was for many years!
A unique local association was formed in 1858 known as the "House of Representatives of the Commonwealth." Its object was to study parlia- mentary rules governing debate and to make more easy public discussion in town meetings. The town was designated as the "Commonwealth" and each street or locality was considered a town from which members were sent. The first petition was presented by Miss Representation, Miss Fortune, Aunt E. Slavery, Miss Ann Thrope, Mrs. Sippy, and 417 other ladies of Womenrightsville praying for "All the rights of citizenship which are enjoyed by the sterner sex." A motion to refer to the Committee on Fisheries was lost, and the petition was sent to the Committee on Judiciary. The story does not end here!
Mill River is a brook, the outlet from Crystal Lake running east- ward under Main Street, passing the Heywood-Wakefield plant to enter the Saugus River.
The seating capacity of our town hall is approximately 1164; floor, 704 and galleries, 460.
The town first commenced publishing its expenditures in 1813.
In 1814 the town was set off to the Essex North District; answering a strong protest the town was set back into Middlesex County.
The South Reading Liberty Association was formed in 1843 by men who "believed that Slavery was a moral and political evil and should be removed by moral and political action." Its first president was Jacob Eaton. The association won its first victory in 1847 by electing Franklin Poole representative to the General Court. Later the association merged with the Free Soil Party.
SALE OF A NEGRO BOY
"Sometime in August in ye year 1731 Receive'd of Peter Emerson ye Sum of Ten Pounds which is in full of Seventy Pounds for a Negro Boy called George, Received by me.
Timothy Poole"
DR. SWAIN IN A SPIRIT OF HUMILITY
"A manorandum of the visits to Hannah Dix on the a counte of her Lame futt after she came from Boston, viz: 21 visits while She was att her Uncle John Dixs and at her fathers with 3 portions of phisick and Salve and Balsums ... £2:2:0 and gentlemen of Reding if you plese to allow me any part I shall akoleige your Kindnes with thanks if not I remain yours to serve in what I can.
4 March 1728
Benjemin Swain"
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
In 1872 there appeared a new weekly newspaper called the "Wakefield Casket." Its demise was early-buried, so to speak, in its own "Casket."
In 1873 the old Town House on Church Street was sold to John M. Cate and removed to the corner of Main and Salem Streets, the town re- serving the bell rope and wheel, as well as the old Paul Revere Bell now to be seen at the Beebe Library.
For many years the town paid its share for the Malden Bridge. These payments ceased in 1874.
The old Quannapowitt House that had stood on Main Street opposite the town hall was removed in 1880.
The Emerson Shoe Shop, that stood where now stands the Y. M. C. A. building, was torn down in 1902.
Cutler Brothers Block at the corner of Main and Water Streets and the Armory building were destroyed by a fire in 1911.
The vital statistics-births, deaths and marriages, from early days to 1850, may be found at the Beebe Memorial Library.
The Wakefield Theatre Block on Main Street was built in 1915.
The Greenwood Seminary, on the westerly side on Main Street was the venture of Winsor Bruce Wait. In 1874, a Dr. Day took the building over as an Inebriate Asylum.
Back in England our forefathers belonged to the parish churches and it is from these old parish records that genealogists have been able to gather valuable family data.
The Whale arrived at Salem May 26, 1632, with 30 passengers after a voyage of 48 days. On the ship were 68 cows. Seven years later, .1639, the date of the first settlement in Redding, the ship "Fellowship" sailed from Bristol, England, and it is interesting to record that there were aboard 250 passengers and supplies.
One hundred and five years ago, the second Baptist Church, corner of Main and Crescent Streets, was burned. The year following a new edifice was erected on the same spot, where today stands the Crystal Apart- ments. Old timers can recall this substantial building, in size 68 x 48 feet with 26-foot posts and a granite basement. The building committee were Burrage Yale, Hiram Sweetser, Lilley Eaton, Adam Wiley and N. C. White.
Some years back, town meetings were held outside the meeting house, sometimes in private homes. In the old records of 1805, such a meeting was "adjourned to Mr. Stephen Hale's Hall" and was to be opened at 7 p.m. This, by the way, is the first recorded evening town meeting.
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WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
AN OLD TIME BILL
October the 2-1769
Deacon Emerson, to Garmich Ariana, De €
% a Wooden Shovel. .. 10.
To monding a Shimmer 4.6
To putting a Free into a Shovel. . 9. May 1768- I. mending a brak hitte ... . 4.6 To 2 Salles for a Canoe m . 4.6
Duember_
To a new Pair
2. 15.
Sum total A "7"6
JEREMIAH BRYANT'S (BRIANT) BILL
Bill for work done at his blacksmith shop that stood on the corner of Main and Church Streets.
"Oct. the 2, 1767
Deacon Emerson to Jeremiah Briant, Debtor
To a Wooden Shovel 10s-ld ten'r
To mending a Skimmer 4:6d
To putting a Tree into a shovel 9s
May 1768
To mending a brafs Kettle 4:6d
To 2 Staples for a Canoe 4:6d
December
To a new chain
£2:15
Total
4:7:6"
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HISTORY OF WAKEFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
The annual town meeting, on March 27, 1933, voted to authorize the selectmen to petition the Legislature for authority to make the annexation of that part of Saugus known as Golden Hills. The Legislature granted the authority (Chapter 298 of the Acts of 1933), and the town of Wakefield accepted it on July 11, 1933. The town of Saugus accepted it on Septem- ber 18, 1933.
From an early deed, to prove the property was unemcumbered, this warranty was given: "that the said premises are free from the beginning of the world to ye day of ye date hereof" i.e., 1653. This deed was from Nicholas Browne; a first settler, and signed by his wife, Elizabeth.
In 1655, Robert Burnap sold to Robert Bridges of Linn "fifty pounds of good, sweet, well-conditioned fatt fresh beef, as well as dry, well cleaned wheat and pease." The delivery of local products at Boston was most difficult as the only highway was via Church and Elm Streets of today, through Reading, Woburn, over the old Medford Bridge, through Cam- bridge and into Boston via Roxbury and the "Neck."
The town supported a "Liquer Agency" in 1867-68. Sales were reported at $3,983.72; cost $2,885.26. Somebody figured a net profit of $109.26. Why?
In passing may it be recorded, as within the decades covered by these chronicles, that in 1837 South Reading paid its debt-how about Wakefield in 1944?
INDIAN RELICS
The search, within the bounds of Wakefield, for relics of the Indians, whose wigwams and life centered about or near our two lakes, was a hobby of a few citizens. Messrs. Charles A. Perkins, James H. Carter and Elwin 1. Purrington each made noteworthy collections but not a single Indian grave has been discovered. The Purrington collection has been presented to the Wakefield Historical Society where it is on view to mem- bers and friends.
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WAKEFIELD-1868 TO 1944
GREETINGS
Friends :
Wakefield is my native town. All my direct ancestors were born and have lived their lives here since 1644. My affection for this town has been constant and inspiring. Owing so much to a town that has given the priv- ilege of the free and happy life it has been, it was with genuine pleasure that I have given freely of my time and energy to this volume-The History of Wakefield. May it have a worthy place among other books in your home; and increase your knowledge of and affection for the home of your ancestors or of your adoption. God bless America for the blessings of freedom of life, and for the town of Wakefield for its gifts to you and yours !
WILLIAM E. EATON
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LUCIUS BEEBE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
3 1392 00354 5914
THE
LUCIUS" BEEBE MEMORIAL
LIBRARY WAKEFIELD MASSACHUSETTS
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