USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Medford > History of the town of Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement in 1630 to 1855 > Part 41
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During the time when the fare was twenty-five cents, it cost the same sum to send a barrel of flour over the road by the heavy express. A Medford woman, famous for her economy, purchased a barrel of flour in the city, and, thinking that she might save a penny by sending it home as baggage, asked Mr. Wyman if he would take it; and his reply, courteous to the last, was as follows: "I am sorry, madam, that I cannot accommodate you, but I have just been applied to for baggage-room for a saw-mill."
Mr. Wyman was succeeded in this business by Samuel S. Blanchard, Amos Hemphill, and Charles Knapp.
In process of time, as fully noticed in another part of this volume, Medford was well provided with a cheaper and more rapid means of transit to and from Boston, and
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
the omnibus line to the city was no longer needed. But there came a growing demand for a public conveyance between Medford and West Medford ; and in March, 1877, Cunningham & Co. put on a line of coaches between those parts of the town. The enterprise is a great convenience to our citizens ; and at the present time the coaches make nine trips a day, the fare being only seven cents each way per passenger.
Cunningham & Co. were succeeded by Haynes & Ben- nett, who in 1883 were succeeded by George H. Dunck- lee, the present proprietor, under whose management the business has largely increased, with better accommodations for the people.
NEWSPAPERS.
The "Medford Journal " was the first newspaper pub- lished in our town. The first number bore date, Dec. 24, 1870. It was an eight-column journal, edited and pub- lished by James M. Usher. The " Journal " was after- wards purchased by Joseph Scott; in whose hands it remained until its publication was discontinued.
The second newspaper printed in Medford was the "Medford Chronicle," a six-column paper, the first issue bearing date, January, 1872 ; edited and published by A. B. Morss.
The third was the " Medford Mercury," an eight-column journal, published and edited by Samuel W. Lawrence, with George W. Stetson as local editor. The first num- ber bore date, Dec. 18, 1880. In January, 1882, Mr. Law- rence purchased the " Chronicle," and united it with the " Mercury." The paper has a solid foundation, and is likely to have a large circulation and a successful career.
PRINTING-OFFICES.
The first printing-office in Medford was set up in Sep- tember, 1871, by A. B. Morss, and is still owned and suc- cessfully conducted by its originator.
The second was established by F. H. C. Wooley, in 1878; and after a very brief time, E. F. Peckham & Co. succeeded to the business. The latter have recently sold out to R. O. Evans, who is prosecuting successfully the job-printing work.
In 1880 Samuel W. Lawrence established a printing- office on a more enlarged scale, for his own accommoda- tion in the publication of the " Medford Mercury."
RESIDENCE OF HENRY HASTINGS.
44I
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
MEDFORD SAVINGS BANK.
This institution was organized, under a charter from the Legislature, April 12, 1869. Edward Brooks was its first president. It has (Nov. 1, 1883) 1,726 open accounts ; the amount deposited being $453,315.04. Number of accounts open for women, 682. The first deposit was made May I, 1869, by S. C. Lawrence Post 66, G. A. R., as a relief fund. The deposits are made almost entirely by residents of the town, and include those from char- itable associations, churches, Sunday schools, and relief societies. Its affairs have been very prudently and sat- isfactorily managed, and it holds a high position among institutions of its class in this State.
D. W. Lawrence, Esq., rendered faithful and able ser- vice to the bank, as its treasurer, for a long series of years, and resigned in 1885.
Its first board of officers was as follows : -
President. - Edward Brooks.
Vice-Presidents. - Henry Hastings, E. Boynton, jun., J. T. Foster.
Trustees. - Edward Brooks, B. F. Hayes, D. A. Gleason, Henry Hastings, James O. Curtis, R. P. Hallowell, J. P. Richardson, D. W. Lawrence, T. S. Harlow, Luther Farwell, T. Magoun, jun., William C. Haskins, John Ayres.
Secretary. - D. W. Lawrence.
