USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > History of the town of Acton > Part 42
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25. Wilfred W. Forbes was born in Brookline, Mass. on February 15, 1912. After attending Boston University for three years he trans-
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ferred to the School of Medicine from which he was graduated in 1935. He began practice in Acton in 1946 after five years service in the Navy in World War II. He is assistant surgeon for the Fire Department and Medical Director of the Civil Defense Committee.
26. Donnell W. Boardman was born in Plainfield, N. J. on Feb- ruary 25, 1913. He received the B. A. degree from Yale University in 1934 and the M. D. degree from Columbia University in 1939. He moved to Acton in October of 1946 and opened an office in Maynard immediately and another in Littleton in July of 1950. He joined the Boston University Medical Faculty in September of 1947 and entered into association with Dr. Henry S. Harvey in August 1951. He married Elizabeth F. Hazelton and has five children.
27. On page 298 Fletcher lists Paul C. Kittridge of Littleton as commencing to practice in Acton in 1830 but does not make clear that he resided in Acton.
28. Dr. Joseph P. Day, an army surgeon, practiced briefly in South Acton.
29. In his notes Dr. Mayell mentions a Dr. Annis as having been school physician for South Acton in 1918.
30. John M. Miles was born in Temple, N. H. where his father was the minister. He was educated at a medical college. He practiced in Boxborough and Littleton and settled in Acton in 1843 and was active until his death in March of 1865 at the age of sixty three.
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APPENDIX IX
LIST OF THE FIRST FIFTEEN DEACONS OF ACTON CHURCH
Name
Date chosen
Died
Age
Joseph Fletcher
Dec.
15, 1738
Sept. 11, 1746
61
John Heald
Dec.
15, 1738
May 16, 1775
82
Jonathan Hosmer
June 25, 1775
64
John Brooks
March 6, 1777
76
Samuel Hayward
Sept. 29, 1775
March 6, 1795
78
Francis Faulkner
Sept. 29, 1775
August 5, 1805
78
Joseph Brabrook
Sept. 29, 1775
April 27, 1812
73
Simon Hunt
April 19, 1792
April 27, 1820
86
Josiah Noyes
March 27, 1806
Moved to Westmoreland N. H. Oct. 16, 1808
Benjamin Hayward
March 27, 1806
Excused June 15, 1821
John Wheeler
April 18, 1811
Dec. 17, 1824
64
John White
April 18, 1811
April 3, 1824
54
Phineas Wheeler
June
15, 1811
August 3, 1838
65
Daniel F. Barker
June 15, 1811
Dec. 16, 1840
61
Silas Hosmer
June 15, 1811
June 26, 1872
80
The church records fail to give the dates of appointment for Deacons Jonathan Hosmer and John Brooks.
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APPENDIX X
ACTON MEN WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE FROM 1735 to 1950
(a) Members of the House of Representatives.
Daniel Fletcher
1768
Josiah Hayward
1774, 1775
Mark White 1776
Simon Hunt
1780
Francis Faulkner
1782, 1785
Thomas Noyes
1787, 1789
Ephraim Robbins
1790
Jonas Brooks
1791, 1802
Asa Parlin
1803
Jonas Brooks
1804
Samuel Jones
1805, 1806
Jonas Brooks
1807 - 1811
Stevens Hayward
1812
Joseph Noyes
1813 - 1818, 1821
Francis Tuttle
1823 - 1827
Stevens Hayward
1828, 1829
Francis Tuttle
1830, 1831
Nathan Brooks
1836, 1837, 1838, 1840
Phineas Harrington
1841, 1842
Ivory Keyes
1843
Daniel Wetherbee
1844, 1845
Ivory Keyes
1846
Daniel Wetherbee
1848
James T. Woodbury
1850, 1851
Moses Hayward
1852
Daniel Wetherbee
1853
Joseph Noyes
1854
Aaron Handley
1855
William D. Tuttle
1856
Daniel Wetherbee
1857
John Fletcher
1861
Aaron C. Handley
1863
Luther Conant
1866
George W. Gates
1870
George C. Wright
1873
Moses Taylor
1881
Charles W. Parker
1884
Luther Conant
1886
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Aaron C. Handley 1889
(b) Members of the State Senate.
Stevens Hayward 1844, 1845
Winthrop E. Faulkner 1853, 1854
John Fletcher 1870, 1871
1902 Vote of 23rd Middlesex District for Representative in General Court. District comprised of Acton, Ayer, Littleton, Shirley, Westford.
