USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lexington > History of the town of Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1868, with a genealogical register of Lexington families > Part 34
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 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75
" Thus the house was dedicated January 15, 1840. On the. 16th, news reached Boston of the loss of the steamboat Lexington by fire, and that nearly all the passengers and crew had perished, and among them Rev. Dr. Follen, our beloved and much respected pastor. The news cast a gloom over the whole town and country. To the people of his flock it was peculiarly trying. They had a meeting, and agreed to invite Rev. Mr. Stetson, of Medford, to preach a sermon on the melancholy occasion, who, in the spirit of Christian friendship, though at short notice, consented. After the services were over, the people voted that a committee be chosen to communicate to Mrs. Follen, the feelings of respect they entertained for her late husband, and to tender her their Christian sympathy under her severe affliction."
The foregoing account, abridged from the parish records, tells the sad fate of a worthy and distinguished Christian minister and philanthropist.
358
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
Charles Follen was born in Germany, September 4, 1796, and was educated at the University of Giessen. His devotion to the great principles of liberty, and his strict adherence to justice and morality, even before he had finished his studies, made him somewhat unpopular with the less scrupulous young men with whom he was associated, and excited some suspicion in the faculty, who were deeply imbued with monarchical principles. And after he had finished his course, read law, and became a professor, his lectures were found to be too liberal to suit the taste of the Holy Alliance, which, at that time, assumed to con- trol the destinies of Europe. He was arrested on frivolous pre- tences, and made to feel the weight of arbitrary and despotic power ; so that common prudence induced him to leave his own country. He first visited France, but the unsettled state of things there induced him to seek a more congenial retreat in Switzerland, at that time the freest nation on the Continent.
In Switzerland, he was called to a professorship in the Evan- gelical Council of Education of the Canton of the Grisons, where his liberal views of Christian doctrines soon became objec- tionable, and he left, carrying with him a certificate that his " luminous lectures and kind treatment of his pupils had secured their respect, attachment and confidence, in the highest degree." The University of Basle, learning that Dr. Follen was at liberty, appointed him as a public lecturer at the University, where he taught the natural, civil, and ecclesiastical law, besides some branches of metaphysics, viz. logic, the philosophy of the mind in its application to religion, morals, legislation, and the fine arts.
At Basle, for a period, he dwelt in peace and contentment, being left to the full enjoyment of his religious and political sen- timents. Young men, from various parts, flocked to the Uni- versity, and all seemed to be prosperous. But while he and the literary friends by whom he was surrounded were rejoicing in their political and religious liberty, the tyrants of Europe were alarmed, when they heard that in Switzerland, the only free state on the continent, had been erected a new temple of free- dom. Prussia forbid her young men visiting the University ; and the Holy Alliance, allied for the unholy purpose of sup- pressing freedom, resolved to break up an institution which they
Charles Follen
359
ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.
regarded as hostile to their policy. Prussia, Austria, and Russia, demanded of the government of Basle, that Dr. Follen and another liberal professor in the University, should be given up to the tribunal of inquisition established near Berlin.
Switzerland was averse to yielding to the arbitrary demands of these tyrants ; but fearing the power of this combination, at last yielded to their haughty request. Dr. Follen was advised by his friends to leave the country ; but he insisted upon a trial there. But failing in this, and being [compelled to leave to avoid an arrest, he sent to the government the following note :-
" Whereas the Republic of Switzerland, which has protected so many fugitive princes, noble men, and priests, would not protect him, who like themselves is a Republican, he is compelled to take refuge in the great asylum of liberty, the United States of America. His false accusers he summons before the tribunal of God and public opinion. Laws he has never violated. But the heinous crime of having loved his country, has rendered him guilty to such a degree, that he feels quite unworthy to be pardoned by the Holy Alliance."
He asked a testimonial from the University, which was readily granted, stating that he had always demeaned himself as a good and peaceable citizen, and had secured the confidence of his associates.