Treasurer. - Herbert Magoun.
Auditing Committee. - T. S. Harlow, P. C. Hall, A. S. Lincoln.
Committee of Investment. - J. O. Curtis, Chairman, William C. Haskins, Luther Farwell, T. Magoun, jun., D. A. Gleason.
The officers of the present board are : -
President. - Henry Hastings.
Vice-Presidents. - Eleazar Boynton, J. T. Foster, S. C. Lawrence.
Trustees. - B. F. Hayes, D. A. Gleason, James O. Curtis, W. C. Haskins, F. E. Foster, R. P. Hallowell, J. P. Richardson, C. M. Bar- rett, Jonas Coburn, John C. Rand, E. Boynton, J. Henry Norcross, J. Gilman Waite, B. C. Leonard, Daniel W. Wilcox, Daniel W. Law- rence.
Clerk. - J. Gilman Waite.
Treasurer. - Charles B. Buss.
Auditing Committee. - E. F. Allen, R. B. Lawrence, Fred H. Kidder.
Committee of Investment .- J. O. Curtis, D. A. Gleason, B. F. Hayes, William C. Haskins, F. E. Foster.
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
CHAPTER XXI.
SOCIETIES.
MASONRY.
IN 1854 the first steps were taken which led to the organization of a Masonic Lodge in Medford. In that year George Hervey, John T. White, Elbridge G. Currell, Charles E. Merrill, Cleopas B. Johnson, William Crook, Dr. Samuel Kidder, A. Henry Gardner, Elisha Stetson, James Ford, and Thomas R. Peck, under a dispensation granted by the Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, took the preliminary steps for organizing a lodge ; and on the 12th of September, 1855, Mount Hermon Lodge was chartered.
The Lodge entered at once upon that career of solid prosperity which it has since maintained. The following gentlemen have served in the office of Master of Mount Hermon Lodge, in the order of their names : -
George Hervey. Elisha Stetson.
John Viall. Smith B. Harrington.
Elbridge G. Currell.
Charles D. Archibald.
Cleopas B. Johnson.
Samuel Hall.
Elihu C. Baker.
William A. Webber.
Samuel C. Lawrence.
Darius A. Green.
Benjamin A. Hersey.
Herbert A. Reed.
Henry H. Gilmore.
Edward W. Hayes.
Charles E. Joyce.
James F. Hannah.
Nehemiah T. Merritt.
A. Byron Reed.
The present year, 1886, is the twenty-fourth year of Parker R. Litchfield's service as Secretary of the Lodge.
Gen. Samuel C. Lawrence, a member of Mount Hermon Lodge, was elected Grand Master of Masons in Massachu- setts in 1881, and was re-elected to the same office in 1882 and 1883.
June 9, 1863, the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massa- chusetts granted to a number of Royal Arch Masons liv-
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
ing in Medford and its vicinity a dispensation to organize a Chapter under the name of Mystic Chapter of Royal Arch Masons.
The following companions have successively presided over the Chapter since it was formally constituted on the 25th of January, 1864 :-
Daniel W. Lawrence.
William A. Webber.
Nehemiah T. Merritt.
Darius A. Green.
Henry H. Gilmore.
Charles H. Prentiss.
Benjamin A. Hersey.
Samuel G. Jepson.
Charles E. Joyce.
Samuel C. Lawrence.
Alfred Haskell.
Herbert A. Reed.
Smith B. Harrington.
A. Byron Reed.
Amos B. Morss.
James P. Richardson.
William B. Lawrence.
The excellent spirit which has always pervaded the Chapter, and the kindly social relations of its members, have given it a strong hold upon the hearts of the brethren.
In 1869 a number of Royal and Select Masters in Masonry, under due authority from the Grand Council, organized a Council under the name of Medford Council of Royal and Select Masters.
The highest position in the Council has been occupied by the following named gentlemen : -
Benjamin A. Hersey. Alfred Haskell.
Alvin R. Reed.