Webster C. Robbins, Acton (Republican) 631
Edwin A. Phalen, Acton (Democrat) 238
1906 Vote of 23rd Middlesex District.
Delette H. Hall, Acton (Republican) 889
Gardner W. Prouty, Littleton (Democrat) 412
By 1908 Acton had been shifted to the 11th Middlesex District. At the election that year the Socialist Party appeared on the ballot for the first time and polled one vote in Acton. The vote of the town was as follows: James B. Carr, Socialist, Chelmsford 1; James E. Smith, Littleton, Democrat 72; Elisha D. Stone, Ayer, Republican 256.
In the hectic election of 1912 the Progressive (Bull Moose) Party took a considerable slice off the nominal Republican vote but not enough to elect a Democrat. The District as a whole, comprised of Acton, Ayer, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Littleton and Westford voted as follows: John D. Carney, Ayer, Democrat 679; Samuel L. Taylor, Westford, Republican 902; James B. Tuttle, Acton, Progressive 635. In Acton the vote was Carney 76, Taylor 167, Tuttle 139.
1914 Vote of 11th Middlesex District. Acton District
Edgar H. Hall, Acton (Republican) 277
1126
Charles F. Johnson, Littleton, (Democrat) 62 614
John L. Kennison, Ayer (Progressive) 48
375
1915 Edgar H. Hall had no opposition and carried the district by a vote of 1675 to 9.
1930 Ayer was removed from 11th district and Bedford put in its place.
1932 Vote of 11th Middlesex District. Acton District
Horace F. Tuttle, Acton (Republican)
1001 4693
Harold Harrington, Westford (Democrat) 175 1920
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APPENDIX XI THE FIRST FIFTEEN ACTON MEN TO RECEIVE A COLLEGE DEGREE
1. Nathan Davis: Born 1737; graduated from Harvard 1759; ordained minister at Dracut October 20, 1765. Removed to Boston and became a chaplain at Fort Independence. Died March 4, 1803.
2. John Swift: Only child of Rev. John Swift; born November 18, 1741; graduated Harvard 1762; settled in Acton as a physi- cian; died of small pox 1775.
3. Asa Piper: Son of Josiah Piper: born March 7, 1757; graduated from Harvard 1778; ordained at Wakefield, N. H. 1785; was there as late as 1835.
4. Solomon Adams: Son of Lt. John Adams; born March 18, 1761; Graduated Harvard 1788; ordained at Middleton October 23, 1793; died September, 1813
5. Daniel Brooks: Born April 5, 1767; graduated Harvard 1794; settled as trader in Westmoreland, N. H .; died in Springfield, Vt.
6. Thomas Noyes: Son of Thomas, born February 5, 1769; grad- uated Harvard 1795; ordained pastor Needham, Mass. June 10, 1799; dismissed 1833 by mutual consent.
7. Luther Wright: Born April 19, 1770; graduated Harvard 1796; pastor at Medway, Mass. and Barrington, R. I.
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8. Moses Adams: Son Rev. Moses Adams; born November 28, 1777; graduated Harvard 1797; settled as physician at Ellsworth, Me., was sherriff of Lincoln Co.
9. William Emerson Faulkner: Son of Francis Faulkner; born October 23, 1776; graduated Harvard 1797; Read law with his brother in law, Hon. Jabez Upham of Brookfield and formed partnership with him.
396
T
i
10. Josiah Adams: Son of Rev. Moses Adams; born November 3, 1781; graduated Harvard 1801; admitted to bar 1807; settled in Framingham.
11. Luther Faulkner: Son of Francis Faulkner; born May 7, 1799; graduated Harvard 1802; merchant in Boston.
12. Jonathan Edwards Scott: Native of Nova Scotia but resided in Acton for some years before going to Harvard; graduated in 1802; became sea captain.
13. Joseph Adams: Son of Rev. Moses Adams; born September 25, 1783; graduated Harvard 1803; settled as an attorney in Cambridge.
14. John Ruggles Cutting: Son of William Cutting; born November 6, 1778; graduated Dartmouth 1802; ordained at Waldo- borough, Me. 1802.
15. Henry Durant: Son Lt. Henry Durant; born June 18, 1802; graduated at Yale 1828; subsequently on the Yale faculty.
Of these fifteen men all except the first two and the last were pre- pared for college by Rev. Moses Adams.
