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 22
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 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
221
STATISTICAL HISTORY.
" school societies " of the town. There were then 6 school- houses, 2 of which were in the present limits of Carlisle, and the others near where Nos. 1, 2, 4, and 6, now stand. This system of a moving school, as it was termed, was not, however, continued many years. In 1774 the school-money was first divided in pro- portion to the polls and estates.
The districts were regulated, in 1781, nearly as they now are. The town raised £120, in 1784, for the support of schools, and voted, that " one sixteenth part of the money the several societies in the out-parts of the town pay towards this sum, should be taken and added to the pay of the middle society for the support of the grammar-school ; and the out-parts to have the remainder to be spent in schools only." This method of dividing the school- money was continued till 1817, when the town voted, that it should be distributed to each district, including the centre, ac- cording to its proportion of the town taxes.
The appropriations for schools from 1781 to 1783, was £100; from 1784 to 1792, £125 ; 1793, £145; 1794 and 1795, £200; 1796 to 1801, £250; 1802 to 1806, $1,000; 1807 to 1810, $1,300 ; 1811, $1,600 ; 1812 to 1816, $1,300 ; 1817 and since, $$1,400. There are 7 districts, among which the money, in- cluding the Cuming's donation, has been divided, at different pe- riods, as follows. The last column contains the new division as permanently fixed in 1831. The town then determined the amount that should be annually paid to each district, in the follow- ing proportions. The whole school-money being divided into 100 parts, district, No. 1, is to have 52} of those parts, or $761.25 out of $1,550 ; district, No. 2, 75 parts ; district, No. 3, S} parts ; dis- trict, No. 4, 85 parts ; district, No. 5, 8} parts ; district, No. 6, 7% parts ; district, No. 7, 72 parts ; and to individuals who pay their money in Lincoln and Acton, Į a part.
District. Old Names.
1801.
1811.
No. 1. Central
$382.92
$791.48
1821. $646.15
1830. $789.18
1832. $761.25
2. East
95.28
155.45
160.26
109.69
110.564
" 3. Corner
68.49
135.48
142.48
117.00
119.62}
66
4. Darby
70.53
130.69
123.10
138.23
125.064
66 5. Barrett
107.29
163.51
145.89
125.11
119.624
" 6. Groton Road
64.63
105.41
93.55
79.16
103.314
7. Buttrick
67.64
126.68
114.16
84.77
103.314
Individuals
27.22
41.30
24.41
6.86
7.25
$884.00
1,650.00
1,450.00
1,450-00
1,450.00
222
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
At the erection of new school-houses in 1799, the first school committee was chosen, consisting of the Rev. Ezra Ripley, Abiel Heywood, Esq., Deacon John White, Dr. Joseph Hunt, and Deacon George Minott. On their recommendation, the town adopt- ed a uniform system of school regulations, which are distinguished for enlightened views of education, and which, by being generally followed since, under some modification, have rendered our schools among our greatest blessings.
The amount paid for private schools, including the Academy, was estimated, in 1830, at $600, making the annual expenditure for education $2,050. Few towns provide more ample means for acquiring a cheap and competent education. I have sub- joined the names of the teachers of the grammar-school since the revolution, - the year usually beginning in September.
Nathaniel Bridge
1785, 9 mo.| Isaac Warren
1812, 1 yr.
JOSEPH HUNT 1
1786,
2} yr.
JOHN BROWN
1813,
1
William A. Barron
1788,
3
Oliver Patten
1814,
1 66
Amos Bancroft
1791, 1
Stevens Everett
1815, 9 mo.
Heber Chase
1792,
1
Silas Holman
1815, 3
1
yr.
