USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > History of the town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts : from its earliest settlement to 1832; and of the adjoining towns, Bedford, Acton, Lincoln, and Carlisle; containing various notices of county and state history not before published. > Part 21
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > History of the town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts : from its earliest settlement to 1832 : and of the adjoining towns, Bedford, Acton, Lincoln, and Carlisle > Part 21
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And put him on a footing with kings. Though a slave to vice, He practised those virtues, Without which kings are but slaves."
CHAPTER XIV.
STATISTICAL HISTORY.
Population. - Valuation. - Finances. - Employment. - Maintenance of the Poor. - Education. - Bill of Mortality.
POPULATION. - Concord possesses few of those advantages of water-power, peculiar to many manufacturing towns, which favor a rapid growth. It is dependent on the industry of its inhabitants, its improvements in agriculture and the mechanic arts, and the general advancement of the surrounding county, for its increase in wealth and population. The incorporation of other towns, prin- cipally within its original limits, has, at various times, reduced its population and resources, and renders it difficult to estimate its growth with accuracy. In 1706 the polls were 230, nearly half as many as they now are ; but they were scattered throughout six now incorporated towns. In 1753, just before the incor-
211
STATISTICAL HISTORY.
poration of Lincoln, the polls were 442, greater than at any other period in our history prior to 1820; and it is probable the popu- lation and wealth of the town was proportionably great. The population in 1764, including part of Carlisle, then belonging to Concord, was 1584, of whom 736 were white males, 821 white fe- males, and 27 negroes. There were 6 slaves in 1725 ; 21 in 1741 ; and 19 in 1754. September 1, 1783, three years after the town was reduced to its present territorial limits, it contained 1321' inhabi- tants, of whom 15 were blacks. In 1790, there were 1590. The following table gives the number at three different periods since. 1800
1810
1820
Under 10 years
Male. 202
+
195
Male. 207
Fem.
Male. 210
+ 207
From 10 to 16
121
126
115
101
117
138
From 16 to 26
142
189
153
168
184
165
From 26 to 45
159
172
162
175
186
205
45 and upwards
158
177
150
179
150
192
782
+
859
787
818
847
+
907
Blacks
·
38
28
34
Total
1679
1633
1788
In 1820 there were 9 foreigners not naturalized, 262 en- gaged in agriculture, 16 in commerce, and 140 in manufactures.
From the above statement and a subsequent one on the val- uation, it will appear that the town, from 1800 to the close of the war in 1815, remained nearly stationary. Since that time it has had a slow but gradual increase. The proportion of births to the deaths is estimated at about 3 to 1, producing a large redun- dant population, which is scattered in every state in the union. The associations with " Old Concord " are dear to many in dis- tant lands, who owe their ancestral origin to its inhabitants.
The following is the census taken by authority of the United States, June. 1, 1830.
Male. Fem. Tot. 277
Male.
Fem. 82
162
Of 5 and under 10 119
1.16 235
Of 40 and under 50 Of 50 and under 60
80
48
63
111
Of 10 and under 15 104
115 219 Of 60 and under 70
30
46
76
Of 15 and under 20 116 89 205 Of 70 and under 80
26
27
53
Of 20 and under 30 192
Of 80 and under 90
11
11
22
Of 30 and under 40 124
120
Of 90 and under 100
0
2
2
1001 +992=1993
Free persons of color, of whom 15 are males and 13 females,
28
Total 2021
Tot.
Under 5 years
151 126
195 387 244
+
195
Fem.
Fem.
+
212
HISTORY OF CONCORD
VALUATION. - From the returns of the assessors in the offices of the secretary of the Commonwealth and the town clerk, I have compiled the following tables, which will afford interesting infor- mation, illustrative of the wealth of the town at different periods. The only articles mentioned in the valuations of personal property, taken under the province charter, were horses, oxen, cows, sheep, swine, slaves, and faculty. The total valuation of personal and real estate, in 1706, as reduced to our present currency nearly according to the received tables1 of depreciation, was $9,898, and for several subsequent periods, was as follows.
