USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Marlborough > History of the town of Marlborough, Middlesex county, Massachusetts, from its first settlement in 1657 to 1861; with a brief sketch of the town of Northborough, a genealogy of the families in Marlborough to 1800 > Part 22
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At the first settlement of Marlborough, in 1657, it was made one of the outposts of the Colony, and the "Connecticut way," or road, ran through the town. From that period onward, one of the principal lines of communication, west and south, was through this place. On this road, which was generally denom- inated the "great road," the first line of mail coaches was run, by Capt. Levi Pease. It was through this town that General Washington passed in 1789, dining at the old Williams Tavern, by the pond. It was here that he was met by Jonathan Jack- son, Esq., marshal of the district, and Joseph Hall, Esq., aid to General Brooks, and others, to make arrangements for his recep- tion in Boston. Marlborough continued to be a great thorough- fare, till the introduction of railroads, when the travel was diverted from the place. But though there is, at the present time, no long line of travel passing through the town, few places, remote from the great avenues, enjoy better railroad facilities
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than Marlborough. A branch from the Fitchburg railroad, leaving the main trunk at South Acton, runs direct to Felton- ville, and thence to a central part of the town, terminating at the old Common. And the Agricultural railroad, which defleets from the Boston and Worcester road at South Framingham, has a spur running to the main road in Marlborough village, and terminating within sixty rods of the station of the other or northern road. Thus has the town the full benefit of two railroads, the depots of which are within five minutes' walk of each other.
Cemeteries are becoming objects of attention, in most of our towns; and their condition is being regarded as a sort of test of civilization, in the best sense of that term. The gloom which has been spread over the resting-place of the departed, and the forbidding appearance of our church-yards, are giving place to a more rational feeling and a better taste. The in- creasing light of the Sun of Righteousness has, in a good degree, dispelled the darkness of the tomb, and chased away the unearthly spectres, which were supposed to visit nightly the sepulchres of the dead. Christians, of all denominations, are beginning to regard the burial-places of their friends, as peaceful shades to which they can profitably resort to muse in sweet melancholy upon the uncertainty of human life, and to call up anew the dear remembrance of departed friends. Such views and feelings have created a disposition to beautify and adorn the grounds where the dead are reposing.
Though Marlborough has no rural cemetery, in the popular sense of the phrase, the people have, within a few years, given increased attention to the burial-places of their friends.
The oldest yard in the town is adjoining the old Common, located, agreeably to the early custom, so near the meeting- house as to merit the designation of the "church-yard." The inclosure is filled with graves, and has been in a measure dis- used as a place of burial for some time. Not only the crowded condition of the yard, but the moist, springy state of the soil, has contributed to the desire to seek other and more favorable places for the interment of the dead. This yard, while it possesses no outward attraction, should be cherished as the first burial-place in the town. Here rest the remains of many of
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the first settlers of the township. This yard, like most of our old cemeteries, shows the comparative indifference with which too many, at this day, regard the resting place of their ancestors. With the exception of a small portion, but little order has been observed in the arrangement of the graves ; and the briars and wild grass which are permitted to grow unmolested, prove that the present generation cannot with grace accuse those who have gone before them, with a want of taste. Some of the stones have so sunken into the earth as to present an unsightly appearance ; some of them have partially or wholly fallen down, and many are so covered with moss, as to render the inscription nearly or quite illegible .* A small expense would materially change its appearance for the better, and make this yard an ornament to the Common on which it borders.
The next oldest burial-place is what was formerly known as the " Burying Hill," situated some eighty rods easterly of Spring Hill meeting-house. It contains about two acres, is situated on a rise of ground, and is nearly filled up. It has several handsome lots, with stones of a neat and tasteful char- acter ; though, as a whole, the yard is neglected, and briars are suffered to grow up amid the graves. Like most of the old yards, the grounds were not laid out with any system ; so that we have not only " uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture," but great irregularity in the location of the graves. The ground being ledgy, is not well adapted to burial purposes.
