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 52
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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
His daughter Sarah, my great-great-grandmother, was married to Dr. Benjamin Gott, a physician, coneerning whom we learn, from an obituary notice published in the Boston News-Letter of August 1, 1751, that he was a man of great learning, who was " peculiarly faithful to his patients, moderate in his charges, and charitable to the poor." Certainly he must have been a popular doctor.
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Rev. Dr. Allen has related to you to-day an anecdote, handed down in our family, of Robert Breck's habit of reading from a Hebrew Bible every morning, and translating as he read. Of Dr. Gott, it is said, that he kept alive his knowledge of Latin, as did the Rev. Robert Breck his of Hebrew, by reading from a Latin Bible every morning, and rendering into English as he read.
How many of the descendants of these learned men-who, in the backwoods of the Massachusetts Colony, thus diligently cultivated their knowledge of the dead languages-conld perform the same feat to-day ?
Of Dr. Samuel Brigham, the husband of Anna, daughter of Dr. Gott, I shall leave the descendants of that name, of whom so many are present to-day, to tell you more. His daughter Anna was the wife of Dea. Isaac Davis, my grandfather, who had come to Northborough to teach the inhabitants of that Borough how to make leather. Mar- ried to her, and settled down on the old " Tomblin farm," he remained in the home of his adoption to the time of his death. With his trade of tanning, he combined that of farming. Ile attained a prominent position among his fellow citizens, and represented them for years in the General Court. In common with many others at that time, he entertained a decided hostility towards lawyers ; and in 1785, he was selected as an appropriate representative of the sentiments of the town of Northborough, to act at a County Convention, to be holden at Leicester. His instructions were, amongst other things, to vote for a petition to the General Court, for the annihilation of lawyers. Very fortunately, this hostility did not prevent my father from following the profession of his choice.
Although I cannot claim either of the Boroughs as my birth-place, still family associations cluster so closely around the hills of Marl- borough and the valley of Northborough, that they vindicate my claim as a descendant of the Boroughs, to be with you to-day, and to share with you in the pleasures of this Festival.
The following volunteer sentiment, handed in by Colonel DEXTER FAY, a prominent and venerable citizen of South- borough, was read by Dexter Newton, Esq. :
Marlborough, a Wonderful Mother,-With Children more than a hundred years old, and a Grandchild fourscore-years-and-ten, sitting on the maternal lap, and not yet weaned.
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Volunteer sentiment, by EDWARD WILKINS, Esq. :
Our Fathers and Mothers of 1660 .- Could they see and know what we do to-day, they would be filled with admiration, like that of the Queen of Sheba, when she beheld the splendor of Solomon.
Among the other sentiments read on the occasion, were the following :
The Venerable Men who are with us to-day .- With age, the common excite- ments and warm blood of youth pass away ; but the heart of the wise man, the older it grows the warmer it feels.
The Sons and Daughters of Temperance .- In the practice of their principles, may the Daughters be as pure as the crystal fount, and the Sons as constant as the Waters of Niagara.
Our Firemen ; the Minute Men of Modern Times .- Like the Minute Men of old, they subdue their enemy by the use of their arms ; but, like them too, they often find one fire which conquers them-the fire of a lady's eye.
The intervals between the sentiments and responses were filled up by the excellent Bands present, which vied with each other in discoursing exquisite music.
Other sentiments had been prepared, and other eloquent voices would no doubt have given worthy utterance to the affecting memories, the thoughts and emotions which seemed to gush up spontaneously from full and overflowing hearts ; but the descending sun gave warning that the time of parting had come, and the great assembly quietly dispersed, each to his own home, and the sphere of his accustomed duties ; but all apparently well pleased to have spent one day in commemo- rating the virtues of their Forefathers, and reviving the friend- ships of earlier years.
In the evening an Instrumental Concert was given in the Dinner Pavilion, by Hall's (Boston) Band, Gilmore's (Boston) Band, and the Marlborough Cornet Band. It was attended by a large audience, by whom the music was highly enjoyed. Fireworks, from the residence of Mr. Samuel Boyd, and other parts of the town, closed the festivities.
Thus ended a day which will be ever memorable in the annals of Marlborough ; a day which had been long looked forward to with eager interest and pleasing anticipations. These anticipations were fully realized. The weather was all
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that could be desired, and the hills and valleys were elad in verdure and beauty. The arrangements for the occasion were successful. Each performed well the duties assigned them. The Commemorative Exercises fully met the expectations of those who came to enjoy them. All felt that this reunion of the Sons and Daughters of old Marlborough, according to the hope expressed by the Committee of Arrangements in their card of invitation, had been "a glorious and happy one, full of deep interest and rich enjoyment while it was passing, and worthy of perpetual remembrance." On rising from the table, the President of the day announced that the meeting was ad- journed for an Hundred Years. Let us indulge the hope, that those who may be here to engage in a similar celebration a century hence, may look back upon glorious and precious memories, and contemplate a Future without a cloud.