Year.
Polls.
Horses.
Oxen.
Cows.
Sheep.
Swine.
Tot. Value.
1719
310
272
454
704
814
422
$12.695
1725
375
326
562
975
1371
551
12-071
1740
359
278
474
£66
550
7.623
1753
442
298
542
1024
1166
510
50-002
1760
335
268
301
813
627
418
44.306
1771
371
216
422
951
706
375
44.940
Since the revolution new state-valuations have been taken, once in ten years, and that after the taking of the census. In
1 The emissions of paper money were at par when first issued, but con- stantly depreciated in value from 1700 to 1750. The value of " old tenor," and the currency mentioned in this and other histories of those times, may be known from the following table. It was compiled by Captain Stephen Hosmer, one of the most accurate men of that day, and found among his papers ; and is deemed worthy of publication. The first column contains the date, the four next the price of silver, in shillings, in the spring, summer, fall, and winter of that year; and the four last the rate of dis- count on Bills of Credit in the same seasons. In this table it is said, " the price of silver from 1706 to 1714 was 88. 6d. per ounce," lawful money ; and the Bills of Credit at 50 per cent. discount.
Date. Sp. Su.
F. W. Sp.
Su. F. W. Date. Sp. 50 per cent. 70 - 1737 1738
26 1-2 - 27
- 400 -
1717
12
125
1740 25 1-2 23
-
-
- 410 450
1721
13
130
1741 23
23
-
. 450 -
1722
14
160
1742 23 27 1-2 28
27 1-2
- 160
1725
16
150
1743 -
29 1-3 30
1726
- 15 1-2
240
1744 30
32
33
500 . 600 650
1730
18
1745 36 -
- 42
700 725 775 800
1733
- 21
275
300
325
1746 36 1747 52
53
850 900 850 950
1,34
24 25
27
27
350
430|1748 55 56
60 57 1-2
900 925 900 950
Su.
F.
W.
Sp. Su. F. W.
1714
- 8 1-2s. per ounce. 9 2-12
- 400 --
1715
-
--. 450 470 475 -
1731
-
19
250
33
- 40
-
On the 31st of March, 1750, the bills of the " old tenor " were redeemed in specie at the rate of 6s. for 45 ; and of the " new tenor" and "middle tenor," at 6s. for 11s. 3d .; and from that time ceased to pass. (Colony Laws, pp. 768, 771.) The fluctuation in the value of this currency was the source of great general embarrassment ; and this was an important era in the history of the province.
213
STATISTICAL HISTORY.
these valuations various articles of personal property are required to be enumerated and described, not however uniformly alike. In the following table some of the principal only are mentioned.
Articles of Property.
In 1781. In 1791.
In 1801.
In 1811. In 1821. In 1831.
Polls
326
340
390
390
425
489
Dwelling Houses
193
188
227
224
235
253
Barns
174
142
184
183
203
225
Other Buildings
64
79
265
125
Acres of Tillage Land
1188
1063
1112
1156
1137
1098
6
English Mowing
753
721
840
992
1205
1279
66
Meadow
2089
1827
2236
2131
2153
2111
Pasturing
3099
4398
3800
2982
3852
4059
Woodland
3878
4436
3635
3386
3262
2048
66
Used for Roads
348
286
66 Water
515
695
Barrels of Cider
882
799
1376
1767
1079
Tons of English Hay
731
848
880
836
Meadow Hay
1434
1453
1270
1370
Bushels of Rye
4738
2942
3183
2327
"
Corn
.
10505
10052
11375
11424
Horses
137
146
182
179
145
177
Oxen
324
288
374
326
337
418
Cows
916
775
934
831
743
725
Swine
137
308
290
269
294
408
66
Unimproved
1282
1732
1392
2833
384
395
612
Unimprovable
Oats
1388
1463
2372
4129
The total valuation, in 1801, was $20,322, in 1811, $24,554, in 1821, $25,860, and in 1831, $36,681.29.
