USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oxford > History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates > Part 31
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1859, July 26. James Walker; barn near north common ; three cows, horse, hay, etc.
1860, Feb. 26. Horace Pope ; barn, two cows, hay, etc.
1861, March. Two old barns on Mowry place, H. 92.
1862, Feb. 25. Nahum Sibley ; house at north end of Plain, occu- pied by Charles Green and another.
1866, May 3. Rev. Horatio Bardwell; house and barn, Plain, H. 242.
1866, July 18. Henry J. Whiting ; barn, H. 14, lightning.
1868, Nov. 29. Nathaniel Eddy ; barn near North Oxford railroad station ; nine head of cattle, etc. ; loss $2,500, incendiary.
1869, Feb. 6. Burrough & Bartlett ; picker room at mill; loss $12,000.
1869, April 24. Edward Hilton ; house at lower extremity of North Oxford village, formerly Luther Clemence. A girl of ten years, Elizabeth Moulton from the Worcester Orphans' Home, lived with Hilton, and is supposed, on retiring, to have set fire to clothing in a closet. Her charred remains were found in the ruins.
1870, Aug. 21. Gates' shoddy-mill, H. 79.
1870, Sept. 22. John Rhodes ; cotton mill at North Oxford ; upper part burned off.
1872, April 19. Flannel mill near Rochdale, P. G. Kent, lessee.
1872(?), April. Gates' shoddy mill, second time.
1872, July 9. Samuel Nichols house near H. 71, then owned by Allard.
1874, April 10. Moses K. Shepardson, house on "Long Hill," H. 165.
1875, (about). Unoccupied house on Prospect Hill, H. 127.
1876, April 16. Old " Wolcott house," north end of Plain, H. 189.
1877, June 3. Martin McMahon ; North Oxford tavern and out- buildings, H. 122.
248
HISTORY OF OXFORD.
1877, July 26. Charles Rawson ; slaughter house, Camp Hill.
1877, Sept. 13. William Kimball estate ; barn, Plain.
1877, Dec. 5. Rufus Moffitt estate ; barn south end of Plain.
1878, Oct. 25. Ebenezer B. Walker; mill and contents near North Oxford railroad station, H. 154.
1879, Nov. 5. Daniel Warner; tenement house, south end of Plain.
1879, Nov. 7. John W. Robinson; tenement house, east part of the town, partially burned.
1879, Dec. 1. Horace A. Pope ; house and barn, west of north common, H. 84.
1881, Nov. 29. Alexander DeWitt estate ; Plain, two barns, one horse, three carriages, H. 226.
1882, Oct. 15. Addison M. Stevens ; house south part of the town, H. 63.
1883, April 29. Henry S. Brady ; house, Rockdale, North Oxford.
1883, July 19. Michael Toomey ; house and barn on Millbury road, H. 175.
1883, Sept. 3. John Rhodes ; house and barn at North Oxford, near H. 125, formerly Asa Cutler's.
1884, July 19. Danford Johnson, carriage-shop and machinery, north end of Plain, H. 186.
1884, July 23. Wallis mill, on Webster road.
1888, April 26. Nathaniel E. Taft; mill at south end of the Plain ; partial loss ; main building saved.
1889, Dec. 24. Barn near Huguenot Fort; 20 head of cattle, horse, hogs, produce.
1890, Jan. 8. Barn, five head of cattle; east part of the town, H. 13.
Masonic Lodges. The first Masonic organization in the town was the Olive Branch Lodge. A movement was made for its forma- tion early in 1797, and on 1 May officers were chosen as follows :-
JONATHAN LEARNED, Master. DANIEL FISK, Sen. Warden. JONATHAN DAVIS, Jun. Warden. SYLVANUS LEARNED, Sec. SYLVANUS TOWN, Treas. JONATHAN HARRIS, Sen. Dea.
JEREMIAH KINGSBURY, Jun. Dea. NATHANIEL WHITMORE,
PETER BUTLER, Stewards. WILLIAM ROBINSON, Tyler.
A committee was chosen to petition the Grand Lodge for a charter and a vote passed to hold meetings monthly on Mondays at 2 o'clock
249
MASONIC LODGES.
in the afternoon. A charter was granted the 14th of the following September. The petitioners named were : Jonathan Harris, Allen Hancock, Jonathan Davis, Ebenezer Rich, Samuel Davis, Jeremiah Kingsbury, Reuben Baxter, Jr., Daniel Fisk, Jonathan Learned, Peter Butler, William Robinson, Abel Morse, John Brown, Daniel Hunt, Sylvanus Town, Sylvanus Learned, Nathaniel Whitmore, Amos Keith, Simeon Waters, Moses Sibley, Jr., Ebenezer Dean, Parley Barton, Joseph Howland and Elijah Brown.