Samuel Thatcher
1794,
1
James Howe
1817,
1
JAMES TEMPLE
1795,
2
Samuel Barrett
1818,
1 66
Thomas O. Selfridge
1797,
1
BENJAMIN BARRETT
1819,
1 66
THOMAS WHITING
1798,
4
Abner Forbes
1820, 2
66
Silas Warren
1803,
4
66
James Furbish
1825,
1
Wyman Richardson
1807,
1
66
EDWARD JARVIS
1826,
1 66
Ralph Sanger
1808,
1
66
Horatio Wood
1827,
1
66
Benjamin Willard
1809,
1
David J. Merrill
1828, 1
Elijah F. Paige
1810,
1
John Graham
1829, 1
Simeon Putnam
1811, 1
John Brown
1831.
WILLIAM JONES
1793, 1
George F. Farley
1816,
Levi Frisbie
1802, 1
66
Othniel Dinsmore
1822, 3
The Concord Academy was established, in 1822, by several gentlemen, who were desirous of providing means for educating their own children and others more thoroughly than they could be at the grammar-school (attended, as it usually is, by a large num- ber of scholars) or by sending them abroad. A neat, commodious building was erected, in a pleasant part of the town, by the pro- prietors, consisting of the Hon. Samuel Hoar, the Hon. Abiel Heywood, and Mr. Josiah Davis, who own a quarter each, and the Hon. Nathan Brooks and Colonel William Whiting, who own an eighth each. Their intention has always been to make the school equal to any other similar one. It was opened in Sep- tember, 1823, under the instruction of Mr. George Folsom, who
1 Those in SMALL CAPITALS were natives of Concord.
223
STATISTICAL HISTORY.
kept it two years. He was succeeded by Mr. Josiah Barnes and Mr. Richard Hildreth, each one year.
Mr. Phineas Allen, son of Mr. Phineas Allen of Medfield, who was born October 15, 1801, and graduated at Harvard College in 1825, has been the preceptor since September, 1827.
BILL OF MORTALITY. - Few subjects are more interesting than accurate bills of mortality. They are the most authentic evidence of the influence of climate and local circumstances on health and human life ; and teach a lesson, admonishing us of the destiny that awaits all mankind, and warning us " to live prepared to die." These considerations will be a sufficient reason for the minuteness of the following details.
The following table is compiled from a private record of the second town-clerk, and will afford some interesting statistical in- formation, relative to the condition of the town at an early period.
Date.
Marriages.
Births.
Deaths.
Date.
Marriages.
Births. 15
Deaths.
1656
3
11
1667
8
6
1657
3
11
3
1668
4
21
5
1658
3
6
3
1669
4
24
5
1659
2
10
4
1670
2
21
2
1660
6
11
3
1671
6
22
7
1661
2
12
6
1672
5
20
3
1662
4
14
4
1673
6
29
6
1663
5
14
4
1674
3
20
5
1664
4
11
2
1675
5
21
11
1665
7
13
6
1676
4
13
13
1666
2
22
6
1677
11
22
6
This table gives 99 marriages, 110 deaths, and 363 births. Several died in 1675, and 6 in consequence of the Indian wars.
The town has seldom been specially visited with disease. Thomas Brown, then a town-clerk, however, recorded, January 20, 1718, that " the hand of God has of late come fortli against the inhabitants of Concord in a very awful manner, in sending a very malignant and mortal distemper amongst us, whereby there hath been a considerable number of persons of men, women, and children, of all qualities, ages, and sects, attacked, and hath been removed from amongst us by death, most of whom has been very sudden and unexpected, so that from the last of November last past unto the day of the date above written, hath been removed not less than 27 persons." A catalogue of their names is an- nexed to this record. What this disease was, I cannot learn.
224
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
The small-pox prevailed in the town in 1703 ; but it does not appear that any died of the disease. In 1792 it was introduced by inoculation. A hospital was fitted up where Mr. Augustus Tuttle now lives ; and 130 persons went there, at several times, to be inoculated under the care of the three physicians of the town. From some cause the disease spread. It appeared at Amos Wright's (Deacon Jarvis's), at Cyrus Hosmer's, at Deacon Chandler's, and at Ephraim Potter's. At the last place a new hospital was fitted up where the sick were taken, and near which a small burying-ground and grave-stone now mark the melancholy ravages of this disease. Ten persons were its victims, -2 by inoculation and 8 by contagion, - and were buried by themselves ; it being considered improper to inter them in the usual ground. Happily for mankind, the terrors which the appearance of this disease once inspired, are much mitigated by kine-pock inocu- lation.