To the eastward of this, and not far from the residence of Capt. Aaron Stevens, is another inelosure, dedicated to the same object. It is situated on a rise of ground, is laid out in good taste, and is capable of being made an attractive place. It has several handsome stones, with elegant devices, and the forest trees on its border give it a rural appearance. The lot contains about two acres ; but a portion of the surface being a ledge, it cannot all be used for interments. It is a great im- provement upon the older yards.
In the West Parish, some eighty rods south-casterly of the pond, is a cemetery which has been used forty or fifty years.
* A solution of sal soda applied to the stones will remove the moss, and restore the slate to its original bright appearance. It is also a fact worthy of being known, that the best quality of slate is more enduring, and can be more easily kept in its original state than any marble.
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The location upon the side hill is pleasant, but the absence of trees and shrubbery gives it a bleak appearance, and deprives it of that rural character so desirable in a cemetery. A little labor bestowed upon the grounds, and the planting of trees, would add greatly to its beauty.
There is a cemetery containing nearly two acres, about three- fourths of a mile from the centre of Feltonville, on the Boston road. The character of the soil, and the undulating surface, render it well adapted for the purpose to which it has been dedicated. But, unfortunately, no system has been adopted in the location of the lots, and the walks between the lots are altogether too narrow, either for comfort or taste. Let those who are interested in this cemetery enlarge the inclosure, and cause one or more avenues, of sufficient width for carriages, to be laid out, and with a trifling expense they can make it a place of beauty and attraction. Nature has done her part, and art can easily make it all that is desirable. If the subject is at- tended to now, before the lot is encumbered by graves, a new beauty would be added to the portion already occupied, and the residue of the grounds would thereby be rendered more acces- sible. A tasteful laying out of the grounds, the removal of some of the forest trees, and the planting of others, would greatly improve its appearance, and render this cemetery more delightful than any one in the town. It has, already, a number of well-prepared lots and attractive monuments.
There is also a cemetery near the house of Mr. Abel Brig- ham, commenced about twenty years ago, containing nearly two acres. It is situated in a retired spot, has several hand- some marble monuments, and is well laid out. This cemetery is kept in a neat condition, and when the trees are grown, will make a pleasant retreat, where, amid the beauties of nature, the living can hold communion with the departed, undisturbed by the hum of business, or the presence of the passing multi- tude.
Another yard in the south-easterly part of the town, near the house of Stephen Morse, Esq., contains at the present time about two acres. It was first used as a burial-place about 1700, and contains several hundred graves. The people in that part of the town are beginning to ornament it with trees, so that it may become a place of pleasant resort.
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There is also a small yard near the old Weeks place, com- menced about thirty years ago.
There is a small yard near Robin Hill school-house, where a few families have been buried.
If the people of Marlborough had united and selected a suitable place for the purpose, they might have had a rural cemetery which would be an honor and ornament to the town. There is something pleasing in the thought, that all who act together in life, should rest in one common inclosure, when the labors of life are over.
As this chapter is designed to be somewhat miscellaneous, it will not be out of place to mention a custom which prevailed in early times in the Colony. In the first settlement of the towns, when cattle ran at large, it was found convenient to brand them, so that they could be identified. Individuals adopted such marks as they pleased ; but it was thought wise that the towns should have some mark, so that when cattle wandered to a distance, it might be known to what town they belonged. In 1662, the inhabitants of Marlborough applied to the General Court ; and in answer to their petition, the Court authorized them to adopt as a " brand marke " the following character :
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As we have frequent occasion, especially in the Genealogy, to speak of " freemen," and of individuals being " admitted freemen," it seems proper that a few words should be said upon that subject. A "freeman " was one who was allowed the right of suffrage, and was eligible to office. Our pious ances- tors guarded the ballot-box with peculiar care. As early as 1631, they ordered that " no man shall be admitted to the free- dom of the Commonwealth, but such as are members of some of the churches within the limits of this jurisdiction." This law operating hardly against some recent emigrants, it was so modified in 1662, that all Englishmen " shall present a certifi- cate, under the hand of the minister or ministers of the place where they dwell, that they are orthodox in religion, and not vicious in their lives ; and also a certificate from the Selectmen, that they are freeholders, ratable to the county, in a single
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county rate to the full value of ten shillings," and they may then present themselves to the General Court for admittance as freemen ; and if accepted by the Court, may enjoy the priv- ileges of freemen in the Commonwealth.