FINANCES. - In the early ages of the town, several lots of land were reserved for the " public good," and donations were made by individuals for the same purpose. Most of them, however, were disposed of without producing much permanent benefit, or accomplishing the wishes of the donor. Captain Timothy Whee- ler,1 in 1687, bequeathed to the Rev. Edward Bulkeley and the
1 Captain TIMOTHY WHEELER died July 10, 1687, aged 86. He came to Concord in 1638, and, as tradition says, from Wales. Besides holding, at different times, most of the important trusts in various town affairs, he was captain of a military company, and represented the town eighteen years in the General Court, between 1653 and 1672. In all stations he appears to have conducted himself with great propriety. At his death he was pos- sessed of a very respectable estate. His will, which is recorded in the Suf- folk Probate Records, was dated the 1st of March next before his death.
214
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Rev. Joseph Estabrook, who were then the ministers of the town, 20s. apiece ; and to the town about three acres of land, with a house standing on the same, to be improved, all but half an acre (which was "laid out to the training-place " at the northwesterly end of the public common), " for the furtherance of learning and the support of a school in the said town." This lot was that on which the grammar school-house now stands, and then embraced nearly all which would be included in a line drawn from the north side of the house recently built by Ephraim Mer- riam, to the brook, and by the brook round to the Middlesex Hotel and the common. These premises were several years leased and the rents applied according to the wishes of the donor ; but piece after piece was unfortunately sold, till the school-house lot was contracted to its present highly inconvenient dimensions. Captain Wheeler also bequeathed to the town 40 acres of wood- land, " to be improved from time to time for the use and benefit of the ministers of the said town." This was the present minis- terial lot ; and the people were long accustomed to hold a bee, when a sufficient quantity of wood for the minister's annual con- sumption was drawn from this lot to his door.
The town directed, April 1, 1811, that the wood on this lot, and on one in Carlisle, should be cut off and sold ; and that pews should be erected on some vacant floor in the meeting-house, and also sold ; and that the proceeds should be vested in the hands of trustees, as a ministerial fund. Their first report was made November 7, 1814, and shows the following results.
Proceeds of sales of wood on the ministerial wood-lot $2,566.13
Proceeds of sales of wood on a lot in Carlisle 364.27 Proceeds of sales of pews in the meeting-house 1,365.55
Total on interest from January 1st, 1814 $4,295.95 The first trustees were John White, Francis Jarvis, and John L. Tuttle ; and they and their successors were incorporated by an act passed February 27, 1813, as " The Trustees of the Con- gregational Ministerial Fund in Concord." This fund has since
His second wife was Mary, daughter of Captain Thomas Brooks. They had no male issue. One of his daughters, Elizabeth, married Ebenezer Prout, some time clerk of the House of Representatives ; and another, Rebecca, married James Minott, Esq., and was the ancestor of many distinguished individuals.
215
STATISTICAL HISTORY.
been accumulating ; and it received the additional legacy of Hum- phrey Barrett,1 in 1829, of $500. No appropriations were made from it till 1830 ; and on the first of January, 1831, it amounted to $11,431.45.
In 1732, a committee was appointed, consisting of the Rev. Mr. Whiting, James Minott, Jr., John Fox, and Samuel Hey- wood, to make sale of the common and ministerial land in the town, and vest the proceeds in other real estate. A " ministerial pas- ture and plow land " was accordingly bought west of the alms- house, and some time used as a " perquisite " lot. During the Rev. Mr. Emerson's ministry, it was sold for £75, or $250, and the annual interest, $15, applied for the benefit of the minister. In consequence of losses sustained during the revolution, it be- came reduced to $100 nearly. In 1819, the town voted that the minister should receive $15, the original perquisite ; and the balance $9, has been annually raised by a tax.
Mr. Hugh Cargill 2 bequeathed to the town the "Stratton Farm," so called, which was valued, in 1800, at $1,360, " to be improved as a poor-house, and the land to be improved by, and for the benefit of the poor, and to be under the special direction of the town of Concord, for the time being, for the purpose afore-
1 HUMPHREY BARRETT was son of Lieutenant Humphrey Barrett, and died without issue, March 13, 1827, aged 75. Abel B. Heywood inherited, and lives on, his real estate.
