USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > History of the town of Medfield, Massachusetts, 1650-1886 : with genealogies of the families that held real estate or made any considerable stay in the town during the first two centuries > Part 18
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The total amount of the school fund was $4,410.50.
Rev. Thomas T. Richmond was installed pastor of the Orthodox church.
1843. Selectmen, Obed Allen, Seth Chenery, Caleb S. Hamant, John F. Newell, and Simeon Richardson.
Johnson Mason, Representative.
CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT.
A committee was chosen to consider the expediency of laying out a new cemetery or enlarging the old. In ac- cordance with their report, the town voted to purchase two acres on the north and east sides of the old ground, at an expense of $100. This new ground was laid out into one hundred lots, which were sold at the uniform price of one dollar each ; but opportunity was given to bid for choice at public auction. The money so received was taken to pay for land bought, and to make the necessary improve- ments. The faced wall next the street was built, the walks and driveways were laid out, and evergreen trees planted.
1844. Selectmen, Obed Allen, Seth Chenery, Caleb S. Hamant, John F. Newell, and Simeon Richardson.
Hinsdale Fisher, Representative.
The selectmen were authorized to build a receiving-tomb in the cemetery.
THE MEADOWS FLOODED.
The town voted to commence a suit against Messrs. A. C.
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
& W. Curtis, for damages in flowing the meadow land by their dam at Natick.
THE HALL PURCHASED BY THE CENTRE DISTRICT.
The centre district bought the forty shares in the Masonic Hall for $5 a share. It was then proposed to move the school-house to a lot on "Zion's Lane"; but the district voted to repair the house above and below, and let it remain on the old spot. At the request of several citizens, how- ever, who contributed $25 for the purpose, it was moved back a few feet, so as to conform more nearly to the origi- nal street line. The whole amount expended on the build- ing at this time was $1, 158.60. The old hall in the upper story was fitted up as a school-room for the older classes, leaving the lower room for the smaller children. The two entrances were protected by a portico.
1845. Selectmen, Noah Allen, Joseph Miller, Jona- than Wight, Jr., Charles Hamant, and Joel Baker.
The commissioners laid out a road from the mills in the east part of the town to a point on Elm Street near Walpole line, nearly along the old unused way once laid out in that ·direction, now the southerly end of Philip Street.
The financial reports for this year were the first that were printed and distributed among the families. From a copy of this report, we gather the following : -
Total receipts of the treasurer were $2,038.92.
Of this sum, $28.78 was school money, and $210 was militia money, received from the State treasurer.
The payments by the treasurer amounted to $1,821.96, and liabilities to $1,378.47. The amount paid and still due for schools, including repairs, amounted to $1, 147.47. The resources for paying the liabilities were $1,034.96. Among the payments are : $210 for bounty to officers and soldiers of "Putnam Greys "; use of Masonic Hall three years, $40 ; use of Unitarian vestry, $40; for the hearse-house, $132.42 ; for gates to burying-ground, $50.
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MEDFIELD IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
STRAW WORKS.
A straw shop was built by Warren Chenery on the spot now occupied as a residence by Edmund L. Chenery. The business increasing, it was soon after enlarged to twice its original size.
A new hearsc-house was built by the town this year.
1846. Selectmen, Hinsdale Fisher, Joseph Miller, Daniel D. Hamant, Jesse Ellis, and Jacob R. Cushman.
Henry Partridge, Representative.
Total appropriations of the town, $1,900.
Green Street was widened and straightened.
The burying-ground committee was instructed to set up and arrange the stones, many of which had fallen down, and make such other improvements as were necessary in the old part of the burying-ground.
A new hearse was purchased of J. R. Cushman for $116 .- 75. The old one was sold for $4.
1847. Selectmen, Caleb S. Hamant, Obed Allen, and Daniel C. Sanders,- the town having voted that there should be but three selectmen. From the settlement of the town until now, the board had consisted of five members.
Charles C. Sewall, Representative.
A road was laid out from Main Street to Frairy Street, now called Short Street.
The cemetery committee was authorized to lay out lots in the old as well as in the new part of the grounds.
SHIRE TOWN.
Voted to petition for the removal of the shire town of the county from Dedham, and that two half-shire towns be made,- Roxbury and Medfield.
Voted, To abate Robert Roberts' taxes to the former basis, and that the expense of distraining and selling his property be repaid him.
The assessors had laid a tax upon a large amount of prop- erty, which Mr. Roberts could not come into absolute pos- session of, but from which he only received income.
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
1848. Selectmen, Charles Hamant, Hinsdale Fisher, and Samuel Johnson.
Jonathan P. Bishop, Representative.