But before, or rather as a part of the induction into the high and responsible post of freeman, the following solemn oath was to be taken :
"I, A. B., being by God's providence, an inhabitant and freeman within the jurisdiction of this Commonwealth, do freely acknowledge myself to be subject to the government thereof, and therefore do swear, by the great and dreadful name of the everlasting God, that I will be true and faithful to the same, and will accordingly yield assistance and support thereunto with my person and estate, as in equity I am bound, and also truly endeavor to main- tain and preserve all the liberties and privileges thereof, submitting myself to the wholesome laws and orders, made and established by the same; and further, that I will not plot nor practice any evil against it, nor consent to any that shall so do, but will timely discover and reveal the same to lawful authority now here established, for the speedy preventing thereof; moreover, I do solemnly bind myself in the sight of God, that when I shall be called to give my voice touching any such matters of this State wherein freemen are to deal, I will give my vote and suffrage, as I shall judge in my conscience, may best conduce and tend to the public weal of the body, without respect of persons, or favor of any man. So help me God, in the Lord Jesus Christ."
After being thus qualified by the vote of the Court, and by taking the above oath, the freeman was allowed to vote in the elections in the following manner, and under the following penalty : "It is ordered by this Court, and by the authority thereof, that for the yearly choosing of assistants, the freemen shall use Indian corn and beans-the Indian corn to manifest election, the beans the contrary ; and if any freeman shall put in more than one Indian corn or bean, for the choice or refusal of any public officer, he shall forfeit, for every such offense, ten pounds ; and that any man that is not a freeman, or hath not liberty of voting, putting in any vote, shall forfeit the like sum of ten pounds."
The freemen at first were all required to appear before the General Court, to give their votes for assistants ; but it was found inconvenient, and even dangerous, for all of them to assemble in one place, leaving their homes unprotected ; and hence it was ordered, " That it shall be free and lawful for all freemen to send their votes for elections by proxy, in the next
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General Court in May, and so for hereafter, which shall be done in this manner : The deputy which shall be chosen, shall cause the freemen of the town to be assembled, and then take such freemen's votes, as please to send them by proxy, for any magis- trates, and seal them up severally, subscribing the magistrate's name on the back side, and to bring them to the Court, sealed, with an open roll of the names of the freemen that so send them."
But though corn and beans were sufficient to elect an Assist- ant, for Governor, Deputy Governor, Major General, Treasurer, Secretary, and Commissioners of the United Colonies, it was required that the freemen should make use of written ballots.
There are some miscellaneous matters connected with the histories of towns, which are worthy of being recorded, as they cast light upon the spirit of the age, and the manners and customs of the people. Among the officers deemed important by our fathers, were the "Tythingmen ;" and this class was, in the early days of our country, regarded as of the highest importance. The tythingmen were generally among the most sedate and respectable men in the towns, and were a kind of religious police, whose special duty it was to see that the Sab- bath was duly observed, and that the boys, and others, behave orderly at religious meetings. They were frequently so posted in the meeting-houses, as to have the whole congregation in view, in order to detect any indecorum. Especially was it required of them to see that no impropriety was committed at noon-time, by the young people who remained about the place of worship. In Marlborough, as in other towns, some of their best and most respectable men held, from time to time, the dignified place of tythingman.
Nearly connected with the duties of the tythingmen, were the " Stocks," which were regarded as an important town insti- tution, for a terror to evil-doers. They were constructed of plank attached together by a hinge, or something of that sort, at one end, and so arranged that they could be opened and closed at pleasure. The edges of the plank where they came together, were so cut or rounded out, as to admit the wrists, ankles, and sometimes neeks of the culprits, when the stocks were opened ; but when they were closed, the individuals were held fast by the arm, leg, or neck, or by all together, during the pleasure of the authorities ; for when they were closed
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and locked, it was impossible for the individual to extricate himself. These stocks were sometimes located under the stairs leading to the gallery of the meeting-house, and being generally attached to the building, constituted a sort of prison, where the disorderly could be confined, and more gross offenders punished. Marlborough, of course, had this emblem of justice and civiliza- tion. When the town authorities, headed by the tythingman, confined disorderly boys, and others who disturbed the peace of society, and especially the quiet of the Sabbath, they were but carrying out the sentiments of the people, and obeying the laws of the land. The records of the General Court show numerous instances in which towns were fined for not provid- ing stocks-so important were they considered in those days.