The following table, exhibiting the number of deaths between several specified ages, the number each year, the aggregate amount of their ages, average age, &c. &c. during the 50 years commencing January 1, 1779, and ending December 31, 1828, was compiled from records carefully kept by the Rev. Dr. Ripley. Great labor has been expended to make it correct and intelligible.
Year.
Under
to
to 10
to 20 30
to 40
to 50
to 60
to 70
80
to 90
to 100
Total.
Aggre. Am. Age.
Average Age.
1779
2
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
2
4
3
0
0 1
0 3 1 0 2 0 -
12 ·10 15 18 24 17 17
721 933 811 607 672 590 416 877 694 970 841 1021 894 1018
48 52 34 35 39 31
1784
4
1
1
2
2
0
0
1
1
2
1
0
1
0
1
3
3
4
1
0 0
1790 1791
3
1
0
0
0
1
2
1
3
1792
5
0 0
0 3
1
4 1
3
1
6
2
2
1
1 2
1793
1
1
1
0 4
4 3
3 4
0 1
1 1
5 2
2 6
3 2 1
1 0 0
21 27
824 926
39
1796
0 1
2 8
0 2 0 2
2 2 2 1
34
1
0
0
0 2
0
1
1
2
1
5
3
1783
5
2
1
0
4
2
3
1
2
3
1
1785
2
0
1
0
3
4
3
0
1
0
2
1
2
2
2
2
0
3
0
3
4
3
3 3
0
0 19 17 26 17 26 19 21
37
49 39 . 47
1794
1
1
0
4
1
3
1795
1
2
1
0
1
2
0
2
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
3
0
1
1
1
2
1
2
1789
3
2
5
0
0
2
1
0
1
0
2
0 12
35 46 41
1787
2
1788
2
1
0
1
578 307 30
48
1780
1
2
1
1
1
1
3
2
2
0
1
2
1 19
1786
4
1781
3
1782
1
5
1 0
to
to
-
49
2
2
0
STATISTICAL HISTORY.
Year. Under to
1
5
to 10
to 20
to 30
to 40
to 50
to 60 1
to 70
to 80 3
to 90 3
Total. to 100 0 21 1 21
Aggro. Average Am. Age. Ago.
1797
3
1
1
1
2
1
4
1
1798
4
3
0
2 2 0
1
4
0
2
3
4
4
1
0 20
893 831 1006 926 1197 1067 1194 1037
39
1800
3
7
3
2
6
3
0
2
2
3
4
4
2
2
1
1804
4
4
0
3
3
1
3
3
1
4
2
1
5
1806
5
4
0
1
6
2
1
3
4
1
4
1807
7
1
0
2
6
2
3
1
3
1808
1
5
1
0
0
1
3
2
4
1809
2
3
0
0
2
1
3
1
2
2
2
1810
5
1
1
3
3
4
4
3
6
4
3
1811
1
2
3
6
2
1
1
5
2
2
3
3
1813
3
2 0
0
0
4
4
4
1
3
0
1815
4
2
4
5
4
5
3
4
5
1816
6
1
0
1
2
0
1
3
2
1817
2
4
2
2
4
0
5
1
1
0
1818
2
1
0
2
1
4
1
3
3
2
1819
2
2
1
4
0
3
3
4
2
4
1 6
4
0 2
3 2
1 0
825 1006 1374 1582 1285 970 1244 1645
37 43
1824
4
3
0
1
1
2
4
4
3
5
1825
3
7
1
1
2
2
5
6
4
6
3 2
0 0 0
893
44
1828
4
2 4
0
0 0 0
0
1
3
1
2
5 4 5
3 1
2
1020
48
1
0
1
5
2
1799
0
1
0
0
0 0
4
1
2
1
4
2
1 25
0 32
1802
2
4
1
3
2
2
1
3
1
6
1803
2
7
2
3
4
9
3
0
3
1805
12
1
0
3
6
2
0
2
2
2
4 0
2 2
1 0
0
4
1
1
2
4
2
2 3
1 1 0 1
1
2
4
2
3
3
1
4
2 2 6 1 0 1
0 2 1 0 0 0 1 0
0 35 32 1 32 19 19 38 21 32 27 22 47 21 21 20 27 28 33 38 26 29 40 43 19 23
1012 1910 802 495
28 41
1820
2
3
0
0
2
2
0
1
3
2
2
3
2
4
2
34
1823
5
10 3
1
1
2
1
3
3
2
1