Pleasant Street was laid out as a town way. A private way leading from Main Street had existed for several years, which was called, in common parlance, " Zion's Lane."
A new set of standard weights and measures was pro- cured for the town.
A proposition was made to build a town house, but the voters summarily dismissed it.
1849. Selectmen, Charles Hamant, Samuel Johnson, and Benjamin F. Shumway.
The old brick school-house at the corner of North and Railroad Streets was taken away ; and a new school-house was erected in the north district, at the present corner of North and School Streets, and two schools were established there.
Town-meeting warrants were directed to be posted on the elm-tree " near the public well," and a frame to hold the same was ordered.
The printed report of the officers of the town playfully designates the postmaster thus, in a bill which had been paid for the town : "Emperor, for Postage, $1.53." This was the familiar title of Mr. Onion, so much more common in the mouths of men than his real name that it seems to have slipped off the writer's pen naturally.
THE RECORDS.
A duplicate copy of the ancient record of births, mar- riages, and deaths was made by order of the town, which embraces the period from 1651 to 1820.
Near the close of this year, Rev. D. W. Phillips resigned as pastor of the Baptist church, removing, soon after, to South Reading, now Wakefield.
CHARLES RIVER BRANCH RAILROAD.
The original petition for a railroad from Brookline to Woonsocket having been rejected, and its successful com-
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MEDFIELD IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
petitor, the Norfolk County Road, being chartered and now in process of construction, Mr. Pettee presented a petition for a branch road from Brookline to Dover, which was granted ; and it was named the " Charles River Branch Railroad." Two years afterward, its charter was extended from Dover through Medway to a point in Bellingham, and it was called the "Charles River Railroad."
1850. Selectmen, Noah Allen, Daniel D. Hamant, and George Davis.
Total appropriations of the town, $2,000.
Voted, To purchase a safe for the town's use, at a cost not exceeding $150.
The road leading to Wrentham was straightened, and the stone bridge over Stop River built by Nathaniel Fairbanks.
An exciting contest of two days' duration took place in November, over the choice of a Representative. Four bal- lotings each day resulted in no choice. A second meeting was called for the purpose, at which an election was made.
The population of Medfield in 1850 was 966. The valu- ation was $463,414. Rate of taxation, $5.70 on a thousand.
1851. Selectmen, Jonathan P. Bishop, William Q. Fisher, and Daniels Hamant, Jr.
Jonathan P. Bishop, Representative.
School Street was laid out, and Orchard Street was widened.
WALLING'S TOWN MAP.
The town voted to purchase four hundred copies of the map of Medfield by H. F. Walling. The expense was $212.75.
Rev. George G. Fairbanks was ordained pastor of the Baptist church.
BOOT MANUFACTURE.
A company was organized for the manufacture of boots, and Paul Jillson was employed as the company's agent. The business was not successful; and, after a few years, it was relinquished.
-
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
About 1851-52, Walter Janes directed his attention to the straw manufacturing business. He hired the hall in the old tavern ; and, taking work from a manufacturer in Franklin, he employed thirty girls in sewing braid into hats and bon- nets, under the oversight of his sister, Mrs. W. D. Rowe, while he went himself into the shop at Franklin to learn the details of the business. Soon after this, he commenced for himself in Medfield; Mr. Green, of Franklin, and others, furnishing stock to be manufactured.
1852. Selectmen, Robert Roberts, Daniels Hamant, Jr., and William Q. Fisher.
CHARLES RIVER RAILROAD.
The town voted that the directors of the Charles River Railroad Company have permission to locate their road over any of the town lands, free of expense.
James Whitney was appointed postmaster. He held the office from October till the following August ; and it was kept in his store, which was in a part of the old tavern building, on the site of the present town hall.
THE CARRIAGE MANUFACTURE.
The manufacture of carriages had been commenced in a small way by Jacob R. Cushman, about 1835. At first, he did all his work with his own hands, but enlarged the business gradually, and employed apprentices and journey- men. In those years, barter was more common in trade than now; and, with lumber which he took in exchange for carriages, he built some dozen or more small houses in the village, which were sold to persons of moderate means. In 1852, he entered into partnership with J. H. Baker ; and the manufacture was conducted under the name of Cush- man & Baker until Mr. Cushman's retirement from active business.
1853. Selectmen, Charles C. Sewall, Moses B. H. Bishop, and Cyrus Stedman.
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MEDFIELD IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
A new Hunneman fire engine was purchased for the use of the town, at an expense of $600; and an engine company was formed.