Dr. Follen left Basle secretly for Paris, and from France took passage for America, in company with his friend Dr. Beck, and arrived safely in New York. In the autumn of 1825, he was appointed teacher of German in Harvard University, and took up his abode in Cambridge. His labors thus far had been mostly devoted to the subject of ethics, as connected with civil govern- ment and the rights of man. But his teaching on these subjects was always based upon the broad principles of Christianity. Feeling more and more the importance of the teachings of Christ, he resolved to enter the ministry ; and after studying theology with Dr. Channing, he commenced preaching. Retaining his connection with the College, and being promoted to a professor- ship which engrossed a good share of his time and attention, he was hardly in a condition to take the pastoral charge of a parish ; and hence his clerical labors were not confined to any one locality.
About this time the anti-slavery cause was attracting consid- erable attention, and Dr. Follen, deeply imbued with the love of
46
360
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
freedom, at once espoused it. This step did not meet the approbation of the cautious and conservative government of the University, which permitted his professorship to expire. Being thus eut off from the pecuniary support of the College, he was thrown upon his other limited resources, and was com- pelled to seek employment as best he could, to support himself and family. He conceived the idea of establishing a literary institution in Boston ; but the friends of Harvard could hardly be expected to encourage it ; and it was given up. About this time he was invited to preach at East Lexington, and assist them in building up a society in that village. We have seen with what success he had commenced his work, and what prospect was opened to him and to his devoted people, when by a mysterious providence his earthly labors were brought to speedy termination.
Dr. Follen was no ordinary man. Whether we view him intellectually or morally, we must place him above the ordinary level of our public men. The high and honorable positions he has occupied both in Europe and America, the estimation in which he was held by the gifted men in our community, and the able writings he has left, bear ample testimony to his talents. His mind was of the German cast, and strongly imbued with the great principles of civil and religious freedom. Though kind and conciliatory, he was conscientious, firm and self-sacrificing, ever ready to follow his honest convictions, regardless alike of his own individual interest or the frowns of others. As a reformer he was in advance of his age ; and if in any case he was a little impracticable, it arose from honest convictions of truth, stimulated perhaps by the experience he had had on both sides of the Atlantic. He was literally a friend of humanity ; and his honest sympathy was ever extended to the oppressed and down- trodden. In private life, he was meek and gentle, ardently attached to his family and friends, and ever ready to make any sacrifice for their benefit. In a word, for natural and acquired abilities, for conscientious firmness, for an ardent love of liberty and the rights of man, for sympathy for the poor, afflicted and down-trodden, he had few equals and no superiors.
Rev. Theodore HI. Dorr, having received and accepted a call, was publicly installed pastor of the church and society, July 2, 1845. Mr. Dorr continued his pastoral relations with the parish
Elina Lee Follen
361
ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.
for four years, when he asked a dismission on the ground that they were not able to give him a reasonable support. He closed his labors with them, August 1, 1849.1
On the 7th of November, 1849, Mr. William F. Bridge was ordained pastor of the society. In 1852, Rev. Mr. Bridge ten- dered his resignation, and his connection was dissolved. He was a son of Josiah and Eunice (Morse) Bridge, of Lancaster, and grandson of Rev. Josiah Bridge, who was born in Lexington, 1739, and settled at East Sudbury, now Wayland. William F. Bridge was born February 15, 1821, graduated at Harvard College, 1846. In settling at Lexington he in a manner came back to the old parental hearthstone .? After leaving Lexington, he was settled at Dublin, N. H.
Mr. Bridge was their last settled minister. After the close of his ministry, Rev. E. P. Crafts, Rev. Caleb Stetson and others, were employed temporarily. About the commencement of 1863, the Second Congregational Society and the Universalist made an arrangement by which the two societies were to unite for the support of public worship, the desk to be supplied by the joint action of their respective committees. After acting together about two years, they petitioned the Legislature to be united. Their prayer was granted, and by an Act passed March 30, 1865, they were made one corporation, by the name of "THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER."