James S. Sturtevant. Bernard Born. Charles A. T. Bloom.
The Council has enjoyed a prosperous career, and its membership at the present time numbers fifty-two.
ODD-FELLOWSHIP.
Harmony Lodge, No. 68, I. O. of O. F., was instituted April 4, 1845. At a later date, owing to causes which need not be mentioned here, its charter was surrendered to the Grand Lodge. In 1874 a revived interest in the principles of Odd Fellowship led to an application for a new charter, and Harmony Lodge was re-created the same year.
Since the revival of its charter, the Lodge has main- tained a prosperous existence ; its affairs have been well managed, and its finances are in a sound condition. It now numbers one hundred and five members.
J. Gilman Waite.
Charles D. Archibald.
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 186, I. O. of O. F., was in- stituted Sept. 4, 1878, under an application made to the Grand Lodge by A. B. Morss and others, residents of West Medford.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Samuel C. Lawrence Post, No. 66. This post was or- ganized Sept. 4, 1868. It has had an excellent member- ship from the start, and the purposes of its organization have been efficiently carried out. It has always main- tained a charity fund ; and its aid has been thoughtfully extended to the widows and orphans of veterans, and to comrades in distress. Under its auspices, the town has annually paid reverent observance to Memorial Day.
The citizens of the town, always kindly disposed toward the Post, have contributed most liberally to its charity funds, and have given generous aid in furtherance of all its plans. With their assistance, the Post was enabled to contribute $1,500 to the Soldiers' Home in Chelsea.
A beautiful and costly banner was presented to the Post by Mrs. Samuel C. Lawrence, in 1873.
The following is a list of the commanders of the Post since its organization : -
Godfrey Ryder. Pearl Martin.
J. H. Eames. J. Everett Pierce.
John Hutchins.
James A. Hervey.
Albert A. Samson.
George L. Goodale.
John S. Beck.
John S. Beck.
Horatio N. Peak, jun.
Samuel G. Jepson.
I. F. R. Hosea.
The S. C. Lawrence Woman's Relief Corps is a society auxiliary to the Post, formed by the wives and daughters of veterans, and other ladies of the town. Its purpose is to assist the Post in its work of charity ; and it has rendered valuable aid in visiting the sick and needy, and in raising the funds essential to its work.
MEDFORD COUNCIL, NO. 94, ROYAL ARCANUM.
This association, organized in May, 1878, is based upon a plan of mutual life-insurance. It has a large and re- spectable membership, and its affairs have always been prudently and successfully managed. Its insurance bene. fit is $3,000.
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
HOME LODGE, NO. 124, KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF HONOR.
Home Lodge was organized Dec. 31, 1878, with twenty- six charter members. The benefit paid on the death of a member is $1,000. The membership of this Lodge has largely increased since its organization.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
Medford Lodge, No. 231, was instituted Feb. 18, 1876, and has now a large membership.
Mystic Lodge, No. 883, was instituted at West Medford, Feb. 7, 1878. It started with thirty-seven members, and the number has since increased to eighty.
Under the rules of the Order, from $1,000 to $5,000, according to class, is secured to the family of a deceased member.
GOV. BROOKS COUNCIL, NO. 824, AMERICAN LEGION OF HONOR.
This council was chartered Jan. 9, 1882. Its insurance benefit is from $1,000 to $3,000, according to class.
WARREN LODGE, NO. 15, ANCIENT ORDER UNITED WORKMEN.
This Lodge was organized Aug. 7, 1879, with a charter membership of nineteen. At the present time it has sixty-four members. Its insurance benefit is $2,000.
WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.
Incited by the great and destructive evils of intem- perance, and inspired by the philanthropic labors of the faithful men and women who have toiled for its suppres- sion, twenty-nine women gathered at Temperance Hall in Medford, June 26, 1878, and formed a society under the above name, auxiliary to the Woman's Christian Temper- ance Union of the State.