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APPENDIX XII
DEPOSITIONS OF THOMAS THORP AND OTHERS CONCERNING THE EVENTS OF APRIL 19TH 1775. First Deposition of Thomas Thorp
I, Thomas Thorp of Acton testify that I am in my eightieth year and have lived here ever since I was fifteen years old. I was a member of Capt. Isaac Davis's Company which was formed in November 1774. We usually met twice a week for drill. Capt. Davis was a gun- smith. He was esteemed a man of courage and prudence and had the love and veneration of all his company. On the morning of the 19th of April, 1775 I had notice that the regulars were coming to Concord. I took my equipments and proceeded to Capt. Davis's house. I passed the house of the Rev. Mr. Swift. His son, Doctor Swift, made me a present of a cartridge box as he saw I had none. I well remem- ber that there was on the outside a piece of red cloth in the shape of a heart. Several of the company before me and some of them were putting powder flour on their hair. About half the company formed there and the remainder, as many as forty in the whole, joined us early in the day and most of them before the fight. We made a short stay near Col. Barrets and proceeded to the north Bridge where we formed a great collection of armed men from Concord and other towns-there were several hundreds-cannot say how many. The officers seemed to be talking by themselves and the British were then at the Bridge. Our officers joined the others; and in a few minutes, not exceeding five, Capt. Davis returned to his company and said something which I do not recollect and gave the word "march". It seemed to have been agreed that Capt. Davis should go in front. He had not taken the right of the other companies as has been stated. The Concord minute company was the oldest and as such had taken its place at muster a short time before. Our company, however, marched in front and Major Buttrick and Col. Robinson were with Capt. Davis.
As we were advancing the British began to take up the bridge; on which we quickened our pace and ran towards them. They desisted and joined their ranks.
I saw a ball strike the water on my right and some other guns were fired over our heads. A volley was then discharged at us and Luther Blanchard our fifer was wounded. We were then ordered to fire and did so. The fire was returned and Capt. Davis and Abner Hosmer, one of his men, were killed and Ezekiel Davis, a brother of the Captain, had a ball pass through his hat. I did not understand that he was injured but have since understood that his head was
398
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slightly touched by the ball.
Two of the enemy were killed - one with a hatchet after being wounded and helpless. This act was a matter of horror to us all. I saw him sitting up and wounded as we had passed the bridge. Our company and most of the others persued but in great disorder and went to an eminence back of Elisha Jones' and stood behind a wall forty rods or more from where the British had joined a reinforce- ment. In a short time we returned over the bridge but did not form in any order. As we stood there the detachment from Col. Barretts returned and passed us and might easily have been taken prisoners if we had not been in such confusion. I do not remember that anyone there assumed command.
About this time the troops left the village and after some delay to take refreshments the Americans persued and various skirmishes took place till the British encamped on Bunker Hill a little before sun- set. It was impossible for me to know that all our company pursued; but I did not know at the time nor since that any one deserted.
I cannot say how many were at the bridge in the morning but I should say not more than forty or fifty at most. I could see a great number on Lee's Hill about a mile distant. I should judge there were three or four hundred. I saw them in the morning at the time of the fight.
Signed THOMAS THORP
Middlesex Co. July 10, 1835 Then Thomas Thorp who is and long has been personally known to me as a man of truth subscribed the foregoing affidavit and made oath that the same is true according to his best'knowledge and belief.
Before me Francis Tuttle, Justice of the Peace.
Second Deposition of Thomas Thorp.
I Thomas Thorp testify that according to the best of my recollections and judgement the number of the British at and near the North Bridge before the fight was about eighty but they were scattered about so that I cannot be certain; there might be more. It was supposed to be one company. I saw the detachment return from Col. Barrett's. It con- sisted of one company as I judged by their appearance.
I should think the reinforcements that came out from the village consisted of about the same number but of this I am not so certain. The British retreated from the bridge immediately after returning our fire and there were no guns fired afterwards till they had left the village. I have no remembrance of seeing or hearing Col. Barret or Major Butrick after the enemy retreated from the Bridge. The British left the village about noon without any interruption from the Ameri- cans.
399
I remained in the army during the whole war and am now a pen- tioner. I never knew or heard till lately that any of our men leaped over the wall on the north side of the causeway to fire at the British at the bridge. We had no time to fire but once as the British retreated in great haste.
I may have been mistaken in stating in my first deposition that Davis and Hosmer were not killed by the volley; it might have been otherwise as there was very little time between the volley and the return fire.
THOMAS THORP
Middlesex Co. Dec. 2, 1835 Then Thomas Thorp who is known to me as a man of truth made oath that the above affidavit is true according to his best knowledge and belief.
Before me Simon Hosmer, Justice of the Peace.