The Act of the Legislature uniting the two parishes, being accepted by them respectively, they at once organized under their charter, disposed of the House formerly occupied by the Universalist Society, and made thorough repairs, and an enlarge- ment of the House formerly occupied by the Second Congrega- tional Society. Before the legal union, they had employed Rev. William T. Stowe as their preacher, and he being highly accept- able to them, has been continued as pastor of the new organization. Mr. Stowe came to Lexington from Brattleboro', Vermont, where he had been preaching to the Universalist Society.3
THE BAPTIST SOCIETY .- The origin of this society is thus given by one of their pastors. For more than half a century there have been a greater or less number of Baptist professors in
1 See Genealogy. 2 See Bridge family in the Genealogy. 3 See Genealogy,
362
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
Lexington ; in 1781, most of them became connected with a Baptist church formed in West Cambridge. But little interest was manifested till 1817, when several united with churches in other towns. In 1824, the ordinance of baptism by immersion, was first administered in Lexington. In 1830, meetings were commenced in town. In 1833, Rev. T. P. Ropes removed to the place, and performed the duties of pastor. During the same year their meeting-house was erected, and a church consti- tuted, consisting of twenty-one members. In January, 1835, Rev. O. A. Dodge, having previously received and accepted a call, was publicly ordained and set over the society. Under his ministry the society was prosperous, and a considerable accession was made to the church. Mr. Dodge died, May 18, 1840. The church records contain this tribute to his memory. " To a mind naturally shrewd, penetrating, and highly cultivated, he added a warm-hearted piety and an unwavering activity. Beloved by the church and respected by all, he died universally lamented."
After the death of Mr. Dodge, Mr. C. M. Bowers accepted a call, and was ordained, Sept. 9, 1841. Some dissension arising in the society, in February 1846, Rev. Mr. Bowers resigned his pastoral care, and was succeeded by Rev. Ira Leland, who commenced his labors for the parish in the autumn of 1847. Mr. Leland's connection with the society continued ten years, when it closed at his own request. He was a faithful pastor, and a valuable citizen, having for several years the principal charge of the schools in the town. Before the settlement of Mr. Dodge, and at several intervals between their settled ministers, Rev. T. P. Ropes had supplied their pulpit. Since the close of Mr. Leland's ministry they have had no permanent pastor, Rev. Mr. Clark and Rev. Mr. Savage laboring with the parish, each for a short time only.
THE FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY .- It appears from their Records, that the constitution or by-laws of this society, were adopted, April 20, 1845. But it is obvious that they had a partial organization at an earlier period, and had for years sup- ported public worship, at least a portion of the time. Their meeting-house was erected as early as 1840. Rev. James M. Usher commenced preaching for them before their meeting-house
363
ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.
was erected, and continued their pastor about five years. Since leaving Lexington he has been engaged in business in Boston as a bookseller and publisher. His residence has been in Medford. He has been considerably in public life, and has occupied a seat in the State Senate several years.
After Mr. Usher closed his labors with the society, Rev. C. H. Webster became their pastor, and remained with them about two years. He was succeeded by Rev. W. B. Randolph, whose ministry lasted about three years. In 1849, Rev. J. A. Cooledge was settled over the society, and remained with them about four years.1 Since 1853, they have had no settled pastor. The parish being feeble, their house has been closed the greater part of the time for the last ten years. Some four years ago this society united with the Unitarian society in the East Village, and employed preachers of each sect, till they agreed upon Rev. Mr. Stowe. Being united upon him and finding themselves more nearly allied in doctrinal views than they had formerly imagined, these societies took the wise step of giving up their former organi- zations, and becoming one body, and securing the labors of Rev. Mr. Stowe, as we have already seen.
THE ROMAN CATHOLICS .- The Roman Catholics have had occasional meetings in Lexington for several years. When the Unitarian and Universaliat societies in the East Village united, they sold the meeting-house formerly owned by the Universalists, which was purchased by the Roman Catholics, and they maintain services there a portion of the time.
THE ORTHODOX MEETING HOUSE .- The Calvinistic Congre- gationalists have no organization in Lexington. The churches of that faith, in the neighboring towns, have recently purchased the old Academy building, and fitted it up for a meeting-house ; but as yet it has not been opened for public worship.
1 See Genealogy.
CHAPTER XV.
EDUCATION.