2 Mr. CARGILL's history is better described in the subjoined epitaph on his grave-stone, than by any other source of information I possess. He came to this country in connexion with the British army ; but ac- quired his estate as a trader in Boston.
" Here lyes interred the remains of Mr. Hugh Cargill, late of Boston, who died in Concord January 12, 1799, in the 60th year of his age. Mr. Cargill was born in Bellyshannon in Ireland, came to this country in the year 1774, destitute of the comforts of life; but by his industry and good economy he acquired a good estate ; and, having no children, he at his death devised his estate to his wife, Mrs. Rebecca Cargill, and to a num- ber of his friends and relations by marriage, and especially a large and generous donation to the town of Concord for benevolent and charitable purposes.
" How strange, O God, who reigns on high, That I should come so far to die ; And leave my friends, where I was bred, To lay my bones with strangers dead. But I have hopes when I arise To dwell with thee in yonder skies."
216
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
said for ever." This is now used for the pauper establishment. He also gave several other parcels of real estate, valued at $372, the income of which " to be solely applied for the support of the poor."
Another class of donations has been made to the town for the relief of the silent poor, - those individuals who are needy, but do not wish to throw themselves on the town for support. They are as follows ; from
Peter Wright 1° $277.42 Abel Barrett 3 $ 500.00
John Cuming 2 833.33 Jonathan Wheeler 4 500.00 The annual income of these donations is distributed by the min- ister and selectmen according to the direction of the donors. The town voted, December 5, 1759, that collections should be taken in the meeting-house on Thanksgiving and Fast days, annually, for the same object. The custom has since been continued ; and from $50 to $100 is distributed, obtained in this manner.
The town has, also, a fund of $833.33, given by John Cum- ing, Esq., for the benefit of the " private schools," in the lan- guage of his will, which has been distributed in all the districts but the centre one. Another donation, now amounting to $744.92, was given by John Beaton, Esq.,5 for the support of schools and
1 PETER WRIGHT was a weaver, son of Captain Edward Wright, and died January 15, 1718, aged 53. He bequeathed all his real estate, after the death of his wife and Cousin Elizabeth Hartwell, to the poor of Con- cord, to be under the direction of the selectmen, and of the minister, who is " to have a double vote to any of the selectmen." What belonged to the town was sold, in 1731, for £500 currency.
2 JOHN CUMING. See notice in the Biographical History in the sequel.
3 ABEL BARRETT was brother to Humphrey just mentioned. He com- menced the mercantile business in Concord, but afterwards removed to Boston. He died in Liverpool, England, January 12, 1803.
4 JONATHAN WHEELER was son of Ephraim Wheeler, and was succes- sively a merchant in Concord, Boston, Baltimore, and England. He died, September 4, 1811, in the city of New York, ten days after his arrival from Europe.
5 JOHN BEATON, Esq. was a native of Scotland, and emigrated to this town, where he acquired a respectable estate as a merchant. He was remarkable for his honesty, integrity, and Christian virtues, and had the unlimited confidence of his fellow citizens. " As honest as John Beaton," was long a current saying, expressive of the character of a strictly honest man. He was town treasurer 17 years from 1754, and appointed justice of the peace, by the crown, June 6, 1765. He died without issue, June 9, 1776, aged 47.
217
STATISTICAL HISTORY.
the poor. The income of these donations for the silent poor and for schools, annually distributed, is about $221. They are man- aged by the trustees of the ministerial fund, and are loaned to individuals in the town.
These donations, being for specific objects, do not essentially affect the general expenses of the town. In consequence of having to maintain eight bridges, and the liberal appropriations for schools and other objects, the taxes in Concord are supposed to be higher, in proportion to its wealth, than in many towns, amounting to about $3 on every inhabitant. In 1803, the roads and bridges, independent of a highway tax of $1000, cost $1,244 ; in 1805, $967; in 1807, $1,290; and on an average, for the last 40 years, about one eighth of all the town expenses. The following table will exhibit the appropriations for several periods since.