Their number soon increased to upwards of sixty, and some of the most public-spirited ladies of the town were heartily engaged in the work of the organization.
The plan of action embraces several distinct forms of effort, among which are the following : The circulation of temperance literature, in tracts, pamphlets, and books; the
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
procuring of temperance lectures ; and the instruction of children in temperance principles, by exercises calculated to enlist their sympathies in the temperance cause.
This organization has circulated petitions asking for temperance legislation, and in other ways has been active in opposing the reign of alcohol in this Commonwealth.
Its meetings are held once a week, and are devoted to devotional exercises, readings, discussions, written essays, and other papers, by its members, and to various kinds of work in aid of the cause.
A large amount of valuable work has been done by the ladies of this Union. Indeed, the hope of the temperance cause, at this time, is largely in the organizations of which noble and self-sacrificing women have charge.
SINGING SOCIETIES AND BANDS.
As early as 1835 a social singing society was organized in Medford. The members were J. Jordan, William Peak, John Stimson, Alexander Gregg, Joshua T. Foster, E. W. Chamberlain, John H. Haskell, Dr. S. W. Gregg, Elisha Stetson, Samuel Teel, jun., M. W. Horner, Moses Hamil- ton, Thomas W. Oliver, Charles Ewell, Alden Brooks, A. Ells, together with a goodly number of ladies.
One of the number, William Peak, afterwards became famous all over the country as the head of the "Peak Family" of Medford, which won great popularity under the name of the " Swiss Bell-ringers.
More than forty years ago Medford had an organized and a very efficient band of about twenty pieces, brought together through the influence of J. Jordan, who was its first leader.
The Medford Cornet Band was organized June 9, 1870. There were at first but five members; but the organization increased in numbers, and March 17, 1871, made its first public appearance, with Frank A. Hadley as leader.
The five original members were F. A. Hadley, I. F. R. Hosea, jun., D. C. Cooper, C. O. Wheeler, and S. W. James ; and to these thirty-three were afterwards added.
The "Mystic Brass Band of Medford " was organized Oct. 16, 1870, with thirteen members, with Henry Jordan as its first teacher.
On the 6th of March, 1873, the Mystic Brass Band and the Cornet Band were united under the name of the " Medford Band."
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
The "Medford Band" was very popular, its services were sought from every part of the country, and it gained a wide and honorable reputation.
In March, 1882, the band removed its headquarters to Boston, and since that time it has borne the name of the "Boston City Band."
IMPROVEMENT SOCIETIES.
The Village Improvement Society of West Medford was organized in 1882. Its objects are the improvement of the place in sanitary regulations, tree-planting, architec- ture, gardening, streets and sidewalks. It instituted a course of lectures in 1882-83-84, which were well attended and highly appreciated.
Similar societies have since been organized in the cen- tre of the town, and in Glenwood, having the same objects in view; and all are working together harmoniously for the general good.
448
HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
CHAPTER XXII.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
REV. CHARLES BROOKS.
CHARLES BROOKS, the author of the History of Med- ford, was born in this town, Oct. 30, 1795. His parents were Jonathan and Elizabeth (Albree) Brooks. He en- tered Harvard College in 1812, and was graduated in 1816. For a short time he was a reader in the Episcopal Church, to which his tastes and sentiments had drawn him ; but a conviction that Christianity as expounded by Ware and Channing was more conformable to truth led him to adopt the views of the Unitarians.
He terminated his professional studies in the theologi- cal school of Harvard College in 1819; and preached his first sermon in Medford, in the meeting-house in which he was baptized in infancy. He was ordained as pastor of the Third Congregational Society in Hingham in 1821, and had a very active and successful pastorate there. He was an earnest worker in various good ways. He took an active interest in the cause of peace, and in the tem- perance reform, and was an early and constant friend of popular education. He was the first person to intro- duce the burning of anthracite coal into Hingham, and is entitled to the honor of starting the project of a line of steamboats between Boston and that place.
