USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lexington > History of the town of Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1868, Volume I > Part 49
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 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59
This difference in the commencement of the respective years led to a system of double dating from the 1st of January to the 25th of March - thus: January 10, 1724-5 or 1723, the 4 denoting the ecclesiastical, and the 5 the historical year. From 1582 to 1699 the difference in the Styles was ten days; from 1700 to 1800, eleven days; and since 1800, twelve days. In changing Old to New Style, care should be taken not to confound the centuries. Many mistakes have arisen from not re- garding the century in which the event occurred.
See "Origin of the Name Lexington" by A. E. Scott, Esq. Proc. Lex. Hist. Soc., Vol. I, p. 9.
476
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
John de Lexington, a younger brother of Robert, was four times appointed Keeper of the Seal by the King. Another brother, Henry de Lexington, was Bishop of Lincoln in 1254. With this generation the line of Lexington became extinct. But a sister, Alice, married Roland de Sutton, from whom de- scended Robert, Lord Lexington. His father was made Baron of Lexington by Charles I, and died in 1688. Robert was his only son, and sustained several important offices, the duties of which he discharged with ability and honor. In 1698, he was appointed Envoy Extraordinary to the Imperial Court of Vienna, where he remained till the Peace of Ryswick, when he returned to England, and was appointed one of the Lords of the Bedchamber. He was, in 1712, selected to con- duct the negotiations with Spain. He died in 1723.
When the Precinct of North Cambridge was incorporated as a town in 1713, Lord Lexington was in the very height of his popularity, and his name was familiar among all who stood near the throne. A custom is said to have prevailed in Massa- chusetts in those days, when a town was incorporated, to pass the order or act, and send it to the Governor with a blank for the name to be filled by him. Joseph Dudley was at that time Governor of the Province, and the fame of Lord Lexington would naturally suggest his name to any Chief Magistrate as a suitable one for the town. But there is another reason why Governor Dudley should wish to do honor to the popular Eng- lish negotiator, viz .: they were distant relatives; the Dudleys being of the Sutton family, and taking the surname of Dudley from the barony of that name. So that the name of Lexing- ton given to this town, would, if given by the Legislature, be a compliment to the Governor, and if given by the Governor himself, would be a compliment to his friend and relative.
But little thought they when they were honoring a British Lord, by giving his name to this township, that LEXINGTON was to become a watchword for freemen throughout British America. It has been stated elsewhere that the deeds of the 19th of April so warmed the hearts of the hardy hunters in the wilds of Kentucky that they baptized their camp by the name of Lexington. The veneration for this town, and for the asso- ciations which cluster around it, has been such that the au- thorities of remote States have recurred to the opening scene of the Revolution, and have given to a portion of their terri- tory the name of our own beloved town. Hence, we have
477
STATISTICS
twenty-four counties, cities, and towns by the name of Lexing- ton, scattered over every section of our wide, extended coun- try, including the Pacific States - a fact of which the inhab- itants of old Lexington have just reason to be proud.
It will be interesting to witness the growth of the town through every period of its history from the first settlement to the present day. It will be seen by the following tables that its progress has not been rapid. In 1754, a portion of the ter- ritory and population was taken from Lexington to form the town of Lincoln. The French and Revolutionary wars which followed kept the population nearly stationary for thirty or forty years.
As Lexington was a part of Cambridge till 1713, we have no records of her population till after that period. Nor have we any authentic census till 1790. But from a careful analysis of all the documents which bear upon the subject, and a full con- sideration of scattering tax-bills, number of polls, the effects of Philip's, the French, and the Revolutionary wars, the known emigration and immigration from and to the town- ship, the change of the town lines, and the general laws of population, we can safely estimate the population of Lexing- ton for each decennial period; and though the numbers may not be perfectly accurate, they are a close approximation, sufficiently near for all practical purposes.
The following table will show the population at the com- mencement of each decade: -
Year.
Population.
Year.
Population.