Year.
State Tax.
County Tax.
Minister.
Incidental.
Total.
1785 £711 6s.4d. £25 3s.3d. £100 10s. 9d. £748 8s.1d. £1585 8s.5d.
1790
128 9 4 32 16 6
113 19 6
596 12 11
871 18 3
1795
$613.33
$233.16
$646.66
$2,327.15
$3,820.31
1800
611.33
161.56
567.26
2,763.52
4,103.67
1810
662.14
398.92
633.05
3,010.47
4,704.58
1820
568.94
331.13
794.17
4,243.92
5,938.16
1830
222.00
417.17
709.00
4,072-01
4,781.01
The amount of debts due from the town, in 1825, was 3,284.04, and in 1831, $5,228.65.
EMPLOYMENT. - Agriculture is the greatest source of wealth to the town. Manufactures are next in rank. Three farmers in the town own about 1000 sheep, the value of whose wool was esti- mated, in 1831, at $1500. There were raised 884,000 teasles. The oldest cotton-mill now in this state was commenced in this town in 1805, and the manufacture of cotton soon after began by Messrs. Hartwell and Brown, and has since been carried on by Ephraim H. Bellows through the various fluctuations of the busi- ness. The proprietors were incorporated in 1832. The mill con- tains 1100 spindles, 20 looms, employs 9 men, 3 boys, and 30 girls, works 50,000 lbs. of cotton, and makes 188,000 yards of cloth annually, valued at $17,900. David Loring commenced the manufacture of lead pipes in 1819, and of sheet lead in 1831. He employs 6 men, and upwards of 300,000 lbs. of lead are annually wrought, valued, when ready for sale, at about 20,000. In the
28
218
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
extensive establishments for the manufacture of chaises, harness, and carriages, owned by Colonel William Whiting and the Messrs. Robbins, the value of the articles manufactured last year was esti- mated at $14,000. The smithery, where the iron work is made, used upwards of 100,000 lbs. of iron, and 4,000 of steel, in 1831. Henry H. Merrill, the proprietor, erected, in 1832, a steam-en- gine, and has otherwise enlarged his works. Elijah Wood com- menced the manufacture of boots and shoes in 1812, and makes, annually, about $6,000 worth. Nehemiah Ball began the same business in 1832. From 3000 to 6000 gross of black lead pencils and points are annually made in town. William Mon- roe commenced the manufacture of these in 1812 ; and his method of making them he regards as his own invention, having, he in- forms me, had no instruction from any one in relation to the sub- ject. " The lead for the first pencil was ground with the head of a hammer, was mixed in a common spoon, and the pencil sold to Benjamin Andrews in Boston." In 1814 he made 1212 gross, which he sold for $5,946. He has since made about 35,000 gross ; in some years 4,000 gross of pencils, and 1,000 of points. John Thoreau and others in the town have also carried on the business ex- tensively, but the profits are now very much reduced. Mr. Thoreau also makes red lead pencils and glass paper. There were also made, in 1831, 50 brass time-pieces, 1,300 hats, 562 dozen bellows, 100 guns, 300,000 bricks, 500 barrels, 20,000 lbs. bar soap, 5,000 nail-kegs, and cabinet ware, the value of which was estimated at $14,860. This is what is generally termed wholesale business, and includes very little custom work ; the articles manufactured being principally sold abroad. There are 6 warehouses and stores ; 1 bookstore and bindery ; two saw-mills ; and two grist-mills, at which it was estimated that 12,000 bushels of grain were ground the last year. The manufacturing and mechanical business of the town is increasing, and promises to be a great source of wealth.