A few specimens of the records of the General Court, will show how the congregated wisdom of the Colony regarded crimes, and what species of offenses were justly punishable by this kind of confinement.
"George Palmer, having committed folly with Margary Ruggs through her allurment, because hee confessed voluntarily, hee was onely set in the stocks, and so dismissed. Margary Ruggs, for entising and alluring George Palmer, was censured to be severely whipped."
" James Brown is censured for drunkenness, to bee set two hours in the bilboes (stocks), upon the market day at Boston, publicly."
"John Smyth, of Meadford, for swearing, being penitent, was set in the bilboes."
" Robert Shorthouse was set in the bilboes, for sliteing the magistrates in his speeches."
"Francis Weston's wife (crime not mentioned) was censured to be set 2 hours in the bilboes here, and 2 hours at Salem, upon a Lecture day."
"John Wedgewood, for being in the company of drunkards, was set in the stocks at Ipswich."
Such were some of the sentences which were passed by the "Great and General Court," when they acted in a judicial capacity. But in a few years, they appointed local magistrates in many of the towns, "to try small causes," or "end small businesses ;" and hence the stocks or bilboes were in a great measure handed over to local authorities. But the action of the General Court shows the importance with which this kind of punishment was viewed; and hence the towns, in putting the stocks in requisition, were but carrying out public sentiment. In fact, the towns at that day might as well be without a pound,
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for the confinement of unruly cattle, as to be without stocks to confine the more turbulent bipeds.
Another officer of no small importance in early days, was the Constable. This office was rendered critical from the fact that the constable was made collector of all taxes ; and was gen- erally held to a very strict account, for the whole sum com- mitted to him for collection. This, occasionally, rendered the office very undesirable. And in some towns a considerable accession was, at particular times, made to the funds of the treasury by fines which were paid by men elected to that office, who refused to accept of the honor conferred upon them by their fellow-citizens. In some cases, three or four would be elected to this office, before one could be found who would consent to wear honors so unwelcome, though bestowed by the unsought suffrages of the people.
The manners and customs of our fathers often discover them- selves in the records of their times. The record of an immate- rial fact will often disclose the customs, and even the habits of thought of a whole people. It has often been said, that the laws of a people show at once their vices and their virtues. So the records of courts show the crimes into which some fall, and the stern justice which visits their crimes with condign punish- ment. Our fathers were generally severe in their punishments, and we naturally smile at the mention of their strictness. But we should always judge men by the spirit of the age in which they lived, and by the customs which then prevailed. Stern- ness to mark offenses and to punish them, was one of their distinguishing characteristics ; and if they carried this feeling too far, there is some danger of our falling into the opposite extreme. If they had too much reverence, we may have too little ; if they were too great sticklers for religious observances, we may be too lax on this great subject. And though we may justly claim an amelioration in our laws, and an improve- ment in our jurisprudence, we claim too much, when we sup- pose that every change is an improvement, and that we are praiseworthy, simply because we differ from them. It is well, however, that we make ourselves acquainted with their laws and usages, that we may see wherein the difference consists.
I will give a few specimens of their punishments, as tending to show the change that has taken place in two centuries ; and
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while we condemn them, we must remember that such was the feeling of that age; and that if we had lived in that time, we should in all probability have imbibed the same principles and cherished the same feelings.
" It is ordered that John Baker be whipped for shooting att fowle on the Sabbath day."
" Thomas Pettet, for suspition of slander, idlenesse and stubbornness, is censured to be severely whipped, and to be kept in hould."
" Benjamin Hubbard was solemnly admonished of his failing, for being in company with James Browne and the rest, and often drinking of the strong water bottle with them, and not reproving them."
" Robert Bartlet, being presented for cursing and swearing, was censured to have his tongue put in a clift stick."
" Katharine, the wife of Samuel Fitch, being accused of speaking against the magistrates, against the churches, and against the elders, was censured to bee whipped, and committed till the next General Court."