First Deposition of Solomon Smith
I Solomon Smith of Acton testify that I am now in my eighty second year. I have lived in Acton from about the year 1760 to the present time. I was a member of Capt. Isaac Davis's company of min- ute men and was in the fight at Concord in 1775. We turned out to drill and exercise twice a week from the November preceeding. 1 think the company consisted of about forty. The company was raised by voluntary enlistment. The town paid us eight pence for every half day. John Hayward was the lieutenant and John Heald the ensign. They were both good officers and had the confidence of their men. I was alarmed on the 19th of April about day break. I gave notice to several of the company went to Capt. Davis's house and found several of the company there. His family were sick. He had four children some of whom had the canker rash and the others were unwell. Capt Davis appeared to be heavy hearted. One of the men used some light language and was reproved by Capt. Davis.
We set out for Concord when the sun was something more than an hour high. Other members of the company joined us on the road and the remainder in the course of the forenoon most of them before the fight. We made some delay near Col. Barrett's and then proceeded to the high ground north of the bridge. There was a considerable number of men from Concord and other towns assembled there and others were fast joining them. Immediately after our arrival the officers of the companies including ours went by themselves a few rods and held a consultation for a few minutes. Capt. Davis then came to the head of his company, and drew his sword and said "I haven't a man that is afraid to go" and gave the word "march". We proceeded toward the bridge in double file. Major Buttrick and Col. Robinson marched with Capt. Davis. I do not know the order the other com-
400
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panies fell in. When we came first on the ground Capt. Davis took the left of the Concord minute men as he had done a few weeks before at a muster and he went from this position when he took the front as above stated.
After we began to move the British were beginning to take up the bridge. Someone, I believe it was Major Buttrick, remonstrated in a loud voice and about the same time they desisted and formed for action. I next saw a ball from the enemy strike in the river and heard the report of two others directly after which were thought not to be aimed at us. A volley immediately followed by which Luther Blan- chard our fifer was slightly wounded and hearing him cry out Major Buttrick exclaimed "Fire, for God's sake fire". The order was obeyed and the British returned the fire and killed Capt. Davis and Abner Hosmer a private of his company and wounded Ezekiel Davis, a brother of the Captain, on the head. They then retreated towards the village. Two of the British were killed there. One was left on the ground wounded and in that situation was killed by an American with an hatchet. This act met with universal disapprobation and was excused only by the excitement and inexperience of the perpetrator. The enemy retreated until they met a reinforcement near the village. I do not know what proportion of the Americans followed over the bridge but our company and the Concord minute company very many others proceeded to an eminence on the east side of the road back of Elisha Jones' house behind a wall. It was perhaps forty rods from where the enemy had halted. After a short time we dispersed and without any regularity went back over the bridge. While we were there the detachment which had been to destroy stores at Col. Barrett's returned and passed without molestation. It was owing to our want of order and our confused state that they were not taken prisoners.
They passed the two of their number who had been killed and saw that the head of one had been split open. It was said that this circumstance gave them the impression that the Americans would give no quarter. It was soon after ascertained that the British were leaving the village and we followed after them without any order firing when we could and saw the last of them for that day on Bunker Hill. Capt. Davis was a man of great firmness and energy of character, an excel- lent officer and had the respect and esteem of who knew him. Lieuten- ant Hayward did all that could be done but it was felt at the time that the loss of our Captain was the cause of much of the confusion that followed.
Signed SOLOMON SMITH
Middlesex Co. July 10, 1835 Then Solomon Smith who is well known to me as a man of veracity subscribed the foregoing affidavit and
401
made oath that the same is true according to his best knowledge and belief.
Before me Francis Tuttle, Justice of the Peace Copy Attest Joseph W. Tuttle, Town Clerk.
Second Deposition of Solomon Smith
I Solomon Smith testify that according to the best of my recollec- tion and judgement the number of the enemy at the bridge at the time of the fight at Concord was only sufficient for one company, perhaps about eighty. The detachment which went to Col. Barrett's was of about the same number. They passed near me as they returned. The reinforcements from the village appeared to me to consist of about the same number. I saw them from the hill back of Elisha Jones' house. I did not notice that there were troops on Lee's Hill but heard of it soon after.
There were no guns fired on either side after the British returned our fire till the troops left the village.
I have no remembrance of seeing or hearing from Col. Barrett or Major Buttrick after the fight. The enemy left the village about noon.
I was in the Revolutionary Army thirteen months and am now a retreated with quick step immediately on returning our fire. pensioner.
Our company marched to Concord by the Strawberry hill road: when we arrived near Col. Barrett's we left that road and went partly in a crossroad and partly across the fields in nearly a straight line course to the widow Brown's tavern. We took the back or east road to the high ground.
The bodies of Davis and Hosmer were carried as I was told to the house of Major Buttrick very soon after they were killed and before the detachment returned from Col. Barrett's.