It is impossible to specify the diseases by which the several persons died. As far as they can be ascertained from the Rev. Dr. Ripley's records, it appears that about one seventh of the whole number died of consumption, one fifth of fevers of various kinds, one twelfth of old age, one sixteenth of canker-rash, one nineteenth of the dropsy, one twenty-fifth of paralytic affections, and nearly the same number each of dysentery and casualties.
41
1826
8
6
4
3 1
3
S 1
2
1 1
1827
2
5
0
1
3
5
3
2
5
0
5
3
2
10
48
1821
3
1822
2
2
42
1812
36
40
1814
2
46 41
4 4
1182 722 821 1626 881 1131 1094
37
38
43
45
39 32 39
1132 1201
50 37
1801
3
37 39 31
2
0 27 38 29
1387
32
2
4
By adding the columns in the above table, we shall find that the whole number, who died during the 50 years, was 1242; of
29
225
43
38
37
49
226
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
whom 153 died under 1 year of age ; 137 of 1 and under 5; 42 of 5 and under 10; 70 of 10 and under 20; 119 of 20 and under 30; 101 of 30 and under 40; 106 of 40 and under 50 ; 106 of 50 and under 60; 112 of 60 and under 70; 161 of 70 and under 80; 106 of 80 and under 90; 28 of 90 and under 100; and a native black of 105. Of these 107 died in January, 111 in February, 118 in March, 103 in April, 88 in May, 81 in June, 88 in July, 95 in August, 115 in September, 121 in October, 121 in November, and 94 in December. These proportions generally hold good in particular years, more deaths occurring in the spring and autumn than at other seasons of the year. Of those who lived 80 years and over, 54 were males and 81 fe- males ; 90 and over, 8 were males and 21 females ; 95 and over, 3 were males and 4 females .. The year when the least number of deaths occurred was 1780, and when the greatest, 1815. The yearly average is 25 nearly. The least average age was in 1817, the greatest average in 1812. The aggregate amount of all the ages for 50 years, is 49,192, and the mean average age nearly 40. Estimating our population, during this period, at an average of 1665, which is nearly correct, as will appear on reference to our account of the population, we shall find that 1 in 66 dies an- nually.
153 or l in 8 1-8 died under 1 year. | 620 or 1 in 2 lived 40 and upwards. 218 or 1 in 5 2-3 " under 2 years.
255 or 1 in 4 8-9 " under 3 years. 270 or 1 in 4 3-5 under 4 years. 290 or 1 in 4 1-3 under 5 years.
304 or 1 in 4 1-11 66 under 6 years. under 10 years. 65 and upwards. 70 and upwards. 332 or 1 in 3 3-4
75 and upwards. 358 or 1 in 3 1-2
402 or 1 in 3 1-11
under 15 years. under 20 years. under 25 years.
472 or 1 in 2 3-5
521 or 1 in 2 2-5 under 30 years.
571 or 1 in 2 1-3 " under 35 years. 622 or 1 in 2 " under 40 years.