Year.
Population.
1650
30
1700
350
1750 .
. 761
1660
60
1710
453
1760
.760
1670
90
1720
. 568
1770
. 755
1680
160
1730
681
1780
. 750
1690
256
1740
724
The above is unofficial.
1790
White males under 16 yrs. .
212
White females (of all ages) .
470
16 yrs. and upwards 251
"All other free persons
8
Total males
463
Aggregate
. 941
478
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
1800
White males under 10 yrs. . 148
White females under 10 yrs. . 129
10 yrs. and under 16 78
16 "
26
90
16
"
26 . 96
26 " 45
45 " and upwards
81
45 " and upwards 93
Total males
506
Total females
. 494
"All other free persons, except Indians, not taxed" 6
Aggregate . 1,006
1810
White males under 10 yrs. 123
10 yrs. and under 16 . 82
16
26
105
16 "
26 . 119
26
45 103
26
45 . 95
45 and upwards . 102
45 " and upwards . 115
Total males
515
Total females
527
"All other free persons except Indians, not taxed" 10
Aggregate
.
1,052
1820
White males under 10 yrs. 141
White females under 10 yrs. . 153
10 yrs. and under 16. 77
16
26.119
16
" 26.
105
26
45.140
26
45 . 139
45 " and upwards . 111
45 " and upwards . 130
Total males
. 592 Total females
604
Free colored, under 14 yrs. 1 male and 1 female; 45 yrs, and upwards, 2 females. Aggregate
. 1,200
1830
White males under 5 yrs. . 105
White females under 5 yrs.
92
5 yrs. and under 10 . 106
15
80
10
15 . 81
15
20
76
15
20
30 122
30
40 . 117
30
40 . 99
40
50
60
70 . 30
60
70
40
70
€¢
80 . 22
70
80 . 19
80
90
5
80
90 . 10
Total males
777 Total females
763
20
93
20
30. 141
50 . 57
40
50 .
74
€
60
38
50
60 . 42
Free colored, 10 years and under 24. 2 males and one female.
Aggregate . 1,543
·
5 yrs. and under 10 . 91
10
10 yrs. and under 16 91
.
96
26
45 . 98
White females under 10 yrs. 130
10 yrs. and under 16 . 68
10 yrs. and under 16 . 81
479
STATISTICS
1840
White males under 5 yrs. ·
85
White females under 5 yrs. .
82
5 yrs. and under 10 .
92
10
15
20
"
30 . 169
30. 143
66
30
40 . 105
30
60
40.
99
40
50
60
70
27
.
66
70
80
18
70
80.
24
80
90
6
80
90
100.
2
Total males
824
Total females
818
Aggregate .
1850
White males under 1 year
17
White females under 1 year ·
23
1 year and under 5.
75
10.
90
5 yrs.
10.
96
10
15.
96
10
66
15
79
15
20.
67
15
20
30. 195
30
40. 123
30
40. 130
40
50. 113
67
55
60
70.
57
70
80.
26
70
80.
19
80
90 .
6
90
100 .
2
100 and upwards .
100
and upwards .
1
Total males
928
Total females
960
Free colored, 1 male and 4 females.
Aggregate
1860
White males under 1 year
19
White females under 1 year
18
1 year and under 5 . 105
10. 132
5 yrs.
10. 101
10
15. 98
10
15. 103
15
20.
98
15
20. 113
20
30. 206
20
30. 223
30
40. 179
30
40. 174
40
50. 122
40
50. 109
50
98
50
60. 85
60
63
60
70.
76
66
70
32
70
80 . 38
80
90 . 9
80
90.
14
90
100 . 1
Total males
. 1,162
Total females
1,166
.
70
50
60.
64
60
70.
42
90 .
6
90
5 yrs. and under 10 .
94
15 . 88
10
15.
73
20. 104
20 . 83
15
20
40
50.
87
50
. 78
.
100 .
1
1 year and under 5.
67
5 yrs.