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LETTERS.
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OF the Letters which were received in response to their note of invitation, the Committee find room only for the following :
From Hon. Charles F. Adams.
WASHINGTON, MAY 27, 1860.
MY DEAR SIR,-It would give me great pleasure to be present at the Celebration of the day so interesting to your town, if I could hope to be released from my duty here. But as there is no prospect of this, I beg, through you, to express to the Committee my most earnest good wishes for the continued prosperity of the community which they represent.
Very truly your friend, C. F. ADAMS.
To Rev. HORATIO ALGER, Marlborough, Mass.
From Hon. Charles R. Train.
WASHINGTON CITY, D. C., JUNE 4, 1860.
GENTLEMEN,-I had hoped that an earlier adjournment of Congress would have enabled me to participate in the festivities attending the Bi-centennial Celebration of the Incorporation of your Town.
The best institution we received from our Fathers, is the New England town. It is the pure democracy, where the people educate and govern themselves. The great evil of our time is excessive legis- lation ; and the danger is, that, in a transfer of power from the people to their representatives, the source of legislative power will be disre- garded. In our own State, the virtue and intelligence of the whole
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may be able to control the legislation of the few. Prosperity is sure to follow the efforts of an intelligent and virtuous people, left to their own control. As I cannot be with you, allow me to send as a senti- ment, the following from the great Essayist, Macaulay.
" Our Rulers-They will best promote the improvement of the nation, by strictly confining themselves to their own legitimate duties; by leaving capital to find its most lucrative course ; commodities, their fair price; industry and intelligence, their natural reward; idleness and folly, their natural punishment; by maintaining peace, by defending property, by diminishing the price of law, by observing strict economy in every department of the state. Let the Govern- ment do this ; the People will assuredly do the rest."
Please accept my thanks for your kind invitation, and believe me, Gentlemen,
Very respectfully and truly yours,
To Messrs. HORATIO ALGER, HOLLIS LORING, O. W. ALBEE, Committee.
CHARLES R. TRAIN.
From Hon. John G. Palfrey.
CAMBRIDGE, JUNE 5, 1860.
GENTLEMEN .- I am greatly honored and gratified by your obliging invitation, which I received in due course, to be present, on the 13th instant, at your Bi-centennial Celebration of the Incorporation of the Town of Marlborough. It would afford me peculiar pleasure to unite with you in that Commemoration. Suchi occasions are exceedingly attractive to those who have reflected on the causes of the greatness of Massachusetts, and there are special ties, of a personal character, and of great interest to me, which connect me with your town. It is, therefore, withi extreme regret that I find it will not be in my power to avail myself of your kind attention.
Begging you to accept my best thanks for it, I have the honor to be, gentlemen, with high personal regard,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN G. PALFREY.
To Messrs. HORATIO ALGER, HOLLIS LORING, O. W. ALBEE, Committee.
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From John Langdon Sibley, Esq.
CAMBRIDGE, JUNE 8, 1860.
GENTLEMEN,-I regret that I shall not be able to accept the invita- tion with which you have honored me to join in the Bi-centennial Celebration on the 13th instant. There are so many incidents con- nected with the history of Marlborough, and prominent men who were born or have lived there, that the occasion cannot fail to be instructive and interesting. I have long wanted to see a history of the Town, for it is deserving of one. It is gratifying to know, that the laboring oar is in the hands of one whose early associations, tastes and abilities, are admirably suited to the work; and it is hoped that the results, minutely elaborated, will be embodied in a large historical volume, in order that those who cannot join you in the intellectual entertainment on Wednesday, may be enabled to enjoy something of it afterwards at their fire-sides.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,
JOHN LANGDON SIBLEY.
To Messrs. HORATIO ALGER, HOLLIS LORING, O. W. ALBEE, Committee.
From Hon. E. R. Hoar.
CONCORD, JUNE 9, 1860.
GENTLEMEN,-I have the honor to acknowledge the reception of your invitation to be present at the Bi-centennial Celebration of the Incorporation of the Town of Marlborough ; and regret that my offi- cial duties in Boston, will deprive me of the pleasure of accepting it. A visit to your beautiful town, at this season, would be very agree- able ; and my personal relations of friendship and respect for so many of its citizens, would make a participation in the pleasures and mem- ories of so interesting an occasion, especially attractive. But it will not be in my power ; and I can only express my hope, that you may have a great gathering and a good time.
Very respectfully,
E. R. HOAR.
To Messrs. HORATIO ALGER, HOLLIS LORING, O. W. ALBEE, Committee.
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From Hon. Levi Lincoln.
WORCESTER, JUNE 11, 1860.