Interest felt in Education - A School-House built, and Schools established - Grammar School - Sometimes a Moving School - Second School- House built - An Academy established in Lexington - The First Normal School located there - Increased Interest in Education - High School established - Present Condition of the Schools - Dr. Lewis's Female Seminary.
IT is worthy of observation, that the love of country and the love of learning, were always regarded by our fathers as kindred affections, - originating in the same general cause, and seeking the same great end. They regarded these affections as the offspring of religion, and the fruits of an active faith ; and they urged a good education, and literary and scientific attainments, as among the most efficient means of securing piety to God and good will to his creatures. In their earliest efforts to set up schools and endow the University, they recognized the service of God as the great end to be promoted. In relation to these institutions, they say, "We cannot but acknowledge the great goodness of God towards his people in this wilderness, in raising up schools of learning, and especially the College, from which there hath sprung many instruments, both in church and state ; and we feel that we should show ourselves ungrateful to God, or unfaithful to posterity, if so good a seminary of knowledge and virtue should fall to the ground through any neglect of ours."1 And in establishing the common school system in 1647, they, in language expressive of their distinctive theological tenets, say, "It being one chief project of Satan to keep men from the knowl- edge of the Scriptures, as in former times keeping them in unknown tongues, so in these latter times by persuading from the use of tongues, that so at least the true sense and meaning
' Colonial Laws, p. 80.
365
EDUCATION.
of the original might be clouded and corrupted by false glosses of deceivers ; to the end that learning may not be buried in the graves of our fathers, in church and commonwealth, the Lord assisting our endeavors. It is therefore ordered by this Court and the authority thereof, - that every township within this jurisdiction, after the Lord hath increased them to the number of fifty householders, shall thence forthwith appoint one within their towns, to teach all such children as shall resort to him to write and read." 1
The early inhabitants of Lexington appear to have had a realizing sense of the importance of learning, and of the neces- sity of establishing schools, as the best means of obtaining it. While united with Cambridge, they petitioned the town to grant a certain sum which they might apply to the support of schools in their midst ; and when, by an Act of the General Court, they were clothed with power to raise money themselves for schooling, they were not backward in the good cause. In 1714, the year after the town was incorporated, they voted to erect a school house, and provided that it should be " twenty-eight foot long, twenty foot wide, and eight or nine foot stud." This house was situated near the Monument, on the Common. In 1715, they voted to open a free grammar school, and devoted fifteen pounds for its support. At a meeting, May 14, 1716, the following vote was passed, which shows that the schoolmaster, at that time, must have been abroad.
" Voted, That all scollers that cume to sehool to pai two pens per week for reeding, and 3 pens per week for righting and siphering; and what that amounts to at the year's end, so much of the fifteen pounds to be deducted, and stopt in the Town Treasury whilest the next year."
Captain Joseph Estabrook was employed as a teacher, and continued his school five months, for which fifteen pounds were paid him from the town treasury. By this time the principle seems to have been settled, that a man's school should be kept five months in the year. But although this furnished a pretty good opportunity for the larger scholars, the people could not but perceive that there were wants which this arrangement did not meet. The smaller children in the distant parts of the township could not be accommodated by a school kept in the centre. To
1 Colonial Laws, p. 186.
366
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
remove this difficulty, it was agreed by the selectmen, at a meet- ing held July 21, 1717, "That Clerk Lawrance's wife, and Ephraim Winship's wife, keep schools from the day of the date hereof, until the last of October next following; and if they have not scholars sufficient in number to amount to five shillings a week, at 3 pence a scholar a week, during the term above said, then ye Town to make up what shall be wanting of the five shillings a week."
The next year, they voted "to set up four more schools in other parts of the Town, as conveniently placed as may be, to accommodate the children in said parts ; said schools to be regu- lated by the same rule as they were the last year."
From this time, the system of supporting the schools so as to meet the wants of the people, may be considered as permanently established. The changes which were made from time to time, were designed to make the system more efficient and useful, and to extend rather than curtail the privileges of schooling. And the town was careful to employ instructors of character. The male teachers, when selected from town, were from the most substantial citizens, and the female teachers were the wives and daughters of some of the first families.