20
30. 191
50
50
66
60.
87
60
60 . 70.
90 .
12
90
100 .
1
Free colored, 1 male.
Aggregate 2,329
.
P
.
20.
90
40
66
50. 103
80
1,893
1 year and under 5. 112
5 yrs.
60
. 1,642
.
60. 70. 80 .
480
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
The succeeding population by age-periods, according to the State Censuses of Massachusetts, was as follows: -
AGE-PERIODS
1865
1875
1885
1895
1905
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Under 5 years
119
135
94
93
86
98
132
141
165
164
5 years and under 10
118
115
113
111
103
87
136
137
192
210
10 years and under 15
117
81
122
110
118
106
105
135
189
205
15 years and under 20
79
103
130
126
136
128
125
125
167
178
20 years and under 30
141
210
201
195
307
278
346
376
323
421
30 years and under 40
139
178
174
196
169
171
306
297
369
427
40 years and under 50
121
113
137
172
154
183
200
193
313
331
50 years and under 60
111
98
120
114
108
128
156
163
196
188
60 years and under 70
57
70
95
78
100
104
96
136
122
151
70 years and under 80
42
41
40
39
58
60
65
74
66
89
80 years and under 90
7
15
10
17
17
18
23
26
24
35
90 years and under 100
1
Q
1
1
1
9
3
1
9
Unknown
4
3
6
11
1
1
I
1
1
Totals
1056
1164
1242
1263
1357
1361
1692
1806
2127
2403
The total population by even ten-year periods, according to the United States census, was as follows: -
1870
2277 1890
3197 1910
. 4918
1880
2460
1900
. 3831
The valuation of the town is more uncertain than its popu- lation. The mode of valuing property and the fluctuating character of the currency make it almost impossible, for the first one hundred years, to give any just and connected view of the growth of the town in wealth. Up to 1693, there was no valuation or tax separate from that of Cambridge. The first tax-bill for the minister's salary in 1693 shows the relative wealth of the different individuals, but furnishes no data for the valuation of the precinct. By presenting in a tabular form the polls and valuations at different periods, we are enabled to form some idea of the growth of the place. Though it must be borne in mind that the basis of polls and of the valuations differed somewhat in different periods.
1
481
STATISTICS
List of Polls and Valuations at Different Periods.
Years.
Polls.
Valuation. Years.
Polls.
Valuation.
1729
191
1820
306
234,366
1735
202
1830
368
247,466
1745
206
1840
489
561,549
1750
219
1850
522
1,869,453
1769
192
1860
581
1,813,634
1771
185
1865
615
1,747,459
1775
208
1870
629
2,254,831
1785
196
1880
708
2,589,337
1790
205
1890
955
3,878,189
1800
219
$ 251,052
1900
1168
5,182,060
1810
304
310,967
1910
1490
7,826,980
The fidelity of history requires that something should be said on the subject of slavery.1 This evil was introduced into the country before the planting of the Massachusetts Colony; and though our laws were hostile to the institution, yet the love of gain prompted its gradual introduction into the Col- ony, till our seaports, and all the towns near the coast, had more or less slaves. Dr. Belknap informs us that rum distilled in Massachusetts was one fruitful source of the slave trade; that vessels engaged in that base traffic generally carried out a cargo of our rum.
Lexington did not escape the contamination of this evil. In 1735, it appears from the town valuation that there were twenty slaves in the town, held by the following persons, viz .: Francis Bowman, Esq., held two; Deacon Samuel Stone, one; Captain Joseph Bowman, one; John Overing, two; Francis Bowman, Jr., one; John Bridge, one; Nehemiah Abbott, one; Joseph Merriam, one; Ebenezer Fiske, one; Isaac Stone, two; Thomas Cutler, one; Edward Winship, one; Jonathan Har- rington, one; Joseph Simonds, one; John Muzzy, one; Samuel Locke, one; and Samuel Green, one. In 1744, the number was eighteen, and they were owned singly by different persons, ex- cept Francis Bowman, Joseph Bowman, and Amos Muzzy, who had two each. This number gradually diminished, till in 1775 there were but five slaves in the town, - owned respec- tively by Ebenezer Fiske, Samuel Bridge, Robert Harrington, William Tidd, and Benjamin Estabrook. Though slaves to
1 See The Existence and the Extinction of Slavery in Massachusetts, by Rev. C. A. Staples. Proc. Lex. Hist. Soc., Vol. Iv, p. 48. Ed.