GENTLEMEN,-I am very gratefully sensible to the proof of kind remembrance and attention, with which you are pleased to honor me, in the invitation to the Bi-centennial Celebration of the Incorporation of the Town of Marlborough, on the 13th instant.
Commemorations of such periods in local history, are of the highest propriety. They are, indeed, sacred to association, memory, and the affections, and are as instructive as they are interesting. The names of many of your most worthy citizens, of a generation now nearly passed away, are still fresh in my recollection and respectful regard. Williams, Gates, Bruce, Brigham, Stevens, Packard, Draper, with otliers of their day and mine, were of my personal acquaintance ; and I can warmly sympathize with their descendants, and the present inhabitants of Marlborough, in recalling to remembrance the history of their manly virtues and honored character, and in congratulations upon the long-continued prosperity of this ancient town. It is with much regret, that I am constrained to deny myself the gratification of participating in the festivities of the occasion, while I seek to tender to you my hearty best wishes for the truest and highest enjoyment of them, by those who may have the happiness to attend.
With very respectful consideration,
Your obliged and obedient servant,
To Messrs. HORATIO ALGER, HOLLIS LORING, O. W. ALBEE, Committee.
LEVI LINCOLN.
From Hon. Emory Washburn.
CAMBRIDGE, JUNE 11, 1860.
GENTLEMEN,-While acknowledging the honor of your invitation to be present at the Bi-centennial Celebration of the Incorporation of the Town of Marlborough, I regret to add, that my official duties here will not admit of my availing myself of your kindness.
To the natives of the town, and their descendants, for whom the Celebration is intended, the absence of one who can claim no such affinity, can be no cause of regret ; for to them and their memories and associations, it is properly and peculiarly dedicated. And yet, even for a stranger, the occasion cannot fail of being one of deep interest. If he was not born there, he was born, if in New England, in some
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town, and could not fail to feel a chord of sympathy touched, as he witnessed the gathering of the people of Marlborough around the old ancestral hearth-stone. He could not then fail to appreciate some- thing of the value of the Institution of Towns, to which New England owes much of her character and prosperity ; and without which, she never could have been the New England of history, of which her sons are so justly prond.
It is a matter of public congratulation, to witness the spirit of har- mony and local pride and interest with which these re-unions of the sons and daughters of these ancient towns are conducted. That of Marlborough, I doubt not, will fully sustain the anticipations in which it originated. There is no occasion for me to refer to the topics which will suggest themselves to those who gather there on the 13th, as you will be sure that the able and eloquent gentleman who is to address you, will do ample justice to the rich store of historic incidents and reflections which cluster around the life of that town, during the period of two hundred years ; and such years, too, as have made the history of the world more memorable than any other period of equal length, since the world began.
Again regretting that I am to lose these as a listener, as well as the exhibition of so much that must be deeply interesting to all,
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
EMORY WASHBURN.
To Messrs. HORATIO ALGER, HOLLIS LORING, O. W. ALBEE, Committee.
The Committee also received responses to their note of invitation from the following gentlemen who were unable to be present at the Celebration.
Hon. HENRY WILSON, United States Senate ; Hon. JOSIAH QUINCY, Jr., Boston ; R. W. EMERSON, Esq., Concord ; F. B. SANBORN, Esq., Concord ; FREDERICK A. PACKARD, Esq., Philadelphia, Pa.
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NOTE.
SINCE the foregoing History has passed the press, the following errors have been discovered.
Page 45, line 3, for ' involved,' read 'invoked.'
Page 199, line 1, for '1798,' read ' 1778.' Page 219, line 3, from the bottom, for ' is,' read 'are.'
We have also been enabled to make the following additions. To the list of Selectmen, on page 279, add
Thomas Howe, Joseph Newton, Nathaniel Joslin, James Woods, 1701.
To the list of Senators, on page 284, add Eli Rice, 1846.
To the list of Deacons, on page 285, add John Barnes, 166 -.
To the list of JJustices of the Peace, on page 286, add Abraham Williams, John Weeks.
On pages 272 to 277, we have given the names of the patriotic young men who enlisted into the service of the United States, in June or July, 1861. Since that time several others have enlisted into dif- ferent corps, and common justice requires that their names should be added to the list of those who are willing to sacrifice all in defense of the Union and its blessed institutions. The following is a roll of the men, all of whom have enlisted for three years, or during the war.
David Barnes. George T. Brigham.
Michael Larvin. Henry Lawrence. Henry Lee.
Cyrus H. Brown. George E. Burgess. William B. Campbell.
Stephen Pope, Jr. Albert Prouty. Grenville H. Smith.
Thomas Gallagher. Francis G. Graves.
Neverson Stone.
Alanson Howe.
Barnabas Wall.
Alonzo Howe.
Cornelius Wall.
Stephen Knight.
Henry F. Wood.
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IPRIRY
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