USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lexington > History of the town of Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1868, Volume I > Part 32
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1 The first U. S. Post Office in Lexington was opened in the ell of the Buckman Tavern in January, 1813, by Rufus Meriam, Postmaster. He was succeeded by his son, John Parkhurst Meriam on the 20th of April, 1826, who continued at the same location. John Davis was commissioned Postmaster Nov. 15, 1841, and moved the office to the house now No. 464 Mass. Ave. Leonard G. Babcock was commissioned Postmaster Mar. 7, 1867, and moved the office to the store now oc- cupied by W. H. Burke, plumber, No. 432 Mass. Ave. Later Mr. Babcock re- moved to Cary Hall for a brief time and then to Norris Block, No. 481 Mass.
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HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
In 1881 the Lexington Water Company was organized to supply water to the citizens and to provide hydrants for the better protection of their buildings against loss by fire. The supply, which was ready for use in January, 1885, was secured from wells driven in a meadow near Lincoln Street, pumped into standpipes on a hill in that vicinity and on Mount Inde- pendence in East Lexington. The supply thus obtained was found in a few years inadequate to the rapidly growing de- mands and, although the company, and subsequently the town, which bought the waterworks in 1895, made efforts to increase that supply, by constructing a reservoir on Middle Street and by sinking new and deeper wells, the citizens, after much discussion in town meeting, voted in 1903 to peti- tion for admission to the so-called Metropolitan System, now using, as its main reservoir, the extensive Wachusett basin, formed by the damming, at Clinton, of the Nashua River. In 1912 a new standpipe, 105 feet high, was erected near the old one at a cost of $19,000. Its top is 443 feet above sea level.
With the greatly increased use of water which follows upon the substitution of a central water supply for the individual well and pump, there arose an increasing need for a system of sewerage, at least for the more thickly settled districts of the town. The matter seems to have been first discussed seriously in 1889, when a survey for a system of drainage for the town was authorized. It has been considered by a number of dif- ferent committees, each of which has gone into an exhaustive examination of the problem; and the town, in 1897, went so far as to secure entrance to the Metropolitan Sewerage Sys- tem at the Arlington boundary, for which right it has since paid a yearly tax increasing from $2100 in 1897 to over $4000 in 1911. It has not yet been possible, however, at any town meeting at which the question has been put to vote, to get a majority sufficient to authorize the issue of bonds for the building of the sewers.
For many years the only public space in Lexington was the Common. Enclosed by a fence made of stone posts and con-
Ave. The present Postmaster, Leonard A. Saville, was commissioned Jan. 31, 1901, and moved the office to the new Savings Bank Building in September, 1904. The Post Office at E. Lexington was established 24 June, 1836, when Amos Adams was commissioned Postmaster. William H. Smith was commissioned 27 April, 1852; Augustus Childs, 20 Sept., 1867; Carlton A. Childs, 31 May, 1895; Lucius A. Austin, 17 Jan., 1900. Office discontinued 15 Oct., 1909, on establishment of free delivery. Ed.
297
FROM THE YEAR 1867 TO 1912
necting rails, it was used for baseball and other games and was not the ornament that it now is. Through the efforts of the Field and Garden Club 1 this famous bit of ground was in 1886 made into a true park, and has ever since been well cared for by the town. In the early part of the last century, Eli Robbins, of East Lexington, built roads, arranged seats, etc., on Mount Independence, and permitted the use of this private property by the citizens. And in all sections of the town, the owners of wooded and hilly property, or of fields suitable for sports, have shown so generous a spirit in the matter of public use that the reservation of any special areas for public parks seemed superfluous. The time will soon come when, looking into the future, it will be wise to set aside large open spaces for the use of the public forever; and a good beginning has been made in the gift to the town, by certain citizens, of the triangular area between Massachusetts Ave- nue and Lincoln Street, known as Hastings Park, and in the gift, by Mrs Sarah Bowman Van Ness, of five and one half acres of land on Pleasant Street, East Lexington. There is special need, however, of a large area near the centre, to be used by the youth of the town for athletic sports, skating, and swimming. There is a baseball field, near Parker Street, acquired for that purpose by the town in 1896, and, recently, facilities for swimming have been arranged in the small ponds formerly used for water supply; but it is the desire and hope of many citizens that the long-continued, though somewhat spasmodic, efforts to induce the citizens to extend these somewhat meagre opportunities will at an early date come to fruition.