482
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
some extent were held in Lexington, they were in most cases kept as house servants. Not more than one family, that we are aware of, ever engaged in the traffic of slaves. One who did engage in this trade was subjected to an inconvenience attendant upon owning property in man. In 1727, Benjamin , of Lexington, offered a reward for a runaway, whom he describes thus: "He speaks very good English, is about twenty-six years of age, had no hat on, but had a horse lock about one of his legs; and was lately the property of John Muzzy, of Mendon."
Though slavery existed in Massachusetts, it was exempt from many of the evils which were connected with it in the Southern States. The slaves were generally taken into the families, and were treated like the other servants. They also enjoyed the same religious privileges as the whites. They had seats in the meeting-houses; they owned the covenant, had their children baptized, were admitted to the churches, and sat down at the same communion table with their masters. Lexington Records contain full evidence of the enjoyment of these rights. By the Laws of Massachusetts, slaves were ca- pable of holding property, had free access to our courts, and whenever they sued for their liberty, it was granted either by the court or by the jury. Slavery in Massachusetts was never hereditary by law. There never was a time when our courts would not have given freedom to the children of slaves.
These facts show that slavery existed here in a modified form; and Massachusetts was one of the first States to blot it out entirely, which was done by her Constitution in 1780. Though these facts do not justify, they extenuate the conduct of our fathers, and should teach us to judge them by the prac- tice and spirit of the age in which they lived.
CHAPTER XXIV
CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
Lexington Field and Garden Club - Founding, and Officers - Field Meetings - Civic Improvements - Lexington Historical Society - Its Organization - The Old Belfry - Hancock-Clarke House - Bequests - Publications - Revision of Hudson's History of Lexington.
THE LEXINGTON FIELD AND GARDEN CLUB.1 A few public- spirited and progressive men, earnestly interested in the wel- fare and development of Lexington, met at various times in the spring of 1876 to discuss certain projects for public im- provement in the town, resulting in the appointment of a committee of three, Messrs. A. E. Scott, M. H. Merriam, and J. J. Rayner, to consider the matter of a permanent associa- tion, and to report upon a plan of organization.
Notices of a meeting to be held at the house of Mr. M. H. Merriam were very generally circulated, and at this meeting, which was well attended, the Committee reported a Preamble setting forth the objects of the Association, together with a Constitution and By-Laws.
The Preamble reads as follows: -
"The object of this Association shall be the care and protection of trees and shrubs in the streets and public places of Lexington, and the improvement of the town by the planting of additional trees and ornamental plants, the study and development of the natural resources of this vicinity, the cultivation of taste in arbori- culture and horticulture,2 and the discussion of these and kindred subjects."
Fifteen years later, in May, 1891, the Club was incorpo- rated, to enable it to receive and hold property.
1 The Committee is indebted to Miss Whitman and to Mr. F. L. Emery for the account of the Field and Garden Club. Ed.
2 In 1830 or 1831, Daniel Chandler built the first hothouse in Lexington, fill- ing it with passion-flowers, century plants, fig and orange trees, hydrangeas, and other things rare in those days. Ed.
484
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
The officers chosen to serve the first year of the Club were:
President, M. H. Merriam.
A. E. Scott.
Vice-Presidents,
G. W. Robinson.
Miss E. W. Harrington.
Secretary,
Miss K. Whitman.
Treasurer,
A. C. Stone.
Rev. E. G. Porter.