Hall. On 25 Sept., 1797, it was voted that the hall for the use of the Lodge, when built, shall be set within three-fourths of a mile of the house of Jonathan Davis. This house was the well known Davis homestead, No. 12, and this vote indicates that a large share of the membership was in Sutton. No hall was built in this town, but the house of Mr. Davis was thereafter the regular place of meeting dur- ing the continuance of the Lodge in Oxford. Occasionally meetings were held in the tavern hall on the Plain. In Nov., 1797, it was voted to pay Brother Jonathan Davis $24 per year for the use of the hall, furnished and warmed.
On 13 Sept., 1798, the before named officers were duly installed at the "new meeting-house," Universalist. The members met at Camp- bell's tavern, whence the procession marched at 12 o'clock to the Meeting-house, where, after a sermon by Thaddeus M. Harris, the ceremony of installation was performed.1 The procession returned to the hall and "from thence to a boothe prepared for that purpose and partook of an elegant dinner."
In Nov., 1814, a new hall was projected, and in Aug., 1815, a committee chosen to finish and furnish the same. The new quarters were built at West Sutton and were first occupied 21 Feb., 1816.
Removal. On 15 Sept., 1815, leave was given to remove the Lodge to Sutton. In March, 1845, it was again removed to Wilkin- sonville. In Dec., 1856, permission was granted to hold meetings alternately at Sutton and Webster. After 8 Sept., 1858, all the meetings were at Sutton. On 14 Dec., 1859, leave was granted to remove to Millbury. Early in 1860 the removal was made and the Lodge has since continued there.
The Masters while in Oxford were :-
JONATHAN LEARNED, chosen 1797.
JEREMIAH KINGSBURY,
66 1801.
SUMNER BARSTOW of Sutton,
66 1806.
ESTES HOWE, 66
1808.
SUMNER BARSTOW, 66
66 1809.
ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL of Oxford, 66 1812.
SAMUEL HARRIS, 66
66 1813.
SUMNER. BARSTOW of Sutton,
66
1814.
1 Rev. Thaddeus M. Harris, at this time twen-
Dorchester for many years.
ty-six years of age, was Unitarian minister at
33
250
HISTORY OF OXFORD.
Oxford Lodge. The second organization was the "Oxford Lodge," instituted 4 Dec., 1825, on petition of John Wetherell and others. The first meeting was in the Butler tavern hall, 25 Dec .; present : Samuel Harris, John Field, Elihu Harwood, Jr., Thomas Warner, Stephen Learned, John Wetherell, Stephen Barton, Peter Butler, John Mellish, Richard Olney, Samuel C. Butler, Artemas G. Metcalf, Jonathan A. Pope, Jonathan Harris, Rufus Moore. Samuel Harris was chosen Worthy Master ; John Field, Senior Warden; Elihu Harwood, Jr., Junior Warden, and Jonathan A. Pope, Secre- tary. An installation of officers took place at the old Meeting-house on 27 Sept., 1826, at which Rev. David Holman of Douglas gave an address. About 20 officials from the Grand Lodge and like institu- tions in towns near Oxford were present, and a dinner was provided by Mr. Samuel C. Butler at his tavern. On 27 Oct., 1828, it was voted to remove the place of meeting to the tavern on the Plain. Regular meetings were kept up until 1831, at which date the records end. An officer of the Mass. Grand Lodge at Boston writes : "It [the Lodge] probably died of the Anti-Masonic scare about 1831."