Walter Janes was appointed postmaster. The office was moved to the store of Isaac Fiske, corner of North Street. The same year, Mr. Janes commenced the manufacture of straw goods in the old house built by Parson Townsend about 1745, which had been used as a dwelling-house by his family, and subsequently by Rev. Charles Robinson, and which stood on North Street, nearly opposite the Unitarian church.
Rev. Rushton D. Burr was ordained over the Unitarian Society.
The "Charles River Railroad " being completed as far as Needham, a line of stages was established between that point and Medfield ; and Boston passengers henceforth took their way to the city over the Dover hills. This continued for several years.
1854. Selectmen, Charles C. Sewall, Moses B. H. Bishop, and Cyrus Stedman.
Charles C. Sewall, Representative. Mr. Sewall was also chosen town clerk.
Valuation of the town, $504,325.
A new engine house was built, at a cost of $600. It stood on North Street, near what is now the corner of Janes Avenue. It had a room for the meetings of the company in the second story.
A board of health was chosen for the first time. It con- sisted of the selectmen and the physicians of the town.
The members of the engine company had the amount of their poll tax ($1.50) remitted.
FIREMEN OF 1854.
Joseph H. Baker. Hinsdale F. Bullard.
Moses Daniels.
Nathan Fisher.
John E. Bullard. Isaac Fiske. Nathaniel H. Cheney. Joseph Clark. William M. Grant.
William M. Gilmore.
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
Robert Green.
Eliakim Morse.
Moses Hartshorn.
Henry O. Noyes.
William P. Hewins.
H. P. Slocum.
Moses H. Johnson.
William M. Smith.
Ralph Johnson.
George E. Wade.
Samuel Johnson.
Alfred Wallace.
Amos E. Mason.
Hamlet Wight.
Henry B. Metcalf.
Henry F. Wight.
1855. Selectmen, Charles C. Sewall, George M. Smith, and Benjamin F. Shumway.
Isaac Fiske, Representative.
The formation of the town of Norfolk was agitated, and it was proposed to take a slice from the southerly part of Medfield. The town voted to oppose the petition ; and, when the new town was formed, our southerly line was not disturbed.
A new road to Walpole plain was laid out, the southerly part of Plain Street.
A committee, which had been chosen to consider the school system, reported in favor of abolishing the school districts. The report was rejected.
Rev. Andrew Bigelow was installed pastor of the Ortho- dox Congregationalist church.
A new school-house was built in the south district. The school-house lot was enlarged, and the new building was erected a few rods south of the spot where the old one stood. The cost of the building was $1,400. The old one was re- moved to an adjoining homestead, where it is still in usc.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN.
A committee of five was chosen to cause the history of the town of Medfield to be prepared and printed. No re- port of that committee is on record ; but, as a result of this movement, a few pages of historical matter were appended to the town reports.
NAMING THE STREETS.
A proposition was made that the various streets in the town be named. Among the reasons urged, the most prom-
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MEDFIELD IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
inent was the convenience of bounding lands in convey- ances. The whole matter was referred to the selectmen, who proceeded to assign the names to the streets, substan- tially as at present used.
STREETS OF MEDFIELD (1886).
ADAMS AVENUE .- From Cottage Street to West Mill Street.
BRIDGE STREET .- From Main Street, near the meadows, to Brastow's Bridge.
CANAL STREET .- From Death's Bridge to Railroad Street.
CAUSEWAY STREET .- From Main Street, opposite the cemetery, to Or- chard Street, including the "long causeway," and crossing the western slope of Noon Hill.
CEDAR HILL STREET .- From Main Street, near Cedar Hill, to Dover line, being a part of the old turnpike.
COTTAGE STREET .- From North Street to Frairy Street.
CROSS STREET .- From Elm Street to Philip Street, near Mt. Nebo.
CURVE STREET .- From South Street to Spring Street, near the grist mill of Mr. Kingsbury.
DALE STREET .- From North Street to Bridge Street.
DWIGHT STREET .- From Dwight's Bridge to Causeway Street.
ELM STREET .- From South Street, near the railroad crossing, to Walpole line, over Mill Brook.
FARM STREET .- From North Street, near Castle Hill, to Dover line, toward Farm Bridge.
FOREST STREET .- From High Street to Granite Street.
FOUNDRY STREET .- From Philip Street, near the mills, eastward to Walpole line, there terminating.
FRAIRY STREET .- From North Street, near the centre of the village, westward to Dale Street.
GRANITE STREET .- From High Street, one-fourth of a mile from the South School-house, to the town line near " Walpole plain."