570 or 1 in 2 1-3 " 45 and upwards. 514 or 1 in 2 2-5 " 50 and upwards. 463 or 1 in 2 3-5 " 55 and upwards. 408 or 1 in 3 1-11 " 60 and upwards. 354 or 1 in 3 1-2 " 296 or 1 in 4 1-5 " 209 or 1 in 5 1-17 " 1:35 or 1 in 9 1-5 " 80 and upwards. 69 or 1 in 18 85 and upwards. 29 or 1 in 42 5-6" 90 and upwards. 7 or 1 in 177 3-7 " 95 and upwards. 2 lived to 99, and 1 to 105.
In these calculations minute fractions are omitted. They ex- hibit results highly favorable to the health of the town. Few towns are so healthy.1
1 In France, 1 in 31 arrives to the age of 70; in London 1 in 10; in Philadelphia, 1 in 15; and in Connecticut 1 in 8. In Salem, 1 in 48 dies annually ; in Philadelphia, 1 in 45; in Boston, 1 in 41; in London, 1 in 40; in Paris, 1 in 32; and in Vienna, 1 in 22. - See History of Ded- ham and American Quarterly Review, Vol. VIII. p. 396.
227
SOCIAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY.
CHAPTER XV.
SOCIAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY.
Military Companies. - Various Associations. - Concord Bank. - Agricultural Society. - Insurance Company. - Official History. - Town-Officers. - Repre- sentatives. - Senators. - County Officers. - Attorneys and Counsellors at Law. - Physicians.
GREAT respect appears to have been paid to military titles in the early history of the town. Captain was a greater mark of dis- tinction than deacon, doctor, and many other offices. A vote of the town in 1700 is thus recorded : " Propounded whether Lieu- tenant Prescott, Sergeant French, Corporal Fox, Corporal Wood, and Samuel Jones be a committee to examine " &c. Such a record of titles is not uncommon. Officers also held their com- missions much longer than in these days of degenerate military honors. Colonel James Minott and some others did duty under a commission more than thirty years. All between the ages of 16 and 60 were required by law to do military duty, and were after- wards requested to enroll themselves in alarm lists. Instances are not uncommon, where men of 80 and even 90 years of age have borne arms. There are now three military companies in the town, the Infantry, Artillery, and Standing Company ; in all of which, in 1827, there were 238 enrolled.
The Concord Light Infantry is believed to be the oldest com- pany in the Commonwealth, excepting the Ancient and Honorable Artillery. It was incorporated October 13, 1669, as " the Second Troop of Horse in Middlesex." Twenty-two of the original pe- titioners belonged to Concord, and 14 others to Billerica, Chelms- ford, Groton, Lancaster, and Sudbury. April 30, 1777, the char- ter was altered, and it was incorporated as the Concord Light Infantry, and consisted of 39 members with liberty to increase the number to 45. In 1822 liberty was granted to enlist 64. The Captains, since 1777, have successively been, Joseph Hosmer, Samuel Jones, Roger Brown, James Colburn, Issac Hoar, John Buttrick, Jonas Buttrick, Nathan Wood, John Hayward, Jonathan Buttrick, William Brown, Nehemiah Flint, John Brown, Artemas Wheeler, Cyrus Hubbard, Edward Flint, Nehemiah Hunt, Fran-
228
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
cis Jarvis, Jr., Nathan Barrett, and Asa Brooks. Of these, James Colburn was promoted to the office of General in the Brigade, Roger Brown, John Buttrick, and Jonas Buttrick to Colonel, and John Hayward to Major.