Third Lodge. On 23 Sept., 1859, the following petitioned for a new Lodge under the name of the former: Alexander DeWitt, John Wetherell, Loriston Shumway, Elihu Harwood, John A. McGaw, T. W. Wilmarth, Lovell H. Cleveland, Loren C. Parks, A. W. Fullerton, Wm. A. White, Clovis M. Gates, William Kimball, Daniel Davis, Jonathan Davis, William Sigourney, Archibald Campbell, Dennis S. B. Gates, Leander P. Cobb, Jonas Bacon, Benjamin Paine. The Lodge was duly instituted at Masonic Hall in the upper part of the shoe shop of Davis & Williams on Sutton Avenue. In 1860 the present hall, over the store near the Bank, was occupied. On 5 Oct., a charter having been received, the hall was consecrated, and the officers of the Lodge installed by public services in the Universal- ist Meeting-house, as follows : Geo. Mason, W. Master; T. W. Wilmarth, Sen. Warden; Loren C. Parks, Jun. Warden; Jonas Bacon, Treas. ; William A. White, Sec. ; Elihu Harwood, Chaplain; John Wetherell, Marshal; H. L. Shumway, Sen. Deacon; William Hughes, Jun. Deacon; Pliny M. Harwood, Sen. Steward; Eben Walsh, Jun. Steward; Henry Boyden, Tyler. The meetings have been kept up at the aforesaid hall to the present day.
The Worthy Masters have been : Samuel Harris, chosen 1825 ; Alexander DeWitt, chosen 1826 ; Ira Barton, chosen 1829 ; Sumner Barstow, chosen 1831; Geo. Mason, chosen 1860 ; T. W. Wilmarth, chosen 1861 ; Loren C. Parks, chosen 1863 ; Charles A. Bacon, cho- sen 1867; George H. Dodge, chosen 1870; Edward W. Bardwell, chosen 1871 ; Lester H. Cudworth, chosen 1878 ; Cornelius Putnam, chosen 1880; Lester H. Cudworth, chosen 1881; Nelson G. Dodge, chosen 1882 ; John A. Taft, chosen 1884; Walter D. Tyler, chosen 1886.
251
AGRICULTURAL GROUNDS.
Oxford Agricultural Society. On 15 Sept., 1886, a citizens' meeting was held at which an association of 42 members was formed " for the purpose of initiating an annual exhibition of horses, cattle, farm produce, manufactures, mechanical products, fruit, flowers and specimens of skill in the home and shops, curious things in nature, or heir-looms in families, etc., in Oxford." The following officers were chosen :-
RICHARD L. DODGE, President. EDWARD S. PEASE, Secretary. JOHN W. ROBINSON, Treasurer.
Joseph L. Woodbury, Frank A. Howarth, Abel Marsh, Franklin Howard, Daniel M. Howe, John P. Cudworth, Denny S. Putnam, Directors.
Exhibition. An exhibition was held 14 Oct., 1886, which was a success beyond the expectations of the most sanguine, and so stimu- lated the movement that in 1887 the Society became incorporated under the general laws of the State, and another successful exhibition was held 12 Oct., 1887. The interest increased, extending to the surrounding towns, and in the winter of 1887-8 it was decided to enlarge operations and apply to the legislature for a special act of incorporation. The result was an act as follows :-
" James W. Stockwell, Allen L. Joslin, Daniel Dwight, Thomas S. Eaton, E. R. Carpenter, Waldo Johnson, Daniel M. Howe, their associates and suc- cessors in the towns of Sutton, Oxford, Dudley, Auburn, Charlton and Webster are hereby made a corporation under the name of the OXFORD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY to be located at Oxford, for the encouragement of Agriculture, Hor- ticulture and the Arts by premiums and other means, etc., and said corpora- tion is hereby authorized to hold by purchase, gift, devise or otherwise, real and personal estate to an amount not exceeding 25,000 dollars."
At a meeting 3 April, 1888, the following officers were chosen :--
Daniel H. Dwight of Dudley, President. Allen L. Joslin of Oxford, Waldo Johnson of Webster, Erastus Alton of Dudley, E. R. Carpenter of Charlton, James W. Stockwell of Sutton, Thomas S. Eaton of Auburn, William Putnam of Worcester, H. P. Wilson of Spencer, Vice-Presidents; Fred. F. Barnard of Oxford, Secretary and Treasurer; Alfred W. Long, Lester H. Cudworth, Willis M. Wellington, Joseph L. Woodbury, Richard L. Dodge, all of Oxford ; Chester C. Corbin and A. C. Burnett of Webster ; George H. Marsh and Albert Jacobs of Dudley ; Daniel M. Howe and James W. Davis of Charlton ; H. S. Stockwell and S. F. Marsh of Sutton ; John J. Allen and M. L. Hervey of Auburn ; John W. Robinson and Hiram E. Barnard of Worcester, Trustees.