Mr. Levi Prosser.
Executive Committee,
Miss M. F. Whitman.
Mrs. G. O. Whiting.
Miss Caroline Wellington.
J
In the more than thirty years of the Club's existence, there have been only four presidents and the same number of secre- taries. There have been more frequent changes in the execu- tive committee, many leading citizens, both men and women, having served as officers. The four presidents have been: Mr. M. H. Merriam, Mr. G. O. Whiting, Mr. A. S. Parsons, and Mr. F. L. Emery (now serving). The four secretaries have been: Miss Whitman, Miss E. W. Harrington, Mr. G. O. Davis, and Mr. E. M. Mulliken (now serving).
Many of the earlier meetings took place at the homes of the president and secretary. Later they were all held at the Se- lectmen's Room in the Town Hall. The adoption of a name caused much discussion; but, finally, "The Field and Gar- den Club" was unanimously voted.
In view of the improvements now under way at the Centre Railroad station, it is interesting to note that the first subject of town improvement brought up for discussion was relative to the plot in front of the station. At this day it is hard to realize the unsightly condition of the depot yard more than thirty years ago, a veritable "slough of despond," right in the centre of the village. This plot, since dignified by the name of Railroad Park, was then in sad need of grading, with miserable driveways and insufficient lighting. From the be- ginning to the end of the old records, this subject was contin- ually coming up for discussion.
Field meetings were a very popular feature of the Club's activities, and in the old records are full and enthusiastic re- ports of them. The first one took place on June 17, 1876, in the glen near Listening Hill in Woburn, known as Shaker
485
CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
Glen, with about fifty people participating. The success of this first field meeting caused many more to follow. At one of them, June 18, 1877, the Appalachian Club of Boston was the guest and Shaker Glen the chosen spot. Laurel outings were much enjoyed, and were nearly always taken in the di- rection of Wilton, New Hampshire.
An excursion (1888) to Mount Wachusett, described in the records, and another to Rutland, Massachusetts (1890), both full of interest and enjoyment, bring to a close the field meet- ings which had proved such a social as well as instructive feature of the Club's activities. A notable social event was the reunion and banquet of the Club, given at the Russell House, which brought together a large assemblage of townspeople.
The attention of the Club was early directed to the Com- mon, or Battle Green, which from its conspicuous position and historic interest should be one of the most attractive spots in the village, and which greatly needed attention. There was considerable opposition to any change being made in that sacred spot; but the committee chosen for the under- taking, with Mr. J. S. Munroe as Chairman, did, with the cooperation of the town, such judicious work that it is now admitted by all that the town has been much improved and beautified.
The purchase and preservation of the lot of land at the junction of the Concord and Lincoln roads, known now as Hastings Park, was one of the works of the Club. The land being about to be sold, members of the Club subscribed liber- ally for its purchase. The land was presented to the town for future care, after being graded, trees, vines, and shrubs planted, and otherwise improved under the direction of the Club.
The triangle at the junction of Hancock and Revere Streets was one of the unsightly spots graded and put in order by the Club. Another triangle in East Lexington, at the junction of Main and Pleasant Streets, has been cared for under its su- pervision.
Trees were planted and taken care of in various parts of the town, and many of those which now ornament the village were planted under the auspices of the Field and Garden Club. For a considerable period the Club arranged in the spring of each year for citizens to purchase, at reasonable prices, trees and shrubs, thus encouraging a larger planting.
486
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
Roused to action by the wanton cutting-down of some fine old trees, the Club secured the annual election of a tree war- den, with authority in the matter of cutting. In this connec- tion should be noted the expensive but successful war which the citizens, in cooperation with the town, the State, and the Department of Agriculture, have been obliged to wage against the gypsy and brown-tail moths and other tree pests.
The neglected condition of the cemeteries and their ap- proaches was considered, and the town was asked for an ap- propriation to be expended under the auspices of the Club, which it readily granted, and the improvements have been made.