The Concord Artillery . was incorporated, on the petition of Charles Hammond and others, February 28, 1804; and held its first public parade on the 4th of July following. The charter says, " Whereas Major John Buttrick and Captain Isaac Davis, with a party of the armed yeomanry, did, on the birth-day of our revolution, attack and defeat a superior number of the invaders of our country, who were most advantageously posted at the north bridge of Concord," it is ordered that the prayer of the petition be granted, and that two brass field-pieces, with proper apparatus, be provided for said company, with suitable engravings, " to com- memorate and render honor to the action which led to the victo- ry of the day, and to perpetuate the names of the gallant But- trick and Davis, and also to animate in future the ardour and bravery of the defenders of our country." The inscription is as follows : "The Legislature of Massachusetts consecrate the names of Major John Buttrick and Captain Isaac Davis, whose valour and example excited their fellow-citizens to a successful resistance of a superior number of British troops at Concord Bridge, the 19th of April, 1775, which was the beginning of a contest in arms that ended in American Independence." The Captains have successively been, Thomas Heald, Jesse Churchill, Henry Saunderson, Reuben Brown, Jr., Francis Wheeler, Cyrus Wheeler, Elisha Wheeler, Eli Brown, William Whiting, John Stacy, Joshua Buttrick, and Abel B. Heywood. Cyrus Wheeler and William Whiting were promoted to the office of Colonel.
The Social Circle, probably originating in the Committee of Safety, was formed about 1778, for free discussion and familiar conversation on such subjects as are connected with the interest and improvements of the town. Twenty-five members only can belong to the society at once ; and the meetings are held every Tuesday evening, from October to March, at the members' houses in rotation ; and these meetings, as the constitution expresses, tend " to strengthen the social affections, and disseminate useful communications among its members." Many improvements in the town originated in this useful society.
229
SOCIAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY.
The Corinthian Lodge of Free Masons was organized July 5, 1797, and publicly installed June 25, 1798. The Discourse, delivered on the occasion by the Rev. Dr. Morse, was printed.
The Concord Chapter of Royal Arch Masons was formed in the spring of 1826, and its officers were publicly installed on the 6th of September following.
A Library Company was formed February 23, 1786. Whether there had previously been a library in town, and if any, how long it continued, and its number of volumes, is not known. A " Char- itable Library Society " was formed May 25, 1795, depending chiefly on the voluntary donations of its members for support. Jonathan Fay, Esq., Jonas Minott, Esq., and the Rev. Ezra Ripley were successively presidents of this society. Its members united with others and composed the " Proprietors of the Concord Social Library," and were incorporated in 1821. The presiding officers since have been the Rev. Ezra Ripley, the Hon. Samuel Hoar, the Hon. John Keyes, and the Hon. Abiel Heywood. The li- brary, divided into 50 shares, contains about 900 volumes, and constantly increases by the addition of new publications.
The Middlesex Bar commenced the formation of a law library in 1815, which now contains a very valuable collection of pro- fessional works. It is kept by the County Treasurer.
The Concord Lyceum was formed December 31, 1828, and the Debating Society, which had existed from 1822, was united with it. The officers of this useful association, for several years, have been the Rev. Ezra Ripley, D. D., President, the Rev. Daniel S. Southmayd and the Rev. Hersey B. Goodwin, Vice- Presidents, Lemuel Shattuck, Recording Secretary, Mr. Phineas Allen, Corresponding Secretary, Mr. Phineas How, Treasurer, and Dr. Josiah Bartlett, Mr. Nehemiah Ball, and Colonel William Whiting, Curators.
Juvenile Libraries were established, in 1827, in each of the re- ligious societies, in connexion with the Sabbath schools.
Provision against Fire. - The Fire Society was organized May 5, 1794, and holds its annual meetings on the 2d Monday in January. The Presidents have been, Jonathan Fay, Esq., Dr. Joseph Hunt, Tilly Merrick, Esq., Dr. Isaac Hurd, Deacon Francis Jarvis, the Hon. Samuel Hoar, and Joseph Barrett, Esq. The Engine Company was formed, and the first engine procured, in 1794. A new engine was obtained in 1818.