I did not see any of the Americans leap over the wall on the north side of the road to fire at the British at the bridge nor did I ever hear so till of late. There was no time nor occasion to do so as the enemy
I may have been mistaken in saying in my former deposition that Davis and Hosmer were killed by the return fire and not by the volley, there was but very little time intervened between them.
SOLOMON SMITH
Middlesex Co., Dec. 2, 1835 Then Solomon Smith who is known to me as a man of truth made oath that the above affidavit is true according to his best knowledge and belief.
Before me Simon Hosmer Justice of the Peace
Copy Attest Joseph W. Tuttle, Town Clerk
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Deposition of Charles Handley
I Charles Handley of Acton testify that I am a native of Concord. At the time of the Concord Fight I was in my thirteenth year and lived at the tavern kept by Mrs. Brown nearly a mile northwest of the north bridge. At the time of the fight the British consisting of about one hundred had returned from Col. Barrett's as far as the tavern and three or four of the officers were in the house taking some drink. The soldiers were sitting by the roadside and some drink was carried out to them. The officers offered to pay and Mrs. Brown declined. They told her not to be afraid for they should do her no harm and paid for their drink.
I heard the guns at the bridge but the British did not appear to hear them. They marched on very soon but did not appear in haste. It was always said that they had no knowledge of the fight till they passed the bridge and saw the man that had been killed. I heard at the time and many times since that one of the two British who were killed at the bridge was killed with a hatchet after he was left wounded. The young man who killed him told me in 1807 that it had worried him very much but he thought he was doing right at the time.
I saw Capt. Davis' company as they came from Acton. I first saw them coming through the fields north of Barrett's Mills and they kept the fields till they came to the road at Mrs. Brown's tavern. They there took the back road leading to the bridge. They marched quite fast to the musick of a fife and drum. I remember the tune but am not sure of its name; think it was called the White Cockade.
Middlesex Co. Dec. 1, 1835. Personally appeared Charles Handley who has for many years been known to me as a man of varacity and made oath the above affidavit is true according to his best knowledge and belief.
Before me Josiah Adams Justice of the Peace Copy Attest Jos. W. Tuttle, Town Clerk.
Deposition of the wife of Capt. Davis
I Hannah Leighton of Acton testify that I am eighty nine years of age. Isaac Davis who was killed in Concord Fight in 1775 was my husband.
He was then thirty years of age. We had four children, the youngest about fifteen months old.
They were all unwell when he left me in the morning some of them with the canker rash.
The alarm was given early in the morning and my husband lost no time in making ready to go to Concord with his company. A con-
403
siderable number of them came to the house and made their cartridges there. The sun was from one to two hours high when they marched for Concord.
My husband said but little that morning. He seemed serious and thoughtful but never seemed to hesitate as to the course of his duty. As he led the company from the house he turned himself round and seemed to have something to communicate. He only said take good care of the children and was soon out of sight. In the afternoon he was brought home a corpse. He was placed in my bedroom till the funeral. His countenance was pleasant and seemed little altered. The bodies of Abner Hosmer one of the company and of James Hayward one of the militia company who was killed in Lexington in the after- noon were brought by their friends to the house where the funeral of the three was attended together.
HANNAH LEIGHTON
Middlesex Co. August 14, 1835 Then the above named Hannah Leighton who has long been known to me as a respectable and credible woman made oath that the foregoing affidavit by her suscribed is true according to her best knowledge and belief.
Before me Francis Tuttle Justice of the Peace Copy Attest Joseph W. Tuttle Town Clerk
Bradley Stone's Deposition
I, Bradley Stone, of Acton, aged forty-two, certify that in the year eighteen hundred and twenty nine, or thirty, while I was a tenant of a part of the house in Concord belonging to William Parkman, Esquire, of that place, I had a conversation with him relative to the Concord Fight of April 19th, 1775. I had read the "History of the Fight, by Ezra Ripley, D. D. and other citizens of Concord" and had a curiosity to know more of the history of that day. I asked him what part he took in the affairs of the day. He replied that he did not bear arms but acted as one of the Committee of Vigilance, and he explained to me the duties of that committee. He said he was present on the hill when the Companies were formed, as they arrived in the morning. Capt Davis, of Acton, he said, arrived after most or all of the com- panies had formed, and placed his company on the left. Capt. Davis and his officers then went to the other officers, who were standing in consultation; they were advising with the Committee of Vigilance, as to what should be done, as to the military stores at Col. Barrett's house. A detachment of the enemy was supposed to be about to make an attack, and Major Buttrick ordered the Captain of one of the Concord Companies to meet them. The Captain replied that he
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