GREEN STREET .- From North Street, near the centre of the town, eastward.
HIGH STREET .- From South Street, at the school-house, to the town line, the principal way leading to Walpole.
JANES AVENUE .- From North Street, near the Unitarian church.
MAIN STREET .- From the Turnpike Bridge, through the centre of the village, eastward to Dover and Walpole line, the principal way leading to Dedham.
MT. NEBO STREET .- From Main Street, at a point a mile east of the village, to Foundry Street.
NOON HILL STREET .- From South Street, crossing Stop River and the north-east side of Noon Hill, to Causeway Street.
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
NORTH STREET .- From Main Street, at the centre of the village, north- ward to Dover line.
OAK STREET .- From Park Street, crossing Pleasant Street, to South Street.
ORCHARD STREET .- From the Upper Bridge over Charles River to Norfolk line.
PARK STREET .- From Main Street, east of the railroad, southward to Oak Street.
PHILIP STREET .- From South Street, around the southerly side of Mt. Nebo, to the mills, and thence to Elm Street.
PINE STREET .- From North Street, at a point half a mile north of the centre of the town, north-eastward to Dover line.
PLAIN STREET .- From High Street, one-fourth of a mile from Wal- pole line, southward toward " Walpole plain."
PLEASANT STREET .- From Main Street, at the centre of the town, southward.
POUND STREET .- From South Street, near the centre of the town, east- ward to Main Street.
RAILROAD STREET .- From North Street, at a point three-fourths of a mile from the centre of the town, to Dover line.
ROCKY LANE STREET .- From South Street, near Noon Hill, eastward to Granite Street.
SCHOOL STREET .- From North Street, at the school-house, to Railroad Street.
SHORT STREET .- From Main Street to Frairy Street.
SOUTH STREET .- From Main Street, at the centre of the town, south- ward to Norfolk line.
SPRING STREET .- From Main Street, west of the railroad, southerly to South Street, near the school-house, passing "Boiling Spring."
SUMMER STREET .- From Green Street to Pine Street.
WEST STREET .- From Bridge Street, near Brastow's Bridge, through "Dingle Dell " to Railroad Street, near its junction with North Street.
WEST MILL STREET .- From Railroad Street, near the station, through Dingle Dell to Dale Street.
WINTER STREET .- From North Street to Pine Street.
1856. Selectmen, Benjamin F. Shumway, George Fiske, and John A. Turner.
OLD TOWN ROADS DISCONTINUED.
I. From house of Ellis Allen, over Castle Hill. 2. From John Grant's (Dingle Dell) to Bridge Street, near John F.
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MEDFIELD IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
Newell's. 3. Road running southward from Pine Street to Green Street. 4. The old road crossing Stop River toward Wrentham, east of the new one. 5. Road from Noon Hill Street, near the saw-mill, running southward over the hill. 6. Road south of Noon Hill from near Stop River bridge. 7. Road near the Baxter pasture, from Granite Street south- ward. 8. Road called "Sam Chickering's meeting-house road," from near Stow's to the foot of Cedar Hill.
Valuation of the town, $571,908.
The town-meetings were held in vestry of the Orthodox church this year, as for eight or ten years subsequently.
Rev. James W. Lathrop was installed pastor of the Bap- tist church.
1857. Selectmen, Benjamin F. Shumway, George Fiske, John A. Turner.
The fourteenth Norfolk representative district was estab- lished, comprising Medfield, Needham, and Dover.
The people of the centre school district proposed that the town unite with them in building a new school-house in the village, with a public hall over the same. The town voted in the negative.
Rev. Solon W. Bush was installed over the Unitarian church and society.
Warren Chenery & Son erected a large straw factory three stories in height. The building was burned in 1879, and the site is now occupied by the Baptist parsonage.
The old powder-house, built just before the Revolutionary War, was sold in 1857 for $1.
Cushman & Baker erected a carriage factory on the site of the old mill, formerly owned by Artemas Woodward and by Cyrus Stedman, Frairy Street.
1858. Selectmen, Charles Hamant, Orion Wight, and Joseph Miller.
Samuel Ellis was chosen town clerk. He held the office several years.
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
BY-LAWS OF THE TOWN.
The town adopted the following code of by-laws : -
FINANCIAL CONCERNS OF THE TOWN.
I. The financial year shall begin on the twenty-first day of February, and end on the twentieth. And it shall be observed in all cases and by all persons in making and settling contracts for the town.
2. No bills of any kind shall be paid by the town treasurer, unless the same shall have been approved by the selectmen, or by some com- mittee duly authorized by vote of the town to contract therefor.