It is hardly an exaggeration to say that almost throughout the period since the close of Mr. Hudson's History, there has been agitation to extend the cemetery area in Lexington. The Old Burying Ground, behind the First Parish Church, was long ago filled; and the so-called New Cemetery, in the rear of the Munroe School, has almost no further space available. Moreover, the Roman Catholics have no opportunity to bury their dead within the limits of the town. Therefore successive Cemetery Committees have brought the matter forcefully to the attention of the citizens, and they and special commit- tees have presented plans for the purchase of a new area. The difficulties in the way of finding a site that shall be access-
1 For an account of this organization, see Chapter XXIV, infra. Ed.
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HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
ible and not too costly, and that shall secure the approval of the boards of health, are, however, very great. It is hoped that the committee now having the problem under consider- ation will be successful in meeting these difficulties and in leading the citizens to make early provision for an ample and beautiful new cemetery.
Since the fighting of fire, with any hope of success, is de- pendent upon an abundant water supply, it was not until the laying of mains and the providing of hydrants by the Lex- ington Water Company, in 1885, that the town could make any real provision for protection against this ever-present scourge of American communities. Up to that time there had been valiant attempts, in which practically all the people participated, to cope with fire by hand "tubs," fire buckets, and hand chemical engines; but with the purchase of a steam fire engine and a chemical engine in 1895, the modern era of fire fighting really began. In 1895 and 1898, respectively, adequate engine houses were built in Lexington Centre and at the Village Hall, East Lexington; in 1895 regular firemen were employed (they and the fire horses assisting also in street watering); and within the last year (1912) an auto- mobile engine has been purchased, the element of time being the essential factor in a widely scattered community like Lexington. The town has possessed for some years a modern fire alarm system; but the main body of firemen are "call" men, engaged in other vocations; and it will be many years, of course, before the size and wealth of Lexington will permit of the employment of a full corps of firemen, on duty at all hours of the day and night. As is too often the case in Ameri- can municipalities, the fire department has been more or less entangled with the political ambitions of individuals; and it is always, of course, under criticism; but despite these handi- caps, it has handled most of the fires which it has been called upon to combat with skill and efficiency.
Although the constable is one of the earliest of New Eng- land functionaries, it was not until the opening of the electric railway that - except on rare occasions - there was any real need for police service in Lexington. An agricultural and residence community, with practically no manufactures and with a steady vote for "no license," the elements essential to law-breaking were largely absent. The "tramp" problem was for many years somewhat serious; but one or two officers
299
FROM THE YEAR 1867 TO 1912
of the law were sufficient to cope with that. Until 1899, therefore, there were only two policemen. Since then, how- ever, the number has been increased to six; and while they are called upon to deal mainly with misdemeanors, such as fruit stealing, they are kept fully employed. During the year 1911 there were, according to the Town Report, one hundred and fifty arrests, all - with few exceptions - for minor infrac- tions of the law. By vote of the town, the police department was placed under civil service law in 1911. On March 13, 1901, was established a Law Enforcement Society, which co- operates with the police in ferreting out and in suppressing such offences as the illegal sale of liquor, gambling, etc.
As already stated, for nearly half a century after 1846 the only rail communication out of Lexington was by a single- track railroad to Boston, later extended to Concord and to Lowell. In 1886 this railroad was double-tracked from Bos- ton to Lexington; and in the last decade of the nineteenth century agitation was begun for an electric railway from Arlington Heights- the limit of the Elevated Railway sys- tem - through Lexington to Concord and to Billerica, and from Lexington to Waltham on the one side, and to Woburn on the other. This project met with such determined oppo- sition from a large number of citizens that it was not until December 2, 1897, that permission to lay the tracks was ob- tained. Though accepted by the Lexington & Boston Street Railroad Company this franchise was allowed to lapse. A second franchise was granted February 4, 1899, and the road was constructed the same year. On the Sunday preceding April 19, 1900, the Lexington & Boston Street Railway began to run cars for public transportation, and it now maintains a service every fifteen minutes throughout the day and evening from Lexington to Boston (via the Cambridge Subway); one every thirty minutes to Waltham; and one every hour to Woburn. The normal traffic on these roads is in summer greatly augmented by travel to and from Lexington Park, an amusement enterprise maintained by the railway company in Bedford, just beyond the Lexington boundary line.