In 1833 Mr. Brooks visited Europe, and made the acquaintance of many distinguished persons there. He gave much attention to the Prussian system of education, and on his return home lectured extensively on the im- portance of education in our own country. The results of his labor were the establishment of boards of educa- tion and normal schools. In 1838 he was elected pro- fessor of natural history in the University of the City of New York, and the next year closed his pastorate at Hing-
1
Chot Brooks.
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
ham. He subsequently spent four years in Europe, and! on his return devoted himself to scientific studies, and such as he deemed of importance to him in his professor- ship, until the failure of his sight compelled him to leave his profession, and retire to private life.
Mr. Brooks was quite a voluminous writer. In his early ministry he published a prayer-book, which had a very extensive circulation. His "History of the Town of Medford " was published in 1855, and is a work of careful research, evincing a rare knowledge of life and manners in the old Colonial times. His enthusiastic love for his native town, and his familiarity with local traditions, many of which had come down to him through ancestral chan- nels, especially fitted him for such a task. The book was one of the earliest contributions to. a knowledge of New- England municipal history, and has been followed by a long line of similar works. Later in life, he turned his attention to the condition of aged and destitute clergy- men, and was instrumental in the foundation of a society for their relief.
He was twice married ; in 1827, to Miss Celia Williams of Brooklyn, Conn., who died in Hingham in 1837 ; and in 1839, to Mrs. Charlotte Ann H. Lord of Portsmouth, N. H., who died in that city in November, 1869. Mr: Brooks died in Medford, July 7, 1872, at the age of seventy- six years. He was a studious, scholarly, and high-minded! man, clear in his judgment, genial and affable in disposi- tion ; and, to a life of practical benevolence, he added the: graces of a Christian character.
LIEUT .- GOV. JOHN USHER.
In Drake's "History of Middlesex County," Mr. John Usher is spoken of as the most noted citizen of Medford, in the early part of the eighteenth century. He inherited some property from his father, and increased it by success- ful business, first as a bookseller in Cornhill, Boston (on the very spot afterwards long occupied for the same pur- pose by the writer of this history), and afterwards in for- eign trade. He was a councillor under Gov. Dudley, and councillor and treasurer under Gov. Andros. He was son- in-law of Samuel Allen, a London merchant, who bought out the claims of the Mason heirs to the proprietorship of New Hampshire. He was made lieutenant-governor there
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
in 1692, and had many severe contests with the settlers. He held office at intervals, after going to Massachusetts and to England, until 1715, when he was displaced, and withdrew to Medford, where he died, Sept. 25, 1726. His widow sold his estate of five hundred and four acres and his house to Col. Royal, Dec. 26, 1733, for $10,350. He left a son, Rev. John Usher (H.C. 1719), a clergyman at Bristol, R.I., whose son was also ordained ; and descend- ants are still living in that State. An own cousin to Lieut .- Gov. Usher was Robert Usher of Dunstable, who left descendants, one of whom, Robert, moved to Medford, where he died Oct. 13, 1793. His son, Eleazer Usher, born in Medford, 1770, was the father of the writer of this history ; also of Roland G. Usher, late United-States Marshal for Massachusetts, and now (1886) warden of the State Prison.
REV. EDWARD BROOKS.
Edward Brooks, the third son of Samuel and Mary (Boutwell) Brooks, was born in Medford, Nov. 4, 1733. He graduated at Harvard College, 1757. He married, Sept. 23, 1764, Abigail, daughter of Rev. John Brown of Haverhill. Her mother was Joanna Cotton, the great- grand-daughter of John Cotton the famous Puritan divine. After graduation, Mr. Brooks remained at Cambridge for a short time as librarian of the college. The first notice of his preaching is in Seccomb's "Journal," April 25, 1762. In 1764 he was called to the church at North Yar- mouth, Me., where he remained five years. Willis, the historian of Portland, says, "The cause of Mr. Brooks's dismissal was a difference of religious opinion : he was inclined to more liberal views than his people were accus- tomed to hear." After leaving North Yarmouth, he re- turned, in 1769, to his native town of Medford; and, from the records, occasionally preached for the Rev. Mr. Turell. He hastened, as a volunteer, to the "Concord Fight," in 1775. In an address by the Hon. Edward Everett at Concord, in 1825, he mentions the exploit of the capture of a convoy belonging to the relief party of Lord Percy, which has been ascribed to Mr. Brooks, but which he thinks does not belong to him. He, however, took an active part in the business of the day ; and he preserved the life of Lieut. Gould of the Eleventh Regiment, who was wounded on the retreat at the Concord Brigde.