" Mr. Thomas Makepeace, because of his novile disposition, was informed wee were weary of him unless hee reforme."
" William Bartlet, for distemperdness in drinking, and lying, was fined 20s. by the Governor, Treasurer, and Secretary."
" Nich. Ellen was fined 40s. for idleness and disorderly living, and had liberty till the next Court to settle himself."
" Ralf Allen was fined 10s. for releasing a servant before the expiration of his time."
"John Goss, for common railing, was disfranchised, fined 20s. and com- mitted to prison."
" Robert Saltonstall is fined 5s. for presenting his petition in so small and bad a piece of paper."
" Robert Coles is ffined xl., and enjoined to stand with a white sheet of paper on his back, wherein ' A DRUNKARD' shalbe written in Great Letters, and to stand therewith soe longe as the Court thinks meete, for abusing himself shamefully with drink."
"Capt. Lovell was admonished to take heede of light carriage."
We will conclude this list with a case more severe and san- guinary.
" It is ordered, that Phillip Rutliffe shalbe whipped, have his ears cut off, ffined 40£ and banished out of ye lymitts of this jurisdiction, for uttering malicious and scandalous speeches against the Government and church of Salem, as appears by a particular thereof proved upon oath."
These examples show with what care our ancestors watched the morals of the community ; and if they were severe in their penalties, we must ascribe it to the spirit of the age in which they lived.
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As we have presented some of the sterner features of our forefathers' character, in their criminal code, we will give a specimen of their modest simplicity in relation to dress.
"The Court taking into consideration the great superfluous and unneces- sary expenses occasioned by some new and immodest fashions, as also the ordinary wearing of silver, gold, and silk laces, girdles, hat bands, &c., hath therefore ordered that no person, either man or woman, shall hereafter make or buy any apparel, either woolen, silk or linen, with any lace on it, silver, gold, or thread, under the penalty of forfeiture of such cloathes. Also that. no person, either man or woman, shall make or buy any slashed eloathes, other than one slash in each sleeve, and another in the back ; also all ent works, embroidered or necdle work caps, bands, and rayles, are forbidden hereafter to be made and worne, under the aforesaid penalty ; also all gold or silver girdles, hat-bands, belts, ruffs, beaver hats are prohibited to be bought, and worne, under the same penalty."
If, in the penal code, we have improved upon the severity of our fathers, I fear that in republican simplicity, and in house- hold economy, they have the advantage of us; and though I would not return fully to their simplicity in dress, I am satisfied that we might profit by their example, and lop off some of our " superfluous and unnecessary expenses, occasioned by some new and immodest fashions." By so doing, we might diminish our expenditure in dress, and lessen the circumference of some fashionable people ; and so keep within the bounds of reason.
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CHAPTER XII.
STATISTICAL HISTORY.
The Population of Marlborough in each Decade, from its. Incorporation to the Present Time - Valuations at Different Periods - Manufactures and Other Productions - Growth of the Town - The Centre Villages - Feltonville - Shoe Manufactories - Savings Bank - Insurance Company - Maynard's Bequest - List of Volunteers for the Army.
NOTHING would be more interesting, than a connected view of the population and wealth of the town from its first settle- ment to the present day. To witness the increase of its inhab- itants, the development of its resources, the progress of its civil- ization ; its advance in agriculture, literature and religion ; and to realize fully this planting, budding, and bursting into life of an organized community, which is destined to advance in whatever will improve, refine, and elevate society ;- we must go back in imagination, and place ourselves in a wilderness, among a people, inured to toil and hardship, ready to fell the gnarled oak, to turn the rugged soil, and to expel the beasts of prey, that they might fit up habitations for the abode of domestic peace and enjoyment. We must contemplate a race whose rough and manly virtues had not been enervated by luxury, whose perseverance was untiring, and whose faith was bordering upon assurance ; a race prepared to do, to dare, and if need be, to die for their privileges as citizens, or their rights as Christians. Such was the character of our sires, and such the situation in which they were placed. If this view of the subject is thought too imaginative, the reader will probably find the rest of this chapter sufficiently real and tangible, to balance the account.
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