Grounds. In the spring of 1888 the Society purchased of the heirs of Samuel Smith 35 acres near the south end of the Plain, on a part of which was standing sufficient timber to enclose about 25 acres, which during the summer of 1888 was fenced, a good half-mile track was constructed and in September a successful exhibition held. At
252
HISTORY OF OXFORD.
the annual meeting, 2 Nov., 1888, Jonathan P. Dana was elected president, under whose inspection the exhibition hall and grand stand were built in 1889 and a successful exhibition was held that year. At the annual meeting, 1889, Mr. Dana was re-elected president. In 1890 Hon. Allen L. Joslin was chosen as his successor.
Improvement Association. On 4 May, 1886, Hon. B. G. Northrop gave an address at Memorial Hall on Village Improve- ments, at the close of which measures were taken to form a society for the promotion of this object in Oxford. On 14 June a second meeting was held at which a constitution was adopted and officers were chosen as follows :-
Allen L. Joslin, President. Edwin Bartlett, Samuel R. Barton, Frank A. Howarth, Charles H. Buffum, Willis M. Wellington, Samuel C. Willis, Jr., Charles C. Lamb, Vice-Presidents. Orrin F. Joslin, Treasurer. Miss Ellen A. Paine, Secretary. Mrs. Reuben Rich, Mrs. N. E. Taft, Mrs. Dr. Cushman, Mrs. Frank A. Howarth, Miss Caroline E. Buffum, Mrs. M. M. Hunt, Mrs. Willis M. Wellington, Mrs. Edwin Bartlett, Joseph L. Woodbury, Charles H. Wellington, John E. Kimball, Charles I. Rawson, Ithiel T. Johnson, John W. Robinson, John D. Hudson, Executive Committee.
The constitution states the objects of the Society to be, improved sanitary conditions in the town, better facilities for travel on roads and sidewalks, and beautifying public and private grounds and build- ings ; also that any one under 18 who shall plant two trees by the roadside with the approval of the Society, or pay 50 cents to the treasurer, or being over 18 shall plant trees as aforesaid, or pay one dollar to the treasurer shall be a member for one year, and that the payment of five dollars annually for three years or of 12 dollars at one time shall constitute one a life member.
Sidewalks were first considered. Committees were appointed to solicit funds, and 7 Sept., 1886, $112 had been expended on walks. Street lighting was next discussed. At this time $425 had been pledged to the objects of the association. At the annual meet- ing, 7 March, 1887, it was reported the receipts had been $474, of which $107 remained in the treasury. Three $50 subscriptions were reported promised by individuals.
Lights. The subject of street lighting was next taken up and a committee chosen, which reported in favor of the Wheeler Reflector Company's system, which was adopted. During 1887 fifty posts and lanterns were set at a cost of $191, the lamps and reflectors being the property of the lighting company, which contracted to furnish all sup- plies and to light the lamps at a certain rate per light per evening. These were lighted as a matter of experiment, largely at the expense of the treasurer, until November, when the town voted to assume the cost, and a contract was made extending to 8 May, 1888. The Society in Nov., 1887, transferred to the town the posts and lanterns.
VIEW FROM FORT HILL.
253
HUGUENOT MEMORIAL SOCIETY.
During the season of 1887 the improvement of the walks was continued, the additional sum of $147 having been expended thereon. At the annual meeting, 5 March, 1888, arrangements had been made for the incorportion of the Society under the general laws of the State, a new Society for purposes essentially the same as the old was formed and the following officers chosen :-
Allen L. Joslin, President. Miss Ellen A. Paine, Clerk. Orrin F. Joslin, Treasurer. John E. Kimball, Edward S. Pease, Reuben Rich, Walter D. Tyler, Asa B. Taft, Ovide Villers, Samuel C. Willis, Jr., Vice-Presidents. Henry A. Moffitt, Allen L. Joslin, Orrin F. Joslin, Miss Frances H. Robinson, Mrs. Amasa F. Stowe, Miss Laura D. Stockwell, Miss Mary J. Shumway, Executive Committee.
The "Grange." Oxford Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, No. 123, was organized 23 March, 1885, with 24 members, since which 92 have been added ; present membership [1890] 101. The Masters have been successively, Lester H. Cudworth, John A. Taft, Joseph L. Woodbury, Daniel M. Howe. Meetings are held semi-monthly, and interest is well sustained.
Huguenot Memorial Society. In 1881 a society was formed for the purpose of honoring and perpetuating the memory of the first settlers of the town, of which Zachariah Allen, LL.D., of Providence, was chosen president. He died 27 March, 1882, and Hon. Peter Butler of Boston was elected as his successor. Its members are exclusively descendants of the Huguenots, residing in Oxford, Worces- ter, Boston, Providence, New York and other places. A fund was raised and several acres of land with the old fort purchased, to be held by the Society in perpetuity. The foundations of the fort have been cleared of earth and stones.