230
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
A Volunteer Engine Company was organized in 1827, who procured by subscription a new engine in 1831.1
The Concord Harmonic Society was formed about 1800, for the purpose of improvement in sacred music. For several years past it has not been under regular organization. May 17, 1832, the Concord Mozart Society was formed, and takes place of the other. Ephraim Willey was chosen President, Elijah Wood and Francis Hunt, Vice-Presidents, and Phineas Allen, Secretary.
The Concord Female Charitable Society was formed in 1814 for " relieving distress, encouraging industry, and promoting virtue and happiness among the female part of the community." Two meetings are held annually for transacting the public business, and others monthly to prepare clothing, and to devise other means to relieve distress.
A society for the suppression of intemperance was organized January 6, 1814. Nathan Brooks, Esq. delivered the first ad- dress before it the following December.
Auxiliary Missionary, Tract, and Temperance Societies exist in the town, besides many other less public associations.
The Concord Bank was incorporated March 3, 1832, with a capital of $100,000. Daniel Shattuck, Esq., President, John M. Cheney, Esq., Cashier, and the President, Abiel Heywood, John Keyes, Nathan Brooks, Abel Moore, and Phineas How, of Con- cord, Rufus Hosmer of Stow, George F. Farley of Groton, John Merriam of Bedford, Benjamin Muzzy of Lexington, and Timo- thy Prescott of Littleton, Directors. A neat and appropriate
1 The losses by fire in Concord have not been very great. Some memo- randums of a few of them have been preserved. April 17, 1784, Samuel Heald's house was burnt, in which himself, son, and grandson perished. November 3, 1797, Mrs. Hartshorn's house and Richard Barber's shop were burnt. June, 1808, Widow Colburn's house was consumed by fire. Octo- ber 24, 1810, Gaius Proctor's house was burnt ; loss, $800. October 28, , 1817, the alms-house was burnt; loss estimated at $3,500. May 28, 1818, Deacon White's house took fire, but was extinguished. December 11, 1818, Mrs. Woodward's store took fire, and was extinguished with great difficulty. December 12, 1819, the jail took fire, but was extinguished. December 31, 1819, the centre school-house was burnt. March 10, 1823, William Whiting's shop and part of his dwelling-house were burnt ; loss estimated at $3,000. March, 1829, Samuel Burr's new house was burnt ; loss $1,500.
231
SOCIAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY.
building was erected for its own accommodation and that of the Middlesex Mutual Fire Insurance Company, in 1832.
Agricultural Society. - This, though properly a county society, is så connected with Concord, as to deserve to be noticed in its history. The members of the Massachusetts Agricultural So- ciety, living in the westerly parts of the county, met at Chelms- ford, January 6, 1794, and formed a society for the " promotion of useful improvements in agriculture," and were incorporated, Feb- ruary 28, 1803, as " The Western Society of Middlesex Hus- bandmen." It did not include Concord, nor the other towns in the easterly part of the county. Meetings were held semi-annu- ally, alternately at Westford and Littleton, but no public exhi- bitions took place. The following gentlemen were successively elected Presidents ; the Rev. Jonathan Newell of Stow, the Rev. Phineas Whitney of Shirley, the Rev. Edmund Foster of Little- ton, Ebenezer Bridge of Chelmsford, Dr. Oliver Prescott of Groton, Colonel Benjamin Osgood of Westford, Wallis Tuttle, Esq., of Littleton, and the Hon. Samuel Dana of Groton.
An act was passed, February 20, 1819, authorizing any agri- cultural society, possessing $1,000 in funds, to draw $200 from the state treasury, and in the same proportion for a larger sum .. This society accordingly voted, in the following September, to extend its operation throughout the county, and to raise funds that it might avail itself of the grant of the state. An act passed, January 24, 1824, incorporating it as " The Society of Middle- sex Husbandmen and Manufacturers " ; and it was agreed to have annual shows in Concord. The first was held here October 11, 1820 ; and they have since been annually repeated. The sub- joined table exhibits the names of the presidents, orators, and amount of premiums awarded. The names of those orators, whose addresses have been published, are printed in italics.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.