WARRANT.
T HE MARINE COMMITTEE appointed byr Congrefs, to equip and fit out the Fleet of the United Colonies, having received fuch Recommendations as fatisfy them, that you mr Edward Brooks are duly qualified for the Office of a Chaplain WE have therefore appointed you the faid Edward Brothis 1
to be Chaplain
on board the Ship Hancock hereby giving you full Power to execute the Office aforefaid, agreeable to the Rules and Regulations of the Sea Service, and fuch Orders as you may receive from your fuperior Officers. And for your fo doing, this fhall be your fufficient Warrant. Dated at Borton april The
John Hancock he."
un rimini
Middlesenf: June 19: 0778. Edward Brooke Egp. a Justice of the Peace for the Bounty of Middleren took the Oath of Fidelity allegiance, presented by an las of the state Befive mel vielencm)
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
His son, Peter Chardon Brooks, wrote of him : -
" He (Rev. Edward Brooks) was a high Son of Liberty. He went over to Lexington on the 19th April, 1775, on horseback, with his gun on his shoulder, and in his full-bottomed wig. I remember it well. I was eight years old, and frightened enough at hearing the guns at Menotomy (now Arlington), and seeing them glisten, from our garret-window. Those were times that tried men's souls, but not their purses : for they had none. They were as poor as rats."
In 1777, being out of health, Mr. Brooks went as chap- lain of the frigate " Hancock," thirty-two guns, commanded by Capt. Manly. They sailed on a cruise to the eastward ; and, in the month of May, fell in with and captured the frigate "Fox," twenty-eight guns. Manning the prize, and proceeding off Halifax, the British fleet captured the " Hancock," re-took the prize, and carried them into Halifax.
While confined there on parole, he took the small-pox, the marks of which he ever after carried with him. After being released, he returned to Medford. An account of this capture may be found in the "Boston Gazette " of 1777. The health of Mr. Brooks was shattered ; and he died May 6, 1781, aged forty-eight. His wife died, Nov. 29, 1800.
PETER CHARDON BROOKS, IST.
Peter Chardon Brooks, the son of Rev. Edward Brooks and Abigail (Brown) Brooks, was born in North Yarmouth, Me., Jan. 6, 1767, and died in Boston, Jan. 1, 1849. He married, Nov. 26, 1792, Ann, daughter of Hon. Nathaniel Gorham of Charlestown.
Mr. Brooks was brought up on the farm at Medford. When of age, he went to Boston, and soon established himself in the insurance business, in State Street, at the corner of Kilby Street. His first office was in the "Bunch of Grapes " tavern, where the New-England Bank now stands. This was before the incorporation of public insur- ance offices ; and all underwriting was done by individuals at private offices, of which there were but three at that time in the town. He continued in business about fifteen years, or until about 1804, when he retired, and after- wards passed his summers at Medford in agricultural pur- suits, of which he was fond. The house he first occupied in Boston was on the corner of Congress and Water Streets, where the "Simmons Block " now stands. Mr.
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
Brooks was often called to the discharge of important public and private trusts. He was several times in the State Senate, a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1820, and a member of the first city council in 1822, at the organization of the first city government of Boston. For a period of about ten years he was in the House of Representatives, Senate, and Council Chamber.
While in business as an underwriter, generally on ma- rine risks, he laid the foundation of his fortune.
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