In 1894, largely through the initiative and efforts of the Lexington Historical Society, sustained by many other Lex- ington citizens, the 19th of April was denominated "Pa- triots' Day," and made, by act of the Legislature, signed by Governor Greenhalge on March 16, 1904, a legal holiday
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HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
throughout the Commonwealth. The resort to the town in that year and for some years subsequent was very great. The exercises on the 19th of April, 1894, were attended by the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and other State officials, and included a procession, band concerts, literary exercises, a banquet, and a ball. Since that date, various modifications of this general programme have been undertaken, either by the town directly or by the Lexington Historical Society, with grants made by the town meeting. That of 1900, being the one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of the battle, was somewhat more ambitious, the Governor again being a guest, and an elaborate trades procession being organized with sig- nal success.
In the same year (1894) in which the 19th of April was made a legal holiday, the variously named streets and roads leading from the centre of Dorchester, with its historic meeting-house, through Boston, Cambridge, Arlington, and Lexington to the centre of Concord, were constituted a single thoroughfare and renamed, with the consent of the several municipalities concerned, Massachusetts Avenue.
Lexington, in the last twenty years, has been fortunate in the gift, directly to the town, or to the Lexington Historical Society, of buildings and monuments that add greatly to its beauty and interest. In 1892, Miss Ellen A. Stone presented to the town her homestead, a large, attractive house in East Lexington, next to the Follen Church; and this property, known as the Stone Building, is used to house a branch of the Cary Memorial Library,1 and to provide meeting-rooms for the people of that section. In 1896, the Hancock-Clarke House, on Hancock Street, was, through the efforts of a committee of the Lexington Historical Society, saved from destruction and preserved as a museum of objects of histor- ical interest.2 In 1898, under the will of Francis B. Hayes, the town received a bequest of $10,000 (with interest, amounting to $11,722.12) with which was erected the very beautiful fountain, with its life-size statue of a Minute-Man, modelled by Henry H. Kitson, that stands on the Common.3 In 1906, the Cary Memorial Library, at the corner of Massachusetts
1 See the account of the Library, pp. 405-410, infra. Ed.
2 For a detailed account, see Lexington Historical Society, p. 488, infra. Ed.
3 Though called a statue of Captain John Parker, this is only by courtesy, since no picture of him is extant. See Town Report for 1898. Ed.
301
FROM THE YEAR 1867 TO 1912
Avenue and Clarke Street, close to the Common, was pre- sented by Miss Alice B. Cary and other generous members of the Cary family.1 And in 1911, under the will of James S. Munroe, the Munroe Tavern, on Massachusetts Avenue, became the property of the Lexington Historical Society, to be opened by them to the public under such arrangements as they may deem wise.2
The Hayes Memorial Fountain,3 referred to in the preced- ing paragraph, was unveiled on April 19, 1900, by Mr. Charles M. Parker. Previous to the unveiling, public exer- cises were held in Hancock Church at 9 A.M. Rev. Carlton A. Staples, Chairman of the Committee on Construction of the Fountain, presiding. Prayer was offered by Rev. C. F. Carter. Mr. William Power Wilson, executor under the will of Mr. Hayes, was unable to be present, and in his absence Mr. Staples presented the gift to the town. Mr. Charles A. Wellington gave a description of the design and construction of the fountain, indicating that the bold foundation and flanking walls of native field stones were symbolical of the sturdiness of our New England ancestors and the old stone walls from behind which the Minute-Men fired their telling shot into the ranks of the retreating British. Suitable and convenient drinking-places are provided for men, horses, cattle, and dogs, such as are seldom found in a public fountain. The structure is so arranged and piped that water flows out from beneath the capstone and pours gently down over the stones to the several basins with a very natural appearance, while shrubs and wild flowers contribute appropriately to the setting. The bronze statue typifies a Minute-Man, sturdy of character, and resolute in position, with his flintlock musket grasped by both hands, ready to stand his ground if armed resistance is necessary. It is a notable work of art and com- mands general admiration. Mr. George W. Sampson, Select- man, accepted the gift in behalf of the town. Rev. Edward A. Horton, D.D., gave a spirited oration, calling to mind the valor and fortitude of Captain Parker's company of Minute- Men and drawing lessons of patriotism and good citizenship.