Monument. A subscription was raised for the erection of a monument and a handsome and appropriate memorial, being a mas- sive granite cross on a pedestal, was erected, and dedicated 2 Oct., 1884, with appropriate ceremonies in the presence of a large assembly of people. Rev. Charles W. Baird, D.D., of Rye, N. Y., Richard Olney, Esq., of Boston, and Peter B. Olney, Esq., of New York, were the chief speakers on the occasion.
Inscriptions :-
[South. ] IN MEMORY OF THE HUGUENOTS EXILES FOR THEIR FAITH, WHO MADE THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF OXFORD 1
1687.
"WE LIVE NOT FOR OURSELVES ONLY, BUT FOR POSTERITY."
Z. Allen.
254
HISTORY OF OXFORD.
[ West.] A LA MEMOIRÈ DE ANDRE SIGOURNAY, COMMANDANT DU FORT. NE À LA ROCHELLE, FRANCE, 1638. MORT À BOSTON, MASS., 1727, A L'AGE DE 89.
[North.] ERECTED BY DESCENDANTS OF GABRIEL BERNON AND OF ANDRE SIGOURNAY, 1884. " A LA FOI ET HONNEUR."
[East. ] A LA MEMOIRÈ DE GABRIEL BERNON, FOUNDATEUR DE LA COLONIE D'OXFORD, NÈ À LA ROCHELLE, FRANCE, 1644, MORT À PROVIDENCE, R. I., 1736, A L'AGE DE 92.
Learned Relief Fund. Miss Elizabeth R., daughter of Abisha Learned, died 18 May, 1880. A few days before her decease she wrote thus to a friend in reference to a disposition of her property :-
" It has been the dream of my life to bless the unfortunate of my native town by my death. First, all for my mother. Then if not used it shall be a trust fund for the poor, to which I hope others will add."
In her will she made ample provision for the needs of ber mother, and adds :-
"After my mother's decease I order that all my remaining estate shall be paid into the hands of three trustees [to be exempted from giving sureties], namely, Samuel C. Willis, Jr., Allen L. Joslin and Orrin F. Joslin, and when a vacancy from any cause occurs in this board, the remaining members or member shall fill said vacancy, after consultation with, and with the approba- tion of the Judge of Probate for Worcester County. These trustees shall safely invest, on interest, said money, and it shall be a permanent fund for- ever, and all its net income shall be distributed at the discretion of said trustees annually to indigent widows, maiden ladies and orphans who are actually legal inhabitants of Oxford, and not otherwise. And I order that all assistance rendered in every case be made without partiality or distinction of party or sect.
" My object in leaving this fund is to render assistance to those who are actually needy, and striving to keep themselves from charge to the town, and suffer great privations for the want of a little aid, which if occasionally given would make them comfortable and happy.
255
PROFESSIONAL MEN.
" It is not my intention that any part of the income of this fund should be appropriated for the assistance of those who are wholly destitute, and unable or not disposed to help themselves-these will of course fall upon the town for support. There may be cases however where a little aid for the time being, to either sex, would be very acceptable and proper, should there be funds at disposal, but as such cases are not easily described . . . I leave it to the discretion of my said trustees and their successors to act in the premises." .
Miss Learned's estate was valued at $11,400, and now yields an annual income of nearly $600.
Lawyers. At some time between 1790 and 1800 SAMUEL JENNI- SON opened a law office in Oxford. Although an able man he found so little demand for his services that his stay was short, and he returned to Brookfield, whence he came.1 With this exception we have no knowledge of a resident lawyer here prior to 1800. The first of the profession to settle in town after that date was ERASMUS BABBITT, who practiced from 1804 to 1806 or 1807.1
CHARLES G. PRENTISS came in 1821, doing a moderate business until 1829, when he returned to Worcester.1
IRA BARTON was the first to really prosper in the profession, and his success was due to his superior abilities and the general increase of manufacturing and its attendant operations in the town and vicinity. He began in 1822, was in 1824 in an office over the Bank, where he was first partner with Sumner Barstow and later with Peter C. Bacon. He removed in 1834 to Worcester.1
PETER C. BACON joined Barton in 1832 and continued here after the removal of the latter to Worcester, transacting a successful busi- ness until 1844, when he also removed to the County seat.1
CHARLES D. BOWMAN came in 1845, continuing until his decease in 1857.1
L. W. PIERCE opened an office in May, 1854, continuing until May, 1855, when he removed to Westborough. Later he was of Winchen- don.