TOWN-MEETINGS.
Warrants for town-meetings shall be drawn at least fourteen days, and an attested copy thereof posted in the usual place at least ten days before the time of holding the meeting specified therein, except in cases of order of notice from the Legislature or other bodies, where, in the judgment of the selectmen, a shorter notice is expedient.
TAXES.
I. All taxes shall be assessed in the month of May in each year, and committed to the collector as soon as the assessment is completed.
2. The taxes of all persons upon whom a poll tax only is assessed shall be paid on or before the first day of July in each year. All other taxes shall be paid on or before the first day of December in each year.
3. In all cases when tax bills are not paid at the time specified in the second section, six per cent. interest shall be charged on the same from the day they respectively became due until paid.
4. All tax bills remaining unpaid on the first day of April in each year, it shall be the duty of the collector forthwith to issue a summons to each delinquent; and, if such delinquent do not pay the amount of his tax within ten days after the issuing of the summons, with twenty cents more for the summons, the collector shall forthwith proceed to collect the amount due in manner provided by law.
ENGINE COMPANY.
I. There shall be an engine company which shall have not exceeding forty-five members, including officers,- such members to be appointed by and to be removable at the pleasure of the selectmen ; and no person who is less than twenty years of age shall be appointed, or for a less time than one year.
2. The company shall have a foreman and two assistant foremen and a clerk, who shall all be chosen by the company annually at a meeting to be held in May.
3. It shall be the duty of the foreman to see that the engine and appa- ratus and engine house are all kept neat, clean, and in order for imme-
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MEDFIELD IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
diate use, and to preserve order and discipline at all times in the com- pany.
4. It shall be the duty of the clerk to keep a record of the names of all the officers and members of the company, specifying the times of appointment, discharge, and the absence of each person from all fires in this town, and from the monthly meetings provided for in the fifth section, this book to be always subject to the inspection of the select- men and fire-wards.
5. The company shall perform all the duties by law required to be performed by engine men, and shall use their utmost endeavors in as orderly and quiet a manner as possible to extinguish all fires that may break out in this town; and once a month the company shall meet for the purpose of examining the condition of the engine and apparatus and see that the same is in good repair and ready for use.
6. The officers and members shall receive annually from the town the amount assessed as a poll tax for State, county, or town purposes, or for either.
HIGHWAYS.
No person shall receive pay for any labor performed upon the high- ways, unless such service shall have been first ordered and authorized by the person or persons having lawful authority to direct such labor to be performed.
ANIMALS RUNNING AT LARGE.
No horses, cattle, or swine shall be suffered to run at large in this town.
The above by-laws were submitted to Judge Perkins, and were approved by him, with the exception of the clause pro- viding for the payment of interest on taxes. That was not approved.
Walter Janes and D. D. Curtis formed a co-partnership in the straw business, under the firm name of Janes & Curtis. Business increasing, the following year they enlarged their shop to more than double its former dimensions by the erec- tion of a two-story building directly in the rear of the old Townsend house, in which the business had been carried on before. Very little machinery was then used, all the sew- ing of braid into hats and bonnets being done by hand in the families of this and adjoining towns. The goods were manufactured largely for Beekman, of New York.
1859. Selectmen, Charles Hamant, Orion Wight, and Joseph Miller.
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HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
The causeway on Noon Hill Street was raised, and a new sluice-way was built. The location of Elm Street, near its junction with South Street, was changed.
The county commissioners ordered Granite Street to be widened and thoroughly repaired.
CENTRE SCHOOL-IIOUSE.
A new school-house was built in the centre district, at an expense of $4,600, exclusive of the land. There being dif- ference of opinion as to its location, the selection of this site was left to a committee of reference, consisting of the chairman of the boards of selectmen in Medway, Walpole, and Dedham. The old school-house was sold to T. L. Barney, and removed to the corner of South Street, where it was enlarged and fitted up as a dwelling and store.
1860. Selectmen, Charles Hamant, Orion Wight, and Joseph Miller.
Jacob R. Cushman, Representative.
Cottage Street was laid out. Boards bearing the names of the streets were ordered to be erected in the proper places throughout the town.
Whole amount of taxable property in the town, $583,555. Town appropriations, $3,000. Rate of taxation, $6.15 on a thousand.
The population of the town in 1860 was 1,082.
RECORDS MISSING.
At this point occurs a break in the town records, the book containing the recorded action of the town from 1860 to 1874 having been destroyed at the burning of the town hall in the latter year.
The synopsis of events which follows has been gathered from various sources, and is believed to be reliable.
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