The attention of the Club having been called to the bad condition of the gutters during the summer months, a com- mittee was chosen to look into the matter and to insist on the vote of the town in regard to that subject being enforced. Much in this direction and in that of the care of the grassed spaces between the roadways and sidewalks has been accom- plished.
The Club's activities were not confined merely to village improvement and social field meetings. There were attempts in a literary direction. Two or more courses of lectures, given under the auspices of the Club, proved very popular and netted a small increase in its funds.
The Club has each year directed the attention of the Select- men to such poles of the telephone and other companies along the highways of the town as required painting, and, in nearly every instance, the Selectmen have been able, through the owners of the poles, to have them promptly painted so as to render them as inconspicuous as possible.
Touching this matter, the Club, for a number of years, assisted the Selectmen in an effort to secure the elimination of unnecessary poles along Massachusetts Avenue from a point in East Lexington to Lexington Centre. For much of this dis- tance there had existed for years, on one side of the avenue, three separate lines of poles, occupied respectively by the tel- ephone, the electric light, and the street-railroad company. These have now been combined into a single line.
Among the more recent public works executed by the Club is the triangular plot at the junction of Massachusetts Avenue and Woburn Street. Later the improvement of the grounds surrounding the Town Hall was taken in hand, and here
487
CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
again, with the cordial cooperation of the Selectmen, the Club caused the necessary plans to be drawn, and completed the improvements as they at present exist.
Perhaps the most important recent work of the Club has been the further improvement of the railroad yard at Lexing- ton Centre. Few appreciate how difficult it has been to bring about and carry into effect a change involving the joint ac- tion of a large railroad corporation, the town and other offi- cials, and individual property owners. In this work the Club has had the close cooperation of the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, many conferences with the railroad officials having been required both in Boston and on the grounds.
In connection with the improvement of the main yard, fronting upon Massachusetts Avenue, the railroad found it necessary to build a freight house in a lot of land between Meriam and Hancock Streets. The typical freight house erected in this location would have been very unsightly and detrimental to the neighborhood, so the Field and Garden Club sought to secure a more attractive building. After re- peated conferences with the railroad, at which different plans were submitted, the railroad finally consented to adopt plans furnished by the Club and contributed by Mr. Willard D. Brown, of Lexington, which have been the means of obtain- ing a freight house that is not only inoffensive but really ornamental. In adopting these plans the railroad incurred an expense amounting to several hundred dollars more than the building originally contemplated would have cost.
Under the plan of improvement now under way, the fence at the northerly end of the railroad yard abutting on Meriam Street is to be removed, a curbing laid, and grass and shrub- bery planted, extending inward for a distance of from fifteen to twenty-five feet. The shrubbery and trees at the back will completely screen the yard from Meriam Street. The freight track extending along the railroad station is to be set in a distance of fifteen feet and a hedge about four hundred feet long is to be planted. This is to consist of shrubs and poplar trees so arranged in groups as practically to screen the yard from Massachusetts Avenue and the station platform.
One of the older members and active workers of the Club, Mr. George O. Smith, at his death showed his appreciation of the Field and Garden Club, and his desire that the good work
488
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON
should be continued, by leaving to it a legacy of twenty-five hundred dollars.
THE LEXINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY. The Society1 was organized on March 16, 1886, in response to the following cir- cular letter which had been sent to numerous citizens of the town: -
"DEAR SIR:
"It is proposed to form a Society in Lexington for historical research and study in matters connected with the history of the town, and of families and individuals who have been identified with it; also for the suitable commemoration from year to year, by appropriate services, of the great event which has rendered the town forever memorable in the annals of our country, the object being to perpetuate a knowledge of our local history and to awaken and sustain newinterest in the honor and good name of Lexington. "For the purpose of organizing this Society, a meeting will be held in the Selectmen's Room at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening, March 16, 1886, at 7.30 o'clock, to which you are cordially invited.
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.