NELSON BARTHOLOMEW occupied Bowman's old office in the summer of 1858, and left in the summer of 1861 to enlist in the army.1
EMORY F. HOLWAY, born at Westport (Conn. ? ), began before May, 1863, remained about one year and removed to Clinton, Ia.
WILLIAM H. HARDING came in 1864, practiced through 1865, and returned to Lee, Mass., where he died.
For ten years afterwards Oxford had no resident in the profession.
HENRY J. CLARK, son of Isaac, of Southbridge, came to town from Bridgewater in July of 1875, remained three years, removing July, 1878, to Webster, where he resides, 1890.
Physicians. There is substantial evidence that Rev. John Campbell was during his life acting and advising physician in many of the families of the town, and that the profession proper had quite a limited support prior to 1760.
1 See name in Genealogical Department.
258
HISTORY OF OXFORD.
HENRY S. HUDSON, lawyer ; Amherst, 1849.
JOHN H. MELLISH, minister ; Amherst, 1851.
JOHN SAVARY, minister( ?) ; Williams, 1855(?). [Entered Harvard Law School 1866, left 1866.]
RICHARD OLNEY, lawyer ; Brown, 1856.
JOHN E. KIMBALL, teacher ; Yale, 1858.
LYMAN S. ROWLAND, minister ; Amherst, 1858.
PETER B. OLNEY, lawyer ; Harvard, 1864.
CHARLES R. PHIPPS, teacher ; Amherst, 1866.
FRANCIS E. BURNETTE, teacher ; Amherst, 1867.
ELLIOT P. JOSLIN, studying for physician ; Yale, 1890.
The following were students as designated :-
JAMES B. CAMPBELL, lawyer ; entered at Brown 1824 ; left in 1826, not graduated.
RHODES B. CHAPMAN, South Oxford ; studied at Brown 1831-4, not graduated.
NELSON P. ANGELL, entered at Yale 1831 ; left after two years.
LORING F. RUSSELL, died while in Amherst College, Feb., 1842. THOMAS D. KIMBALL, one year, 1859, at Yale.
BYRON STONE, North Oxford ; physician ; Harvard Medical School 1874, remaining one year, was graduated, 1877, at Philadelphia.
JOSEPH L. STONE, North Oxford ; physician ; was graduated, 1855, at Hamilton Medical College, Cincinnati.
EMORY F. STONE, North Oxford ; entered Wisconsin University, Madison, before Sept., 1859 ; in catalogue June, 1862, reported "in the National army."
First Village Improvement. About 1807, Nathan Black- man, a hatter employed by Samuel Campbell, set in motion a project for the ornamentation of our main street by setting trees, resulting in placing about 250 Lombardy poplars in lines on each side the length of the avenue. These flourished for a few years, but soon began to decay and after 25 or 30 years scarcely one remained. The principal trees now growing, excepting the large elms at the common, were set by individuals since the poplars disappeared.
Dog-tax. In March, 1848, an article "to see if the town will raise a tax on dogs " was dismissed. In December Charles D. Bow- man, Alvan G. Underwood and Jasper Brown were chosen to draft a code of by-laws on the subject, who reported as follows1 :-
Ist. That the selectmen be authorized to appoint a Register of dogs to account annually for fines and money received for licenses. 2d. No dogs to be allowed to go at large except such as are licensed. 3d. All licensed dogs to wear a collar with the name of the owner and "Licensed " engraved upon it. The sum to be paid to be two dollars. 4th. All dogs to be muzzled under a penalty of two dollars. 5th. The penalty of offences against the
1 This action was based on Chap. 58, Sec. 10 of
Court at Worcester, Dec., 1848.
the Revised Statutes, and was approved by the
259
TOWN CLOCK.
foregoing to be ten dollars and costs of prosecution. 6th. A reward of fifty cents to be paid for killing all dogs running at large contrary to these pro- visions.
The adoption of this report caused excitement in certain quarters resulting in a meeting in Jan., 1849, at which the 4th and 6th articles were repealed and the license fee was made one dollar instead of two, and also a vote passed that "any person poisoning or in any other way killing a licensed dog should forfeit ten dollars." In 1867 the State law superseded town action on this subject.
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