MAINTENANCE OF THE POOR. - This has long been an important item in the expenses of the town. From the earliest town records it appears that they were supported by subscription, or by several individuals voluntarily agreeing to keep them, in rotation. The first poor-rate, £10, was raised in 1721. About 1753, a small · alms-house was built, principally by subscription, where Dr. Bart-
219
STATISTICAL HISTORY.
lett now lives, and where part of the poor were kept for nearly 50 years. Five years prior to 1800 they were let out collectively by contract. They cost £185 in 1791, $936-50 in 1796, and $900 in 1801. In 1800, the selectmen were directed to put them out to the lowest bidder, " either altogether, in lots, or singly." This auction usually took place immediately after the town meeting in May. This practice continued till 1821, when a contract was made to keep the poor together for $1,450; in 1824, for $1,200; and in 1827 for $1,150. Since then they have been supported in the pauper establishment belonging to the town.
The rent of the Cargill farm, after it came into possession of the town, was vested as a fund for the erection of an alms-house. In 1816 this fund amounted to $2,359, and the town raised the additional sum of $650, and commenced the erection of the proposed building. Just before it was completed, October 28, 1817, it was burnt. In 1827, the buildings on the farm were en- larged and repaired in their present form.
For all genuine objects of charity, the people of Concord have ever been ready to bestow their aid with generosity. In 1819 the town gave $200, and individuals $110 more, to the Lunatic Asylum, in connexion with the Massachusetts General Hospital.1 This is one of many similar acts of benevolence, which might be mentioned.
EDUCATION. - Many of the original inhabitants of Concord were well educated in their native country ; and, "to the end that learning be not buried in the graves of the forefathers," schools were provided at an early period for the instruction of their children. In 1647, towns of 50 families were required to have
1 After acknowledging, in very complimentary terms, the receipt of this donation, James Prince, Esq., the treasurer, remarks, in a letter dated June 29, 1819; - "This act of liberality and compassion, the first which has heen displayed towards the Asylum from our citizens in their corporate relation, affords additional pleasure from the circumstance, that it emanated from a town, whose citizens were enrolled in the front ranks of patriotism and valor, at a most interesting period of our national his- tory ; and the trustees cannot but hope, that the influence of their bright example will now, as it did then, stimulate to wise imitation other towns within the state, and thus essentially subserve those principles of philanthropy and charity which led to the establishment, and which must be continued to secure the continuance, of this interesting institution."
220
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
a common school, and of 100 families, a grammar school. Con- cord had the latter before 1680. An order was sent to this town, requiring " a list of the names of those young persons within the bounds of the town, and adjacent farms, who live from under family government, who do not serve their parents or masters, as children, apprentices, hired servants, or journeymen ought to do, and usually did in our native country "; agreeably to a law, that " all children and youth, under family government, be taught to read perfectly the English tongue, have knowledge in the capital laws, and be taught some orthodox catechism, and that they be brought up to some honest employment." On the back of this order is this return : "I have made dillygent inquiry according to this warrant, and find no defects to return. Simon Davis, Con- stable. March 31, 1680." During the 30 years subsequent to this period, which I have denominated the dark age in Massa- chusetts, few towns escaped a fine for neglecting the wholesome laws for the promotion of education. Though it does not appear that Concord was fined, a committee was appointed in 1692, to petition the General Court " to ease us in the law relating to the grammar school-master," or to procure one " with prudence for the benefit of learning, and saving the town from fine." From that time, however, this school was constantly maintained. For several years subsequent to 1700, no appropriations were made to any other school. In 1701, grammar scholars paid 4d. and reading scholars 2d. per week towards its support ; and from that time to 1712, from £20 to £30 were annually raised. In 1715, it was kept one quarter, in different parts of the town, for £40. The next year £50 were raised for schools ; £35 for the centre, and £5 for each of the other three divisions. In 1722, Timothy Minott agreed to keep the school, for 10 years, at £45 per year. In 1732, £50 were raised for the centre, and £30 for the " out- schools "; and each schoolmaster was obliged to teach the schol- ars to read, write, and cipher, - all to be free. In 1740, £40 for the centre, and £80 for the others. These grants were in the currency of the times. In 1754, £40 lawful money were granted, £25 of which were for the centre. Teachers in the out-schools usually received 1s. per day for their services. The grammar-school was substituted for all others in 1767, and kept 12 weeks in the centre, and 6 weeks each, in 6 other parts, or
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