In 1728, the town employed Mr. Ebenezer Hancock, son of their reverend pastor, to teach the grammar school through the year. Mr. Hancock was a graduate of Harvard, and appears to have been a favorite with the people. Subsequently, when he was settled as a colleague with his father, it was with the under- standing that he should continue his school.
In 1714, the first school house was built, and was situated on the Common. Here the grammar school was usually kept. But as it generally happens in such cases, the people at the out- parts of the town complained that the benefits of the school were not equally enjoyed by all the families in the place. To meet this objection, the grammar school was converted into what was denominated a " moving school," and was kept in different parts of the town in rotation. But this being attended with incon- veniences, other expedients were adopted. At one time it was . provided that all who lived within a certain distance of the school house on the Common, should furnish all the fuel neces- sary for the school free of expense ; while those who lived more
367
EDUCATION.
remote should be exempted altogether. But still there was a lurking disposition to complain of inequality, - forgetting the fact that, though the inhabitants of the village enjoy greater privileges than those who live remote from the centre, they have to pay for those privileges." For one acre of land in a village is often valued in the assessment list, ten times as high as an acre of the same intrinsic worth, situated remote from the centre.
The school house in the centre becoming somewhat dilapidated, a new house was erected in its stead in 1761. It was twenty feet square, and six and a half feet between the floors, and cost £42. During the Revolution, there was no particular change in the schools. The grammar school in the school house, was kept nine or ten months each year, and was furnished with teachers competent to instruct in every branch necessary to be taught. At the same time schools, generally taught by females, were supported in the different sections of the town.
After a contest of one or two years on the subject, the town voted in 1795 to build three school houses, and chose a committee to select sites. In 1796, it was " Voted, To raise $333.33, for schooling the children the present year. Voted, To take $ 100 out of the above sum for women's schools." Some feeling was excited not favorable to the harmony of the schools, by the inhabitants in the part of the town known as Scotland, persist- ently demanding as their share of the school grant, a sum in proportion to the tax they paid.
In 1799, the town appropriated $333.33 for the support of men's schools, and $ 166.67 for women's schools. In 1800, the school grant was raised to $ 500, and the committee chosen to employ teachers, were directed to employ none unless they are qualified according to the provisions of law. In 1804, the town took a decided step towards improving the condition of their schools. They made the usual grant of $ 500 for schooling, and appropriated $ 1,000 to build three additional school houses, and to remove two others, so as to accommodate all parts of the town. Of the three new houses, one was to be located in the centre of the town, one in Scotland, so called, and one in Smith's End, so called.
Having supplied themselves with school houses, the town wisely decided that a larger sum of money should be appropriated
47
368
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
to support these invaluable institutions. Accordingly, in 1806, the school appropriation was increased to eight hundred dollars, six hundred dollars of which was to be expended for schools taught by males, and two hundred dollars for schools taught by females. This arrangement relative to the appropriation and the division of the money was continued for several years.
In 1819, the town appropriated nine hundred dollars for the support of their schools, being an increase of one hundred dollars over past appropriations.
At the May meeting in 1821, a committee, consisting of Amos Muzzy, Jr., Ambrose Morrell, Isaac Reed, Joseph Underwood, Jr., John Hastings, and Charles Reed, who had been chosen at a previous meeting, submitted a detailed Report to the town on the general subject of the schools, which the town accepted. The Report was able, and well considered ; and to the honor of the committee it should be stated, that the changes they recom- mended in the school system, were, six years after, substantially adopted by the Legislature, for the government of the schools in the Commonwealth.
In 1827, the Legislature passed a general law regulating the schools throughout the State, and requiring towns to choose a General Committee to superintend and manage them. This law made quite a change in the condition of the schools in some towns. But as Lexington had adopted the same system, sub- stantially, several years before, the change here was not imme- diately perceptible. There was however an increased interest manifest on the subject of common school education. Two school houses were built in 1830, and the other houses were repaired. The school appropriation also was increased to one thousand dollars.
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.