The town has also been wise in the matter of preserving its records and fortunate in its selection of committees to under-
1 See Cary Memorial Library, pp. 405-410, infra. Ed.
2 See Lexington Historical Society, p. 492, infra. Ed.
3 See illustrations. Ed.
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HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
take that work. Under vote of the town meeting, in 1896, Messrs. Robert P. Clapp, Carlton A. Staples, and George O. Smith were constituted a committee to undertake the preser- vation of the early records of the town, and, under their direction, the pages of those fast crumbling documents have been placed between sheets of transparent silk, so that they may now be handled without damage.
In 1896-98, under the direction of the same committee, the records of births, marriages, and deaths up to 1898 were carefully compiled and printed in the form prescribed by the Commonwealth.
In the forty-five years since the close of Mr. Hudson's History, marked changes have taken place in the streets, the buildings, the general appearance, and even the topography of Lexington. By the creation of the Hobbs Brook Reservoir, by the city of Cambridge, a large valley in the south part of the town has been converted into a lake, encircled by a road- way, greatly altering the appearance of that section. New areas on the slopes of Granny Hill (or Hancock Heights), on the plain bounded by Massachusetts Avenue, Lincoln Street, and Waltham Street, on the high land in the vicinity of the Munroe Tavern, and at Oakmount, on Waltham Street, have been opened for good residences; and there has also taken place, at North Lexington, and at the Arlington border, a certain amount of development of a speculative character. This extension of residence territory, together with the open- ing of street-railway service, has involved much new building of roads, as well as a widening and straightening of many of those previously existing. Notable among these improve- ments have been the building of a state highway from the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Middle Street, along the line of the latter street, to the Lincoln line, continuing thence through Lincoln, Concord, and Acton; the widening and practical rebuilding of much of Massachusetts Avenue, and the rebuilding of Lincoln and Bedford Streets. Notable buildings added to the town in this period - besides those already referred to - are the Hancock School,1 on Clarke Street; the High School 1 and Munroe School,1 on Massa- chusetts Avenue; the Hancock Church 2 and St. Bridget's Church,2 near the Common; the Baptist Church,2 on Massa-
1 See Chapter XVIII, "Education." Ed.
2 See Chapter XVI, "Ecclesiastical History." Ed.
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FROM THE YEAR 1867 TO 1912
chusetts Avenue; the Episcopal Church,1 on Merriam Street; the Old Belfry Clubhouse on Forest Street; 2 and many not- able residences. There is at present building, in East Lexing- ton, a new house for the Adams Grammar and Primary Schools.
As in the days preceding the Revolutionary War, the town meeting has continued to be a free forum for the full discus- sion of municipal affairs; and many interesting debates have taken place therein. As the expenses of the town grew larger, however, it was appreciated that appropriations should be made with greater care and closer scrutiny; therefore, in 1893, there was created a finance committee, made up of representative citizens, including town officials, to review the proposed annual budget, to hold hearings regarding it, and to submit their recommendations to the citizens. A similar committee has been created in almost every succeeding year, until 1908, when it was voted to give the committee authority to sit throughout the year and to review all proposed town ac- tion involving the raising and expenditure of money. As a rule the town meeting has been generous and progressive in providing for the rapidly growing demands of modern muni- cipal life; and on a number of occasions, such as that brought about by the threatened coming of a state institution of a type prejudicial to the best interests of a residential commun- ity, the citizens have acted promptly and with substantially a single mind. The importance of the town meeting in the development of New England communities cannot be too strongly emphasized; and those of Lexington have played a peculiarly notable and interesting part.
1 See Chapter XVI, " Ecclesiastical History." Ed.
2 See Chapter xxv. Ed.
CHAPTER XIII
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, FROM 1692 TO THE DEATH OF MR. HANCOCK
The Incorporation of the Precinct - The Establishment of the Gospel Ministry - The Gathering of a Church, and the Ordination of their First Minister - The Death of Mr. Estabrook, and the Settlement of Mr. Hancock - Settlement and Death of his Son Ebenezer-The Services, Character and Death of Mr. Han- cock - His Publications.
As our fathers came to this country to establish a religious commonwealth, and to set up institutions founded on the great principle of accountability to God, no history of their settlement can be perfect or complete which does not treat of their ecclesiastical affairs. These are so intimately connected with their civil and political history that it is difficult in some cases to say where the one ends and the other begins. By the early laws of this Province, every tract of territory which was erected into a town was, by the same act, constituted a parish. Standing in this double relation, most of the pa- rochial business was transacted in town meetings. It was generally in the town meetings that votes were passed for building meeting-houses, settling ministers, and providing for their support. These measures are so nearly associated with the municipal affairs of the towns - the same individ- uals being voters both in the town and the parish - that we shall not attempt to draw any distinct line of separation between the parochial and the municipal. Under the head of "ecclesiastical history," we shall not treat of those public acts performed in town meetings, such as building and re- pairing houses of worship, but rather present the spiritual condition of the people, the character of their religious teachers, and the acts pertaining to the church, as an organi- zation distinct from that of the parish.
For about forty years after the first settlements were made in what now constitutes Lexington, the people were destitute of a minister whom they could call their own. As the territory belonged to Cambridge, and as most of the settlers had come from that town, many of them being members of the church
REV. JOHN HANCOCK
MRS. JOHN HANCOCK
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ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS
in that place, they would naturally adhere to the old society until the demand for a separate organization should become pressing. It appears also that the people of Cambridge proper were anxious that those who had removed to the "Farms," should continue their relationship with the parent church. But as the inconvenience to the settlers was great, they desired to establish a ministry of their own, and to manage their own affairs as they pleased. As early as 1682, James Cutler, Matthew Bridge, Sr., David Fiske, Sr., Samuel Stone, Sr., Francis Whitmore, John Tidd, Ephraim Winship, and John Winter, some of the leading and respon- sible citizens of the Farms, petitioned the General Court for an act constituting them a distinct parish. This step was taken, not from any hostility to the old society or church, but from the great inconvenience of going from five to ten miles to attend public worship. The great unwillingness on the part of Cambridge to have this secession from the church defeated, or rather postponed, the measure for about ten years. Not until 1691 was it ordered by the General Court "That the petitioners be permitted and allowed to invite and settle an able and orthodox minister for the dispensing of the Gospel among them."
Immediately after obtaining an act of incorporation as a precinct, measures were adopted to carry it into effect. A subscription was started for the erection of a house of worship; and early in the season of 1692 the edifice was erected. On the 22d of April, 1692, Mr. Benjamin Estabrook, who had probably preached for the people of Cambridge Farms during some portion of the preceding year, was invited to continue his labors with them till May, 1693, and provision was-made for his support. Small as were their numbers, and limited as were their means, they resolved to place themselves in a position where they should be able in future to give a liberal support to those who should become their spiritual guides. In April, 1693, they purchased of the town of Cambridge, for this purpose, "twelve acres of common land on the east side of the causeway, and the rest of the common land on the other side, and on the south side of Vine Brook Meadow." This land was subsequently surveyed and found to contain one hundred and forty-eight acres. Though this purchase cost the parish at first but eighteen pounds, it laid the foundation for a ministerial fund, which has proved amply sufficient to sup-
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HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
port a minister. This land was purchased by the parish and paid for by a tax upon all within the precinct.
When Mr. Estabrook's year expired, the people gladly re- engaged him; and such was their attachment to him that in the summer of 1694, they built and gave him a house on condition of his becoming their pastor and continuing with them.1 Their pecuniary embarrassments however were such that they made but slow progress in preparation for his permanent settlement. In April, 1696, they made their final proposition; and on the third of June following, Mr. Esta- brook gave an affirmative answer to their call. His answer is recorded with so much simplicity that we will transcribe it.
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